We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
"Assessment of Knowledge and Practice Regarding Plastic Bag Usage Among Women in Nellikuzhy Panchayat: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study"
Summary
A study of 60 women in a Kerala community found that most had decent habits around using and disposing of plastic bags, but their actual knowledge about the health and environmental risks of plastic waste was only average, not great. This gap matters because plastic bags that aren't disposed of properly can break down into microplastics that contaminate soil, water, and food—so better education could help households reduce plastic pollution before it enters our environment and bodies.
Abstract: Background: Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most significant environmental and public health challenges worldwide. Single-use plastic bags contribute substantially to environmental degradation due to their non-biodegradable nature and improper disposal practices. Household women play a crucial role in purchasing, storing, reusing, and disposing of plastic bags, making their knowledge and practices important determinants of plastic waste management. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices regarding plastic bag usage among women residing in Nellikuzhy Panchayat, Kerala, and to determine the association between knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables. Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 women residing in Ward 7 of Nellikuzhy Panchayat. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire comprising 20 items and a 25-item practice rating scale. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were used for data analysis. Results: Among the participants, 53.4% demonstrated average knowledge regarding plastic bag usage, while 45.0% had good knowledge and only 1.6% had poor knowledge. Regarding practices, 62.0% reported good practices and 38.0% demonstrated average practices; none exhibited poor practices. No statistically significant association was observed between knowledge scores and socio-demographic variables including age, educational status, occupation, family income, or family type. Conclusion: Although most women exhibited satisfactory practices regarding plastic bag usage, their knowledge remained predominantly at an average level. Strengthening community-based educational interventions and promoting environmentally sustainable alternatives such as reusable cloth bags may further improve public awareness and contribute to reducing plastic pollution.