Educational Status and Knowledge of Meaning, Composition and Hazards of Solid Waste among Residents in Onitsha Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Good knowledge of waste and its management is key to sustainable healthy living conditions in a sane environment. However, this knowledge has been reported to be influenced by many factors. Objective: To determine the association between educational status and knowledge of meaning, composition of solid waste and hazards of its improper management among residents in Onitsha metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study of 425 households in Onitsha Metropolis, selected using multistage sampling technique was done. Data was collected by interview using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using computer Graph Pad Prism version 5.3. Chi-square test was used to identify statistically significant associations between variables. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the respondents is 36.84±12.21years. Three hundred and fifty five (83.5%) of the respondents could give the correct meaning of the term ‘solid waste’, 312 (73.4%) knew its composition while 351 (82.6%) had an appreciable knowledge of the health hazards of improper waste management. There are statistically significant associations between educational status of respondents and their knowledge of solid waste (p<0.05), correct knowledge of solid waste (p<0.05), knowledge of hazards of improper waste management (p<0.05) respectively. Conclusions: The study results revealed that Onitsha residents have a good knowledge of solid waste and this was found to be associated with educational status. We therefore recommend sustained attitudinal change program via regular and periodic health education on proper solid waste management patterns.