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Akhlaghi Pirposhteh E, Ghasemian M H, Hosseinpour R, Ahmadinezhad P, Hamidzadeh Arbabi Y, Aminizadeh M, et al . A Content Analysis of People’s Perception of Climate Change and Its Relationship With Flooding in Parts of Northwestern Iran. Health in Emergencies and Disasters Quarterly 2026; 11 (4) :311-320
URL: http://hdq.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-692-fa.html

Background: Climate change is a significant natural factor contributing to environmental problems, resulting in substantial political, economic, social, and climatic consequences worldwide. This study aimed to explain people’s perceptions of climate change and their relationship to flooding in parts of northwestern Iran and to propose corrective strategies.
Materials and Methods: This qualitative (phenomenological) study included 33 villagers from Ardabil Province, Iran. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data collection was facilitated by rural health workers and the researcher’s in-person visits to the selected villages. The data collection period spanned from September 2023 to December 2023.
Results: Climate change has affected the lives of rural residents in various ways and across different dimensions. After analysis, 10 themes and 13 sub-themes were identified. Most participants perceived climate change primarily through experiencing extreme weather events. Cultural, religious, and political contexts significantly influence people’s perceptions of environmental changes. Among the general population of participants, most understood climate change through extreme events.
Conclusion: Public perception of the risks associated with climate change is crucial for mitigating its adverse social, economic, security, political, and environmental impacts, particularly those related to flooding. Scientific planning and the implementation of targeted interventions tailored to the province’s conditions—such as public education—are essential to mitigate the consequences of climate change, particularly the risk of flooding in the region.