The Predictors of Negative and Positive Affect among People with Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined the predictors of negative and positive affect among individuals with dementia. Materials and Methods: A sample of 102 Jordanian participants diagnosed with dementia was recruited from residential care facilities, and data were collected using different measures. Results: The results revealed that higher levels of negative affect were significantly associated with increased physical and verbal agitation among individuals with dementia. Conversely, lower levels of positive affect were associated with residing in a nursing home. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the impact of both negative and positive affect on the well-being of individuals with dementia. Interventions targeting the reduction of negative affect and promoting positive affect could alleviate agitation and enhance emotional closeness in this population.

The Association between Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Using Pain Assessment Tools among Critically Ill Patients.

Background and Objectives: Pain is still undertreated among ICU patients, especially cognitively impaired patients. Nurses play a crucial role in their management. However, previous studies found that nurses had insufficient knowledge about pain assessment and management. Some nurses' socio-demographic characteristics, such as being female; age; years of experience; type of unit, either medical or surgical; education level; years of nursing experience; qualification; position; and hospital level, were found to be associated with their practices of pain assessment and management. This study aimed to examine the association between nurses' socio-demographic characteristics and the use of pain assessment tools for critically ill patients. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 200 Jordanian nurses responded to the Pain Assessment and Management for the Critically Ill questionnaire to achieve the study's aim. Results: The type of hospital, academic qualification, years of experience as a critical care nurse, and hospital affiliation were significantly associated with increased use of self-report pain assessment tools for verbal patients, while the type of hospital and hospital affiliation was significantly associated with an increased use of observational pain assessment tools for nonverbal patients. Conclusion: Examining the association between socio-demographic characteristics and the use of pain assessment tools for critically ill patients is essential for quality pain practice.

The impact of nutrition education on knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding iron deficiency anemia among female adolescent students in Jordan.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a crucial health issue and the most common nutritional deficiency-related problem that affects many adolescents worldwide. Considering its link with the lack of appropriate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), it could be preventable. The aims of this study were (1) assessing hemoglobin levels of female adolescent students, (2) examining their knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding IDA, and (3) evaluating the effect of a nutrition education program on the same. A quasi-experimental design (pretest-posttest control group) involving 363 students from four public secondary schools in Jordan was used. Two schools formed the intervention group (n = 194) and two formed the control group (n = 169). Blood tests for hemoglobin levels and self-report questionnaires were the measures employed. A month-long nutrition education program was conducted with the intervention group. The results revealed that 44.5% of the sample had mild anemia, and 10% had moderate anemia. In terms of knowledge, attitude, and practice, 52.4% exhibited adequate knowledge, 45% engaged in healthy practices, and 42.7% had a positive attitude toward IDA. The intervention group's total KAP scores were significantly higher than the control group (p ≤ .05) post-program. Additionally, the total KAP scores within the intervention group showed significant increase from pre- to post-test (p ≤ .05). It can be concluded that structured educational intervention effectively improves knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding IDA among adolescent females. Health care professionals must not only be oriented about this health problem among this age group, but also be supported to enable their intervention within a school setting.