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Purpose As the shortage of nurses and midwives is expected to worsen in the Eastern Mediterranean region concomitantly with a growing focus on achievement of universal health coverage, nurses and midwives are expected to fill major gaps in health care. Hence, the need for a solid evidence base for nursing practice and a clear direction for clinical nursing research are paramount. Therefore, a Delphi survey was conducted to determine clinical (research focused on patient outcomes) nursing and midwifery priorities for research within this region. Design A Delphi survey, using iterative rounds of an online survey of regional clinical nursing and midwifery research experts, was conducted between January and April 2016. Methods Consensus was determined by percentage agreement on level of priority for topics as determined by participants. Additionally, results were compared between countries within the region by income and mortality levels using Kendall's tau. Findings Critical research topics were focused on public/community/primary care as well as emergency preparedness for disasters, and these priorities are well aligned with gaps in the literature for this region. There were statistically significant differences between priority level and country mortality group for geriatrics, self-management of disease, and sexually transmitted infections. Conclusions Critical research priorities should focus on population-based health topics. Between-country differences should be analyzed further. A clinical research database for the region may help improve research access for nurses and midwives. Clinical Relevance Practicing nurses and midwives lack extensive evidence (including culturally relevant evidence) on which to practice. Increasing research in areas identified in this survey may improve patient outcomes and quality of care regionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Because of the profound shortage of nurse and midwifery researchers in many African countries, identification of clinical nursing and midwifery research is of highest priority for the region to improve health outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to gain consensus from experts on the priorities of clinical nursing and midwifery research in southern and eastern African countries. Method: A Delphi survey was conducted among experts in the region. Criteria for "expert" included (a) a professional nurse, (b) a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing, (c) published research, (d) affiliated with a school of nursing with at least a master's level nursing program, and/or (e) identified by the African core collaborators as an expert in the region. A list of candidates was identified through searches of published and gray literature and then vetted by core collaborators in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa. Core collaborators held leadership roles in a nursing school and a doctoral degree in nursing, had conducted and published nursing research, and resided in an included country. Results: Two rounds of the Delphi survey were required to reach consensus. In total, 40 participants completed both rounds, and at least one participant from each country completed both rounds; 73% and 85% response rates were achieved for each round, respectively. Critical clinical research priorities were infectious disease/infection control and midwifery/maternal health topics. These included subtopics such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal health and mortality, infant mortality, and obstetrical emergencies. Many other topics were ranked as important including patient outcomes, noncommunicable diseases, and rural health. Discussion: Areas identified as research priorities were consistent with gaps identified in current literature. As evidenced by previous research, there is a lack of clinical nursing and midwifery research in these areas as well as nurses and midwives trained to conduct research; these priorities will help direct resources to the most essential research needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the effect of HIV scale-up services on the role of nurses in South Africa. It states that the health care system in the country was seriously stressed due to the increase in number of individuals who need care and treatment for HIV/AIDS. It notes that the context of HIV in South Africa has led to the potential of improving the nursing practice and human resources for health, with the aim of strengthening health systems while enhancing access to effective health services.

Objective: this paper aims to describe the first phase of a project whose general goal was to develop a consensus-based set of advanced practice nurse competencies applicable to Latin American countries and, based on these competencies, produce an advanced practice nurse curricular prototype adapted to Latin American countries. The project was framed in a competency-based approach to advanced practice nursing education. The specific aims of the first phase of the project described in this paper were: 1) to identify a set of potential advanced practice nurse competencies that would serve as the template for Core Advanced Practice Nurse Competencies in Latin American countries and 2) to establish consensus for Core Advanced Practice Nurse Competencies in Latin American countries. Method: advanced practice nurse competencies were derived from a comprehensive review of published competencies and informed the development of a survey designed to assess the relevance of advanced practice nurse competencies in Latin American countries. The survey was distributed to nurse leaders and nurse educators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: consensus for Core Competencies was established. Conclusion: the Core Advanced Practice Nurse Competencies presented can provide a structured framework to build educational programs aligned to the needs of the regional environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: Because of the profound shortage of nurse and midwifery researchers in many African countries, identification of clinical nursing and midwifery research is of highest priority for the region to improve health outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to gain consensus from experts on the priorities of clinical nursing and midwifery research in southern and eastern African countries. Methods: A Delphi survey was conducted among experts in the region. Criteria for "expert" included (a) a professional nurse, (b) a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing, (c) published research, (d) affiliated with a school of nursing with at least a master's level nursing program, and/or (e) identified by the African core collaborators as an expert in the region. A list of candidates was identified through searches of published and grey literature and then vetted by core collaborators in Kenya, Malawi and South Africa. Core collaborators held leadership roles in a nursing school, a doctoral degree in nursing, had conducted and published nursing research, and resided in an included country. Results: Two rounds of the Delphi survey were required to reach consensus; in total, 40 participants completed both rounds and at least one participant from each country completed both rounds; 73% and 85% response rates were achieved for each round, respectively. Critical clinical research priorities were infectious disease/infection control and midwifery/maternal health topics. These included subtopics such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal health and mortality, infant mortality and obstetrical emergencies. Many other topics were ranked as important including patient outcomes, noncommunicable diseases, and rural health. Conclusions/Implications: Areas identified as research priorities were consistent with gaps identified in current literature. As evidenced by previous research, there is a lack of clinical nursing and midwifery research in these areas as well as nurses and midwives trained to conduct research; these priorities will help direct resources to the most essential research needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor about community health in South Africa is presented.

Background: A strong nursing research agenda in Latin America is fundamental to universal health coverage. Nursing science can make important contributions to the health of Latin American people through knowledge generation that directly informs nursing practice, professional education, and health policy.Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey design to assess nursing involvement in health systems and services research in Latin America in five priority areas: Policies and education related to nursing human resources; Structure, organization and dynamics of health systems and services; Science, technology, innovation, and information systems in public health; Health policies, governance, and social control; and Social studies in the health field.Results: Nursing and midwifery participants (N = 856) from Latin American countries completed the survey. Respondents who reported conducting research focused primarily on Policies and Education related to Nursing Human Resources and Structure, Organization, and Dynamics of Health Systems and Services. Across the five priority areas, more nurses reported using research findings and/or being aware of research than conducting research.Conclusions: Survey results indicate that nursing research in Latin America is currently disproportionately focused on nursing education and practice. More research focused on information technology, nurse's impact on public health, and the threats posed by nurse migration is needed to better address health needs of Latin American populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Refugee women are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to risk factors associated with displacement. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to STIs among Syrian refugee mothers in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 523 Syrian refugee mothers in host communities in Jordan. Results: A moderately positive relationship between the mothers' knowledge of and attitudes towards STIs (p<0.001) was found. Although Syrian refugee mothers' attitudes towards STIs were reasonably good, they had poor knowledge about non-HIV causes of STIs and clinical symptoms. Spousal acceptance of using a condom was significantly associated with mothers' STIs knowledge, attitude, length of being a refugee in Jordan and duration of marriage (p<0.05). Almost all Syrian refugee mothers (91.6%) and their spouses (95%) did not follow regular check-ups for STIs. Two-thirds of mothers'- spouses (66.6%) did not accept the usage of a condom during sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Syrian refugee mothers have poor knowledge about non-HIV causes of STIs and clinical symptoms. They have poor practices concerning STI screening and prevention. It is imperative that nurses address these issues especially among refugees where in locales where resources are scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]