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

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.