Knowledge and factors related to the understanding of using plastic bags by homemakers in Quan Hau town, Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh province in 2022

Abstract

Objective: Plastic bags are currently an environmental hazard as they take a long time to decompose, and other methods of destruction cause environmental pollution. The study was conducted to learn knowledge and identify factors related to knowledge of using plastic bags by the homemakers in the household of Quan Hau town, Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh Province in 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design. The study conducted interviews with 300 main homemakers in the household of Quan Hau town, Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh Province in 2022. Results: 42.3% of the subjects had general knowledge about using plastic bags, of which 40.3% of homemakers answered correctly about the origin of plastic bags as petroleum, 91.3% of the group answered correctly about the decomposition of plastic bags, 27.7% of homemakers answered correctly about the decomposition time of plastic bags. Factors related to knowledge include: (1) Personal and family factors (education level, occupation, average income/month), (2) socio-environmental factors (awareness of programmes and policies on reducing the use of plastic bags). Conclusions: The rate of achieving general knowledge about plastic bags is 42.3%, the factors related to learning about plastic bags are personal, family factors, and socio-environmental factors. The study provides recommendations for families to get information about plastic bags. Along with the district committee, Quang Ninh Women's Union needs to strengthen their communication; and the District Office of natural resources and Environment needs to develop a plan for handling and classifying plastic bags.