Climate change is recognized as one of the most pressing global health challenges of the 21st century, with far-reaching consequences on environmental sustainability and human health. The continuous increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to industrialization, urbanization, and anthropogenic activities has led to significant alterations in global climate patterns. These changes include rising temperatures, melting glaciers, sea-level rise, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. Such environmental changes have direct and indirect effects on human health, including heat-related illnesses, respiratory disorders, vector-borne diseases, waterborne infections, malnutrition, and psychological stress.

The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding climate change and its impact on health among people residing in selected rural areas. A quantitative research approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was adopted. The study population consisted of rural residents selected using an appropriate sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge levels of participants before and after the implementation of the teaching programme.

The findings of the study indicated that the majority of participants had inadequate to moderate knowledge regarding climate change and its health implications during the pre-test. After the administration of the structured teaching programme, there was a significant improvement in knowledge scores among participants. Statistical analysis revealed a marked difference between pre-test and post-test scores, confirming the effectiveness of the intervention. Furthermore, the study also explored the association between post-test knowledge scores and selected demographic variables.