Communication strategies of the Cañariaco project and the environmental perception of citizens in a district of the Ferreñafe province, Perú

1 STROBE Statement—Checklist of items that should be included in reports of cross-sectional studies Item No Recommendation Page No Title and abstract 1 (a) Clearly indicate that this is a cross-sectional quantitative study in the title and/or abstract. 01 (b) Include in the summary an accurate and balanced description of the purpose, method, key results, and conclusions regarding the relationship between communication strategies and environmental perception. 01 Introduction Background/rationale 2 Explain the social and environmental context of mining in Ferreñafe, explaining why the relationship between communication and environmental perception is being analyzed in the case of the Cañariaco project. 03 Objectives 3 Present clear objectives: general and specific, highlighting the main hypothesis of the relationship between variables. 03 Methods Study design 4 Describe the non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational design, emphasizing the sequence of phases in the quantitative approach. 05 Setting 5 Detail the geographical scope (Cañaris district, Ferreñafe), target population (18 years and older), data collection period, and inclusion/exclusion criteria. 05y 06 Participants 6 (a) Specify inclusion/exclusion criteria and detail how participants were selected and contacted (probabilistic sampling). 05 Variables 7 Operationally define each variable: communication strategies (with dimensions: clarity, channels, and feedback) and environmental perception (with dimensions: knowledge, attitudes, and responsibility). 06 Data sources/ measurement 8* Specify the sources of information (validated questionnaires by experts) and the procedure for measuring each dimension and indicator. 06 Bias 9 Explain any measures taken to minimize selection or response biases. N/A Study size 10 Justify the sample size (125) and the calculation formula used. 05 Quantitative variables 11 Describe the treatment of quantitative variables: low, medium, and high levels based on scores in the questionnaires. N/A Statistical methods 12 (a) Indicate the statistical methods used: descriptive analysis, correlation coefficient, and software used (Excel and SPSS). 06 (b) Explain whether subgroup analyses were performed by dimensions of the variables. 06 (c) Clarify how missing data were handled (if none, specify). N/A (d) Indicate whether the sampling design was considered in the analysis (not applicable). N/A (e) Mention whether sensitivity analyses were conducted (not applicable). N/A Results Participants 13* (a) Report the number of eligible, surveyed, and analyzed individuals (125) and detail any losses, if applicable. N/A (b) Explain the reasons for non-participation (not applicable). N/A (c) Consider including a flow diagram of the sample (optional). N/A 2 Descriptive data 14* (a) Describe the characteristics of the participants: age, place of residence, and exposure to information about the Cañariaco project. 05 (b) Indicate the amount of missing data by variable (not applicable if none). N/A Outcome data 15* Present results for each variable: levels of communication strategies and environmental perception. 07y 08 Main results 16 (a) Show the correlation values between variables and dimensions, specifying statistical significance. (b) Clarify categories used in continuous variables if applicable. N/A (c) Not applicable to translate to absolute risk. N/A Other analyses 17 Report any other correlation or contrast analyses, if conducted. N/A Discussion Key results 18 Summarize the main findings, linking them to the objectives and comparing them with the reviewed literature. 10 Limitations 19 Discuss limitations: potential biases, lack of relationship found, and possible external factors explaining the results. 10 Interpretation 20 Interpret the findings cautiously, considering the available evidence and the study's contributions to the local issue. 10 y 11 Generalisability 21 Discuss the generalization of results to similar contexts in mining districts. 11 Other information Funding 22 Indicate the source of funding (if applicable) and describe the role of the institution or individuals involved in the funding and supervision of the work. 12 *Give information separately for exposed and unexposed groups. Note: An Explanation and Elaboration article discusses each checklist item and gives methodological background and published examples of transparent reporting. The STROBE checklist is best used in conjunction with this article (freely available on the Web sites of PLoS Medicine at http://www.plosmedicine.org/, Annals of Internal Medicine at http://www.annals.org/, and Epidemiology at http://www.epidem.com/). Information on the STROBE Initiative is available at www.strobe-statement.org.