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Background <p>Climate change, together with other existing health threats, influences human health and diseases in numerous ways. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of health workers regarding the health-related hazards of climate change.</p> Method <p>This study employed a cross-sectional design, with a sample of 402 health workers. The questionnaire comprised three sections: the first addressed the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, while the second and third were designed to assess knowledge (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91) and awareness (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84) of the impact of climate change on health and climate change-related hazards experienced in the workplace.</p> Results <p>Of the 402 respondents included in this study, 60.2% were females. The majority of health workers were medical doctors (36.2%), held bachelor’s degrees (50.7%), practiced in the public health sector (74.9%), and worked at the tertiary care level (61.7%). Slightly over half of the study population (50.5%) demonstrated poor knowledge of climate-health-related hazards. Higher knowledge scores were associated with type of health worker (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), highest qualification obtained (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), practice area (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and having received training on climate change (p &lt; &lt; 0.001). More than three-quarters of the study population (76%) had not received training on climate change. Vector-borne illnesses were the most common climate change-related hazard experienced by the respondents (20.4%; 95% Cl 0.49–0.58), while improving access to healthcare was the most frequently suggested climate change mitigation measure (23.5%; 95% CI 0.54–0.63). The predictors of good knowledge of climate change were being a pharmacist (AOR 3.0; 95% CI 1.47–6.14), nurse (AOR 3.14; 95% CI 1.82–5.41), and another health worker (AOR 5.41; 95% CI 2.28–12.83). Additionally, having a master’s degree (AOR, 0.47;95% CI 0.24–0.92) and a PhD/Postgraduate fellowship (AOR, 0.33; 95% CI 0.12–0.89) were associated with knowledge levels. Finally, having received training in climate change was also a predictor of good knowledge (AOR, 1.73; 95% CI 1.04–2.87).</p> Conclusion <p>The findings of this study revealed that only a limited number of participants demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the health risks associated with climate change. This low level of knowledge among most participants highlights a significant knowledge gap in the healthcare workforce regarding the intersection of climate change and public health.</p>

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Nationwide evaluation of health workers knowledge and awareness of climate change health related hazards

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月15日

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  • Oyovwi Pedro Otoh,
  • Erick Wesley Hedima,
  • Henry Olawale Sawyerr

摘要

Background

Climate change, together with other existing health threats, influences human health and diseases in numerous ways. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of health workers regarding the health-related hazards of climate change.

Method

This study employed a cross-sectional design, with a sample of 402 health workers. The questionnaire comprised three sections: the first addressed the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, while the second and third were designed to assess knowledge (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91) and awareness (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84) of the impact of climate change on health and climate change-related hazards experienced in the workplace.

Results

Of the 402 respondents included in this study, 60.2% were females. The majority of health workers were medical doctors (36.2%), held bachelor’s degrees (50.7%), practiced in the public health sector (74.9%), and worked at the tertiary care level (61.7%). Slightly over half of the study population (50.5%) demonstrated poor knowledge of climate-health-related hazards. Higher knowledge scores were associated with type of health worker (p < 0.001), highest qualification obtained (p < 0.001), practice area (p < 0.001), and having received training on climate change (p < < 0.001). More than three-quarters of the study population (76%) had not received training on climate change. Vector-borne illnesses were the most common climate change-related hazard experienced by the respondents (20.4%; 95% Cl 0.49–0.58), while improving access to healthcare was the most frequently suggested climate change mitigation measure (23.5%; 95% CI 0.54–0.63). The predictors of good knowledge of climate change were being a pharmacist (AOR 3.0; 95% CI 1.47–6.14), nurse (AOR 3.14; 95% CI 1.82–5.41), and another health worker (AOR 5.41; 95% CI 2.28–12.83). Additionally, having a master’s degree (AOR, 0.47;95% CI 0.24–0.92) and a PhD/Postgraduate fellowship (AOR, 0.33; 95% CI 0.12–0.89) were associated with knowledge levels. Finally, having received training in climate change was also a predictor of good knowledge (AOR, 1.73; 95% CI 1.04–2.87).

Conclusion

The findings of this study revealed that only a limited number of participants demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the health risks associated with climate change. This low level of knowledge among most participants highlights a significant knowledge gap in the healthcare workforce regarding the intersection of climate change and public health.