Protecting health from climate change: preparedness of medical interns

Climate change is a significant and emerging threat to public health and to meet the challenge, health systems require qualified staff.

To study the preparedness of medical interns to meet the challenge of protecting health from climate change.

Medical colleges in a coastal town. Cross-sectional study.

A proportionate number of medical interns from five medical colleges were included in the study. Level of awareness was used as a criterion to judge the preparedness. A self-administered, pretested, open-ended questionnaire was used. Responses were evaluated and graded.

Proportions, percentage, Chi-test.

About 90% of the medical interns were aware of the climate change and human activities that were playing a major role. Ninety-four percent were aware of the direct health impacts due to higher temperature and depletion in ozone concentration, and about 78% of the respondents were aware about the change in frequency / distribution of vector-borne diseases, water borne / related diseases, malnutrition, and health impact of population displacement. Knowledge regarding health protection was limited to mitigation of climate change and training / education. Options like adaptation, establishing / strengthening climate and disease surveillance systems, and health action in emergency were known to only nine (7%), eight (6%), and 17 (13%), respectively. Collegewise difference was statistically insignificant. Extra / co-curricular activities were the major source of knowledge.

Majority of medical interns were aware of the causes and health impacts of climate change, but their knowledge regarding health protection measures was limited.