Knowledge, attitude and Practices Towards Solid Waste Management among Household Heads in Kikaya Parish, Kawempe Division, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Solid waste is increasingly becoming a critical issue of concern in Uganda as it is greatly associated with increasing adverse environmental health problems that greatly impair health of humans, animals and cause economic losses. This problem is attributed to the increasing population, urbanization as well as the poor waste management and disposal systems in place that fail to manage the associated increase in waste generated. Objective: The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices among residents in the households of Kikaya parish, Kawempe division towards solid waste management in order to inform local authorities and other stakeholders in the design of solid waste management programs to curb the problem of poor solid waste management in the city. 11 Methods: This was a cross-sectional study employing quantitative data collection methods. The study used a structured questionnaire among a sample size of 380 residents. Data was analyzed using StataSE version 13 and presented in tables and figures using frequencies, proportions, and odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: In this study, majority of the respondents had knowledge about solid waste management 70.3% (267/380), a negative attitude towards solid waste management 54.8% (131/380) and managed their solid waste in a proper manner 69.5% (264/380). Most of the residents used waste collection trucks for the final disposal of their waste. Household heads that had attained university/ tertiary education as their highest form of formal education were two times more likely to practice proper solid waste management (COR=2.4, CI =1.3-4.7). In addition, respondents who had sufficient knowledge about solid waste management were five times more likely to have a positive attitude towards solid waste management (COR=4.9, CI=2.9-8.3). This study found no association between knowledge about solid waste management and proper solid waste management practices. Conclusion: Despite the respondents having sufficient knowledge about solid waste management, they displayed negative attitude towards it. Therefore, there is need for continuous sensitization about the negative health effects of poor solid waste management in order to improve their attitudes.