Association between the nationality of nurses and safety culture in maternity units of Oman

Background: Patient safety culture/climate in maternity units has been linked to better safety outcomes. Nurses have a crucial role in patient safety and represent the majority of staff in maternity units. In many countries, nurses are recruited from abroad, bringing their own perceptions of patient safety culture. Nonetheless, little is known about the relationship between perceptions of patient safety culture and nurses’ nationality. Understanding this relationship will assist stake-holders in designing a responsive programme to improve patient safety culture. Aims: To investigate the association between nurses’ nationality and their perceptions about patient safety culture in maternity units in Ministry of Health hospitals in Oman.Methods: In 2017, the Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) was distributed to all staff (892 distributed, 735 returned) in 10 maternity units.Results: About three-quarters (74%, 541/735) of the returned SAQs were completed by nurses, of whom 34% were non-Om-ani, 21.8% were Omani and 44.7% did not report their nationality (missing). Overall, the mean safety score for non-Omani nurses was significantly higher than for the Omani nurses: 3.9 (SD 1.3) vs 3.6 (SD 1.2) (P < 0.001). The mean safety score for stress recognition was significantly lower for non-Omani nurses: 2.8 (SD 1.5) vs 3.2 (SD 1.3) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Non-Omani nurses have a more positive perception of patient safety culture than Omani nurses except in respect of stress recognition. Decision-makers, directors, and clinicians should consider these differences when designing interventions to improve patient safety culture.

Contexte : Un lien a été établi entre la culture/le climat de sécurité des patients dans les services de maternité et de meilleurs résultats sur le plan de la sécurité. Les infirmiers(ères) jouent un rôle crucial dans la sécurité des patients et représentent la majorité du personnel des services de maternité. Dans de nombreux pays, les personnels infirmiers sont recrutés à l’étranger et apportent leurs propres perceptions de la culture de la sécurité des patients. Néanmoins, le lien entre les perceptions de la culture de la sécurité des patients et la nationalité des personnels infirmiers est mal connu. Comprendre ce lien aidera les parties prenantes à concevoir un programme pertinent pour améliorer la culture de sécurité des patients. Objectifs : La présente étude visait à examiner le lien entre la nationalité des personnels infirmiers et leurs perceptions de la culture de la sécurité des patients dans les services de maternité des hôpitaux du ministère de la Santé à Oman. Méthodes : En 2017, le « Safety attitudes Questionnaire » (SAQ) a été distribué à l’ensemble du personnel de dix services de maternité (892 questionnaires distribués, 735 questionnaires retournés). Résultats : Près des trois quarts (74 %, 541/735) des questionnaires SAQ retournés ont été remplis par des infirmiers(ères), parmi lesquel(le)s 34 % n’étaient pas omanais(es), 21,8 % étaient omanais(es) et 44,7 % n’avaient pas indiqué leur nationalité (manquante). Globalement, le score de sécurité moyen pour les personnels infirmiers non omanais était beaucoup plus élevé que pour ceux qui étaient omanais : 3,9 (E.T. 1,3) contre 3,6 (E.T. 1,2) (p < 0,001). Le score de sécurité moyen concernant la reconnaissance du stress était beaucoup moins élevé pour les personnels infirmiers non omanais : 2,8 (E.T. 1,5) contre 3,2 (E.T. 1,3) (p < 0,001). Conclusion : Les personnels infirmiers non omanais ont une perception plus positive de la culture de la sécurité des patients que les ceux qui sont de nationalité omanaise, excepté pour la reconnaissance du stress. Les décideurs, les directeurs et les cliniciens devraient prendre en compte ces différences pour concevoir des interventions visant à améliorer la culture de la sécurité des patients.

Smokeless tobacco consumption in a multi-ethnic community in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

يشيع استخدام التبغ بدون تدخين في جنوب آسيا. وهو بالإضافة إلى أنه يسبب سرطان الفم والبلعوم، فإن آثاره الضارة يمكن مقارنتها مع تعاطي التبغ بالتدخين. وقد أجرى الباحثون دراسة مستعرضة بأخذ عينات منهجية في العامين 2010 - 2011 لمعرفة مدى استخدام التبغ بدون تدخين في مجموعة سكانية شبه حضرية ومتعددة الإثنيات في إسلام آباد، باكستان، وبلغ عدد العينات 2030 عينة. واتضح للباحثين أن معدل انتشار استخدام التبغ بدون تدخين قد بلغ 16.0% [21.6% بين الذكور و 8.8 % بين الإناث]، كما أن 51.7 % ممن يستخدم التبغ بدون تدخين كانوا يدخنون السجائر. وقد كان معدل استخدام التبغ بدون تدخين مرتفعا لدى ذكور باختون [38.2 %]، ولدى إناث السند [22.4 %]مقارنة مع غيرهم. وقد كان هناك ترابط يعتد به إحصائيا بين استخدام التبغ بدون تدخين وبين الإثنية، والفئة العمرية، ومستوى الدخل، وتدخين السجائر وذلك بين من يستخدم التبغ بدون تدخين من الذكور. وكان 41.4 % من العينة [840 فردا من بين 2030 فردا]لا يمتلكون معارف كافية عن المشكلات الصحية التي تترابط مع استخدام التبغ بدون تدخين. وتمس الحاجة إلى تدخلات ملائمة لرفع مستوى الوعي حول المخاطر الصحية وللوقاية من استخدام التبغ بدون تدخين

