Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of Nursing Stress Scale in Jordanian Nurses.

Background and Purpose: Occupational stress (OS) has been widely acknowledged as a health issue among nurses. OS primarily impacts nurses to a greater extent than other healthcare professionals. The Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) is widely utilized to assess OS levels among nurses from diverse cultural backgrounds. No known study has investigated the psychometric characteristics of the Nursing Stress Scale within the Arab World. This study assessed the psychometric properties and cultural relevance of the Arabic version of the Nursing Stress Scale in a sample of Jordanian nurses. Methods: The present study employed a cross-sectional design to test the psychometrics of the Nursing Stress Scale among 170 nurses working in eight public healthcare centers in the capital of Jordan. An Arabic version of the scale was created by translating the English version. The expert panel confirmed the Arabic scale's content validity and cultural suitability. Exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency were used to evaluate the factorial structure and reliability. Results: In the study, the nurses' mean age was 30 ± 5.5. The content validity of the Arabic version was rated excellent, with a content validity index of 0.85. The results of the exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor, 23 items out of the 34 structures that accounted for 65.70% of the variance. The internal consistency reliability of the Arabic version of the Nursing Stress Scale ranged from 0.83 (inadequate emotional preparation) to 0.92 (death and dying). Conclusions: The Arabic version of the Nursing Stress Scale is valid, reliable, and culturally suitable for assessing OS within clinical environments among Jordanian nurses.

The efficacy of mindfulness-based programs in reducing anxiety among nurses in hospital settings: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The increasing pressure of their professional duties has led to a notable concern regarding the mounting anxiety levels among nurses. The ongoing discussion revolves around the efficacy of mindfulness as a means to alleviate anxiety in nurses. AIM: This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing anxiety among nurses. METHODS: The evaluation followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. An extensive and comprehensive search was conducted across eight databases to identify studies that utilized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and were published in English between 2011 and 2022. Independently, two reviewers assessed the validity of the randomized controlled trials using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials criteria. Additionally, two authors independently employed the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-2) method to evaluate the potential bias in the RCTs. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trial studies that were deemed eligible were included in the current analysis. Based on the literature review, it was determined that mindfulness-based training can assist nurses in reducing their anxiety levels. Furthermore, the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs in enhancing nurses' mindfulness and self-compassion has been firmly established. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Based on existing literature, mindfulness-based interventions have proven to be effective in reducing anxiety levels among nurses. However, in order to enhance the overall quality of research, it is necessary to implement more rigorous controlled designs that include randomization. Additionally, larger sample sizes with a diverse range of participants are needed to establish and validate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs in alleviating anxiety among nurses. Implementing mindfulness-based training in healthcare organizations can offer numerous benefits. One such advantage is that it can help nurses in reducing anxiety and enhancing their ability to handle the pressures associated with their profession. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Protocol registration ID: CRD42023475157.

Nurses' Knowledge and Practice of Appropriate Techniques of Body Mechanics and Non-specific Back Pain.

Background Nursing is a compassionate profession that carries occupational hazards, including work-related injuries. Back pain is a common concern due to the physically demanding tasks performed by nurses. Utilizing proper techniques of body mechanics is vital to prevent work-related back pain and enhance overall well-being. Aim To assess the knowledge and practice of the nurses working in Jordanian hospitals about the appropriate techniques of body mechanics and their relation to non-specific back pain. Methods A cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 280 participants was randomly selected from hospitals. The tool included the use of a paper questionnaire or scanning the barcode at nursing stations; a reliable, adopted tool was used in this study. Results Out of 280 participants, six (2.1%) had poor knowledge, 96 (34.3%) had average knowledge, and 178 (63.6%) had good knowledge, with a mean score of 3.72±0.58. For practice, seven (2.5%) had poor, 225 (80.4%) had average, and 48 (17.1%) had good practice, with a mean score of 3.30±0.49. Both knowledge and practice scores were negatively correlated with non-specific back pain (rpb = -.393 and rpb = -.306, p < .001), respectively. Furthermore, sociodemographic characteristics did not significantly affect body mechanics knowledge and practice scores (p > 0.05) for all variables. Conclusion Nurses working in Jordanian hospitals had good knowledge of body mechanics but average practice. Higher knowledge and practice levels were correlated with less experience of non-specific back pain. Additionally, there was no significant difference in sociodemographic data between nurses with knowledge and practice scores.

