Ahmad Yahya AL-Sagarat

The impact of a mental health clinical placement on the clinical confidence of nursing students in Jordan

OBJECTIVES To examine the impact of clinical placement in a mental health setting on the clinical confidence of nursing students in Jordan. DESIGN AND SETTING A non-experimental descriptive survey design was used. Data was collected using the Mental Health Nursing Clinical Confidence Scale (MHNCCS) in Jordan. RESULTS Data indicates that, as a result of clinical placement, nursing students had improved perceived confidence regarding the concept of mental health and mental illness, felt better able to conduct a mental health status examination, create nursing care plans, administer medication and provide health education to patients in mental health settings. CONCLUSIONS Improving the clinical confidence among Jordanian nursing students in relation to mental health nursing skills may provide a safer environment for students and patients as well as lead to enhanced well-being and function of patients. In addition, the results of this study may have practical implications for positive changes to the mental health nursing curriculum clinical placement goals.

Prevalence of aggressive behaviours among inpatients with psychiatric disorders: A case study analysis from Jordan

In this study, we investigated the correlates of aggression among consumers with mental illness within two psychiatric hospitals in Jordan. This was a descriptive, cross sectional study carried out by auditing consumers’ medical records in regards to incidents of aggression before and during admission. Approval was gained from 203 next of kins to review the consumers’ medical records. Results from this case analysis, found the prevalence of aggressive behaviours among psychiatric inpatients in Jordan to be 23.6%, the most common form of aggression was consumer to consumer and that the aggressive act was more likely to be perpetrated by younger consumers. Such findings contribute to the discourse about aggression and understanding who and what causes aggression can go toward identify strategies for early intervention and management. After all, mental health units should be places of safety, that is, an asylum, and everyone who enters that environment deserves to be safe.

Prevalence and Risk Factors ofWorkplace Violence towardMental Health Staff Departments in Jordanian Hospitals

abstract A cross-sectional study (n = 262) was conducted to assess the prevalence of workplace violence among mental health departments staff in Jordan. The findings showed that 67.2% of the respondents were victims of at least one violent incident in the last year. Verbal abuse was the most reported type of violence. Patients were considered as the main source of violence. The contributing factors to workplace violence include being unmarried and working longer shifts. Sadly, just being a healthcare worker was found to also be a factor in the incidence of increased workplace violence. As a result of these findings, workplace violence policies and legislation should be instituted, and mental health department staff should be trained on violence-management policies.

The perceptions of the ward atmosphere in four Jordanian psychiatric hospitals from the perspective of patients' relatives.

PURPOSE To describes the perceptions of the ward atmosphere of psychiatric hospitals from the perspective of the relatives of people who were inpatients in those hospitals. DESIGN AND METHODS A nonexperimental descriptive survey was used. Data were collected using the Arabic version of Moos Ward Atmosphere Scale Ideal and Real forms. FINDINGS Data indicate that even though relatives of Jordanian mental health patients were generally positive about the ward atmosphere, they would like to see changes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS By describing their current and ideal treatment environments, participants have provided information that can guide interventions to change the ward atmosphere and thus help foster better patient treatment outcomes.Purpose To describes the perceptions of the ward atmosphere of psychiatric hospitals from the perspective of the relatives of people who were inpatients in those hospitals. Design and Methods A nonexperimental descriptive survey was used. Data were collected using the Arabic version of Moos Ward Atmosphere Scale Ideal and Real forms. Findings Data indicate that even though relatives of Jordanian mental health patients were generally positive about the ward atmosphere, they would like to see changes. Practice Implications By describing their current and ideal treatment environments, participants have provided information that can guide interventions to change the ward atmosphere and thus help foster better patient treatment outcomes.

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among psychiatric inpatients

PURPOSE This study aimed at examining correlates of substance use among patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders in Jordan. METHODS This study used a nonexperimental descriptive survey design. Data were collected through using DUSI-R scale obtained through a self-designed questionnaire. A total of (203) subjects satisfied the inclusion criteria. RESULTS Most used substances prior to admission were caffeine (78.2%), cigarette (60.9%), and alcohol (22.2%), while the least were heroin (1.2%) and inhalants (0.08%). Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia had higher percentages among all other disorders (n = 16, 21.9%), although there was no statistical difference among patients related to their psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSION We recommend that mental health professionals be equipped with necessary skills to manage substance use among patients with psychiatric disorders.

