Sustainability consciousness among nursing students in Egypt: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Recognizing nurses as pivotal change agents and urgent preparation for the next generation is crucial for addressing sustainability issues and cultivating a sustainable healthcare system. Reports highlight gaps in the integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) into nursing curricula, prompting the International Council of Nurses to stress the importance of sustainable development in nursing education. The extent to which nursing students are aware of sustainability issues remains to be determined. This study addresses a global and Egyptian research gap by evaluating and comparing Sustainability Consciousness (SC) levels among nursing students at three universities, providing insights into awareness, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainability. METHODS: This descriptive comparative study was conducted across three nursing faculties within three Egyptian public universities. The target population for this study was undergraduate nursing students enrolled in these universities during the academic year 2022-2023. This study used the extended version of the Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ-L) to measure individuals' knowingness, attitudes, and behaviors related to the three dimensions of sustainable development: environmental, social, and economic. RESULTS: More than half of the nursing students across the three universities expressed unfamiliarity with the SDGs. Social media was the most common source of information across the three universities. Sohag University recorded the highest median (IQR) scores in sustainability knowingness (72.0, IQR: 70.0-81.0), attitudes (56.0, IQR: 53.0-61.5), and behavior (65.0, IQR: 60.0-69.0) across their respective dimensions, as well as in overall SC (195, IQR: 184.5-208.5). This was followed by Damanhour University, with a median score of 179.0 (IQR: 124.5-194), and then Alexandria University, with a median score of 116.0 (IQR: 85.5-153), all of which were significantly different (all with p values=0.000). Older students from rural areas exhibited higher SC median scores, while students with insufficient family income and no familiarity with the SDGs had lower SC scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the prevalent reliance on social media for information among nursing students across these universities, emphasizing the pivotal role of academic institutions in integrating sustainability development concepts in nursing education. Sohag University's notable commitment to sustainability practices has contributed to the higher SC of its students compared to Alexandria and Damanhour Universities. The study also identified age, place of residence, family income, and familiarity with the SDGs as consistent predictors of sustainability consciousness.

Cluttered spaces, strained bonds: Examining the correlation between hoarding symptoms and social functioning among long-term care facilities older adult residents.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of hoarding, such as the inability to part with possessions, leading to significant clutter, are commonly observed among residents in long-term care facilities in Egypt. This behavior significantly impacts their social interactions and functioning. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between hoarding symptoms and social functioning among older adult residents in long-term care facilities. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional survey on a purposive sample of 300 older adults. TOOLS: Saving Inventory-Revised and Functional Idiographic Assessment Template-Questionnaire-Short Form were used. RESULTS: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between hoarding symptoms and social functioning (r = 0.682, p < 0.000). A linear regression analysis supported this correlation, establishing hoarding symptoms as a significant predictor of social functioning (adjusted R2 = 0.32). CONCLUSION: The current study highlighted that a significant proportion of long-term care older adult residents displayed moderate hoarding symptoms and compromised social functioning. A noticeable positive association was observed between hoarding symptoms and social functioning. These results underscore the potential impact of hoarding symptoms on various aspects of social functioning. Given these findings, long-term care nurses should comprehend the various facets of compulsive hoarding behavior and devise effective strategies for assessment and intervention. Establishing support groups within these facilities could provide a platform for these residents to share their experiences and coping strategies. This could reduce interpersonal conflicts and argumentativeness and foster emotional expression and intimacy.

The effectiveness of an interactive digital-based educational program in improving breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy among primiparous women in Egypt.

Malnutrition is the main cause of two-thirds of deaths among Egyptian under five children, which could be due to reduced rates of breastfeeding, as it is one of the contributing factors. Breastfeeding is the optimal solution for health promotion to mothers and their infants. It has various benefits not only for the mother and infant but also for society. Breastfeeding educational programs are essential for the enhancement of knowledge and self-efficacy of new mothers, and to ensure a longer duration of breastfeeding. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of an interactive digital-based educational program about breastfeeding on the knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of primiparous women in Egypt. A quasi-experimental study design was adopted. The study was held in Itay El-baroud maternal and child health center, whereby 120 pregnant women were purposively selected. Then, they were randomly assigned to either a study group (60) or control group (60). The derived data were statistically analysed using SPSS version 20, Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-square test and independent sample t test were utilized. Four tools were utilized for data collection. A statistically significant mean difference was found concerning total breastfeeding knowledge scores after one month and three months. The total attitude and self-efficacy scores showed highly statistically significant differences after one month and three months from the start of the program. Moreover, breastfeeding self-efficacy was found to be positively correlated with knowledge and attitude. In conclusion, the interactive digital-based educational program about breastfeeding was suggested to be effective in enhancing the knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy of the primiparous women, in combination with other health education activities. Therefore, it is recommended that web-based educational sites are created for first-time mothers.