Peprah Elijah Kwasi, Boapeah Samuel Agyabeng, Amewor Roberta, Tettey Christine, Norvivor Forgive Awo, Danso Doreen, Eshun Reginald, Attah Hope Yaw, Affordofe Michael
University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho-Ghana-Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Accra School of Hygiene, Accra, Ghana-Department of Environmental Health.
PLoS One. 2025 Jul 9;20(7):e0327374. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327374. eCollection 2025.
Plastic pollution, particularly from single-use plastics (SUPs), is an increasing environmental problem, especially for coastal communities dependent on marine ecosystems for their livelihood, food, and recreation. The Korle-Gonno community in Ghana epitomizes this: inadequate waste management systems and heavy reliance on SUPs. This study aimed to explore the drivers of consumer attitudes toward SUPs to inform effective interventions.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 198 residents of Korle-Gonno. The study used a multi-stage sampling method to select participants, targeting adults who had lived in the community for at least five years. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed socio-demographics, knowledge, concerns, attitudes, and practices regarding SUPs. Scores were categorized into low, moderate, and high levels, and data were analyzed using STATA 17.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed, including chi-square tests and logistic regression.
The study showed that 51% of the respondents have low knowledge of SUPs and although they considered SUPs as one of the major contributors to pollution, only 10.1% reported recycling plastics, while most relied on improper methods of plastic disposal. Important predictors of positive attitude towards the reduction of SUPs were: high levels of concern (aOR=2.37, 95% CI = 1.09-5.15) and good perception of environmental impact (aOR=4.59, 95% CI = 2.15-10.83). Those who had lived in the community for more than 20 years were likely to have positive attitudes (aOR=2.45, 95% CI = 1.04-5.77).
SUP pollution in Korle-Gonno is fueled by a lack of knowledge, inappropriate practices, and inadequate infrastructure. While these are major challenges, the community strongly supports regulation and corporate responsibility. Public education, improvement of the recycling system, and promotion of biodegradable alternatives are critical intervention strategies to solve this problem sustainably.
塑料污染，尤其是一次性塑料（SUP）造成的污染，正成为一个日益严重的环境问题，对于那些依靠海洋生态系统维持生计、获取食物和进行娱乐活动的沿海社区来说尤为如此。加纳的科勒 - 贡诺社区就是一个典型例子：其废物管理系统不完善，且严重依赖一次性塑料。本研究旨在探究消费者对一次性塑料态度的驱动因素，以便为有效的干预措施提供依据。
对科勒 - 贡诺的198名居民进行了描述性横断面研究。该研究采用多阶段抽样方法选取参与者，目标是在该社区居住至少五年的成年人。通过一份结构化问卷收集数据，该问卷评估了社会人口统计学、关于一次性塑料的知识、担忧、态度和行为。分数被分为低、中、高三个水平，并使用STATA 17.0进行数据分析。分析了描述性和推断性统计数据，包括卡方检验和逻辑回归。
研究表明，51%的受访者对一次性塑料的了解程度较低，尽管他们认为一次性塑料是污染的主要来源之一，但只有10.1%的人报告会回收塑料，而大多数人依赖不当的塑料处理方法。对减少一次性塑料持有积极态度的重要预测因素包括：高度关注（调整后比值比[aOR]=2.37，95%置信区间[CI]=1.09 - 5.15）以及对环境影响的良好认知（aOR=4.59，95% CI=2.15 - 10.83）。在该社区居住超过20年的人更有可能持有积极态度（aOR=2.45，95% CI=1.04 - 5.77）。
科勒 - 贡诺的一次性塑料污染是由知识匮乏、不当行为和基础设施不足所加剧的。虽然这些是主要挑战，但社区强烈支持监管和企业责任。公共教育、回收系统的改善以及可生物降解替代品的推广是可持续解决这一问题的关键干预策略。
