Perceptions And Experiences Of Nursing Students And Faculty Members Regarding Implementation Of The BS-Nursing Programme.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions and experiences of nursing students and faculty members regarding the implementation of the baccalaureate nursing programme in public-sector setting. Methods: The descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study was conducted at the Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan, from April 15, 2020 to April 15, 2021, and comprised undergraduate nursing students and faculty members. Because of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, the subjects were interviewed through telephonic call using a semi-structured interview guide. Data was analysed using the Creswell's analysis approach. RESULTS: Of the 15 subjects, 10(66.6%) were students aged 21-24 years; 7(70%) males and 3(30%) females. The remaining 5(33.3%) subjects were faculty members aged 25-45 years and with teaching experience of 1-18 years; 2(40%) males and 3(60%) females. A total of 85 codes and 17 categories emerged under 5 major themes; programme positive impacts, curriculum revamping, students' challenges, faculty challenges, and recommendations. The participants believed that the four-year undergraduate nursing programme would improve the profession and quality of nursing care. Some perceived challenges were also pointed out regarding the curriculum, faculty, infrastructure and learning resources. Conclusion: Through the provision of an updated curriculum, qualified teaching faculty, appropriate learning resources and proper infrastructure, the undergraduate nursing programme can be successfully implemented in Pakistan.

Perception of postgraduate medical residents regarding educational environment at French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children, Kabul Afghanistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions of postgraduate medical education residents regarding educational environment at a medical institution in Afghanistan. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2017 to 2018 at the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children, Kabul, Afghanistan, FMIC, and comprised postgraduate medical residents. Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure was administered to determine the perception of learning environment by the residents' perceptions related to learning, teachers, academic self-perception, atmosphere and social self-perceptions sub scales. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 63 subjects, 55(87.30%) were males and 42(66.66%) were married. The overall mean age was 30±4.38 years. There was no significant difference in mean subscales scores and overall scores in relation to participants' age, gender, type of specialty, province and year of training (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in students' perception of teachers in relation with the type of specialty (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The educational environment at the medical institution in Afghanistan was perceived by the students of residency programme as conducive.

Urinary Incontinence: Understanding the Silent Plight of Women.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as the complaint of involuntary loss of urine. UI affects both men and women but is more common in women. It has been identified as a World Health Organization priority. The burden related to UI at local, national, and global levels is huge and its impact in terms of physical, social, mental, and financial aspects makes it a concerning issue. However, there exist several barriers in terms of knowledge and attitude in seeking healthcare among women experiencing UI. This calls upon a multi-disciplinary approach involving professionals from different disciplines and tackling it with collaborative and collective efforts. Key Words: Urinary incontinence, Burden, Multidisciplinary approach, Pakistan, World Health Organization.

The effect of a culturally sensitive mental well-being module on Pakistani nursing students' knowledge and beliefs regarding their own mental health and illness.

This study examined the effect of a mental well-being module on undergraduate nursing students' knowledge and beliefs regarding causes and treatment of mental health and illness, and explored the relationship between these variables and depression and anxiety. The one group design incorporated pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention phases, in a consecutive sample of 246 students in a 4-year BScN programme in Pakistan. A culturally sensitive, interactive mental well-being module of four hours length was delivered to three groups of approximately 40 students per group. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed to assess the difference in the mean knowledge scores. Paired t-tests investigated between-group differences on the factor scores. A total of 112 students screened positive for anxiety and depression symptoms. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference in the mean knowledge scores regarding mental illness (P < 0.001). Factor analysis resulted in four factors for the aetiology items. Paired t-test showed significant differences (P < 0.001) between psycho-social and environmental factors, supernatural and religious beliefs, and neuro-genetics. For treatment, significant differences (P < 0.001) were found between all factors - Professional and Help from others, Religiosity and Socialization, and Alternative and Medical Treatment. There was a significant and positive change in students' mental health knowledge, beliefs and mental health-seeking behaviour and diminished stigmatized beliefs. Based on the findings, it is highly recommended to incorporate the mental well-being program in the curriculum.

Risk factors of breast cancer among patients in a tertiary care hospitals in Afghanistan: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most common causes of women's death, worldwide. Data on risk factors associated with female breast cancer in the Afghan population is very limited. The aim of our study was to identifying risk factor associated with female breast cancer in Afghanistan. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted with inclusion of 201 cases and 201 controls. Patient information was collected by interviewing the patient through a structured questionnaire. Histopathological information was collected from the hospital integrated laboratory management system. The data was analyzed by using logistic regression with univariate and multivariable analyses to determine the association between breast cancer and predictors. RESULTS: The results of the current study showed that factors such as: age (OR = 1.02; 95%CI: 0.99-1.04; p-0.148); age at menarche (OR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.72-0.92; p-0.008); age at first baby (OR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.07-1.20; p- < 0.001); illiteracy (OR = 1.93; 95%CI: 1.16-3.22; p-0.011); smoking (OR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.01-3.99; p-0.04) and family history of cancer (OR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.18-3.32; p-0.009) were significantly associated with breast cancer. However, our study did not demonstrate any statistically significant correlation between breast cancer and some of the predictors that were previously highlighted in literature, such as: marital status, Body Mass Index (BMI), use of hormonal contraceptive, breastfeeding and exercise. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that age at menarche, and age at first baby birth, illiteracy, smoking and family history of cancer were significant risk factors associated with development of breast cancer among women in Afghanistan. Health education of women regarding aforementioned predisposing factors are therefore, expected to be valuable in decreasing the burden of breast cancer with reduction of its burden on the healthcare system in Afghanistan.

Insight into COVID-19 Responses and Initiatives from Pakistan.

The coronavirus pandemic is a rapidly evolving outbreak that has tremendously distressed people worldwide. The paper aims to present some key rapid responses and initiatives to COVID-19 undertaken in Pakistan. The information has been gathered by reviewing material and documents pertinent to COVID-19 in the context of Pakistan. The incidences of COVID-19 cases are gradually increasing; however, the case fatality rate is relatively lower in Pakistan as compared to developed countries. The government has taken massive actions, in terms of lockdowns, quarantine homes, testing facilities, closure of schools, and mass gatherings at places, to combat COVID-19. However, the measures seem to be insufficient due to the fear and stigma attached to it and the low socio-economic conditions. The government has launched initiatives, like Ehsaas cash dissemination programme, for the underprivileged families to address their basic needs; and philanthropic organisations are also coming forward to support these families. The spread of the pandemic is gradually increasing in Pakistan and we recommend strategies like increasing public awareness campaigns, improving screening capacity, and contact tracing to augment the efficiency of the current responses and initiatives. Key Words: COVID-19, Pakistan, Responses, Initiatives.

Mental Health Challenges and Psycho-social Interventions amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call to Action for Pakistan.

The increase in death and spread-related coronavirus (COVID-19) has shifted the world focus to the containment of the disease by emphasising measures to prevent spread in the general population. Such a complex, threatening, and unprecedented situation has left the psycho-social wellbeing needs of general public unaddressed. This paper aims to review the current COVID-19 scenario and its effects on the psycho-social wellbeing of people; and an attempt to shed some light on the aforementioned questions. Furthermore, the review will propose some recommendations for overcoming the mental illness issues, during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. We extracted information from reliable published international and national literature and reviewed anecdotes from media content from January to June 2020. The mental health implications of this outbreak will be long-lasting; however, by prioritising, investing diligently, and taking a collective approach, this challenge can be dealt with in a promising manner. Key Words: Mental health, Psycho-social interventions, COVID-19, Pakistan.