We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Prevalence of Plastic Usage and the Factors Associated With It Among Adults in Perambalur District of South India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Summary
Researchers surveyed 1,200 adults in South India about their plastic use habits, finding that 92.5% use plastic daily despite widespread awareness of its harms and local bans on plastic bags. The study found that younger, urban, more educated, and male participants were the heaviest plastic users, indicating that awareness alone is not enough to change behavior.
Background People extensively use and dispose of plastic products because of their durability, affordability, and lightweight. The excessive production and consumption of plastics has led to pollution that has negative effects on both society and the environment. Nearly all Indian states and union territories have prohibited the usage of plastic bags, with Tamil Nadu being the fourth state in the country to implement such a prohibition. The study aims to determine the prevalence of plastic usage, its associated factors, and awareness regarding the laws related to the plastic ban. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1200 adults above 18 years of age using multistage sampling. We undertook the study for three months in the district of Perambalur, in South India. The semi-structured questionnaire was used as a research tool, which contained information on socio-demographics, plastic utilization, understanding of plastic prohibition, its need, and views on bisphenol A (BPA). We entered the gathered data in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA) and analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). If the P-value was less than 0.05, we deemed it statistically significant. Results The mean age of the study participants was 44.47 ± 15.09 years. Plastic is being used by most of the study participants because of its wide availability and convenience of usage. Approximately 42.43% (n=471) of the participants adhere to non-segregation waste disposal practices in public bins. Approximately 1100 (92.5%) of the participants incorporate plastic into their daily routine. Among the participants, approximately 15.7% (188) were knowledgeable about bisphenol A (BPA), while about 92.6% (1111) of them were knowledgeable about plastic substitutes. Individuals belonging to the younger age group, male gender, higher education background, living in urban areas, living in joint families, and not engaged in agriculture were the primary users of plastic, and this trend was statistically significant (p <0.001). Conclusion In the study, the prevalence of plastic usage was higher among the participants who followed unsanitary methods of disposal. Despite the awareness of the hazards of plastic and the regulations against its use, its consumption remains high. Plastic consumption is higher in the urbanized area across residential, educational, occupational, and young age demographics. The mere act of raising awareness is insufficient; it is necessary to convert awareness into action to protect both the environment and humanity.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Single Use Plastics among the Residents of a Rural Area in a Coastal District of Karnataka - A Descriptive Study
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding single-use plastics among 319 rural residents in a coastal district of Karnataka, India, finding that more than 70% were aware that single-use plastics are harmful but that behavioral change lagged behind awareness.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Plastic Pollution among Malaysians: Implications for Minimizing Plastic Use and Pollution
Researchers surveyed Malaysians about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding plastic pollution. The study found that while most people were aware of plastic pollution problems, there was a significant gap between awareness and actual behavior change. The findings suggest that education campaigns alone are insufficient and need to be paired with practical infrastructure and policy changes to reduce plastic use.
Public Awareness Of Plastic Pollution And Perceived Risks To Human Health.
This study aims to assess public awareness of plastic pollution and its health impacts by surveying urban and semi-urban communities about their plastic use habits and self-reported health outcomes. Researchers plan to compare families using plastic food-contact materials with those using non-plastic alternatives to identify gaps in awareness and potential health differences linked to everyday plastic exposure.
A Study On Creating Awareness Of Plastic Usage To Promote Sustainable Practices For A Greener Future
This study examines educational interventions and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing plastic consumption and promoting sustainable practices, evaluating their effectiveness in shifting public attitudes and behaviors toward a lower-plastic future.
Regional Insights on the Usage of Single-Use Plastics and Their Disposal in Five Asian Cities
Researchers surveyed nearly 1,500 people across five Asian cities to understand how single-use plastics are consumed and disposed of in the region. They found significant differences in plastic consumption patterns between cities, with food packaging and plastic bags being the most commonly used items. The study provides data to help policymakers design targeted interventions to reduce plastic waste and marine pollution in rapidly developing parts of Asia.