Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2026)
J Environ Health Eng 2026, 14(2): 220-239 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.KHOY.REC.1402.023
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Zareipour M, Aqanaghad M, Karimi M, Yeganeh J, Jalilzadeh Z. Investigating of the status of environmental protection literacy and its relationship with environmental ethics among students of Khoy medical science faculty in 2024 year. , J Environ Health Eng. 2026; 14 (2) :220-239
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1170-en.html
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1170-en.html
1- Assistant Professor of Health Education, Department of Public Health, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran & Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
2- Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran & Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Engineering, Department of Environmental Health, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
3- Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran & Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
4- PhD in Environmental Engineering, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
5- Expert in Environmental Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
2- Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran & Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Engineering, Department of Environmental Health, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
3- Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran & Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
4- PhD in Environmental Engineering, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
5- Expert in Environmental Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
Abstract: (20 Views)
Background: Implementing educational initiatives to foster environmental culture requires a baseline assessment of environmental literacy. This cross-sectional study investigated environmental literacy and ethics, and their interplay, among students at the Khoy Faculty of Medical Sciences in 2024.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a participation rate of 430 out of 600 students. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire comprising four distinct domains: environmental knowledge, attitude, behavior, and ethics. Content validity was established via a panel of nine experts using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR > 0.79). Furthermore, a pilot study yielded a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.76, confirming the instrument’s reliability. Given the non-parametric distribution of the data, statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U and Spearman correlation tests within the SPSS software environment.
Results: Demographic factors such as age, marital status, parental education, maternal employment, and socioeconomic status showed no significant correlation with environmental literacy dimensions (P>0.05). However, significant gender disparities were observed: male students scored higher in behavior, while female students exhibited higher scores in environmental ethics. Among academic disciplines, Emergency Medical Services students demonstrated the highest levels of environmental attitude and behavior, whereas Operating Room students scored the lowest. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between paternal self-employment and higher environmental behavior scores.
Conclusion: The findings reveal a discernible gap between students’ environmental knowledge/attitudes and their actual environmental behaviors. Consequently, it is recommended that educational frameworks shift from passive knowledge transmission toward experiential, participatory interventions to effectively transform environmental literacy into a sustainable cultural paradigm.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a participation rate of 430 out of 600 students. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire comprising four distinct domains: environmental knowledge, attitude, behavior, and ethics. Content validity was established via a panel of nine experts using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR > 0.79). Furthermore, a pilot study yielded a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.76, confirming the instrument’s reliability. Given the non-parametric distribution of the data, statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U and Spearman correlation tests within the SPSS software environment.
Results: Demographic factors such as age, marital status, parental education, maternal employment, and socioeconomic status showed no significant correlation with environmental literacy dimensions (P>0.05). However, significant gender disparities were observed: male students scored higher in behavior, while female students exhibited higher scores in environmental ethics. Among academic disciplines, Emergency Medical Services students demonstrated the highest levels of environmental attitude and behavior, whereas Operating Room students scored the lowest. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between paternal self-employment and higher environmental behavior scores.
Conclusion: The findings reveal a discernible gap between students’ environmental knowledge/attitudes and their actual environmental behaviors. Consequently, it is recommended that educational frameworks shift from passive knowledge transmission toward experiential, participatory interventions to effectively transform environmental literacy into a sustainable cultural paradigm.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/6 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/09/20
Received: 2026/07/6 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/09/20
References
1. Assessing Environmental Literacy and its Relationship with Environmental Ethics. Ethics in Science and Technology. 2022;16(4):36-44.
2. Aikowe LD, Mazancova J. Pro-environmental awareness of university students-assessment through sustainability literacy test. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2023;24(3):719-41. [DOI:10.1108/IJSHE-06-2021-0219]
3. Khosravipour B, Pourjavid S, Darvyshi Z. Factors Affecting the Environmental Literacy of Postgraduate Students of Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Agricultural Education Administration Research. 2024;16(69):44-68.(in persin)
4. Behzadi M, Soltani A, Alinejad M. Exploring the Structural Relationship Between Students' Components of Environmental Literacy and Their Environmental Activities (Case Study: Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman). Environmental Researches. 2022;13(25):113-32. (in persin)
5. Nowzari S, Shobeiri SM, Rezaee M. A Comparative Study of Components of Promoting Environmental Literacy in Selected Countries: Lessons for Iran. Iranian Journal of Comparative Education. 2023;6(4):2762-82. (in persin)
6. Wagner KN. The lived experiences of environmental education teachers facilitating experiential learning using the CAPS curriculum: Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University; 2024.
