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Abstract Objective Professional values are crucial for delivering high-quality care in neonatal intensive care units while caring behavior impacts nurses’ performance and well-being. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between professional values and caring behavior among nurses in neonatal intensive care units. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 172 nurses was conducted using the Nursing Professional Value Scale and Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool. The study was carried out between 1 October and 5 December 2023. Results Nurses demonstrated a moderate to high degree of professional commitment, with a mean professional value score of 91.1 ± 11.1. The mean score for caring behavior was 99.7 ± 12.4. The highest-rated domain was setting up a supporting, protective, and corrective environment, with a mean score of 22.8 ± 2.7. A low positive relationship was found between the supportive, protective, and corrective environment domain and nurses’ professional value (r = 0.18, p = 0.017), as well as between overall caring behavior and nurses’ professional value (r = 0.16, p = 0.038). Conclusion The results indicate a favorable relationship between professional values and caring behavior, especially in areas like establishing a supportive workplace. However, both professional value and caring behavior needs improvement in certain aspect. Enhancing these aspects could further strengthen their relationship, ultimately improving the quality of care provided to newborn patients and their families. Practice implications To cultivate a positive work environment and instill caring behaviors and professional values among NICU nurses, it is imperative to allocate sufficient time and resources. This investment is necessary for nurturing a culture of care, improving patient outcomes, and fostering a supportive environment for NICU nurses, newborn, and their families.

Introduction Pregnant women require social support and healthcare treatments that are specifically designed to address their quality of life (QoL) during this time, as this will help them get through this crucial stage with more resilience and comfort. Objective This study aimed to assess the relationship between the QoL of pregnant women and social support. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 423 pregnant women. Data were gathered through the SF-36 scale and the “Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support” in the period of June 1 to September 1, 2023. Results The physical health level was moderate ( M = 46.22 ± 16.1), and the mental health level was also moderate ( M = 46.12 ± 21.8). Social support was rated high ( M = 5.3 ± 1.0), with the highest score in the significant other subscale ( M = 5.9 ± 1.2) and the lowest in the friend's subscale ( M = 4.4 ± 1.6). Furthermore, the analysis revealed a significant positive association between the QoL scores and social support ( p

Nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) face high levels of stress and emotional challenges, making it essential to understand the factors that influence their professional quality of life (ProQoL). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between work environment factors and ProQoL, particularly focusing on burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress, among ICU nurses. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) Scale was used to measure these aspects, with an emphasis on the importance of a supportive work environment for enhancing staff well-being and organizational performance. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2024, involving 162 ICU nurses from hospitals in the southern West Bank. A stratified random sampling method was employed to ensure representativeness. Data collection involved surveys covering socio-demographic information, the Practice Environment Scale-Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), and the ProQoL scale. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation, were performed using SPSS. The participants were predominantly young, with 61.7% less than 30 years old, and 65.4% were male. Most held a bachelor’s degree (54.9%). The survey indicated that the majority reported average levels of compassion satisfaction (90.7%), burnout (91.4%), and secondary traumatic stress (85.2%). The analysis showed that a moderately positive practice environment was significantly associated with lower levels of burnout and higher levels of compassion satisfaction. Additionally, there was a significant difference in mean Compassion Satisfaction scores according to sleep hours ( F = 5.475, P

Introduction Post-neurosurgery patients often experience pain and anxiety. Handheld finger-grip relaxation helps the body, mind, and spirit to achieve relaxation. Objective This study investigated the effect of a handheld finger-grip relaxation technique on pain and anxiety in post-neurosurgery patients. Method A quasi-experimental study of 160 patients was randomly assigned to either the intervention group (received the handheld finger-grip relaxation technique) or the control group (received standard care). The intervention group received the handheld finger-grip relaxation technique for 15 min twice daily for 3 days. The control group received standard care. Pain and anxiety were assessed using a visual analog scale and a Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Results The results showed that the intervention group had a highly statistically significant difference between pre and post-phase ( p

Introduction Emergencies are increasingly prevalent, necessitating specialized management to address significant social disruption. Effective management of health emergencies requires resilience from governments and health institutions, as these emergencies are becoming more common and have wide-ranging consequences on health, society, and the economy. Due to the interconnected nature of our global society, events in one location can have international or even global impacts, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective This study aims to assess disaster management preparedness among nurses and physicians during pandemics. Methods This study used an online survey conducted in late 2022 to collect primary data through a purposive sampling method, involving both government and private hospitals in Palestine. The participants included 512 nurses and 241 physicians from various hospital units. Results The findings indicate varying levels of knowledge among participants, with a significant portion (67%) reporting no prior experience with real disaster situations. Additionally, 63% lacked prior disaster response experience. Regarding training courses, 17.8% of nurses and physicians prioritized emergency preparedness, trauma mass casualty response, and triage disaster management systems. Despite some understanding of disaster management, the study emphasizes the importance of hospital managers implementing national standards, engaging healthcare professionals in continuous education, and addressing gaps in perceived competence. Conclusion While participants demonstrated some knowledge of disaster management, the study suggests the importance of hospital managers adopting national standards, engaging healthcare professionals in continuous learning activities, and addressing perceived competence gaps.

