Health Care Centers Research Articles

Evaluating tuberculosis knowledge and awareness of effective control practices among health care workers in primary- and secondary-level medical institutions in Beijing, China

ObjectiveInadequate tuberculosis (TB) knowledge and awareness of proper TB control practices among health care workers (HCWs) may increase the risk of nosocomial TB transmission. This study aimed to assess HCWs’ TB-related knowledge and control practices to guide the development of more effective targeted TB health education and training programs.MethodsIn January 2023 a cross-sectional survey was administered to 323 HCWs employed by five primary health care centers and three secondary comprehensive medical institutions in Beijing, China. Survey data were collected using a standard questionnaire.ResultsAnalysis of survey responses revealed TB knowledge and practices awareness rates of 60.4% and 90.6%, respectively. The overall average awareness rate across all 19 TB knowledge- and practice-related questions was 70.0%. Intermediate- and senior-level HCW’s average TB knowledge score was respectively 2.225 and 8.175 times higher than that of primary-level HCWs, while the average TB knowledge score of HCWs in secondary comprehensive medical institutions was 3.052 times higher than that of HCWs in primary health care centers. Higher average TB knowledge score correlated with higher-level professional titles and higher level work units, but higher average TB control practices score correlated with employment at primary health care center rather than secondary comprehensive medical institution. Notably, 13.6% of HCWs had not received TB training during the past three years, while 86.1% expressed willingness to undergo online TB training.ConclusionThese findings highlight inadequate TB knowledge and awareness of proper TB control practices among HCWs in primary health care centers and secondary comprehensive medical institutions in Beijing, underscoring the urgent need for targeted educational and training initiatives to improve TB awareness and control efforts.

Source domain prior-assisted segment anything model for single domain generalization in medical image segmentation

Deep learning-based medical image segmentation models often suffer from performance degradation across domains due to domain discrepancies arising from data collected by various healthcare centers. Recent advancements, particularly the Segment Anything Model (SAM), have shown promising generalization abilities in this field, inspiring the development of several SAM-based approaches to address domain discrepancy issue. Nevertheless, these methods seldom exploit the full potential of the rich source domain knowledge to improve segmentation accuracy in unseen target domains. In this paper, we propose a source domain prior-assisted module for generalizable medical image segmentation based on SAM. Specifically, we store diverse features of the source domain data in a memory bank. When applying the model to the target domain, the features of the target domain first match with the features in the memory bank to obtain invaluable prior information. This strategy enables the model to utilize the prior information from the source domain to adapt to the target domain. We validate the proposed method on two widely used medical image segmentation tasks across multiple domains and achieve state-of-the-art performance.

Inconsistent health hazard information across safety data sheets for substances in cleaning products used in healthcare centres

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are used to inform downstream users of any hazardous substances in chemical products and advise on how to manage the risks from using these products. It is therefore important that information on the SDS is accurate and consistent. This study investigates the accuracy and consistency of hazard information included in the SDSs of cleaning products used in the healthcare sector in England and Wales.Data on cleaning products used in the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales and their chemical composition and any hazard information (as H-statements) were collected from the products’ SDSs obtained from the NHS supply online catalogue. By each hazard, mainly respiratory hazards, the number of hazardous substances specified as hazardous in all SDSs was identified. Moreover, we investigated hazard characteristics of substances identified by only SDS (at least one SDS) or only through Harmonised Classifications and Labeling (CLH) or by SDS and through CLH simultaneously.In total, 229 unique chemical substances were found in 473 cleaning products’ SDSs. All 4 respiratory sensitisiers were identified in all SDSs and through CLH. However, only 14 of the 25 respiratory irritants (56.0 %) were consistently labelled across all SDSs. Although respiratory irritation characteristics of 3 substances were classified through CLH, it was not identified by any of the relevant SDSs.Substantially incorrect and inconsistent health hazard information for the same substances was identified across SDSs. Therefore, healthcare workers and their managers may not receive accurate information on the presence of and potential for exposure to hazardous substances in the cleaning products they are using.

