Quasi-experimental Study Design Research Articles

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) therapy on the anxiety levels of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Universitas Sebelas Maret Hospital

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic metabolic diseases. Diabetic patients suffer from anxiety almost twice as much as the general population. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a systematic technique that can be used to achieve a state of deep relaxation.Objective: To determine the effect of PMR therapy on the anxiety levels of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Universitas Sebelas Maret Hospital.Methods: A quasi-experimental group design study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic at Universitas Sebelas Maret Hospital in April 2022–May 2022. This study used a purposive sampling technique with a total sample of 19 subjects in the intervention group and 19 subjects in the control group. The instrument used to assess anxiety is the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). The intervention uses PMR videos, which were carried out at least twice per week for a month.Results: The parametric test showed a significant effect of PMR therapy on the anxiety levels of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (Z = -3.675; p value (Asymp. sig. 2-tailed) = 0.001).Conclusion: There was an effect of PMR on anxiety, and the intervention group experienced more reduction in anxiety levels than the control group in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Universitas Sebelas Maret Hospital.

Effectiveness of Motor Relearning Programme on Sit to Stand Performance Among Right and Left Hemiparesis Patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of Motor Relearning Program (MRP) on sit to stand performance among right and left hemi paresis patients. Study design: Quasi experimental study design with two groups pre-test and post test. Participants: A total of 16 male right and left hemi paretic patients in the age group of 45 to 65 years participated in the study. The participants recruited were diagnosed with middle cerebral artery lesion with duration less than 3 weeks and a score of 1 on the Motor Assessment Scale for sitting to standing up item. The patients who satisfied inclusion criteria were conveniently assigned into 2 groups. Group A- right hemiparesis and Group B- left hemi paresis. Interventions: Motor Relearning Programme for sitting to standing for duration of 2 weeks (40 minutes/session, 5session/week, total 10 sessions). Outcome Measures: Measurements were taken using Sitting to standing functional item of Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) following 2 weeks of the training program. Results: Statistical analysis was done using the ‘t’ test, which showed a significant improvement in Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) for sitting to standing up item for both groups. But GROUP-A (Right hemi paresis) showed a more significant improvement than GROUP – B(Left hemi paresis) in Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) for sitting to standing up item. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest Motor Relearning Programme improves sit to stand performance. And there was a significant difference in sit to stand performance between right and left hemi paresis patients following 2 weeks of Motor Relearning Programme. Keywords: Motor Relearning Programme, Sit to stand, Motor Assessment Scale, Hemi paresis.

A Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Adolescent Social Media Users: A Quasi-Experimental Study

ABSTRACT Adolescents today have never known a world without the internet and social media. Therefore, it is crucial to help adolescents develop healthy social media practices and address problematic use. In this quasi-experimental design study, the authors focused on examining whether a difference existed in problematic social media use (PSMU), fear of missing out (FOMO), mindful attention, and life satisfaction among adolescents (n = 54) that complete a five-week, mindfulness-based intervention (i.e. Mindful Connections) compared to those who did not. Participants were students at one high school in the Southeastern region of the United States. A statistically significant difference existed between the intervention and control groups in PSMU, F(2, 52) = 6.018, p < .05, and mindful attention, F(2, 52) = 4.65, p < .05. However, a statistically significant difference did not exist between the groups in FOMO, F(2, 52) = 3.343, p = .828, or life satisfaction, F(2, 52) = 1.754, p = .191, with both the intervention and control groups having lower scores of FOMO and life satisfaction after the intervention. The results are promising for using a mindfulness-based intervention to address dysregulation and problematic social media use and encourage mindful attention and healthy use. More research is needed regarding this area of study, as this study is the first study focused on examining the Mindful Connections curriculum.

