The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN)

Innovation Health Care: Driving Sustainable Development

Amel Dawod Kamel Gouda — 2025-11-10

Nurses’ Knowledge about Dengue Fever at Al-Najaf Hospitals

Kawther Alqaseer — 2025-11-10

Background: Dengue fever is a significant global public health challenge, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where the Aedes mosquito, the primary vector, thrives. Despite advances in medical science, dengue continues to pose a severe threat due to its rapid spread, potential for outbreaks, and associated morbidity and mortality. Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, play a crucial role in the management, prevention, and education efforts related to dengue fever. Their knowledge and understanding of the disease are essential for effective patient care, accurate diagnosis, and timely intervention. Objective: This study aims to assess the current level of knowledge among nurses about dengue fever, which includes its symptoms, transmission, prevention strategies, and treatment protocols, in order to identify gaps and inform targeted educational initiatives. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional study to assess nurses' knowledge regarding dengue fever in Al-Najaf city from September 2023 to April 2024. The study involved 219 nurses selected through non-probability convenience sampling from various wards in hospitals within Al-Najaf city. Data was collected using a questionnaire developed based on pertinent literature, comprising two sections: socio-demographic information and an assessment of nurses' dengue fever knowledge. Data collection involved both Google Forms and traditional questionnaire techniques. Results: The findings indicate that most nurses exhibit a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding dengue fever. Moreover, statistically significant relationships were observed between nurses' dengue fever knowledge and demographic factors, including age, gender, education level, years of experience, workplace, and sources of information. Conclusion: The study concluded that nurses' knowledge regarding dengue fever is generally fair, with significant associations to demographic factors, highlighting the need for enhanced education and training initiatives.

Disaster Awareness, Preparedness, Participation, and Nursing Competency in Indonesian Public Health Nurses

Tria Firza Kumala — 2025-11-10

Background: Public health nurses are vital to disaster response and preparedness efforts, yet their competencies in these areas remain underexplored. Understanding the factors influencing nurse competency such as disaster awareness, preparedness, and community participation is crucial to enhancing community resilience during emergencies. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and identify the predictors of disaster awareness, preparedness, community participation, and nursing competency among public health nurses in Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from June to August 2024 involving 300 public health nurses working in community health centres across Indonesia. Data were collected using validated instruments: Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET), Public Health Emergency Preparedness Survey (PHEPS), Community Emergency Preparedness Participation Scale (CEPPS), and Disaster Nursing Competency Scale (DNCS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: The majority of participants were female (88.3%), aged 31–40 years (42.7%), held a bachelor’s degree (68.7%), and had more than five years of public health nursing experience (54.3%). Regression analysis revealed that disaster awareness (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), preparedness (β = 0.36, p < 0.001), and community participation (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) were significant predictors, explaining 47.8% of the variance in nursing competency. Conclusion: Disaster awareness, preparedness, and community participation significantly influence nursing competency among Indonesian public health nurses. These findings underscore the need to integrate disaster-related education and community engagement into nursing training programs, emphasizing tailored approaches for resource-limited settings.

Knowledge about Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Haemodialysis Patients

Shady Shafeek Dowarah — 2025-11-10

Background: Iraq has a 7.1% prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among its population. The transmission of HCV within haemodialysis (HD) units has been linked to higher infection rates among patients, leading to poorer survival outcomes. Objective: Assess the level of knowledge about the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment. Methods: A descriptive (cross-sectional) study was conducted in Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital from January 14^th, 2024, to March 20^th, 2024, by interview method. A Non-Probability (Purposeful Sample) of (100) patients who attended the haemodialysis department for treatment and follow-up. Results: The study results revealed that the majority of the sample population (67%) was male, with 46% falling within the age range of 46-60 years old. Furthermore, 44% of the participants had only primary education. Notably, 52% of the respondents demonstrated knowledge about Hepatitis, with a physician being the primary source of this knowledge. The analysis showed that 62% of the participants had a moderate level of knowledge about Hepatitis C, while 30% had a poor knowledge level, and 8% had a good knowledge level. Conclusion: The majority of research participants have a moderate level of knowledge about hepatitis C. It was found that individuals who had prior knowledge about Hepatitis C tended to have more comprehensive knowledge compared to those who did not. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve public awareness and knowledge about Hepatitis C, particularly among older adults with limited education.

The Influence of Training and Mentoring on Enhancing Nurses' Caring Competence

Aemilianus Mau — 2025-11-10

Background: Caring behaviour is a fundamental component of patient-centred nursing care, directly influencing patient outcomes and satisfaction. Despite its importance, many nurses face significant barriers such as insufficient training and lack of structured mentoring, which hinder their ability to deliver optimal care. Addressing these barriers through structured interventions is essential to improving nurses' caring competencies. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-post test design with a control group. A total of 120 inpatient nurses were recruited using purposive sampling, with 60 nurses in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. Data were collected using validated and reliable questionnaires to assess knowledge, attitudes, and actions related to caring behaviour. The intervention, which consisted of training and mentoring, was implemented over three months. Data were analysed using the T-test and General Linear Model Repeated Measures (GLM RM) test. Results: The study found a statistically significant improvement in caring competence in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The GLM-RM analysis revealed large effect sizes, with partial eta squared values of 0.882 for knowledge, 0.711 for attitudes, and 0.737 for actions, indicating that training and mentoring effectively enhanced nurses' caring behaviours. Conclusion: Structured training and mentoring programs are effective strategies for enhancing nurses' caring competence. Healthcare institutions should consider integrating these interventions into professional development programs to improve patient-centred care. Future studies should explore long-term impacts of such interventions on patient outcomes and satisfaction.

The Effect of the Instructional Program of Health-related Behaviour on Socio-demographic Variables for Patients with Chronic Diseases

Ahmed D. Salman — 2025-11-10

Background: The current study, a continuation of a previous study, explores the relationship between sociodemographic factors and health behaviours among chronic disease patients in Diwaniyah City, Iraq. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the instructional program of health-related behaviour on socio-demographic variables for patients with chronic diseases. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 222 chronic disease patients using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings revealed significant associations between sociodemographic variables and health behaviours. Education level and income were positively correlated with healthier behaviours, while age and gender influenced specific health behaviours. Conclusion: The present study emphasises the need for targeted health promotion programs that consider sociodemographic variables to improve health outcomes among chronic disease patients.

Influence of Family Behaviour on Adolescents’ Eating Habits in Karbala City, Iraq

Marlen Hashem Salloum — 2025-11-10

Background: Teenagers in the age range of 10 to 19 years are in a developmental stage where they experience significant physical and mental growth as they transition from puberty to adulthood. Examining the interpersonal effects that influence health behaviours in the context of parent-adolescent relationships is especially significant and rich. Objectives: To identify the family behaviours concerning adolescents’ eating habits in Holy Karbala city, specifically to find-out the differences in family behaviours and adolescents’ eating habits according to their demographic characteristics. Methods: The study design is cross-sectional and stratified sampling method which was conducted at 373 teenagers aged 10 to 19 years, to assess the “Influence of Family Behaviours on Eating Habits among Secondary School Students” in Holy Karbala city centre at 20 governmental secondary schools in education directorate. Students in secondary schools filled out Eating Habits Questionnaires (EHQs) to provide the data. The questionnaire format comprising two sections was designed to cover all aspects of the study; the section one includes demographic characteristics and section two includes family behaviours. The data collected during May 2024. Results: It revealed that most of adolescents (98.9%) live with their families and less than half of adolescents (48.3%) strongly agrees that they enjoy eating meals with their family, and vast majority of them (92.8%) have good level of family behaviours regarding eating habits. Also, the findings indicated a significant impact of family behaviours on the eating habits of adolescents, particularly in relation to the father's level of education. As well, it demonstrated that the occupation of the father had a significant impact on the family behaviours of adolescents. Conclusion: The investigation reveals that elevated levels of positive family behaviours improve the quality of adolescents’ eating habits. Recommendations through the nurse’s role in educating the families’ adolescents to promote healthier food choices.

Evaluation of Attitudes of Antenatal Care During Pregnancy at Primary Health Care Centers in Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nuha Adel Ibrahim — 2025-11-10

Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a critical role in ensuring that maternity care is accessible and effective for all mothers, reducing the risk of complications during childbirth. Antenatal Care (ANC) is a key component of this, as it helps detect and address potential health concerns throughout pregnancy, improving both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of the ANC service in Nasiriyah, Iraq, focusing on its components, analysis, and results. The study involved 124 women receiving ANC services from three health care centres and two rural health centres in Nasiriyah, Iraq. Results: The results revealed that the average age of the women was 26.5 years, more than half were highly educated, (54.84%) were housewife, the percentage of women who attended the ANC once (16.93%), twice (39.52%), three times (30.64%), and four or more times (12.91%) during the duration of their pregnancy, regarding the overall content, the level of services provided by health canters and hospitals was satisfactory to (65.32%) pregnant women, the satisfaction level with Employees behaviour, (54.03%) of pregnant women felt satisfied, Regarding the waiting time, 69.35% of the individuals expressed satisfaction, (24.19%) expressed dissatisfaction, while 91.94% of individuals expressed satisfaction regarding fees. Conclusion: Most pregnant women have acceptable satisfaction with ANC services.

Assessing Personality Traits among Adolescents in Secondary Schools: A Comprehensive Inventory Approach

Riyadh Mohammed Muhsin — 2025-11-10

Background: For some young people, their maladaptive personality patterns may become severe enough to be diagnosed as personality disorders. For others, even if their maladaptive personality traits may not reach clinical significance, these problems probably still lead to difficulties in social adjustment and mental health. Objective: Assess personality traits in adolescents and identify their association with demographic variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 purposively selected secondary school students to assess personality traits using the Personality Inventory for the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition – Brief Form (PID-5-BF) among children aged 11–17 years. Results: The overall score of the personality inventory is that 66.7% of adolescents have moderate dysfunction, as seen with a mean total score (M±SD= 29.16±7+.019). There is no evidence of the association between adolescents’ personalities and their sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: The overall personality inventory score of adolescents has moderate dysfunction. there was no substantial relationship between adolescent personality traits and demographic variables (age, gender, residence, education, occupation, and socio-economic status) in this study, although overall, the lives of adolescents were quite varied. Recommendation: These results encourage a shift toward a more individualised approach to understanding adolescent personality development, recognising the complex interplay of various influences beyond demographics. The study also recommends establishing educational programs for families, school administrations, and teachers as well on how to deal with adolescents and explaining this critical period in human life and its impact on shaping the individual’s future personality.

Quality of Life among Paediatric Patients with Transfusion-Dependent Βeta-Thalassemia Major in Sabah, Malaysia

Jenet Guan Chin — 2025-11-10

Background: Thalassaemia is a significant health concern in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah, where prevalence rates are high. This study aims to determine the quality of life (QOL) of paediatric patients with β-thalassaemia major (β-TM) in Sabah and to identify factors associated with the QOL. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two hospitals between November 2018 and April 2019, including 115 transfusion-dependent β-TM patients aged 8 to 18 years. The Malay version 4.0 of the PedsQL^TM questionnaire was used to assess QOL. Paired t-test was used to compare the QOL scores between patients and their parents’ proxy reports. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing QOL scores. Results: The mean total QOL summary score was 76.15 (SD 14.5), with the lowest mean score observed in school functioning (64.1). Only the school functioning score was significantly lower (p-value = 0.02) in the parents’ proxy report compared to the patients’ self-report. In multivariable analysis, parental marital status (adjusted β = −10.55, 95% CI −19.38, −1.73, p = 0.02) and the usage of single iron chelation therapy or monotherapy (adjusted β = 10.02, 95% CI 4.05, 16.00, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with the lower total QOL summary score. Conclusion: Thalassaemia negatively impacts patient’s QOL, especially in the school functioning. This study recommended considering QOL as an important factor in the management of transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients, which includes providing out-of-hours thalassaemia treatment services and implementing nurse-led programmes that offer social support for patients and families.

Challenges and Knowledge of Nurses Regarding Triage Systems in Emergency Departments

Mohammed Abdu al-Kareem Mustafa — 2025-11-10

Background: The term "triage" is derived from the French word meaning "to sort" and refers to the act of prioritising patients in emergency care based on the seriousness of the illness or injury presented; it is how one would classify patients according to the urgency of need in order to provide resource allocation and make priorities. The skills and competencies of triage nurses are very important to ensure that high-quality care is provided and that operations within the emergency departments are effective. This study aimed to evaluate nurses’ knowledge of triage systems in emergency departments (EDs) and identify the challenges associated with their implementation. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted using a non-probability sample of 230 nurses from governmental hospitals. A structured questionnaire was developed and validated to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: demographic information; 13 items assessing triage knowledge scored on a binary scale; and 13 items evaluating challenges to triage implementation. Results: 68.7% of nurses reported prior training in triage systems. Overall, nurses demonstrated moderate knowledge of triage. Challenges to implementing triage systems were rated high. There is a significant correlation between nurses’ knowledge and their age. Conclusion: Nurses in EDs have moderate knowledge of triage systems; about 50% of them have good knowledge, but there are significant barriers to effective implementation. The study points out the dire need for targeted training programmes and systemic improvements. Policymakers and healthcare leaders need to decrease these barriers to enhance triage efficiency and ensure optimum delivery of emergency care to the patients.

Job Stress among Paediatric Nurses in Clinical Area: Cross-Sectional Study

Kholoud Hashem Salloum — 2025-11-10

Background: Paediatric nurses experience distinct mental and physical challenges on the job, adding to the widespread problem of healthcare worker stress. The negative effects on health, productivity, and patient care can result from nurses experiencing high levels of stress, few studies have looked at the prevalence of stress among Iraqi paediatric nurses, despite the fact that this population has higher rates of stress overall. Objective: The study aimed to find out stress levels and recognise the causes of stress among paediatric nurses. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design, conducted in the Educational Karbala Hospital for Children in the Holy City of Karbala in Iraq, and the researcher used a questionnaire which consists of two parts, socio-demographic for the study sample: age, educational level etc. In addition, the expanded nursing stress scale (ENSS) to measures the sources and frequency of stress experienced by the nurses. A total of 300 nurses randomly selected were recruited. Results: Indicated that the common paediatric nursing personnel assessed their job stress as moderate (87.7%), but the nurse had more stress related to the patient’s death. In addition, there are no significant differences in job stress (p ≥ 0.05) in relation to the rest of the demographic variables. Conclusion: Researchers found that all those nurses have a moderate level of job stress. Current study recommended to find ways to decrease the prevalence of job stress among paediatric nurses, as treating the difficulties inside and outside the workplace in order, to decrease the stress for those nurses’ group, foster a positive work environment and Ensure Clear Job Role Definitions.

Optimizing Oxygen Saturation and Pulse Rate in Premature Infants: The Role of Nesting and Prone Positioning

Rifa Yanti — 2025-11-10

Background: Low birth weight babies often experience complications in the form of respiratory distress syndrome and increased heart rate. A method to help prevent these complications is positioning the infant in a nesting and prone arrangement. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of nesting and prone positions on oxygen saturation and heart rate in premature infants. Methods: Pre-experimental design included 44 premature infants selected through consecutive sampling from the neonatal care unit at Arifin Achmad Hospital Pekanbaru. Data analysis was performed using univariate and bivariate techniques, with the Wilcoxon test applied for the bivariate analysis. Results: The mean oxygen saturation of respondents before intervention was 92.95%, which increased to 97.34% post-intervention. The mean heart rate before intervention was 129.66 and 150.86 after intervention. Statistical testing indicated a significant difference in oxygen saturation before and after using the nesting and prone positions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Implementing nesting and the prone position can improve oxygen saturation in premature babies, as it lowers body metabolism, reduces heat loss, and enhances respiratory efficiency.

Mental Health and Death Anxiety among Community- Dwelling Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dhafer Ameen Al-Mossawy — 2025-11-10

Background: Elderly individuals, while representing a vital part of society, often experience psychological challenges associated with ageing. Among these, mental health problems and death anxiety are particularly significant, as they directly affect quality of life and social contribution. Identifying their psychological status and related factors is therefore essential to support the well-being of this vulnerable group. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the mental status and death anxiety level of elderly people in Najaf city and to find out the relationship between death anxiety and mental status with socio-demographic data among elderly people. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 15^thOctober 2023 to 1^st April 2024 on a sample of 200 community-dwelling elderly participants in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf province. Results: Most of the study participants exhibited death anxiety and abnormal mental status, indicating possible cognitive impairment. A highly significant relationship was observed between mental status and age, marital status, and economic status (p < 0.01), whereas number of children and place of residence showed no significant effect. The study also found a non-significant correlation between mental status and death anxiety. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the study samples had abnormal mental status, indicating possible cognitive impairment and the presence of death anxiety. Hence, the study recommends encouraging elderly people to do many simple daily activities to distract them from thinking about death and enhance their mental state, such as worship, reading, and housework.

Determine the Prevalence and Causative Factors for Needle Stick Injuries between Nursing Staff at Karbala City

Roula M. Abboud — 2025-11-10

Background: Needle-stick injuries (NSIs) constitute a serious hazard to healthcare workers in any healthcare setting. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and causative factors for needle-stick injuries among nursing staff in Karbala City. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted; 200 nurses working at Safeer and Zain Alabdeen hospitals in Karbala province joined the research for their NSIs experience. Each respondent completed a questionnaire that was divided into three parts with closed questions. Results: Most of the sample were female, aged between 20 and 25 years with diplomas or bachelor’s degrees, had less than 5 years of experience in nursing, had attended training courses and were vaccinated against the Hepatitis C virus. The prevalence of needle-stick injuries was 69%. Related to the causative factors of needlestick injuries, the most important causes from nurses' perspective were overcrowding, fatigue, and recapping the contaminated needle by hand. There were statistically significant differences between needle-stick injury and the nurses’ years of experience, as well as attendance at training courses on how to avoid needle-stick injury accidents. Conclusion: The needle-stick injury prevalence rate was found to be 69%. By promoting a safe and conducive work environment, the findings aim to assist national educational institutions, public health organizations, and hospital administrations in Iraq in making informed decisions regarding the prevention and control of needle-stick injuries in the future.

Violence Against Junior Medical Doctors; Triggers and Problems of Under-Reporting

Ali M Al Mousawi — 2025-11-10

Background: The prevalence of workplace violence has reached about two-thirds of healthcare workers being exposed, and this problem is rising globally. It varies across different geographical regions, with different triggering factors. Objective: To identify the triggers of violence against healthcare workers in Iraqi health facilities. Methods: A sample of 1,079 Iraqi junior doctors from 18 secondary hospitals was surveyed between August 2021 and January 2022 using a semi-structured questionnaire to determine the reasons behind this problem. Results: The main triggers reported by the respondents were a shortage of medicines (16.9%), aggressive attitudes of patients’ relatives (15.4%), patient death (10.4%), and workload (7.8%). Other factors included poor hospital security and inadequate protective measures. An important issue raised was the high proportion of underreporting violent incidents, with reasons including feelings of shame, the perception that such attacks are part of the usual daily routine, and a belief that reporting will not improve their work environment. Some respondents also felt that reporting would result in their blame or punishment. Conclusion: Shortages of supplies and poor healthcare services play a major role in provoking violence. As a future course of action, improving healthcare quality, staff training, the implementation of strict legislation, and the establishment of guidelines to encourage reporting could help reduce violence in healthcare settings.

A Systematic Review of Self-Management Interventions for Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Ratna Aryani — 2025-11-10

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health issue and ranks among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Despite treatment advancements, CRC patients often encounter challenges that negatively impact their QoL, highlighting the need for effective self-management strategies. Objective: This systematic review assesses the types, content, and impacts of self-management interventions for CRC patients. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, reviewing studies published between January 2013 and February 2022, across nine databases, including JSTOR, Emerald Insight, Oxford Academic, ScienceDirect, SAGE, Clinical Key, ProQuest, Scopus, and Taylor & Francis. The review focused on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving self-management strategies for adult CRC patients. Keywords used included "colorectal cancer," "colorectal survivor," "bowel cancer," "colorectal tumour," "colorectal neoplasm," "self-management programme," "self-management training," "self-management intervention," "randomised controlled trial," and "experimental study." Articles were selected based on title and abstract relevance, and findings were synthesised narratively and tabulated. Results: The search yielded 668 articles, with nine studies included after screening and bias risk assessment. Interventions varied, lasting from 24 days to 12 months, with assessments conducted 3-4 times. These included psycho-educational programmes, smartphone apps, supportive care, self-help workbooks, access to e-Health resources, and structured pain self-management. Control groups generally received standard care or the same intervention post-study. Outcomes included improvements in self-efficacy, QoL, distress, anxiety, depression, physical activity, adherence to medical advice, symptom management, functional scales, emotional and social functioning, patient competence, social support, and pain management. Conclusions: Self-management interventions for CRC patients significantly enhance various health outcomes, underscoring their potential to improve nursing and patient care and QoL.