ABSTRACT Smokeless tobacco is commonly used in south Asia. In addition to causing oral and pharyngeal cancers, its harmful effects are comparable to smoking tobacco. A cross-sectional survey with systematic sampling was conducted in 2010–2011 to investigate smokeless tobacco use in a multi-ethnic, semi-urban population in Islamabad, Pakistan (n = 2030). The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was 16.0% (21.6% among males and 8.8% among females); 51.7% of smokeless tobacco users were also cigarette smokers. The rate of smokeless tobacco use was comparatively high among Pakhtun males (38.2%) and Sindhi females (22.4%). The associations between smokeless tobacco use and ethnicity, age group, income level and cigarette smoking were statistically significant among male smokeless tobacco users. Of the sample 41.4% (840/2030) had inadequate knowledge about the health problems associated with smokeless tobacco. Appropriate interventions are needed to raise awareness of the health risks and to prevent smokeless tobacco use.

RÉSUMÉ La consommation de tabac sans fumée est courante en Asie du Sud. Outre les cancers de la cavité buccale et du pharynx, ses effets nocifs sont comparables à ceux de la consommation de tabac à fumer. Une enquête transversale à partir d'un échantillonnage systématique (n = 2030) a été menée en 2010 et 2011 afin d'évaluer la consommation de tabac sans fumée dans une population semi-urbaine et pluriethnique à Islamabad (Pakistan). La prévalence de la consommation de tabac sans fumée était de 16,0 % (21,6 % chez les hommes et 8,8 % chez les femmes) ; 51,7 % des consommateurs de tabac sans fumée étaient aussi des fumeurs de cigarettes. Le pourcentage de consommation de tabac sans fumée était comparativement élevé chez les hommes pachtounes (38,2 %) et les femmes sindhies (22,4 %). Les associations entre la consommation de tabac sans fumée, le groupe ethnique, la tranche d'âge, le niveau de revenu et la consommation de cigarettes étaient statistiquement significatives chez les consommateurs de tabac sans fumée de sexe masculin. Au sein de l'échantillon, 41,4 % (840/2030) possédaient des connaissances insuffisantes sur les problèmes de santé liés au tabac sans fumée. Des interventions appropriées sont nécessaires pour sensibiliser aux risques sanitaires et prévenir la consommation de tabac sans fumée.

Preventing and addressing intimate partner violence against migrant and ethnic minority women: the role of the health sector: policy brief

Violence against women is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality in society and a serious violation of fundamental human rights. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common type of such violence and takes place within couples. IPV can lead to death, physical injury, functional impairment, mental health problems, negative health behaviour, chronic conditions and reproductive health problems. Institutional discrimination, lack of access to or knowledge of services, and cultural differences can prevent women who are not only experiencing IPV but also migrants or members of ethnic minorities from seeking help. This policy brief aims to provide input into the role of the health sector in preventing and addressing IPV among migrant women and those of ethnic minorities. It describes the scope of the problem, presenting key evidence, and makes recommendations for health policy and health systems, health facilities and health service providers.

Preventing and addressing intimate partner violence against migrant and ethnic minority women: the role of the health sector

Violence against women is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality in society and a seriousviolation of fundamental human rights. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common typeof such violence and takes place within couples. IPV can lead to death, physical injury, functionalimpairment, mental health problems, negative health behaviour, chronic conditions and reproductivehealth problems. Institutional discrimination, lack of access to or knowledge of services, and culturaldifferences can prevent women who are not only experiencing IPV but also migrants or members ofethnic minorities from seeking help. This policy brief aims to provide input into the role of the healthsector in preventing and addressing IPV among migrant women and those of ethnic minorities. Itdescribes the scope of the problem, presenting key evidence, and makes recommendations for healthpolicy and health systems, health facilities and health service providers.

Adapting research to local contexts based on the model of Campinha-Bacote for cultural competence: a case scenario of 3 ethnic groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran

This article examines the issue of cultural competence in qualitative cross-cultural mental health research. Conducting qualitative research on mental health and illness requires the researchers to acquire sensitivity to different cultures and develop the skills of cultural competence. We outline the main aims and steps of implementation when incorporating concepts of cultural competence into a qualitative research study. We present a case scenario from studies on women's depression in 3 ethnic groups [Fars, Kurd and Turk] in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The article presents a brief overview of the Campinha-Bacote model and addresses the 5 major constructs of cultural competence as they were applied in the 3 phases of the research process

How health systems can address health inequities linked to migration and ethnicity

There are about 75 million migrants in the WHO European Region, amounting to 8.4% of the total population and 39% of all migrants worldwide. Figures for ethnic minorities are not available, because there is little consensus on definitions, but the largest of these groups is probably the Roma, with an estimated population of 12−15 million.There is substantial evidence of inequities in both the state of health of these groups and the accessibility and quality of health services available to them. Differences from the majority population vary, however, according to the specific group studied, the health problems or services involved, and the country concerned. Some groups may in certain respects enjoy health advantages, but it is mainly disadvantages that are documented.This briefing describes how, to tackle such health inequities, health systems must not only improve the services available to migrants and ethnic minorities, but also address the social determinants of health across many sectors.