Nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness: A multi-national comparison.

Accessible Summary What is known on the subject Health professionals, including nurses, are shown to have stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness. For nursing students who are in their formative years of professional development, mental illness stigma can severely impact the care they provide. Little research has investigated multi-national comparisons of nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study shows that between countries, there were substantial differences amongst nursing students in stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness. Cultural perspectives may explain some of these differences. What are the implications for practice Regardless of location, stigmatizing attitudes are present at varying levels. Each nation can take steps to reduce these by acknowledging the presence of stigmatizing attitudes amongst nurses, educating nurses regarding the negative impacts of stigma on patient outcomes, and decrease stigmatizing attitudes by facilitating opportunities for nurses (particularly student nurses) to have direct contact with people with lived experiences of mental illness. ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Stigmatizing attitudes perpetuated by nursing professionals are a pervasive problem for people experiencing mental health issues. This global issue has detrimental consequences; inhibiting one's life chances and help-seeking behaviours. To date, few studies have compared nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness from a multi-national perspective. AIM: To compare undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness across six countries: Australia, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and USA. METHOD: In a cross-sectional design, data were collected from undergraduate nursing students (N = 426) using the Social Distance Scale. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare differences between countries. RESULTS: Nursing students' attitudes to mental illness differed between countries. Social Distance Scores were highest amongst nursing students from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Students from Taiwan and India possessed moderate stigma scores. Social Distance Scores from the USA and Australia were lowest. DISCUSSION: Clear differences in stigmatizing attitudes emerged between countries; these are discussed in relation to possible cultural influences. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is suggested that educating nurses, combined with direct contact with people with lived experiences of mental illness, can reduce stigmatizing attitudes regardless of country, location or educational institution.

An Agreement Among Nurse Educators on Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Ensure Safe Clinical Training Post-COVID-19.

Background: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices during nursing students' clinical training are based on standardized precautions. However, the spread of COVID-19 raised the need to revise these practices. We aimed in this study to assess nurse educators' agreement on items that represent precautionary guidelines, which enhance safety during clinical training of students. It aimed to reach an agreement among nurse educators on IPC practices to ensure safe clinical training. Materials and Methods: This descriptive explorative, cross-sectional study included 243 Jordanian and Omani educators. The study questionnaire was based mainly on evidence reported in the literature. The study questionnaire comprised items for trainers to practice and items to supervise students. It was developed based on available evidence and recommended training practices during COVID-19 suggested by the WHO and the literature. Both the face and content validity processes were adopted to validate the study questionnaire. The final version was composed of 26 items for trainers and 20 items for students subsumed in the following themes: protecting self, protecting others, and essential training needs. Results: All questionnaire items were rated above the midpoint indicating agreement among participants on including the new IPC practices. All suggested practices (26 items for the trainers and 20 items for the students) were supported by the study participants. Conclusions: Clinical training is an important component of nursing students' preparation. Findings suggest the importance of adding new IPC practices to improve student IPC practices, protect themselves and others, minimize cross-infections, and enhance students' training within a safe clinical environment.

Factors Influencing University Students' Acceptance to Undertake the COVID-19 Vaccine in Jordan.

Vaccines are effective measures that can mitigate the high burden of diseases. However, vaccine refusal poses serious challenges for achieving coverage for population immunity. With the availability of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, limited information is available about the university students' acceptability and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines. This article reports study findings regarding factors that influence university students' decision of acceptability to the COVID-19 vaccine in Jordan. Results highlight the continued need for clear and consistent information about the vaccine by health care decision-makers and university administrations.

Lived Experience of Jordanian Parents Having a Child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a congenitally inherited disease characterized by progressive muscle damage and loss of function in children, which currently has no cure. Parents of children with DMD go through significant challenges when caring for a child with this condition. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of Jordanian parents caring for a child with DMD. DESIGN AND METHODS: We utilized qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological design. Ten pairs of parents of children with DMD were interviewed at their homes from the southern region of Jordan. The Participant verbal as well as nonverbal cues were recorded during the interview. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's 7-step method. RESULTS: Parents experienced psychosocial, emotional, and financial problems, which affected family dynamics and the quality of life. Themes emerged were face the new disease, caring for our child and handling the situation, staying in contact with the outside world, and career options and opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: Parents experienced feelings of stress and anxiety mixed with emotions of hopelessness. Parents relieved anxiety by sharing feelings with others, assuring themselves and accepting the reality of child's illness. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is necessary that parents undergo psychological counseling individually or by joining groups who had similar experiences. Follow-up by experts through the coping process. Addressing equity services in the country is necessary.