Assessing patient satisfaction and healthcare delivery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from Jammu and Kashmir, India

IntroductionAmidst the challenges posed by Covid-19, assessing healthcare quality in India is crucial, particularly through patient satisfaction levels.MethodologyA cross-sectional survey of 277 participants in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted, utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire and PSQ-18. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (v25) including Chi-Square tests and Descriptive analysis.ResultsOut of 277 participants, 70.8% expressed high satisfaction with medical care. Majority (70%) agreed that doctors explained medical tests well. Additionally, 70% strongly agreed that their doctor’s office was well-equipped. Dissatisfaction factors were notably low. Significant associations were found between age and alcohol use (p = 0.041), gender and alcohol use (p = 0.007), gender and tobacco use (p = 0.032), and education level and vaccination (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe study highlights high patient satisfaction during the pandemic. Improving accessibility and quality of primary healthcare and community centres is essential to meet patient needs effectively.

Seasonal variations in psychiatry outpatient service utilization in a tertiary health care center in subtropical arid regions of northwestern India

Background: Research on climatic parameters contributing to psychiatric disorder seasonality is limited, particularly in subtropical, arid climates like Rajasthan, necessitating investigation into seasonal variations in psychiatric disorder incidence in the region. This study investigates seasonal variations in psychiatric disorder prevalence over 2 years at a Rajasthan tertiary healthcare center, aiming to uncover links with climatic factors. Aims: To investigate seasonal variations in the utilization of outpatient psychiatry services and elucidate potential determinants contributing to these temporal variations. Settings and Design: This is a hospital-based study. A retrospective chart review of all new patients who utilized psychiatry outpatient services from July 2021 to July 2023 was conducted. Methods and Material: Data were gathered from psychiatric outpatient records of adults (July 2021 to July 2023), diagnosed using ICD-10. Seasons were categorized: winter (November–January), spring (February–April), summer (May–July), and rainy (August–October). Meteorological data, temperature, and day length were obtained. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and Chi-square fitness, assessed seasonal associations with psychiatric disorders. Results: A total of 29,164 patient records were observed. Depression correlated with temperature and photoperiod. Mania peaked in August, linked to day length. Schizophrenia showed seasonal variation without environmental correlation. Anxiety peaked in March with no statistical significance. Obsessive compulsive disorder cases spiked in June, moderately correlated with temperature and photoperiod. Alcohol-related disorders peaked in December, while opioid dependence remained steady. Cannabis-induced psychosis peaked in summer, strongly correlated with temperature and day length. Headaches surged in August, positively correlated with temperature and day length. Conclusions: This study reveals complex relationships between seasonality, environmental factors, and psychiatric disorders, emphasizing their importance in mental health research and practice.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Treatment Burden and Medication Adherence Among Primary Care Patients with Multimorbidity in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of multiple chronic conditions, presents significant challenges in treatment management and medication adherence. This study investigates the burden of multimorbidity and factors influencing treatment adherence among primary care patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2023, including 422 participants selected via stratified random sampling from 12 primary healthcare centers in Jeddah. Participants were adults aged 18 years or older with two or more confirmed long-term medical conditions. The Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire (MTBQ) and General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) were used to measure treatment burden and medication adherence, respectively. Demographic variables were assessed for their influence on these outcomes. High treatment burden was reported by 55% of participants, while 21% reported medium burden, 15% experienced low burden and 9% no burden. Medication adherence was partial in 69% of participants, with 13% reporting high adherence, 13% good adherence, and 5% poor adherence. Statistically significant differences in MTBQ scores were observed based on marital status, education level, residence, occupation, and income. GMAS scores varied statistically significantly with marital status, education level, residence, occupation, income, and previous self-care education session attendance and MTBQ scores, with those having high burden reporting the lowest adherence scores. Demographic factors, including marital status, education level, residence, occupation, and income, significantly influence multimorbidity treatment burden and medication adherence. A higher treatment burden was associated with lower adherence. Targeted interventions addressing these factors could improve treatment outcomes for patients with multiple chronic conditions.

