The relationship between environmental literacy and global warming knowledge levels in faculty of health sciences
Yasemin Kıyak Yorulmaz1,2, Aylin Özakgül3, Elif Cansu Topraklı4
1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakif University, Merkez Neighborhood, Silahtarağa Streed No:183, Esentepe, Eyüpsultan, Istanbul, Turkey. ykiyak@bezmialem.edu.tr.
Aim:
This study was conducted to examine the relationship between environmental literacy and global warming knowledge levels among future healthcare professionals who will play a role in protecting and promoting public health.
Methods:
The study was conducted using a comparative and correlational design to examine the relationship between environmental literacy and global warming knowledge levels among students in the Faculty of Health Sciences at a foundation university. Data were collected from 258 students between April 5 and June 4, 2024, through an online survey in accordance with the principles of personal data protection and confidentiality. The Student Information Form, the Environmental Literacy Scale for Adults (ELSA), and the Global Warming Knowledge Scale (GWKS) were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's correlation analysis. The results were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results:
It was determined that the students scored 83.42 ± 11.10 on the ELSA and 107.68 ± 15.03 on the GWKS, and that these scores were above the average level. The environmental awareness levels of students who reported having received education on the environment and global warming were found to be significantly higher. It was also found that students who were members of environmental organizations/clubs/similar institutions and who were willing to engage in voluntary work had higher levels of environmental concern, awareness, and environmental literacy. In addition, a positive correlation was found between global warming knowledge and environmental literacy (r = 0.34).
Conclusions:
The results of the study indicate that environmental literacy is significantly associated with students' levels of knowledge about global warming. It is recommended to integrate courses on environmental literacy into the curriculum to increase the knowledge levels of future healthcare professionals regarding global warming.
Reporting Method:
STROBE checklist.
Clinical Trial Number:
Not applicable.
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