International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences最新文献

{"title":"A retrospective cohort study of survival status and mortality predictors among children with severe acute malnutrition in public health facilities, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia","authors":"Bargude Balta ,&nbsp;Bedilu Bekele ,&nbsp;Alemu Bogale ,&nbsp;Deresse Daka","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100824","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100824","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Despite improvements in child health and nutrition in Ethiopia, undernutrition remains a critical issue, causing half of child deaths. Many severely malnourished children seek treatment at therapeutic feeding centers, but a significant number still die in stabilization centers. This study aimed to estimate survival rates and identify predictors of mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to public health facilities in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A facility-based retrospective cohort study was employed to estimate survival status and predictors among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to selected health facilities. A total of 476 randomly selected under-five children with SAM from January 2018 to December 31, 2021, participated in the study. Data were analyzed by SPSS IBM version 26. Bivariable and multivariable Cox regression models assessed risk factors. Kaplan- Maier Curve and Long rank test were used to estimate cumulative survival probability and to compare survival status probability across different groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over the 3-year observation period, the overall survival status was, (84.7 %), [95 % CI; 81.2, 87.8]. The incidence density of death was 3.8/100 person-day. The overall median survival time was 34 [95 % CI 32.2––37.5] days. After controlling for other factors, a child who had co-morbidities [AHR = 3.305, 95 %; CI:(1.1, 10.9)], and deworming using Albendazole [AHR = 5.3, 95 %; CI:(1.3, 21.7)] were identified as the independent predictors of the time to death.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100824"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Male student experience in a maternity nursing clinical course in Saudi Arabia","authors":"Fadiyah Jadid Alanazi ,&nbsp;Safaa Ibrahim Ahmed ,&nbsp;Layan Salem Alenezi ,&nbsp;Shaden Anad Almadhrash ,&nbsp;Sadeem Falah Alanazi ,&nbsp;Sama Sultan Alanazi ,&nbsp;Fathia Ahmed Mersal","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to explore the experiences of male nursing students in maternity clinical courses in Saudi Arabia, identifying the challenges they face and their perceptions of the role of male nurses in a traditionally female-dominated field. The study addresses a significant gap in the existing body of knowledge particularly within the context of Saudi Arabia. While there is a growing body of literature on gender dynamics in nursing, few studies specifically focus on the challenges and perceptions of male nursing students in traditionally female fields.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, utilizing focus group discussions with twelve male nursing students from various regions of Saudi Arabia. Open-end questions was used to collect the data. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes related to their experiences in maternity nursing courses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Four main themes emerged from the data: (1) Attraction to Maternity Nursing—participants expressed reluctance to specialize in maternity nursing due to societal perceptions; (2) Perceptions of Male Roles—students felt out of place in maternity settings, influenced by gender stereotypes; (3) Challenges in Providing Care—participants reported discomfort in interacting with female patients and faced barriers in gaining practical experience; (4) Support and Inclusion—there were mixed feelings about the support received from educators and colleagues, highlighting the need for a more inclusive environment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The study underscores the significant impact of cultural and societal norms on male nursing students in maternity care. It highlights the need for targeted support and educational initiatives to foster a more inclusive environment for male nurses and encourage their full participation in maternity nursing roles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100855"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144071308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Financial management literacy among nurse managers in two districts of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Khanyoh Zuma,&nbsp;Ozayr Mahomed","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100862","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100862","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>A fundamental understanding of financial policies and practices is essential for nurse managers in the healthcare sector. Nurse managers with financial knowledge can manage the assigned budget better to ensure efficient and reasonable use of the available resources, which addresses the issue of quality health care. This study aimed to determine the level of self-reported financial literacy among nurse managers and to examine how factors such as age, years of management experience, formal qualifications, and attendance at financial management workshops are associated with self-reported financial literacy levels among nurse managers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A quantitative approach using a cross-sectional design was employed. