Public awareness of microplastic pollution among residents of a western Turkish province and how it is reflected in demographics and behavioural practices

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the public awareness of and attitudes toward microplastic pollution in the Kütahya Province of Turkey between September and December 2024 and included 406 users of regional family healthcare centres. Data were collected with a specifically developed questionnaire combining sociodemographic information and self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour related to the microplastics issue and with our Microplastic Pollution Awareness Scale (MPAS), against which we compared the answers to the first questionnaire. MPAS scores were significantly higher among women than men, persons under the age of 40, unmarried participants, university graduates (5.1 times higher than in those with lower education), and residents of developed regions (2.3 times higher than among residents of underdeveloped or developing regions). Overall, participants show pretty good awareness of microplastic pollution. Future prospective studies should cover all ages, but more importantly, develop effective intervention programmes aimed at changing public behaviour.