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The redefining of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from an acute disease to a manageable chronic illness has reshaped the focus of care, emphasising clinical outcomes and sidelining the complex social barriers many people living with HIV (PLHIV) still face. This parallels changes in the location of HIV care in Australia, with many PLHIV seeking care from private general practitioners whose ability to address complex social issues is constrained by limitations of time and resources. In response, peer navigation has emerged as a model of care implemented by some HIV‐based community health organisations seeking to support PLHIV's biomedical and psychosocial needs. However, there is limited understanding of how peer navigation operates in community settings or of the way these programmes integrate with primary care. This paper is the first to explore peer navigation from the perspective of general practitioners (GPs), with experience in treating PLHIV, to understand the role they see for peer navigators (PNs) in supporting PLHIV. Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with six GPs (11.5% of specialty HIV GPs in Queensland, Australia) to examine their views and experiences of peer navigation in the context of HIV care. GPs highlighted the complexities of care for PLHIV and the need for additional resources and supports for psychosocial care. GPs valued peer navigation as part of a patient support network and bridge to health and social care systems. PNs normalised HIV, alleviating fear and stigma, educating and translating clinical information for patients. However, a key challenge was the absence of direct communication pathways with PNs. Peer navigation has clear potential in supporting the care of PLHIV, to alleviate constraints in GP settings and expand HIV care beyond the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug use is one of the global public health issues, and its accompanying disorders have consequences on people's mental, physical, and environmental health. Nevertheless, the majority of people who use drugs have never been treated for drug dependence and other health conditions whilst others discontinue their treatment for drug use disorder. Using the health belief model, the study aimed at exploring facilitators and barriers to health-seeking among people who use drugs in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. A descriptive study design was used, employing a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 22 participants, including two key informants (male and female). The first group of participants was recruited from the ghetto (an area in the municipality where people who use drugs are usually located). The other group of participants was recruited using hospital-based records. The interview data were transcribed, coded, and analysed for the generation of themes with the aid of Nvivo version 12 pro. The results showed that people who use drugs face health challenges such as drug dependence, malaria, lungs and breathing complications, cardiovascular complications, and skin complications. People who use drugs experienced poor perceived quality of life and low health status. Health-seeking behaviours of interviewees were influenced by the perceived benefit, perceived severity, cues to action, among others. Multiple sources of healthcare were used by the people who use drugs. Whereas ease of communication, perceived severity, benefit, among others were facilitators to their health-seeking behaviours, cost, dwindling social support, lack of knowledge of the condition, and fear of arrest by law enforcement agencies also served as barriers to seeking healthcare at the orthodox health facilities. This paper suggests a holistic approach to help improve the health and health-seeking behaviours of people who use drugs. The researchers wish to indicate that an earlier version of this manuscript has been presented at the University of Ghana as a thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored how counsellors who work with women currently or formerly involved in sex work perceive these women's future. From May to July 2016, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with 21 counsellors providing psychosocial services in Canadian agencies with recognized mandates to support such women. The interview protocol was based on the Possible Selves Mapping Interview, adapted to explore the counsellors' hopes and fears for these clients. We subjected the interview transcripts to an interpretive descriptive analysis. Our findings centred on three themes: the counsellors' hopes for their clients' future, in light of their personal and social resources; the counsellors' fears about the cumulative devastating effects that their clients' work environment might have on them; and the counsellors' fears that these women would lose hope for the future. This study clearly demonstrates the importance of addressing the safety and well‐being of women involved in sex work and of recognizing the impacts of social inequalities and structural barriers on these women's life paths. The implications of these findings for policies and practices are discussed at the end of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This study aimed to (1) describe the perceived level of role transition from education to practice of new graduate nurses in Oman and (2) explore the barriers to and enablers of a successful transition. Background. The transition from a familiar academic environment to becoming a professional nurse is stressful and challenging. Exploring the transition barriers and enablers is instrumental in designing an effective experience. However, studies exploring the transition experience from academia to practice among new graduate nurses working in Oman are limited. Design. This study used a mixed method research design. Methods. Data were collected from nurses working for no longer than two years. Role transition was assessed using the Casey‐Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey. Barriers to and enablers of transition were explored through a focus group interview. Results. The total sample consists of 