VOLUME 19 (Supplement)

Assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practices on radioactive waste management among local stakeholders in the Philippines

The Philippines has been generating radioactive waste for almost seven decades. The management of these wastes has been consistently and carefully undertaken by experts to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. Although established, these processes remain little known beyond technical practitioners. Hence, this study assessed the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practices related to radioactive waste management among local stakeholders in the Philippines. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed to guide the investigation. Using purposive sampling, data were gathered from 222 respondents through a survey questionnaire. The findings revealed generally favorable outcomes in the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practices of the respondents regarding radioactive waste management. However, several foundational aspects, such as definition, categories, regulations, and responsible agencies, were unfamiliar to some respondents. Moreover, related skills, attitudes, and practices concerning emergency and contact procedures, and the handling, storage, and disposal of radioactive waste require clarification and further upskilling. Also, a significant proportion of the respondents had not yet undergone training (90%) or encountered media campaigns (82%) on radioactive waste management, suggesting the need to further strengthen the knowledge, skills, attitude, and practices of the stakeholders despite the overall positive outcomes. Many respondents expressed their willingness to learn more (95%) and support community awareness and educational efforts on radioactive waste management (94%). These results are significant for developing an evidence-based communication plan that can foster meaningful conversations and dialogues among local stakeholders of radioactive waste management.