Interventions using the Qur'an to promote mental health: a systematic scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Accommodating and addressing the beliefs and attitudes of Muslim patients, means designing culturally competent mental health services. Practicing Muslims around the world often use the Qur'an when seeking guidance for health. AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify interventions using the Qur'an as a promoting factor for mental health. METHODS: The paucity of academic literature in the area meant a systematic scoping review of the evidence was appropriate. Conducting the search for peer-reviewed evidence used six databases, searching for grey literature used Google Scholar, for evidence published up to 29th December 2022. Analysis used the Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for practice and Research recommendations (PAGER) framework for scoping reviews to report the findings clearly and accessibly. RESULTS: Out of 1590 articles from databases and 35 from other sources (n = 1625), 79 full-text articles meeting the inclusion criteria were retrieved. Further assessment for eligibility, excluded 35 articles; leaving 44 studies in the final analysis. Interventions identified Salah and supplicant praying, recitation, reading, memorizing and listening to the Qur'an to reduce anxiety, depression and stress and increase quality of life and coping. There was a paucity of evidence from Western countries utilising the Qur'an to support mental health and wellbeing, suggesting a lack of cultural accommodation. Interventions tended to be mostly biomedical and excluded exploration of psychosocial factors such as the effect of social support. CONCLUSIONS: Future research could utilise the Qur'an for Muslim patients, integrating it into routine health care interventions and delivery platforms and more closely relating to Islamic lifestyles. This aims to promote mental health and wellbeing, working towards the WHO 2013-2030 MHAP building mental health and psychosocial support capacity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, good health and wellbeing, by 2030.

The Factor Structure of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale in Veterans Experienced Chemical Weapon Exposure.

This study aimed to determine the factor structure of the spiritual well-being among a sample of the Iranian veterans. In this methodological research, 211 male veterans of Iran-Iraq warfare completed the Paloutzian and Ellison spiritual well-being scale. Maximum likelihood (ML) with oblique rotation was used to assess domain structure of the spiritual well-being. The construct validity of the scale was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha, Theta (θ), and McDonald Omega (Ω) coefficients, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and construct reliability (CR). Results of ML and CFA suggested three factors which were labeled "relationship with God," "belief in fate and destiny," and "life optimism." The ICC, coefficients of the internal consistency, and CR were >.7 for the factors of the scale. Convergent validity and discriminant validity did not fulfill the requirements. The Persian version of spiritual well-being scale demonstrated suitable validity and reliability among the veterans of Iran-Iraq warfare.

Assessment of Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms in Female Drug Users: Standardized vs. Unstandardized Methods.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is a difference in the identified prevalence between the assessment of symptoms of sexual dysfunction in female drug users using a standardized scale and by means of a nonstandardized set of questions about sexual dysfunctions. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with two groups of substance-dependent women using the Drug Abuse Screening Test, the Short Alcohol Dependence Data questionnaire, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence for the evaluation of the severity of dependence, and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. FINDINGS: In both groups, the severity of dependence and the prevalence of symptoms of sexual dysfunctions in women were similar. CONCLUSION: The use of standardized and nonstandardized instruments to assess sexual dysfunction symptoms is an essential resource for the provision of good-quality care to this clientele.

Criminality and Sexual Behaviours in Substance Dependents Seeking Treatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the link between violence, crime, and sexual behavior among patients with substance-related disorder admitted to a specialized inpatient care unit. This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, drug of choice (DOC), questions about sexual behavior, and instruments to evaluate the severity of dependence (SADD, DAST, FTND), level of impulsivity (BIS-11), and a screening sex addiction scale. The sample consisted of 587 adult subjects, of which 82.3% were men, 66.4% had used cocaine (sniffed and smoked) as their DOC, 24.4% had a history with the criminal justice system, 26.8% had committed crimes, 19.3% had engaged in violent behavior, and 12.2% had been involved in drug trafficking. In this sample, crime was strongly associated with various sexual behaviors and the severity of substance dependence.

Cultural Competence in Counseling the Muslim Patient: Implications for Mental Health.

Given the rapidly growing population of Muslims in Western societies, it is imperative to develop a better understanding of the mental health needs and concerns of this community. Muslim religious beliefs have an impact on the mental health of individuals, families and communities. The lack of understanding of the interplay between religious influences on health or sickness behaviors can have a significant effect upon the delivery of nursing practice. The Muslim community is experiencing social exclusion (social exclusion correlates with mental health problems) related to their cultural and religious identity. In addition, the emergence of radical extremism and the resulting media coverage have magnified this problem. Misunderstanding the worldview of the patient can lead to ethical dilemmas, practice problems, and problems in communication. Often, Muslim individuals are stigmatized and families are rejected and isolated for their association with mental health problems, addiction and suicide. There are indicators that Muslims experience mental ill health, but that they either are unidentified by mainstream mental health services or present late to the services. The aims of the paper are to examine the religious and cultural influences on mental health beliefs of Muslims, and provide an understanding of mental health problems, and its implications in counseling and spiritual interventions.

