Social Studies Students’ Awareness of the Consequences of Indiscriminate Solid Waste Disposal on the Environment, in Tertiary Institutions in Delta State

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between Social Studies students’ awareness of the consequences of indiscriminate solid waste disposal and environmental consequences in tertiary institutions in Delta State. The study formulated and tested two research questions and two hypotheses. The study adopted a correlational ex-post facto research design. The study sample comprised 283 undergraduate Social Studies students in four government-owned tertiary institutions in Delta State, using a census sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled Students’ Awareness of Indiscriminate Solid Waste Disposal and its Consequences Questionnaire (SAISWDCQ). Experts in Measurement and Evaluation at Delta State University, Abraka, validated the instrument. Reliability was established using the test-retest method and Pearson Product Moment Correlation, yielding reliability coefficients ranging from 0.82 to 0.86 across sections. Data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation to answer research questions, while linear and multiple regression analyses were used to test hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant relationship between students’ awareness and breeding grounds for disease-causing organisms, and land pollution significantly influenced students’ awareness of the consequences of indiscriminate solid waste disposal. The study concluded that awareness of indiscriminate solid waste disposal is significantly related to environmental consequences among Social Studies students in Delta State. It was recommended that Social Studies teachers should intensify environmental education, while government and schools should strengthen environmental awareness programmes and sanitation campaigns to improve students’ environmental responsibility.