The effect of an educational intervention based on the Integrated Behavior Model (IBM)on the waste separation: A community based study

Abstract

IntroductionIn the management of recycling waste, separation of the wastes from source is crucially important. A successful source separation plan requires good participation of the community. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on the Integrated Behavior Model (IBM) on the behavior change of housewives in Sanandaj City, west of Iran, towards the waste separation at source. MethodsThis is a quasi-experimental and community trail study. The population study was the households living in Sanandaj. The total number of 144 households were selected and divided into two groups (72 each). For each selected household, only the housewife was interviewed. To evaluate the behavior change towards the dry and wet waste separation, a training program based on the IBM was conducted for one group (training or intervention group) and the second group served as the control and received no training. The length of the intervention was two months with eight sessions. After a month, participants were asked to fill in a validated questionnaire based on the IBM, before and at the end of study. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon and McNemar tests. ResultsIn the intervention group at the baseline, the mean ± standard deviation of the attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and self-efficacy score were 34.03 ± 5.12, 15.91 ± 4.58, 18.93 ± 4.01 and 31.54 ± 6.79 respectively. At the end of study, the score of components increased to 36 ± 4.28, 18.9 ± 4.56, 21.76 ± 2.65 and 34.72 ± 4.66 respectively. The increase in the components was statistically significant (p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe intervention based on IBM could be an effective method to improve the behavior of separation the dry and wet waste.