Clinical learning environment play a vital role in bridging theory with practice, equipping nursing students with essential skills for patient care and support their smooth transition into the nursing workforce. To assess Palestinian nursing students’ perceptions of clinical learning environment and supervision. A total of 308 undergraduate nursing students were conveniently recruited from Arab American University-Palestine for this descriptive cross-sectional study. Data collection utilized the Arabic version of the Clinical Learning Environment and Supervision plus Nurse Teacher scale. In general, nursing students expressed positive perceptions regarding their clinical learning environment ( M = 130.56 ± 21.03), with the “supervisory relationship” and “role of nurse teacher” scoring highest ( M = 3.85 ± 0.82 each). Conversely, the lowest rating was observed for “leadership style of the ward manager” ( M = 3.8 ± 0.84). Fourth-year students and those trained in public hospitals showed significantly more positive perceptions ( P

Social anxiety disorder is the third most common disorder in the general population. Social phobia has a significant impact on nursing colleagues’ self-esteem. The purpose of the current study was to assess social anxiety and its relation to self-esteem among nursing students. The study was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 231 nursing students through a convenience sampling method. The instruments of the study included “Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)” and the “Rosenberg self-esteem scale.” The results indicated that the social anxiety mean was 15.1 ± 11.1 (ranging from 0 to 68) and the self-esteem was 19.9 ± 4.5 (ranging from 0 to 30). The current study indicates that female and social anxiety are predictors of self-esteem among nursing students. Also, the present study concludes that lower social anxiety is associated significantly with higher self-esteem among Palestinian undergraduate nursing students ( r = −.35, P

Introduction The use of technology to deliver psychosocial interventions such as cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) to individuals with dementia may improve their cognition and quality of life. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the participants’ experiences with digital CST in Jordanian care homes, as well as the acceptability of the digital CST intervention in Jordanian care homes and recommendations for refinement. Methods A qualitative study design and semistructured interviews were used to obtain data from 20 people with dementia and 12 care home staff who were purposefully selected. Data were analyzed thematically and comparatively to explore the experiences and outcomes of the participants. This study was conducted from February to April 2023. Results Analysis of care home staff and residents’ experiences revealed seven major themes: (a) personalized support and engagement, (b) positive impact on quality of life, (c) engagement and meaningful activities, (d) adaptable format and accessibility, (e) emotional connection and empowerment, (f) caregiver involvement and support, and (g) suggestions for improvement. The study's findings emphasize the necessity of tailored support, individualized difficulty levels, individualized material selection, emotional support, greater social connection, and caregiver participation in digital CST for people with dementia. Conclusion Using digital touchscreen technology to deliver CST content has shown potential improvements, making interventions simpler for staff and more beneficial for individuals with dementia, thereby enhancing cognition and quality of life.

Introduction Physical activity is critical for health promotion and the prevention of noncommunicable illnesses, especially among teenagers. However, teenagers’ active participation in physical exercise may be hampered by perceived impediments to physical activity. Objective This study aimed to identify the external and internal barriers to physical activities among adolescents, as well as any differences in these barriers between males and females. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 adolescent students (aged 11–16) from a public school in Jordan. A self-administered questionnaire with 12 items assessed barriers to physical activity. Internal and external barriers were identified, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results Male adolescents reported more perceived hurdles to physical exercise than female adolescents, with lack of time and lack of self-confidence being the most significant impediments. External impediments were more prominent than internal barriers, particularly a lack of resources. The total score for external barriers was significantly higher than that for internal barriers. “Lack of resources” was the most important external barrier (mean = 3.49), and “lack of self-confidence” was the most significant internal barrier (mean = 3.47). Male and female teenagers differed in the obstacles of “lack of self-confidence” ( p = .045) and “lack of time” ( p = .040). The most significant perceived hurdles included a lack of awareness of the health benefits of exercise, concerns about appearance while exercising, limited access to fitness centers, lack of exercise equipment at home, and insufficient spare time due to a packed class schedule. Conclusion It is critical to implement interventions that address the identified barriers to physical activity, particularly among female adolescents, such as improving opportunities for physical activity and providing social support for participation.

Background: Self-medication is a global concern among professionals and non-professionals, with a rapid increase in prevalence. The study aims to assess the prevalence of self-medication and its associated factors among university students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in three universities, and a total of 817 college students participated in this study. Results: About 75.40% of the participants reported using medications without a professional prescription. The category of analgesics was the most commonly used in self-medication (82.80%), while the most common symptom was a headache (81.50%). Almost 74.10% percent of participants who have practiced self-medication stated that the reason was the “lack of time to consult a physician.” Most participants who have used self-medication (90.30%) stated that the source of knowledge was “previous prescription.” Conclusions: Health education programs concerning self-mediation should be held in university settings to improve attitudes and practices toward self-mediation.

