ABSTRACT
The preparedness of nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic is of great importance with regard to the unknown future of the pandemic and other similar ones. Identifying nurses' problems can lead to better planning, preparation and management. In this study, we aim to explore the experiences and challenges of nursing managers' preparedness for timing responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted the research as a qualitative content analysis in Iran in 2022. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with 15 nursing managers who were selected by purposeful sampling. After transcription of the interviews, a content analysis using constant comparison was performed for data analysis based on the Graneheim and Lundman approach. The results of the study can be summarised in the following four main categories and nine subcategories: the necessity of exercises in the same environment (performing exercises to prepare for possible pandemics, experiencing scenes similar to real pandemics, creating the experience of similar environments for the preparation of nurses), educating all members involved in providing services in the COVID-19 pandemic (preparation of non-specialist workers forpandemics, training all members of the treatment and non-treatment team), management and leadership (inappropriate policymaking and unsuitable planning), and processes and structures (processes for providing services and ineffective provision of protective equipment). As we pointed out in this study, it seems that to solve some of these challenges coordination is needed outside the health sector. In addition, the establishment of the National COVID-19 Control Centre can contribute to developing necessary policies and strategies for handling the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Aims: COVID-19 has harmed people's lives and efforts are being made to speed up vaccinations. The growing problem of vaccine uncertainty may affect the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. The objectives of this study were to examine the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Materials & Methods: From July 3 to September 25, 2021, we conducted a web-based, cross-sectional study among the citizens of Ardabil with a snowball sampling strategy under a highly restricted environment. A questionnaire was designed and filled out by 768 participants through social media and email. Associations between COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and determinants were explored using the chi-squared test. Key determinants that predict vaccine acceptance among respondents were modeled through logistic regression analysis. Findings: Of the 932 survey invitees, 768 responded to the questionnaire (response rate, 82.4%). The majority (55.2%) of the study participants were female. Of the 768 respondents, 486 (63.2%) showed interest to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Willingness to get the vaccine is relatively high among older age groups (59.4% among 40+ year old), being married (56.9%), and city dwellers participants (83.09%). In multivariate model, respondents who were above 40 years (OR: 0.7;95% CI:0.5-0.94), and married (OR: 1.43;95% CI: 0.97-2.09) were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance (p<0.05). Besides, people having trust in the health system and vaccine were most likely to accept the vaccine (OR: 1.26;95% CI: 1.01-1.56), and those having a higher perceived risk of acquiring infection were 4.83 times (OR: 4.83;95% CI: 3.78-6.17) higher odds of accepting the vaccine. Conclusion: Our study identified religious/personal beliefs and risk perceptions as the most important predictors that would be affecting COVID-19 vaccine uptake. © 2022, Tarbiat Modares University. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Purpose Since the emergence of a coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV) in December 2019, the whole world is in a state of chaos. Isolation strategy with quarantine is a useful model in controlling transmission and rapid spread. As a result, people remained at home and disrupted their outside daily activities. It led to the closure of educational institutes, which is a source of many students to cope with numerous personal and familial issues. This study aims to focus on exploring the relationships and potential mediational pathways between mental health problems, illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders. Design/methodology/approach The study incorporated snowball sampling techniques through a cross-sectional, Web-based survey and recruited 500 students from different universities of twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad from March 23 to April 15, 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak lockdown. The study used four instruments, Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire and The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for assessing depression, anxiety, illness perception and mental health disorders. Findings The findings indicated normal (43.2%), mild (20.5%), moderate (13.6%) and severe (22.7%) levels of anxiety prevalence in students. Results specified a normal (65.9%), mild (9.10%), moderate (9.12%) and severe (15.90%) depression prevalence and findings stipulated that anxiety disorder prevalence was higher than depression disorder. The correlational results specified a negative and significant relationship between mental health, illness perception, anxiety and depression symptoms. The multiple regression analysis stated that anxiety and depression disorders mediated the relationship between mental health and present illness perception. The perception of illness exhibited a relation to depression and anxiety disorders. Originality/value The study proposed a model to address mental health problems during the lockdown. The (2019-nCoV) illness perception developed mental disorders, including anxiety and depression, which has declined individuals' mental health. There is an urgent need for ongoing clinical examination and management to address psychological disorders and findings suggest assessing mental health to combatting the pandemic worldwide. Findings recommend developing strategies to promote mental health-care facilities during COVID-19 wide-ranging disasters. These results highlight the impending importance of devising strategies to treat mental health problems.