PERCEPTION AND KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON HEALTH AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SIERRA LEONE

Abstract

Background: Climate change is a severe and growing threat to public health, with disproportionate impacts falling on resource-limited nations like Sierra Leone. While future healthcare providers must be fully prepared to manage these escalating challenges, there remains a notable lack of research exploring how medical students actually perceive and understand the critical links between climate and health. 

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study involving 20 medical students from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) at the University of Sierra Leone. Using purposive sampling, we purposefully included individuals from both basic and clinical sciences to capture a broad range of perspectives. Data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, then systematically evaluated using thematic analysis via NVivo 15 software. 

Results: Our analysis identified five central themes. Students demonstrated a strong awareness of climate-driven health outcomes, frequently highlighting increases in malaria, cholera, and mental health struggles. Although their grasp of the exact scientific mechanisms varied, participants expressed a clear, proactive willingness to adopt sustainable behaviors and advocate for their communities. However, their intent to act is heavily frustrated by systemic barriers; such as poverty and political inertia, alongside a striking consensus that current medical curricula lack practical, climate-focused training. 

Conclusions: Medical students in Sierra Leone recognize the health threats posed by climate change and are eager to drive positive change, but they are currently held back by educational and institutional shortcomings. Embedding dedicated climate-health content into medical training and actively supporting student advocacy are critical steps toward building a resilient, future-ready healthcare workforce. 

Keywords: Climate-health, Medical education, Sierra Leone, Advocacy, Qualitative study, Thematic analysis.