Plastic pollution in Harari region, Ethiopia: practices and impacts on health and environment

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the environment and human health on a global level. This study aimed to investigate plastic pollution in the Harari region of Ethiopia. The result indicated that 62% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge about plastic waste, and 59% of them perceived plastic waste as harmful. Polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polycarbonates were the types of plastic waste identified. Being female (AOR = 1.82), aged 15-45 (AOR = 1.82), married (AOR = 1.83), and having families >3 (AOR = 2.15) were significantly positively associated with good plastic waste management practice. Being illiterate (AOR = 0.52), and having poor knowledge about plastic waste (AOR = 0.54) were significantly negatively associated with poor management practice. The findings indicated that the Harari region is prone to adverse health and environmental effects from plastic pollution. Policies restricting plastic use, training municipal waste collectors and health extension workers, and improving public awareness are indispensable.