The effect of drop-in centers on access to HIV testing, case finding, and condom use among female sex workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Varied HIV prevention interventions involving multiple strategies has been instrumental in the effort to contain and lessen the prevalence of HIV around the globe. However, female sex workers (FSWs) often face stigma and discriminatory challenges, resulting in lower access to the HIV prevention initiatives. This study has aimed to assess the effect of one of the HIV service delivery models, the Drop-in Centers (DICs), which is designed to overcome the service uptake barriers of FSWs. A quasi-experimental study design was employed. A respondent-driven sampling technique was used to recruit 1,366 FSWs from January to June 2020. A propensity score matching technique was used to balance the potential confounders between FSWs who had access to DICs and those who had never accessed DICs. Comparisons of the effect of DIC on the outcome of interest was made using a logit regression model at a 5% level of significance. A total of 1,366 FSWs took part in the study. The analysis estimated the average treatment effects of access to DICs on four key outcomes: ever-testing to know HIV status, finding HIV-positive FSWs, awareness of HIV-positive status, and consistent condom use. A significant effect of DIC was seen at a 95% confidence interval on each outcome. Access to DIC produced a 7.58% increase in the probability of testing to know HIV status (P < 0.001), a 7.02% increment in finding HIV-positive FSWs (P = 0.003), an increase of 6.93% in awareness of HIV status among HIV positive FSWs (P = 0.001), and a 4.39% rise in consistent condom use (P = 0.01). Ensuring access of FSWs to DICs has led to an upsurge in HIV testing among FSWs, raising HIV status awareness among those who are HIV positive, and encouraged consistent condom use. To provide effective HIV prevention services, particularly to those FSWs living with HIV, it is essential to strengthen the services provided in DICs and expand the centers. This will ensure that the entire network of FSWs is reached with appropriate HIV prevention services.

Effectiveness of Integrated Emotional-Self Enhancement (IESE) program among staff nurses: protocol for a quasi-experimental study

Background: Staff nurses face frequent emotional situations in their work environment. The constant contact with suffering patients, and the busy work environment, pose tremendous stress on nurses' physical and emotional health. The Emotional Intelligence skills of empathy, self-awareness, motivation, self-control, and keeping relationships, can help handle difficult emotions and allow nurses to work in an organized, calm, and professional way. This study aims to implement and assess the effectiveness of a training program developed by the investigator, tailored to the mental and emotional needs of staff nurses who are working in an organisation. The study also aims to observe any significant change, correlation, and association in the staff nurses’ level of emotional intelligence, intrinsic motivation, self-compassion, emotional labour, and nurse-in-charges’ and patients’ perception of nursing care after the program. Methods: A quasi-experimental (one-group) study design will be used in this study. The study will involve 80 staff nurses working in a selected hospital in India. The staff nurses will be selected from the hospital's general wards using convenience sampling. The investigator will deliver a training program, divided into four sessions of two hours each. Data will be collected from the participants at baseline and 3-months pre-intervention; and post-test data will be collected immediately after the intervention, at 3-month, and 6-month follow-up, to observe any significant change in the study variables before and after the intervention. Results: The current study primarily focuses on the vital aspect of developing emotional needs, for promoting a better work-life balance. Research findings from the study will significantly contribute to the evidence-based Emotional Intelligence programs for staff nurses, and if proven effective, could be delivered extensively in hospitals. Trial registration: The study is registered in June 2019 under the Central Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2019/08/020592).

Effect of community based nutritional education on knowledge, attitude and compliance to IFA supplementation among pregnant women in rural areas of southwest Ethiopia: a quasi experimental study