Cultural competence in nursing Muslim patients.

Delivering high-quality care to Muslim patients involves having an awareness of the ramifications of the Islamic faith and Islamic beliefs. Nurses need to understand the implications of spiritual and cultural values for clinical practice. They should be aware of the need for modesty and privacy, the appropriate use of touch, dietary requirements and use of medications. This article reviews the key issues involved in delivering culturally competent care to Muslim patients.

Sexual risk behaviors in non-injecting substance-dependent Brazilian patients.

This study seeks to evaluate sexual risk behaviors in non-injecting substance-dependent patients admitted for specialized inpatient Brazilian care. A cross-sectional study using socio-demographic and sexual behavior information, drug of choice, Short Alcohol Dependence Data, Drug Abuse Screening, and Test for Nicotine Dependence was used in 299 subjects with different levels of sexual vulnerability as measured by the number of sexual partners in the last year and the frequency of condom use with intercourse/penetration. The findings showed that approximately 39% the subjects of the high risk sexual behavior group exhibited a higher prevalence of others sexual risk behaviors, including having sex with sex workers (RP=1.96), homosexual experiences, and homosexual experiences in exchange for drugs, history of STIs (RP=1.39), HIV testing, use of the morning– after pill (RP=1.78) and induced abortion. The probability of alcohol and cocaine snorted user having high risk sexual behaviors is 2.47 and 1.66 times respectively higher than crack users. In addition, users with substantial or severe levels of problems with drugs had a probability of 3.64 times greater of high risk sexual behaviors. Identifying, preventing, and managing these high risk sexual behaviors related to alcohol and other drugs are an excellent opportunity to bolster their treatment.

Types of substance misuse and risk factors.

This first in a two-part series on substance misuse among older people discusses the pattern of misuse in this group and outlines the different types of misusers. It also explores the risk factors for alcohol misuse and its effects, as well as other types of substance misuse.

Educational intervention of undergraduate nursing students' confidence skills with alcohol and drug misusers.

There is a paucity literature on the educational interventions and evaluation programmes in alcohol and drug with undergraduate nursing students in the United Kingdom and this study intends to add a body of knowledge to this area. The aim of the study was to assess the intervention confidence skills of undergraduate nursing students before and after an educational intervention on alcohol and drug misuse. The research study is a quasi-experimental, pre- and post-test design. The sample was made of four cohorts of undergraduate nursing students (n=110) enrolled at a course leading to a diploma or BSc in nursing from three educational institutions. A visual analogue scale was used to measure intervention confidence skills before and after the educational programme in alcohol and drug. The findings showed an improvement in the level of intervention confidence skills of undergraduate nursing students. Further research is needed to examine effectiveness of educational interventions in working with substance misusers and whether substance misuse education is the key predictor of changing in changing intervention confidence skills.

Predictors of educational outcomes of undergraduate nursing students in alcohol and drug education.

This paper reports a study which aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational programme on alcohol and drug on knowledge acquisition, changes in attitude and intervention confidence skills of undergraduate nursing students and identify the influence of selected demographic variables on educational outcomes. Despite the high levels of morbidity and mortality resulting from substance misuse, few nurses have been adequately prepared to respond effectively. There remains a dearth of evidence on the educational interventions in alcohol and drug with undergraduate nursing students and this study intends to add a body of knowledge to this field. A quasi-experimental, pre-post-test design was used using with a purposive sample of four cohorts of undergraduate nursing students (n=110) in England. Pre-tests and post-tests after the educational intervention on alcohol and drug were administered to measure the educational outcomes. The data was collected between March 2002 and September 2003. The results showed the educational intervention on alcohol and drug had a significant impact on educational outcomes. There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test knowledge mean score (t=-.4.61, d.f.=109, p=0.000), attitude (t=-2.36, d.f.=109, p=0.02) and intervention confidence skills (t=-9.75, d.f.=109, p=0.000). Within the multi-layered hypothesis, the results indicate that only ethnicity was found to have a significant influence on both knowledge acquisition (F(2,106)=6.59, p=0.002) and intervention confidence skills (F(2,106)=15.0, p=0.000). The study provides some evidence that a short intensive educational programme on alcohol and drug can be effective in improving educational outcomes. Further research should be undertaken with undergraduate nurses specialising in different branch of nursing.

Predictors of course satisfaction and perceived course impact of addiction nurses undertaking a postgraduate diploma in addictive behaviour.

