Assessment of Information and Perception-Sensitivity Levels of High School Students About Air Pollution

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge of vocational school health ser-vices students about air pollution, examine some of the variables thought to be related, and evaluate the levels of air pollution perception and sensitivity. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on a group of a high school students in Turkey between March 2018 and March 2019. The prepared questionnaire was delivered online. The level of knowledge about air pollution was evaluated by information questions, and those who scored 4.5 and below were accepted as having "insufficient knowledge about air pollution." The students' Air Pollution Perception and Sensitivity levels were evaluated with the "Air Pollution Per-ception and Sensitivity Scale." Results: The number of those with insufficient knowledge about air pollution was 867 (34.7%). Being male, 16 years of age and under, living in towns and villages, having a father's education level at secondary school, and not being a member of any environmental organization were determined as risk factors for insufficient knowledge about air pollution. Conclusions: Those with sufficient knowledge about air pollution have higher Air Pollution Detection and Sensitivity levels. In order to increase the air pollution knowledge level of Vocational School of Health Services students, it is recommended to carry out informational and educational studies on the subject. Key Words: Adolescent, Air pollution, Knowledge, Perception, Sensitivity