Introduction Violence against healthcare workers in the workplace is a complex issue affecting various healthcare professionals. Workplace violence (WPV) poses significant occupational hazards to healthcare employees. Objectives To identify the causes, types, and perpetrators of WPV and explore the effects of violence on healthcare workers’ well-being. Methods This literature review analyzes 15 selected research papers published between 2015 and 2020, focusing on WPV against healthcare workers, and gathers insights from healthcare professionals with prior experience of WPV. Through an analysis of the selected research papers, this study provides a comprehensive overview with WPV in the healthcare setting. The respondents in the included studies were healthcare professionals who had encountered WPV in their work. Results While nurses remain particularly vulnerable to violence due to their constant patient interaction, this study reveals that verbal violence is the most prevalent type, significantly impacting the well-being of healthcare workers as a whole. The identified causes of WPV include long waiting times, understaffing, miscommunication, inadequate security measures, high patient expectations, and overcrowding. Respondents emphasized the importance of education, security enhancements, and administrative support to address or prevent WPV. Conclusion The findings strongly highlight the crucial role of administrative support in reducing the incidence of WPV. It is crucial to implement broader measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all healthcare workers.

It is important to study the awareness of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among neonatal care nurses in hospitals. Unfortunately, there is a lack of studies conducted among nurses on this subject in Palestine. Thus, this study purposed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward ROP among neonatal intensive care nurses in Palestine. A cross-sectional was used to conduct this study. A convenience sampling method was utilized to recruit 289 neonate intensive care nurses working in private and governmental hospitals. The findings showed that around 48.0% of the nurses had low knowledge about preventing ROP. Most of the nurses (78%) reported a neutral attitude toward preventing ROP. Moreover, overall nurses’ practices regarding ROP were fair (57.1%). There was a difference in practices regarding ROP according to the health sector ( P

Introduction The use of electrocardiograms (ECGs) is widespread among emergency room (ER) nurses for diagnosis and triage, making it crucial for them to have the appropriate level of competency in interpreting ECGs. This can lead to better healthcare and patient outcomes. Objectives This study aims to assess the competency level of emergency nurses in Palestine in interpreting normal ECG and certain cardiac arrhythmias, and to explore the association between socio-demographic characteristics and their ECG interpretation competency. Methods The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design, and 196 ER nurses were conveniently recruited to fill out a self-administered questionnaire based on previous literature. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS with strict adherence to ethical considerations. Results The results showed that 70.9% of the nurses were males, 65.3% held a bachelor's degree in nursing, 46.9% had 1–5 years of experience, and 60.7% had received previous courses on ECG interpretation. The mean competency level of the ER nurses was satisfactory at 60.714%, but 38.8% had a poor level of competency. This was significantly higher among nurses with higher educational levels ( p -value

Introduction In general, undergraduate university students in the north of Jordan have a low level of physical activity. Objectives To examine the physical activity level, perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity, and the contributing factors among university students in north of Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used, and data was collected from 235 university students through a self-reported questionnaire. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was utilized to calculate the amount of physical activity, while the exercise benefits and barriers scale (EBBS) was used to measure the perceived benefits and barriers of physical activity. Results According to the findings, less than half of the students (48.1%) reported engaging in physical activity. Several factors were found to be significantly related to higher levels of physical activity, including being younger, single, having a normal body weight, and reporting excellent health status. Logistic regression analysis revealed that overweight (OR = −0.068, 95% CI 0.025–0.183) and obese (OR = −0.250, 95% CI 0.068–0.924) were less likely to be physically active, while those who rated their health as excellent had higher rates of physical activity (OR = 3.590, 95% CI 1.263–10.201). The students agreed most strongly with the perceived benefit item “Exercise improves the way my body looks,” while the perceived barrier item they identified most strongly with was “There are too few places for me to exercise.” Conclusion This study provides important data for health promotion programs aimed at supporting physical activity among university students.

Introduction Obesity during adolescence represents a strong predictor of higher mortality in adulthood; thus, lifestyle interventions represent the recommended therapy. Objective To evaluate the effect of nitro counseling on lifestyle of obese adolescence, and develop life changing program. Method Quasi-experimental design was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. A total of 117 university nursing students participated from two universities in Palestine. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection and included the following: socio-demographic characteristics, university students’ knowledge, practices adolescent lifestyle, and anthropometric measurement to detect body mass index. The nitro counseling program was performed over three and half months. Percentage, mean value, standard deviation, Chi-square (X2), T paired test, and proportion probability ( p -value), when p

Objective To examine the effect of immediate chest physiotherapy (ICPT) on pulmonary function and arterial blood gases among extubated patients. Method This prospective study enrolled patients aged 20–60 years who had been intubated for 48 h. They were randomly assigned to either a control or study group. The study group received ICPT by trained critical care nurses and physiotherapists, which included early mobilization, breathing exercises and airway clearance. The control group received standard nursing chest care (positioning, oral and endotracheal suctioning) without ICPT. Researchers evaluated participants using pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas tests and mechanical ventilation parameters. Results The study enrolled 70 patients. There were no significant differences in the sociodemographic characteristics and medical data before intubation between the two groups except for preparatory education. After extubation, the vital capacity was significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group. There were also significant differences between the two groups in other lung function tests and arterial blood gas tests. After extubation, the total lung capacity, functional residual capacity and residual volume were significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group. Conclusion The use of ICPT improved both pulmonary function and arterial blood gases.

