Examining Predictors of Environmental Health Knowledge and Competences in a Sample of Catalan Paediatricians

Abstract

Background and Aims

Their close contact with the cokes paediatricians a key group of healthcare professionals for the dissemination of environmental health (EH) notions and the protection of children and families. However, international studies show that their knowledge and competences in EH matters are limited.

Methods

We recruited a sample of 293 paediatricians (80% women, mean age 47 years) working in Catalonia (Spain). The participants filled in a battery of questions that allowed us to describe EH knowledge and competences and study the role of certain potential predictors on these two EH constructs.

Results

We found that nature relatedness predicted both EH knowledge and competences. Those interested in environmental issues scored higher in EH knowledge, while older participants reported higher competence levels. We could not confirm the predictive role of other sociodemographic (e.g., gender) or psycho-environmental variables (e.g., worry about environmental concerns).

Conclusion

Our results underscore the need to focus on training younger professionals and suggest that fostering psychological connections with nature and the environment might be a suitable approach.