Background: Violence has been increasing worldwide. The prevalence of violence in the healthcare ... more Background: Violence has been increasing worldwide. The prevalence of violence in the healthcare sector is continuously rising, and the most vulnerable places for violence is emergency departments due to the critical nature of the workplace environment. Little is known about the factors that contribute to the nurse's violence, the impact of workplace violence on nurses, and the preventive methods. understanding these issues from nurses' experience and perception could enhance the workplace environment and quality of healthcare. Research methodological design: A qualitative approach, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with a convenient sample of 15 emergency department nurses at hospitals in Palestine who experienced or witnessed workplace violence. Open-ended questions were used to gain in-depth information about nurses' experience in relation to workplace violence at emergency departments. Thematic content analysis approach was used in data analysis. Findings: The results showed that nurses at the emergency department experienced workplace violence. Three major themes were found to present the factors that contribute to nurses' violence. These themes are: Knowledge and attitude related-issues, External-related factors and System-related issues. Four major themes from the analysis of the interviews emerged relating to the staff feelings, which are: Feeling overwhelmed, feeling distressed, feeling indignity and feeling helpless and fearful. Study participants offered some prevention methods to decrease workplace violence, and some suggestions to handle violence. The results showed that there is no clear known system of how to report violence. Conclusions: Numerous factors contribute to the prevalence of workplace violence in emergency departments. Hospital administrations have to ensure the safety of all employees by using suitable precautions, properly functioning alarm systems and training of the staff. There is an extensive need for psychological support after violent incidents by hospital managers, society and the legal system. In addition, universities have to develop communication, violence and stress management-training courses.
Special Acknowledgments to nursing students for their appreciated help in data collection (conduc... more Special Acknowledgments to nursing students for their appreciated help in data collection (conducting interviews with patients). Many particular thanks go to all nurses and physicians in both Al-Makassed and Ramalleh hospitals for their participation and cooperation to make this study a reality.
BackgroundLack of trust in institutional control measures during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-... more BackgroundLack of trust in institutional control measures during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks may affect healthcare workers' (HCWs) levels of stress and wellbeing, and as a consequence, may influence their trust and confidence in their organization. This study aims to understand factors associated with healthcare workers perceptions of trust in organizational preparedness, communication, and infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs (n = 876) in 16 COVID 19 healthcare facilities between October and December 2020 in Palestine (Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem). A stratified purposive sample using an online self-administered Arabic version of a questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire used for this study was adapted from the World Health Organization Blueprint Novel Coronavirus Perceptions of healthcare workers regarding local infection prevention and control procedures for a CO...
Purpose: To assess self-perceived health and sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescents with spina b... more Purpose: To assess self-perceived health and sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescents with spina bifida (SB) in the West Bank, Palestine, compared to a healthy reference group. Further, to assess the association between impairment levels in the adolescents with SB and their self-perceived health and SOC. Methods: Fifty adolescents with SB and 150 healthy adolescents completed measures of self-perceived healththe Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL TM 4.0)and SOC. The rehabilitation center nurses identified the physical impairments of the adolescents with SB from their medical records, and classified them by impairment severity. Results: Adolescents with SB reported lower self-perceived health (PedsQL median 55, IQR 42-67), than the reference group (median 85, IQR 74-90), p < 0.001, and lower SOC (median 47, IQR 44-50) than the reference group (median 55, IQR 44-61), p < 0.001. Impairment level was inversely associated with both self-perceived health and SOC. Conclusions: The low self-perceived health and SOC among adolescents with SB in Palestine indicate the need for collaboration between policy makers and providers to improve these adolescents' physical and social environment and to promote the rehabilitation services provided for them. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The low self-perceived health and SOC among adolescents with SB in Palestine highlight the need to develop appropriate interventions to promote their health, independency, and self-care management. Collaboration of the caregivers and health care providers is required to develop, implement, and evaluate intervention programs that might promote coping abilities of the adolescents with SB. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to set goals that have a meaningful impact on social, emotional, behavioral, and educational conditions of the adolescents with SB and in different settings, for example, home, school, and community. The environment in Palestine presents barriers to the social engagement of adolescents with SB, and new ways are needed to enhance their participation in the society to promote their self-concept and wellbeing.
