Nursing Students Thoughts and Knowledge Levels About Global Warming

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine nursing students’ thoughts and knowledge levels about global warming. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 236 nursing students studying at the faculty of health sciences of a state university between May and July 2022. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Form, the Global Warming Questionnaire. Independent Samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA were used to evaluate the data. Results: Ninety-seven percent of the students stated that global warming was a public health issue. Students’ mean score on the global warming knowledge scale was 90.02±8.76. There was a significant difference between the mean scale score participating in activities on the subject, having received information/education on environment, climate change aside from undergraduate education, wanting to become a member of an environmental non-governmental organization, and school year (p <.05). Conclusion: Participants’ knowledge level about global warming was above the average value of the scale. However, they still needed information, greater sensitivity to participate in environmental non-governmental organizations, global warming activities. For all these reasons, it is recommended that nursing students increase their knowledge and sensitivity during their undergraduate education, learn ways to combat the adverse effects of climate change, put them into practice.