{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Perspectives on climate action and the changing burden of infectious diseases among young Italian doctors and students: a national survey.
{Author}: Segala FV;Di Gennaro F;Giannini LAA;Stroffolini G;Colpani A;De Vito A;Di Gregorio S;Frallonardo L;Guido G;Novara R;Amendolara A;Ritacco IA;Ferrante F;Masini L;Iannetti I;Mazzeo S;Marello S;Veronese N;Gobbi F;Iatta R;Saracino A;
{Journal}: Front Public Health
{Volume}: 12
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024
{Factor}: 6.461
{DOI}: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1382505
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The eco-climatic crisis has been defined by the World Health Organization as the "single biggest health threat facing humanity," influencing both the emergence of zoonoses and the spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases. The aim of this survey was to explore knowledge, eco-anxiety and attitudes toward the ecological and climate crisis among young Italian doctors and medical students.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023, by administering an anonymous questionnaire to Italian doctors and students of medicine. Endpoint of the study was a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) score on ecological and climate crisis (0-20 points). Association between variables and KAP score was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis' or Spearman's test, as appropriate, and significant variables were included into ordinal regression model and reported as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Both KAP and eco-anxiety scores showed acceptable levels of consistency with Cronbach's alpha. A total of 605 medical doctors and students living in 19 Italian regions were included in the study. Median age [Q1-Q3] was 27.6 [24.1-31.3] and females were 352 (58.2%). Despite showing good attitudes toward climate action, knowledge gap were found, with 42.5% (n = 257) of the respondents not knowing the temperature limits set by the Paris Agreements and 45.5% (n = 275) believing that climate change is caused by sunspots. Fears suggestive for eco-anxiety were common. At multivariable ordinal regression, high levels of eco-anxiety (aOR 1.29, p = 0.001) and low trust in government action (aOR 1.96, p = 0.003) were associated with a higher KAP score. Only one Italian medical school offered an educational module on climate change.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Young Italian doctors and medical students are concerned about the climate crisis but show poor knowledge of these topics. The Italian academic system should urgently respond to this need.