ABSTRACT:
The impacts of climate change on various social determinants of health pose a critical threat to public health, with healthcare professionals playing a vital role in advocating for mitigation measures. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of healthcare professionals at Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital (BMDH) in Gauteng, South Africa, regarding climate change. Utilizing a quantitative, cross-sectional design, the study surveyed 264 randomly selected healthcare professionals, including 194 nurses (73.5%), 30 clinical support and therapeutic services staff (11.4%), 15 pharmacists (5.7%), 23 doctors (8.7%), and 2 dentists (0.8%), through a self-administered standardized questionnaire. The results revealed a general consensus on the reality of climate change, with most participants demonstrating reasonable knowledge and positive attitudes. However, inconsistencies in understanding were observed, likely due to varied information sources and a lack of formal climate change education in healthcare curricula. Despite these gaps, many healthcare professionals showed a willingness to raise awareness and recognized climate change as a significant health threat. The study underscores the need for enhanced climate change education within the healthcare sector to bridge knowledge gaps and empower professionals to effectively contribute to mitigation efforts.