Jordanian nursing students' knowledge and attitudes of corneal donation.

A high success rate of corneal transplants is evident. However, there is still a lack of corneal grafts available to meet demand, largely because donors are reluctant to donate. Given their critical role in future healthcare teaching and advocacy. There has not been much research on Jordanian nursing students' perspectives on corneal donation, so it's critical to identify and eliminate any obstacles. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian nursing students concerning corneal donation. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to recruit (n = 440) nursing students from four Jordanian universities. A self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain data on knowledge and attitudes regarding corneal donation. The average age of senior nursing students was (M = 23.07, SD = 3.63) years. Varying levels of understanding were revealed amongst university students toward corneal donation items. Generally, good attitude of nursing students toward corneal donation (M = 34.1, SD = 8.1). Weak positive relationship was found between total knowledge scores and age (r = 0.141, p = 0.003) while there is no significant relationship between age and total attitude score (r = 0.031, p = 0.552). Age was found to be a significant predictor (B = 0.01, Beta = 0.12, t = 2.07, p = 0.04). Also, the educational level of fathers is a significant positive predictor (Beta = 0.128, p = 0.008) for the total attitude scores among nursing students. Limited awareness of corneal donation, highlighting the need for focused educational interventions to improve their comprehension.

The burden in family caregivers of people living with dementia: prevalence and predictors.

BACKGROUND: Providing care for people with dementia incorporates a level of burden which can affect quality of life for both the caregiver and the recipient of care. This study measures the level of burden experienced by Jordanian caregivers for people with dementia and explore related predictors. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional survey, participants were invited through convenience sampling to participate in a structured interview. RESULTS: A total of 406 participants completed the survey. According to Zarit Burden Interview, the mean burden score of the sample was 26.2 (SD = 16.2). This score falls under the mild to moderate burden level. Older age of the patient, severe dementia, lower number of caregivers, if the caregiving negatively affected family relations, and if the caregiving negatively affected jobs, were significant predictors of burden. CONCLUSION: Caregivers in the current study reported no burden to a minimum burden. This result does not mean that these caregivers have no or minimal stress or that they do not have psychological needs; on the contrary, these results call for more attention to providing extra psychological and emotional support to caregivers of patients with dementia in order to decrease the burden level and maintain their efforts in caregiving. Future studies are required to discern the shape and context of unmet caregiver needs, assessment, and support.

The influence of the pulmonary recruitment maneuver on post-laparoscopic shoulder pain in patients having a laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-laparoscopic shoulder pain is very common after laparoscopy. One method to reduce postoperative shoulder pain is the pulmonary recruitment maneuver. It is used to reduce post-laparoscopic shoulder pain. This study utilizes a truly experimental, double-blinded, prospective randomized design to assess the effect of pulmonary recruitment maneuvers on post-laparoscopic shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients were allocated randomly into two groups. The intervention group received five manual pulmonary inflations for 5 s at a maximum pressure of 25 cm H2O. The control group included patients whose residual CO2 gas was evacuated from the abdominal cavity using passive exsufflation as the routine method at the end of surgery by abdominal massage. Gentle abdominal pressure was applied to facilitate CO2 gas removal. RESULTS: When Ramsay's Sedation Score's results were compared between the two groups after the operation, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups during the first and (p value = 0.20) second (p value = 0.61) hours. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the pulmonary recruitment maneuver is significant (p-value 0.001) and had a high effect size (0.527) in reducing shoulder pain among laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients after controlling the effect of other covariate patient characteristics. CONCLUSION: Utilizing a pulmonary recruitment maneuver at the end of laparoscopic surgery reduces shoulder pain.

Stress Factors, Stress Levels, and Coping Mechanisms among University Students.

Aims: To explore university students' levels of stress, stressors, and their coping style. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design with a convenience sample (n = 676) of university students who completed the Student-Life Stress Inventory (SSI) and Coping Strategies Indicator (CSI) was used. Findings. Overall, two-thirds of the participant reported moderate levels of stress. Students with chronic illness, living alone, low CGPA, and having exams today experienced a statistically higher mean level of stress. Students who are living alone used the "avoidance" method more significantly and the "social support" method significantly less compared with students who are living with their families and friends. Conclusion: This study concurs with others that university students are prone to distress. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the region to explore the students' coping skills. Some of the employed coping and associated factors could be used to lay the groundwork for evidence-based prevention and mitigation.

