Assessment of Knowledge and Participation on Households Solid Domestic Waste Management in Some Selected Communities in Bo Southern Sierra Leone

Abstract

A well-managed, effective waste management program increases the health and environmental quality of the country. Therefore, the overall aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and participation of household solid domestic waste management in some selected communities in Bo city Southern Sierra Leone. The study's objectives were: to determine the different methods of solid waste
disposal, to determine existing household solid waste management practices, to determine the risk factors associated with improper waste management in Bo municipality, and to determine the factors affecting improper domestic waste management. A total of 100 households from five (5) sections in Bo City were examined to achieve the objectives of this study. The sampling procedure employed was the stratified random technique. Microsoft Excel was used to derive simple percentages from examining the knowledge and participation of households in solid domestic waste management from the selected communities. The results of this study revealed that there is high participation at the household level on solid domestic waste management, there is poor knowledge and a low level of public awareness on solid domestic waste management, disease outbreak is the most commonly known risk factor associated with improper waste management, there were various methods of household waste management options and disposal. The study concluded that Bo city council waste collection vehicle was the most used option or way of waste disposal 44% of the respondents indicated using this method followed by burning of waste 42% With a few numbers of respondents using other methods like private service providers composting. The study concludes that household Participation is not directly proportional to the knowledge and awareness of domestic waste management.