Association of socio-demographic characteristics with climate change knowledge level among Frontline Communities in Bukoba Municipal, Tanzania

Happiness K. Joseph; Philbert Nyinondi; Ester Mnzava

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.3.59

Authors

Happiness K. Joseph Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Philbert Nyinondi Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Ester Mnzava Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.3.59

Keywords:

Bukoba-Tanzania, Climate Change Knowledge, Climate Change Communication,, Climate Vulnerability, Frontline Communities, Socio-Demographic Characteristics

Abstract

Climate change continues to pose serious environmental and socio-economic challenges to frontline communities, yet knowledge levels and their different dimensions remain uneven, limiting the adoption of effective adaptation measures. Guided by the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Model, this study assessed the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on climate change knowledge among frontline communities in Bukoba Municipality, Tanzania. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed, involving household heads from climate-vulnerable wards. A total of 265 respondents were selected using multistage sampling, combining purposive selection of climate-vulnerable wards and simple random sampling of households. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27. Descriptive statistics were used to assess climate change knowledge across its key dimensions, while one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression examined variations in knowledge across wards and the association with socio-demographic characteristics. The findings revealed a relatively high overall level of climate change knowledge (Mean = 51.47), with respondents demonstrating stronger knowledge of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies than of its causes (Mean = 6.43). Significant differences were observed across wards in knowledge of the nature of climate change and adaptation strategies, with respondents from Bakoba and Kashai reporting relatively higher knowledge levels than those from other wards. Multiple linear regression showed that education level positively and significantly predicted climate change knowledge (B = 1.473, p = 0.041), while marital status was negatively associated with knowledge level (B = -1.715, p < 0.001). The study concludes that although frontline communities possess high knowledge of climate change impacts and adaptation practices, important knowledge gaps remain regarding the causes and scientific basis of climate change. The study recommends strengthening community-based climate change communication programmes that provide context-specific information, with greater emphasis on improving understanding of the causes and underlying science of climate change to support informed adaptation decisions.

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