Hassan Md Mahadi, Maruf Md Fakhrul Islam, Nohor Noushin, Boitchi Anika Bushra
Department of Public Health and Informatics Jahangirnagar University Dhaka Bangladesh.
aiHealth Lab, Center for Health Innovation, Research Action, and Learning - Bangladesh (CHIRAL Bangladesh) Dhaka Bangladesh.
Health Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 18;8(4):e70722. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.70722. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in weather patterns and is one of the greatest global threats. Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable countries, facing severe climate-induced events. Understanding climate change is crucial for identifying risks, developing adaptation strategies, and mitigating long-term impacts. University students, as future leaders, play a vital role in addressing climate change. This study assesses their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of climate change in Bangladesh.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among students from four universities in Bangladesh. A total of 1500 participants were selected based on inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, and perception regarding climate change, while univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with good knowledge and positive attitudes.
Overall, 73% of students had good knowledge of climate change, while 27% demonstrated poor knowledge. A majority (84%) expressed a positive attitude toward climate change initiatives. Participants correctly identified key climate-related events in Bangladesh, such as increased cyclones, tidal waves, and salinity. However, awareness of rising snakebite incidents and related deaths was low, with many perceiving no change or disagreeing with their significance. Factors associated with good knowledge included gender, source of information, and mother's education. Gender, source of information, and both parents' education were associated with positive attitudes among the participants.
This study provides baseline evidence on climate change knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions among Bangladeshi university students. To our knowledge, it is the first comprehensive assessment of this issue in this population. Given their strong awareness and positive attitudes, targeted initiatives can harness students' potential in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, contributing to long-term solutions for Bangladesh's climate challenges.
气候变化是指天气模式的长期变化，是全球面临的最大威胁之一。孟加拉国是最易受影响的国家之一，面临着严重的气候引发的事件。了解气候变化对于识别风险、制定适应策略以及减轻长期影响至关重要。大学生作为未来的领导者，在应对气候变化方面发挥着至关重要的作用。本研究评估了他们对孟加拉国气候变化的知识、态度和认知。
在孟加拉国四所大学的学生中开展了一项横断面研究。根据纳入标准共选取了1500名参与者。描述性统计总结了人口统计学特征以及对气候变化的认知，而单变量和多变量逻辑回归确定了与具备丰富知识和积极态度相关的因素。
总体而言，73%的学生对气候变化有充分的了解，而27%的学生知识掌握较差。大多数（84%）对气候变化倡议表达了积极态度。参与者正确识别了孟加拉国与气候相关的关键事件，如气旋增加、潮汐波和盐度上升。然而，对蛇咬伤事件增加及相关死亡的认知较低，许多人认为没有变化或不认同其重要性。与具备丰富知识相关的因素包括性别、信息来源和母亲的教育程度。性别、信息来源以及父母双方的教育程度与参与者的积极态度相关。
本研究提供了孟加拉国大学生气候变化知识、态度和认知的基线证据。据我们所知，这是对该人群这一问题的首次全面评估。鉴于他们较强的意识和积极态度，有针对性的举措可以挖掘学生在缓解气候变化和适应方面的潜力，为孟加拉国应对气候挑战的长期解决方案做出贡献。
