AIM: To determine the range of physical assessment skills practised by critical care nurses and their adoption factors.
STUDY DESIGN: This study uses a cross-sectional survey design. A self-administered questionnaire evaluating 40 physical assessment skills was conducted with 133 staff nurses (response rate: 96.4%) in three critical care units at a Malaysian government hospital between November 2019 and January 2020.
RESULTS: Most nurses applied 32 (80%) skills during every working shift, involving the vital signs and all body systems except the gastrointestinal system. Five skills (12.5%) were occasionally applied, while three skills (7.5%) were rarely applied or not part of most nurses' clinical practice. About 20% of the nurses did not routinely check the respiration rate. Medical and surgical intensive care unit nurses (U = 1129, p
METHODS: The literature was searched via the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Weighted mean difference (WMD) or the risk ratio (RR) was used as the effect indicator, and the effect size was represented by the 95 % confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis based on the perinatal stage, physical activity intensity, physical activity equivalent, and intervention duration was performed.
RESULTS: Totally, 35 studies including 5084 women were included. Physical activity could reduce the incidence and severity of depression in perinatal women. Among depressed women with prenatal depression, low-intensity physical activity, with metabolic equivalents (METs)-min/week being <450, was associated with lower levels of depression. In the general population, the risk of postpartum depression was lower in the physical activity group when the duration of intervention was ≥12 weeks, being II, III stage, and ≥450 METs-min/week. Both low and moderate-intensity physical activity were beneficial to an improved depression severity among depressed women with postpartum depression, and moderate exercise intervention could decrease the risk of postpartum depression in general pregnant women.
LIMITATIONS: Different types of physical activities may affect the effectiveness of interventions.
CONCLUSION: Our study indicated physical activity specifically targeted at pregnant women could reduce depression risk and severity.
METHOD: Pub Med, Web of Science, Science Direct, Ovid Medline, EBSCO, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and the Scientific Information Database (SID) were searched for English and Persian language studies published between 2009 and 2017. The primary outcome of this review was to assess the effects of behavioral interventions on glycosylated hemoglobin. Changes in the blood pressure, Lipid profiles, BMI, Self-efficacy, knowledge, attitude, practice, Self-care behaviors, social support, anxiety, and depression were the secondary outcomes.
RESULTS: Comprehensive search procedures resulted in twenty-three experimental studies with 2208 participants. Eleven studies were included in the Meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, behavioral interventions significantly lower glycosylated hemoglobin -0.61% (95% CI -0.80, -0.41). To explore the effects of the study intervention (regarding what aspects of the intervention are most effective), we then conducted a stratified analysis for HbA1c. Larger effects were found in interventions with a longer duration and higher intensity, delivered in the group format, interventions offered to individuals with higher baseline HbA1c, and interventions delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Moreover, behavioral interventions were effective in improving blood glucose, lipid profiles, knowledge, attitude, practice, self-efficacy, quality of life, and self-care.
CONCLUSION: In line with other behavioral studies, our study shows that behavioral interventions improve self-management in Iranian adults with type 2 diabetes.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to establish a psychometric instrument validation. A total of 389 participants aged 55 years and above were included. The study was conducted in Sarawak, Malaysia, from November 2021 to January 2022 in two phases, translation of the PMT Scale, cross-cultural adaptation, face validation and pre-testing of the PMT Scale. The participants were selected using multistage random sampling in a primary healthcare clinic. Data entry and statistical analysis were performed using IBM SPSS version 26 for exploratory factor analysis and SmartPLS version 3.3.7 for confirmatory factor analysis using partial least square structural equation modelling.