BACKGROUND Children born with spina bifida endure constant physical disability, which is challeng... more BACKGROUND Children born with spina bifida endure constant physical disability, which is challenging for themselves and their families. To date, the impact of spina bifida on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL; eg, physical, psychological, and social wellbeing) of these children has been assessed mainly through parent proxy reports, and self-perceived health among these children is rarely measured. This study aimed to measure self-perceived health in children with spina bifida in the West Bank, to compare this with that in a healthy reference group also from the West Bank, and to assess the potential association between self-perceived health and the level of disability in children with spina bifida. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Bank. The Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was administered to a convenience sample of 200 children aged 8-12 years, of whom 50 have spina bifida and 150 are healthy. For the children with spina bifida, their disability was categorised and ranked according to four aspects of impairment (mobility, bowel function, bladder function, and hydrocephaly). Data were analysed with SPSS version 24. Difference in PedsQL scores between the two groups of children was tested with the Mann-Whitney U-test. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the association between the level of physical impairment in children with spina bifida and their self-perceived health. Written informed consent was obtained from the children's parents. The children's verbal assent was also obtained, and their right to withdraw from the study at any time was emphasised. FINDINGS Children with spina bifida had lower overall PedsQL scores (mean 45·5, SD 14.5) than those reported by the reference group of healthy children (mean 80·0, SD 12·8). For children with spina bifida, social functioning had the lowest mean score (30·5, SD 20·8), followed by physical functioning (37·5, SD 16.6), emotional functioning (56·0, SD 17·2), and school functioning (62·6, SD 17.8), whereas the range for all of the PedsQL scores in the reference group was 71·7-84·5. The results demonstrate significant inverse associations between self-perceived health (overall PedsQL score) in children with spina bifida and both the level of mobility impairment (rs=-0·65, p<0·0001) and the presence of hydrocephalus (rs=-0·53, p<0·0001). A weak inverse association was found between self-perceived health and both bladder and bowel dysfunction. For both groups, no associations were found between demographic characteristics (age, gender, type of settlement of residence [city, village, camp]) and self-perceived health. INTERPRETATION The findings provide insights into the importance of social support and rehabilitation services for children with spina bifida in the occupied Palestinian territory. In particular, community awareness, and education of health care providers and family members, may be important. FUNDING None.
The overall aim in this thesis was to describe the lived experiences of children with spina bifid... more The overall aim in this thesis was to describe the lived experiences of children with spina bifida (SB) and their mothers while living under specific social and cultural conditions in West Bank, Palestine. A further aim was to gain knowledge about the impact of SB on self-perceived health and sense of coherence (SOC) among a group of children and adolescents with SB in comparison to their healthy peers.
Spina bifida (SB) is the second most common birth defect worldwide. Mothers of children with SB f... more Spina bifida (SB) is the second most common birth defect worldwide. Mothers of children with SB face extraordinary challenges due to the complicated conditions and disability of their children. Little is known about the impact of these challenges on the mothers’ well-being, particularly in Middle Eastern culture, where chronic illness and disability are perceived as a stigma, and care of disabled children has traditionally been the responsibility of the mother. The aim of this study was to illuminate mothers’ lived experience of having a child with SB in Palestine. Twenty Arab-Muslim mothers living in Palestine were purposefully recruited from several rehabilitation centers in Palestine and were interviewed in 2014. The transcribed interviews were analyzed according to phenomenological hermeneutics. The mothers’ experiences were described in the main theme: From feeling broken to looking beyond broken. Four themes were interwoven: living with constant anxiety, living with uncertaint...
