Abstract

People must have good practices regarding household waste disposal in their homes. Moreover, Poor waste disposal practices lead to contamination of environment there by increasing the burden of infection and diseases among the peoples. Practices can be improved by providing knowledge regarding household waste disposal. Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices towards household solid waste disposal among housewives in urban area of city. Method: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among housewives in urban area of Nanded city in Maharashtra, India. A total of 210 housewives were included in to the study. A face-to- face interview was conducted using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among the housewives regarding disposal of household solid waste. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Among the 210 Housewives demographic variables shows that 50% belonged to 20 to 29 years, 23% belonged to 30 to 39 years and 27% is belongs to 40 and above age group; 58% are Hindu,31% are Buddhist and 11% are Muslim religion. 30% are belongs from Illiterate to Primary education, 34% are belonged from Primary to Intermediate education, 36% belonged to Graduation and above; 46% have less than equal to 4 members in their home, 45% have 5-8 members in their home and 9% have 9-12 members in their home; 44% have information from Mass media, 40% have information from waste disposal agencies and 16% have information from others like Poster, Banner and Neighbors etc., 20% belongs to Class I, 34% belongs to Class II and 46% belongs to Class III &IV according to their family’s Socioeconomic status. This study shows 29%, 25%, 46% of housewives were having adequate, moderate and inadequate knowledge score respectively; also 26%, 20%, 54% of housewives is having positive, average and negative attitude level respectively; and 20%, 20%, 60% of housewives having good, average, and poor practices score respectively. Conclusion: There is significant association between the knowledge of the Housewives regarding household solid waste disposal and demographic variable that is age, source of information and socioeconomic status. The knowledge regarding household waste disposal in the most of Housewives was found good. In spite of good knowledge, the Housewives having poor practices regarding waste disposal.

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