“: Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and practices on Households’ Solid Waste Management In Seyo Town’’

Abstract

Improper solid waste management in urban and semi-urban cities in developing countries is the source of environmental pollution and public health concerns. This study aimed to assess the households’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices of solid waste management in Seyo town using a community-based cross-sectional study design based on 95 sample households selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to predict improper solid waste management practices. Generally, most households had correct knowledge and positive attitudes towards SWM, but poor practice was observed in the study area. About 90.5% of the households considered solid waste a source of environmental pollution and close to 84% replied that solid waste can be used for compost preparation. The majority (47.4%) of the households “strongly agreed” about the potential risk associated with improper solid waste disposal and nearly 50.5% of them also “strongly agreed” that proper SWM is crucial to creating a healthy environment in the community. Nearly 71.6% had practiced improper SWM. Logistic regression analyses indicated that lack of experience in sorting solid waste, ways of removal, knowledge about reduce, reuse, and recycle, absence of adequate solid waste landfills, and lack of door-to-door waste collection services were the major contributing factors to the improper SWM practice in the town. In conclusion, the majority of the households had practiced improper SWM, such as disposing of solid waste in the backyard, along the roadsides, in gullies, and burning. These malpractices can significantly affect the environment and the public health of the residents.