The climate crisis and human health: Survey on the knowledge of nursing students in the Comunidad de Madrid

Abstract

Background: Climate change is an evolving phenomenon that impacts the quality of life and human health, especially of the vulnerable and marginalized, the chronically ill, children and women worldwide. International health organizations are including the mitigation of climate change in their agenda and healthcare professionals are having a progressively active role in this fight, by generating knowledge, training and advocacy. It is becoming increasingly important for healthcare students to understand how the environment influences health and the measures and precautions that the health community can implement in the fight against climate change in order to meet the future needs of populations and communities.

Aim: The main objective is to describe the degree of knowledge and interest of nursing students of the Comunidad de Madrid about climate change in order to explore their need for training and education on the subject, and ultimately meet the future needs of patients and healthcare institutions.

Setting/participants: The population sample selected consists of nursing students of any year of 14 different universities in the Comunidad de Madrid.

Design and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using the "International Health Survey" questionnaire, validated and published by the principal investigator from George Mason University, reformulated, under permission, for the study population. The data collection has been carried through direct contact with institution's directors.

Results: Survey's results have shown participants to have lack of training and education regarding the effects of climate change, while demonstrating concern, interest and motivation in learning. Results also reveal differences between students based on gender, the year of attendance, and the type of university (public, private, or affiliated).

Conclusion: Including climate change education in the nursing school curricula of Comunidad de Madrid would benefit healthcare institutions as future nurses will be prepared to meet the needs of populations and communities and be active in reducing the effects of climate change.

Keywords: Climate change; Education; Nursing; Prevention; Students; Sustainable development indicators.