Investigation of Ultraviolet Radiation Index and Ecological Behavior of Citizens in Ᾱbādān

This research aimed to analyze the awareness, attitude, and ecological behavior of citizens in Ᾱbādān in dealing with harmful ultraviolet radiation. A library method was used to identify the relationship between climate parameters and ultraviolet index, while a field method and questionnaire were employed to analyze the ecological behavior of citizens towards ultraviolet hazards. The statistical population included all citizens of Ᾱbādān, and the sample size was determined to be 384 using Cochran's formula. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through a pre-test and then completed through random sampling. Monthly averages of maximum, minimum, and average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, cloudiness, sunshine hours, and ultraviolet radiation index (1951-2017) were obtained from the Ᾱbādān meteorological station. After estimating the monthly potential evaporation and transpiration, calculating the UNEP drought index and the Angot rainfall index, and plotting climatic diagrams, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination were used to examine the relationship between each of these factors and the ultraviolet index. The correlation coefficient between the ultraviolet index and relative humidity (-0.95) and cloudiness (-0.87) was found. The function (RSQ) also indicated the higher role of relative humidity (0.89) compared to cloudiness (0.76) in reducing the ultraviolet index. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness among the study groups in Ᾱbādān regarding awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures. The results indicated that the level of awareness and education among citizens regarding harmful ultraviolet radiation is moderate, while they have a very high attitude towards this environmental issue and were somewhat familiar with preventive measures.