Erectile Dysfunction and its association to cardiovascular risk factors among men 60 years and ab... more Erectile Dysfunction and its association to cardiovascular risk factors among men 60 years and above at primary care clinic,
Background: Violence has been increasing worldwide. The prevalence of violence in the healthcare ... more Background: Violence has been increasing worldwide. The prevalence of violence in the healthcare sector is continuously rising, and the most vulnerable places for violence is emergency departments due to the critical nature of the workplace environment. Little is known about the factors that contribute to the nurse's violence, the impact of workplace violence on nurses, and the preventive methods. understanding these issues from nurses' experience and perception could enhance the workplace environment and quality of healthcare. Research methodological design: A qualitative approach, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with a convenient sample of 15 emergency department nurses at hospitals in Palestine who experienced or witnessed workplace violence. Open-ended questions were used to gain in-depth information about nurses' experience in relation to workplace violence at emergency departments. Thematic content analysis approach was used in data analysis. Findings: The results showed that nurses at the emergency department experienced workplace violence. Three major themes were found to present the factors that contribute to nurses' violence. These themes are: Knowledge and attitude related-issues, External-related factors and System-related issues. Four major themes from the analysis of the interviews emerged relating to the staff feelings, which are: Feeling overwhelmed, feeling distressed, feeling indignity and feeling helpless and fearful. Study participants offered some prevention methods to decrease workplace violence, and some suggestions to handle violence. The results showed that there is no clear known system of how to report violence. Conclusions: Numerous factors contribute to the prevalence of workplace violence in emergency departments. Hospital administrations have to ensure the safety of all employees by using suitable precautions, properly functioning alarm systems and training of the staff. There is an extensive need for psychological support after violent incidents by hospital managers, society and the legal system. In addition, universities have to develop communication, violence and stress management-training courses.
Special Acknowledgments to nursing students for their appreciated help in data collection (conduc... more Special Acknowledgments to nursing students for their appreciated help in data collection (conducting interviews with patients). Many particular thanks go to all nurses and physicians in both Al-Makassed and Ramalleh hospitals for their participation and cooperation to make this study a reality.
BackgroundLack of trust in institutional control measures during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-... more BackgroundLack of trust in institutional control measures during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks may affect healthcare workers' (HCWs) levels of stress and wellbeing, and as a consequence, may influence their trust and confidence in their organization. This study aims to understand factors associated with healthcare workers perceptions of trust in organizational preparedness, communication, and infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs (n = 876) in 16 COVID 19 healthcare facilities between October and December 2020 in Palestine (Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem). A stratified purposive sample using an online self-administered Arabic version of a questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire used for this study was adapted from the World Health Organization Blueprint Novel Coronavirus Perceptions of healthcare workers regarding local infection prevention and control procedures for a CO...
Purpose: To assess self-perceived health and sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescents with spina b... more Purpose: To assess self-perceived health and sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescents with spina bifida (SB) in the West Bank, Palestine, compared to a healthy reference group. Further, to assess the association between impairment levels in the adolescents with SB and their self-perceived health and SOC. Methods: Fifty adolescents with SB and 150 healthy adolescents completed measures of self-perceived healththe Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL TM 4.0)and SOC. The rehabilitation center nurses identified the physical impairments of the adolescents with SB from their medical records, and classified them by impairment severity. Results: Adolescents with SB reported lower self-perceived health (PedsQL median 55, IQR 42-67), than the reference group (median 85, IQR 74-90), p < 0.001, and lower SOC (median 47, IQR 44-50) than the reference group (median 55, IQR 44-61), p < 0.001. Impairment level was inversely associated with both self-perceived health and SOC. Conclusions: The low self-perceived health and SOC among adolescents with SB in Palestine indicate the need for collaboration between policy makers and providers to improve these adolescents' physical and social environment and to promote the rehabilitation services provided for them. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The low self-perceived health and SOC among adolescents with SB in Palestine highlight the need to develop appropriate interventions to promote their health, independency, and self-care management. Collaboration of the caregivers and health care providers is required to develop, implement, and evaluate intervention programs that might promote coping abilities of the adolescents with SB. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to set goals that have a meaningful impact on social, emotional, behavioral, and educational conditions of the adolescents with SB and in different settings, for example, home, school, and community. The environment in Palestine presents barriers to the social engagement of adolescents with SB, and new ways are needed to enhance their participation in the society to promote their self-concept and wellbeing.
