Page 79 - IJPS-7-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Traders’ KAP toward solid waste disposal in Nigeria

River State, Nigeria. Calabar municipality is a Local routes and methods of disposing wastes such as burning,
Government Area in Cross River State, South Nigeria. dumping in gutters, or dumping in open places. A correct
It is the capital city of Cross River State bounded to the statement with options “Always,” “sometimes,” or “never”
North by Odukpani LGA; to the West by Akpabuyo LGA; was given 3, 2, and 1, respectively. The expected maximum
to the East by Kwa River; and in the South by Calabar total practice score was 12 and the minimum score was 4.
South LGA. The common occupation practiced among The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the KAP were 0.84,
the people is trading and fishing. Christianity is the widely 0.85, and 0.90, respectively, denoting acceptable internal
practiced religion in the area. From a census conducted in consistency (Taber, 2018). Mean scores were used to
2006, Calabar Municipality has a population of 183,681 categorize KAP into two levels such that respondents who
people. The following markets are found in the area; 8 scored within and above the mean had good knowledge,
miles Market, Marmi Market, Ikot Ishie market, Marian acceptable attitude, and good practice while those who
market, Akim market, and Edim-otop Market. scored below the mean had poor knowledge, unacceptable
This cross-sectional descriptive study employed a attitude, and poor practice of solid waste disposal.
quantitative approach to determine the KAP of 480 sampled 2.3. Analytical strategy
market traders toward solid waste disposal in the study area.
The sample size was determined using Fisher’s formula Associations between respondents’ sociodemographic
for estimating the sample size for cross-sectional studies characteristics (gender, age, educational level, marital
as cited in Charan & Biswas (2013). A semi-structured status, and religion) and KAP level were analyzed using a
questionnaire which was the interviewer administered Chi-square of independence. These variables were selected
was utilized. Distribution of the questionnaires for data based on our theoretical assumption that these factors are
collection was done based on a derived interval from one relevant in studying solid waste management in the specified
shop or stand in each selected line to another until the population (Agwu, 2012; Al-Khatib et al., 2009; Jatau, 2013).
required number of respondents in each of the markets All sociodemographic characteristics and their respective
was reached. categories are found in Table 1. Variables identified to be
statistically significant in the Chi-square analyses were
2.2. Measurements inputted in three separate multivariable logistic regression
Data were first entered into Microsoft Excel 2016 to models for all three outcome variables (KAP). The statistical
compute the knowledge scores. Data were transferred to significance threshold was set at α = 0.05.
and analyzed using SPSS Version 23. The outputs were 3. Results
subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis
and quantitative data were summarized in means and 3.1. Sociodemographic data of respondents
standard deviation while being presented on frequency Four hundred and eighty respondents (n = 480) participated
tables. Seven practical questions assessed the knowledge of in this study accounting for a 100% response rate. The
respondents with the questions requiring “yes,” “no,” or “I sociodemographic characteristics of the participants are
don’t’ know” responses. The questions elicited information presented in Table 1. Slightly over half (54.4%) of the
on traders’ knowledge of appropriate measures, types of respondents were female. The average age of participants
disease outbreaks that can occur, disease transmission, was 28.35 years ± 8.73 (with a range of 16 – 50 years).
and health implications. The expected maximum total A little over half of the respondents (51.0%) had attained
knowledge score was 7. A higher score implied a better secondary education. More respondents in this present
knowledge of solid waste disposal. Each correct knowledge study were single (47.9%). In terms of religion, most of the
response was allotted a score of 1 while incorrect responses respondents (77.3%) were Christians.
were allotted a score of 0. Four practical questions were
used to assess the attitude of participants. This section Table 2 outlines the KAP levels of respondents
elicited information on reactions due to proximity of according to the scores obtained. Slightly over half of the
appropriate disposal points, lack of sanctions, use of market traders (54.0%) had good knowledge of solid waste
abandoned lands, and time factor when considering disposal and management after obtaining satisfactory
dumping waste. A correct statement with options “Strongly knowledge scores (M = 3.66, SD = 1.70). Almost half of
agree,” “Agree,” “Disagree,” or “Strongly disagree” was given the market traders (46%) had poor knowledge of solid
4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively. The expected maximum total waste disposal and management. In terms of attitude,
attitude score was 16 and the minimum score was 4. Four most of the market traders (55.0%) had an unfavorable
practical questions were used to assess the practice of attitude toward solid waste disposal and management
participants. This section elicited information on dumping (M = 9.22, SD = 2.41). Regarding practices, a high 84% of

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2021) 73 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.v7i2.307