INTRODUCTION:

Waste is a projective term for unwanted materials which is discarded after the primary use or it is worthless, defective and of no use¹.

There are millions of tons of waste is generated as a result of the ordinary day to day use of a domestic premises. It may be produced from the various human activities everyday all over the world.² The impact of improper disposal of waste materials like toxic if consumed by man or animals can be very dangerous to life. Some waste such as plastic containers act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are responsible for spread of malaria and dengue fever. In addition, houseflies spread germs responsible for stomach upsets and other illnesses.³ A waste that is not properly managed, especially excreta and other liquid and solid waste from households and the community, are serious hazards and lead to the spread of infectious diseases. This leads to unhygienic conditions and thereby to a rise in the health problems.⁴The waste management simply means the collection, transport and disposal, managing and monitoring of waste materials to minimize its consequences on humans and environment.⁵

The Swachh Bharath mission led by the Government of India seeks to make India a clean country. This campaign was launched officially to achieve the goal of cleanliness and sanitation.It plays an important role in maintaining health by preventing human contact from hazards of wastes.⁶ An environmental sanitation is a set of actions geared towards improving the quality of the environment and reducing the amount of disease. The environmental sanitation envisages promotion of health of the community by providing clean environment and breaking the cycle of disease.⁷ A clean environment, open defecation free areas, personal hygiene practices among the individuals, proper solid and liquid waste management, and availability of adequate safe drinking water determine the health of individuals as well as the community.⁸

It is a vital to have an effective and systematic waste disposal management system at the basic source of waste production which is the household in order to combat its harmful effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, domestic waste management or waste disposals are all the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal⁹. The main aim of domestic waste management is to provide hygienic, economic, and efficient collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of this waste without polluting the atmosphere, soil or water resources. Even after the felt needs proper waste management people do not have adequate knowledge about disposal of household wastes. The only thing is ordinary people can do in order to let the world know the importance of waste disposal is by teaching the households and the forth coming citizens.¹⁰

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Knowledge and practice regarding the domestic waste management among households of selected rural community, Mangalure.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the knowledge regarding domestic waste management among households.

2. To assess the practice regarding domestic waste management among households.

3. To find the co-relation between knowledge and practice scores on domestic waste management among households.

4. To find the association between knowledge and practice scores regarding domestic waste management with selected demographic variables such as age, sex, religion, type of family, educational status, occupation, monthly income of the family, sources of information about domestic waste management.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS:

H1: There will be a significant correlation between knowledge and practice regarding domestic waste management among households of selected rural community.

H2: There will be a significant association between the knowledge scores of households with the selected demographic variables such as age, sex, religion, type of family, educational status, occupation, monthly income of the family, sources of information about domestic waste management.

H3: There will be a significant association between the practice scores of households with the selected demographic variables such as age, sex, religion, type of family, educational status, occupation, monthly income of the family, sources of information about domestic waste management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Research approach: The researcher utilized a descriptive survey approach

Research design: In this study, Non-experimental typical descriptive research design was adapted.

Research setting: The setting for the study was Saripalla area, Mangalore.

Population: In this study, population consists of households of selected rural community, Mangalure.

Sample: The sample would comprise of 80 households in the age group of above 18years at selected rural community, Mangalure.

Sampling technique: The samples were selected by using Non probability Purposive sampling techniques.

Description of the final tools: The tool used in the study consists of 3 parts

Part 1: Demographic variables

Part 2: Structured knowledge questionnaire

Part 3: Practice checklist

Plan for data analysis:

The data were analysed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

1. Organization of data in the master sheet.

2. Frequency and percentage of data were calculated for describing demographic variables.

3. Mean and standard deviation was used to present knowledge and practice level.

4. Chi square test was used to find the association between knowledge and practice level of households with selected demographic variables.

5. Chi square test was used to find the relationship between knowledge and practice of households.

RESULTS:

Section I. Description of baseline Proforma

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of the subjects according to selected demographic variables N=80

S. No

Demographic variable

Frequency(f)

Percentage (%)

Age (in years)

a. 18-25

b. 26-35

c. 36-45

d. 46-55

e. >56

16.3%

30.0%

22.5%

20.0%

11.3%

Gender

a. Male

b. Female

26. 3%

73.8%

Religion

a. Hindu

b. Islam

c. Christian

d. Any other

67.5%

3.8%

27.5%

1.3%

Family type

a. Nuclear

b. Joint

c. Extended

75%

20%

Educational status

a. Primary school

b. Higher school

c. PUC/Diploma

d. Graduate and above

e. No formal education

40%

36.3%

18.8%

3.8%

1.3%

Occupation

a. Homemaker

b. Government employee

c. Private employee

d. Self employed

43.8%

6.3%

42.5%

7.5%

Family income per month

a. <Rs.5000

b. Rs.5001- Rs.10000

c. Rs.10001- Rs.15000

d. >Rs.15000

11.3%

42.5%

28.8%

17.5%

Do you have any information on domestic waste management?

