From Awareness-to-Action: Strengthening Waste Management Practices: Insights from Hamar Jajab District

This study explored residents’ awareness, behaviors, and key factors affecting sustainable waste management in Mogadishu, Somalia. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, it examined how awareness of waste management principles influences household waste handling practices and identified factors that facilitate or hinder this process. A descriptive quantitative research design was used, employing structured questionnaires administered to residents. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests in SPSS version 27. The results showed moderate awareness of health and environmental risks associated with improper waste disposal, along with a limited understanding of environmentally safe disposal methods and waste categorization. Significant differences were found across education levels in awareness of safe disposal methods (χ² (4) = 17.295, p = 0.002) and knowledge of recyclable waste (χ² (4) = 16.877, p = 0.002). Additionally, familiarity with local waste management rules (ρ = 0.394, p < 0.01) and regular waste separation routines (ρ = 0.469, p < 0.01) showed strong positive correlations with actual waste management behaviors. Although many residents reported practicing proper waste disposal, consistent implementation remained difficult, revealing a persistent gap between knowledge and action. Access to reliable waste collection services, community support, and educational programs emerged as crucial enablers of sustainable waste management. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for combined educational, institutional, and infrastructural strategies to enhance sustainable waste management and advance Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11, and 12.