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The Relationship Between Nursing Students' Microplastic Pollution Awareness and Environmental Literacy: A
Fatma Ceylan Çiray1, Ayşe Altınkaynak2, Fatma Türedi2
1Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Nursing Open
|August 10, 2026
Summary
Environmental literacy is key to raising nursing students' awareness of microplastic pollution. Integrating environmental topics into nursing curricula can enhance understanding and promote eco-friendly practices.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Health Education
- Nursing Education
Background:
- Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern.
- Limited understanding of microplastic pollution exists among nursing students.
- Environmental literacy is crucial for health professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between microplastic pollution awareness and environmental literacy in undergraduate nursing students.
- To identify factors influencing awareness and literacy levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 356 undergraduate nursing students.
- Data collected using demographic forms, Microplastic Pollution Awareness Scale, and Environmental Literacy Scale.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation.
Main Results:
- Mean microplastic pollution awareness score: 22.98 ± 4.85.
- Mean environmental literacy score: 85.21 ± 10.35.
- Positive correlation found between microplastic pollution awareness and environmental literacy; higher scores observed in students willing to receive environmental education or previously aware of microplastics.
Conclusions:
- Environmental literacy is vital for enhancing nursing students' awareness of microplastic pollution.
- Current nursing curricula inadequately address environmental health.
- Recommendations include integrating environmental literacy and microplastic pollution content into nursing education and in-service training.