Effect of Climate Change Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Health-related Behaviors of Children with Respiratory Allergic Diseases

Badawy, Ghada Gamal; Wady, Doaa Elsayed AbdelAziz; El-Refaay, Eman R.; Ghareb, Safaa Ramadan

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2024.336953

Effect of Climate Change Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Health-related Behaviors of Children with Respiratory Allergic Diseases

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt.

² Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Helwan University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2024.336953

Abstract

Background. Climate change is undisputedly one of the most significant problems in the world.
Children’s respiratory health can be particularly affected by climate change, which contributes to
triggering respiratory allergic diseases through many allergies. Aim. This study was conducted to
evaluate the effect of climate change educational intervention on knowledge and health-related
behaviors of children with respiratory allergic diseases Design. A quasi-experimental research
design was utilized. Subjects. A convenience sample was used including 73 children aged 8 to
15 years diagnosed with respiratory allergic diseases. Setting. The study was carried out at
allergy and immunology outpatient clinics affiliated to Mansoura University Children's Hospital
(MUCH). Tools of data collection. Three tools were used for data collection: demographic and
clinical data structured interview sheet, children knowledge regarding climate changes
questionnaire and children’s climate change health-related behaviors questionnaire. Results:
There was a statistically significant difference between the children’s knowledge score and daily
health-related behaviors score regarding climate change pre- and post-intervention (P=0.000).
There was a positive correlation between children’s knowledge and their health-related behaviors
pre- and post-educational intervention (p= 026 & 0.021 respectively). Conclusion. The study
highlights the potential of climate change education in boosting knowledge and health-related
behaviors among children with respiratory allergic diseases, thereby promoting a sustainable
healthy future. Recommendation. This study emphasizes the need for climate education in
pediatric healthcare to protect vulnerable children from public health threats, requiring further
research for long-term effects and scalability