7. Aqanaghad M, Hamzehnezad R, Rezaii A, Seyflou MA. The Status of Environmental Literacy and its Relationship with Environmental Ethics among Secondary Education Schools Students. Depiction of Health. 2024;14(4):451-66. (in persin) [DOI:10.34172/doh.2023.35]
8. Shobeiri SM. The Role of Social Networks on the Culture of the Teachers' Environmental Values and Beliefs: a case study of the telegram. Journals of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 2018;6(2):37-43.
9. Mirsanjari MM, Bigmohammadi F, Mohammadyari F, Hedayatzadeh F. Assessment of Environmental Literacy among Malayer University Students Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Models. 2022. (in persin)
10. Karim B, Kian M, Aliasgari M. Designing the Environmental Education Curriculum for Elementary Schools in Iran. Journals of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 2017;5(4):9-23. (in persin)
11. Budak DB, Budak F, Zaimoglu Z, Kekec S, Sucu MY. Behaviour and attitudes of students towards environmental issues at faculty of agriculture, Turkey. Journal of Applied sciences. 2005;5(7):1224-7. [DOI:10.3923/jas.2005.1224.1227]
12. Clarke C, Gaisford J, Jones M, Makhuvha K, Mundy E, Taylor G, editors. Global Warming: An assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices at Rhodes University. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen; 2009.
13. Bazi A, Fakoori H, Bayani B, Sahemi H. Analysis the characteristics of environmental curriculum elements in the higher education based on the Akker pattern. The Journal of Research in Humanities. 2025;30(3):85-114.
14. Nadem Souraki M, Nejatzadeh F, Gholami-Borujeni F. Level of environmental knowledge, attitude, and performance of the citizens of Mazandaran province in 2021. Iranian Journal of Health and Environment. 2023;15(4):691-700.
15. Marzban A, Barzegaran M, Hemayatkhah M, Ayasi M, Delavari S, Sabzehei M, et al. Evaluation of environmental awareness and behavior of citizens (case study: Yazd urban population). Iranian Journal of Health and Environment. 2019;12(1):17-30. (in persin)
16. Salehi S, Kabiri A, Karimzadeh S. A Study of Gender and Environmental Attitude (Case study: Urmia). Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology. 2016;18(1):149-61. (in persin)
17. Rezaei M, Khodaei MM. A Study of agricultural students' awareness, attitude and behavior toward sustainable development. 2017; 19(1): 181-195(in persian)
18. Jadgal MS, Bamri A, Zareipour M, Dadkhah S, Alizadeh Siuki H. Investigating Environmental Literacy: studying the knowledge, attitude, and practice of environmental protection in nursing students of Chabehar city. Journal of Environmental Health Engineering. 2023;11(1):104-15.
19. Mir-Sanjari M, Beig-Mohammadi F, Mohammadyari F, Hedayatzadeh F. Assessment of Environmental Literacy Among Malayer University Students Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Models. 2022.(in persian)
20. Dalen HM, Halvorsen B. Gender differences in environmental related behaviour. 2011.
21. Salehi S, Pazoukinejad Z. Environment in Higher Education: Assessment of Environmental Knowledge Among Students at Public Universities in Mazandaran. Educational Planning Studies. 2014;2(4):199-221.(in persian)
22. Oğuz D, Çakci I, Kavas S. Environmental awareness of university students in Ankara, Turkey. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2010;5(19):2629-36.
23. Hemayatkhah Jahromi M, Ershad F, Danesh P, Ghorbani M. Sociological Study of Relationship between Knowledge, Attitudes and Environmental Behaviors: (Case of Study of Tehran University students). Social Problems of Iran. 2017;8(1):5-25.
24. Öztürk G. Investigating pre-service teacher's environmental literacy through their epistemological beliefs: Middle East Technical University (Turkey); 2009.
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
