Locked down: Ontological security and the experience of COVID-19 while living in poor-quality housing.

The aim of the paper is to illustrate how the housing system in the United Kingdom (UK) has contributed to creating vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the concept of ontological security we look at how living with housing insecurity whilst enduring poor housing conditions has impacted the lives of those living in households. The paper draws on semi-structured interviews with 50 residents and 8 housing professionals. The findings outline the grinding impact of the pandemic on the ontological security of residents and the coping strategies adopted by a wider range of households who are now increasingly vulnerable. A number of people went into lockdown in vulnerable situations, experiencing deep inequalities and living in poorly maintained homes. This has weakened the ontological security experienced by many households. These represent significant failings of the housing system and housing policy impacting on the health and wellbeing of a wider cohort of people creating additional vulnerabilities.

Domestic Violence Against Women in Nepal: A Systematic Review of Risk Factors.

A systematic review was conducted to examine the factors that put women at risk of domestic violence in Nepal. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched supplemented by searching of the reference list manually. Of the 143 studies identified 24 were included in the final review. Search strategy was developed, and studies were included if they considered female participants (age 15-49 years) in heterosexual relationship, with exposure of different factors and whose outcomes were the magnitude of any form of violence (physical, sexual, and emotional/psychological). The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of the studies included. The findings are categorized based on the four levels of the ecological framework. At the individual level, the alcohol consumption level of husband, education level of both women and men, women's age at the time of marriage and childhood exposure to violence were found to be highly prevalent risk factors. At the relationship level, most prevalent risk factors were controlling husband and decision-making capacity of women. At the community level, belonging to underprivileged community or low caste system and living in Terai region were the risk factors. At the societal level, patriarchal belief and norms supporting violence were the risk factors. The complex nature of violence against women in Nepal requires culturally sensitive interventions along with organized efforts from the local and intra government to improve the status of Nepalese women at all levels of the ecological framework.

Internationally recruited nurses and their initial integration into the healthcare workforce: A mixed methods study.

Background: Nursing deficits are growing, and healthcare providers in developed countries must address the challenges of ethically building a sustainable workforce without a continued excessive reliance on overseas recruitment. To secure this, a focus on long-term retention of international recruits is paramount. Objective: To explore the migration motivations and experiences of initial integration for internationally recruited nurses within the healthcare system (England). Design: A mixed methods survey. Settings and participants: 655 internationally recruited nurses who had recently commenced work in England completed the survey. Methods: qualitative and quantitative data was gathered to explore internationally recruited nurses' demographics and professional backgrounds, migration motivations, application processes, arrival and settlement and initial experiences of integration into the workforce alongside their support and future aspirations. Results: The quantitative results revealed a population of international nurses that were highly educated and vastly experienced, with career development and desires to improve quality of life being the primary motivations for migration. Participants indicated a perception of being well supported during initial application and arrival stage, however, did experience some degree of challenge during workplace integration involving fluctuating levels of support and appointments into positions that did not match their years of experience and previous qualifications. This data was reinforced further detailed by the qualitative feedback that illuminated the difficulties nurses can face during initial arrival and integration and the apparent impact on mental well-being. Conclusion: This paper, contextualised with an international literature base verifying the experiences of internationally recruited nurses, argues that it is the consistent responsibility of employers in developed countries to protect the experiences of international recruits. This can be done by investing in solutions as a key retention strategy.

Understanding the mental health impacts of poor quality private-rented housing during the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown.

This paper examines the mental health impacts of poor quality private-rented housing in the north of England during the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown. The paper draws on data collected from semi-structured telephone interviews with 40 renters in the private-rented sector. We use the Power Threat Meaning Framework to highlight how substandard housing was a social and material vulnerability which, underpinned by powerlessness, resulted in threats that created and exacerbated the mental-ill health of precarious private renters. The paper suggests the pandemic and increased time spent in unhealthy places of residence can create stresses at a time of broader structural fragility, and calls for the greater engagement and integration of health practitioners in the future development of housing policy at all levels.

Global migration and factors that support acculturation and retention of international nurses: A systematic review.

Background: International nurses (migrant nurses who are recruited to work in different countries) make essential contributions to global health and care workforces that are experiencing domestic nurse shortages. Global recruitment and migration is increasing, and with growing dependency on international nurses, health and care employers must understand their lived experiences if they want to support acculturation and subsequent retention. Aim: This paper reports a systematic review of qualitative literature on the experiences of international nurses working overseas. The aim is to explore the lived experiences of international nurses working and living in different countries globally. We argue their experiences shape socialisation and contribute to longer term retention of this fundamental nursing workforce. Method: A systematic literature search was carried out in Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo, PubMed and Web of Science for global research publications from 2010 to 2020. Research studies conducted in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States were identified, quality appraised and subjected to data extraction/analysis. Findings: The findings of twenty seven papers were synthesised into six themes: (1) individual and organisational preparedness, (2) communication and the art of language, (3) principles and practices of nursing, (4) social and cultural reality, (5) equality, diversity and inclusion, and (6) facilitators of integration and adaptation. Discussion: Whilst experiences are multifaceted and complex, factors shaping acculturation of international nurses were transferable across various countries. Individual motivations for migration should be recognised, and short term, transitional and long term needs must be identified to support development needs and ongoing career progression. Cultural integration and language barriers should be sensitively managed to enable effective acculturation. Culturally sensitive leadership is also key to ensuring zero tolerance of inappropriate racist and discriminatory behaviours. Conclusion: Health and care employers offer tangible benefits for international nurse workforces and in culturally compassionate and professional sociocultural environments, international nurses can thrive. However, to effectively retain this workforce in the longer term, significant improvement is required across a number of areas. Tweetable abstract: This new systematic review paper explores the factors that can support acculturation and retention of internationally-recruited nurses globally.