The Association between Knowledge and Behavior in Household Waste Management of People in Ban Khlong Phai

Abstract

               Objectives: The objectives of this research were to study 1) the level of knowledge and behavior of household waste management, 2) the relationship between the knowledge and behavior of the household waste management of the people in Ban Klong Phai, Klong Phai Sub-district, Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

               Methods: The data of this cross-sectional descriptive research were collected from 259 samples using a questionnaire incorporated demographic data, knowledge in waste management and behavior in waste management (4 aspects). Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient.

               Results: The study showed that knowledge of participants was rated at a low level (𝑥̅= 5.23, S.D. = 0.80), household waste management behavior was at a moderate level (𝑥̅= 1.37, S.D. = 0.37). The overall analysis found that knowledge was significantly associated with participants waste management behavior at 0.05 level (r= 0.16, 95% CI 0.047 to 0.279). The relationships of knowledge and waste separation in the aspects of 1) collection, 2) reuse, and 3) disposal behavior were statistically significant at 0.05 level (r= 0.21, 95% CI 0.080 to 0.038, r= 0.15, 95% CI 0.033 to 0.276, r= 0.19, 95% CI 0.070 to 0.318) respectively. There was no relationship between knowledge and management behavior in the aspect of waste reduction. Therefore, knowledge in waste management should be prepared and provided to the people. The local agencies should organize knowledge activities to reduce household waste for the people to increase effective waste management in the community.