Knowledge, Behavior, and Household Hazardous Waste Composition: Implications for Environmental Health in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand
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Abstract
Improper management of household hazardous waste (HHW) poses serious risks to environmental and public health, particularly in low-resource communities. This study examined the relationship between residents’ knowledge and behavior regarding HHW management and assessed the composition of HHW generated at the household level in a community in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 41 households using structured interviews and a seven-day HHW collection protocol. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and physical waste composition assessment were applied. Findings revealed that 87.8% of respondents demonstrated high levels of knowledge, and 68.3% reported good HHW management practices. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between knowledge and behavior (r = 0.382, p = 0.014), indicating that increased awareness modestly influenced safer practices. The HHW stream was primarily composed of pesticide containers (31.5%) and fluorescent bulbs (26.02%), reflecting potential environmental hazards in domestic waste streams. These results underscore the need for community-based interventions that combine public education with improved waste segregation systems. Targeted efforts to enhance awareness, infrastructure, and policy enforcement are essential to minimizing the environmental impact of HHW and protecting community health.
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