COVID-19 era-related e-learning: a cross-sectional web-scale study of cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology among university nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: The study assessed COVID-19 era-related e-learning cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology among nursing students. The relationships, predictors and differences between the studied concepts were measured. DESIGN: In 2021, a quantitative cross-sectional research design using a web survey with a sample size of 333 nursing students yielded a response rate of 70%. RESULTS: Nursing students had a moderate level of cyberchondria, low to moderate internet addiction, a moderate to severe level of anxiety and depression, and a normal stress level. Demographic characteristics, cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology were significantly correlated. Grade point average, age, type of organisation where the students were trained and level of education were significant predictors of the studied variables. Significant differences in the studied concepts were found based on the sample's characteristics such as gender, type of organisations or universities where the students were trained or studied, and age. CONCLUSION: Cyberchondria, internet addiction, depression, anxiety and stress symptomatology are troublesome. Higher education organisations might benefit from examining the variables of interest and investigating the relations between internet addiction and depression and anxiety symptomatology among nursing students. Such research will aid in tailoring treatments to assist vulnerable students by targeting counselling and educational efforts toward building a future generation of nurses with reduced cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology.

Perceived barriers to effective use of telehealth in managing the care of patients with cardiovascular diseases: a qualitative study exploring healthcare professionals' views in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: The use of telehealth in the management of care and care delivery has been increasing significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth is an emerging technology used to manage care for patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Jordan. However, implementing this approach in Jordan faces many challenges that need to be explored to identify practical solutions. PURPOSE: To explore the perceived challenges and barriers to using telehealth in managing acute and chronic CVDs among healthcare professionals. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted by interviewing 24 health professionals at two hospitals in different clinical areas in Jordan. RESULTS: Several barriers were reported by participants that affected the utilization of telehealth services. The barriers were categorized into the following four themes: Drawbacks related to patients, Health providers' concerns, Procedural faults, and telehealth To complement the service only. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that telehealth can be instrumental in supporting care management for patients with CVD. It means that understanding the advantages and barriers to implementing telehealth by the healthcare providers in Jordan can improve many aspects of the healthcare services for patients with CVD within the healthcare settings in Jordan.

The Experience of Being Male Nurse: Exploring the Enhancing Factors and Barriers of Jordanian Nursing Students.

Introduction: Despite advances in health care and education, males continue to be considered a minority in nursing programs. Little is known about the decision of Jordanian male nursing students to become nurses. Objective: The purpose of this research was to explore the factors that encourage or discourage Jordanian male nursing students from pursuing a career in nursing. Methods: A qualitative narrative approach was used for this study. Data were collected using semi-structured individual interviews. Purposive sampling was used in the research. In this study, interviews were conducted with a sample of 28 male college students. Results: The current study discovered that the following six themes exemplified the male nursing students' lives: "helping and caring," "job security and economic stability," "parents and peer influence," "level of autonomy," "social stigma," and "long working hours." Conclusion: The study's findings highlighted the importance of researching male nursing students' motivating and inhibiting factors.

Clinical Instructors' Caring Behaviors as Perceived by Nursing Students.

ABSTRACT: Caring is considered a vital aspect of nursing. This study explored Jordanian nursing students' perceptions of their clinical instructors' caring behaviors. A cross-sectional approach was taken. Data were collected from 212 nursing students using the Nursing Students' Perceptions of Instructor Caring instrument developed by Wade and Kasper. Nursing students were found to have generally positive responses toward their clinical instructors, perceiving them as caring rather than uncaring. Clinical instructors' caring behaviors had a positive impact on nursing students' caring behaviors.

Mental health, learning behaviour and perceived fatigue among university students during the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional multicentric study in the UAE.

BACKGROUND: The rapid shift to online education due to COVID-19 quarantine challenged students' ability to accept pure online learning without negative consequences for their physical, emotional and mental health. Some educational institutions introduced new strategies to reduce the psychosocial burden associated with online learning during home confinement. Thus, the primary aims were to determine the consequences of COVID-19 for the psychological well-being and fatigue levels of higher education students and to explore the effects of a new academic assessment approach in reducing home confinement stress. METHOD: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among students, from 30 August to 30 September 2020, of 7 disciplines in all 16 higher colleges of technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Mental Well-being and Learning Behaviours Scale and the modified Copenhagen Burnout Inventory were used to evaluate students' psychological well-being and fatigue levels. A Welch t-test and Welch ANOVA were performed to determine the differences in perceived psychological well-being associated with students' characteristics. Second, Kruskal_Wallis and Mann_Whitney were performed to determine the differences in fatigue level based on students' characteristics. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred students participated. The majority were female (78.5%) and aged from 21-25 years (58.1%). Around 14% of respondents were married with children. Nearly 40% were satisfied with the new assessment approach introduced during the COVID pandemic and 45.5% perceived it as having reduced their home confinement stress. The mean psychological distress score of 3.00 (SD ± 0.71) indicates a moderate impact of COVID-19 on psychological well-being. Students' psychological distress was positively correlated with fatigue level (0.256, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the perceived impact of the new assessment approach on student lifestyle (- 0.133, p < 0.001), physical health (- 0.149, p < 0.001) and coping with stress (- 0.125, p < 0.001). Male students experienced significantly lower fatigue and better psychological well-being than female students. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that new assessment approaches which emerged during home confinement reduced students' perception of stress and of impaired lifestyle. However, students still had a considerable burden of psychological distress, requiring further preventive measures to maintain their psychological well-being during future outbreak events. Educational institutions should consider additional strategies to improve students' preparedness for online teaching, which could help maintain their psychological well-being.

