Knowledge and Attitudes of Residents in 4 Districts of Kinshasa City-Province Regarding Climate Change: A descriptive Cross-Sectional Study (2024)

Abstract

Background: Climate change is a serious global issue, with effects being felt everywhere. This topic is rarely addressed in the City-Province of Kinshasa, and scientific literature remains silent on the matter, even though the city is already experiencing the impacts of climate change including flooding, irregular rainfall, extreme heat, and shifts in agricultural seasons. Paradoxically, while Kinshasa’s residents suffer the consequences, the term "climate change" remains vague to many. Furthermore, their lifestyles and practices regarding waste and vegetation management do little to help resolve the situation; the population lacks awareness regarding behaviors that directly or indirectly contribute to worsening the climate crisis.

Objective: We aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of residents across four administrative districts of the City-Province of Kinshasa regarding climate change.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 322 residents from 12 communes of the City-Province of Kinshasa. Data were collected via interviews and self-administered questionnaires (for literate respondents who lacked the time for face-to-face interviews). The data were compiled and organized using Excel, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Results: The results show that 71.4% had a higher level of education; 51.9% had never heard of climate change; 29.5% had received information about it through television; 58.7% felt they did not have nearly enough information on climate change; 52.2% of respondents wanted to have all the necessary information on climate change. 48% of respondents are willing to take measures to combat climate change, while 52% do not know what to do; 55.9% of respondents are very concerned about this phenomenon, compared to 3.1% who are not at all concerned, and 51.9% do not know what actions to take to combat it, while 18.6% plan to plant trees.

Conclusion: Residents of the city of Kinshasa demonstrate significant gaps in knowledge and uncertainty regarding the actions needed to combat climate change; this highlights the need for targeted climate change education and public awareness initiatives to enable them to take appropriate measures.