The effectiveness and impact of continuing education for specialist nurses working with drug and alcohol had been poorly documented and the purpose of this study was to enhance our understanding of this process. The aims of the study were to identify predictors of course satisfaction and perceived course impact and to examine students' satisfaction with modules' learning outcomes and their applications to practice. This study was a cross-sectional survey of 46 part-time students enrolled a Postgraduate Diploma in Addictive Behaviour. Three instruments were used to measure modules' satisfaction, post-course satisfaction (PCSQ-18) and on-the-job impact (CIQ-17). The findings provided some support on the effect and impact of an educational programme on the practice development of addiction nurses. Within the multilayered hypothesis, the results indicate that expectations on the Health Education and Prevention Module were the only significant predictor of course satisfaction and Expectation of the Special Population Module was the only significant predictor of course impact on professional practice. Clinical placements have had a significant impact on professional practice of addiction nurses. Further evaluative studies need to be undertaken to examine the impact of educational programmes on its applications to clinical practice and the quality of care provided.

Writing for international publication in nursing journals: a personal perspective (part 1).

The number of printed and electronic (Internet) academic nursing publications in Brazil and around the world highlights the importance attached to publishing in the field of nursing. Internationally, journals are ranked according to their professional merits and peer review orientations. Financial institutions increasingly value publications in renowned journals as one criterion for granting funds for research. One important reason why many scientific articles do not meet the requirements from international journal reviewers, especially those submitted English, is the result of poor and literal translation of the text. The challenge we are facing in Latin America is to encourage the development of articles for publication in internationally reviewed journals. Co-authorship is a potentially stimulating model for researchers and postgraduate students to publish. This task can be undertaken through the help of international supervisors and researchers, supervisors or postgraduate students with good command of the English language. This article aims to demystify the publication process and present some guidelines on how to publish in international journals.

Writing for international publication in nursing journals: a personal perspective (Part 2).

The number of printed and electronic (Internet) academic nursing publications in Brazil and around the world highlight the importance attached to publishing in the field of nursing. Internationally, journals are ranked according to their professional merits and peer review orientations. Financial institutions increasingly value publications in renowned journals as one criterion for granting funds for research. One important reason why many scientific articles do not meet the requirements from international journal reviewers, especially those submitted English, is the result of poor and literal translation of the text. The challenge we are facing in Latin America is to encourage the development of articles for publication in internationally reviewed journals. Co-authorship is a potentially stimulating model for researchers and postgraduate students to publish. This task can be undertaken through the help of international supervisors and researchers, supervisors or postgraduate students with good command of the English language. This article aims to demystify the publication process and present some guidelines on how to publish in international journals.

Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Behaviors in a Sample of Brazilian Male Substance Misusers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between self-reported sexual dysfunction, sexual behavior, and severity of addiction of drug users. A cross-sectional design study was conducted at an inpatient addiction treatment unit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a sample of 508 male drug users. Sociodemographic data, sexual behavior, and severity of dependence were evaluated.The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 37.2% and premature ejaculation was 63.8%. Men with sexual dysfunction presented from moderate to severe level of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs of dependence. The findings from this study are particularly relevant identifying those sociodemographic factors, severity of drug use, and sexual behavior are related to men who experience sexual dysfunction. Health promotion and motivational interventions on sexual health targeted to male drug users can contribute in reducing these at-risk behaviors. More interdisciplinary research is desirable in future in considering men's sexual health.

Nurses' involvement in end-of-life care of patients after a do not resuscitate decision on general medical units in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the essence of the nurses' lived experience and explore the meaning of their involvement in end-of-life care after a do-not-resuscitate decision has been made. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: The research design embraced qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approaches utilising aspects of phenomenology. Purposive sampling of twenty-six registered nurses was used. Data was collected using the reflective journaling technique and were analysed using an integrated approach. Field notes were also used as a mean to enrich the description of the findings contextually. SETTING: Medical units in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged: exhausted medical treatment, continuity of nursing care and cultural considerations in nursing care. Related sub-themes were also identified as an extension to the description of the main themes. CONCLUSION: The findings affirm that nurses working on medical units continue to maintain a constant level of care for patients and families after the do-not-resuscitate decision. Nurses found that caring for dying patients was a rewarding and worthwhile experience, albeit a challenging and demanding one. The findings suggest that improvement in end-of-life care would be best achieved by collaborative and interdisciplinary practices amongst the health care team members.

The rational use of psychoactive substances.

Health professionals have a responsibility to ensure the rational use of prescribed psychoactive medicines. The appropriate use of these drugs has become a cause for concern in the U.K. because of increased consumption. This article discusses irrational prescribing and the implications for practice.

The Impact of an Educational Program in Brief Interventions for Alcohol Problems on Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Brazilian Context.

Nurses are the prime movers in the prevention and harm reduction in alcohol-related harm especially for those patients who are unwilling to access specialist care. The aim of the study is to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of nursing students before and after Brief Intervention Training for alcohol problems. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 120 undergraduate nursing students. Sixty recruited students were randomized into experimental and control groups (n = 60 each). Participants completed questionnaires on knowledge and attitudes before and after this training of brief intervention. The brief intervention program, 16 hours of duration, includes training for screening and early recognition, nursing, and the treatment of alcohol problems. Analysis of the data showed statistically significant positive change in the nursing students' knowledge (identifications and care) and personal and professional attitudes in working with patients with alcohol problems after the educational intervention. The experimental group differed significantly in all the variables measured at posteducational program. The provision of educational program on brief intervention in undergraduate nursing education can be an effective way for acquisition of knowledge and changes in attitudes in working with patients with alcohol problems.

Adolescents and alcohol misuse.

Alcohol misuse is regarded as a major public health issue, which results in more health-related problems than tobacco and illicit substances. Alcohol misuse among adolescents is on the increase and excessive drinking is associated with psychological, social and physical harm to the individual, family and society.

Comportamientos sexuales de riesgo en pacientes brasileños dependientes de drogas no inyectables / Sexual risk behaviors in non-injecting substance-dependent Brazilian patients

Este estudio pretende evaluar los comportamientos sexuales de riesgo en pacientes dependientes de sustancias no inyectables admitidos en hospitalización especializada brasileña. Se realizó un estudio transversal con información sociodemográfica, información sobre el comportamiento sexual, droga de elección y se les aplicó el Short Alcohol Dependence Data, Drug Abuse Screening, Test for Nicotine Dependence. La muestra fueron 299 sujetos con distintos niveles de vulnerabilidad sexual medida combinando el número de parejas sexuales con la frecuencia de uso del condón en sus relaciones sexuales durante el último año. Los resultados muestran que entre los sujetos del grupo de alto riesgo aproximadamente un 39% tuvieron también una mayor prevalencia de otros comportamientos sexuales de riesgo, como sexo con prostitutas (RR1.96), experiencias homosexuales y experiencias homosexuales a cambio de drogas, historia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (RR1.39), realización de la prueba del VIH, uso de la píldora del día después (RR1.78) y aborto inducido. La probabilidad de que los usuarios de alcohol o cocaína tuvieran un comportamiento sexual de alto riesgo fue 2.47 y 1.66 veces respectivamente más alta que los consumidores de crack. Además, los usuarios con niveles sustanciales o graves de problemas de drogas tenían 3.64 veces mayor probabilidad de comportamiento sexual de alto riesgo. Identificar, prevenir y gestionar las conductas sexuales relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol y otras de drogas es una excelente oportunidad para fortalecer su tratamiento

This study seeks to evaluate sexual risk behaviors in non-injecting substance-dependent patients admitted for specialized inpatient Brazilian care. A cross-sectional study using socio-demographic and sexual behavior information, drug of choice, Short Alcohol Dependence Data, Drug Abuse Screening, and Test for Nicotine Dependence was used in 299 subjects with different levels of sexual vulnerability as measured by the number of sexual partners in the last year and the frequency of condom use with intercourse/penetration. The findings showed that approximately 39% the subjects of the high risk sexual behavior group exhibited a higher prevalence of others sexual risk behaviors, including having sex with sex workers (RP=1.96), homosexual experiences, and homosexual experiences in exchange for drugs, history of STIs (RP=1.39), HIV testing, use of the morning-after pill (RP=1.78) and induced abortion. The probability of alcohol and cocaine snorted user having high risk sexual behaviors is 2.47 and 1.66 times respectively higher than crack users. In addition, users with substantial or severe levels of problems with drugs had a probability of 3.64 times greater of high risk sexual behaviors. Identifying, preventing, and managing these high risk sexual behaviors related to alcohol and other drugs are an excellent opportunity to bolster their treatment

The influence of learning styles preference of undergraduate nursing students on educational outcomes in substance use education.

This paper reports a study identifying the learning styles preference of undergraduate nursing students and examining its influence on educational outcomes. There are limited recent studies in the UK on the learning styles preference of undergraduate and its influence on educational outcomes. A purposive sample of 110 undergraduate nursing students completed a demographic questionnaire and the Honey and Mumford's learning styles inventory. A pre-post-test design was used to evaluate the educational outcomes. Reflector learning styles preference was the dominant learning styles among the majority of undergraduate nursing students. An interesting phenomenon about the distribution of the learning styles preference is the additional "dual" learning style category. The hypothesis that learning styles preference will determine knowledge acquisition, changes in attitude and intervention confidence skills was rejected. However, as this is a multi-layered hypothesis the findings showed that only the dual learning styles preference group was found to have a significant influence in intervention confidence skills. Further research is warranted to replicate this study using the same methodology but with several different population samples specialising in different branch of nursing. As there are limited literature on the dual learning styles preferences, this dual preference phenomenon needs further investigation to establish its acceptability in nursing education.