A mixed method study on global warming, climate change and the role of public health nurses from the perspective of nursing students

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of the nursing students taking the Public Health Nursing course about global warming, climate change, the impact on health and the role of the public health nurse.

Design: The study is a mixed method study that includes descriptive data and focus group discussions on global warming, the effects of climate change and the role of the public health nurse.

Methods: The data were collected from the nursing faculty of a university located in the Central Anatolia region, where agricultural lands are widespread and climate change effects are most commonly observed. The data were collected from 154 undergraduate senior nursing students between February 2020 and May 2020. Firstly, the students completed the Global Warming Questionnaire that includes 26 items about global warming, climate change, their effects and the role of the public health nurse. Secondly, some students (n = 19) selected through the purposive sampling method participated in online focus group meetings.

Results: Our study revealed that 87.7% of the students know the main cause of climate change. The mean scale scores of the students who watch documentaries on the environment, who participate in activities related to the environment, and who know that climate change, sustainable development and health services are closely related were found to be statistically significantly higher (p ≤ 0.005). The views of the students on global warming and the environment were analyzed in focus group interviews according to five themes (global warming perception; the impact of global warming on health; methods of protection; roles of nurses; nursing education).

Conclusion: Global warming and climate change are sensitive and important issues that cannot be evaluated considering only knowledge level.

Impact: Global warming, climate change, their effects on health and the roles and responsibilities of nurses need to be included in the nursing curricula so that health professionals who can take measures against global warming, climate change and their health effects can be educated.

Keywords: Climate change; Global warming; Mixed methods; Nursing education; Nursing student; Perceptions; Survey.