a. Yes

b. No

81.3%

18.8%

If yes, what is the source of information regarding domestic waste management

a. Family

b. Friends

c. Mass media

31.3%

15%

53.75%

In the present study, a total of 80 households participated. 24(30%) respondents belong to the age group of 26-35 years. 59(73.8%) were females. Majority 54(67.5%) respondents were Hindu. Majority belongs to nuclear family. Highest percentage 32(40%) respondents had only primary education. Majority 35(43.8%) respondents were homemaker.

Majority 70% respondents had monthly income of 5,000 – 10,000Rs. Majority 65(81.3%) respondents had a information about domestic waste management. Majority 43(53.75%) respondents got information from Radio, newspaper and magazines.

Section II (A): Knowledge score obtained by the subjects regarding household waste Management:

Table 2: Frequency and percentage distribution of samples according to the level of knowledge N=80

Grading of knowledge

Range

Frequency

Percentage

Adequate

Moderate

Inadequate

19-27

10 – 18

0 – 9

2.5

52.5

45.00

Total

100%

The above Table shows that majority 42 (52.5%) of the subjects had moderate knowledge and 36 (45%) of the subjects had inadequate knowledge and and only 2 (2.5%) of the subjects had adequate knowledge on domestic waste management.

Table 3: Range, mean, SD and mean percentage of knowledge score of Domestic waste management among households of selected rural community.

N=80

Variable	Range	Mean	SD	Mean percentage
Knowledge score	04-21	10.05	03.990	37.22
Maximum score=27

The above table focuses on area-wise mean percentage distribution subjects on waste management. The mean percentage of knowledge score is maximum in the area of ‘types’ with mean±SD of 2.66±1.340and minimum in the area of ‘method of waste disposal’ with mean±SD of 1.76±1.398.

Section III (A): Assessment of practice score regarding Domestic waste management among the households.

Table 5: Frequency and percentage distribution of samples according to their level of practice.

Grading of practice	Range	Frequency	Percentage
Poor	0-10	05	6.3
Moderate	11 – 21	59	73.8
Good	22 – 32	16	20.0
Total		80	100%

Maximum score=32

The above table shows that majority 59 (73.8%) of the samples had moderate practice, 16 (20%) had good practice and only 5 (6.5%) had very poor practice on domestic waste management.

Table 6: Range, mean, SD and mean percentage of Practice scores of households regarding Domestic waste management.

N=80

Variable	Range	Mean	SD	Mean percentage
Practice score	0-27	18.09	05.413	56.52
Maximum score=32

Section III (B): Area-wise analysis of the practice scores regarding

Table 7: Area-wise mean, SD and percentage of practice scores of households regarding domestic waste management

Practice is	Maximum score	Mean	SD	Mean %
Reduction of waste	8	7.4	1.20	30.67
Disposal of waste	8	9.80	3.80	22.50
Maximum score: 32

The data presented in Table 7 shows that the mean percentage of practice score is maximum (30.67%) in the ‘reduction of waste’ area with mean ±SD of 7.4±1.20 and minimum (22.50%) in the ‘Disposal of waste’ area of mean ±SD of 9.80±3.80.

Section IV: Assessment Correlation between knowledge and practice of subjects on domestic waste management.

Table 8: Correlation between knowledge and Practice regarding Domestic waste management among households.

N=80

Knowledge			Practice			‘r’ value
Mean	SD	Mean%	Mean	SD	Mean%	0.487*
10.5	3.99	37.22	18.09	05.413	56.52	0.487*

Data presented in Table 8 shows that the correlation between knowledge and practice regarding domestic waste management among households at selected rural community r=0.487 (p= 0.05) and shows that there is positive correlation between knowledge and practice regarding domestic waste management. There for research hypothesis H1 is accepted There is moderate positive correlation between the knowledge and practice score (r = 0.487, df=78, table value=0.220).

