Nisha Boopathy, Shajil Shikha, Dutta Ruma, Jain Timsi
Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
J Family Community Med. 2022 May-Aug;29(2):132-137. doi: 10.4103/jfcm.jfcm_318_21. Epub 2022 May 13.
The increased use of electronic devices has caused a rise in the generation of e-waste, which is detrimental to the environment and human health. This study aimed to assess consumer awareness, perception, and disposal methods of e-waste management and its determinants in a semi-urban area of northern Tamil Nadu.
It was a mixed-method approach using a sequential explanatory technique with both quantitative and qualitative methods in adult e-consumers. Quantitative data were collected from 350 participants selected via simple random sampling using score-based semi-structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were obtained purposely from eight selected consumers such as recyclers, local leaders, and importers of electronics using key informant interviews. Sociodemographic details and disposal practices were summarized as frequencies and percentages. The independent -test and linear regression analysis were used to obtain the determinants. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
Of the 350 participants (208 males and 142 females), the majority (76%), had good knowledge of e-waste management. Consumers (70%) predominantly had a positive perception. Selling e-wastes to scrap dealers (35%) and disposing of household wastes (21%) were common disposal methods. Male gender, higher education (≥10 grade), and skilled and professional workers were significant determining factors of good knowledge and positive perception toward e-waste management.
There is a need for those in authority to pay special attention to sensitizing the public to the disposal of e-waste practices, ill effects of e-wastes, segregation at collection sites, legislations and laws on e-waste to consumers, and the establishment of disposal sites.
电子设备使用的增加导致了电子垃圾的产生量上升，这对环境和人类健康有害。本研究旨在评估泰米尔纳德邦北部一个半城市地区电子垃圾管理的消费者意识、认知和处置方法及其决定因素。
这是一种混合方法，采用顺序解释技术，对成年电子消费者同时使用定量和定性方法。定量数据通过基于分数的半结构化问卷，从350名通过简单随机抽样选择的参与者中收集。定性数据通过关键 informant 访谈，特意从八名选定的消费者（如回收商、当地领导人和电子产品进口商）处获得。社会人口统计学细节和处置做法以频率和百分比进行总结。使用独立样本 t 检验和线性回归分析来确定决定因素。定性数据进行主题分析。
在350名参与者（208名男性和142名女性）中，大多数（76%）对电子垃圾管理有良好的了解。消费者（70%）主要有积极的认知。将电子垃圾卖给废品经销商（35%）和与生活垃圾一起处理（21%）是常见的处置方法。男性、高等教育（≥10年级）以及熟练和专业工人是对电子垃圾管理有良好了解和积极认知的重要决定因素。
当局有必要特别关注提高公众对电子垃圾处置做法、电子垃圾的不良影响、收集地点的分类、关于电子垃圾的法律法规向消费者的宣传以及处置场所的设立等方面的认识。
