Background: The enormous amounts of unmanaged solid wastes continue to be a public health problem throughout the world. Current the world’s cities generate about 1.3 billion tons of solid waste per year, and this volume is expected to increase to 2.2 billion tons by 2025. The lower income countries are expected to generate from 0.7 to 1.8 kg per capita per day. The inability of households in the growing Municipality of Nyamagana to handle and dispose of the increasing amount of waste generated in their homes is a growing problem which easily exposes people to hazards, like environmental pollution and general health concerns. This study assesses domestic solid waste management practices at the household level. The overall objectives are to know of common practices at individual households meet the standards of solid waste management in the respective area, and to examine and analyze the influence of demographics and socio-economic factors on solid waste management at the household level.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study with a total population of 120 households interviewed in Nyamagana Municipality using questionnaires and observation checklist. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 11.0 after entry and cleaning in Epi Data version 3.1. Pearson Chi-Square (X2) and p-value of less than 0.05 was used to measure association at 95%CI.
Results: The results showed only 6.7% had knowledge on waste management regulations of the waste management, 7.3% of householders had moderate understanding on the management of domestic waste recommendations an 18% of respondents had no knowledge of the existence of Municipal solid waste services. Level of education attained by the head of household had association in this study (p=0.04), with relation to practice of better methods of waste disposal. Also income of householders had significance in knowledge (p<0.001 and practice (p=0.04) of handling waste. Majority 71.7% of Nyamagana residents know health dangers related to poor waste management and 80% of the households practiced illegal waste dumping as observed in the fields.
Conclusion: The residents of Nyamagana Municipality need health education, a regular supply of refuse collection facilities, emphasis on Mwanza city council’s waste management bylaw and designated dump sites in their wards. These will encourage strict adherence to proper and appropriate waste management practices among them.
= Keywords: Waste Management, Knowledge, Nyamagana Municipality, Solid Waste.