BackgroundCompliance with the iron folic acid supplementation is low and not at the required level to prevent anaemia during pregnancy in many countries, including Ethiopia, even though an iron-folic acid supplementation program is being implemented. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of community-based nutritional education on knowledge, attitude, and compliance to IFA supplementation in Ilu Aba Bor zone of southwest Ethiopia.MethodA pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study design consisting of intervention and control group was conducted among pregnant women. The total sample size of 472, therefore, 236 pregnant women for each interventional and control group from 16 kebeles were randomly selected in two districts. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Then, individual study units were selected using a simple random sampling technique and followed until the end of the study period. Effect of community-based nutritional education on knowledge, attitude, and compliance to IFA supplementation among pregnant women in rural areas were measured.ResultsA total of 472 pregnant women participated in the study during the baseline and 437 (92.6%) were in the study until the end. The majority (49.2%) of respondents were 21–25 years of age, with a mean age of 23.4 (SD = 3.7) years. Community-based nutrition has resulted in a statistically significant increase in levels of maternal knowledge of IFAS by 15.2% in the intervention group compared to 5.1% in the control group. Similarly, the intervention group had odds of developing a positive attitude toward IFA 5.6 (4.01, 7.85) times higher than the control group. Moreover, in this study, the odds of compliance towards IFA supplementation were 3.9 (2.67, 5.57) times higher among those who received nutrition education than those women who did not.ConclusionThis study revealed that community-based nutritional education can result in a significant change in knowledge, attitude, and compliance towards IFA supplementation and supports the literature suggesting the importance of the intervention to overcome the problem of poor compliance and its associated consequences.

Are Universal and Guaranteed Basic Income Programs Effective in the United States? A Review

Purpose: Poverty continues to be a pervasive social problem within the United States despite a plethora of services and government assistance programs. Currently, universal and guaranteed basic income programs are being actively promoted. Method: This review incorporated universal or guaranteed basic income primary reports open to any country and in English from four academic databases including grey literature between January 1, 2013, and April 8, 2023, using randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental study designs with no specified outcome. Results: Out of an initial 147 articles, four of the primary studies utilized a randomized controlled trial and one used a quasi-experimental design. One study occurred in the United States. Discussion: Despite the increasing implementation of such programs throughout the United States and their associated high cost, evidence is lacking based on their long-term impact and effectiveness. Further study is recommended including stronger evaluations of current and future programs.

Preventing NASH with Empagliflozin and Linagliptin: A Diabetic Drug Combination

Objective: To determine the effect of anti-diabetic drug combination of 25mg empagliflozin and 5mg linagliptin for the prevention of NASH. Study Design &amp; Setting: Quasi-Experimental Study design, Department of Gastroenterology, Medicare Cardiac and General Hospital Karachi from October 2022 to March 2023. Methodology: This study was carried out after approval from the ethical board of the hospital. The selection criteria of patients included positive family history of obesity, hyperlipidemia/ hypertriglyceridemia, hypothyroidism, smoking and F3 Fibrosis on transient elastography. The initial screening of clinical history, physical examination, laboratory findings were recorded after taking the written consent from each patient. The baseline findings were recorded and the effect of drugs was examined after follow-up of six months. Results: The study included 150 patients who received the treatment of empagliflozin and linagliptin. The mean age of these patients was 37±4.9 years. Majority of them were males 76% and 60% were diagnosed type 2 diabetes more than 5 years ago. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia were found in 16.7% in patients with headache of 26.7%. The baseline findings were significantly changed with effective and favorable results as p-value&lt;0.001. Conclusion: The treatment with combine effect of the antidiabetic drugs empagliflozin (25 mg) and linagliptin (5 mg) showed a safety profile of preventing NASH with the fixed dose. It reduced the ALT and AST levels, reduced BMI, triglyceride level, HBA1C and the risk of progression of advance liver disease NASH. After taking antidiabetic drugs, Fibrosis was improved and it showed F1–F2 on transient elastography.

Integrating the embodiment-projection-role paradigm to develop and implement a two-hour-workshop for stress management among nurses

Numerous studies have associated high stress with the nursing profession, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although cognitive-behavioral or creative approaches have been employed by experts to teach self-care, these interventions rarely utilized a solid therapeutic framework, involving a clear experimental design. This study, therefore, attempted to develop a therapy-based workshop for stress management among nurses at a German health care site by employing the Embodiment-Projection-Role (EPR) paradigm and techniques derived from traditionally different approaches. Physical mobilization, art, storytelling and role play were chosen as expressive media for self-exploration of inner resources in a supportive peer milieu. Breathwork and guided imagery were also employed to inspire nurses to develop their coping repertoire. Data were collected from nine participants in a quasi-experimental pre-post study design. The study findings indicated a statistically significant decrease of current stress level and also, a significant improvement in negative emotions, immediately after the intervention. This study suggests that a therapeutic framework with a holistic approach of mental health might serve as an effective coping process to deal with job stress. This study, moreover, encourages researchers to shed light on the EPR processes and explore the long-term effects of the therapeutic paradigm on mental health.

