Sarcouncil Journal of Internal Medicine and Public Health

Abstract: Introduction: Modern transportation makes a significant impact on human health in multiple ways – air and noise pollution, road traffic accidents and being a major contributor to global warming. The resultant health impacts range from mild irritability to cardiovascular disorders and cancer, but ‘are we aware and ready to act for the same’! Objectives: To document knowledge, attitude and practices regarding urban transportation and its impact on health among youth. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted on conveniently selected medical and paramedical students of Gujarat, through snowball sampling. Data collected through Google form; analysis done in Excel. Results: A total of 201 students (mean age 20.2± 2.96 years) participated in the study. Majority of the students (83.6%) believed that urban transportation affects human health, air pollution being most worrisome (76.9%). Almost all believed in the adverse impact of noise on mental health and sleep with 96% considering road traffic as the major cause of community noise. Only 27.7% were using public transport for frequent commute. Nearly half of the students owned a vehicle, two-wheeler being the commonest (74.31%). A total of 91% responded affirmatively on contributing towards climate change mitigation with 34.7% having the opinion that their personal efforts in curtailing climate change will not make any difference. Conclusion: Despite of good knowledge improvement in practice and attitude is needed, like the mode of commute, owning a vehicle, irregularity in getting their vehicles serviced and also the importance of individual efforts in dealing with the burning issues of global warming.