Determinants of Substance Use Among High School Students in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Substance use is becoming a global health problem that concerns health professionals and decision makers. Studies showed that teens are at higher risk for substance use. PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to examine the prediction power of the selected sociodemographic and psychological factors on substance use among high school students in Jordan. Specific aims were; 1) to explore substance use among high school students in Jordan, and 2) to examine the prediction power of sociodemographic and psychological factors on substance use among high school students in Jordan. METHODS: This is a predictive cross-sectional study where data was collected using self-administered questionnaires from a convenience sample of 1497 high school students in the central district of Jordan. RESULTS: Students who reported that they have never used stimulant agent were 91.5%, tranquilizer sedative 87.2%, hypnotic agent 85.8% and antidepressant agent 94.5%, while those never used nicotine were 81.7%. Coping efficacy (crude OR = 1.07, CI 95% = 1.03 - 1.12), psychological distress (crude OR = 1.07, CI 95% = 1.03 - 1.11), and perceived social support from family (crude OR = 1.20, CI 95% = 0.95 - 1.24) were significantly associated with substance use. While perceived social support from friends was not. CONCLUSION: High school students are at risk for the use of various forms of substances and mainly the over counter ones. Legitimate rules of screening and using substance prevention programs at high schools considering the psychological factors is a priority for school health professionals and policy makers.

Barriers to nursing pain management in the emergency department: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although pain is a common complaint among patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs), there is a dearth of nursing literature about barriers to pain management. PURPOSE: The study aimed to uncover and understand barriers to pain management in the ED from the registered nurse (RN) perspective. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 ED nurses in a Jordanian hospital. Data were collected throughout August 2016. RESULTS: Two broad categories with subcategories emerged. The first category describes the idea of types of patient, which included three particular groups. These were patients who are violent, patients with relatives who are, and patients with expectations of care that nurses view as unrealistic. The second category describes the taxing ED environment, with two subcategories of staff shortages and physician dominance of pain management. Nurses reported feeling as if they are the victims of external factors and perceived that barriers affected teamwork and led to distress which impairs pain management. CONCLUSIONS: The role of ED nurses in pain management is multifaceted. Therefore, implementing policies to overcome barriers such as violence among ED attenders and the perceived hostility of the ED environment through mandatory security systems, and continuing nursing education including for violence prevention may be beneficial.

Assessing the impact of workplace bullying on nursing competences among registered nurses in Jordanian public hospitals.

AIM: To assess the impact of nursing competences on workplace bullying among registered nurses in Jordanian public hospitals. BACKGROUND: Workplace bullying has serious organizational and health effects on nursing staff. Little is known about the relationship between bullying and nursing competence worldwide. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study using a quantitative method was adopted for this study. The Negative Act Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) and Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) questionnaire were used. A convenience sample of 272 nurses completed the study questionnaires. RESULTS: The results revealed that there were negative correlations between all NAQ scales and all NPC scales. The higher scores indicated better degrees of perceived competency, while the lower scores indicated the frequency of bullying reported by nurses. These results suggest that nurses who have more clinical competencies are less likely to experience work-related bullying. CONCLUSION: The study found that workplace bullying against nursing staff is still a considerable problem in participating Jordanian hospitals. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: To prohibit bullying behavior, nurse administrators have to construct a work environment that demonstrates respect and fairness and which is transmitted through nurses' communication pathways.

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among psychiatric inpatients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at examining correlates of substance use among patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders in Jordan. METHODS: This study used a nonexperimental descriptive survey design. Data were collected through using DUSI-R scale obtained through a self-designed questionnaire. A total of (203) subjects satisfied the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Most used substances prior to admission were caffeine (78.2%), cigarette (60.9%), and alcohol (22.2%), while the least were heroin (1.2%) and inhalants (0.08%). Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia had higher percentages among all other disorders (n = 16, 21.9%), although there was no statistical difference among patients related to their psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSION: We recommend that mental health professionals be equipped with necessary skills to manage substance use among patients with psychiatric disorders.

