Impact of Awareness Program Regarding Health Consequences of Climate Change on Knowledge, Perception and Daily Life practices among Nursing Students

Abstract

Introduction: Climate Change is an environmental impact of the recent and ongoing increase in the average temperature of earth surface and oceans. It could affect human health, plants, animals as well as governmental economies which lead to many negative consequences. Aim: to evaluate the impact of awareness program on the knowledge, perception and daily life practices of nursing students regarding health consequences of climate change. Research design: a quasi-experimental design was conducted. Setting: the study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI). Sampling: A systematic random sample consists of 300 nursing students. Tools: Self-administered questionnaires were used pre & post program implementation. 1) Nursing students' socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge assessment questionnaire to assess the nursing students' knowledge. 2) Modified perception likert scale questionnaire to assess students' perception. 3) Daily life practices questionnaire to assess the nursing students' daily life practices. Results of this study indicated that, the mean age of nursing students was 20.2±1.58. There was an improvement in the total good knowledge level, positive perception and adequate daily life practices of nursing students regarding climate change after implementation of the awareness program (80.6%, 83.25% & 64.3%) with a highly statistically significant differences between pre & 3 months' posttest. Also, there was a positive highly statistical significant correlation between total daily life practices & perception of nursing students and their total knowledge level at P<0.001. Conclusion: The awareness program proved a significant positive impact on the nursing students' total knowledge, perception and daily life practices regarding climate change. Recommendation: Awareness programs should be conducted regularly for improving the university students' knowledge, perception & daily life practices regarding climate change.