Emergency Skills in Athletic Training: Perceived Knowledge and Continuing Education

Context Continuing education (CE) in health care, particularly in athletic training, often fails to meet the needs of its participants. Rapid increases in available information make it necessary for CE to be delivered as efficiently as possible. Objective To explore whether an interactive teaching strategy and various characteristics of athletic trainers affected the perceived knowledge of emergency skills among certified athletic trainers. Design Quasiexperimental study with a single-group pretest-posttest design. Patients or Other Participants Certified athletic trainers (N = 81) at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting and Symposium. Intervention(s) Emergency skills practice session for anaphylaxis, opioid overdose, diabetes, and asthma. Main Outcome Measure(s) Participants completed a preintervention perceived knowledge questionnaire (PKQ) that included background information questions and completed a postintervention PKQ. Results A statistically significant difference (P &amp;lt; .001) in PKQ scores from pretest to posttest was found with pretest scores being lower than posttest scores (89.59 and 103.02, respectively). Age and years of experience had a weak correlation with PKQ pretest scores (rs = .32 and rs = .33, respectively). Participant characteristics including additional certification (P = .012), anaphylaxis experience (P = .036), opioid overdose experience (P &amp;lt; .001), diabetes experience (P = .025), and combined emergency experience (P = .029) had significantly different pretest PKQ scores. Conclusions The use of an interactive teaching strategy in CE and certain athletic trainer characteristics significantly affected athletic trainers' perceived knowledge of emergency skills.

The effects of behavioral therapy given to men with premature ejaculation on symptoms and their partners’ sexual functioning and sexual quality of life

Aims: This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of behavioral therapy administered to men diagnosed with premature ejaculation (PE) and its consequent effects on their partners' sexual function and overall sexual quality of life.&#x0D; Methods: Using a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test study design, men diagnosed with premature ejaculation and their partners from a urology outpatient clinic underwent behavioral therapy. The therapy incorporated the "stop-start technique" over six bi-weekly sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. Post-therapy evaluations were conducted after the sixth session.&#x0D; Results: Post-treatment results showed a significant decrease in men’s PEDT scores from 15.53±2.09 to 7.65±3.05 (p=0.012). Concurrently, their partners experienced an increase in FSFI scores from 13.90±11.1 to 21.70±7.86 (p=0.001) and SQOL-F scores from 37.82±8.50 to 84.01±9.68 (p=0.001). Significant improvements were also recorded in the FSFI subscales for desire (2.2±1.7 to 4.2±1.14), arousal (2.3±3.7 to 4.6±3.04), lubrication (2.5±2.7 to 3.7±1.7), orgasm (2.6±2.0 to 3.5±1.3), and satisfaction (2.0±2.2 to 4.4±1.8) for the female partners post-treatment, all with p

Impact of an Educational Intervention for Healthy Eating in Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

The elderly population in Ecuador is increasing rapidly, with an increasing incidence of diet-related diseases. The elderly living in the community seek alternative and complementary methods to improve their diet and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an educational intervention on knowledge related to healthy eating among older adults. This intervention is rooted in the principles of meaningful learning and incorporates culturally adapted materials. A quasi-experimental study design was employed using a pre-test-post-test control group. Study participants were a total of 109 elderly (intervention: n = 51, control: n = 58) people in Cuenca, Ecuador. The educational intervention based on Ausubel's theory of significant learning and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory was programmed to be carried out for one session per week, over 24 weeks, with a duration of 120 min per session. The measures were the general characteristics of the study participants and knowledge about necessary amounts, food sources and the consequences of deficits or excesses in the consumption of macro- and micronutrients. Data were collected from August 2018 to February 2019. Statistically significant differences were observed between the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG) in terms of knowledge about healthy eating for older adults following the educational intervention. The outcomes of this study strongly suggest the efficacy of the program in improving knowledge related to healthy eating among older adults. Healthcare providers should prioritize food education based on meaningful learning, utilizing culturally adapted materials for the elderly individuals residing within the community.

