Knowledge, attitude, and responsible environmental behaviors among female secondary school students

Objective (s): The present study aimed to investigate on knowledge, attitudes and responsible environmental behaviors among female secondary school students This was a descriptive study of a sample of students in Ilam in 2016. Students were selected using cluster sampling and entered into the study at all three grades of secondary school. Data was collected by a self-designed questionnaire. The environmental status of school was also assessed by the observations. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics (including chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, and regression). In all 330 female students were entered into the study. The mean scores were 10.3 ± 2.8, 73.6 ± 11.1 and 45.9± 14.8 for knowledge, attitude, and behavior respectively. There was a significant correlation between knowledge-attitude, and attitude-environmental behaviors. The results of regression analysis showed that attitude (P < 0.001), income (P = 0.033) and school grade (P = 0.028) were associated with environmental behavior. The findings indicated that attitude and students’ social class are important factors in responsible environmental behaviors.