Consumption of Household Disinfectants during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sorsogon, Philippines

Abstract

Knowledge of behavior and perception changes about the use of household disinfectants in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic is largely unexplored. Through a survey, we took into consideration the locals’ responses from Sorsogon, Philippines. Alcohol and oxidizing agents were found to be the most commonly used household disinfectant products in Sorsogon. Most of the respondents have shifted to the everyday use of disinfectant products during the pandemic. Increased disinfectant consumerism was positively associated with genders, employed respondents, and students but not among housewives and non-employed respondents. Most of the respondents agreed that various factors are needed to consider when choosing disinfectants. They were also knowledgeable about the possible effects of disinfectant wastes on the environment. How would these collective positive behavior changes during the new normal era warrant further attention.