Section V: Association between mean knowledge score with selected demographic variables

Table 9: Chi-square test to find out association between mean knowledge score and selected demographic variables N=80

Knowledge score

S. No

Demographic variables

Median

P value

χ2 value

Age (in years)

f. 18-25

g. 26-35

h. 36-45

i. 46-55

j. >56

0.758

1.178

Gender

c. Male

d. Female

0.193

1.696

Religion

e. Hindu

f. Islam

g. Christian

h. Any other

0.415

0.665

Family type

d. Nuclear

e. Joint

f. Extended

0.604

0.269

Educational status

f. Primary school

g. Higher school

h. PUC/Diploma

i. Graduate and above

j. No formal education

0.014

8.516^*

Occupation

e. Homemaker

f. Government employee

g. Private employee

h. Self employed

0.128

4.110

Family income per month

e. <Rs.5000

f. Rs.5001- Rs.10000

g. Rs.10001- Rs.15000

h. >Rs.15000

0.875

0.025

Do you have any information on domestic waste management?

c. Yes

d. No

0.472

0.518

If yes, what is the source of information regarding domestic waste management

d. Family

e. Friends

f. Mass media

g. Any other

0.523

5.000

χ1 2 =3.84, χ2 2 =5.99, χ2 2 =7.82, χ4 2 =9.49; P≤0.05 * Significant

The above table shows that there will be a significant association between knowledge score and demographic variables like educational status of the subjects selected for the study 8.516(calculated value) <7.818(table value). Hence, the hypothesis stated there will be a significant association between the knowledge score regarding management of domestic waste management among households and their demographic variables where partly accepted at 0.05 level.

The above table shows that the demographic variables like Age, Gender, occupation, family income and sources of information of domestic waste managements, were found to be no significant association with the knowledge scores. Hence, the hypothesis stated there will be no significant association between knowledge level regarding management of domestic waste management among households and their demographic variables where partly rejected at 0.05 level.

Section VI: Association between mean practice score with selected demographic variables.

Table 10: Chi-square test to find out association between mean practice score with selected demographic variables N=80

S. No

Demographic variables

Practice score <median

≥median

P value

χ2 value

Age (in years)

a. 18-25

b. 26-35

c. 36-45

d. 46-55

e. >56

0.789

1.053

Gender

a. Male

b. Female

0.353

0.862

Religion

a. Hindu

b. Islam

c. Christian

d. Any other

0.857

0.033

Family type

a. Nuclear

b. Joint

c. Extended

0.896

0.017

Educational status

a. Primary school

b. Higher school

c. PUC/Diploma

d. Graduate and above

e. No formal education

0.624

0.943

Occupation

a. Homemaker

b. Government employee

c. Private employee

d. Self employed

0.524

1.293

Family income per month

i. <Rs.5000

j. Rs.5001- Rs.10000

k. Rs.10001- Rs.15000

l. >Rs.15000

0.932

0.007

Do you have any information on domestic waste management?

e. Yes

f. No

0.047

3.940^*

If yes, what is the source of information regarding domestic waste management

a. Family

b. Friends

c. Mass media

d. Any other

0.087

0.750

χ1 2 =3.84, χ2 2 =5.99, χ2 2 =7.82, χ4 2 =9.49; P≤0.05 * Significant

The above table shows that there will be a significant association between practice score and demographic variables like subjects’ knowledge on domestic waste management 3.940(calculated value) <3.840(table value). Hence, the hypothesis stated there will be a significant association between the practice score regarding management of domestic waste management among households and their demographic variables where partly accepted at 0.05 level.

The above table shows that the demographic variables like Age, Gender, occupation, family income and sources of information of domestic waste managements, were found to be no significant association with the practice scores. Hence, the hypothesis stated there will be no significant association between practice level regarding management of domestic waste management among households and their demographic variables where partly rejected at 0.05 level.

DISCUSSION:

In the present study it is confirmed that Majority of the subjects (52.5%) had moderate knowledge. Around 45% of the subjects had inadequate knowledge and only 2.5% of them had adequate knowledge regarding domestic waste management. Results obtained from this study contradicts to the results reported in another study which was conducted in Khorashan U, Iran to assess the existing knowledge of housewives on waste disposal. The study showed that 61% of subjects had moderate knowledge, 30% had average knowledge and 9% had good knowledge.¹¹

In present study results revealed that out of 80 households, 73.8% households had practiced moderate disposal practices, 20% had good practices and 6.3% had poor practices on proper disposal of refuse and sewage.

The present study supported by the study on the knowledge and practices of housewives in Kaduna Metropolis town towards proper disposal of refuse and sewage. 60.45% women were having moderate practices of disposal of refuse and sewage, but only 24% had correct knowledge of how the practice affects health.¹²

There is moderate positive correlation between the knowledge and practice score (r = 0.487, df=78, table value=0.220).