Introduction Nurses are responsible for providing primary care to millions of patients, and emergency nurses serve on the frontline in providing care for mildly to severely critically ill patients. Objectives This study aims to assess and evaluate the clinical competence and its related factors among emergency nurses in Palestinian hospitals. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 nurses working in the emergency units of hospitals in the West Bank, Palestine. Data collection utilized the Nurse Competence Scale, and the Job Satisfaction Scale. Results The results showed that only 33(19.4%) of the participants exhibited a good level of clinical competence, with none reaching the very good level. Among them, the highest proportion of good level 60 (35.3%) was in the helping role, while the lowest 38 (22.4%) was in ensuring quality. About 35% of nurses reported very low or low job satisfaction, while 58% had high or very high job satisfaction. Additionally, the results revealed a statistically significant relationship between clinical competence and job satisfaction ( P

Introduction Clinical training allows nursing students to acquire and strengthen their psychomotor abilities, which is an important component of nursing education. The clinical components of nursing training programs were much more demanding than the academic ones. Purposes The purpose of this study was to examine sources of stress-related and coping behaviors during first clinical training among nursing students in the Arab American University. Methods The study was cross-sectional and conducted with a convenience sample of 266 participants of nursing students. Data collection was performed by “Perceived Stress Scale and the Coping Behavior Inventory.” The data were analyzed by using the descriptive, that is, frequency and percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Results The results revealed that the perceived stress mean was 41.2 ( SD = 19.5). The main stressors were taking care of the patients ( M = 11.4 ± 0.85) and teachers and nursing staff ( M = 8.32 ± 5.3). Coping behaviors mean was ( M = 29.0 ± 15.2). The main coping behavior was problem-solving ( M = 9.5 ± 5.6). Conclusion The study confirmed that students perceived moderate levels of stress in their first clinical training, and the most common sources of stress were taking care of the patients and teachers and nursing staff. However, the main coping behavior was problem-solving.

Background: Tracheostomy care is a standard procedure that nurses perform in Critical Care Units (CCUs) to reduce complications from tracheostomy. The literature indicates a clear variety of care and practice in managing tracheostomy patients within the healthcare system. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge level of tracheostomy care among nurses in CCUs in Jordanian hospitals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used for this study. A convenience sample of 260 nurses working in the CCUs of four government hospitals completed a self-reported structured questionnaire. Data were collected from January 2021 to March 2021. A t-test and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to assess the differences among socio-demographic variables in terms of knowledge score. Results: The result revealed that the level of knowledge was suboptimal. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean level of knowledge regarding tracheostomy care (in all dimensions) by age (F = 22.595, p < 0.001), educational level (F = 355.30, p < 0.001), and work experience (F = 13.63, p < 0.001). For gender, there was a statistically significant difference in knowledge of the tracheostomy suctioning dimension (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The level of knowledge among nurses regarding tracheostomy care was moderate, indicating an urgent need for education.

Abstract Background: Normal menstrual cycle is associated with physiological and pathological changes throughout the girls’ lives. It involves physical changes in a girl's body designed to prepare her for pregnancy each month. Significant changes in a girl’s life take place during adolescence and the onset of menstruation. Aims: The study aims to assess the level of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent schoolgirls in the Jordanian Badia Region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2022. The total number of participants was 550 from six schools for girls in the Badia region. Data was collected using a questionnaire that assessed knowledge and practices of the menstrual cycle. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage) and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to determine the predictors of the level of knowledge and practice of the menstrual cycle. Results: The adolescent schoolgirls have adequate level of knowledge, represented by a percentage of 65. Furthermore, the results show that the overall level of girls’ practices was at a poor level (58%), the highest score was for”Schoolgirls should have a discussion with their mothers about menstruation and what to do during their periods”, and the lowest score was for “If she has to, she will have to change the pads at school”. Moreover, age, mothers’ highest level of education, and family income were the predictors of safe knowledge and practices of the menstrual cycle. Conclusion: Overall, the adolescent schoolgirls are reasonably knowledgeable. Additionally, the girls' overall level of practice was poor and menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices need to be improved. Therefore, health programs concerning knowledge and safe practices of menstrual cycles should be conducted in a school setting.

