We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of Informational Booklet On Knowledge Regarding Hazards Of Plastic Usage And Its Safe Disposal Among Community People In A Selected Area At Kuppam, A.P
Summary
Many communities still burn or dump plastic waste in the open, unaware that this releases toxic substances linked to breathing problems, cancer, hormone disruption, and skin issues. This study found that giving people a simple educational booklet about plastic hazards and safe disposal dramatically boosted their knowledge—before the booklet, most had only "fair" understanding, but a week later, over 90% scored "excellent." The takeaway: something as low-cost as an informational pamphlet can meaningfully change what people know about protecting themselves and their environment from plastic pollution, which is an encouraging first step toward safer waste habits.
Background: Plastic usage has become an essential part of modern daily life because of its convenience, low cost, lightweight nature, and easy availability. However, the excessive use and improper disposal of plastic products have emerged as major environmental and public health concerns worldwide. Plastic waste is non-biodegradable and remains in the environment for many years, leading to soil, water, and air pollution. Improper disposal methods such as open dumping and burning of plastics release harmful toxic substances that can cause respiratory disorders, cancers, hormonal imbalance, skin diseases, and other serious health problems. Studies indicate that lack of awareness and unsafe disposal practices significantly contribute to environmental degradation and health hazards associated with plastic waste. Safe disposal and proper management of plastic waste largely depend on adequate knowledge and environmentally responsible practices among community people. Recommended measures include reducing plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastic materials, segregation of waste at the household level, and adopting eco-friendly alternatives. Evidence highlights that inadequate awareness regarding the harmful effects of plastic use and improper disposal practices remains a major challenge in many communities. Despite increasing environmental concerns and government regulations, many people continue unsafe practices such as open dumping and burning of plastic waste due to insufficient knowledge and limited educational exposure. Informational booklets are simple, structured, and effective educational tools designed to improve knowledge and promote positive environmental health practices. Educational interventions have been shown to significantly enhance awareness and encourage safe disposal behaviors among community populations. By providing systematic information and practical guidance, informational booklets can motivate individuals to adopt safer and environmentally responsible waste management practices, thereby reducing environmental pollution and associated health risks. Considering the increasing environmental hazards caused by plastic waste and the existing knowledge gap among community people regarding hazards of plastic usage and its safe disposal, the present study aims to assess the effectiveness of an informational booklet on knowledge regarding hazards of plastic usage and its safe disposal among community people in a selected area at Kuppam, Chittoor District. The findings of the study are expected to contribute to environmental awareness, health promotion, and the development of safer waste management practices within the community. Methods: The main study was conducted from 17.11.2025 to 29.11.2025. The total study samples was 120 selected community population living in Beggilipalle village, Gudupalli Mandal, Kuppam Chittoor district, A.P. by using non probability purposive sampling technique. The study samples was gathered around 20 per day in the Beggilipalle Village Government School and data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire administered before and after the distribution of the informational booklet. The pre-test assessed baseline knowledge, after which the informational booklet was provided and the post-test was done after one week to evaluate the effectiveness of informational booklet. Results: In regard to age, the majority 46 (38.33%) of the community people belonged to the age group of 19–30 years, In regard to sex, the majority 69 (57.98%) were females, In regard to educational status, the majority 35 (29.17%) were illiterate and 35 (29.17%) had primary education, In regard to occupation, the majority 64 (53.78%) were not working, In regard to religion, the majority 109 (91.6%) were Hindus, In regard to type of family, the majority 85 (71.43%) belonged to nuclear families, In regard to monthly income, the majority 67 (55.83%) earned less than Rs.10,000 per month, In regard to source of information, the majority 42 (35%) received information through media and newspapers, In regard to method of waste disposal, the majority 48 (40%) practiced open dumping of plastic waste. About 47 (39.17%) of the participants had previous knowledge through health workers. The pre-test knowledge revealed that the majority 82 (68.33%) of the adults had fair knowledge, 34 (28.33%) had good knowledge, and only 4 (3.33%) had excellent knowledge regarding hazards of plastic usage and its safe disposal. The post-test findings revealed that the majority 110 (91.67%) of the adults had excellent knowledge, while 10 (8.33%) had good knowledge, and none of them had fair knowledge after the intervention. Comparison of pre-test and post-test mean, SD, “t” and “p” values of knowledge scores among community people showed that the pre-test mean score was 9.17 with an SD of 3.79, which increased to a post-test mean score of 20.71 with an SD of 1.94. The paired t-test showed a highly significant difference (t = –30.05, p = 0.000). The study findings also revealed a statistically significant association between the pre-test level of knowledge and selected demographic variables such as education (p < 0.023), monthly income (p < 0.000), and previous source of knowledge (p < 0.028). Overall, the informational booklet administered to community people regarding hazards of plastic usage and its safe disposal was found to be highly effective. The findings of the study demonstrated that the majority of participants initially had fair knowledge during the pre-test assessment. However, following the implementation of the informational booklet, a significant improvement was observed in the post-test knowledge scores, with most participants attaining excellent knowledge regarding hazards of plastic usage and its safe disposal.