Utilization of access to colorectal cancer screening modalities in low-income populations after medicaid expansion.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a relevant public health problem. Current research suggests that racial, economic and geographic disparities impact access. Despite the expansion of Medicaid eligibility as a key component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is a dearth of information on the utilization of newly gained access to CRC screening by low-income individuals. This study investigates the impact of the ACA's Medicaid expansion on utilization of the various CRC screening modalities by low-income participants. Our working hypothesis is that Medicaid expansion will increase access and utilization of CRC screening by low-income participants. To investigate the impact of the Affordable Care Act and in particular the effect of Medicaid expansion on access and utilization of CRC screening modalities by Medicaid state expansion status across the United States. This was a quasi-experimental study design using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a large health system survey for participants across the United States and with over 2.8 million responses. The period of the study was from 2011 to 2016 which was dichotomized as pre-ACA Medicaid expansion (2011-2013) and post-ACA Medicaid expansion (2014-2016). The change in utilization of access to CRC screening strategies between the expansion periods were analyzed as the dependent variables. Secondary analyses included stratification of the access by ethnicity/race, income, and education status. A greater increase in utilization of access to CRC screening was observed in Medicaid expansion states than in non-expansion states [+2.9%; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 2.12, 3.69]. Low-income participants showed a +4.02% (95%CI: 2.96, 5.07) change between the expansion periods compared with higher income groups +3.19% (1.70, 4.67). Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics [+3.01% (95%CI: 2.16, 3.85) vs +5.51% (95%CI: 2.81, 8.20)] showed a statistically significant increase in utilization of access but not in Non-Hispanic Blacks, or Multiracial. There was an increase in utilization across all educational levels. This was significant among those who reported having a high school graduate degree or more +4.26 % (95%CI: 3.16, 5.35) compared to some high school or less +1.59% (95%CI: -1.37, 4.55). Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act led to an overall increase in self-reported use of CRC screening tests by adults aged 50-64 years in the United States. This finding was consistent across all low-income populations, but not all races or levels of education.

FIRECARE: An Evidence-Based Prevention Program to Reduce Burnout among Prehospital Caregivers: Benefits of a Combined Mindfulness, Heart Coherence Training, and Positive Psychology Intervention

Background Burnout among emergency health care professionals is well-described, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prevention interventions, such as mindfulness, focus on the management of stress. Objective To evaluate the effects of the FIRECARE program (a mindfulness intervention, supplemented by heart coherence training and positive psychology workshops) on burnout, secondary stress, compassion fatigue, and mindfulness among advanced life support ambulance staff of the Paris Fire Brigade. Materials and methods We used a non-randomized, two-group quasi-experimental study design with a waitlist control and before-and-after measurements in each group. The intervention consisted of six, once-weekly, 2.5-h sessions that included individual daily meditation and cardiac coherence practice. The study compared intervention and waitlist control groups, and investigated baseline, post-program, and 3-month follow-up change on burnout (measuring using the ProQOL-5 scale) and mindfulness (measuring using the FMI scores). Baseline burnout (measured using the ProQOL-5) was evaluated and used in the analysis. Results Seventy-four 74 participants volunteered to participate; 66 were included in the final analysis. Of these, 60% were classified as suffering from moderate burnout, the ‘burnout cluster’. A comparison of intervention and waitlist control groups found a decrease in the burnout score in the burnout cluster (p = 0.0003; partial eta squared = 0.18). However, while secondary stress fell among the burnout cluster, it was only for participants in the intervention group; scores increased for those in the waitlist group (p = 0.003; partial eta squared = 0.12). The pre-post-intervention analysis of both groups also showed that burnout fell in the burnout cluster (p = 0.006; partial eta squared = 0.11). At 3-month follow-up, the burnout score was significantly reduced in the intervention group (p = 0.02; partial eta squared = 0.07), and both the acceptance (p = 0.007) and mindfulness scores (p = 0.05; partial eta squared = 0.05) were increased in the baseline burnout cluster. Conclusion FIRECARE may be a useful approach to preventing and reducing burnout among prehospital caregivers.