Prevalence and Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers of Children Aged 6-24 Months in the Aseer Region.

Background Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is crucial for infant and maternal health, providing optimal nutrition and immune protection for infants while reducing maternal postpartum depression and cancer risk. However, global trends show an early cessation of breastfeeding and the introduction of other foods. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors influencing EBF among mothers in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster sampling approach was conducted from January to March 2024 in primary healthcare centers across the Aseer region. Participants included mothers of children aged 6-24 months attending primary healthcare centers for immunizations or routine check-ups. A pretested structured questionnaire, developed after an extensive literature review and expert consultation, was used to interview consenting participants. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic data, obstetric and medical history, child data, EBF practices, maternal knowledge and perception of breastfeeding, counseling about breastfeeding, antenatal care, breastfeeding support, and barriers and motivators of EBF. Results A total of 1,008 eligible mothers were included. Only 131 (13%) fulfilled the World Health Organization criteria for EBF. Moreover, 257 (25.5%) mothers initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery, and 387 (38.4%) exclusively breastfed for six months or more. EBF was less frequent among mothers with higher education (8%, n = 2) compared to those with lower education (23%, n = 23, p = 0.017). EBF was also less frequent among mothers who delivered via cesarean section (7.9%, n = 28) compared to those who had a vaginal delivery (15.8%, n = 103, p = 0.001). Conversely, EBF was more common among mothers with more than five pregnancies (15.8%, n = 45) compared to those with one to two pregnancies (9.4%, n = 37, p = 0.023). EBF was also more common among mothers who had breastfed more than four children (16.7%, n = 39) compared to those who had not (12.1%, n = 49, p = 0.048). Finally, EBF was more common among mothers without postpartum complications (13.4%, n = 131) or whose infants had no birth complications (13.4%, n = 128) compared to their respective counterparts (p = 0.029 and p = 0.048, respectively). Conclusions This study found a low prevalence of EBF in the Aseer region, despite high maternal knowledge and positive perceptions. Factors such as low education, medical barriers, unemployment, and high parity were associated with increased EBF rates. Interventions should focus on improving workplace support and increasing maternal awareness of EBF recommendations.

Health determinants among participants in targeted health dialogues offered to all 40-year-old individuals in a metropolitan region of 1.4 million people

Objective To examine cardiovascular risk factors in 40-year-old participants in the health screening program targeted health dialogues (THDs). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting 99 Swedish healthcare centers. Intervention Metabolic risk factors and health behaviors were assessed. THDs were provided. Subjects 1831 (62.3%) THD participants that consented to take part in the research project. Main outcome measures (1) Prevalence of metabolic risk factors (blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, BMI, waist-hip ratio) and unhealthy behaviors (tobacco, alcohol, diet, physical activity) by sex, education, and place of birth. (2) Associations between different health behaviors and between the number of unhealthy behaviors and prevalence of metabolic risk factors. (3) THD participation by sociodemographics compared to age-matched controls. Results Men had a higher prevalence of all metabolic risk factors, excessive alcohol use and tobacco use than women. Lower educated individuals had a higher prevalence of metabolic risk factors (except for LDL cholesterol) and tobacco use than highly educated. Participants born outside Sweden had a higher prevalence of obesity, high waist-hip ratio, and tobacco use. Participants with 3–4 unhealthy behaviors had significantly higher prevalence of each of the metabolic risk factors except BMI. Women, highly educated and Swedish-born participants were slightly over-represented in the THDs. Conclusion Considering the associations between unhealthy behaviors and metabolic risk factors, the THD method, covering lifestyle as well as objective health measures, may be an appropriate method for early identification of individuals at risk for future non-communicable diseases in the whole population with a specific focus on certain groups. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04912739

