Awareness and perception regarding the e-waste management among a population in northern Kerala

Background: Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to all items of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that have been discarded by its owner as waste without the intent of re-use. Improper e-waste management can lead to adverse human health effects and environmental pollution. The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding e-waste management and the factors affecting it. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024 in three block panchayats of Malappuram district in Kerala with a sample size of 266 selected using multistage sampling. Data was entered in Microsoft Office and was analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software. Factors affecting the outcome variables was assessed using Chi-square test or Fisher exact test depending on the sample distribution. Results: Study results showed that 28.9% of the participants had good awareness, 27.1% had average awareness and 44% of the population had poor awareness and on e-waste management. 89.5% of population had a very good perception towards e waste management. Age, gender, type of family they come from, educational factors, occupational factors and socioeconomic class were the factors affecting e-waste management. Conclusions: Increasing public awareness and educating stakeholders about the hazards of e-waste is crucial. Promotion of campaigns and programs to inform individuals about the proper disposal methods, recycling options, and the importance of reducing e-waste generation through responsible consumption can significantly improve the management of e-waste.