Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
J Environ Public Health. 2021 Feb 12;2021:3846428. doi: 10.1155/2021/3846428. eCollection 2021.
Although proper management of electronic waste (e-waste) is key to preventing disease and protecting the environment, there is no clear mechanism for its management in Uganda. This study assessed knowledge, perceptions, and practices of e-waste management among consumers in Kampala city, Uganda.
We conducted a cross-sectional study among people who used, repaired, or sold electronics (consumers). Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection using a sequential explanatory strategy were utilized. The quantitative survey involved 640 study participants, while qualitative interviews included 18 key informant interviews with stakeholders and six focus group discussions with 57 consumers. Modified Poisson regression was used to establish associations with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, and qualitative data analysed thematically.
Two-thirds (67.7%; 433/640) of electronics consumers had poor knowledge on the management of e-waste. More than three-quarters 79.1% (506) of the consumers had positive perceptions towards e-waste management. Consumers perceived e-waste as harmful to human health and the environment. Participants in informal employment were 0.96 times less likely to have positive perceptions towards e-waste management compared to those in formal employment (adjusted PR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99). Mobile phones and televisions were the most owned e-waste with only 7.96% (18/226) and 13.2% (7/53) disposed off, respectively. Selling e-waste to repair shops and donation were the common disposal options.
Knowledge on proper e-waste management is poor among electronic consumers in Kampala, Uganda, though most have positive perceptions. There is need for increased awareness on e-waste management to prevent its effects on health and the environment. Special attention should be towards sensitisation on e-waste handling practices before disposal and final disposal options available.
尽管妥善管理电子废物（e-waste）对于预防疾病和保护环境至关重要，但乌干达目前尚无明确的管理机制。本研究评估了乌干达坎帕拉市消费者对电子废物管理的知识、看法和做法。
我们对使用、修理或销售电子产品的人群（消费者）进行了横断面研究。采用序贯解释策略，同时使用定量和定性方法收集数据。定量调查涉及 640 名研究参与者，而与利益相关者进行的 18 次关键 informant 访谈和与 57 名消费者进行的 6 次焦点小组讨论则采用了定性方法。使用修正后的 Poisson 回归来确定关联及其对应的 95%置信区间，对定性数据采用主题分析方法进行分析。
三分之二（67.7%；433/640）的电子废物消费者对电子废物管理的知识掌握程度较差。超过四分之三（79.1%；506）的消费者对电子废物管理持积极看法。消费者认为电子废物对人类健康和环境有害。与从事正规就业的消费者相比，从事非正规就业的消费者对电子废物管理持积极看法的可能性低 0.96 倍（调整后的比值比 PR = 0.96，95%置信区间：0.93-0.99）。手机和电视机是拥有量最多的电子废物，分别只有 7.96%（18/226）和 13.2%（7/53）进行了处置。将电子废物出售给维修店和捐赠是常见的处置选择。
乌干达坎帕拉的电子消费者对电子废物妥善管理的知识匮乏，但大多数消费者对电子废物管理持积极看法。需要提高人们对电子废物管理的认识，以防止其对健康和环境造成影响。在处置之前，应特别关注提高对电子废物处理操作的认识，并提供可用的最终处置选择。
