Awareness about Environmental Health among Nursing Personnel in Delhi

Abstract

The environment is one of the primary determinants of individual and community health. Nursing personnel are considered as one of the vital messengers of knowledge to bring change in total health. The study has been conducted with the aim of comparing the knowledge level of nursing personnel regarding environment and health and the related legal issues. It is a hospital based cross-sectional comparative study conducted on sample of 82 and 120 nurses in the year 2000 and 2011. The results show a marked difference in the awareness level of the subjects in the two years. However, the knowledge regarding the legal issues and correctness of knowledge is still lacking. Effect of environmental pollution on health is yet to be understood in its totality. There is a need to impart environment education. A suitable modification for inclusion of environmental health in nursing curriculum may be needed.

Keywords: Environmental awareness, Nursing personnel, Environmental legislations, Health effect of environmental pollution.