Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2026)
Iran J Health Environ. 2026, 19(2): 239-258 |
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Fadaei H, Abdollahzadeh G, Abedi Sarvestani A, Mahboobi M R. Exploring waste separation behavior and disposal alternatives among rural households (case of Mashhad county, Khorasan Razavi province). Iran J Health Environ. 2026; 19 (2) :239-258
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7172-en.html
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7172-en.html
1- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran ,abdollahzade1@gmail.com
2- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran ,
Abstract: (518 Views)
Background and Objective: Waste management in rural areas is particularly important due to its direct impact on community health. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of source-separation behavior and waste disposal options among rural residents of Mashhad County, Razavi Khorasan Province.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 387 householders in Mashhad County, selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and multinomial logistic regression in SPSS 26 software.
Results: Factor analysis of motivations revealed six factors (economic, environmental, socio-cultural, educational, institutional, and religious-ethical), explaining 66.37% of the variance. Barriers to separation were similarly classified into six factors (infrastructural-executive, economic, awareness-educational, cultural-behavioral, social-institutional, and health-related), accounting for 74.04% of the variance. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that the strongest positive predictors for waste management methods were: environmental motivations for "separation and sale" (OR=3.914), educational motivations for "separation and disposal in bins" (OR=1.979), and economic motivations for "reuse" (OR=3.762). Conversely, cultural-behavioral barriers (OR=0.197 to 0.368) and health-related barriers (OR=0.198 to 0.321) emerged as the most significant obstacles to adopting all three methods compared to non-separation.
Conclusion: The success of waste separation programs in rural areas calls for an integrated approach that not only strengthens environmental and economic motivations but also addresses cultural-behavioral and health-related barriers. Educational initiatives should be designed to reshape habits and alleviate health concerns.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 387 householders in Mashhad County, selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and multinomial logistic regression in SPSS 26 software.
Results: Factor analysis of motivations revealed six factors (economic, environmental, socio-cultural, educational, institutional, and religious-ethical), explaining 66.37% of the variance. Barriers to separation were similarly classified into six factors (infrastructural-executive, economic, awareness-educational, cultural-behavioral, social-institutional, and health-related), accounting for 74.04% of the variance. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that the strongest positive predictors for waste management methods were: environmental motivations for "separation and sale" (OR=3.914), educational motivations for "separation and disposal in bins" (OR=1.979), and economic motivations for "reuse" (OR=3.762). Conversely, cultural-behavioral barriers (OR=0.197 to 0.368) and health-related barriers (OR=0.198 to 0.321) emerged as the most significant obstacles to adopting all three methods compared to non-separation.
Conclusion: The success of waste separation programs in rural areas calls for an integrated approach that not only strengthens environmental and economic motivations but also addresses cultural-behavioral and health-related barriers. Educational initiatives should be designed to reshape habits and alleviate health concerns.
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