Knowledge and practices of mbarara city residents concerning solid waste management.

Abstract

Waste is produced by human activity, and the absence of effective waste management practices puts the environment and the general population at risk. Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) difficulties and issues, particularly in the rapidly urbanizing cities of the developing globe, are of vital importance. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of Mbarara city residents concerning solid waste management. Methods. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, the researcher conducted a community-based cross-sectional study with 220 families. Six questions were used to evaluate waste management: (1) the presence of solid waste collection and storage containers; (2) the use of covered receptacles for solid waste collection; (3) collection receptacle and storage area not overflowing with waste; (4) the absence of solid waste scattered in the household compound; (5) the segregation of solid waste at the household level; and (6) the absence of flies and other vectors in the home (Yes or No). Each response to the questions that emphasizes appropriate practice was assigned code 1 and the unsatisfactory practices were assigned code 0. Households with a score of at least 4 out of 5 were defined as having proper solid waste management practices, and households with a score of 3 or less were classed as having incorrect waste management practises, according to the methodology employed in a prior study by Ssemugabo et al (2020). Results. Only 73 out of 220 (or 33% of the families) used proper waste management techniques. 63% (138/220) of households lacked containers for collecting and storing solid waste. Only 38% (31/82) of the households with solid waste collection and storage containers had covered receptacles; 66% (54/82) of the households did not have collection receptacles and storage spaces overflowing with waste; and 34% (28/82) of the households did. In terms of the difficulties households had in managing their solid waste, 29% (64/220) and 45% (99/220) identified a lack of additional trash cans and alternative garbage disposal choices as the two biggest obstacles, respectively. 90% (199/220) of respondents were aware of the value of appropriate waste disposal, and 50.91% (112/230) said that improper garbage disposal had a significant negative impact on humans, animals, children, and the environment. Conclusion. In general, solid waste management was poor. As a result, improving solid waste management in developing cities necessitates a series of interventions that target knowledge, physical, and behavioural components of the problem.