Prevalence and Triggering Factors of Headache among Jordanian Adolescents in Al-Mafraq Region.

Aims: This study evaluates the epidemiology of headache and migraine among adolescents aged 12 to 15. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted to collect and analyze data from students in grades 7-10 over the course of one month, using a simple random sampling method. The overall number of participants in this study was 692, with an average age of 13.9 years (SD = 1.3). Descriptive measures and Fisher's exact test were computed. Multivariate regression was calculated to assess the predictors of headache and migraine. Findings. Approximately one-half of the students reported having headaches: tension-type headaches (10.3%), migraines (4.8%), and other headache types (31.5%). Moreover, girl students in the age group of 14-15 reported more headaches and migraines. Conclusion: The prevalence of headache and migraine in Jordan is high and increasing as students grow older. Health education programs led by school nurses and other healthcare practitioners are urgently needed.

Assessing Professional Competencies Among Undergraduate Nurses: An Exploratory Study.

AIM: The study aimed to identify nursing students' professional competencies and examine which factors of the clinical learning environment affect these competencies. BACKGROUND: Professional competencies are vital for the quality and safety of nursing practice. The learning environment is important for the development of professional competencies. METHOD: Data were collected from 178 nursing students using the Clinical Learning Environment and Supervision Scale and the Nursing Professional Competencies Scale-Short Form. RESULTS: The highest competency was achieved in value-based nursing care; the lowest competency was achieved in development, leadership, and organization of nursing. Factors such as positive pedagogical atmosphere, nursing care on the ward, and good supervisory relationship affected learning and, in turn, improved professional competencies. CONCLUSION: The results establish a link between the clinical environment and reported professional competencies, leading to a call for more focused coverage of these factors in the academic curricula.

Pain experience of cancer patients receiving care in a multidisciplinary pain management clinic.

BACKGROUND: Few longitudinal studies have focused on patients' cancer pain experience when receiving care in a multidisciplinary pain management clinic (MPMC). This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of a cohort of cancer patients newly engaged in a MPMC. METHODS: This study was based on a longitudinal approach in which data were collected over a 6 months period at the King Hussein Cancer Centre in Jordan. The study adopted the Arabic version of the Brief Pain Inventory to identify the level and prevalence of cancer pain, and to identify the impact of receiving care at the MPMC on patients' pain experience. Data were collected over four time points, and the period between these points ranged from 2 to 3 weeks. RESULTS: The majority of patients demonstrated improvement in their pain after receiving treatment at the MPMC, while a third still experienced severe pain. Significant improvement was reported at T1, and no further decline in pain was noted after this point. This indicates that exposure to the intervention provided by the MPMC generated, on average, an improvement in patients' pain experience. CONCLUSION: The MPMC may be an effective pain management strategy in the treatment of cancer pain.

An analysis of nursing and medical students' attitudes towards and knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about how Jordanian undergraduate medical and nursing students perceive Alzheimer's disease (AD) care. This study aimed to investigate nursing and medical students' AD knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors with their knowledge to inform reforms to multidisciplinary AD education undergraduate programs in Jordan. METHODS: Cross-sectional research was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Students' knowledge was measured using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and attitudes were measured using the Dementia Care Attitude Scale (DCAS). The survey was completed by 423 nursing and medical students. RESULTS: The overall mean score on the ADKS for students' AD knowledge was 17.50 (SD=3.08) out of 30 and the DCAS for students' attitudes toward AD was 26.76 (SD=6.19) out of 40. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students had a higher level of AD knowledge and a lower level of positive attitude than nursing students (p<0.05).

