Effect of Instruction with Visual Materials Based on Health Belief Model on Global Warming Perception Among University Students

Abstract

Global warming is one of the most critical environmental problems of 21thcentury. It is not only environmental hazard but also social and economic risk and unfortunately some adverse consequences of it are becoming visible these days. Therefore, it is a great importance for educating people and making them aware of this problem. The study was aimed to examine the effect of instruction with visual materials based on health belief model on global warming perception among university students. Quasi experimental design with pre and post-test was utilized. This study was conducted at six faculties from both scientific and literary faculties in Shebin Elkom City at Menoufia University. Systematic random sample consisted of 360 university students including 144 males and 216 females aged between 18 to 22 years old who enrolled in the first academic years of both selected scientific and literary faculties in Shebin Elkom City. The following tools were used 1. Self-administered structured questionnaire which involved socio-demographic data and knowledge of university students about global warming. 2. Perception of students about global warming based on health belief model. The main result of this study showed that there was significant improvement in the knowledge and perception of university students' about global warming after instruction with visual materials compared to before instruction. Additionally, there was statistically significant relation between students' knowledge and perception toward global warming. The current study concluded that, instruction with visual materials was effective in improving knowledge and perception of university students about global warming. This result recommended that, the need for developing and establishing of environmental protection education programs to enhance environmental awareness of all students from elementary school to university level.