KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICES AND IMPACT OF IMPROPER SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN HALLS OF RESIDENCE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN UGBOWO CAMPUS, BENIN CITY
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Abstract
The purpose of this study examined the knowledge, practices, and impact of impropersolid waste disposal among undergraduates in the Halls of Residence, UniversityofBenin, Ugbowo Campus. The study was guided by five research questions whichfocusedon the students’ knowledge of proper solid waste disposal, their awareness of disposal
facilities and methods, their understanding of the health and environmental consequencesof improper disposal, the extent of their participation in improper disposal practices, andthe challenges that hinder effective waste management in the halls of residence. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consistedofundergraduate students residing in the 12 Halls of Residence at the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, with a total estimated population of 12,234 residents (Student Affairs, ICT Department, 2025). A sample of 180 students was selected using the stratifiedsampling technique, with each hostel serving as a stratum to ensure fair representationofthe population. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Thevalidity of the instrument was ensured through expert judgment by my project supervisorand two other specialists in the field. To establish reliability, the split-half methodwas
employed. The questionnaire was administered personally to the respondents, ensuringadequate coverage of all hostels. Data collected were analyzed using frequencycounts, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings showed that the majority of respondents (80%) demonstrated high knowledgeofproper solid waste disposal while 20% showed low knowledge. Awareness was moderate: about 65% of students reported having received information or education onwastedisposal and 59.4% were aware of disposal facilities in their hostels, yet only52.2%could correctly distinguish biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste. Participationinsanitation activities was low (41.7%), and only 36.7% believed their peers weresufficiently aware. On perception, students recorded a high cluster mean(3.22), indicating strong recognition that improper disposal contributes to pest infestation, waterpollution, flooding, respiratory problems, and communicable diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria. Despite the generally high knowledge and risk awareness, someimproper practices were still reported, though they were not predominant (cluster mean=2.19). Lapses included dumping refuse near drainage channels, throwing waste out ofwindows or balconies, and flushing inappropriate items into toilets; respondents largelyattributed these behaviours to inadequate waste facilities (insufficient bins) and irregularcollection services. Students also demonstrated high awareness of the systemicchallenges hindering effective hostel waste management (82.2%), identifying inadequate infrastructure, irregular collection, weak institutional enforcement, and limited sensitization as principal obstacles. Overall, these results point to a clear knowledge–practice gap that requires both behavioural interventions and institutional improvements.
facilities and methods, their understanding of the health and environmental consequencesof improper disposal, the extent of their participation in improper disposal practices, andthe challenges that hinder effective waste management in the halls of residence. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consistedofundergraduate students residing in the 12 Halls of Residence at the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, with a total estimated population of 12,234 residents (Student Affairs, ICT Department, 2025). A sample of 180 students was selected using the stratifiedsampling technique, with each hostel serving as a stratum to ensure fair representationofthe population. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Thevalidity of the instrument was ensured through expert judgment by my project supervisorand two other specialists in the field. To establish reliability, the split-half methodwas
employed. The questionnaire was administered personally to the respondents, ensuringadequate coverage of all hostels. Data collected were analyzed using frequencycounts, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings showed that the majority of respondents (80%) demonstrated high knowledgeofproper solid waste disposal while 20% showed low knowledge. Awareness was moderate: about 65% of students reported having received information or education onwastedisposal and 59.4% were aware of disposal facilities in their hostels, yet only52.2%could correctly distinguish biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste. Participationinsanitation activities was low (41.7%), and only 36.7% believed their peers weresufficiently aware. On perception, students recorded a high cluster mean(3.22), indicating strong recognition that improper disposal contributes to pest infestation, waterpollution, flooding, respiratory problems, and communicable diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria. Despite the generally high knowledge and risk awareness, someimproper practices were still reported, though they were not predominant (cluster mean=2.19). Lapses included dumping refuse near drainage channels, throwing waste out ofwindows or balconies, and flushing inappropriate items into toilets; respondents largelyattributed these behaviours to inadequate waste facilities (insufficient bins) and irregularcollection services. Students also demonstrated high awareness of the systemicchallenges hindering effective hostel waste management (82.2%), identifying inadequate infrastructure, irregular collection, weak institutional enforcement, and limited sensitization as principal obstacles. Overall, these results point to a clear knowledge–practice gap that requires both behavioural interventions and institutional improvements.
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