Knowledge, Attitudes, Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cigarette Smoking Among University Students: A Cross Sectional Study.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of smoking and associated sociodemographic and economic factors as well as students' knowledge about and attitudes towards smoking among university students in Oman. A proportionate random sampling technique recruited 401 students from three universities in a cross-sectional study. The prevalence of smoking was 9.0%. Significant differences in gender, place of residence, if participants had received medical advice, years spent at the university, student income/day, family members who smoked, knowledge and attitude scores were identified. Universities in collaboration with health care providers should be leading the development of strategies to reduce the prevalence of smoking and to sustain the current knowledge and attitude towards smoking. Gender-specific approaches to smoking interventions need to be developed.

Adherence to Antipsychotic Drug Measured by an Arabic Version of Morisky Scale.

A cross-sectional study (n = 108) was conducted to assess medication adherence levels among people with mental illness in Jordan using the Arabic version of Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. The findings showed a significant negative correlation between patients' level of adherence, frequency of admissions, and relapses per year and a negative correlation between adherence level and frequency of follow up appointments per month. Nonadherence to antipsychotic medication in Jordan is very high and the reasons for this need to be further explored as nonadherence negatively effects the global burden of disease associated with mental illness, particularly in developing countries.

Examining the Feasibility and Acceptability of Digital Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia Care in Jordan: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: The use of technology to deliver psychosocial interventions such as cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) to individuals with dementia may improve their cognition and quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the participants' experiences with digital CST in Jordanian care homes, as well as the acceptability of the digital CST intervention in Jordanian care homes and recommendations for refinement. Methods: A qualitative study design and semistructured interviews were used to obtain data from 20 people with dementia and 12 care home staff who were purposefully selected. Data were analyzed thematically and comparatively to explore the experiences and outcomes of the participants. This study was conducted from February to April 2023. Results: Analysis of care home staff and residents' experiences revealed seven major themes: (a) personalized support and engagement, (b) positive impact on quality of life, (c) engagement and meaningful activities, (d) adaptable format and accessibility, (e) emotional connection and empowerment, (f) caregiver involvement and support, and (g) suggestions for improvement. The study's findings emphasize the necessity of tailored support, individualized difficulty levels, individualized material selection, emotional support, greater social connection, and caregiver participation in digital CST for people with dementia. Conclusion: Using digital touchscreen technology to deliver CST content has shown potential improvements, making interventions simpler for staff and more beneficial for individuals with dementia, thereby enhancing cognition and quality of life.

Prevalence and Related Factors of Postpartum Depression among Jordanian Mothers with a History of COVID-19 during Pregnancy or After Childbirth in a Developing Country.

Background: The magnitude of postpartum depression in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic is under-documented, and little is known about its potential social, demographic, and clinical correlates. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and related factors of postpartum depression among Jordanian mothers with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy or after childbirth. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in March-June 2021 among a convenient sample of 109 women with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy or after childbirth, who were at a leading hospital equipped to care for COVID-19 cases in North Jordan. An online survey using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to collect information from mothers with a history of COVID-19-positive tests. Results: Among the total number of women who participated in the study (n = 109), 73 women had postpartum depression. The prevalence of postpartum depression in the present study was 67%. In addition, the study found a positive statistically significant correlation between EPDS scores and being a smoker, delivery method, experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms, and being hospitalized. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, women had a high level of postpartum depression. It would be necessary to follow further the confirmed cases of COVID-19, and mothers should be screened for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and followed up for antenatal and postnatal care.

The Lived Experience of Parent Caregivers of Adolescents with Mental Illness: A Phenomenological Study.

Background: The challenges faced by parents of adolescents with mental disorders are profound and multifaceted. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences and concerns of parents of adolescents with mental disorders in Oman. Methods: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed in this study. In-depth interviews were done with twenty caregivers from June 2021 to the end of December 2022. Data collection continued until saturation was reached, ensuring a thorough understanding of the phenomena under investigation, and thematic analysis was applied to identify and examine the recurring patterns within the data. Results: Three primary themes emerged from the data analysis including Emotional Burden and Guilt, Treatment Concerns, and Fear of the Future. Parents' experiences during their adolescents' diagnosis revealed a profound emotional struggle, encompassing anxiety, frustration, and occasional confusion as they grappled with understanding their children's illness and navigating unpredictable behaviors. The exploration of seeking treatment highlighted the complexity of their experiences. However, a persistent sense of uncertainty regarding their children's future was a consistent thread irrespective of the chosen treatment path. Conclusion: This study aimed to investigate the complex challenges faced by caregivers of adolescents suffering from mental disorders, underscoring the vital need for tailored interventions and robust support systems to address these intricate issues. The findings highlight the importance of heightened awareness, improved access to psychotherapeutic resources, and comprehensive caregiver support.

