Assessment of Knowledge of Microplastic Pollution and its Environmental Effects among Rural Dwellers in the Idanre Forest Zones, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the knowledge of microplastic pollution and its environmental effects among rural dwellers in the Idanre forest zones of Ondo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents from three forest-fringe communities: Omifunfun, Ofusu, and Modaredele. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential models including logit regression, probit regression, and linear regression. The descriptive analysis revealed that the mean age of respondents was 2.20, indicating that most respondents fell within the 21–26 year age category. The mean value for gender was 1.34, suggesting that the majority of respondents were male. Educational attainment recorded a mean value of 2.50, showing that most respondents had at least secondary education. Household size had a mean value of 1.89, indicating that most households consisted of four to six members. The mean value for occupation was 1.86, suggesting that trading was the dominant occupation, while the mean income value of 1.89 indicated that most respondents earned between ₦1 and ₦30,000 monthly. The logit regression results showed that age (β = 0.031, p < 0.05), gender (β = 0.462, p < 0.05), education (β = 0.518, p < 0.01), income (β = 0.417, p < 0.05), and farming experience (β = 0.028, p < 0.05) significantly influenced awareness of microplastic pollution. Similarly, the probit regression results revealed that education (β = 0.492, p < 0.01), age (β = 0.024, p < 0.05), gender (β = 0.381, p < 0.05), and farming experience (β = 0.022, p < 0.05) significantly influenced respondents’ knowledge of microplastic pollution. The linear regression results further indicated that education, income, household size, age, and farming experience significantly influenced respondents’ perception of the environmental effects of microplastic pollution. The study concluded that socio-economic characteristics significantly influenced rural dwellers’ awareness, knowledge, and perception of microplastic pollution in the study area.

Keywords: Microplastic pollution, Environmental awareness, Rural communities, Forest ecosystems, Environmental education.