Project – Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Waste Disposal Among Residents of Urban Communities in Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Waste management remains a major challenge in most developing countries, especially in rapidly growing urban areas where population density, industrialization, and urban migration are on the rise (Ogunjinmi & Adebayo, 2020). Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, faces an increasing burden of solid waste generation due to urbanization and changes in consumption patterns (Olanrewaju & Ilemobade, 2019). The management of waste involves the systematic collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal of waste materials in ways that safeguard public health and the environment (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). However, poor waste management practices are widespread in Nigerian cities, leading to blocked drainages, flooding, air and water pollution, and the spread of communicable diseases (Olowoporoku, 2020).

Urban communities such as Egbe in Lagos State face significant waste management challenges. Despite the presence of local waste management authorities, heaps of uncollected refuse, indiscriminate dumping in open spaces, and poor public attitudes toward waste disposal persist (Ogunleye, 2022). These practices not only degrade the aesthetic quality of the environment but also serve as breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes, flies, and rodents (Adepoju & Adedayo, 2021). The consequence is a rise in diseases such as malaria, cholera, and typhoid fever, which pose serious public health threats (Adewuyi, 2020).

Effective waste management depends heavily on residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding waste disposal (Asante & Oduro, 2019). Knowledge relates to individuals’ awareness of proper waste disposal methods and their implications, attitude concerns their perception and willingness to engage in proper sanitation, while practice focuses on the actual behaviors they exhibit in managing waste (Adeniran et al., 2020). Understanding the KAP of residents is thus vital for developing sustainable waste management strategies. Poor knowledge or negative attitudes often result in unhealthy environmental behaviors, which worsen sanitation and increase disease prevalence (Ezeudu et al., 2021).

Therefore, this study assesses the knowledge, attitude, and practice of waste disposal among residents of Egbe Community, Lagos State, with a particular focus on how improper waste management affects public health and environmental sanitation. The study aims to provide empirical insights that will assist policymakers, public health practitioners, and local authorities in designing effective community-based waste management interventions.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite numerous government initiatives such as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and environmental sanitation programs, improper waste disposal remains a pressing issue in Egbe and many other urban communities in Lagos (Ogunleye, 2022). Residents often dispose of waste indiscriminately in gutters, roadsides, and unapproved dumpsites, leading to environmental degradation and increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases (Adewuyi, 2020). Factors such as low environmental awareness, weak enforcement of waste management regulations, inadequate waste collection systems, and socio-cultural attitudes contribute to the persistence of the problem (Olowoporoku, 2020).

Furthermore, the relationship between residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward waste disposal and its resultant effects on public health and sanitation has not been adequately studied in Egbe Community. Understanding this linkage is essential for addressing the root causes of improper waste disposal. If residents possess adequate knowledge but still engage in poor waste disposal practices, it may indicate an attitudinal or behavioral gap that needs to be addressed through education or enforcement. Conversely, if the problem stems from inadequate knowledge, community-based awareness programs may be the appropriate intervention (Asante & Oduro, 2019).

Hence, there is a need to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of waste disposal among residents of Egbe Community to provide evidence-based recommendations that can improve environmental sanitation and safeguard public health.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of waste disposal among residents of Egbe Community, Lagos State, and how these influence public health and environmental sanitation.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the level of residents’ knowledge of proper waste disposal methods in Egbe Community.

2. Investigate the attitudes of residents toward waste management and sanitation practices.

3. Assess the actual waste disposal practices among residents in the community.

4. Determine the relationship between improper waste disposal, disease prevalence, and environmental sanitation in Egbe Community.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

1. What is the level of residents’ knowledge of proper waste disposal methods in Egbe Community?

2. What are the attitudes of residents toward waste management and sanitation practices?

3. What are the prevailing waste disposal practices among residents?

4. How does improper waste disposal affect disease prevalence and environmental sanitation in Egbe Community?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H₀: There is no significant relationship between residents’ knowledge, attitude, and practice of waste disposal and the level of environmental sanitation and disease prevalence in Egbe Community.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant for several reasons. First, it contributes to the growing body of knowledge on environmental management and public health in urban Nigeria. By assessing residents’ KAP on waste disposal, the study provides empirical evidence that can guide policymakers in developing targeted waste management interventions (Adeniran et al., 2020). Second, the findings will help the Lagos State Government and LAWMA improve the design and implementation of community sanitation programs by identifying gaps in public awareness and behavior.

Third, public health practitioners can use the insights from this study to design environmental health campaigns aimed at reducing disease prevalence through improved waste management. The study will also be beneficial to environmental educators and NGOs involved in community development, as it emphasizes the need for behavioral change and participatory waste management. Finally, the research serves as a reference material for future studies on urban environmental health and sanitation practices in Nigeria.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on Egbe Community, an urban area located within Lagos State. The study will assess residents’ knowledge, attitude, and practice of waste disposal, emphasizing how these factors affect public health and environmental sanitation. The research will cover both residential and commercial areas to ensure a comprehensive understanding of waste management practices. The temporal scope is limited to data collected in 2025.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

• Waste Disposal: The process of discarding, discharging, or throwing away unwanted materials, including domestic, commercial, or industrial waste, in a manner that affects the environment.

• Knowledge: The awareness and understanding residents have about proper waste management methods and their environmental and health implications.

• Attitude: The perception, mindset, and willingness of residents to participate in proper waste management and sanitation activities.

• Practice: The actual behaviors and actions taken by residents in disposing of their waste materials.

• Environmental Sanitation: The control of environmental factors that can negatively impact human health and the environment.

• Public Health: The overall condition of health in a community as influenced by environmental, social, and behavioral factors.

1.9 Organization of the Study

This study is structured into five chapters. Chapter One presents the introduction, background of the study, problem statement, objectives, research questions, hypothesis, and significance. Chapter Two reviews relevant literature on waste management, public health, and environmental sanitation. Chapter Three details the research methodology. Chapter Four presents data analysis and interpretation. Chapter Five provides a summary, conclusion, and recommendations.

Project – Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Waste Disposal Among Residents of Urban Communities in Nigeria