Exploring risk factors for undernutrition in children aged under five years in Yemen.

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a global health concern, particularly in low-income countries, and can manifest as wasting, stunting and/or underweight. In Yemen, the recent armed conflict is likely to have significantly increased the incidence of undernutrition in young children, particularly those living in communities that were already experiencing socioeconomic and health disparities. AIM: To explore the risk factors associated with wasting, stunting and underweight in children aged between six months and five years living in one district of Yemen. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a two-part questionnaire to collect anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic characteristics of children enrolled on an outpatient programme for undernourished children at three healthcare facilities in the Jiblah district, and of their families and households. RESULTS: Of the 120 children included in the study, 58 (48%) had wasting, 27 (23%) had stunting and 35 (29%) were underweight. Risk factors for undernutrition included being under the age of three years, being a girl, having had a low birthweight, having siblings under the age of five years, having a mother who is a housewife, living in a household relying on unimproved sources of drinking water, living in a rural area, and living in a low-income household. CONCLUSION: The nutritional status of children in Yemen is under continuing threat. The identification of risk factors for undernutrition may increase awareness of the issue and influence the policy decisions of the international community.

Self-Medication and its Associated Factors among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Self-medication is a global concern among professionals and non-professionals, with a rapid increase in prevalence. The study aims to assess the prevalence of self-medication and its associated factors among university students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in three universities, and a total of 817 college students participated in this study. Results: About 75.40% of the participants reported using medications without a professional prescription. The category of analgesics was the most commonly used in self-medication (82.80%), while the most common symptom was a headache (81.50%). Almost 74.10% percent of participants who have practiced self-medication stated that the reason was the "lack of time to consult a physician." Most participants who have used self-medication (90.30%) stated that the source of knowledge was "previous prescription." Conclusions: Health education programs concerning self-mediation should be held in university settings to improve attitudes and practices toward self-mediation.

Physical Activity Barriers Among Adolescents in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Physical activity is critical for health promotion and the prevention of noncommunicable illnesses, especially among teenagers. However, teenagers' active participation in physical exercise may be hampered by perceived impediments to physical activity. Objective: This study aimed to identify the external and internal barriers to physical activities among adolescents, as well as any differences in these barriers between males and females. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 adolescent students (aged 11-16) from a public school in Jordan. A self-administered questionnaire with 12 items assessed barriers to physical activity. Internal and external barriers were identified, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: Male adolescents reported more perceived hurdles to physical exercise than female adolescents, with lack of time and lack of self-confidence being the most significant impediments. External impediments were more prominent than internal barriers, particularly a lack of resources. The total score for external barriers was significantly higher than that for internal barriers. "Lack of resources" was the most important external barrier (mean = 3.49), and "lack of self-confidence" was the most significant internal barrier (mean = 3.47). Male and female teenagers differed in the obstacles of "lack of self-confidence" (p = .045) and "lack of time" (p = .040). The most significant perceived hurdles included a lack of awareness of the health benefits of exercise, concerns about appearance while exercising, limited access to fitness centers, lack of exercise equipment at home, and insufficient spare time due to a packed class schedule. Conclusion: It is critical to implement interventions that address the identified barriers to physical activity, particularly among female adolescents, such as improving opportunities for physical activity and providing social support for participation.

University Students' Physical Activity: Perceived Barriers and Benefits to Physical Activity and Its Contributing Factors.

