A study on awareness and preparedness about global warming among medical interns

Introduction: Global warming is an emerging international public health challenge and to meet this challenge the health system requires knowledgeable and qualified staff. Objectives: To study the awareness about global warming among medical interns and to study their preparedness to meet the challenge of protecting health from global warming. Methodology: Study design: cross- sectional study Materials and method: An observational study was carried out among the interns of S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. The level of awareness was used to judge their preparedness also. Data analysis: Microsoft excel Statistical analysis: Percentage and proportion Results: Almost all the interns had heard of global warming but only 68% of them knew correctly what it is and how it is happening by human activities. 68% were aware of greenhouse gases and their effects in global warming. 49% knew correctly the health effects of global warming. Friends, media and books were the source of information for them. Only 48% knew about the preparedness against global warming. Conclusion: Even though majority of interns are aware of the causes and effects of global warming, their knowledge about preparedness against that was limited.