Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Evaluating health literacy of Kerman Medical University, School of Public Health students about recycling solid waste

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Majid Hashemi
. Narges Khanjani 1
. Maryam Saber 2
. Narges Kargar Fard

1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

2 Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran

Abstract
Background: The increasing trend in waste production and its improper disposal in the environment
have led to mismanagement of national resources and hazards to the natural environment.
Therefore, the recycling of solid waste can help prevent economic and bio‑environmental disasters.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the health literacy of the students of the Kerman Public Health
School about the management and recycling of solid waste. Materials and Methods: This was a
cross‑sectional study and the target population was all of the students of the Kerman Public Health
School (421 students) in five fields. A questionnaire including demographic and health literacy
questions was distributed among the students. Results: The male students answered the questions
significantly more than female students (P<0.001). The Environmental Health students acquired
a higher score than all other students and health literacy significantly increased as the student’s
studying degree promoted (P<0.001). Also, as the number of trimesters increased, health literacy
significantly increased (P<0.001). The parents’ education, the family income, and number of people
in the family had no significant effect on health literacy. All students believed recycling is important
and more than 50% had acquired their knowledge from their academics. Conclusion: This survey
showed that although students in health‑related fields confirm the necessity of recycling solid waste,
they still need more education in health literacy as they are supposed to be the promoters of public
health in the society in the near future.

Keywords

Health literacy
Kerman
recycling
students
waste
1. Baghiani Moghdam MH, Ehrampoosh MH, Ghaemmohammadi V.
Knowledge, attitude and performance of students in the field of
recycling and waste removal martyr Sadoughi. Proceedings of
Eighth National Conference on Environmental Health, 19‑17 Aug,
Tehran, Iran. 1384.
2. Dehghani MH, Dehghanifard E, Aazam K, Asgari AR, Baneshi MM.
Qualitative and quantitative study the potential recycling of solid
wastes in Tehran. Sci Health Q 1388;4:40‑4.
3. Ghahremani F, Mohebi M, Najafi HR. Knowledge and how people
working in recycling plastics from household waste Shiraz 1386.
Proceedings of the twelfth national conference on environmental
health. 1388. p. 1862‑9.
4. Bagheri M, Nabiee A, Eslami A. Knowledge and attitudes of Zanjan
University of Medical Sciences in the field of solid waste separation
and recycling in 1385‑1386. Article Tenth National Conference on
Environmental Health 1386. 10‑8 Oct, Hamedan, Iran.
5. Farzadkia M, Dlvand A, Taghdisi MH. Assess economic and
environmental aspects of recycling paper and cardboard waste
from the city of Isfahan. Tabib shargh 1387;10:237‑46.
6. Raghimi M, Shahpasandzadeh M, Yaghmaee F, Gholipour M.
Physical decomposition of solid household waste recycling
with a view to it (sample: Gorgan). Agric Sci Nat Resour 1385;
13:172‑78.
7. Tehrani Banihashemi SA, Amirkhani MA, Haghdoost AA, Alavian
SM, Asgharifard H, Baradaran H, et al. Health literacy in the five
provinces of the country and its effective factors. Journal of Medical
Education Development Center, 1386:4(1):1-9.
8. Alavimogadam MR, Delbari A. Evaluation of undergraduate
student awareness of the subject solid waste management in the
environment. J Technol Educ 1388:3:309‑14.
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 2, Issue 3
Summer 2012
Pages 1-4

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us