The Role of Climate Change Education on Awareness, Concern, and Hope in Pregnant Women

Climate change-related problems such as extreme heat, vector-borne diseases, and air pollution can negatively affect women's health at different stages of life. Pregnancy is a period characterized by significant physiological and psychosocial changes, during which women may be particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. During this period, exposure to the effects of climate change has been associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and neonatal mortality. Identifying climate change-related risks during pregnancy, increasing awareness of these risks, taking preventive measures, and minimizing negative outcomes after problems occur are essential for protecting and improving maternal and fetal health.

Research Objectives

The objectives of this study are:

To evaluate the effect of a "Pregnancy and Climate Change" education program on pregnant women's levels of climate change awareness,

To determine the effect of the education program on pregnant women's anxiety related to climate change,

To examine the effect of the education program on pregnant women's hope levels regarding the prevention of climate change, and

To assess the effectiveness of the education program by comparing pre-test and post-test scores between the intervention and control groups.

Research Design

This study is planned as a randomized controlled experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design, including an intervention group and a control group.

Research Population and Sample

The research population consists of all pregnant women who apply to the maternity clinic of Zeynep Kâmil Women and Children's Diseases Training and Research Hospital. Pregnant women who meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the study.

The inclusion criteria are as follows: being 18 years of age or older, being at or below 32 weeks of gestation, being able to speak and understand Turkish, and volunteering to participate in the study. Pregnant women with a history of psychiatric illness or psychiatric treatment, those with systemic diseases before or during pregnancy, or those who have experienced pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes will be excluded from the study.

Sample Size

The sample size was calculated using a power analysis based on an independent samples t-test. A moderate effect size, a significance level of 0.05, and a statistical power of 0.80 were used. Based on these parameters, a minimum of 128 participants was required, with at least 64 participants in each group. Considering possible sample loss, the sample size was increased by 20%, and the study was planned to be conducted with a total of 154 pregnant women, with 77 participants in the intervention group and 77 participants in the control group.

Randomization and Intervention

Participants will be assigned to the intervention and control groups using computer-assisted block randomization. The randomization process will be carried out by a research assistant independent of the researcher to ensure allocation concealment.

Participants in the intervention group will receive approximately 60 minutes of face-to-face training on "Pregnancy and Climate Change" after completing the pre-test. The training content will include environmental risk factors, the effects of climate change on pregnancy, individual protective measures, and awareness-raising strategies. At the end of the training session, participants will be provided with an informational brochure summarizing the key topics. Post-test data for the intervention group will be collected four weeks after the training.

Participants in the control group will receive only the pre-test and will not receive any training. Post-test data for the control group will also be collected four weeks after the pre-test. Data collection will therefore be conducted simultaneously in both groups to ensure comparability.

Data Collection Tools

Data will be collected through face-to-face interviews using a personal information form and standardized measurement tools assessing climate change awareness, climate change-related anxiety, and hope related to preventing climate change. The personal information form includes questions on sociodemographic characteristics, general health status, and obstetric history.

Ethical Considerations

Prior to data collection, ethical approval will be obtained from the Ethics Committee of Zeynep Kâmil Women and Children's Diseases Training and Research Hospital, and institutional permission will be obtained from the hospital administration. Participants will be informed that their participation is voluntary, their personal information will remain confidential, the data will be used only for scientific purposes, and they may withdraw from the study at any time without consequences. The study will begin only after obtaining both verbal and written informed consent from all participants.

Limitations

The main limitation of this study is that it will be conducted in a single center with a limited sample size.

Data Analysis

All collected data will be transferred to a computer environment and checked for accuracy and completeness. Statistical analyses will be performed using a statistical software package. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, frequency, and percentage will be calculated. Normality of the data will be assessed using appropriate distribution tests. Group comparisons will be performed using parametric statistical tests, and categorical variables will be analyzed using chi-square tests. Statistical significance will be evaluated at a 0.05 level.

Inclusion criteria

• Being pregnant
• Being 18 years of age or older
• Being at or below 32 weeks of gestation
• Ability to speak and understand Turkish
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• History of psychiatric illness or psychiatric treatment
• Presence of any systemic disease before or during pregnancy
• History of pregnancy-related complications, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes