Behavioural health attitudes to media influence on indiscriminate waste disposal in Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State

Abstract

This study sought to find out the influence of media campaign on Oye-Ekiti residents’ behavioural attitudes towards indiscriminate waste disposal. The study was necessitated by the dangers of improper disposal of waste production to human and animal survival. The study was anchored on attitude change theory examines how communication might change someone's preexisting attitude or belief and make them act in a way they wouldn't normally. Adopting a survey approach with a population of 134, 210 residents, the study sample of 398 respondents were employed using Taro Yamane sample determination. The clutter sampling technique was used to select the respondents and the questionnaire was the instrument of data collection. The findings of the study revealed evidence of improper waste disposal that litters the area. It also found that media campaign on ef ective disposal of waste had minimal effects; thus, the behavioural attitudes of the respondents have not changed significantly due to poor media campaigns on indiscriminate disposal of waste in the area. Based on the recommendations of the study, it is recommended that Ekiti State Waste Management Board (EKSWMB) should increase its penetration to the remotest parts of the State to monitor waste disposal and management. It is recommended that apart from the use of mainstream media, other media options such as social media, traditional media, opinion leaders and use of town hall meetings should be adopted to sensitize the residents of Oye-Ekiti on proper disposal of waste and the need to maintain a clean and healthy environment.