Introduction Newly graduating nurses should be able to enter clinical practice as safe, accurate, competent, and compassionate professionals in health care settings that necessitate them to be learners who can easily get familiar with a broad diversity of clinical practice settings. Purposes The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-fidelity simulation experiences on self-satisfaction and self-confidence among the pediatric nursing students. Methods A quasi-experimental design, post-test, was carried out through the recruitment of a convenience sample of 150 nursing students from Arab American University. The students were randomly assigned to the study ( n = 75) or control ( n = 75) groups. Data were collected using learner satisfaction and self-confidence scales. Results The results of the post-test revealed that there was a significant difference between both groups in self-satisfaction ( t (148) = 11.14, P

Introduction The spread of microorganisms is caused by direct or indirect contact, respiratory droplets, and airborne transmission. Knowledge and compliance with standard precautions are crucial in preventing infection in the hospital. Objectives To assess the level of knowledge and compliance with standard precautions among registered nurses who work in military hospitals and the factors affecting compliance with standard precautions. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Four hundred and eight registered nurses at three Jordanian Royal Medical Services hospitals completed an online self-report questionnaire using a convenience sampling technique. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze the data. Results The level of knowledge of standard precautions among nurses was excellent, with an overall mean score of 15.59 ± 2.22 out of 20; around half (54%) of them had an excellent level. Nurses’ compliance with standard precautions was intermediate, with an overall mean score of 59.65 ± 14.57 out of 80. Forty-seven percent of nurses had a high degree of compliance. Compliance with standard precautions was correlated positively with age, working experience in years, total knowledge score, training in standard precautions, and availability of personal protective equipment, and negatively with exposure to sharp injuries. Conclusion Nurses play a key role in preventing and managing hospital infections through their responsibility for a large proportion of patient treatment and care. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve nurses’ perceptions of the basic elements of standard precautions. Even so, results showed that compliance with standard precautions was intermediate. This highlights the need to take the necessary measures to raise the level of compliance. Even so, results showed that compliance with standard precautions was intermediate. This highlights the need to take the necessary measures to raise the level of compliance.

The coronavirus infection COVID-19 has been a risk to world health, particularly for individuals who are vulnerable to it. Critical care nurses have described experiencing extremely high levels of stress under these struggling conditions. This study aimed to assess the relationship between stress and resilience of intensive care unit nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 227 nurses who are working in the intensive care units in the West Bank hospitals, Palestine. Data collection utilized the Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS). Two hundred twenty-seven intensive care nurses completed the questionnaire; (61.2%) were males, and (81.5%) had documented COVID-19 infection among their friends, family, or coworkers. Most intensive care nurses reported high levels of stress (105.9 ± 11.9), but low levels of resilience (11.0 ± 4.3). There was a moderate negative correlation between nurses’ stress and their resilience ( P

Introduction Workplace violence (WPV) is a growing concern that constitutes a major threat to occupational health and safety, thereby comprising a priority issue for policymakers. Given the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and comorbidities among the Lebanese population, nurses working in critical care settings encounter intense workloads and high-risk interactions, potentially increasing the risk of WPV. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the traumatic and psychological reactions of Lebanese critical nurses who have been exposed to WPV, and the risk factors for depression and anxiety. Methods The study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design; 112 critical care nurses from diverse departments took part in this study during the period of June to July 2021. Results A positive, significant correlation between WPV exposure and self-reported anxiety was observed, p = .03 with high levels of WPV, especially among patients and their families. Although verbal abuse was found to be more prevalent among critical care nurses in Lebanon compared to physical and sexual violence, the severity of the situation and its impact on the nurses’ mental health and well-being cannot be ignored. Conclusions WPV for critical care nurses is a serious issue that needs to be considered. Policy-makers should develop the politics of regulating the nursing profession, especially for critical care nurses in Lebanon.

Introduction Major efforts are being made to control the spread and impact of the coronavirus pandemic using vaccines. However, willingness to be vaccinated depends largely on factors beyond the availability of vaccines. Objective This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and perception of university employees towards the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2021. A total of 310 university employees from six Palestinian universities participated in the study. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection and included the following: personal and medical characteristics of the university employees’ knowledge and perception regarding receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. Results Three hundred and ten out of 336 questionnaires (92.3% response rate) were completed and returned by the participants. The results revealed that 41.9% of university employees had good knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccination. On the other hand, 51.9% of them had a positive perception of the COVID-19 vaccination. Also, there is a significant difference between the level of knowledge and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine ( p

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a heterogeneous disorder with a rarely reported incidence of 0.5–1 in 10,000 births. ACC can be associated with physical defects or syndromes that may help in the diagnosis, prognosis, and further evaluation of the patient. Trisomy 13 is one of the most common fetal life-limiting diagnoses associated with ACC of membranous-type scalp. The patient was born at 35 weeks of gestation via a cesarean section due to fetal distress. Upon admission to our hospital, her pertinent physical examination revealed a newborn girl with dysmorphic facial features, including widely separated eyes, downward slanting of the palpebral fissure, microphthalmia, retrognathia, and low-set ears. She had an area of loss of scalp skin and skull bone with seen brain tissue and an exposed sagittal sinus that was 6 by 5 cm in size. She had a clenched fist, overlapping fingers, and rocker bottom feet. Precordium auscultation revealed medium-pitched high-grade continuous murmur heard best at the pulmonary position with a harsh machinelike quality that often radiated to the left clavicle. Laboratory investigations include basic labs, and the TORCH screen was negative. On the 9th day of life, a chromosomal analysis showed a female karyotype with three copies of chromosome number 13 (trisomy 13) in all 20 metaphase cell counts. The patient was managed with a moist gauze dressing, topical antibiotic ointment, and povidone-iodine. However, a multidisciplinary team agreed on a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order with no further surgical intervention as the survival rate of trisomy 13 is poor. In this article, we report a case of aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp with dura and bone defect and an exposed sagittal sinus in a newborn diagnosed with trisomy 13. It emphasizes the importance of ACC-associated syndrome, which has high mortality prior to surgical intervention.