RESULTS: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.760, Bartlett's sphericity test was significant and the total variance explained was 61%. It identified 31 items within eight dimensions of the Protection Motivation Theory scale. The Higher Order Constructs' measurement model indicates that the convergent and discriminant validity were established (Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability: ≥ 0.740; average variance extracted: 0.619 to 0.935 and Henseler's Heterotrait-Monotrait criterion for all constructs' discriminant validity:
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the job satisfaction of the foreign-educated nurses in Malaysia, which includes the job satisfaction dimensions and the significant difference between sociodemographic status and job satisfaction.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 102 foreign-educated nurses working in private hospitals, clinics, hemodialysis centers, nursing homes, and private homes in Malaysia was conducted from September 2017 to March 2018. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: The study revealed that the participants had a median satisfaction score of 22 (IQR = 19 to 24). Serving the sick and needy and participants' self-respect were the highest satisfaction dimensions among the participants (Median = 3, IQR = 3 to 3). Moreover, the job satisfaction was significantly higher for registered foreign-educated nurses (mean rank = 62.5) than for unregistered foreign-educated nurses (mean rank = 48.65) when working in other countries (p = 0.02). Indian nurses (mean rank = 60.36) also expressed higher satisfaction in terms of working in other countries than Filipino nurses (mean rank = 46.88; p = 0.02). In addition, positive relationships with colleagues and superiors led to higher satisfaction among Indian nurses (mean rank = 61.02) than among Filipino nurses (mean rank = 47.24; p = 0.04). The job satisfaction of male foreign-educated nurses was significantly higher than their female counterparts in terms of self-respect, relationship with fellow nurses and superiors, working in other countries, career development, and ease of finding employment (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The overall job satisfaction among the foreign-educated nurses in Malaysia is high, mainly when serving the sick and needy, and their degree of self-respect. Understanding job satisfaction among foreign-educated nurses in Malaysia enables the management team to develop effective strategies for addressing nursing shortages and improving the quality of patient care.
OBJECTIVE: To examine factors related to the QoL of mothers having preterm newborns hospitalized in the neonatal critical unit.
METHODS: A non-probability convenience survey was used in a public hospital in Malaysia, covering 180 mothers whose preterm newborns were hospitalized into level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through the completion of a 26-questions survey of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and the 26-questions of Parental Stress Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and Pearson correlation coefficients.
RESULT: The mean scores for mothers' quality of life were (M = 3.67, SD = 0.73) and maternal stress (M = 3.03, SD = 0.90) out of 5. A mother's occupation was found to be the only factor associated with the quality of life among mothers who have preterm newborns admitted to the NICU. Furthermore, maternal role change was found to have a moderate negative relationship with the quality of life (r = 0.310, p = 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study revealed that the main factors contributing to the mother's QoL during their preterm newborns' NICU admission were role change-related stress. Thus, to maintain a better QoL among this group of mothers during this traumatic period, a special nursing intervention program must be implemented immediately, right after the preterm newborns' admission, to relieve the mothers' stress which has been proven to have a direct effect on the mothers' QoL. The study results will alert healthcare providers, particularly neonatal nurses, on the need to support mothers psychologically in terms of role change. This is to ensure a better quality of life among mothers whose newborns were admitted to the NICU.
METHODS: A systematic literature search guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was performed using the EBSCOHost® platform, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar between July and August 2021. Studies from January 2010 to January 2021 were eligible for review. Nine articles were eligible and included in this systematic review. The risk of bias assessment used the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. The WHO-ICF helped to guide the categorization of fall risk factors.
RESULTS: Seven screening tools adequately predicted fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. Six screening tools covered most of the components of the WHO-ICF, and three screening tools omitted the environmental factors. The modified 18-item Stay Independent Brochure demonstrated most of the predictive values in predicting fall risk. All tools are brief and easy to use in community or outpatient settings.
CONCLUSION: The review explores the literature evaluating fall risk screening tools for nurses and other healthcare providers to assess fall risk among independent community-dwelling older adults. A fall risk screening tool consisting of risk factors alone might be able to predict fall risk. However, further refinements and validations of the tools before use are recommended.
BACKGROUND: On a global scale, with the increase of aging, the number of people in need of palliative care has increased significantly, which has a huge impact on the professional pressure of palliative nurses. Existing literature focuses on examining palliative care from the perspective of patients, but palliative nurses also face the threats to physical and mental health caused by job burnout.
EVALUATION: A systematic literature search has been carried out in the following databases as of October 2021:PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus. The Cochrane Library and Joanna Briggs Institute Library were also searched to confirm if there are any available systematic reviews on the subject. Manually searched the reference list of included papers.
KEY ISSUES: Seventeen studies were included in this review. Five key issues in the palliative care nurse's experience: (1) psychological harm, (2) physical symptoms, (3) negative emotions, (4) Burnout caused by communication barriers, and (5) Lack of experience. Two key issues in the needs of palliative care nurses: (1) social support, and (2) training and education.
CONCLUSION: The pressure of facing death for a long time and controlling the symptoms of patients has a very important impact on the mental and physical health of palliative nurses. Nursing staff have needed to be satisfied, and it is essential to provide support and help relieve the pressure on palliative nurses.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report a comprehensive systematic review investigating the carryover effects of mental fatigue on skilled performance among athletes.
METHODS: A thorough search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost (CENTRAL, SPORTDicus), and Scopus to select relevant literature, as well as on Google Scholar and sources of reference for grey literature. The selected literatures are centred on a mental fatigue protocol in which cognitive tasks are performed prior to athletic tasks. Only studies that used an experimental design to test two conditions, namely mental fatigue and non-mental fatigue, were selected.
RESULTS: Eleven articles were chosen based on the selection criteria. Mental fatigue affects skilled performance in three sports: soccer, basketball, and table tennis. A decline in skilled performance (decreased accuracy, increased performing time etc) is relevant to impaired executive functions. Seven studies focus on offensive skills, whereas only two studies are associated with defensive skills.
CONCLUSION: Mental fatigue has a negative effect on various sports skills of high-level athletes, including their technical and decision-making skills; however, the impact is greater on offensive skills than that of defensive skills in terms of the role of athletes. Impaired executive functions may be responsible for the negative effects of mental fatigue on skilled performance.
METHODS: NPC patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study, and they were divided into well-nourished and malnourished groups according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM). Potential risk factors were initially screened using univariate analysis (p
BACKGROUND: FPE is a cost-effective and helpful tool for reducing fall occurrences.
EVALUATION: This is a systematic review study using electronic searches via EBSCOHost® platform, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar in March 2021. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021232102). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement flow chart guided the search strategy. Articles published from January 2010 to March 2021 were included for quality appraisal using the 'Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomised Designs' (TREND) and the 'Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials' (CONSORT) statement for randomised controlled trial studies.
KEY ISSUES: Six FPE studies selected emphasised on personal health status, exercise and environmental risk factors. These studies reported an increase in fall risk awareness or knowledge and a positive change in fall preventive behaviours. Two studies included nurses as educators in FPE.
CONCLUSION: FPE evidently improved awareness or knowledge and preventive fall behaviour change among older adults. Nurses are in great potential in planning and providing FPE for older adults in community settings.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Expand nurses' roles in fall prevention programmes in community settings by using high-quality and evidence-based educational tools. Highlight the nurse's role and collaborative management in FPE.
METHODS: One hundred and ninety medical doctors and nurses, who were registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialities, were selected to participate in this cross-sectional study using a simple sampling technique. Their KAP of hand hygiene was assessed using a self-structured questionnaire and the collected data was analysed using IBM® SPSS® version 26.0.
RESULTS: Of the 190 healthcare workers, 74.7% were nurses and 25.3% were medical doctors. Among the participants, 53.7% (102) had good knowledge of hand hygiene, 51.6% (98) had positive attitudes towards hand hygiene and 55.8% (106) practised satisfactory hand hygiene. Bachelor education level (adjusted OR = 2.736; 95% CI = 1.101, 6.799; P = 0.030), postgraduate education level (adjusted OR = 6.256; 95% CI = 2.171, 18.028; P = 0.001), poor knowledge (adjusted OR =2.575; 95% CI = 1.263, 5.246; P = 0.009) and negative attitude (adjusted OR = 4.702; 95% CI = 1.263, 5.246; P < 0.001) were the significant predictor variables of unsatisfactory hand hygiene practice among healthcare workers.
CONCLUSION: The performance of hand hygiene among healthcare workers is still far less than optimal, particularly in settings like oncology units. Effective programmes are needed to increase their awareness of hand hygiene KAP, while strict guidelines are needed to reduce nosocomial infections.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a sample of Malaysian patients with T2D. Patients aged 18 years and above, and attending an outpatient diabetic unit of a government hospital were recruited between February and April 2021. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess diabetes knowledge and diabetes self-management practices.
RESULTS: A total of 306 participants completed the questionnaire. Most of them were females (54.2%) and above 55 years old (75.1%). Resultantly, knowledge of diabetes was considered average among 52% of the participants. Only 9.5% of them avoided the consumption of sweet foods during iftar. Practicing late suhoor (p = 0.012) and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (p = 0.026) during Ramadan were significantly associated with a better diabetes knowledge score. Education level (p = 0.000), working status (p = 0.030), and monthly income (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with participants' knowledge level of diabetes. A higher proportion (72.2%) of the participants completed fasting for a month during Ramadan 2020. Meanwhile, hypoglycemia was the main reason (38.8%) for incomplete fasting.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings reflect the need to improve patients' knowledge of diabetes and diabetes self-management practices, especially during Ramadan. Such objectives could be achieved by considering the associated factors identified in this study.