Exploration of the factors that influence the adoption of healthy lifestyles among Saudis living with Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life worldwide. It has reached overwhelming proportions in many countries around the world, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. Lifestyle interventions are an essential element in the prevention of CVD. However, promoting healthy lifestyle is very challenging because a multitude of factors, including beliefs, social norms, cultural values and environmental factors interact and influence people’s decisions to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. The effects of these factors on cardiac patients in the context of Saudi Arabia are largely unknown. To address this gap, this study employed a qualitative design utilising in-depth individual interviews to explore the barriers to and facilitators of the adoption of healthy lifestyles among Saudis living with CVD. Thirteen male and eight female participants from two major hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were interviewed. The study used the Framework analysis guided by the work of Ritchie and Spencer to analyse the transcripts. The social ecological model of health promotion provided a theoretical lens through which multiple levels of influential factors were examined from the perspective of CVD patients themselves. Analysis of the data revealed that lifestyle choices are characterised by multiple embedded meanings attached to participants’ lives and reflecting family, religious and cultural values. However, the dominant barrier to the adoption of healthy lifestyle was attributed primarily to constraints imposed by the established cultural and social norms. Other factors include religious beliefs, family values, insufficient healthcare services, physical environment and lack of policy regulations. Thus, while individuals may report having the ability and intention to change, any changes they make are largely shaped by the social and cultural norms in which they are embedded. The findings highlight that educating people on the need for a healthy lifestyle might not be effective unless their individual and contextual issues are considered. This study supports the need for developing comprehensive lifestyle interventions that take account of the complex array of the contextual factors that shape behaviour change to promote the engagement and maintenance of healthy lifestyle among Saudi patients living with CVD. The findings of this study may be used to inform population-based strategies, to integrate these into regional prevention frameworks, and to then translate these into locally delivered healthcare services

Family Caregivers’ Experiences of Caring for Patients with Heart Failure: A Qualitative Study

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a global health concern. People living with the disease require continuous care and support, which is frequently provided by informal caregivers. Although HF caregivers occupy a key position in improving patients’ outcomes and reducing health-care costs, many of them experience adverse impacts on their physical and psychological health, which is largely unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences, needs, and challenges facing HF caregivers in Saudi Arabia to identify priority areas for developing tailored interventions. Materials and Methods: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 12 caregivers (age range, 18–57; mean, 32). Interview data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s approach. Results: Analysis of the interviews yielded four distinct overarching themes: role definition; coping and support; unmet caregiver needs; and emotional impact. Conclusion: Caregiving is a complex and life-altering role with many health and well-being implications. An in-depth understanding of HF caregivers’ experiences and needs provides valuable insight into how they can be supported in their roles to improve both caregivers’ and patients’ outcomes

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers of Organ Donation in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Organ donation is considered a life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure worldwide. However, the severe organ shortage in Saudi Arabia creates a gap between patients in need of transplantation and the availability of organs. In Saudi Arabia, a limited number of studies have assessed knowledge and attitudes toward organ donation, especially in Jeddah City. Thus, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to organ donation and to determine the factors that may hinder or facilitate organ donation. Our findings indicated that almost half of the participants (49.2%) obtained their information from online resources. Fear of the unknown (31.2%) and a lack of knowledge (28.5%) were the main barriers to organ donation. A high percentage of the participants (73%) were unaware of any local or international legislation regarding organ donation. Half of the study participants were willing to donate their organs, with insignificant differences in age, gender, occupation, and education level. Only 5.4% of the respondents had an organ donor card. The study indicated that half of the participants were willing to donate organs, but they were unaware of local and international legislation. Therefore, an intensive education program and campaigns are recommended to increase public awareness about organ donation

The Effect of Social Isolation Types on Quality of Life during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic that has spread rapidly to six continents, with over 2.5 million deaths from December 2019 to March 2021. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is still growing worldwide, and quarantines have been recommended to prevent the disease’s spread. However, quarantines affect people’s quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to assess the effect of social isolation—quarantine—on QOL during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used in the present study. We obtained data from an online survey conducted in Saudi Arabia. We included a convenience sample of 775 participants in the study. Most of the participants were female (67%), with a mean age of 46 years ranging from 18 to 75 years. Many participants were government employees (n = 308, 39.7%) and had a bachelor’s degree or greater (n = 513, 66.2%). Most of the participants (n = 629, 81%) were free from any chronic disease. Nearly 88% of participants were partially isolated socially owing to COVID-19. Concerning QOL, the means of both the Physical Health Composite Scale and the Mental Health Composite Scale SF-12 scores were 44.7 and 34.6, respectively. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that partially socially isolated participants appeared to have significantly better physical health statuses (M = 44.96, SD = 5.90) than completely socially isolated participants (M = 42.87 ± 7.26). There was no significant social isolation effect on mental health status (t (773) = 2.5, p = 0.115). Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic considerably influenced various aspects of QOL including physical and mental health. Community-based interventions such as online counseling services and wellness programs are required to reduce the pandemic’s negative impact and enhance overall health status and QOL