Introduction Taking care of patients’ eyes is an important nursing skill. Nurses must be capable of providing a standard assessment of the eye and vision as well as necessary care such as eye cleaning. Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses typically focus on life-threatening issues while giving little attention to other serious issues. The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of nurses’ practice of eye care for patients in ICUs in the West Bank. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with all ICU nurses from West Bank hospitals. The researchers developed a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. Results One hundred and fifty-two nurses participated in this study. The findings revealed that the mean age of nurses was 31.2 ( SD = 7.5) years. The analysis revealed that only 0.7% had a good knowledge level, 7.2% had a fair knowledge level, and 25.7% had a good practice level of eye care for patients in an ICU. Knowledge of patients’ eye care in the ICU, as well as an eye care protocol or policy for unconscious patients, was found to be significant predictors of practice ( p

In an emergency, making the correct decision is vital. It is a necessary element of professional nursing care, and the ability of nurses to make successful clinical decisions is the most critical element influencing care quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing nurses’ clinical decision-making in the emergency department of Palestinan hospitals. A cross-sectional study was targeted at all nurses working in emergency departments at the Palestinian hospitals. The study was completed with 227 nurses, and collecting data was performed with the Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale. Results of the study revealed that the average score for the total clinical decision-making score was 3.3 (SD = 0.23). The subscales of clinical decision making were “search for alternatives or options,” “canvassing of objectives and values,” “evaluation and reevaluation of consequences,” and “search for information and unbiased assimilation of new information.” Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that degree and work hours accounted for 11.7% of the variance in clinical decision-making. The study confirmed the average score for clinical decision-making was slightly higher than the average score. Also, it approved that nursing degree and work hours were predictors of clinical decision-making among nurses in emergency departments.

Introduction The control of vaccine hesitancy comes with key protective measures against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and excellent efficacy in clinical trials and effectiveness in real-world data. However, some people believe that vaccination is ineffective and it causes health problems. This study aimed to assess the health consequences of university employees’ post-COVID-19 vaccination at Palestinian universities. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2021. A total of 310 university employees participated from six universities in Palestine. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection and included the following: personal characteristics of university employees, knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination, medical background of the participant, and their perception regarding receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. Results The results revealed that 32.6% and 43.2%of the participants had fever post the first and second doses, respectively. Also, 49.0% and 39.4% of them complained of exhaustion or fatigue and headache post the first dose and 58.1% and 46.1% had exhaustion or fatigue and pain in their muscles post the second dose, respectively. In addition, 29.2% and 16.7% of them had respiratory and digestive problems post the first dose and 38.9% and 19.0% had problems in respiratory and digestive respectively post the second dose. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that fever, symptoms at (the injection site), and exposure to physical symptoms have significant differences between the first dose and second doses of the vaccine ( p

Introduction Student in a maternity nursing program must be engaged in practical training and they must be well prepared and directed along the way to becoming qualified professionals. Objective The study aimed to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on anxiety among male nursing students undergoing maternity clinical training. Methods A quasi-experimental, pre-post study was conducted on nursing at Arab American University Palestine. The sample of the study consisted of 48 male nursing students enrolled in the maternity nursing course. They were selected through convenience sampling. This study was conducted on one group of male nursing students that received Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation exercise for five consecutive days per week. The S-anxiety scale (STAI Form Y-1) was applied to collect data before and after the intervention. Results The magnitude of anxiety reduction after the progressive muscle relaxation exercise was greater than before ( t (47) = 21.2, p

Introduction Working in closed wards at hospitals during night-time shifts and using electronic health records may raise the risk of dry eye disease in nurses. Objective The purpose of the current study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of dry eye disease among hospital nurses in the North West Bank, Palestine. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study. The study included 300 nurses who work at hospitals in the North West Bank, Palestine. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire on dry eye disease was used to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease. Results The percentage of dry eye disease prevalence among study participants was 62% with an OSDI score of >13 (mild to moderate and severe OSDI status). Nurses who wore contact lenses worked during the night-time, and worked in the intensive care unit were more likely to report significantly higher OSDI scores ( p .05). Conclusion Symptomatic dry eye disease is one of the most common ocular diseases among hospital nurses in Palestine.

The study is to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on anxiety of nursing students during their initial clinical experience. A quasi-experimental, pre-post study was carried out in the Arab American University. A convenience sample consists of 90 first-year nursing students were chosen. A progressive muscle relaxation exercise for five days per week was conducted on one group of nursing students. Students’ anxiety was measured by S-anxiety scale (STAI Form Y-1) at pre and post the intervention. The severity of anxiety reduction was greater post the exercise (t (89) = 30.783, P = .001).