Intentions and barriers toward breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers-A cross sectional descriptive study using quantitative method.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is very important for both mother and infant. Within Jordanian hospitals, intentions and barriers to breastfeeding have not been addressed effectively during preparing policies in routine antenatal care or in maternal and child health care. AIM To identify the intentions and barriers toward breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers with a specific focus on women from low income circumstances. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study using quantitative methods was adopted in this study. Data was collected via the Modified Infant Feeding Intention Scale (MIFIS). FINDINGS Women reported that for the most part their intention to feed their babies was using formula milk. However, they reported a desire to breastfeed but this intention could be hindered due to limited social support and challenges related to work arrangements. Further, participants also reported concerns regarding perceived pain that breastfeeding may cause and concerns regarding changes in their body shape and weight as a result of breastfeeding. CONCLUSION Views toward breastfeeding among Jordanian women are not homogeneous. Policymakers and nurse educators should be cognizant of findings from this study and use them as guidelines for decision making. Efforts to improve intention toward breastfeeding can be achieved through structured and targeted educational programs for women from low income circumstances, and by modifying policies concerning work conditions for mothers to enable them to breastfeed their babies.

Preparing the family and children for surgery

The focus of this literature analysis is the concept of preparing the family and children for surgery. As posited in the literature, surgery causes stress and anxiety that have a negative impact on both parents and their children. Therefore, the need for health care professionals to facilitate positive preparation for surgery to minimize anxiety and enhance postoperative recovery is important. Preparing the family and children for surgery is discussed in depth under the following themes: Preoperative Anxiety in Children, the Impact of Preoperative Anxiety on the Pediatric Patients and Parents, Preoperative Psychological Preparation for Children and Parents, and the Role of Nurse Practitioners in Preoperative Preparation. Through reviewing the literature, it would appear that some areas of preparation for parents are not as sufficient as they could be, particularly with regard to adequate preoperative education programs. The majority of studies reported that therapeutic play and clown interventions used for psychological preparation of parents and their children have been effective in minimizing and decreasing anxiety levels.

Validating the psychiatric nurses methods of coping questionnaire: Arabic version

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to undertake a psychometric analysis of the Psychiatric Nurses Methods of Coping Questionnaire (PNMCQ) - Arabic version when used to measure coping skills in psychiatric nurses in Jordan.MethodA descriptive, cross-sectional design was adopted in this study. A demographic questionnaire and the 35-item PNMCQ -Arabic were the measures used to collect data.ResultThe PNMCQ demonstrated valid and reliable values when administered to psychiatric nurses in Jordan after it had been submitted to factor analysis.ConclusionThe development of PNMCQ: Arabic Version adequately measures coping skills in psychiatric nurses from a culturally appropriate context. Use of the tool can determine coping skills in psychiatric nurses with the view to positive staff development. Strategies identified based on results of the PNMCQ could ultimately result in better nurse retention and patient outcomes.

Attitudes of Health Care Providers Toward the Presence of Family Members During Invasive Procedures in Children

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to explore the attitudes of health care providers in Jordan toward family members’ presence during invasive procedures for their children. A cross sectional descriptive design, using a non-experimental, explorative method was used in this study. A purposive sample of 75 health care providers (physicians, registered nurses) was recruited from 4 departments of the Queen Rania Military Hospital in Jordan. Results indicated that health care providers in this study have reported that they do not usually approve family presence during the performance of an invasive procedure to the child. Results also suggest that the benefits achieved from family presence during different invasive procedures are limited for the child, the family, and the overall process. The study concluded that family presence while performing an invasive procedure can be helpful once both family members and health care staff were aware of their roles and how to increase comfort and minimize pain experienced by the child. Future research is recommended to establish evidence on staff attitudes, educational and training requirements of staff and family, and the need for policies to help families promote better child health.