Physical Activity Assessment of Physicians in Primary Healthcare Centers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Physical inactivity is a significant global health concern and a major contributor to numerous non-communicable diseases. A focus on physical activity in healthcare services, particularly among healthcare professionals, is crucial. This study aims to explore physical activity levels and influencing factors among physicians in Primary Healthcare Centers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving physicians from Primary Healthcare Centers in Makkah. An online questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographic factors and the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ). Data were analyzed using the SPSS, version 29.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Of the 194 physicians included in the study, 25.3% were found to be inactive, 24.1% moderately inactive, 25.3% moderately active, and 25.3% active. There was no significant association between the Physical Activity Index and age, gender, nationality, income, having children, or job classification. However, marital status, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking status, and the presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and depression were significantly associated with the Physical Activity Index (p<0.05). The study provides valuable insights into the physical activity levels among physicians in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The findings suggest the need for strategies to increase physical activity among physicians, particularly those who are single, overweight or obese, smokers, and those with certain health conditions.

Autistic features in patients with intellectual disability attending the psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary healthcare center

Background: Meta-syndromic groups with cognitive and relational impairment include both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). When it comes to individuals with intellectual difficulties, autistic traits are often unexplored unless they reach the level of the syndrome. The presence of both autism and ID increases disability percentage. Aim: To study the presence of autistic symptoms in individuals with ID. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study in which after informed consent from caretakers of patients with ID, clinical history and sociodemographic details were recorded. Further Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) was administered for evaluation of autistic features. Statistical analysis of the data was done using the Chi-square test and Spearman’s correlation. Results: Out of 150 subjects with ID, 18% (n = 27) were diagnosed with comorbid ASD. A statistically significant (P value = &lt;0.001) association was found between the severity of ID (intelligence quotient, [IQ]) and the severity of autism in patients. Various domains of autism like social relation and reciprocity, speech, language, communication, emotional responsiveness, etc., showed a statistically significant correlation with IQ. Conclusion: This study finding also highlights that lower IQ scores, i.e., severe ID have higher incidence and severity of autistic features. Improving assessment both clinically and on objective testing can help in planning rehabilitation for these patients.

Evaluating the Quality of Primary Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: A Nine-Year Review at a Tertiary Healthcare Center.

This study aimed to assess the quality of primary transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) procedures performed at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) over nine years, focusing on proper documentation, completeness of tumor resection, quality of histopathology reports, complication rates, and adherence to European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines. A retrospective analysis of patients aged 25-75 who underwent primary TURBT at AKUH between 2010 and 2019 was done. Patients with incomplete records, concomitant procedures, or those who underwent emergency TURBT were excluded. Data was collected on patient demographics, clinical presentation, intraoperative details, and histopathology reports. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 27.0. 300 patients were initially identified, with 265 meeting the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 61.5 years, with 83% being male. Complete tumor resection was achieved in 35% (n=92) of cases, while deep biopsy was taken in 85% (n=226). Detrusor muscle (DM), a marker of resection quality, was noted in 75% (n=200) of histopathology reports. However, documentation quality varied, with 54% (n=143) of cases lacking clear information on resection completeness. The administration of a single instillation of a chemotherapeutic agent (SICA) was recorded in 79% (n=210) of patients, and the 30-day postoperative complication rate was monitored. The study highlights areas for improvement in the quality of TURBT procedures at AKUH, particularly in the documentation of resection completeness and adherence to established guidelines. Ensuring thorough resection and proper documentation is critical to optimizing patient outcomes and future management plans.

Synergistic patient factors are driving recent increased pediatric urgent care demand.