Introduction: In general, undergraduate university students in the north of Jordan have a low level of physical activity. Objectives: To examine the physical activity level, perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity, and the contributing factors among university students in north of Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, and data was collected from 235 university students through a self-reported questionnaire. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was utilized to calculate the amount of physical activity, while the exercise benefits and barriers scale (EBBS) was used to measure the perceived benefits and barriers of physical activity. Results: According to the findings, less than half of the students (48.1%) reported engaging in physical activity. Several factors were found to be significantly related to higher levels of physical activity, including being younger, single, having a normal body weight, and reporting excellent health status. Logistic regression analysis revealed that overweight (OR = -0.068, 95% CI 0.025-0.183) and obese (OR = -0.250, 95% CI 0.068-0.924) were less likely to be physically active, while those who rated their health as excellent had higher rates of physical activity (OR = 3.590, 95% CI 1.263-10.201). The students agreed most strongly with the perceived benefit item "Exercise improves the way my body looks," while the perceived barrier item they identified most strongly with was "There are too few places for me to exercise." Conclusion: This study provides important data for health promotion programs aimed at supporting physical activity among university students.

Assessment of Cognitive Impairment and Related Factors Among Elderly People in Jordan.

Background: With an increase in elderly people, it is essential to address the issue of cognitive impairment and support healthy aging. This study aimed to assess cognitive impairment and factors associated with it among older adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in different catchment areas within the Jerash governorate in the north of Jordan. The Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ) and a household face-to-face interview were used to collect data from 220 older adult participants aged 60 years and more. Descriptive statistics were conducted to describe the study variables. Correlation tests were applied to find associations between them. Logistic regression analysis was applied, with a minimum significance level (p < 0.05). Results: About 9.10% of the older adults had cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment was correlated with age, self-perceived health, hypertension, stroke, and mental illness. The primary predictors of cognitive impairment were age [odds ratio (OR) =1.07 (1.01-1.14), p = 0.001] and stroke [OR = 10.92 (1.44-82.85), p = 0.001]. Conclusions: While many factors were correlated with cognitive impairment, the strongest predictors of cognitive impairment were age and stroke.

Breakfast Skipping and Associated Factors Among Jordanian University Students.

Background: Although breakfast skipping among university students is a significant concern, its prevalence and the contributing factors among university students have received little attention in the literature. This study aims to determine the prevalence of skipping breakfast among Jordanian university students and examine the associated factors and variations in rates of skipping breakfast by day of the week. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students between March and May 2022 through a self-questionnaire. A convenience sample of 891 students was chosen at four Jordanian public universities. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The prevalence of skipping breakfast among university students was 66%. The reasons for skipping breakfast were having no time due to oversleeping and having no feeling of hunger (59% for both), followed by having no energy to prepare the breakfast and making no difference (49% and 48%), and not being able to afford to eat or buy breakfast (19%). There is a strong correlation between eating fast food and skipping breakfast. With whom the student eats breakfast is significantly associated with breakfast skipping, revealing that the highest percentages of skipping occur with friends. About 63% of students skipped breakfast through university days compared with 37% on the weekend, while 37% of them had breakfast through university days compared with 67% on the weekend. Conclusions: A high percentage of university students in Jordan skip breakfast. More attention should be paid to correlating factors and developing interventions to help students adhere to the breakfast.

Preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain tolerance and analgesia consumption: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety affects the patient's perception of postoperative pain and causes a significant increase in the consumption of analgesia postoperatively. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the relationship between preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain and postoperative pethidine consumption. METHODS: A prospective cohort design was used. Data were collected from 100 patients who were undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy at St Joseph Hospital, Jerusalem. Pain-controlled analgesia with pethidine was utilised to manage pain throughout the postoperative period. The visual analogue scale scores and pethidine consumption of all patients were recorded. FINDINGS: Participants' mean level of pain was higher in the preoperative period (mean visual analogue scale = 1.3) compared with their mean level of pain in the postoperative period (mean visual analogue scale = 0.5). There is a statistically significant difference between the participants' level of anxiety and postoperative pain level (p < 0.001). Gender, weight, level of education and smoking were predictors of developing preoperative anxiety. Also, gender, smoking and medication were statistically significant predictors of developing postoperative pain. Furthermore, gender, medical history and medication were statistically significant predictors of pethidine consumption postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative anxiety reduction intervention should be promoted and implemented as routine care for all surgical patients.