Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Children and adolescents increasingly demand more protection from the effects of air pollution and climate change. However, little is known about what they know, feel and do to protect themselves in tropical countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about the effects of air pollution on health in children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in eight educational institutions (three private and five public) in Colombia. In 2019 a KAP validated questionnaire was applied and a scale of 0-100 was constructed. The median (IQR: Q1 - Q3) were reported and the factors associated with better KAP were evaluated with Poisson regression and the PR (95% CI) was reported. RESULTS:1676 students in grades 6th to 11th were evaluated, 53.8% were female. The level of knowledge about composition, sources and effects was 43.8 (31.3 - 56.3). The 15.1% had high knowledge and the associated factors were positive attitude, good practice, being in 10th to 11th grade, significant school environmental project and private school. The attitude about measures to reduce air pollution was 76.9 (69.2 - 92.3), the 43.9% had a positive attitude and were positively associated with positive attitude, good practice and being a woman; private school decreases positive attitude. The level of practices was 28.6 (28.6 - 42.9), only 6.8% had good practices, 73.6% had never used masks to protect themselves from contamination and only 8.4% consulted the air quality index. The factors associated with the worst practices were being in 8th to 11th grade, significant school environmental project experience, private school, and practicing sports. CONCLUSIONS:KAP levels on air pollution of children and adolescents in Colombia are not favorable. It is urgent to work on the issue at all educational levels, strengthen the school environmental project and work with parents from home. KEYWORDS: Air pollution, Children's environmental health, Policy and practice, Particle components, Science communication
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