Psychological and Perceptual Assessment of the Attitudes of Educational-Staff at the Technical Institute Karbala towards Environmental Pollution

Abstract

Background: Pollution is unwanted waste of human origin released to air, land, water, and the ocean without regard for cost or consequence—is an existential threat to human health and planetary health, and jeopardizes the sustainability of modern societies. Pollution includes contamination of air by fine particulate matter (PM2·5); ozone; oxides of Sulphur and nitrogen; freshwater pollution; contamination of the ocean by mercury, nitrogen, phosphorus, plastic, and petroleum waste; and poisoning of the land by lead, mercury, pesticides, industrial chemicals, electronic waste, and radioactive waste.

Methods: A semi-experimental study (towards environmental pollution) was conducted in the Iraqi city of Karbala. The study was conducted from November 1, 2022 to April 1, 2023.  Data was collected by conducting a questionnaire with the teaching staff at the Karbala Technical Institute who were selected at their convenience. The data were presented in the form of frequencies and percentages, a p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The largest proportion (30.8) of age was 31 - 40 years old. More than half of the sample (61.1%) were male, and 85% were residing in urban areas. Concerning the educational level, the highest percentage (35.1%) was for diploma. More than half of marital status (74.6%) was married. the most exposed groups to pollution of all kinds the children was largest proportion (73.0 %). On the other hand, the highest percentage was noticed in environmental pollutants very dangerous to the health of individuals. correlation coefficient between some demographic parameters with some knowledge test about environmental pollution, there was positive correlation between A form of widespread environmental pollution that is difficult to control and specialization (r = .180^*, P=.014), The oldest environmental problems that threaten living organisms with gender (r = .217^**, P =.003).on the other hands there was positive correlation notably among gender and one of the most exposed groups to pollution of all kinds (r = .198^**, P =.007). also there was positive correlation noticeably among The most important diseases caused by water pollution to humans and Occupation (r = .148^*, P = .044).

Conclusion: pollution and its effects have grave consequences on communities’ health and safety, so, to solve environmental problems, they must be recognized and valued. This research aims to assess environmental awareness for a conscious segment of Iraqi.