We aimed to use the high fidelity urgent care patient data to model the factors that have led to the increased demand at our local pediatric urgent care centre. The dataset for this retrospective cohort study was obtained from our local healthcare centre's national reporting data for pediatric urgent care visits from 2006 to 2022. Variables analyzed included: basic patient demographics, chief complaint, triage urgency, date and time of registration/discharge, discharge diagnosis, and discharge destination. Statistical analysis of non-linear trends was summarized by locally estimated scatterplot smoothing splines. For machine learning, we used the tidymodels R package. Models were validated in training using k-fold cross validation with k = 5. We used univariate linear regression as a baseline model. After the data was standardized, correlation and homoscedasticity were evaluated between all parameter permutations. This dataset consisted of 164,660 unique visits to our academic centre's pediatric urgent care. Over the study period, there was an overall substantial increase in the number of urgent care visits per day, with a rapid increase beyond previous levels in 2021 and further in 2022. The increased length of stay trend was consistent across presenting complaint categories. The proportion of patients without primary care in 2022 was 2.5 times higher than in 2013. A random forest machine learning model revealed the relative importance of features to predicting a visit in 2022 were: longer stay, later registration in the day, diagnosis of an infectious illness, and younger age. This study identified a combination of declining primary care access, circulating viral infections, and shifting chief complaints as factors driving the recent increase in frequency and duration of visits to our urgent care service.

Determinants of COVID-19 severity and mortality in children: A retrospective and multicenter cohort study in Medan, Indonesia.

This study investigated indicators of the severity and mortality of COVID-19 in children in Medan, Sumatera Utara Province, Indonesia. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of severity and outcome of children with COVID-19 as the lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the limited health facilities in Indonesia. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022 at multiple centers. Inpatient and outpatient children confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 positive were randomly recruited in the selected hospitals. Baseline data (demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data) were collected, and outcomes were classified as recovered/deceased (for the inpatient group) or returned to the hospital (for the outpatient group). Severity status was identified based on the Indonesia COVID-19 guidelines. The laboratory data were categorized according to international standards and data were analyzed using univariate analyzes followed by multivariate logistic regression. A total of 303 inpatient and 114 outpatient children were included in the analysis. Out of the total inpatient cases, nine patients died, with 2.9 mortality rate. Our final multivariate indicated that the presence of shortness of breath (SOB), anemia, and abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly associated with the severity or the presence of emergency signs, while the presence of SOB and comorbidities were significantly associated with mortality in inpatient children with COVID-19. The presence of fever, cough, SOB, muscle ache and diarrhea were the reasons why the children were returned to the hospital from self-isolation at home among outpatient COVID-19 cases; however, the cough was the only significant factor in the final multivariate mode. This study highlights important determinants of COVID-19 severity and mortality in children, which should be considered during clinical decision-making in low-resource settings of healthcare centers in Indonesia.

Knowledge and Perception of Anti-obesity Medications Among Primary Healthcare Center Visitors in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Obesity is a significant public health concern globally, with an alarming prevalence in Saudi Arabia. While anti-obesity medications (AOMs) offer a pharmacological approach to weight management, their awareness and perception remain underexplored. To assess the knowledge, perception, and prevalence of AOM usage among primary healthcare visitors in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 361 primary healthcare visitors aged 18 to 60 in Jeddah. Data on demographics, knowledge, and usage of AOMs were collected using a structured online questionnaire. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to ensure a representative sample. Statistical analyses included median and interquartile ranges (IQR) for continuous variables and frequencies and proportions for categorical variables. Knowledge differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. A pilot study with 10% of the sample was conducted to refine the questionnaire. Approval from the Ethics Committee was obtained, and participants provided informed consent. The study found a median knowledge score of 44.4% regarding AOMs. Significant associations were noted between higher knowledge levels and educational attainment (p=0.008), healthcare worker status (p=0.009), monthly income (p=0.029), and previous use of weight loss medications (p<0.001). The most commonly used AOM was Ozempic (13.0%). Social media emerged as the most common source of information, positively correlating with higher knowledge levels (p=0.006). Additionally, 72.0% of participants were aware that not everyone is suitable for AOMs, and 78.9% understood that these medications are more effective when combined with diet and exercise. Side effects awareness varied, with 32.1% recognizing nausea and vomiting and 55.4% aware of the increased risks of pancreatitis. The study reveals that primary healthcare visitors in Jeddah have a moderate level of knowledge about AOMs, with significant differences based on education, professional status, and sources of information. To improve awareness and appropriate use of AOMs, targeted educational interventions should be implemented. These interventions could help reduce obesity-related health issues by ensuring that individuals are well-informed about the benefits and risks of AOMs.

