Comparing Pro-Environmental Attitudes between Males and Females in Embu North Sub-County, Kenya
This study examined pro-environmental attitudes between males and females in Nginda Ward, Embu Sub County, Kenya. The research relied on two theories, theory of planned action and theory of pro-social behaviour. The research followed a descriptive design. Questionnaires with both closed and open-ended questions were used to collect data. The researcher administered questionnaires in person and filled the entire questionnaire according to the participant's responses. 245 participants, comprising 124 adults (comprising men and women) were engaged. Descriptive statistics were adopted for summarising data and comparing responses between groups. Differences in environmental attitudes between females and male participants were examined to determine if the differences were statistically significant. A total of fourteen environmental problems were mentioned by participants to be prevalent in Nginda ward. The top three environmental problems mostly mentioned by participants included deforestation, water pollution and air pollution. Results showed that differences in environmental attitudes between females and males were not statistically significant. However, more females than males perceived various environmental problems to be more serious. Differences between female and male perceptions in relation to the seriousness of various environmental problems were statistically significant, F (1,239) = 8.07, p< 0.001. The findings of this research can guide interventions by government and donor agencies seeking to mobilise and engage participation by both males and females to combat environmental problems in Nginda ward. Future studies are needed to find out whether the scale will produce a similar result in other groups in this community which include the business community, factory workers and eatery owners.