Advertising to reduce meat consumption: positive framing versus negative framing effects on attention

PurposeDue to the paucity of research examining message framing strategies and attention in anti-consumption advertisements, this study aims to determine whether there is a significant difference between the amount of attention paid towards positively and negatively framed advertisements.Design/methodology/approachA quasi-experimental study design was conducted with a sample of 56 participants using two different (negatively and positively framed) social marketing print advertisements aimed at encouraging a reduction in meat consumption. The research used eye-tracking to examine attention.FindingsFindings indicate that the negatively framed advertisement elicited significantly higher levels of attention overall than the positively framed advertisement (p < 0.05). Additionally, participants paid significantly more attention to the headline in the negatively framed advertisement than to the headline in the positively framed advert (p < 0.05). Participants also paid significantly more attention to the tagline in the positively framed advertisement (p < 0.05).Originality/valueThis study provides evidence for the effectiveness of a negative social marketing framing strategy compared to a positive framing strategy – through the effects these strategies had on consumer attention. Positively and negatively framed advertisements produce different typologies of attention towards advertising elements or areas of interest. These findings provide social marketers important insights about message placement and effectiveness when considering whether to use a positively framed or negatively framed advertisement.

Effect of caring leadership intervention program for first-line nurse managers on their managerial actions and nurse outcomes.

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of a caring leadership intervention program for first-line nurse managers (FLNM) on their caring knowledge and managerial actions as well as nurses' perceived FLNM caring behaviours and nurse outcomes. A quasi-experimental study design was implemented on two groups; study and control, including 30 FLNM and 150 nurses for each. Self-report questionnaires about FLNMs' knowledge of caring behaviours and their managerial actions, nurses perceived line nurse managers' caring behaviours and nurses' outcomes (job satisfaction and work engagement) were utilized to collect study data from 1 July 2022 to 30 December 2022. A statistically significant difference and changes were revealed between the study and control groups in FLNMs' caring knowledge and their managerial actions, and nurses' perceived FLNMs' caring behaviours, nurses' job satisfaction and nurses' work engagement during post-test in comparison to pre-test. Higher total mean scores of post-test in the study group were recorded compared to those of control group regarding FLNMs' caring knowledge and their managerial actions as well as nurses 'perceived FLNMs' caring behaviour, job satisfaction and work engagement. The caring leadership intervention program for FLNMs was highly effective in enhancing their caring knowledge and managerial actions as well as nurses' perceived FLNM caring behaviours and nurse outcomes. Caring leadership can help FLNMs to create a healthy environment, resulting in a positive outcome for nurse staff, patients and healthcare organizations. No patient and public contribution.

Enhancing nursing student presentation competences using Facilitatory Pecha kucha presentation pedagogy: a quasi-experimental study protocol in Tanzania

IntroductionWith an increasing number of nursing students in higher education institutions in Tanzania, traditional student presentation pedagogies are insufficient to enhance effective learning. Pecha Kucha presentation is a new promising approach that can improve students’ speaking skills, learning process, creativity, and students’ engagement in learning. It involves the use of 20 slides where each covers 20 s, thus making a total of 6 min and 40 s. The current study will assess the effect of Pecha Kucha’s presentation on presentation knowledge, skills, and learning satisfaction among nursing students in Tanzania.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study aimed to determine the baseline and end-line of Pecha Kucha Presentation knowledge, skills, and learning satisfaction among nursing students.MethodsThis study protocol proposes to employ an uncontrolled quasi-experimental study design with a quantitative approach among 230 university nursing students in Dodoma Region using simple and stratified sampling techniques. It proposes to employ the researcher-administered questionnaire to assess study variables that arise as students use the Pecha Kucha presentation format to prepare and present their assignments. The study will involve training of research assistants, pre-assessment of study variables, and training, and demonstration of Pecha Kucha presentations format among study participants. It will also involve assigning topics to study participants, submission and evaluation of the prepared assignments, participants’ presentations in the classroom, post-intervention assessment, data analysis, reporting and dissemination of the study findings.ConclusionThis study will address and complement the global need to invest in nursing in an attempt to prepare competent nurses who are capable of solving complex health challenges through critical thinking, analysis, collaboration, and effective communication. The study will inform policymakers, health training institutions, and educators about a new engaging, and innovative nursing student presentation approach that enhances students’ creativity, critical thinking skills, and meaningful learning. The referred nursing students’ presentation approach intends to equip the students with survival and life skills in the 21st century in an attempt to meet the global economy and job opportunities.Trial registrationIt is not applicable as this is not a trial.