Pattern of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Head and Neck Swelling in Patients Attending a Tertiary Health Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, rapid, cost-effective method in diagnosis of head and neck swelling with minimal risk of complications. Head and neck swellings include a broad spectrum of diseases with different management for each. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a suitable and useful method for assessment of these swelling. This study was done with the objective to study the frequency and distribution of various head and neck lesions detected by fine needle aspiration cytology. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care center from February 1 to July 31, 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: IRC-PA-191/2078-79). All the patients presenting with head and neck swelling during the study period were included in this study. Total sampling was done. Fine needle aspiration was done and cytological diagnosis was made. Descriptive analysis was done where frequency and percentage were calculated. Out of 112 cases included in the study, 43 (38.40%) were of lymph nodes, 36 (32.14%) of thyroid, 22 (19.64%) of skin and soft tissue and 11 (9.82%) of salivary glands. Among the lymph nodes cases, there were 11 (25.57%) metastases. In thyroid lesions, beingn lesions were seen in 24 (66.68%). This study found that lymph nodes were the most common site for head and neck swellings, frequently involving metastatic lesions.

Analysing the drivers of stunting reduction in twelve sub-saharan African countries using the RIF decomposition approach

BackgroundThis study examines how significant is the changes in child stunting in Sub-Saharan African countries (SSA). Then, it investigates factors that contributed to the reduction in child stunting in those countries. For each country, we distinguish the contribution of compositional effects and structural effect.MethodsThis paper uses data from Demographic and Health Surveys of 12 sub-Saharan African countries conducted between 2000 and 2020. The z-test to compare two independent proportions was used to assess changes in child stunting and explanatory variables over the period. Recentred influence function (RIF) decomposition method was used to decompose changes in stunting over the year in each country, and to determine the contribution of each variable to the changes.ResultsThe prevalence of child stunting declines significantly in 11 countries over the year. The decline varies from 6.8% in Cameroun to 19% in Mali. The average year of education of the child’s mother and father, and the proportion of households with access to an improved drinking water source have contributed to the reduction in child stunting. This result was found in all the countries. Improvements in living standards, child vaccination, antenatal care attendance, delivery to health care centres, maternal education, improved drinking water sources, and improved sanitation make the largest contribution to the composition component, hence reducing child stunting.ConclusionsThis study sheds light on what has contributed to the achieved improvement in child nutritional status and suggests how to possibly accelerate the reduction in undernutrition in countries that lag.

Development and Use of Suicide Registry for Recording Patient Profile with Self-harm Visiting Tertiary Hospital of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Suicide is a major public health concern globally as well as in Nepal. It is important to have baseline data regarding suicide attempts to develop a prevention strategy. This study aims to describe the methodology used to develop a suicide registry and use it to collect data from patient visiting emergency or psychiatric outpatient department with suicide attempts in a tertiary care hospital. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted retrospectively after obtaining ethical approval (Reference number: drs2005211371) from institutional review committee. Total sampling was done from the database covering the period from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2023. The database was in the form of suicide registry that was developed after reviewing the existing data of primary health care centres, private hospitals, and tertiary care centers and a series of discussions among mental health experts. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysis was done. Among the 248 patients, there were 109 (43.95%) male and 139 (56.05%) female. There were 209 (84.27%) patients who attempted suicide inside home, poisoning was seen in 90 (36.29%) and 183 (73.79%) had impulsive intention. Out of total patients, 59 (23.79%) had prior communication and 84 (33.87%) had previous attempts, 109 (43.95%) patients had impulsive attempts as diagnosis and 75 (30.24%) had depression. As per the suicide registry, most of the patients attempted suicide inside home and the most common method used was ingestion of poison.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of Nursing Stress Scale in Jordanian Nurses.

