Solid waste management: Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors among high school students in Iloilo City

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes towards, and practices regarding solid waste management of high school students in Iloilo City. The respondents of the study included 226 students from four different high schools, 110 from the third year and 116 from the fourth year. The results of the study showed that majority of the respondents are fourth year privately enrolled females, with parents having college degrees. The respondents have low level of knowledge regarding solid waste management concepts. Mothers’ educational attainment was found to be slightly related to level of knowledge of respondents regarding solid waste management. The study also found that students held ambivalent attitudes towards certain issues about solid waste management. Significant differences were found between attitude scores of respondents when they were grouped according to gender and type of school. Further, significant relationship was established between attitudes towards solid waste management and type of school enrolled in by respondents. The respondents generally manifested moderately favorable solid waste management practices. Only father’s educational attainment was found to be slightly related to solid waste management practices of the respondents. Findings further revealed slight positive correlations between attitudes towards solid waste management and its practice. However, respondents’ level of knowledge is not significantly correlated with practice of solid waste management when attitude was controlled.