The effect of the 5Rs with the HBM program on municipal solid waste management knowledge and perceptions among rural residents in Pong District, Phayao Province 10.55131/jphd/2025/230114

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a continuous environmental challenge in the modern world. Thus, this study aims to compare the knowledge of MSW management (MSWM) and Health Belief Model (HBM)-related perceptions between experimental and control groups before and after implementing the 5Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle) with the HBM program. Using a quasi-experimental, two-group pretest-posttest design, the experimental group participated in a six-week educational program. Questionnaires covered general information, knowledge of MSWM via the 5Rs with the HBM-based program and HBM-related perceptions. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, means, and standard deviations. The study involved 220 participants, mostly with a primary education level. They were evenly distributed between the experimental and control groups. Results revealed the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores (X̅ = 40.13, SD = 1.435) compared to the control group (X̅ = 31.78, SD = 2.435), with a p-value of < 0.001.  Mean scores for four perceptions of HBM, namely perceived susceptibility and severity of improper waste segregation, as well as perceived benefits and barriers to proper waste segregation, were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, with p-values of < 0.05 for each perception. These findings offer valuable insights for addressing and managing MSW issues sustainably, with potential benefits for environmental impact reduction and human health promotion. Furthermore, these research findings can serve as crucial data for implementing MSWM strategies in the Pong district of Phayao province.