Composite domain and inferential analysis of solid waste management among market traders in Offa, Nigeria: a health belief model perspective

To assess solid waste management knowledge, attitudes, practices, and selected Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs among commercial market traders in Owode Market, Offa, Nigeria, and to identify factors independently associated with safe waste management practices. Among 101 market traders, 44 (43.6%) respondents had good knowledge of solid waste management, 52 (51.5%) demonstrated positive attitudes towards environmental sanitation, and 38 (37.6%) reported safe waste management practices. Perceived severity had the highest HBM mean score (3.92 ± 0.81). Educational attainment (χ² = 9.74, p = 0.021), knowledge level (χ² = 8.46, p = 0.015), and perceived barriers (χ² = 12.15, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with safe waste management practices. In multivariable analysis, good knowledge (aOR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.28–8.21), tertiary education (aOR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.05–7.72), and lower perceived barriers (aOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11–0.71) independently predicted safe waste management practices. Although positive attitudes toward environmental sanitation were common, they were not independently associated with safe waste management practices. Good knowledge of solid waste management, tertiary education, and lower perceived barriers were significant determinants of safe waste management practices among market traders. These findings suggest that environmental health education should be complemented by interventions that address structural barriers to facilitate the adoption of safer waste disposal behaviours.