Namibian Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare

Bibliographic Data

ID15466008
AuthorsHelga Lister (0000-0001-6921-1285, University of Pretoria), Karien Mostert (0000-0002-6118-9041, University of Pretoria), Gopika Ramkilawon (0000-0002-2919-1918, University of Pretoria), Cathrine Oelschig (University of Pretoria), Olwethu Ntiyane (University of Pretoria), Erika Richardt (University of Pretoria), Deonelia Paulo Da Silva Rocha (University of Pretoria), Savannah Sheerin (University of Pretoria), Tshepang Phaahla (University of Pretoria), Daniel Opotamutale Ashipala (0000-0002-8913-056X, University of Namibia), Louise Pretorius (0000-0003-4399-4183, University of Namibia), Takaedza Munangatire (0000-0002-8199-2114, University of Namibia), Filip Maric (0000-0002-1265-6205, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume22
Issue5
Pages751-751
Publication date2025-05-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph22050751
PMID40427866
OpenAlexW4410232023
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

Among the many actions required to avert further intensification of today's social, ecological and health crises is also the improvement of healthcare's environmental sustainability, including in countries particularly vulnerable to such crises. The present study aimed to identify Namibian healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes and practices, along with barriers and educational needs, as a foundation for context-relevant interventions. The study used a non-experimental, descriptive quantitative research design with an existing validated cross-sectional questionnaire as its data collection tool. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used to select healthcare professionals ( n = 71) to participate in the quantitative online questionnaire. R (version 4.2.1) software was used to analyse the data from the completed questionnaires. The results showed that the Namibian healthcare professionals participating in this study have basic knowledge of and positive attitudes toward environmental sustainability in healthcare. However, various barriers to implementing strategies towards environmental sustainability exist that currently prevent the implementation of relevant practices. These should be overcome by the Namibian health system by providing the necessary frameworks, policies, measures and resources to drive improvements in environmental sustainability. Additionally, future and current healthcare professionals must receive training across all professional education levels to enable implementation in practice and effective advocacy and planetary health promotion

Business · Context (archaeology · Environmental health · Geography · Health care · Knowledge management · Nonprobability sampling · Political science · Promotion (chess · Public relations · Snowball sampling · Sustainability · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Healthcare and Environmental Waste Management · Medicine · Nursing · Sustainable Building Design and Assessment

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