Corona disease anxiety and health related behaviors: What happened to primgravida women post COVID-19?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked psychological and behavioural changes among pregnant women across the globe and thereby might have a devastating impact on the fetal and neonatal outcomes. The dearth of information related to this significant topic can contribute to surge feelings of uneasiness and perinatal anxiety of primigravida women. Therefore, assessing and investigating the relationship between corona disease anxiety and health related behaviors among primigravida women post COVID-19, would provide an auxiliary template to the Ministry of health in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to integrate this into their sustainable health agenda. Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was used in this study in which a convenient sample of 200 primigravida women completed a Corona disease anxiety scale (CDAS) and pregnant women's health- related behavior changes post COVID-19. Results: More than four fifth of the study subjects reported mild anxiety level (82%) and nearly three fifth of the studied primigravidas' reported fair level of health-related behaviors (59%). Also, a statistical significant correlation was found between the studied primigravidas' anxiety level and their health-related behavior including; healthy diet regimen, follow up visits, and protective personal measures (r = 0.273, P<0.001, r = 0.188, P<0.008, r = 0.242, P<0.001, r = 0.189, P<0.007, r = 0.407, P<0.001 and r = 0.309, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Corona disease anxiety was proved to be the independent predictor of health- related behavior. Mental health screening of primigravida women at the outset of any public health emergency should be prompted.

Psychological first aid intervention: rescue from psychological distress and improving the pre-licensure nursing students' resilience amidst COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Background: The public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in mental and psychological ramifications on the healthcare professionals. The pre-licensure nursing students found themselves not only fighting against the baneful virus but also weak ego resilience. At this point, enriching the pre-licensure nursing students with psychological first aid (PFA) could help them to recover from the feeling of psychological distress and improve their resilience capacity to encounter any upcoming outbreaks. Methods: A quasi-experimental two groups, a pre-post-test study was used in which sixty-four pre-licensure nursing students completed a baseline survey which revealed high levels of psychological distress and low resilience capacity due to the COVID-19 crisis. The study group engaged in the Psychological First- aid Intervention (PFA) at the end of the clinical practicum course period, while the comparison group received routine psychological support. Results: A significant reduction in the psychological distress levels among students in the PFA group (FET=7.83, P = 0. 001). Likewise, significant improvements in the students' resilience capacity level immediately after the intervention (FET=3.34, P = 0.019) and during the two-month follow-up (FET=12.94, P = 0. 001). The implementation of PFA enhanced the pre-licensure nursing students' psychological health status and resilience capacity levels after their clinical training amid the ambiance of the COVID-19 crisis. Conclusion: The PFA effectively fostered the pre-licensure nursing students' recovery from the COVID-19 related- psychological distress and improve their resilience capacity. The application of RAPID model is recommended to reduce stress and prevent burnout among novice and future nurses who show signs of psychological exhaustion.

Older Adults' Perceived Risk Regarding COVID-19 and Intention to Vaccinate: Role of Health-Related Literacy.

The current cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to explore the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related health literacy, perceived risk, and intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. A sample of 414 older adults completed several questionnaires regarding COVID-19 risk perception, intention to vaccinate, and health literacy. Results revealed that more than one half of older adults demonstrated perceived high risk related to COVID-19 infection. Moreover, 31.6% of older adults noted their unwillingness to get vaccinated, and 39.4% demonstrated low health literacy regarding COVID-19. A significant positive correlation was found among older adults' perceived risk regarding COVID-19 infection, intention toward vaccination against COVID-19, and COVID-19-related health literacy. Findings serve to aid the Ministry of Health in planning proactive steps to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in older adults. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(2), 57-67.].

Mental strain and changes in psychological health hub among intern-nursing students at pediatric and medical-surgical units amid ambience of COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive survey.

COVID-19 pandemic brings with it a new reality and changes in the context of traditional nursing clinical training. Intern-nursing students face challenges in providing care for suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to explore the mental strain and changes in the psychological health hub among the intern-nursing students during COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 150 intern-nursing students from 13 pediatric and medical-surgical units at Alexandria University Hospitals completed the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome COVID-19 Staff Questionnaire and rated their psychological distress on the General Health Questionnaire. Study results revealed that the most stressful factors were related to possibility of getting COVID-19 infection (2.89 ± 0.39) and transmitting it to their families (2.72 ± 0.62). Moreover, the availability of cure or vaccine for the disease was the most important motivational factor to participate in future outbreaks (2.64 ± 0.77). Regarding intern-nursing students' psychological health hub, 77.3% of them felt under strain, worthless and depressed (64.7%, 62.7%) since the influx of COVID-19 pandemic. Binary logistic regression indicated that students' age (23-24), clinical experience (8 months) and clinical placement in adults' units served as risk factor for developing psychological distress while, male gender and training in pediatric units were protective factors. Designating an emergency psychiatric unit for ongoing monitoring and providing psychological first aids to the vulnerable health care providers is recommended.