Climate change and eye health: Awareness of health sciences students at a South African University

Abstract

Background: Climate change is an increasingly global issue with significant adverse impacts on public health. Its effects can lead to an increase in ocular health problems and diseases.
Aim: To determine the knowledge and perception among final-year students registered in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of the Free State Bloemfontein, on the impact of climate change on eye health.
Setting: The study was conducted at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein campus.
Methods: A descriptive study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Responses were collected during June 2024 and July 2024, and the results were analysed using descriptive statistics using SAS version 15.2.
Results: A total of 107 final-year health science students participated in the study, with a response rate of 85.60%. The study found a high level of awareness about climate change, with 99.07% (n = 106) acknowledging its occurrence. However, 64.49% (n = 69) of the participants felt they were not well informed about climate change issues, while 35.51% (n = 38) felt adequately informed. In addition, 93.46% of participants believed that protecting their eyes outdoors can reduce the risk of climate change-related eye health issues.
Conclusion: The study highlights the varying levels of knowledge among future healthcare professionals, emphasising the need for enhanced educational initiatives to bridge gaps in understanding.
Contribution: This study adds to the broader public health conversation by highlighting the connection between specific environmental changes and eye health. It calls for detailed approaches to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on eye health.