Exploration of Unregulated Diapers Disposal Practices Their Effects of in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Owhorji Miracle Chinwe; Gobo Akuro Ephraim; Dollah Osademe Chukwudi

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no5.2026.pg213.235

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Exploration of Unregulated Diapers Disposal Practices Their Effects of in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Owhorji Miracle Chinwe, Gobo Akuro Ephraim, Dollah Osademe Chukwudi

Abstract

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and environmental impacts of unregulated disposable diaper disposal in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. The aim was to examine the extent of public awareness, variations in disposal behaviour across socio-economic groups, and associated environmental risks. A cross-sectional survey design was deployed, and data were collected from 397 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Respondents were drawn from low-, middle-, and high-income neighbourhoods through a multistage sampling method. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive and non-parametric inferential statistics applied. Findings revealed that 56.7% of respondents reported disposing used diapers in open dumps, 19.4% disposed them in water drains, 14.4% practiced open burning, and only 9.6% used government-provided waste bins. Only 31.5% of respondents strongly agreed that burning used diapers releases toxic chemicals, and just 26.9% acknowledged that improper diaper disposal can pollute surface and groundwater. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in environmental awareness across income groups [X2 = 18.62, p = 0.000], with Dunn’s post hoc test showing significant disparities between low- and high-income respondents (mean rank difference = 48.3, p = 0.002). Demographically, 61.2% of respondents were female, and 64.7% had children under five, which contributed to high diaper usage rates. Moreover, 72.3% admitted they had never received any public education on proper diaper disposal. The lack of waste infrastructure and poor public awareness were cited as major contributing factors to improper practices. The study concludes that improper disposable diaper waste handling is widespread and environmentally hazardous in Port Harcourt, particularly in low-income areas. The study recommends targeted environmental education campaigns, provision of public diaper disposal units, zoning policies to control illegal dumping, and the implementation of extended producer responsibility policies to involve manufacturers in post-consumer diaper waste management.

References

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Exploration of Unregulated Diapers Disposal Practices Their Effects of in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Abstract

References

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