<![CDATA[Improper household waste management remains a pressing environmental and public health challenge in urban Nigeria. Market women, who are central to both the generation and potential reduction of domestic waste, represent a critical yet underexplored audience for behaviour change interventions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Peer-Led Eco-Dialogue Circles (EDCs), a community-based participatory intervention, in improving household waste segregation practices among market women in Calabar, Cross River State. Using a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design, 200 market women were purposively assigned to an intervention group (n = 100), which participated in eight weekly EDC sessions, or a control group (n = 100), which received standard public health messaging. The EDCs were facilitated by trained peer leaders who guided discussions on waste types, environmental consequences of indiscriminate disposal, and practical segregation techniques, culminating in a collective commitment to separate organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable waste. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up using structured questionnaires, household waste bin audits, and focus group discussions. Results showed that the intervention group significantly improved their waste segregation knowledge (p < .001), attitudes (p < .001), and self-reported practices compared to the control group. Direct bin audits revealed that the proportion of households correctly segregating waste rose from 12% at baseline to 78% post-intervention in the intervention group, with 64% maintaining the practice at follow-up, while the control group remained below 15% across all time points. Qualitative findings highlighted the role of peer solidarity, practical learning, and social accountability in sustaining behaviour change. The study demonstrates that peer-led dialogue approaches are both feasible and effective for promoting pro-environmental behaviours among informal sector women in urban Nigeria. Policy implications for integrating EDCs into municipal waste management strategies are discussed.]]>
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