405 nurses working in 13 public hospitals. The majority (68.89%) of the participants had worked as a nurse for less than 6 months. The average score of the comfort and confidence subscale was 2.96 (SD = 0.38). Findings showed that the amount of workload and unclear role expectations were the most frequent difficulties new graduate nurses were experiencing in their transition from a student to a staff nurse. Findings from focus group interviews revealed a number of barriers and enablers that affected the transition experience of the new graduates. The barriers were fear, insufficient academic preparation, bridging the knowledge‐practice gap, and limited nurse‐physician interactions. The enablers were teamwork, organizational support, and the internship phase. Conclusion. The findings illustrate the need for healthcare organizations to design effective internship programs to ensure a successful transition experience. Providing staff with preceptorship training and enhancing nurse‐physician communication are important strategies for creating a comfortable work environment and ultimately ensuring a successful training experience for new nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Breast cancer is considered a huge health problem among women all over the world due to its increased mortality rate. Breast cancer deaths are decreased by 28–34% due to improvement in treatment and early detection. In order to detect breast cancer early and provide the best possible therapy, knowledge and awareness are essential. So, this study aimed to assess risk of breast cancer among nurses, the knowledge and practices of breast self-examination (BSE) and determine its barriers, and implement an educational program for them. Design. A quasiexperimental research design was used. Methods. This study was conducted at two university hospitals (main university hospital and woman's health hospital). A purposive sample of 280 nurses with age more than thirty-five years were included in the study using three tools, namely, structure interview questionnaire, breast cancer risk assessment tool, and a structured breast cancer knowledge and practice questionnaire. Nurses' knowledge and practices regarding breast cancer and BSE were first assessed and then they were provided with two educational courses covering theoretical and practical information. One month after the program ended, the nurses' knowledge and practices were assessed again. Results. About 3.2% of the participants have five years high risk of developing breast cancer according the risk assessment tool, the main barriers of do not do BSE did not find any symptoms and scared from finding any abnormality. There was a significant increase in knowledge and practice of breast self-examination posteducation compared to pre-education (73.2 and 98.2%, respectively). Also, there was a statistically significant difference between pre- and postprogram with a p value of 0.0001. Conclusion. This study concluded that 3.2% of the nurses with high risk of developing breast cancer needed a follow-up; more than half of them do not perform breast self-examination because they think that do not have any symptoms in the breast and the educational program with a significant effect on knowledge and practices of nurses. So, the researchers recommend the nurses need for an empowerment program and support by providing assistance in places of work as done free clinical examination and mammography by female specialist for privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the perception of family caregivers in the care process of patients with COVID-19. This study was conducted on 19 family caregivers, who were selected using purposive sampling from 2021 to 2022. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using the Kyngas conventional content analysis approach. The analysis of data led to three main themes, including unremitting efforts in physical care in the light of traditional medicine, accuracy, and intelligence in psychological attention and trying to maintain environmental health. According to the results, family caregivers provide high levels of self-sacrificing, continuous, and comprehensive, combined with fear and loneliness care in different dimensions with little or no support from the family, community, and health team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) are affected by an array of health problems ranging from the weak infrastructure health system to the shortage of equipment and qualified personnel in hospitals and other medical facilities. This makes it difficult for health systems in these countries to withstand pandemics like COVID‐19 leading to a rapid infection of the population. This research study was set to explore the factors enabling the spread of COVID‐19 in the city of Harare. The study utilised an explorative qualitative approach (EQA). The study recruited 40 (N = 40) health professionals who worked for the private sector and the Ministry of Health. One to one semistructured interviews were used to collect data. The data were thematically analysed and presented. Ethical approval was granted by the Joint Research Council of Zimbabwe (JREC). The study found that the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), disregard for social distancing, lack of running water, shortage of clinical supplies, overcrowded living houses, selective enforcement of restrictions and corruption were factors that enabled the spread of COVID‐19 pandemic in the city of Harare. There is need for more hospitals to be built and fully equipped with the necessary equipment if health delivery and management of people affected by COVID‐19 is to be improved. More importantly, the health system needs to be supported by a robust health promotion initiative to enlighten communities on pandemics like COVID‐19 and the need to observe utmost hygiene in all spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 was first reported in China and later spread across the world causing panic because there is no cure for it. The pandemic has adversely affected frontline health workers and patients, owing to poor preparedness. The study explored the triggers of mental health problems among frontline healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. An exploratory qualitative approach was utilised in the study. Forty individual semi‐structured interviews were held with frontline healthcare workers. A thematic approach underpinned by some aspects of interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and the Silences Framework (SF) was utilised. The research found that triggers of mental health problems among frontline health workers in private care homes and domiciliary care agencies are fear of infection and infecting others, lack of recognition/disparity between National Health Service (NHS) and social care, lack of guidance, unsafe hospital discharge, death and loss of professionals and residents, unreliable testing and delayed results and shortage of staff. It is important to support frontline workers in private care homes and domiciliary care agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nurses face several stresses during a pandemic. Therefore, it seems necessary to use appropriate adaptation and coping methods to reduce the destructive effects of physical and psychological stresses. This study aimed to explain nurses' experience of stresses and coping methods used for care of patients with Covid‐19. Method: A qualitative approach with descriptive phenomenological method was applied in this study. Sixteen nurses working in hospitals were selected by purposeful sampling. Through in‐depth, individual and semi‐structured interviews, the nurses shared their experiences in caring for Covid patients. The transcripts of recorded interviews were typed verbatim and then analyzed based on Colaizzi's method. Results: Four main categories and 12 subcategories, which were named conceptually based on their nature were shaped. The main categories included; self‐support in the midst of crisis, sheltered by family from distance, hospital influence in the environment, and social support on both sides of infinity. Conclusion: Although healthcare workers have accepted the exposure to Covid‐19 as part of their profession, provision of quality care in crisis situations is not possible without supporting the healthcare workers and paying attention to their mental health. It is recommended to take a precise approach to predict, recognize and manage psychological harms of healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the knowledge levels, attitudes and perceptions of people with different demographic characteristics on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Design and Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used snowball sampling technique and to the study take 32 participants. Data were collected via phone interview method between the fifth and the sixth weeks of COVID‐19 pandemic. Findings: Interviews were analyzed under three main themes (Knowledge level/attitudes and behaviors/perceptions) and nine sub‐themes. Practice Implications: Knowledge level of the participants was high. Participants underlined the importance of staying at home during the pandemic and expressed important changes in their life styles and professional life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore factors contributing to the theory‐practice gap in nursing education in the United Arab Emirates. Background: The gap between what is taught in nursing classrooms and what is practised in clinical settings creates challenges for nursing students, practitioners, managers and educators. This has important implications for the United Arab Emirates and other developing countries as their healthcare systems require a permanent nursing taskforce that is well supplied with ready to practice graduates. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was used, whereby 25 senior student nurses were interviewed about their perceptions of the theory‐practice gap. Results: The major theme that emerged in this study was the 'tripod of clinical practice', with three subthemes: prepared students, aware and supportive preceptors and qualified clinical faculty. The other theme that emerged was 'real life outside the simulated lab', with two subthemes: various and unfamiliar psychomotor skills and communication with real patients. Conclusion: The tripod of clinical practice must be achieved for quality clinical practice. Further, attention should be directed to development of skills (e.g., communicating with real patients) that are difficult to acquire while dealing with simulated patients. Implications for Nursing Management: Nursing students need longer immersion in simulated clinical settings, coupled with experienced clinical faculty and supportive, aware and prepared preceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the experiences of the first nurses assigned to work in COVID‐19 units with the onset of the outbreak in Turkey. Background: Even though the risks faced by nurses while performing a dangerous task during the epidemic are similar, their experiences may differ. Method: This qualitative study was carried out with 17 nurses. The interviews were carried out individually and online. The data were analysed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Results: From the analyses of the data, four key themes have emerged as follows: 'needs', 'anger', 'questioning' and 'decision'. Needs include visibility, support, adaptation and sleep/rest. Nurses were angry because of their unmet expectations, feelings of injustice, and selfish and insensitive behaviours they faced. They questioned their profession and decided to either alienate from the profession or continue with the gains they had made. Conclusion: This study found that nurses perceived an imbalance between their efforts and their achievements. Implications for Nursing Management: This study provides evidence for nursing managers to anticipate problems that may arise both during and after the outbreak. Nurses should be made to feel that they are valued members of the health care institution, and effective strategies should be implemented to improve their perceptions of organisational justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of Italian nurses engaged in caring for patients with COVID‐19. Background: COVID‐19 found the health care world unprepared to face an emergency of such magnitude. Italy was one of the most affected European countries, with more than 250,000 cases. Understanding the impact of events of this magnitude on nurses provides a framework of knowledge on which educational training could be based to face similar situations in the future to prevent further breakdown. Methods: The hermeneutic approach by Cohen was used. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted using a voice‐over Internet protocol. Interviews were transcribed, read in depth and analysed. Results: Twenty nurses were interviewed. Four themes were extracted: uncertainty and fear, alteration of perceptions of time and space, change in the meaning of 'to care' and changes in roles and relationships. Conclusions: Psychological support in association with emergency training prevents stress and helps tackle compassion fatigue. Implications for nursing management: Policies to improve nursing science should be developed to ensure better quality of care, a higher number of professionals and, consequently, an increase in the safety of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to qualitatively explore factors related to fear of cancer recurrence in women who had a risk of cervical cancer relapse/metastasis and to identify the psychological effect of gynaecological examination and colposcopy in cancer survivors. We conducted the present descriptive study with a qualitative design based on the thematic analysis approach on ten women who under suspicion of new cancer and were admitted to the Gynaecological Oncology Polyclinic of Akdeniz University for colposcopy between July and October 2017 via in‐depth interviews. As a result of the interviews, we identified three main themes: colposcopy‐related fear, emotions associated with fear of cancer recurrence, and fear of being diagnosed with cancer. Moreover it was determined that women experienced a fear of death, fear of family being affected, fear of stigmatisation by society, and fear of not coping with the treatment process. We found that women with cancer history and undergoing colposcopy because of abnormal cervical cytology in routine oncology controls experienced a significant fear of cancer recurrence. We found that gynaecological examination and colposcopy caused anxiety in patients. Healthcare professions should be aware and help women to cope with the fear of cancer recurrence in the colposcopy process and should determine the social care needs of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African migrants are underrepresented as blood donors in many Western countries, which can lead to shortages of specific blood types for transfusion. More insight in the reasons for this underrepresentation is required to improve blood donor recruitment and retention strategies. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore barriers and motivators for donating blood among migrants of African background. The research population consisted of first and second generation African‐Surinamese (n = 20) and Ghanaian (n = 16) migrants living in the Netherlands. In semi‐structured personal interviews performed in 2016 and 2017, their experiences and opinions regarding blood donation, barriers, and motivators to (not) become a blood donor and their suggestions to improve recruitment were explored. Data collection was continued until data saturation was achieved. The interviews revealed that although all participants knew about blood donation in general, only four had previously heard of the Dutch national blood bank organisation. Participants expected that if blood was needed, the blood bank would directly approach them, as in their country of origin. Other main blood donation barriers were fear (e.g., of needles, losing too much blood) and issues related to health and non‐eligibility to donate. Main motivators were mainly of altruistic nature (e.g., saving a life) and an increased awareness of the need via personal recruitment appeals. It is concluded that expectations regarding donor recruitment—derived from the country of origin—and unawareness of the need for blood can act as important barriers in blood donation among African migrants. Contrary to studies in the United States and Australia, perceived discrimination and social exclusion did not seem to be a donation deterrent among migrants in the Netherlands. Creating awareness of the need of blood by actively approaching, and informing migrants about the donation procedure in the host country, should be considered by blood banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Aims: To explore which factors nurses perceive to help and hinder influenza vaccination rates among the elderly. Background: Influenza‐related illnesses and deaths have disproportionately high prevalence among the elderly. Vaccination is an effective tool to prevent complications. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with nurses focusing on barriers, facilitators and health care providers’ roles in influencing patients to be vaccinated. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Results: Nurses identified that the prevalent barriers were fear of the vaccine's side effects, feelings of good health and technical considerations. Facilitators included ease of access and encouragement from health providers, media and social networks. The health care team was influential in raising vaccination rates through direct recommendation, providing concrete information or leading by example. Conclusions: The health care team can influence patients to vaccinate. Investments in training nurses in the knowledge and skills needed to educate patients, and providing nurses with the necessary resources to engage patients in these discussions may be beneficial. Nurse managers can be instrumental in enhancing nurses’ roles and actions to increase influenza vaccination rates among the elderly. Implications for Nursing Management: It is essential to reinforce the nurses’ role in promoting vaccination among seniors. Given that nurses are the largest number of health professionals, their potential outreach to large numbers of people is strong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]