Publication:

Knowledge, attitude and practices towards climate change and global warming among medical students of Trivandrum district: a cross-sectional study

Background Climate change is the biggest global health threat. Temperatures in India have risen by 0.7°C between 1901 and 2018, indicating a shift in climate. Global warming, leads to various consequences like rising temperatures, melting of ice caps, changes in precipitation patterns, ocean acidification. To achieve SDG‑13 “to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”, the role of public health functionaries will be of paramount importance who are actively guide people to adopt healthy, environment friendly practices.

Methods Cross sectional study was done on 389 MBBS students from four medical colleges of Trivandrum from April to December 2024 using simple random sampling. A semi structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic and knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire   prepared in Kobo toolbox were used to collect data and analysed using SPPS software 29.

Results 70% (271) were having good knowledge, 52% (203) were having good attitude and 61% (238) were having good practice on climate change and global warming. The 18% (72) of students from final year had good knowledge on UN federation and climate change (UNFCC) and 16% (61) intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC). 96% (375) were having good awareness on the impact of climate change on health. Diseases related to air quality was the most common consequence addressed by medical students. The students of fourth year had maximum knowledge on UNFCC 18% (72) and IPCC 16% (61).

Conclusions Integrating climate change and global warming to medical curriculum can help in achieving a climate resilient ecosystem.