Assessment of the Awareness, Perception, Attitudes, and Preparedness of Health-care Professionals Potentially Exposed to COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates.

BACKGROUND: Since COVID-19 surfaced in December 2019, health-care organizations across the globe have struggled to maintain the safety and well-being of health-care professionals (HCPs). PURPOSE: This study investigates the HCPs' general understanding of the health risks of COVID-19 and to what extent they are equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves and others against this contagion. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a web-based structured questionnaire posted on the UAE government electronic survey portal. A collection of 941 HCPs from diverse general and specialty hospitals in the UAE responded to an electronic participation invite. RESULTS: Our analysis showed that the majority of HCPs (97.6%) had updated information about COVID-19 modes of transmission, risks of contamination, high-risk groups, and the potential consequences of testing positive. Furthermore, the results of the chi-squared testing revealed that the HCPs' confidence and vigilance of the COVID-19 threats were significantly increased (p< 0.01) by being experienced, having had infection control training, or/and having undergone COVID-19 education. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HCPs have an evidence-based understanding of the ways their own health is at risk while they are performing their duties in hospital setups. Further, the study found that HCPs who undergo special infection control training and who are kept posted on the official updates on COVID-19 are more likely to remain vigilant at all times to minimize the risks to themselves and their patients. Although the generalizability of the study findings should be considered with caution, the results could be generalizable to health-care professionals who received similar COVID-19 related training in the UAE or other regional countries.

Maternal Level of Education and Nutritional Practices Regarding Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Preschoolers in Jordan.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess maternal level of education and nutritional practices in order to determine the risk factors related to iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in preschoolers. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was adopted. A cross-sectional sample of 100 anemic preschool children aged 36-59 months (47 girls, 53 boys) was recruited. Data were collected in structured interviews with their mothers. RESULTS: Almost half of children (47%) were moderately anemic and 53% were mildly anemic. Pearson's chi-squared test showed a significant statistical relationship between maternal educational level and hemoglobin level (χ2 = 8.820, p = 0.012). Exclusive breast feeding for the first six months was not associated significantly with low level of hemoglobin 10(χ2 = 2.696, p = 0.101). Complementary feeding had been initiated at 4 months for 30% of children with mild anemia and 24% with moderate anemia (p = 0.122). In the last 24 h there had been minimal consumption of iron absorption enhancers and relatively high consumption of iron absorption inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Our results support the relationship between level of maternal education and level of hemoglobin. However, breastfeeding was not associated with low hemoglobin level since mother had poor nutritional practices regarding breastfeeding. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Health care providers in the southern region of Jordan are recommended to assess the level of maternal knowledge concerning IDA in preschoolers, and conduct educational sessions pertaining to IDA for those with low educational levels. Influencing factors associated with IDA among preschool children in Karak city could be elucidated by a comparative study of anemic and nonanemic preschoolers, which may give a clearer picture of the maternal nutritional practices.

Perceived Sources of Stress Among First-Year Nursing Students in Jordan.

The aim of the current study was to determine the most prevalent sources of stress among first-year nursing students at a military college in Jordan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using a convenience sample of 138 students (females between ages 18 and 22). The Student Stress Survey was used to identify stressors and assess their relative importance. The instrument consists of 40 items divided into four categories of potential sources of stress: (a) intrapersonal, (b) interpersonal, (c) academic, and (d) environmental. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The top five sources of stress reported were: increased class workload (89%), change in living environment (83%), change in social activities (78%), change in eating habits (77.5 %), and change in sleeping habits (76%), with academic sources of stress being the most frequently reported. The results provide valuable information for educators and administrators in nursing colleges to identify types of stress among first-year nursing students and establish strategies to reduce stress among such students, particularly from academic and environmental sources.

The effect of international courses on nursing practice at Jordanian hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Recently, nursing education in Jordan has been radically reformed to fit social and organizational processes of globalization. Jordanian nurses are attending international courses to improve their nursing practice. METHODS: This descriptive, qualitative study was aimed at identifying the impact of Jordanian nurses' participation in international courses on nursing practice in Jordan. Purposive sampling techniques were used. Two focus groups of Jordanian nurses who participated in international courses provided rich data. RESULTS: Findings from the focus groups suggested that participation in international courses makes a significant contribution to nurses' professional and personal development. CONCLUSION: Jordanian nurses are challenged to find ways to actually apply the new skills and knowledge gained from these courses in their work.