Spirituality and Self-Reclamation: A Response to Nursing on the Margins of the Profession

This paper focuses on spirituality and religious faith as a significant resource in the lives of Black nurses in a Nova Scotia, Canada. It argues that as a valuable source of self-identity and meaning-making, spirituality merits serious consideration in nursing research. This treatment of the subject brings together current attention to the work-life experiences of minority nurses in Canada’s healthcare system and new interest in spirituality as inherent to nursing care. Validating the spiritual strength and sensitivity expressed by the Black nurses would both allow the nurses to be wholly themselves as nurses, and make that strength and sensitivity available to a healthcare system that has need of them. It might be possible to bring both minority group nurses and spirituality back from the margins of the nursing profession

Assessing the Relationship between Caregivers Burden and Availability of Support for Family Caregivers’ of HIV/AIDS Patients in Calabar, South East Nigeria

Purpose: This study examined the level of burden and the extent of support on family caregivers of people living with AIDS (PLWHA) in Calabar, South East Nigeria. Methods: A mixed method with cross sectional approach was used. Purposive sampling technique guided the recruitment process and data collection methods included, semi-structured questionnaires and focusing group discussion. 260 respondents participated in the study. The quantitative data were mined with the aid of SPSS and the qualitative data were analysed with the aid of NVivo8 using thematic analysis. Results: Results indicated high level of burden with limited support to caregivers. A Chi-square value of 25.1 was obtained at P \u3c 0.05, suggesting a significant relationship between availability of support and caregivers burden. This relationship was supported by the themes of physical, social, emotional and financial burden for the caregivers. Similarly, information on coping skills, emotional support, financialassistance and help with caregiving themes emerged for social support. Conclusion: In Nigeria, the burden of caring for HIV/AIDS patients has a remarkable impact on family caregivers. This calls for the development of policies that can systematically address the needs of family caregivers in order to ameliorate the negative consequences of caregiving for PLWHA

“Leaving no one behind”: COVID-19 Response in Black Canadian Communities

Despite the universal healthcare system in Canada, Canadians of African Descent (CAD) still face numerous problems that place them at higher risk to pandemics such as COVID-19. From the struggles of working as frontline workers, to challenges compounded by pre-existing chronic medical conditions such as Diabetes, CAD may face unique issues, further weighing on their existing and potential health outcomes. This situation calls for closer attention to the specific needs of CAD who may be at greater risk of late diagnosis and delayed treatment for COVID-19. Historically, marginalized communities such as CAD must be included in healthcare considerations and planning, so as to avoid further leaving them behind during and after the storm. Past evidence has shown that structural inequities shape who is affected by disease and its economic fallout. Therefore, the unique needs of CAD must be considered in healthcare planning with the ongoing COVID-19 response. Keywords: pandemic, marginalized, healthcare, COVID-19, Canadians of African Descen

Learning Experiences and Challenges facing Black International Students at the University of Windsor

In the past two decades, the international-student population increased to about 600,000 (Canada Bureau for International Education, 2018). According to The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, 2019I), international students contributed an estimated $21.6 billion to the Canadian gross domestic product. With the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment of international students, and the economic contribution they bring is under threat. More so, the lockdown imposed by the government, and schools’ adoption of online learning, further poses challenges and unique experiences to children, and young persona, especially international students. We used qualitative data from a focus group of 10 male Black students, aged 20 years and above, attending the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. In addition, we include the experiences and concerns of a student in Nigeria. The findings show that students face a number of social and environmental factors that negatively impact their online learning experiences. These factors include: economic support from parents/guardians, availability and access to learning resources, the place of residence, and lack of academic support from instructors, administration, and peers. We conclude that many Black students feel dissatisfied and stressed by the lack of support and how they have been neglected during COVID-19. These experiences are likely to impact their mental health severely