A Correlative Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Housewives Regarding Householdwaste Management in Selected Rural Community at Mangalore with a View to Provide an Information Pamphlet

Abstract

Background: Improper waste management deteriorates public health, degrades quality of life, and pollutes local air, water and land resources. It also causes global warming and climate change and impacts the entire planet. Environmental problem faced by communities living near garbage dumps and marshy lands include air pollution, fires, smoke, flooding etc. Long term health problems like asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, jaundice, malaria, elephantiasis and typhoid too have been faced by communities. So waste which are considered to be hazardous need to be disposed off safely and adequately. Materials and Method:A descriptive correlative research design was used for this study. The sample comprised of 60 housewives between 18-55 years of age. The sample was drawn through purposive sampling technique. The study was carried out in rural community at Mangalore. A structured knowledge questionnaire was used to determine the knowledge of the subjects and practice rating scale was administered to assess the practice scores of housewives regarding household waste management.Results: Majority of the subjects (65%) were having only average knowledge with knowledge score ranging between 0-20 with median 18 and SD 3.01 and majority of the subjects were have moderate practice score on waste management with median 20 and SD 3.52. There was a significant relationship between knowledge score and practice score of the subjects on waste management (r=0.346, df=59.000, p<0.05).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that there is a need for educating the mothers regarding the proper household waste management. Women take a key role in housekeeping and disposing domestic waste. So the Government and frontline health workers need to take special initiatives to curb this public issue.