Background and Purpose: Occupational stress (OS) has been widely acknowledged as a health issue among nurses. OS primarily impacts nurses to a greater extent than other healthcare professionals. The Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) is widely utilized to assess OS levels among nurses from diverse cultural backgrounds. No known study has investigated the psychometric characteristics of the Nursing Stress Scale within the Arab World. This study assessed the psychometric properties and cultural relevance of the Arabic version of the Nursing Stress Scale in a sample of Jordanian nurses. Methods: The present study employed a cross-sectional design to test the psychometrics of the Nursing Stress Scale among 170 nurses working in eight public healthcare centers in the capital of Jordan. An Arabic version of the scale was created by translating the English version. The expert panel confirmed the Arabic scale's content validity and cultural suitability. Exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency were used to evaluate the factorial structure and reliability. Results: In the study, the nurses' mean age was 30 ± 5.5. The content validity of the Arabic version was rated excellent, with a content validity index of 0.85. The results of the exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor, 23 items out of the 34 structures that accounted for 65.70% of the variance. The internal consistency reliability of the Arabic version of the Nursing Stress Scale ranged from 0.83 (inadequate emotional preparation) to 0.92 (death and dying). Conclusions: The Arabic version of the Nursing Stress Scale is valid, reliable, and culturally suitable for assessing OS within clinical environments among Jordanian nurses.

Arabic translation, cultural adaptation, and pre-testing of neighborhood environment walkability scale for adults-abbreviated (NEWS-A): Arabic NEWS-A

BackgroundImproving neighborhood walkability is critical for sustainable and livable urban development and is associated with increased physical activity. The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (NEWS-A) is a tool for assessing neighborhood walkability among adults. Currently, no Arabic version is available for this important walkability scale.ObjectiveTo translate the NEWS-A to Arabic, culturally adapt, and pre-test it for adults.MethodsThe NEWS-A was translated and culturally adapted using Cross-cultural Survey Guidelines and then pre-tested using 65 households selected randomly from the neighborhoods of three districts in Riyadh. After answering the survey, 55 participants took part in a semi-structured cognitive interview, which sought their understanding of the words in the Arabic questionnaire, the clarity of each item, and their suggestions for improvement.ResultsTranslation and adaptation of NEWS-A to Arabic resulted in adding two items (mosque and healthcare center) to section B of the scale (stores, facilities, and other things in your neighborhood) and one related item to section C (access to services). The total individual items became 57 instead of the original 54 items in the English version. Also, we added “ATM machine” to item 14 (Bank/credit union) in section B. In addition, the overall results of the cognitive interview showed that most of the participants understood the intended meaning of the questionnaire (99.5%). Further, 99.8% of the respondents stated that the items were not difficult to comprehend, while 100% of the sample indicated that the sentences were comfortable and not sensitive to them.ConclusionTranslating, adapting, and pre-testing the NEWS-A resulted in retaining all the original items and adding three additional items. The Arabic NEWS-A provides an important tool for future research on neighborhood environment walkability among adults.

Advancements in health information technology and their influence on nursing practice in the USA

Advancements in Health Information Technology (HIT) have significantly transformed nursing practice in the USA, driving improvements in patient care, clinical decision-making, and overall healthcare efficiency. This review paper explores the various technological advancements, including Electronic Health Records (EHRs), telehealth, mobile health applications, and artificial intelligence, and their profound influence on nursing. It examines the benefits these technologies bring to patient safety, nursing workflow, and education, while also addressing the challenges faced in their adoption. Through case studies, the paper illustrates real-world applications of HIT in nursing, highlighting both successes and areas for improvement. The review concludes with a discussion on future trends and recommendations for integrating HIT into nursing practice, emphasizing the need for ongoing innovation and policy support to maximize the potential of these technologies. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how HIT is reshaping the landscape of nursing in the USA, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery.