Prevalence, types and predictors of illicit substance use among the hashemite university students in Jordan

The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of illicit substance use among Hashemite University [HU] students, identify the types of substances frequently used, and identify variables that best predict substance use. Data were collected from 835 students studying at HU selected through stratified random sampling using an instrument developed and modified by the researchers. Hundred forty five [17.5%] of the participants indicated that they used at least one of the illicit substances during their entire life. Alcohol was found to be the most widely used substance among students, followed by Central Nervous System [CNS] depressants. The level of education of parents was found to be the best predictor of illicit substance use and explain for 6.2% of the total variance. This study shed light on the importance of health education programs at schools and universities especially for those students who are vulnerable to substance use. Also, parents, teachers and school administrators are responsible for watching the students and encouraging them to use more effective and adaptive ways for coping than using illicit substances

Differences of hospitals' organizational traits in Jordan: nurses' perspectives

This study aims at comparing hospitals' organizational traits and nurses and hospitals' characteristics between teaching, governmental, and private hospitals in Jordan, as perceived by Registered Nurses [RNs]. The Revised Nursing Work Index [NWI-R] [1] was used to collect data from a convenience of 295 nurses who were employed in two teaching hospitals, four governmental hospitals, and three hospitals. The total response rate of the current study was 59%. Significant differences were reported between the three types of hospitals in the following nurses and hospitals' characteristics: shift worked, level of education, ages, average daily census, organizational structures, models of nursing care, decision-making styles, and areas of work. Based on means of the subscales, nurses' autonomy and their control over practice settings were the highest in teaching hospitals but the lowest in private hospitals. The strongest nurse-physician relationships were in governmental hospitals but the weakest were in teaching hospitals. Organizational support for nurses was the highest in teaching hospitals but it was the lowest in private hospitals. Based on the individual items of the scale, F-tests revealed that there were significant differences between the three types of hospitals in some organizational traits. There should be useful managerial tools that help in developing positive organizational traits such as improving nurses' autonomy and nurses' control over practice, enhancing nurse-physician relationships, and enhancing organizational support for nurses. These are considered important traits to produce positive outcomes for nurses, patients, and organizations

Nurses' autonomy: comparative study between American and Jordanian registered nurses

To compare between the autonomy of American registered nurses and the autonomy of Jordanian registered nurses regarding patient care decision and unit operation decisions. A comparative design using a survey method was used in this study employing a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected from 264 American registered nurses and 250 Iranian registered nurses who were working in a teaching hospital in both countries. The Autonomy Scale of Blegen and her colleagues 23 was used to measure nurses' autonomy. Over all, both American and Jordanian nurses had autonomy over patient care decisions more than that over unit operation decisions [Mean= 3.75 for American nurses versus 3.50 for Jordanian nurses]. The majority of differences in patient care decisions were advantageous for American nurses. However, the majority of differences in unit operation decisions were advantageous for Jordanian nurses [Mean= 3.40 for Jordanian nurses versus 2.54 for American nurses]. Nurses' autonomy is centered on patient decision-making, which reflects client advocacy. Differences in nurses' autonomy are related to differences in healthcare systems. In general, nurses' autonomy is important to enhance the quality of nursing care, patients' outcomes, and the survival of healthcare organizations