Evaluation of the knowledge of turkish red crescent disaster personnel on global climate change

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of Turkish Red Crescent disaster personnel regarding global climate change. The research was a descriptive epidemiological study, and the participation rate was 30.3%. Data were collected online from June to September 2022 using a data collection form prepared by the researchers. Of the disaster personnel surveyed (n=77), 84.4% (n=65) were male, and 40.3% (n=31) were aged 40-49. The mean score for general knowledge about global climate change among disaster personnel was 15.56 (Moderate Level), while the mean score for knowledge about the health effects of climate change was 14.23 (Moderate Level). The mean scores for general knowledge about global climate change among disaster personnel aged 20-29 were higher than those aged 40-49 (p<0.05). The mean scores for general knowledge about global climate change among managerial personnel were higher than those among specialists and workers (p<0.05). The mean scores for knowledge about the health effects of climate change among disaster personnel with a bachelor's degree or higher were higher than those among personnel with high school education or lower (p<0.05). The mean scores for knowledge about the health effects of climate change among disaster personnel who believed climate change would occur or not, who believed it would or would not end life, and who believed it was preventable or not, were higher than those among personnel who had no opinion (p<0.05). The Turkish Red Crescent can provide regular training sessions to increase awareness and knowledge levels among disaster personnel regarding climate change and its effects.