BACKGROUND Children born with spina bifida endure constant physical disability, which is challeng... more BACKGROUND Children born with spina bifida endure constant physical disability, which is challenging for themselves and their families. To date, the impact of spina bifida on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL; eg, physical, psychological, and social wellbeing) of these children has been assessed mainly through parent proxy reports, and self-perceived health among these children is rarely measured. This study aimed to measure self-perceived health in children with spina bifida in the West Bank, to compare this with that in a healthy reference group also from the West Bank, and to assess the potential association between self-perceived health and the level of disability in children with spina bifida. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Bank. The Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was administered to a convenience sample of 200 children aged 8-12 years, of whom 50 have spina bifida and 150 are healthy. For the children with spina bifida, their disability was categorised and ranked according to four aspects of impairment (mobility, bowel function, bladder function, and hydrocephaly). Data were analysed with SPSS version 24. Difference in PedsQL scores between the two groups of children was tested with the Mann-Whitney U-test. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the association between the level of physical impairment in children with spina bifida and their self-perceived health. Written informed consent was obtained from the children's parents. The children's verbal assent was also obtained, and their right to withdraw from the study at any time was emphasised. FINDINGS Children with spina bifida had lower overall PedsQL scores (mean 45·5, SD 14.5) than those reported by the reference group of healthy children (mean 80·0, SD 12·8). For children with spina bifida, social functioning had the lowest mean score (30·5, SD 20·8), followed by physical functioning (37·5, SD 16.6), emotional functioning (56·0, SD 17·2), and school functioning (62·6, SD 17.8), whereas the range for all of the PedsQL scores in the reference group was 71·7-84·5. The results demonstrate significant inverse associations between self-perceived health (overall PedsQL score) in children with spina bifida and both the level of mobility impairment (rs=-0·65, p<0·0001) and the presence of hydrocephalus (rs=-0·53, p<0·0001). A weak inverse association was found between self-perceived health and both bladder and bowel dysfunction. For both groups, no associations were found between demographic characteristics (age, gender, type of settlement of residence [city, village, camp]) and self-perceived health. INTERPRETATION The findings provide insights into the importance of social support and rehabilitation services for children with spina bifida in the occupied Palestinian territory. In particular, community awareness, and education of health care providers and family members, may be important. FUNDING None.
The overall aim in this thesis was to describe the lived experiences of children with spina bifid... more The overall aim in this thesis was to describe the lived experiences of children with spina bifida (SB) and their mothers while living under specific social and cultural conditions in West Bank, Palestine. A further aim was to gain knowledge about the impact of SB on self-perceived health and sense of coherence (SOC) among a group of children and adolescents with SB in comparison to their healthy peers.
Spina bifida (SB) is the second most common birth defect worldwide. Mothers of children with SB f... more Spina bifida (SB) is the second most common birth defect worldwide. Mothers of children with SB face extraordinary challenges due to the complicated conditions and disability of their children. Little is known about the impact of these challenges on the mothers’ well-being, particularly in Middle Eastern culture, where chronic illness and disability are perceived as a stigma, and care of disabled children has traditionally been the responsibility of the mother. The aim of this study was to illuminate mothers’ lived experience of having a child with SB in Palestine. Twenty Arab-Muslim mothers living in Palestine were purposefully recruited from several rehabilitation centers in Palestine and were interviewed in 2014. The transcribed interviews were analyzed according to phenomenological hermeneutics. The mothers’ experiences were described in the main theme: From feeling broken to looking beyond broken. Four themes were interwoven: living with constant anxiety, living with uncertaint...
Erectile Dysfunction and its association to cardiovascular risk factors among men 60 years and ab... more Erectile Dysfunction and its association to cardiovascular risk factors among men 60 years and above at primary care clinic,
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