Green Space Awareness and Utilisation among University Students in Tanzania: A Correlational Study

Authors

Bakari Issa

National Environment Management Council(NEMC) P.O.Box 6215, Mbeya (Tanzania)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.10100581

Subject Category: Environment

Volume/Issue: 10/1 | Page No: 7508-7516

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-01-31

Accepted: 2026-02-05

Published: 2026-02-18

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between demographic characteristics and knowledge levels regarding green spaces among university students. Using quantitative correlation analysis, we surveyed 88 students from Environmental Management and Health System Management programmes at Mzumbe University, Tanzania. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS to determine correlations between variables including age, gender, academic level, domicile type, and green space awareness indicators. Results revealed significant positive correlations between academic level and green space type identification (r=0.312, p<0.05), access to home green spaces and campus visit frequency (r=0.445, p<0.01), and rural background with conservation awareness (r=0.298, p<0.05). Interestingly, knowledge sources showed varying correlations with engagement levels, with academic courses demonstrating the strongest association with conservation participation (r=0.387, p<0.01). The findings suggest that prior exposure to green environments and educational background significantly influence environmental awareness and engagement behaviors. These insights have important implications for designing targeted environmental education programmes in higher education institutions across developing countries.

Keywords

Green Spaces; Environmental Awareness; University Students; Correlation Analysis; Environmental Education

Downloads

References

1. Ajaps, S., & McLellan, R. (2015). We don't know enough: Environmental education and proenvironmental behaviour perceptions. Cogent Education, 2(1), 1124490. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Babalola, F. D., &Raji, I. A. (2016). Perception of urban trees at main campus of University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Applied Tropical Agriculture, 21(1), 60-67. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Guenat, S., Dougill, A. J., Kunin, W. E., &Dallimer, M. (2019). Untangling the motivations of different stakeholders for urban greenspace conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. Ecosystem Services, 36, 100904. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Jennings, V., &Bamkole, O. (2019). The relationship between social cohesion and urban green space: An avenue for health promotion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 452. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Kabisch, N., Qureshi, S., &Haase, D. (2015). Human–environment interactions in urban green spaces—A systematic review of contemporary issues and prospects for future research. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 50, 25-34. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Markevych, I., Feng, X., Astell-Burt, T., Standl, M., Sugiri, D., Schikowski, T., & Heinrich, J. (2019). Residential and school greenspace and academic performance: Evidence from the GINIplus and LISA longitudinal studies of German adolescents. Environmental Pollution, 245, 71-76. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Monroe, M. C., Plate, R. R., Oxarart, A., Bowers, A., &Chaves, W. A. (2019). Identifying effective climate change education strategies: A systematic review of the research. Environmental Education Research, 25(6), 791-812. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Ngo, K. M., Hosaka, T., &Numata, S. (2022). Attitudes and preferences of wildlife and their relationship with childhood nature experience amongst residents in a tropical urban city. Urban Ecosystems, 25(6), 1939-1948. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Paul, B., &Kingham, S. (2017). Assessing the relationship between green space and academic achievement in urban New Zealand primary schools. New Zealand Geography, 73(3), 155-165. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Schipperijn, J., &Stigsdotter, U. K. (2010). Factors influencing the use of green space: Results from a Danish national representative survey. Landscape and Urban Planning, 95(3), 130-137. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Wangai, P. W., Burkhard, B., & Müller, F. (2016). A review of studies on ecosystem services in Africa. International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 5(2), 225-245. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles