Nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness: A multi-national comparison.

Accessible Summary What is known on the subject Health professionals, including nurses, are shown to have stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness. For nursing students who are in their formative years of professional development, mental illness stigma can severely impact the care they provide. Little research has investigated multi-national comparisons of nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study shows that between countries, there were substantial differences amongst nursing students in stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness. Cultural perspectives may explain some of these differences. What are the implications for practice Regardless of location, stigmatizing attitudes are present at varying levels. Each nation can take steps to reduce these by acknowledging the presence of stigmatizing attitudes amongst nurses, educating nurses regarding the negative impacts of stigma on patient outcomes, and decrease stigmatizing attitudes by facilitating opportunities for nurses (particularly student nurses) to have direct contact with people with lived experiences of mental illness. ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Stigmatizing attitudes perpetuated by nursing professionals are a pervasive problem for people experiencing mental health issues. This global issue has detrimental consequences; inhibiting one's life chances and help-seeking behaviours. To date, few studies have compared nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness from a multi-national perspective. AIM: To compare undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness across six countries: Australia, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and USA. METHOD: In a cross-sectional design, data were collected from undergraduate nursing students (N = 426) using the Social Distance Scale. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare differences between countries. RESULTS: Nursing students' attitudes to mental illness differed between countries. Social Distance Scores were highest amongst nursing students from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Students from Taiwan and India possessed moderate stigma scores. Social Distance Scores from the USA and Australia were lowest. DISCUSSION: Clear differences in stigmatizing attitudes emerged between countries; these are discussed in relation to possible cultural influences. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is suggested that educating nurses, combined with direct contact with people with lived experiences of mental illness, can reduce stigmatizing attitudes regardless of country, location or educational institution.

Factors Influencing University Students' Acceptance to Undertake the COVID-19 Vaccine in Jordan.

Vaccines are effective measures that can mitigate the high burden of diseases. However, vaccine refusal poses serious challenges for achieving coverage for population immunity. With the availability of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, limited information is available about the university students' acceptability and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines. This article reports study findings regarding factors that influence university students' decision of acceptability to the COVID-19 vaccine in Jordan. Results highlight the continued need for clear and consistent information about the vaccine by health care decision-makers and university administrations.

Lived Experience of Jordanian Parents Having a Child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a congenitally inherited disease characterized by progressive muscle damage and loss of function in children, which currently has no cure. Parents of children with DMD go through significant challenges when caring for a child with this condition. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of Jordanian parents caring for a child with DMD. DESIGN AND METHODS: We utilized qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological design. Ten pairs of parents of children with DMD were interviewed at their homes from the southern region of Jordan. The Participant verbal as well as nonverbal cues were recorded during the interview. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's 7-step method. RESULTS: Parents experienced psychosocial, emotional, and financial problems, which affected family dynamics and the quality of life. Themes emerged were face the new disease, caring for our child and handling the situation, staying in contact with the outside world, and career options and opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: Parents experienced feelings of stress and anxiety mixed with emotions of hopelessness. Parents relieved anxiety by sharing feelings with others, assuring themselves and accepting the reality of child's illness. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is necessary that parents undergo psychological counseling individually or by joining groups who had similar experiences. Follow-up by experts through the coping process. Addressing equity services in the country is necessary.

Determinants of Substance Use Among High School Students in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Substance use is becoming a global health problem that concerns health professionals and decision makers. Studies showed that teens are at higher risk for substance use. PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to examine the prediction power of the selected sociodemographic and psychological factors on substance use among high school students in Jordan. Specific aims were; 1) to explore substance use among high school students in Jordan, and 2) to examine the prediction power of sociodemographic and psychological factors on substance use among high school students in Jordan. METHODS: This is a predictive cross-sectional study where data was collected using self-administered questionnaires from a convenience sample of 1497 high school students in the central district of Jordan. RESULTS: Students who reported that they have never used stimulant agent were 91.5%, tranquilizer sedative 87.2%, hypnotic agent 85.8% and antidepressant agent 94.5%, while those never used nicotine were 81.7%. Coping efficacy (crude OR = 1.07, CI 95% = 1.03 - 1.12), psychological distress (crude OR = 1.07, CI 95% = 1.03 - 1.11), and perceived social support from family (crude OR = 1.20, CI 95% = 0.95 - 1.24) were significantly associated with substance use. While perceived social support from friends was not. CONCLUSION: High school students are at risk for the use of various forms of substances and mainly the over counter ones. Legitimate rules of screening and using substance prevention programs at high schools considering the psychological factors is a priority for school health professionals and policy makers.

Barriers to nursing pain management in the emergency department: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although pain is a common complaint among patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs), there is a dearth of nursing literature about barriers to pain management. PURPOSE: The study aimed to uncover and understand barriers to pain management in the ED from the registered nurse (RN) perspective. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 ED nurses in a Jordanian hospital. Data were collected throughout August 2016. RESULTS: Two broad categories with subcategories emerged. The first category describes the idea of types of patient, which included three particular groups. These were patients who are violent, patients with relatives who are, and patients with expectations of care that nurses view as unrealistic. The second category describes the taxing ED environment, with two subcategories of staff shortages and physician dominance of pain management. Nurses reported feeling as if they are the victims of external factors and perceived that barriers affected teamwork and led to distress which impairs pain management. CONCLUSIONS: The role of ED nurses in pain management is multifaceted. Therefore, implementing policies to overcome barriers such as violence among ED attenders and the perceived hostility of the ED environment through mandatory security systems, and continuing nursing education including for violence prevention may be beneficial.

Mental health nurses' perspective of workplace violence in Jordanian mental health hospitals.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to assess the mental health nurses' perspectives of workplace violence in mental health departments in Jordan. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional correlation study was utilized to address the study's purposes. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires from nurses working in governmental mental health departments in Jordan. FINDINGS: The findings indicated that 80% of the respondents were victims of at least one violent act in the last 2 years. Verbal abuse was the most indicated type of violence. Patients were considered the main source of violence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Policies and legislations addressing workplace violence should be implemented, and nurses should be trained on using such policies. Hospital managers should create a safe work environment by enforcing effective security measures and maintaining adequate staffing.

Prevalence of Health-risk Behaviors among Government Schools' Students in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a developmental stage associated with many behavioural fluctuations and health risks behaviours. In this study, various health risk behaviours among Government school students in Jordan were assessed. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study recruited 1256 students from 20 secondary schools all over the country. Students completed the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS, 2009-2012). The study was conducted in the period between Feb 2016 and Aug 2016. Chi-square (x2) was used to examine differences among the demographic variables. RESULTS: Students scored low in eating breakfast, eating fruit, vegetables, and milk products. However, students scored moderately in hand and mouth hygiene. Students showed minimal incidences of physical attack and physical fight. Although suicidal attempts were not significantly reported, complaining from worries, feeling of sadness and hopelessness were moderately scored. The majority of physical activities were reported from walking or riding bicycles. However, three hours per day was the average of time spent on sitting activities. Students scored lowest in school absenteeism and the majority described their classmates as kind and helpful. Parental control on students' home activities was regarded. CONCLUSION: In comparison with 2004 and 2007 statistics, students revealed improvements in physical activity, and reduced physical attacks and injuries. Future researchers are encouraged to discover factors associated with these changes.

Validating the psychiatric nurses methods of coping questionnaire: Arabic version.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to undertake a psychometric analysis of the Psychiatric Nurses Methods of Coping Questionnaire (PNMCQ) - Arabic version when used to measure coping skills in psychiatric nurses in Jordan. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was adopted in this study. A demographic questionnaire and the 35-item PNMCQ -Arabic were the measures used to collect data. RESULT: The PNMCQ demonstrated valid and reliable values when administered to psychiatric nurses in Jordan after it had been submitted to factor analysis. CONCLUSION: The development of PNMCQ: Arabic Version adequately measures coping skills in psychiatric nurses from a culturally appropriate context. Use of the tool can determine coping skills in psychiatric nurses with the view to positive staff development. Strategies identified based on results of the PNMCQ could ultimately result in better nurse retention and patient outcomes.

