Self-perception of nurses’ competence in family assessment and intervention

Objective. To describe nurses’ self-perception of competence in family assessment and intervention Methods. A sample of 551 Portuguese primary care nurses was selected. A Likert-type questionnaire with 11 items corresponding to the areas of care proposed by the Dynamic Model of Family Assessment and Intervention (MDAIF) was administered. Each item consists of 7 optional responses; a score equal to or greater than 4 denotes competence. Results. The nurses perceived themselves as competent in areas of care belonging to the development dimension of the MDAIF (parental role, adaptation to pregnancy, and family planning), as well as in the caregiver role (which belongs to the functional dimension). There was a progressive decline in self-perception of competence over the stages of the nursing process. Conclusion. In this study, crucial aspects related to nurses’ self-perception of their competence in family assessment and intervention were observed, and need to be addressed in the training of nurses in all areas of care included in the Model. This should facilitate awareness of the competences needed to provide the best care for families.

'Unheard voices’: Perceptions of women with mental illness on nurses screening routinely for domestic violence: A qualitative analysis

Objective. To explore women's experiences of violence and their opinion on routine screening for domestic violence by nursing professionals in mental health care settings. Methods. This qualitative narrative research design was carried out among 20 asymptomatic women with mental illness at a tertiary care centre in Bangalore, India. Results. Narrative content analysis was performed, and five dominant themes have emerged: 1. Understanding the nature and signs of violence (subtheme: Meaning of violence), 2. Abusive experiences of women with mental illness (subthemes: Physical violence, psychological violence, social violence, sexual violence and financial violence), 3. Experiences on disclosure of violence (subthemes: Identification of violence by nursing professionals, Experiences of disclosure of violence), 4. Barriers for disclosure of abuse(subthemes: Fear of consequences, the hectic schedule of nursing staff, helplessness and hopelessness, perceived poor family support). 5.Routine screening for violence by nursing professionals (subthemes: reasons for routine inquiry of violence, nature of inquiry by the nursing professionals). Conclusion. Women with mental illness were undergoing more than one form of violence, and most of the participants supported routine screening by nursing professionals. Nurses play an essential role in identifying and supporting abused women in mental health care settings.

Nursing and its Essential Role in the Vaccination against COVID-19: New Challenge in a Pandemic Scenario

A la fecha de publicación de este editorial ya hemos transitado más de 20 meses enfrentando la compleja y desafiante pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 desde que se reportara el primer caso a finales de 2019. Las consecuencias en el mundo han sido significativas no solo por la morbilidad y mortalidad sin precedentes sino, además, como efecto de los drásticos cambios ocurridos en las dinámicas usuales en lo individual, familiar y colectivo dada la interrupción generalizada de las funciones y operaciones habituales en los distintos contextos de la vida cotidiana, por lo cual se mantuvieron solamente aquellas actividades consideradas esenciales.

Measurement of Practices-Knowledge-Attitudes of the Nursing Process: Systematic Review

Objective. To analyze the literature available on the psychometric properties of the instruments to measure knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the nursing care process. Methods. This was a narrative-type review conducted by following the recommendations of the PRISMA declaration. The search strategy was executed in two stages; through the search in databases by two reviewers and – thereafter – three reviewers identified independently the studies and evaluated the methodological quality of the measurement instruments by using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) property checklist boxes. Results. Of 71 studies identified for the full-text review, only seven complied with the inclusion criteria that represent four instruments (Q-DIO, D-CATCH, NP-CDSS, PNP). It was found that the instruments continue in their validation and appropriation processes to reality in health services. Conclusion. In spite of the evident evolution of the instruments to evaluate the implementation of the nursing care process, the need is still valid for an instrument that measures aspects of knowledge, attitudes, and practices in every stage of the process.

Daily lives of university students in the health area during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil

Objective. To determine the main changes that took place in the daily lives of students in the health area during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. Method. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out from May to June 2020, with 1786 students over 18 years old, regularly enrolled in health courses at higher education institutions in five regions of Brazil. Sampling was by convenience, typified as snowball. In order to collect data, an instrument to describe the sociodemographic profile and the daily lives of students during the pandemic period was used, which was applied via a digital platform on the web. Results. The main changes that took place in the daily lives of academic students in the health area in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil are related to lower productivity; difficulty concentrating; increased hours of sleep, use of electro-electronic equipment and weight; poorer quality of food; higher consumption of food, legal and illegal substances and medications (mainly analgesics, anxiolytics and antidepressants); less interest in personal appearance; and greater contact with relatives. Regarding emotional changes, it should be underlined the complaints of anxiety, stress, anguish, confusion, helplessness and depression. Conclusion. During the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil, the students in the health area experienced several changes in their daily lives, which deserve special attention from higher education institutions and health systems, envisioning interventions to minimize health risks to this population.

