INTRODUCTION:
Climate change is an important risk factor associated with the development and exacerbation of numerous diseases and health conditions, especially in the underdeveloped regions of the world (1-3). However, these communities are burdened with constant adverse socio-economic challenges and hence, their awareness of the health risks of climate change is not reported (4,5). Therefore, we aim to understand the knowledge and attitudes of Sri Lankan adults towards climate change and its effects on human health.

METHODS:
A web based cross sectional survey was conducted using a respondent driven sampling technique, among Sri Lankan adults. A structured, pretested, web based, self-administered questionnaire was developed using relevant questions from prior studies (6-8), was modified considering the local context (5), and face and content validity were established. Data was collected from September to November 2022. Responses were automatically stored in a database and were imported into a spreadsheet and analysed using MS Excel.

RESULTS:
Majority of the 118 respondents were young, educated, employed adults from the urban areas of western province, and 56.8% were females. Overall knowledge on climate change was good among 82.2%, while over 90% had a good or favourable knowledge on health effects associated with climate change. Skin cancer, mental illnesses and asthma were well known diseases associated with climate change while non communicable diseases and vector borne diseases were less well known to be impacted by climate change. Over 90% had a good attitude towards the need for climate change mitigation and climate friendly activities being implemented.

CONCLUSIONS:
Surveyed Sri Lankan adults have a good understanding and awareness on the importance of mitigating climate change in relation to its health effects. However, it is not known if these findings apply to adults from the rural, agriculture-based regions of the country, for which a more extensive study is required.