Knowledge and awareness off the responsibility for climate change adaptation among healthcare workers at public health facilities in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province in 2021 - 2022

Abstract

In recent years, the province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau has experienced increasing impacts from various natural disasters, such as saltwater intrusion, rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, prolonged heavy rainfall, and landfalling typhoons. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in responding to climate change. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness of responsibilities, readiness, and training needs related to climate change among healthcare workers at 12 public health facilities in Ba Ria - Vung Tau in 2021 - 2022. A descriptive cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire and systematic random sampling. Results indicated that healthcare workers in Ba Ria - Vung Tau had good knowledge (80.3%) and awareness (65.8%) of their responsibilities and readiness to address climate change. The demand for information or training to cope with climate change was 65.0%. Healthcare workers with good knowledge and awareness had higher training and information needs compared to the rest (p < 0.005). Effective measures for healthcare workers should be proposed to enhance their ability to adapt to climate change in the upcoming years.