Nurses' perception and self-confidence of family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Researchers have investigated the presence of families during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to determine its benefits and barriers and the points of view of healthcare professionals, patients, and families. Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) is debatable. Many professional health organizations worldwide, such as the Emergency Nurses Association, have suggested that healthcare facilities implement rules and policies that encourage the attendance of families and relatives during CPR. However, this does not consider the nurses' points of view or self-confidence during FPDR. The main aim of this study is to evaluate nurses' perceptions and self-confidence related to family presence during CPR in Saudi Arabia.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive correlation study was conducted between March and April 2022 at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah. A survey was completed by participants to collect their sociodemographic data. The relationship between Family Presence Risk-Benefit Scale (FPS-BS) and the Family Presence Self-Confidence Scale (FPS-CS) was analyzed using Pearson's correlation test.RESULTS: The study's participants consisted of 147 nurses. Regarding the FPDR, nurses had a moderately positive perception and level of confidence. Moreover, the level of self-confidence varied significantly by age group and years of experience. The results of the Pearson correlation indicated that there was a significant association between FPS-CS and FPR-BS (r = 0.221, P < .001). When implementing FPDR, nurses who see more benefits from it are more confident.CONCLUSION: According to the findings, the nurses who felt more comfortable including patients' families in resuscitation efforts also saw FPDR as having more advantages. FPDR has several effects on the healthcare team providing CPR. Nursing leaders should develop policies for their teams and instruct nurses and other healthcare professionals. Considering the clear benefits of clinical practice and family involvement in resuscitation, it is suggested to give this experience first using simulation and role-playing

The Role of Illness Perception and Self-Efficacy in Determining Quality of Life among Cancer Patients

Background: The quality of life for people with chronic illnesses like cancer has been shown to be significantly impacted by self-efficacy and perceptions of their illness. Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between cancer patients’ perceptions of their illness, their self-efficacy beliefs, and their quality of life. Method: Conducted from December 2022 to February 2023, this research involved 120 adults undergoing cancer treatment. We utilized the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), the Arabic version of the Cancer Behavioral Inventory Brief (CBI-B), and the Arabic EORTC QLQ-C30, alongside clinical data collection. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics. Results: Breast cancer emerged as the most common type among participants. A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and quality of life, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, particularly in relation to symptom management. Interestingly, all dimensions of illness perception correlated with quality of life, except for control and concerns. Conclusions: The findings underscore the vital role of nurses and healthcare providers in aiding cancer patients to develop and utilize self-management strategies effectively. The study reveals that a patient’s capacity to manage their illness is significantly influenced by their confidence, understanding of their condition, and overall quality of life. Addressing these aspects can greatly enhance healthcare professionals’ contribution to improving the resilience and well-being of individuals battling cancer

The readiness of Saudi nursing interns for the professional role

BACKGROUND: The nursing education program offers opportunities to prepare nursing students with the knowledge and skills required for their professional roles. The level of their readiness and confidence will affect their ability to provide effective and sufficient nursing care. The purpose of this study is to assess nursing interns readiness for professional roles. MATERIALS AND METHOD: To accomplish the study’s objectives, a cross-sectional, descriptive design was employed. All nursing interns who graduated from the KAU School of Nursing in the academic year 2018–2019 were recruited from different hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from March 2019 until May 2019. Participants completed the Casey–Fink Readiness for Practice Survey. Descriptive statistics were conducted to answer the research questions. RESULTS: The results of this study demonstrated that the students felt ready and confident to assume their professional nursing roles. The students had some difficulties with managing multiple patients and certain skills, such as how to deal with dying patients and prioritize patient care needs. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed the students felt entirely ready for the professional nursing role. The nursing college at King Abdul-Aziz University is making a great effort to prepare its students for their professional roles. We still need to develop skills and clinical competencies in preparation for effective professional roles. In addition, continuous assessment is considered important for patient safety, to increase nurses’ work retention, and to enhance professional nurse confidence and the quality of care they must provide