Mental health nurses' perspective of workplace violence in Jordanian mental health hospitals.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to assess the mental health nurses' perspectives of workplace violence in mental health departments in Jordan. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional correlation study was utilized to address the study's purposes. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires from nurses working in governmental mental health departments in Jordan. FINDINGS: The findings indicated that 80% of the respondents were victims of at least one violent act in the last 2 years. Verbal abuse was the most indicated type of violence. Patients were considered the main source of violence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Policies and legislations addressing workplace violence should be implemented, and nurses should be trained on using such policies. Hospital managers should create a safe work environment by enforcing effective security measures and maintaining adequate staffing.

Prevalence of Health-risk Behaviors among Government Schools' Students in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a developmental stage associated with many behavioural fluctuations and health risks behaviours. In this study, various health risk behaviours among Government school students in Jordan were assessed. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study recruited 1256 students from 20 secondary schools all over the country. Students completed the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS, 2009-2012). The study was conducted in the period between Feb 2016 and Aug 2016. Chi-square (x2) was used to examine differences among the demographic variables. RESULTS: Students scored low in eating breakfast, eating fruit, vegetables, and milk products. However, students scored moderately in hand and mouth hygiene. Students showed minimal incidences of physical attack and physical fight. Although suicidal attempts were not significantly reported, complaining from worries, feeling of sadness and hopelessness were moderately scored. The majority of physical activities were reported from walking or riding bicycles. However, three hours per day was the average of time spent on sitting activities. Students scored lowest in school absenteeism and the majority described their classmates as kind and helpful. Parental control on students' home activities was regarded. CONCLUSION: In comparison with 2004 and 2007 statistics, students revealed improvements in physical activity, and reduced physical attacks and injuries. Future researchers are encouraged to discover factors associated with these changes.

Validating the psychiatric nurses methods of coping questionnaire: Arabic version.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to undertake a psychometric analysis of the Psychiatric Nurses Methods of Coping Questionnaire (PNMCQ) - Arabic version when used to measure coping skills in psychiatric nurses in Jordan. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was adopted in this study. A demographic questionnaire and the 35-item PNMCQ -Arabic were the measures used to collect data. RESULT: The PNMCQ demonstrated valid and reliable values when administered to psychiatric nurses in Jordan after it had been submitted to factor analysis. CONCLUSION: The development of PNMCQ: Arabic Version adequately measures coping skills in psychiatric nurses from a culturally appropriate context. Use of the tool can determine coping skills in psychiatric nurses with the view to positive staff development. Strategies identified based on results of the PNMCQ could ultimately result in better nurse retention and patient outcomes.

TRADITIONAL PRACTICES ADOPTED BY JORDANIAN MOTHERS WHEN CARING FOR THEIR INFANTS IN RURAL AREAS.

BACKGROUND: Traditional practices are commonly present within the Jordanian society, especailly those concerned with infant's care. Some of these practices might be harmful and thus health professioanls are required to substitute these practices with safe and healthy ones. The goal of this study is to determine the traditional practices adopted by Jordanian mothers when caring for their infants in rural areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study design using qualitative method was utilized in this study. A Purposive sample of 30 mothers was recruited from four rural regions in outskirts of Amman the capital city of Jordan. RESULTS: Mothers had traditional infant's care practices pertinent to bathing of babies, including the salting, swaddling, care of the umbilical cord and jaundice. CONCLUSION: Traditional practices are still common in Jordan; some of these behaviors can cause health risks. While health consequences of some of the traditional practices are still not clear, health professianls, especially nurses, are required to intervene by changing policies and education.

Preparing the Family and Children for Surgery.

The focus of this literature analysis is the concept of preparing the family and children for surgery. As posited in the literature, surgery causes stress and anxiety that have a negative impact on both parents and their children. Therefore, the need for health care professionals to facilitate positive preparation for surgery to minimize anxiety and enhance postoperative recovery is important. Preparing the family and children for surgery is discussed in depth under the following themes: Preoperative Anxiety in Children, the Impact of Preoperative Anxiety on the Pediatric Patients and Parents, Preoperative Psychological Preparation for Children and Parents, and the Role of Nurse Practitioners in Preoperative Preparation. Through reviewing the literature, it would appear that some areas of preparation for parents are not as sufficient as they could be, particularly with regard to adequate preoperative education programs. The majority of studies reported that therapeutic play and clown interventions used for psychological preparation of parents and their children have been effective in minimizing and decreasing anxiety levels.

