Assessing Environmental Health Hazard Awareness for Sustainability: A Survey of Adults in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Rapid modernization in Saudi Arabia has led to environmental challenges like pollution. Public understanding of pollutants is crucial for public participation in Saudi government efforts to monitor and mitigate impacts. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to assess the awareness and perceptions of environmental pollutants among 817 adults in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region. The online survey identified transportation and industrial emissions as widely recognized hazards, but there were gaps regarding risks like asbestos. Illegal dumping and junk houses were major concerns. Females had 1.86 times higher adjusted odds of concern about outdoor environmental risks compared to males (AOR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.12–2.84; p = 0.004). Participants with high school education or above had significantly increased odds of concern about outdoor hazards, with 4.27 times higher odds for those with high school education (AOR: 4.27; 95% CI: 1.92–9.52; p < 0.001) and 3.51 times higher odds for those with university education or above (AOR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.59–7.72; p = 0.002). Self-reported environmental interest was strongly associated with concern about outdoor and indoor air pollution, with 4.89 times higher adjusted odds of concern about outdoor air pollution (AOR: 4.89, 95% CI: 3.02–7.93, p < 0.001) and 2.86 times higher adjusted odds of concern about indoor air quality (AOR: 2.86, 95% CI: 2.86–4.47, p < 0.001). Overall, Jazan residents display general but incomplete awareness of health hazards, signaling a need for expanded educational efforts to improve consciousness of less visible pollutants. Effective public communication strategies built on these insights can strengthen societal environmental awareness in Saudi Arabia and promote sustainability.