Unveiling The Safety Disparity: Knowledge VS Practice in Waste Scavenging in Yola North Urban Area, Nigeria

Authors

  • Farouk Idi Yusuf Federal College of Education Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria
  • Ahmed Fate Ali and Bayero University Kano, Kano State Nigeria
  • Muhammed Amin Kodiya Department of Geography University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57233/ijsgs.v10i2.637

Keywords:

Waste scavengers, PPEs, Knowledge, Practice, Gap, Yola

Abstract

Waste scavenging is an important activity in developing countries aiding resource recovery and poverty reduction. Despite knowing the dangers posed by the activity, the waste scavengers’ occupational safety is to some extent compromised due to poor utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This study investigated the disparity between knowledge and practice of waste scavengers regarding occupational risks and safety measures in Yola urban area, through surveys and interviews with 405 participants across 55 dealers' depots. The study findings discovered 375 waste scavengers recognized the potential hazard associated with scavenging job, out of which only 41 were actually using PPEs regularly. While 30 claimed ignorant of the potential risks of the activity. This therefore categorized waste scavengers into three distinct groups in Yola urban area viz: Safe Scavengers" who possess the knowledge of dangers of scavenging and use one or more PPE regularly 41 (10.12%); “Knowledgeable non-PPEs users" who have the knowledge but do not use PPE 334 (82.47%); and "Unaware non-PPEs users" lacking both knowledge and PPE usage 30 (7.41%) mostly children. Null hypotheses were formulated where significant difference observed between Knowledgeable non-users and safety practice (p=0.016). On the other hand, no significant difference found between Safe Scavengers and safety practice (p=0.053); as well as Unaware non-users and safety practice (p=0.060). Pie chart clearly shows the knowledge/practice gap and three distinct group of the scavengers. Recommendation proposed involvement of scavengers’ middlemen and waste management authorities in developing comprehensive strategies that promote a culture of safety, provide training on safety practices, and ensure the availability of appropriate protective gear to narrow down the gap.

Author Biographies

Farouk Idi Yusuf, Federal College of Education Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria

Department of Geography,

Federal College of Education Yola,

Adamawa State Nigeria

Ahmed Fate Ali and, Bayero University Kano, Kano State Nigeria

Department of Environmental Management,

Bayero University Kano, Kano State Nigeria

Muhammed Amin Kodiya, Department of Geography University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Department of Geography University of Maiduguri,

Borno State, Nigeria

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Published

2024-07-18

How to Cite

Yusuf, F. I. ., Ali , A. F. ., & Kodiya, M. A. (2024). Unveiling The Safety Disparity: Knowledge VS Practice in Waste Scavenging in Yola North Urban Area, Nigeria. International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability, 10(2), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.57233/ijsgs.v10i2.637