Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing & midwifery students in Northern Ireland. Theme: Planetary health and sustainability

Background: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universally recognised targets to combat poverty, inequality, and climate change. However, there is limited awareness and understanding among nursing and midwifery students. To address this gap, a co-designed audio podcast was introduced as an educational tool to enhance students' comprehension of SDGs and their relevance to the healthcare profession.<br/><br/>Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Queen's University Belfast, involving 566 first-year nursing and midwifery students. A 60-minute SDG podcast, co-designed with students and stakeholders, was made accessible within the university's learning management system. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were administered to assess changes in students' knowledge and attitudes toward SDGs. Additionally, 37 participants engaged in focus-group interviews six months after listening to the podcast to explore their experiences and reflections. Quantitative data was analysed using paired t-tests and descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was analysed thematically.<br/><br/>Results: The podcast significantly increased students' awareness of SDGs and their understanding of the goals' relevance to their profession and personal lives. Post-test scores showed improvements across all three sub-scales: knowledge, professional relevance, and personal relevance. Moreover, participants rated the podcast as a valuable learning resource with high acceptability, although some expressed uncertainty about replay intentions. Focus group interviews revealed three themes; 1) More than you know’, which described how participants developed new knowledge and understanding about SDGs, 2) ‘Nurse-Midwife Nudges’, which illuminated how participants made minor changes to their behaviour and 3) ‘Fitting Format’, which highlighted how participants favoured the use of a podcast to learn about SDGs. <br/><br/>Discussion: This study shows that podcasts can effectively raise awareness and understanding of SDGs among nursing and midwifery students. The findings indicate that these interventions can improve students' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural intentions towards SDGs. The study highlights the significance of co-designing educational resources based on students' specific needs.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Key Words: Sustainable Development Goals, Nursing, Midwifery, Education, Podcast.<br/><br/>