ShotBlocker versus cryotherapy for reducing pain and anxiety associated with subcutaneous injection

Abstract Objective To determine and compare the abilities of ShotBlocker and cryotherapy for reducing pain and anxiety associated with subcutaneous injections. Subcutaneous injection has been used excessively for continuous, low-dose administration of drugs. Considering that these drugs may require prolonged administration, new devices and methods of injection are needed to decrease pain and anxiety associated with repeated drug injections. Methods A quasi-experimental study design on a purposive sample of 54 patients comprised of both sexes has been utilized. The subjects were divided into 2 equal groups (group 1, ShotBlocker; group 2, cryotherapy), and 3 tools were used, namely the socio-demographic and medical data sheet, Verbal Descriptor Scale for measuring pain, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Results A significant reduction in pain and anxiety mean scores was observed after using cryotherapy and ShotBlocker techniques during subcutaneous injection. In addition, the ShotBlocker group exhibited significantly lower pain and anxiety mean scores compared with the cryotherapy group. Conclusions Our findings revealed that ShotBlocker and cryotherapy were effective non-pharmacological methods for reducing pain and anxiety levels associated with repeated subcutaneous injections.

Influence of Capacity Building on Nutrition Sensitivity of the Municipal Agriculture Development Plan in Calabarzon, Philippines

To improve the nutrition sensitivity of the Municipal Agriculture Development Plan (MADP) of Calabarzon, a one-group pre-test post-test design quasi-experimental study was conducted involving the Local Agriculture Planners (LAP) of 57 municipalities in the region from March to December 2021. Wilcoxon Paired Signed Rank was used to determine significant differences in the nutrition sensitivity of the MADP and level of knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy of the LAP before and after the intervention. Binary logistic regression analysis was also performed to model the change in the level of the nutrition sensitivity of the MADP. The LAP's level of knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy as well as the nutrition sensitivity of the MADP significantly improved after the capacity building. The study also found that the change in knowledge of municipal agriculturists may increase the nutrition sensitivity of the MADP by 28%. Therefore, capacitating LAP on nutrition-sensitive agriculture can significantly improve their capability to create local agriculture plans that are also nutrition-focused.

Impact of Computer Assisted Instruction (C.A.I.) on Academic Behaviour of Computer Science Students at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, Nigeria.

The impact of computer assisted instruction (C.A.I.) on the academic performance of computer science students at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo was examined. The study investigated the post-test scores of both the control and experimental groups and the effect of pre-test scores on students taught using the traditional lecture method. Quasi-experimental study design was adopted; a pre-test and post-test were conducted for the sample groups. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 50 participants for the study. The instrument was administered twice, i.e., the pre-test and post-test. The pre-test was conducted on both the experimental and control groups, and both groups were presented with the post-test to ascertain the effectiveness of the C.A.I. The instrument’s reliability yielded a coefficient of 0.78 Cronbach alpha. Data were analysed using an independent t-test. Results demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean score (t = 1.20, df = 38, p &gt; 0.05) of students taught using the conventional lecture method (control) and students exposed to C.A.I. (experimental). Based on the results, it was recommended that using C.A.I. for teaching and learning should be encouraged at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Nigeria.