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Loneliness is a serious problem for older people, which can be alleviated by social support. The dramatic population ageing together with social and economic change in China increases the likelihood of loneliness and the availability of different sources of social support of older people. The aim of this review was to identify the prevalence of loneliness and its related factors and sources of social support of older people in China. Electronic literature searches were conducted in September 2011 using Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, China Academic Journal and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals. Twenty-six papers were identified and reviewed. The prevalence of loneliness varied across the studies, reflecting the different measurements and samples. Marital status, gender, age, educational level, economic level, living arrangements, health status and social support were significant factors related to loneliness. The family was the most important source of social support followed by friends. The receipt of family support improved subjective well-being and mental health, but the effects of support from friends were inconsistent. Chinese older people received relatively little support from neighbours, governmental or other social organisations. Further well-designed studies are needed to identify additional factors related to loneliness and to understand the support from friends, neighbours, formal organisations and other sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This review aims to demonstrate the current core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce and to summarize the influencing factors of core competencies. Background: Midwifery core competencies are crucial to providing high‐quality maternal and newborn health care, but little is known about the overall status of the core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce. Evaluation: A scoping review was conducted following the latest Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) checklist. Key issues: Forty‐one studies were included in this review. Regarding core competency assessment tools, the Midwife Core Competency Scale was used most frequently among 16 identified tools. Generally, the core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce were at a moderate or high level, but the competencies in pre‐pregnancy, public health care and integrative competence were relatively inadequate. The main factors influencing the core competencies of the midwifery workforce were their working years, educational level and training experience. Conclusion: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce at the national level. Future studies are encouraged to use objective instruments to reflect core competencies and explore the intervenable influencing factors of core competencies. Implications for Nursing Management: Core competency assessment tools can be used to select the qualified midwifery workforce. Targeted core competency enhancement programmes should be formulated based on the current core competencies level and the factors influencing core competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]