Research Information System
İFEH 1st world academic congress on environmental health, Coimbra, Portugal, 22 - 26 September 2015, pp.28
ABSTRACT: Determining the adolescents’ enviromental consciousness is important to achive a
sustainable environment. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the 9. and 11. grades students’ enviromental attitudes and behaviors in Rize city. Methods and materials: The study involved 635 students with a mean age of 15.5 years. Probability proportional to size cluster sampling method was used in a crossectional design. Sampling units were classes. Data were collected by administring a questionnaire to students at classrooms during May-June 2015. The questionnaire included modified green consumer value scale, questions about perceived environment assessment, enviromental behaviors, enviromental risk perceptions and personal characteristics. The modified green consumer value scale was consisted of six likert-type questions. The scoring scale is from 0 to 100. Statistical analysis was performed using PASW 18.0. Results: Fifty five percent of the students perceived the neighborhood environment as "good”. Inadequate street sidewalk and cleanliness were the most common negative perceptions of neighboorhood. Girls expressed more negative perception of cleanliness. Waste, sea pollution, emissions from tea plants, stream and air pollution were the most common perceived environmental risks. Mean green consumer value score
was 66.8. Leaving the tap open while brushing the teeth (55%), not always turning the unnecessary lights off (43%), not always seperating the waste for recyling (97%) and throwing sunflower seed shells on the ground (74%) were the reported negative behaviors. Only 43% were willing to act in
environmental groups.Positive environmental behaviors and willingness to act were significantly higher in those who had higher green consumer value scores. Conclusions: Enviromental consciousness
levels among adolescents in Rize city were inadequate. Implementation of not only school health but
also national environmental improvement programs were recommended.
Keywords: neighborhood environment, green consumer, perception, high school