The findings of the study were similar to the study conducted in Gujarat, India, to assess the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice of women’s regarding waste disposal. The findings of the study revealed that there was significant relationship between the knowledge and practice.¹³

There is no significant association between knowledge score with demographic variables except in educational qualification. A study was conducted to assess the awareness, attitude, practices and the perceptions regarding household waste management among housewives in selected areas of Pune city by using descriptive survey method. The study result reveals that 87.5% housewives handled the waste and as per their opinion 83.3% should be responsible for handling the waste, 97.9% would like to clear the waste every day at home. The study concluded that there was no significant association between knowledge, attitude and practice regarding domestic waste.¹⁴

The χ 2 value of demographic variables like age, sex, religion, type of family, occupation, education qualification, and monthly family income, sources of information were found not significant at p<0.05 level of significance except their level of knowledge about domestic waste management. There by indicates that there is no association between these variables with practice score of subjects.

CONCLUSIONS:

It is concluded that majority of the households had moderate knowledge and practice in all areas of management of domestic waste management. The present study findings suggested that there is an increasing need to conduct awareness programme for the households regarding domestic waste management. Development of manual on waste management techniques will enhance the knowledge and practice of households on domestic waste management.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

· The study was limited only to 80 households of selected rural community in Mangalore, Karnataka.

· The study did not assess the attitude of households regarding the waste management.

· The findings could be generalized only to the population which fulfilled the criteria in the study.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

On the basis of the findings of the study following recommendations have been made:

· A similar study can be replicated on a large sample to generalize the findings.

· A quasi-experimental study can be undertaken with a control group for effective comparison of the result.

· A study can be conducted by including additional demographic variables.

· Manuals, self-instruction module may be developed in areas where there is no proper disposal of refuse and sewage is practiced among households.

· A study can be carried out to evaluate the efficiency of various teaching strategies like SIM, pamphlets, leaflets and computer-assisted instruction on proper disposal of refuse and sewage.

REFERENCE:

1. Brudshaw K. Solid waste management - United Nations Environment Programme: Waste Quantities and Characteristics. New York: Wanslaw Publications; 2005.

2. Kumari N. A textbook of community health nursing. Jalandhar: P. K. Jain; 2009. p. 111.

3. Erin W. Toxic waste sites may cause health problems for millions exposure to lead and chromium particularly problematic for people living in three developing countries. Wastes. 2004 Jun 10;27-39.

4. Daily observer forward with the Gambia. Effects of poor domestic waste management [homepage on the Internet]. 2011 cited 2013 May 5.

5. Trevor L, Daniel V. A handbook for management. Venice: Editors Publisher Academic Press; 2011.

6. Swachh Bharath campaign should become mass movement: Narendra Modi. The Economic Times. Retrieved

7. Environmental sanitation. Available from: URL: helawdictionary.org/environmental-sanitation.

8. Perkison WB. Responsibilities of the environmental medicine. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2018.

9. Kaushal RK. Municipal solid waste management in India-current state and future challenges: a review. International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology. 2008;112-9.

10. Erin W, Toxic waste sites may cause health problems for millions exposure to lead and chromium particularly problematic for people living in three developing countries. Wastes. 2004 Jun 10;27-39.

11. Brudshaw. K. Solid waste management-United Nations Environment Programme: Waste Quantities and Characteristics. New York: Wanslaw Publications. 2005.

12. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 2010;12(7).

13. Trivedi J, Sony KB. A study on household management practices in Gandhi Nagar City. 2015 May; 4(27):971-1023.

14. Hlawn L, Kaur G, Pathan AKB. Assessing awareness, attitude, practices, and perceptions regarding household waste management in Pune city. The Nursing Journal of India. 2016 Jun; 21(3):111-5.

Received on 16.01.2024 Modified on 11.03.2024

A and V Pub Int. J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2024; 3(2):72-78.

DOI: 10.52711/ijnmr.2024.15

Knowledge area	Max. Possible score	Mean	SD	Median	Std. Error	Mean%	Category of knowledge
Definition	2	0.86	0.689	1.00	.077	43.13	Moderate
Types	6	2.66	1.340	3.00	.150	44.38	Moderate
Impact of improper domestic waste management	5	1.95	1.272	2.00	.142	39.00	Moderate
Method of waste disposal	6	1.76	1.398	2.00	.156	29.38	Inadequate
Method of waste utilization	4	1.24	1.214	1.00	.136	30.94	Inadequate
Tips to reduce domestic waste	4	1.58	0.965	1.00	.108	39.38	Inadequate
Total	27	10.05	6.878	10.00	0.769	226.21