Jafar Alasad

Patients’ satisfaction with nursing care in Jordan

This exploratory study investigated patients’ satisfaction with nursing care at a major teaching hospital in Jordan. A total of 266 in‐patients participated in the study. Patients were recruited from the medical, surgical, and gynecological wards. Pearson correlation, one‐way analysis of variance, and logistic regression analyses were used. The findings showed that patients in surgical wards had lower levels of satisfaction than patients in medical or gynecological wards. Gender, educational level, and having other diseases were significant predictors for patients’ satisfaction with nursing care. Methodological challenges, implications to nursing practice, and recommendations to nursing research are discussed.

Nursing care and quality of life among Jordanian patients with cancer

Purpose – The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life of patients with different types of cancer in Jordan and its relationship with nursing care.Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory approach utilizing cross‐sectional design with a structured questionnaire, administered to patients face‐to‐face, with specific questions about demographic and health status and two standardized scales: Patients Satisfaction with Nursing Scale (NSNS), and Function of Living Index‐Cancer (FLIC) were used. The study sample comprised 156 patients with cancer who were hospitalized in two governmental hospitals in Amman and Karak and two university‐based hospitals in Amman and Irbid cities.Findings – The sample of the study showed that the types of cancer distribution were close to the cancer distribution among the Jordanian population. The median age of the sample was 47 years with a range between 18 years and 80 years. Nearly two‐thirds of the participants perceived their current health as good. All variable...

Nursing Student's Experiences in Critical Care Course: A Qualitative Study

Background: Critical care nursing is a requirement for senior baccalaureate nursing students at our college. Undergraduate critical care nursing course provide an opportunity for students to develop basic knowledge and skills in critical care, and exposure them to the role of the critical care nurse. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a compulsory critical care course. Design: A qualitative content analysis study design was utilised to conduct the study. Setting: The study was conducted in one university in Saudi Arabia. Participants: All nursing students enrolled in compulsory critical care course (n=180). Methods: Students were asked to report their experiences daily in writing during clinical training using a special form the self-reported learning experience form and notes from post-clinical conferences were analysed qualitatively and emerging themes were presented. Results: Participants described a variety of unique experiences throughout the course, however four main themes emerged: support, knowledge and skills, socialisation and moving on. Key factors that influence students experiences include: support from faculty and clinical supervisor, preceptors’ attitudes towards students and learning process, course content, and patients’ acuity in the unit. Strategies such as self-directed learning and preceptorship management were found to positively improve students’ experiences. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need for support in the form of educational activities to provide the skills and knowledge required to care for the critically ill patient, Effective preceptorship appears to be significant in attaining socialisation to the unit. Further implications and recommendations for education, practice, and research will be discussed.

Prevalence of Obesity and Knowledge of Health Risk Associated with Obesity among Female Adolescents in Jordan

Introduction: Overweight and obesity is major health challenge worldwide. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and assess knowledge on the health risks associated with obesity among female adolescents in the Jordanian capital Amman. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 782 female adolescents was conducted using random sampling technique. Height and weight were measured and body mass index for age was used to determine overweight and obesity depending on International Obesity Task Force standers. Obesity risk knowledge-10 scale was used to assess knowledge level among female adolescents. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents were 34.9% and 12.5% respectively. Knowledge about health risk associated with obesity among female adolescents was low. Ninety five percent of participant had low to moderate knowledge about health risk associated with obesity. Conclusions: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Jordanian female adolescents was high. Overweight and obesity is a serious public health problem among female adolescents in Jordan.

Effects of Prophylactic Laxatives for Opioid-Induced Constipation on Constipation Severity and Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer

Background: To reduce patients’ unnecessary suffering, Opioids Induced Constipation (OIC) should be identified and treated as early as possible with the most current treatment. Aims: to investigate the effectiveness of prophylactic laxatives in reducing the severity of OIC and its impact on cancer patients’ quality of life. Methods: A Randomized Clinical Trial design was used. 57 cancer patients from one oncology clinic at a governmental hospital participated in the study. Patients in the intervention groups were given an oral colonic stimulant laxative (i.e. Bisacodyl, Dose = 3 tab/day) or an oral colonic osmotic laxative (i.e. Lactulose, Dose = 15 ml three times per day), while patients in the control continue receiving their routine care as usual. Results: A significant decrease in the severity of constipation symptoms among the intervention group at four weeks post-intervention was noted (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant improvement in QOL among patients in the intervention group (p < 0.001) and no significant difference in the control group (p = 0.887). Conclusions: It can be concluded that the use prophylactic of first line laxatives concurrently with opioids decreased the severity of OIC and improved the QOL for cancer patients.

Perceptions related to cardiovascular disease and physical activity behavior in Arab men: A qualitative study

Objectives: To describe the daily physical activity of Arab men living in the United States and to understand how perceptions of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk influence their inclusion of physical activity into their daily routine. Methods: A qualitative descriptive method using a semi‐structured face‐to‐face interview with each participant was conducted. Twenty young college males (age 26 ± 4 years) were recruited from Arab American community centers. Results: The qualitative inductive content analysis revealed three main themes: impact of perceived CVD risk on physical activity behavior and perceived barriers and motivators to be physically active. Arab men primarily perceived gaining weight as the most important CVD risk factor that could promote their physical activity behavior. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that unawareness about CVD risk and barriers to regular physical activity must be considered in any intervention to engage Arab men in regular physical activity.