Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 304-312
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260333
Eco-Friendly Practices Among Adults in Cheranalloor Grama Panchayat, Ernakulam: A Descriptive Survey
Silji Sebastian1, Fincy Joseph K2, Deepamol K S3
1Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, Lourdes College of Nursing, Kerala University of Health Sciences, Ernakulam, India.
2Lecturer, Department of Community Health Nursing, Lourdes College of Nursing,
Kerala University of Health Sciences, Ernakulam, India.
3Lecturer, Department of Community Health Nursing, Lourdes College of Nursing,
Kerala University of Health Sciences, Ernakulam, India.
Corresponding Author: Silji Sebastian
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Eco-friendly practices are essential for promoting environmental sustainability, particularly in rural communities where lifestyle and resource utilization directly impact the ecosystem. Understanding these practices among adults is crucial for planning effective interventions. The objectives of the study were to assess eco-friendly practices among adults and to determine the association between eco-friendly practices and selected socio-demographic variables.
Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 adults residing in rural areas of Ernakulam. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic variables and eco-friendly practices in domains such as waste management, energy conservation, water conservation, and biodiversity protection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The findings revealed that 60.5% of participants had moderate eco-friendly practices, 38.0% demonstrated good eco-friendly practices, and 1.5% exhibited poor eco-friendly practices. The overall mean and standard deviation score of eco-friendly practices was 86.96 ± 8.74. Domain-wise analysis indicated that waste management had the highest mean score (25.99 ± 2.62), followed by energy conservation (23.38 ± 2.67) and water conservation (19.78 ± 2.72), while biodiversity protection had the lowest mean score (17.83 ± 4.03). A significant association was found between gender and eco-friendly practices (χ² = 6.77, p = 0.03), whereas no significant association was observed with other socio-demographic variables.
Conclusion: The study concluded that eco-friendly practices among adults were predominantly moderate, with better performance in waste management and lower engagement in biodiversity protection. Targeted awareness programs and community-based interventions are needed to enhance sustainable behaviours.
Keywords: Eco-friendly practices; Rural adults; Sustainability; Waste management; Biodiversity