Evaluation of knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences Students Towards Household Hazardous Waste Management

Abstract

Background and Aims: One of the main sources of solid waste production, houses and residential areas is the management of this type of waste is one of the serious environmental challenges in developing and developed countries. Awareness of students about knowledge, attitude and behavior is very important in providing educational and policy guidance in this regard. Materials and Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire with 37 questions that its reliability and validity was approved. In five sections: demographic (7 questions), knowledge (8 questions), attitude (8 questions), behavior (8 questions) and general (6 Question) was set. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 18 using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and correlation tests.Results: The mean score of knowledge was 6.16 ±1.1 (out of 8 points) and the attitude was   (out of 10 points) that the study community had a positive attitude. Knowledge (p = 0.82) was higher for girls than for boys, but boys had better attitude (p = 0.041) than girls. Conclusion: Considering the level of knowledge and good attitude among students, and the importance of students as an influential group on family and society that it seems with the emphasis on the importance of teaching such issues to students, it would be possible to increase their performance and, in general, society in this category.