Impact of socio-demographic variables of students on environmental Awareness, Behavior, and Practices: A case study of Gujarat

a) Objectives: This study investigates the influence of socio-demographic variables- age, gender, grade level, and area of the school on environmental awareness, behavior, and practices (ABP) among middle-stage students (6 ^th – 8 ^th grade) in Halol taluka, Gujarat. b) Methods: A descriptive research design was used, and data were collected through a validated 128-item questionnaire, with responses analyzed via IBM SPSS Statistics version 20. c) Result: Results revealed significant urban-rural disparities, with urban students demonstrating higher awareness (Cohen's d = 1.30), reflecting 38% awareness gap and better waste management practices (odds ratio = 6.22, p < 0.001) than rural counterparts. Grade level strongly predicted awareness (β = 0.230, p < 0.001), while behavior was minimally influenced by area (R ² = 0.024). Gender showed females exhibiting more positive behaviors (Cohen's d = 0.33), and age consistently influenced awareness and behavior but not practices. d) Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted environmental education interventions, particularly in rural areas, to bridge awareness-practice gaps and foster sustainable behaviors.