Climate change knowledge, attitude, risk perception, and health adaptation behavior in an urban megacity

Abstract

The effect of climate change is visible in the Dhaka Metropolitan area. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with climate change knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and health-related adaptation behaviors, and to assess their interrelationships. This cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2025 among 411 individuals from the Dhaka Metropolitan area. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a random sampling technique. The questionnaire had five sections, including demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and adaptation behavior. Simple and multiple linear regression were performed to examine the associated factors, while Pearson correlation was used to explore the relationships among knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and adaptation. Results showed that the level of education was associated with knowledge, attitude, risk perception, and adaptation behavior. Also, monthly income was associated with adaptation behavior, while cardiovascular disease was associated with knowledge and adaptation behavior. Additionally, knowledge, attitude, and risk perception were positively correlated, while knowledge and adaptation were negatively correlated. The findings underscore the need to strengthen climate change education, particularly for individuals with lower educational attainment, integrate health-focused adaptation strategies for vulnerable groups such as those with cardiovascular disease, provide socioeconomic support to enhance adaptive capacity, and implement community-based programs that help translate knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions into effective adaptive behaviours in the Dhaka Metropolitan population.