ASSESSMENT OF DOMESTIC WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICES AMONG RESIDENTS OF EZIOBODO COMMUNITY, OWERRI WEST LGA, IMO STATE

ABSTRACT Poor waste management has been a major problem to human existence and it affects both rural and urban areas. Various methods of waste disposal exist and this study assessed the domestic waste disposal practices among residents of Eziobodo community, Imo State, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which a total of 428 residents of Eziobodo were selected by multistage sampling technique and studied using self and interviewer administered questionnaires. The majority of respondents 160 (40%) fell within the 31–40 age group, followed by the 21–30 age group 100 (25%). This indicates that the study population is predominantly young adults. There was a slightly higher proportion of females (55%) than males (45%). Most respondents (75%) were Christians and people from Igbo ethnicity dominated the sample population (70%), which is expected since the study was conducted in the Eziobodo community in southeastern Nigeria. The majority of respondents (70%) had at least a secondary school education. A significant proportion (70%) of respondents had lived in the community for more than 5 years, showing a stable and long-term population. The results also showed that 80% of respondents were aware of waste management and majority 320 (80%) had positive attitude towards it. The major types of waste generated from households were vegetables 120 (30%) and food residues 100 (25%). Also poor waste management practices among residents included open dumping, practiced by 37.5% of the residents and burning as practiced by 35.0% of respondents. Fifty percent (50%) of the respondents participated in community clean-ups monthly while others rarely or did not participate at all. Majority 260 (65%) of the residents dumped waste themselves and also 80% of the respondents would like to use recycling services if made available. The residents of Eziobodo need proper education on waste disposal, regular supply of refuse bins, functioning waste collection facilities and designated final dump sites. These will encourage strict adherence to proper and appropriate waste management practices among them.