Assessment of waste disposal practices and associated health hazards among residents of gwagwalada area council, abuja, nigeria

Abstract

Poor waste disposal practices remain a major environmental and public health concern in Nigeria, especially in peri-urban and rapidly urbanizing regions like Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. Improper disposal contributes to water contamination, vector-borne diseases, and degradation of the living environment. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to waste disposal and the associated health hazards among residents of Gwagwalada Area Council, with an emphasis on identifying gaps in behavior and awareness. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 consenting household heads selected through cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic variables and KAP scores, while associations between variables were analyzed using Chi-square tests at a 95% confidence level.The majority were male (73.7%) and aged 30–49 years. Most (84.3%) demonstrated good knowledge of waste types and disposal-related health risks. However, only 35.3% practiced proper waste segregation, and 61.2% used open dumps as their primary disposal method. Significant associations were found between educational level and both knowledge and practice of proper waste disposal (p<0.05). Commonly reported health hazards included malaria (67.5%), diarrhea (52.9%), and skin infections (38.0%).Despite good knowledge, the practice of proper waste disposal remains poor among residents of Gwagwalada, primarily due to infrastructural deficits and behavioral gaps. Targeted public health interventions, community education, and enforcement of sanitation regulations are necessary to mitigate environmental and health risks