P-65 Parental perception of climate change in a well-child clinic in Guyana
Author(s):
M Seepersaud, K Butters
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: Climate change poses a growing risk to child
health, particularly in climate-vulnerable developing countries. . Parents play a central role in health decision-making,
yet little is known about their perceptions of climate change
or their expectations of paediatric healthcare providers. This
study aimed to assess parental awareness of climate change,
in a well-child clinic setting in Guyana.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents attending a routine paediatric clinic, over a fourweek period. The questionnaire was developed, piloted and administered to participants to assess awareness of climate change, perceived current and future impacts on family health, beliefs regarding causation and agency, and specific health effects related to climate change. Participants were also asked about their interest in receiving climate health information from the healthcare provider. Convenience sampling was utilised. Descriptive analysis was conducted with categorical variables summarised as frequences and percentages.
Results: A total of 160 parents participated, representing diverse educational background and urban-rural residence. Awareness of climate was nearly universal (97.5%) and most respondents considered it important and a major public health crisis (71%). Two-thirds (66%) reported that climate change was already affecting their families, with over 80% anticipating future impacts. Strong associations were identified between climate change and respiratory illness (79%), heat-related illness (85%), vector-borne illness (66%), and water-borne illness (54%), with many respondents reporting recent lived experiences. Fewer participants recognised links to chronic non-communicable diseases (43%). Nearly all respondents (97%) expressed interest in learning more about climate change, and all believed that healthcare workers should provide information on climate-related health effects.
Conclusion: Parents demonstrate high awareness of climate change, strong concern for its health impacts, and clear support for climate-health counselling by paediatricians. The well child clinic represents an important and acceptable setting for integrating climate health education into routine paediatric care.