SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG RESIDENTS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA (original) (raw)
Background: Improper waste management practices distort the aesthetic beauty of the environment, causing environmental pollution as well as spread of diseases. The aim of the study was to assess solid waste management practices among residents in Imo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to identify types of solid waste generated at household levels and to determine patterns of solid waste disposal practices among the residents of Imo State Nigeria. Method: Cross sectional research design was used for the study. Multistage sampling technique was adopted for the study across the communities and households in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Imo State Nigeria. A total of 1600 residents/households were selected for the study.Instrument used for data collection in the study was an adapted questionnaire titled Household Solid Waste Management Survey Questionnaire (HSWMSQ). Reliability of the instrument was established through test-retest method using Cronbach's Alpha which yielded coefficient of 0.749. The data collected were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean, Standard Deviation and Chi-Square Statistics. Results: Findings showed that majority (85.2%) of the respondents identified plastic/nylon as the major household waste. Also, majority (67.2%) of the respondents claimed that burning is the most frequently used method in disposing paper/cardboard. Rubbish bin/drum was used by 36.9% of the respondents to collect household waste always. There was significant association between the communities and practice of sorting domestic waste among the respondents (X 2 = 64.847; P= 0.000). Significant association also existed between the residents' occupation and their practice of sorting domestic waste (X 2 = 36.929; P= 0.000). Conclusion: Poor patterns of waste disposal among the residents in Imo State constituted threat to the health of the residents. Focused health education and home visits are needed to enhance teaching of the
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