Introduction Nursing education needs to be improved in order to bridge the gap between education and clinical practice. However, clinical placements for nursing students are limited and student nurses often take merely an observer role, especially in critical situations. High-fidelity simulation (HFS) is a teaching method that can bridge the gap between education and clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of using HFS as a teaching method on clinical judgment among pediatric nursing students at the Arab American University utilizing a bacterial meningitis case scenario. Methods A quasi-experimental study with a convenience sample of one hundred and fifty baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in a pediatric health nursing course. Nursing students were randomly assigned to high-fidelity simulation experience or traditional methods. The clinical judgment was assessed using Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric Tool. Results Results revealed that the high-fidelity simulation experience has improved pediatric nursing students’ clinical judgment. The mean clinical judgment differed significantly at post-test in the intervention group after the simulation (t (148) = 7.20, P < .001). Conclusion The HFS can be an effective tool to provide a safe and effective learning environment for pediatric nursing students, consequently improving their clinical judgment

Introduction Pediatric nursing students are expected to work hard to help children realize their full potential by giving care, knowing their growth process, and being responsive to their needs. Students should be able to communicate effectively and solve problems. Nurses who care for pediatric patients experience compassion fatigue as well as moderate to severe levels of work-related stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on anxiety among nursing students during pediatric nursing clinical training. Methods A quasi-experimental, pre-post study was conducted in the faculty of nursing at the Arab American University/Palestine. The sample of the study consists of 60 nursing students enrolled in the pediatric nursing course were selected through convenience sampling. This study was conducted on one group of nursing students that received Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation exercise for five consecutive days per week for two weeks before entering the clinical environment. The S-anxiety scale (STAI Form Y-1) was applied to collect data before and after the intervention. Results The magnitude of anxiety after the progressive muscle relaxation exercise was greater reduced than before (t (59) = 21.1, P

Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern and called for the collaborative efforts of all countries to prevent rapid spread. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 among Palestinian nursing students. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 218 nursing students from Arab American University and Al-Quds University. The instrument was developed by the researchers after a critical literature review. Results The results revealed that the majority of participates were third academic year level (60.6%). Only 84 (38.5%) of respondents had a high level of knowledge and 17(7.8%) had a positive attitude regarding COVID-19. Conclusion The study confirmed that nursing students had a moderate level of knowledge about COVID-19 and a negative attitude toward it.

The purpose of this study is to assess the health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of nursing students at Arab American University Palestine, Palestine. A cross-sectional design was used, 350 participants filled the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. The total HPLP score was 138.57 ± 22. Spiritual growth had the highest mean and physical activity had the lowest subscale. A significant relationship between the age of students and the sub-scales of stress management as well as physical activity. However, gender and spiritual growth subscale differed significantly. Also, there was a significant difference between students’ year level and physical activity. University administrators and staff should provide guidance to progress with more actual strategies to improve nursing students’ health-promoting behaviors.

Children with high blood pressure are much more likely than children with lower blood pressure to experience hypertension in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and predictors of hypertension in Palestinian children. Method Cross-sectional study was performed on five hundred and nine (10–13) year old students from governmental schools in Jenin and Tubas. Anthropometric measures consist of body mass index, hip circumference (HC), waist circumference (WC), the ratio of waist to hip (WHR), and the ratio of waist to height (WHtR) were measured. Blood pressure was assessed including systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) utilizing a (Dynamap) vital signs monitor. Results Approximately 38.7% of participants (38.8% females and 38.63% males) were considered pre-hypertensive and 7.3% of the participants (7.4% females and 7.1% males) were hypertensive. Also, there was a weak to moderate relationship between mean blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and the anthropometric measurements. Additionally, most predictors with significant effects on early childhood hypertension were body mass index (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09–1.23). Conclusions Hypertension and prehypertension are present in Palestinian children. Waist hip ratio is the greatest predictor of BP, followed by body mass index. Hence, weight-reduction strategies to at-risk children are crucial to minimizing the prevalence of Palestinian childhood hypertension.

Physical therapy students will be exposed to stressors across clinical practice. The aggregate stress conveys to the new behavioral responses occur through the clinical training. The study aimed to examine the stress sources faced by physical therapy students and behaviors of coping used in their clinical practice. A cross-section study with a sample of 83 physical therapy students. Data were collected through Perceived Stress Scale and Coping Behavioral Inventory Scale. The mean of perceived stress by the respondents was 66.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 17.01) and the coping behaviors mean was 35.15 (SD = 9.67). The most common type of factor stressors perceived was looking for care of patients (M = 16.6 ± 4.4) and the most common coping behavior was problem solving (M = 13.8±6.6). The study confirmed that the perceived stress and coping behaviors of physical therapy students were moderate in clinical practice. Stress from the care of patients is the greatest stressful, and problem solving was the greatest coping.

