Nursing Students’ Perceptions about the Effects of Climate Change on Health: A Descriptive Exploratory Study

Dublin Core

Title

Nursing Students’ Perceptions about the Effects of Climate Change on Health: A Descriptive Exploratory Study

Subject

Climate change; climate change effects; nursing students;
perceptions

Description

Background: Climate change is recognized as an important health concern that
the health sector and nurses must prepare for. Adequate preparation and
understanding of its effects on health must be exemplified by nurses and nursing
students. Previous studies showed that nurses and nursing students have good
knowledge of climate change and its effects on health. However, none of these
studies were conducted in the Philippines.
Purpose: This study explored the perceptions of nursing students about the effects
of climate change on health.
Methods: The researchers utilized a descriptive qualitative research design. The
study was conducted among level three Bachelor of Science in Nursing students
selected through purposive sampling using the following criteria: a) students who
were enrolled with a full load of units in the BSN course, and b) those who have not
taken Disaster Nursing course in the previous semesters. A total of 35 participants
were included in the study. Data collection was done through an interview using a
researcher-made interview guide. Data analysis was done through content analysis.
Results: Two major themes were identified, which describe the perceptions of the
nursing students about the effects of climate change on health. The findings revealed
that the respondents have an adequate understanding of what climate change is and
the factors that cause it. The respondents also mentioned that climate change
negatively affects the physiological health of humans. Specifically, climate change
increases the risk for non-communicable disease such as cardiovascular and
respiratory diseases. It also alters certain characteristics of communicable diseases
such as prevalence, seasonal pattern, and geographic distribution.
Conclusion: The findings revealed that student nurses know what climate change
is and are aware that it negatively affects health. However, their perceptions of the
effects of climate change on health are limited to its physiologic effects, specifically
on non-communicable and infectious disease, as this reflects their understanding of
how environmental factors affect disease pathogenesis or development.

Creator

Jonalyn P. Santos1

, Eladio Martin S. Gumabay2

Source

https://doi.org/10.14710/ 10.14710/nmjn.v14i1.53942

Date

5 April 2024

Contributor

PERI IRAWAN

Format

PDF

Language

ENGLISH

Type

TEXT

Files

Collection

Citation

Jonalyn P. Santos1 , Eladio Martin S. Gumabay2, “Nursing Students’ Perceptions about the Effects of Climate Change on Health: A Descriptive Exploratory Study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11237.