KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TOWARDS PLASTIC POLLUTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE
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Abstract
Background: Plastic pollution is considered a global issue, with all environments currently being contaminated by plastics. Therefore understanding the dynamics of plastic pollution is essential for fostering sustainable behaviors. The study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of undergraduate students at the University of Benin regarding plastic pollution. Findings aim to inform targeted educational interventions and policy recommendations to enhance environmental stewardship among the youth, ultimately contributing to broader sustainability efforts.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of plastic pollution amongst undergraduate students of the University of Benin with a view to bring about a reduction in plastic pollution.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among university students in Benin City from May 2023 to September 2024. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 520 participants for the study. Data was collected from respondents using a structured, self-administered questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was adapted from the University of Sharjah online survey questionnaire on plastic pollution. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).Results: A total of 520 out of 520 questionnaires administered were retrieved and analyzed, giving a response rate of 100.0%. There were 278 (53.5%) male respondents and 242 (46.5%) female respondents with an average age of 21.28 ± 3.91 years. The study revealed that most 474 (91.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge of plastic pollution. Those who were not studying medicine and those who reside in private residences (on and off campus) were the statistically significant determinants of knowledge of plastic pollution. Respondents who were not studying medicine were 0.270 times less likely to have good knowledge of plastic pollution than those who were studying medicine (OR = 0.270, 95% CI = 0.125 – 0.582, p = < 0.001). Respondents who reside in private residences (on and off campus) were 0.431 times less likely to have good knowledge as against those who reside in hostels (on and off campus) (OR = 0.431, 95% CI = 0.225 – 0.823, p = 0.011). The majority of the respondents, 501 (96.3%), had an overall positive attitude toward plastic pollution. Those aged 35 - 44 and those in 300 level had the highest proportion of respondents with a positive attitude toward plastic pollution. The majority of them, 428 (82.3%), had appropriate practice toward plastic pollution. Sex, department, and knowledge of plastic pollution were the statistically significant determinants of practice relating to plastic pollution. Male respondents were 0.518 times less likely to have appropriate practices than female respondents (OR = 0.518, 95% CI = 0.316 – 0.849, p = 0.009). Respondents who were not studying medicine were 2.390 times more likely to have appropriate practices than those who were studying medicine (OR = 2.390, 95% CI = 1.188 –4.809, p = 0.015). Respondents who had good knowledge of plastic pollution were 2.280 timesmore likely to have appropriate practices than those who had poor knowledge (OR = 2.280,
95% CI = 1.098 – 4.734, p = 0.027).
Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of the respondents had good knowledge of plastic pollution and a positive attitude toward plastic pollution. There was a large majority that had appropriate practice toward plastic pollution.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of plastic pollution amongst undergraduate students of the University of Benin with a view to bring about a reduction in plastic pollution.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among university students in Benin City from May 2023 to September 2024. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 520 participants for the study. Data was collected from respondents using a structured, self-administered questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was adapted from the University of Sharjah online survey questionnaire on plastic pollution. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).Results: A total of 520 out of 520 questionnaires administered were retrieved and analyzed, giving a response rate of 100.0%. There were 278 (53.5%) male respondents and 242 (46.5%) female respondents with an average age of 21.28 ± 3.91 years. The study revealed that most 474 (91.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge of plastic pollution. Those who were not studying medicine and those who reside in private residences (on and off campus) were the statistically significant determinants of knowledge of plastic pollution. Respondents who were not studying medicine were 0.270 times less likely to have good knowledge of plastic pollution than those who were studying medicine (OR = 0.270, 95% CI = 0.125 – 0.582, p = < 0.001). Respondents who reside in private residences (on and off campus) were 0.431 times less likely to have good knowledge as against those who reside in hostels (on and off campus) (OR = 0.431, 95% CI = 0.225 – 0.823, p = 0.011). The majority of the respondents, 501 (96.3%), had an overall positive attitude toward plastic pollution. Those aged 35 - 44 and those in 300 level had the highest proportion of respondents with a positive attitude toward plastic pollution. The majority of them, 428 (82.3%), had appropriate practice toward plastic pollution. Sex, department, and knowledge of plastic pollution were the statistically significant determinants of practice relating to plastic pollution. Male respondents were 0.518 times less likely to have appropriate practices than female respondents (OR = 0.518, 95% CI = 0.316 – 0.849, p = 0.009). Respondents who were not studying medicine were 2.390 times more likely to have appropriate practices than those who were studying medicine (OR = 2.390, 95% CI = 1.188 –4.809, p = 0.015). Respondents who had good knowledge of plastic pollution were 2.280 timesmore likely to have appropriate practices than those who had poor knowledge (OR = 2.280,
95% CI = 1.098 – 4.734, p = 0.027).
Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of the respondents had good knowledge of plastic pollution and a positive attitude toward plastic pollution. There was a large majority that had appropriate practice toward plastic pollution.
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