Background and Aim: Standard precautions are permitted in delivering the care to all patients in clinical settings to avoid the spread of infection. However, their interventions are grounded on the knowledge of the nurses and the other healthcare workers. The nurses should have satisfactory standard precautions' knowledge and practice level for hospital acquired infection. The study aimed to evaluate the standard precautions' knowledge and practice levels among the nurses in the Saudi Arabia private hospitals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between March and May 2017 in four hospitals (King Khalid Hospital, Najran General Hospital, Maternal and Child Hospital, and New Najran General Hospital). Data were collected using a validated tool from a convenience sample of 198 nurses. Results: The study showed that 88 (44.4%) had good knowledge while 109 (55.1%) had a fair knowledge of standard precautions. According to their practice, the majority 184 (92.9%) of the participants had good level while 13 (6.6%) had a fair level. Conclusion: The nurses have a good level of knowledge and practice with standard precautions. There is a moderate relationship between knowledge and practice of standard precaution. Nurses should practice standard precautions in their daily routine regardless of the patient diagnosis, updating knowledge, improved specific operational guidelines/policies on the practice of standard precaution, regular supply of infection prevention materials, and routine immunization and screening for the staff against Hepatitis B.

Background and Aim: It is equally important to highlight the necessity of teaching basic life support (BLS) to undergraduate nursing students so they can be equipped with BLS knowledge and skills to be able to handle critical cases during their training and in their future practice. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of BLS on the part of nursing professionals and students at the Arab American University of Jenin. It also sought to identify any link between BLS knowledge and such related factors as gender, age, education level, years of experience, etc. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive was conducted among 150 registered nurses from 4 governmental hospitals in districts covering the north, south and middle of Palestine, and 150 nursing students from the Arab-American University in Jenin in the period between 24 April 2017until 1 June 2017. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire developed by researchers and AHA BLS instructors, who are responsible for collecting information regarding basic knowledge on BLS resuscitation. Results: The result of this study acknowledges that registered nurses have higher average BLS knowledge score (56.7%) compared to nursing students at AAUJ (48.6%). Also, a highly significant difference between both groups in regards to BLS knowledge (p=0.001) was established. Conclusion: Nurses show a higher level of BLS knowledge than do nursing students. Evaluating knowledge in BLS theory and practice is necessary to mitigate possible disability or death caused by a time lag in resuscitation. The inclusion of BLS in nursing curriculum is essential.

Objectives. To identify prevalence and risk factors of depression among caregivers of Alzheimer’ disease (AD) patients. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, 110 caregivers of AD patients participated in this study (51 males and 59 females). Patients data were obtained from patients’ records at Aseer Central Hospital. Depression among caregivers was assessed by using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Results. The age of caregivers ranged from 17 to 85 years (Mean±SD: 41.1±14.0 years). Prevalence of depression among caregivers was 70%. Caregivers were mainly sons/daughters (69.1%) or spouses (11.8%). A total of 33 caregivers (30%) had mild depression while 44 (40%) had moderate depression. Prevalence of depression was significantly higher among caregivers of AD patients who were exposed to repeated falling down (p=0.003), but did not differ significantly among caregivers who were exposed to repeated pneumonia or getting lost. Caregivers’ scores of depression positively correlated with duration of caregivers’ daily stay with AD patients (r=0.272, p=0.004), but did not correlate significantly with either caregivers’ age or patients’ age. Moreover, caregivers’ depression did not differ significantly according to their marital status, educational status, employment status, or monthly income. Conclusions. Prevalence of depression among AD caregiver is high. Risk factors for depression include patients’ exposure to repeated falls and prolonged stay with patients. Therefore, psychiatric care should be provided to caregivers, home safety should be maintained to avoid falls, and several persons should interchangeably provide care to AD patients.

Worldwide, trauma is a leading cause of death and disability. Hemorrhage is responsible for up to 40% of trauma deaths. Recent strategies to improve mortality rates have focused on optimal methods of early hemorrhage control and correction of coagulopathy. This review aimed to evaluate hemorrhage control in trauma patients and to assess the effectiveness of interventions in bleeding and/or transfusion requirements; correction of trauma-induced coagulopathy and mortality. The Google Scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PubMed databases were used to explore studies between 2012 and 2023. The keywords included "hemorrhage, control, trauma, patients, bleeding, coagulopathy, and mortality" and were used in various combinations. In addition, original research reporting hemorrhage control in trauma patients was evaluated. Full-text publications served as the inclusion criterion. Though 85 articles were obtained, only eight met the inclusion criteria. All the studies were retrospective. The study population was comprised of more than 9,634 trauma patients. Uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock was found to be the main reason for trauma patients' death. The resuscitation strategy should center upon permissive hypotension and early hemostatic resuscitation combined to identify and correct coagulopathy. Antiplatelet therapy patients with ground-level falls had a higher risk of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage than anticoagulation therapy patients. For patients suffering hemorrhagic shock, and especially from truncal hemorrhage, the recommended primary outcome was 3 to 6-hour all-cause mortality, chosen to coincide with the physiology of hemorrhagic death and to avoid bias from competing risks. For pelvic trauma patients, intervention for pelvic hemorrhage management was necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]