Prevalence and Risk Factors ofWorkplace Violence towardMental Health Staff Departments in Jordanian Hospitals.

A cross-sectional study (n = 262) was conducted to assess the prevalence of workplace violence among mental health departments staff in Jordan. The findings showed that 67.2% of the respondents were victims of at least one violent incident in the last year. Verbal abuse was the most reported type of violence. Patients were considered as the main source of violence. The contributing factors to workplace violence include being unmarried and working longer shifts. Sadly, just being a healthcare worker was found to also be a factor in the incidence of increased workplace violence. As a result of these findings, workplace violence policies and legislation should be instituted, and mental health department staff should be trained on violence-management policies.

Intentions and barriers toward breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers-A cross sectional descriptive study using quantitative method.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is very important for both mother and infant. Within Jordanian hospitals, intentions and barriers to breastfeeding have not been addressed effectively during preparing policies in routine antenatal care or in maternal and child health care. AIM: To identify the intentions and barriers toward breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers with a specific focus on women from low income circumstances. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study using quantitative methods was adopted in this study. Data was collected via the Modified Infant Feeding Intention Scale (MIFIS). FINDINGS: Women reported that for the most part their intention to feed their babies was using formula milk. However, they reported a desire to breastfeed but this intention could be hindered due to limited social support and challenges related to work arrangements. Further, participants also reported concerns regarding perceived pain that breastfeeding may cause and concerns regarding changes in their body shape and weight as a result of breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Views toward breastfeeding among Jordanian women are not homogeneous. Policymakers and nurse educators should be cognizant of findings from this study and use them as guidelines for decision making. Efforts to improve intention toward breastfeeding can be achieved through structured and targeted educational programs for women from low income circumstances, and by modifying policies concerning work conditions for mothers to enable them to breastfeed their babies.

Prevalence of aggressive behaviours among inpatients with psychiatric disorders: A case study analysis from Jordan.

In this study, we investigated the correlates of aggression among consumers with mental illness within two psychiatric hospitals in Jordan. This was a descriptive, cross sectional study carried out by auditing consumers' medical records in regards to incidents of aggression before and during admission. Approval was gained from 203 next of kins to review the consumers' medical records. Results from this case analysis, found the prevalence of aggressive behaviours among psychiatric inpatient's in Jordan to be 23.6%, the most common form of aggression was consumer to consumer and that the aggressive act was more likely to be perpetrated by younger consumers. Such findings contribute to the discourse about aggression and understanding who and what causes aggression can go toward identify strategies for early intervention and management. After all, mental health units should be places of safety, that is, an asylum, and everyone who enters that environment deserves to be safe.

The impact of a mental health clinical placement on the clinical confidence of nursing students in Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of clinical placement in a mental health setting on the clinical confidence of nursing students in Jordan. DESIGN AND SETTING: A non-experimental descriptive survey design was used. Data was collected using the Mental Health Nursing Clinical Confidence Scale (MHNCCS) in Jordan. RESULTS: Data indicates that, as a result of clinical placement, nursing students had improved perceived confidence regarding the concept of mental health and mental illness, felt better able to conduct a mental health status examination, create nursing care plans, administer medication and provide health education to patients in mental health settings. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the clinical confidence among Jordanian nursing students in relation to mental health nursing skills may provide a safer environment for students and patients as well as lead to enhanced well-being and function of patients. In addition, the results of this study may have practical implications for positive changes to the mental health nursing curriculum clinical placement goals.

The perceptions of the ward atmosphere in four Jordanian psychiatric hospitals from the perspective of patients' relatives.

PURPOSE: To describes the perceptions of the ward atmosphere of psychiatric hospitals from the perspective of the relatives of people who were inpatients in those hospitals. DESIGN AND METHODS: A nonexperimental descriptive survey was used. Data were collected using the Arabic version of Moos Ward Atmosphere Scale Ideal and Real forms. FINDINGS: Data indicate that even though relatives of Jordanian mental health patients were generally positive about the ward atmosphere, they would like to see changes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: By describing their current and ideal treatment environments, participants have provided information that can guide interventions to change the ward atmosphere and thus help foster better patient treatment outcomes.