TRADITIONAL PRACTICES ADOPTED BY JORDANIAN MOTHERS WHEN CARING FOR THEIR INFANTS IN RURAL AREAS.

BACKGROUND: Traditional practices are commonly present within the Jordanian society, especailly those concerned with infant's care. Some of these practices might be harmful and thus health professioanls are required to substitute these practices with safe and healthy ones. The goal of this study is to determine the traditional practices adopted by Jordanian mothers when caring for their infants in rural areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study design using qualitative method was utilized in this study. A Purposive sample of 30 mothers was recruited from four rural regions in outskirts of Amman the capital city of Jordan. RESULTS: Mothers had traditional infant's care practices pertinent to bathing of babies, including the salting, swaddling, care of the umbilical cord and jaundice. CONCLUSION: Traditional practices are still common in Jordan; some of these behaviors can cause health risks. While health consequences of some of the traditional practices are still not clear, health professianls, especially nurses, are required to intervene by changing policies and education.

Prevalence and Risk Factors ofWorkplace Violence towardMental Health Staff Departments in Jordanian Hospitals.

A cross-sectional study (n = 262) was conducted to assess the prevalence of workplace violence among mental health departments staff in Jordan. The findings showed that 67.2% of the respondents were victims of at least one violent incident in the last year. Verbal abuse was the most reported type of violence. Patients were considered as the main source of violence. The contributing factors to workplace violence include being unmarried and working longer shifts. Sadly, just being a healthcare worker was found to also be a factor in the incidence of increased workplace violence. As a result of these findings, workplace violence policies and legislation should be instituted, and mental health department staff should be trained on violence-management policies.

Intentions and barriers toward breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers-A cross sectional descriptive study using quantitative method.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is very important for both mother and infant. Within Jordanian hospitals, intentions and barriers to breastfeeding have not been addressed effectively during preparing policies in routine antenatal care or in maternal and child health care. AIM: To identify the intentions and barriers toward breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers with a specific focus on women from low income circumstances. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study using quantitative methods was adopted in this study. Data was collected via the Modified Infant Feeding Intention Scale (MIFIS). FINDINGS: Women reported that for the most part their intention to feed their babies was using formula milk. However, they reported a desire to breastfeed but this intention could be hindered due to limited social support and challenges related to work arrangements. Further, participants also reported concerns regarding perceived pain that breastfeeding may cause and concerns regarding changes in their body shape and weight as a result of breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Views toward breastfeeding among Jordanian women are not homogeneous. Policymakers and nurse educators should be cognizant of findings from this study and use them as guidelines for decision making. Efforts to improve intention toward breastfeeding can be achieved through structured and targeted educational programs for women from low income circumstances, and by modifying policies concerning work conditions for mothers to enable them to breastfeed their babies.

The impact of a mental health clinical placement on the clinical confidence of nursing students in Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of clinical placement in a mental health setting on the clinical confidence of nursing students in Jordan. DESIGN AND SETTING: A non-experimental descriptive survey design was used. Data was collected using the Mental Health Nursing Clinical Confidence Scale (MHNCCS) in Jordan. RESULTS: Data indicates that, as a result of clinical placement, nursing students had improved perceived confidence regarding the concept of mental health and mental illness, felt better able to conduct a mental health status examination, create nursing care plans, administer medication and provide health education to patients in mental health settings. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the clinical confidence among Jordanian nursing students in relation to mental health nursing skills may provide a safer environment for students and patients as well as lead to enhanced well-being and function of patients. In addition, the results of this study may have practical implications for positive changes to the mental health nursing curriculum clinical placement goals.