Domestic refuse management practice in Sokoto: the effect of health education.
OBJECTIVE
Domestic refuse remains a major environmental concern in large cities around the world. Its management also continues to be a major challenge. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of health education on the knowledge, attitude and practices of domestic refuse management (DRM) among community members in Sokoto metropolis.


METHODS
A quasi experimental study design was employed to investigate two sampled (intervention and control groups) population of 225 subjects in the study areas.


RESULTS
The mean knowledge score (%) of the study subjects was high and similar (p=0.82), in both the intervention and control groups at baseline, but differed significantly (p<0.0001) at post-intervention. The mean attitude score (%) was high and similar (p=0.38), in both the intervention and control groups at baseline, but differed significantly (p=0.008) at post intervention. The mean observed practice score (%) was low and similar (p=0.42), in both the intervention and control groups at baseline, but differed significantly (p<0.0001) at post-intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has identified the underlying problem of our DRM system to be inherent in the practice component in the triangulation of knowledge, attitude and practice of DRM. The implications of the study findings for healthcare policy, planning and implementation cannot be over-emphasised.
Abiola
A O
AO
Department of Community Medicine,Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. aoabi@yahoo.co.uk
Ibrahim
M To
MT
Usman
B B
BB
Sabitu
K S
KS
Abubakar
I S
IS
Alausa
O K
OK
Parakoyi
D B
DB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004777:Environment; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors