Whom to blame for brain health and appetite slump in toddlers? A narrative review

Abstract Food preference in children depends on the interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Exposure to flavors during prenatal and postnatal period through amniotic fluid, breast milk, and weaning foods have been identified as possible influences on food preference and acceptance in children. Therefore, maternal nutrition has a strong influence on the child’s food preference early in life. Aim: The authors carried out a narrative review to understand the contribution of maternal nutrition on the food preferences in children in later life. Methods: The authors retrieved the articles from SCOPUS, Medline, Science Direct, CINAHL, EBSCO, and PubMed central databases. The key words including food preferences, food choice, and acceptance of food, pregnant women, toddlers, and food culture were used to identify the appropriate articles. The authors included in the review, full-text articles, published in English language between 1995 and 2018. In total, six articles, which met the inclusion criteria, were included in the final review. Results: The results revealed that there is a very strong connection between the exposure to flavors during prenatal and postnatal period and food preference and acceptance in children in later life. The olfactory and gustatory exposures to flavors during prenatal period through maternal diet, and during postnatal period through breast milk and weaning foods determines the food preferences in childhood. Conclusion: We conclude that maternal nutrition has a strong influence on the child’s food preference early in the life, therefore effective strategies should be designed to increase healthy feeding choices during the prenatal and postnatal periods

Is Clinical Decision Making Skills are Developed through Academic Nurturing? A Review Based on Available Literature

Introduction: Today’s nurses are having challenges, demanding their ability to the profession. Nursing education should concentrate on educating competent health care providers to handle complex health care technology with fundamental implications for latest generation of patients. This paper aims to identify the various strategies used to enhance the clinical decision making ability among nurses. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review of published literature and journal articles from PubMed and Cinhal databases was done. Search strategy specific to each database was used. During initial search 6808 titles were retrieved and after screening 12 articles were selected for full text screening. Finally 12 research articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 12 articles, 7 research studies supported that clinical decision making can be developed using different types of simulation (such as human patient simulators, simulated clinical experiences, simulation to create rubric assessment). Two of those studies propose clinical reasoning abilities can be acquired through Outcome-Present state Test (OPT) model. Individual studies used strategies like concept mapping, educational interventions, analogy guided learning experiences, structured reflection in education and workshops can develop clinical decision making. Computer based and multimedia computer simulation program did not showing any clear outcome. Conclusion: Clinical decision making is an abstract skill which can be developed by using different strategies in different specialities and different situations.  Since situational factors and time constraints are evident in practice, findings were supportive for clinical decision making(CDM) skill. The ideal setting for students to learn CDM skills is real clinical practice environment, especially when facilitated by opportunities for immediate feedback and reflection. CDM is necessary for providing quality patient care and favouring patient satisfaction. Keywords: Decision making, Nurses, Judgement, Clinical Competenc

Psychological Distress of University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic – A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide emergency that necessitates immediate action to prevent the disease's rapid spread. This study attempted to examine the psychological distress University students. Students’ commitment to preventive measures is impacted by their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the disease. Method: A quantitative non-experimental approach was used for the study. A descriptive, comparative design was instituted among the students of Sultan Qaboos University. A valid and reliable online survey was used to gather the data. Results: We found that a significant association between psychological distress and the demographic characteristics of the participants like college, known psychological issues, current social support, and current health status at p<.05. Non-nursing college students (59.7%) were likely to be well compared to the nursing students (Ӽ2 (3) = 70.831, p<.001). Students with known psychological issues reported higher psychological distress (41.3%) than other students (Ӽ2 (9) = 8.811, p=.032). Students who received their social support from their families (48%) reported more severe psychological distress than other students (Ӽ2 (6) = 18.177, p=.006). Students who had perceived excellent health (52.6%) reported likely to be well during this COVID 19 pandemic (Ӽ2 (3) = 25.853, p=.002). Conclusion: University students experienced a moderate amount of psychological distress during the COVID- 19 pandemic. The psychological distress experienced by the university students could be associated with many factors such as their nature of studies, known psychological issues and their current health status, and the social support they had received