The perceived threat of COVID-19 and its impact on hygienic precautionary behaviors: A multi-countries study.

OBJECTIVE(S): To explore the perceived threats of COVID-19 and how it changed the personal hygienic precautionary behaviors across multiple countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to survey the four targeted MENA countries: Jordan, Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. SAMPLE: A nonprobability convenience sampling design was utilized. The link to the survey questionnaire was distributed through social media groups within Facebook® and Twitter® . The groups are known and accessible by known across the general population at the targeted countries. MEASUREMENT: Data was collected using The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and an adapted instrument that examine the hygienic precautionary behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Answers of participants (n = 2604) were valid and included in the study. The results show that a minimal perception of threat among the participants on most of the BIP-Q5 items (M = 12.9, SD = 7.2). Moreover, the highest compliance rates to recommended hygienic precautionary behaviors were found among populations above the age of 50 years (F = 2.89, p = .04), females (t = 5.18, p = .003), being married (F = 3.09, p = .029), and being a health care professional (t = -2.20, p = .028). CONCLUSION: The perceived threat of COVID-19 and compliance rates with the recommended hygienic precautionary behaviors among Arab societies were found to below and need critically urgent attention.

The impact of psychiatric education and clinical practice on students' beliefs toward people with mental illnesses.

It is common knowledge that people with psychiatric illnesses are stigmatized by a broad spectrum of society. The purpose of this study was to assess the beliefs of undergraduate students toward people with mental illnesses, and determine the impact of psychiatric education and clinical practice on their beliefs. A Quasi-Experimental, single-group pre-test post-test design was used. The study was performed at a private school of health sciences in Saudi Arabia. The study sample consisted of 42 students. For data collection, the Beliefs toward Mental Illness Scale was used. Following the psychiatric education and clinical practice, the total BMIS and subscale scores were significantly lower than the scores obtained before the course. There was a statistically significant difference in the BMIS total scores (t = 2.17, p = 0.001) and subscale scores (Poor social and interpersonal skills: t = 0.78, p = 0.001; Dangerousness: t = 1.17, p = 0.001; Incurability: t = 0.42, p = 0.001) between the pre-test and post-test data. This research indicates that psychiatric educational intervention using face-to-face interaction and clinical practice interaction can positively change stigmatizing beliefs of undergraduate students toward people with mental illnesses.

Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Psychiatric Settings: A Literature Review.

The purpose of the current literature review was to critically review studies related to the use of restraint and seclusion in psychiatric settings across cultures, identify ethical principles regarding restraint and seclusion, and generate a clear view about patients' perspectives and factors that influence use of these measures worldwide. Use of restraint and seclusion in daily nursing practice is controversial. Previous studies have shown variation in the types, frequency, and duration of restraint and seclusion across different countries and differences in the perception of restraint and seclusion between nurses and patients. Whereas some mental health staff members have positive attitudes toward restraint and seclusion, others have negative attitudes. The current analysis found that restraint and seclusion should be used as a last resort measure. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(4), 32-39.].

Compliance to personal hygiene habits in response to COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the Jordanians' compliance rates in terms of personal hygiene habits in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized to collect data from 651 Jordanians via an electronic self-report questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software Results: The overall compliance rate for personal hygiene habits among Jordanians was 79 percent (11.85/15, SD = 9). Personal hygiene practices differ significantly across age groups (F = 2, 89, p = .04), gender (t = 5.18, p = .003), marital status (F = 3.09, p = .029), and being a member of a healthcare specialty (t = -2.20, p = .028). Gender, educational level, occupation, and living place were statistically significant predictors for compliance with personal hygiene habits. Compliance rates increased drastically (82 percent) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Compliance with personal hygiene habits among Jordanians was encouraging in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, there is a chance for more improvement to reach optimum levels of safe and healthy per-sonal hygiene habits. Healthcare authorities shall adopt change management programs and theories to target personal hygiene habits where opportunities for improvement are found.

Integrating evidence-based interventions in clinical settings in Jordan: a policy brief.

Background: Evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) is considered a major and very important global paradigm shift. Unfortunately, most healthcare providers and researchers embrace the concept of evidence-based practice (EBP) without integrating this concept in clinical settings. The current situation of EBP and new practice guidelines utilization in Jordan are scarce. This policy brief aimed to discusses the process of utilizing nursing EBP in clinical settings in Jordan. Methods: The authors adopted an action plan utilizing a systematic approach to develop and implement specific strategies and policies to integrate EBP in clinical settings in Jordanian hospitals. We present an experience of one country in terms of introducing a policy brief to establish an EBP policy accompanied by developing an EBP unit in the hospital's country. Results: A comprehensive description of this policy is provided with reference to the eminent steps of policy analysis and evaluation. In fact, EBP policies and clinical practice guidelines should keep a live document and revise regularly or as needed. Overall, the authors suggest the development of a unit for EBP to deal with issues related to clinical practice guidelines. Conclusions: Expected outcomes for the introduction of the EBP unit and its policy include increase research utilization and accelerated adoption of new evidence, increase the quality of care provided, increase patient, staff, and managers satisfaction, and decrease staff workload by reducing complications associated with medical errors and outdated interventions.

Correlates of psychiatric staff's attitude toward coercion and their sociodemographic characteristics.

BACKGROUND: A deeper understanding of the nurses' characteristics that influence their positive attitudes toward coercion is necessary if coercive measures rates are to be effectively reduced. AIM: To identify the difference in psychiatric staff attitudes toward coercive measures in relation to their sociodemographic characteristics. SETTING: The study conducted at the National Center for Mental Health, which is regulated under the authority of the Jordanian Ministry of Health. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 85 psychiatric staff recruited from the National Center for Mental Health. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design was used. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of 15 items that focused on assessing a staff's attitude toward coercion. RESULTS: The relationship between clinical unit and attitude toward coercion was significant (r = -.30; P = .006). Similarly, the correlations between gender-based units and attitudes toward coercion were significant (r = -.38; P = .002). Another significant correlation was revealed with different years of experience (r = .22; P = .04). CONCLUSION: The more years of experience in the field of psychiatric nursing the more positive attitude toward coercion. Moreover, working with male psychiatric patients and in acute psychiatric units increase the risk of coercive measures use.

Psychiatric staff attitudes toward coercive measures: An experimental design.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a training program on the attitudes of psychiatric nurses toward using coercive measures. DESIGN AND METHODS: A repeated measures time-series design with two-equivalent groups was used. A convenience sample of 48 psychiatric nurses were recruited. Data collection was conducted using the Staff Attitude to Coercion Scale. FINDINGS: Results showed the effectiveness of the training program in improving nurses' attitude toward coercive measures. After 4 weeks of the training, nurses in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in their attitude mean scores. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Equipping the psychiatric nurses with essential clinical knowledge and skills concerning the appropriate application of coercive measures policy were imperative issues that might help the nurses in dealing with these clinical complex situations effectively.