UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON CITY’S AIR QUALITY: A TALE OF THREE CITIES IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The underlying endeavor of this paper is to understand the air pollution situation, particularly PM 2.5, in the major three cities of Bangladesh through the lenses of university students. In order to achieve this aim, a structured questionnaire was developed and scheduled interview was performed with the students from three universities of Bangladesh, namely Khulna University, Chittagong University, and Dhaka University. Data was collected on three categories: demographic, seasonal variation and consequences, and lastly some prevention perceptions. Accumulated data were analyzed by deploying descriptive statistics. Multinomial logistic regression, Pearson correlation along with PCA and cluster analysis were performed to understand the prevention perceptions. The result shows that air pollution has adverse effects on participants and air quality is most deteriorated during summer season. Statistically, pollution in Dhaka city is the most while least was found in Khulna city. Participants witness and bear the consequences of air pollution, but they think individual prevention measures are not at work. This study unveils the air quality problem in three major cities in Bangladesh and pollution problem is out of individual control. Further studies are encouraged to understand individual pollution control measures and policies.