The Role of Agricultural Extension in Raising Awareness Among Rural Families About Mechanisms for Confronting Diseases Resulting from Climate Change in Assiut Governorate.

The study aimed to assess the knowledge level of respondents in Assiut Governorate regarding diseases caused by climate change, and to evaluate the role of agricultural extension services in raising awareness about mechanisms for confronting these diseases. It also sought to determine how much respondents benefited from extension efforts, and to explore the relationships between their knowledge levels, the effectiveness of extension services, and several independent variables. The research targeted a sample of 372 rural household heads in Assiut. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through personal interviews. Several statistical tools were applied for data analysis, including frequencies, percentages, weighted means, Chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients, using the SPSS software package. Key findings indicated that 42.4% of respondents had knowledge levels ranging from zero to low regarding diseases associated with climate change. Similarly, the role played by agricultural extension in raising awareness of mechanisms to confront these diseases was also generally rated as zero to low. Additionally, the respondents’ level of benefit from agricultural extension services in enhancing their awareness of climate-related disease control mechanisms ranged between low and moderate. Overall, the research highlights a significant gap in both awareness and the effectiveness of agricultural extension efforts, emphasizing the need for stronger educational and extension programs to address climate-related health challenges in rural communities.