Tshivhase S Elizabeth
University of Venda, South Africa
Title: Knowledge of community members regarding household solid waste management within selected villages in South Africa
Biography
Biography: Tshivhase S Elizabeth
Abstract
South Africa is facing a major challenge of waste management due to an increase in waste generation which has led to littering and dumping of household solid waste around the environment. Th e purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of Tshisahulu community members regarding solid household waste management. A quantitative approach using a descriptive cross sectional survey was applied. Th e population was comprised of 2090 households and the sample size was comprised of 342 households. Each household was systematically sampled and one adult represented a household in the sample. A selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. About (34.2%) of the participants had knowledge on the relationship between burning wastes at home with diseases such as respiratory problems. Th e results further showed that 32.6% of the participants knew that cholera was associated with drinking contaminated water as well as diarrhea (24.9%) and typhoid (14.4%) respectively. Th ere is a need to develop and introduce waste management education programs in all the schools especially at the lower primary level. Local authorities should develop new strategies on the management of solid household in rural villages.
