The efficacy of mindfulness-based programs in reducing anxiety among nurses in hospital settings: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The increasing pressure of their professional duties has led to a notable concern regarding the mounting anxiety levels among nurses. The ongoing discussion revolves around the efficacy of mindfulness as a means to alleviate anxiety in nurses. AIM: This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing anxiety among nurses. METHODS: The evaluation followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. An extensive and comprehensive search was conducted across eight databases to identify studies that utilized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and were published in English between 2011 and 2022. Independently, two reviewers assessed the validity of the randomized controlled trials using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials criteria. Additionally, two authors independently employed the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-2) method to evaluate the potential bias in the RCTs. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trial studies that were deemed eligible were included in the current analysis. Based on the literature review, it was determined that mindfulness-based training can assist nurses in reducing their anxiety levels. Furthermore, the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs in enhancing nurses' mindfulness and self-compassion has been firmly established. CONCLUSIONS: Based on existing literature, mindfulness-based interventions have proven to be effective in reducing anxiety levels among nurses. However, in order to enhance the overall quality of research, it is necessary to implement more rigorous controlled designs that include randomization. Additionally, larger sample sizes with a diverse range of participants are needed to establish and validate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs in alleviating anxiety among nurses. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Implementing mindfulness-based training in healthcare organizations can offer numerous benefits. One such advantage is that it can help nurses in reducing anxiety and enhancing their ability to handle the pressures associated with their profession. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Protocol registration ID: CRD42023475157.

Mental health, learning behaviour and perceived fatigue among university students during the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional multicentric study in the UAE.

BACKGROUND: The rapid shift to online education due to COVID-19 quarantine challenged students' ability to accept pure online learning without negative consequences for their physical, emotional and mental health. Some educational institutions introduced new strategies to reduce the psychosocial burden associated with online learning during home confinement. Thus, the primary aims were to determine the consequences of COVID-19 for the psychological well-being and fatigue levels of higher education students and to explore the effects of a new academic assessment approach in reducing home confinement stress. METHOD: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among students, from 30 August to 30 September 2020, of 7 disciplines in all 16 higher colleges of technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Mental Well-being and Learning Behaviours Scale and the modified Copenhagen Burnout Inventory were used to evaluate students' psychological well-being and fatigue levels. A Welch t-test and Welch ANOVA were performed to determine the differences in perceived psychological well-being associated with students' characteristics. Second, Kruskal_Wallis and Mann_Whitney were performed to determine the differences in fatigue level based on students' characteristics. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred students participated. The majority were female (78.5%) and aged from 21-25 years (58.1%). Around 14% of respondents were married with children. Nearly 40% were satisfied with the new assessment approach introduced during the COVID pandemic and 45.5% perceived it as having reduced their home confinement stress. The mean psychological distress score of 3.00 (SD ± 0.71) indicates a moderate impact of COVID-19 on psychological well-being. Students' psychological distress was positively correlated with fatigue level (0.256, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the perceived impact of the new assessment approach on student lifestyle (- 0.133, p < 0.001), physical health (- 0.149, p < 0.001) and coping with stress (- 0.125, p < 0.001). Male students experienced significantly lower fatigue and better psychological well-being than female students. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that new assessment approaches which emerged during home confinement reduced students' perception of stress and of impaired lifestyle. However, students still had a considerable burden of psychological distress, requiring further preventive measures to maintain their psychological well-being during future outbreak events. Educational institutions should consider additional strategies to improve students' preparedness for online teaching, which could help maintain their psychological well-being.

Maternal Level of Education and Nutritional Practices Regarding Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Preschoolers in Jordan.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess maternal level of education and nutritional practices in order to determine the risk factors related to iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in preschoolers. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was adopted. A cross-sectional sample of 100 anemic preschool children aged 36-59 months (47 girls, 53 boys) was recruited. Data were collected in structured interviews with their mothers. RESULTS: Almost half of children (47%) were moderately anemic and 53% were mildly anemic. Pearson's chi-squared test showed a significant statistical relationship between maternal educational level and hemoglobin level (χ2 = 8.820, p = 0.012). Exclusive breast feeding for the first six months was not associated significantly with low level of hemoglobin 10(χ2 = 2.696, p = 0.101). Complementary feeding had been initiated at 4 months for 30% of children with mild anemia and 24% with moderate anemia (p = 0.122). In the last 24 h there had been minimal consumption of iron absorption enhancers and relatively high consumption of iron absorption inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Our results support the relationship between level of maternal education and level of hemoglobin. However, breastfeeding was not associated with low hemoglobin level since mother had poor nutritional practices regarding breastfeeding. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Health care providers in the southern region of Jordan are recommended to assess the level of maternal knowledge concerning IDA in preschoolers, and conduct educational sessions pertaining to IDA for those with low educational levels. Influencing factors associated with IDA among preschool children in Karak city could be elucidated by a comparative study of anemic and nonanemic preschoolers, which may give a clearer picture of the maternal nutritional practices.