Nursing Professionals within the Intergenerational Context during the 20th and 21st Centuries: an Integrative Review

Objective. To describe the generational differences and similarities existing among nursing professionals of the 20th and 21st centuries and how these have influenced on the evolution of the profession. Methods. Integrative review according to the methodology by Whittemore and Knafl. The key words used for the search were: nurses, intergenerational relations, Veterans, Baby Boom, X generation, and Millennials. Results. The electronic search process yielded 10 documents (eight articles and two theses), all within the Anglo-Saxon environment (4 in Canada, 5 in the United States, and 1 in Australia). The documents recovered determined three principal themes: the intergenerational nursing workforce (n = 7), recruiting and retention within an intergenerational workforce (n = 2), and tutoring within an intergenerational nursing workforce (n = 1). The four generations of nursing professionals (X, Y, Baby Boomers, and Veterans) have different aptitudes, social and cultural setting, that coexist within the same work staff. Conclusion. This study establishes the legitimacy of the intergenerational differences as an important variable of social categorization. The findings have the potential to improve generational comprehension and promote a more cohesive culture in clinical practice settings, besides conserving the legacy of the four generations of nursing professionals contributing to outline the identity of the nurses through the conservation of social, cultural, and professional experiences.

Impact of an Educational Intervention Aimed at Nursing Staff on Oral Hygiene Care on the Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Adults Ventilated in Intensive Care Unit

Objective. This work sought to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on oral hygiene care aimed at nursing care staff, on the incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in adults from an ICU in Colombia. Methods. Quasi-experimental study pre- and post-educational intervention aimed at nursing staff in which theoretical-practical sessions were conducted during 12 weeks to explain different oral hygiene techniques according to the oral conditions of patients. The study gathered sociodemographic, clinical, and characteristic variables of the oral and dental care received. The VAP was diagnosed according with international criteria. Results. The educational intervention received participation from 60 individuals (40 nurses and 20 nursing aides), 80% were women. The work collected data from 171 patients, 70 (40.9%) cared for after the educational intervention. Daily oral and dental care by the staff increased from 29.6% to 92.8% after the intervention. Although the accumulated incidence of VAP diminished from 8.9% to 2.8% and the rate of incidence dropped from 9 to 3.5 cases per 1000 days of intubation, these changes were not statistically significant. Conclusion. The educational intervention aimed at the nursing staff in oral care reduced the incidence of VAP in adults connected to ventilator in ICU; although this decrease was not statistically significant, it was a clinically relevant result for the institution, which is why it is necessary to continue the educational strategies on oral health studied in this staff.

Poor glycemic control and associated factors in diabetic people attending a reference outpatient clinic in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Objective. To identify the proportion of poor of glycemic control and associated factors among people with type 2 diabetes attending a regional reference outpatient clinic in Mato Grosso (Brazil). Methods. This is a cross-sectional quantitative study based on data from medical records of 338 people with type 2 diabetes who attend a state reference outpatient clinic in Mato Grosso (Brazil). Information on glycemic control, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and clinical conditions was collected. Results. The prevalence of elevated glycated hemoglobin was 47.34%. In the Poisson multiple regression model analysis with robust variance, poor glycemic control was significantly associated (p<0.05) with the following factors: insulin use (Prevalence Ratio -PR = 2.03), fasting glucose ≤70 and ≥100 mg/dL (PR = 2.0), postprandial glucose ≥180 mg/dL (PR = 1.76), no physical activity (PR = 1.62), the interaction between age group ≤59 years and the time of disease diagnosis >10 years (PR = 1.58), and presence of arterial hypertension (PR = 0.79). Conclusion. Most users of the reference outpatient clinic with type 2 diabetes had poor glycemic control associated with risk factors that alter glycated hemoglobin and negatively affect the achievement of established glycemic levels.

Relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and Professional Self-concept among Iranian Nurses

Objective. To determine the relationship between spiritual intelligence (SI) and professional self-concept (PSC) among Iranian nurses. Methods. This is a correlation study. A convenience sampling method was used and 344 nurses were selected from hospitals of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Data collection standard tools included two validated scales: Cowin’s Nurse Self-Concept Questionnaire (36 items scored ranged from 1 to 8; Maximum score=288; 6 subcategories: General Nurse Self-Concept, Knowledge, Care, Communication, Staff Relation and Leadership) and Abdollahzadeh’s SI Questionnaire (29 items scored ranged from 0 to 5; Maximum score=145; 2 subcategories: Relying on the inner core and Understanding and communicating with the origin of the universe. Results. The mean total score of PSC was 220.3±30.61 and 120.67±16.13 for SI. There was a significant statistical correlation between PSC (r=0.348, p<0.0001) and almost all subcategories and SI. The results of the regression analysis showed that SI predicts 13.3% of the variance of PSC (p<0.0001). Conclusion. Considering the correlation of SI and PSC among Iranian nurses, it is suggested that strategies be used to train and promote the SI of nurses.

Physiological changes in vision during aging: perceptions of older adults and healthcare providers

Objective. To identify the physiological changes in older adults’ vision during the aging process. Methods. An exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach was conducted with 20 older adults and six healthcare providers who worked with older adults in João Pessoa, Paraíba (Brazil). The Focus Group Technique was used for data collection, with the collected information subsequently being submitted to Inductive Thematic Analysis using textual analysis software. Results. The physiological changes related to vision were described by both the older adults and healthcare providers using the following words: vision, difficulty; see; cataract; glasses; surgery; more; age; eye; and no. These terms represent declines in vision resulting from advancing age which significantly modify the daily lives of older adults and their families. Conclusion. The perception of the older adults and the healthcare providers who care for them regarding the physiological changes in vision throughout the aging process shows that the loss of visual acuity significantly affects the daily life of older adults and their families.