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data using a census survey. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Nurse managers showed a low level of knowledge and skills in financial management. The current study’s median self-reported financial literacy score was 37 %. Nurse managers who were older than 50 years of age, nurse managers who had more than ten years of experience in the nursing management position and who had previously attended financial management workshops reported a significantly better likelihood of above-median self-reported financial literacy scores.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Nurse managers surveyed in this study self-reported a low level of financial literacy. Financial management should be incorporated in nursing education. Continuous experiential learning and mentorship programs, including access to targeted financial management workshops, focussing on financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation tailored to nurse managers’ specific duties and responsibilities in healthcare settings should be introduced.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100862"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144271835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retraction notice to “Nursing-based intervention to optimize the self-prescribed and the misuse of antibiotics among mothers of children less than 5 years” [Int. J. Afr. Nurs. Sci. 20 (2024) 100644]","authors":"Sameer Hamdy Hafez ,&nbsp;Sabry M. Tamam ,&nbsp;Noha Ahmed Mohamed ,&nbsp;Elwaleed Idris Sagiron ,&nbsp;Yahya Hussein Ahmed Abdalla ,&nbsp;Mohammed Ateeg Abdelrahman Ahmed ,&nbsp;Sharfeldin Mohammed Shuib ,&nbsp;Elsadig Eltaher Hamed ,&nbsp;Mohamed Saied Harfoush ,&nbsp;Mohammed Abdulrahman Alshahrani ,&nbsp;Ahmad A. Alshehri ,&nbsp;Ahmed Salah Ali ,&nbsp;Ahmed Loutfy ,&nbsp;Abdalla Mohamed Ahmed Osman Abdalla ,&nbsp;Sadeq Abdo Mohammed Alwesabi ,&nbsp;Ateya Megahed Ibrahim","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100832","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100832","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100832"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144222729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sub-optimal birth spacing and associated factors among mothers of children admitted to therapeutic feeding centers with severe acute malnutrition in Oda Bultum Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-section study","authors":"Sultan Feyiso ,&nbsp;Tegenu Balcha ,&nbsp;Elias Yadeta ,&nbsp;Yadeta dessie ,&nbsp;Abera kenay Tura","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100867","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100867","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Although several strategies have been implemented, sub-optimal birth space continues to be a serious public health issue in Ethiopia. There is limited information regarding sub-optimal birth spacing among mothers of children with severe acute malnutrition in the study area. Thus, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of sub-optimal birth spacing and it is associated factors among mothers of children admitted to therapeutic feeding centers with severe acute malnutrition in Oda-Bultum Woreda, eastern Ethiopia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 404 randomly selected mothers of children admitted to therapeutic feeding center with severe acute malnutrition in Oda BultumWoreda, Eastern Ethiopia from October 5 to December 4, 2020. A pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between suboptimal birth spacing and independent variables. A P-value &lt; 0.05 was used to declare a statistical significance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>More than half of 213 (52.7%) of the study participants had sub-optimal birth spacing (&lt;33 months). Rural residence (AOR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.11 – 3.15), younger age at marriage (AOR: 2.92; 95%CI: 1.67––5.10), (AOR: 1.78; 95%CI: 1.07–2.95), not knowing the duration of optimal birth spacing (AOR: 4.12; 95%CI: 1.89–9.00), and shorter breastfeeding duration (AOR: 3.36, 95% CI: 2.09–5.39), and no formal education (AOR: 1.78; 95%CI: 1.07–2.95) were significantly associated with suboptimal birth spacing.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In this study, slightly more than half mothers' whose of children with severe acute malnutrition had suboptimal birth spacing. Rural residence, lack of education, younger marital age, lack of knowledge of ideal birth space, and shorter breastfeeding duration were the identified factors that increase the odds of having sub-optimal birth spacing. To optimize birth spacing in the study area, strategies concerning young women and rural communities are recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100867"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women at a tertiary hospital in eastern Uganda: A cross sectional study","authors":"Priscillah Kwehayo ,&nbsp;Milton W. Musaba ,&nbsp;Faith Oguttu ,&nbsp;Samuel Olowo ,&nbsp;Lydia Ssenyonga ,&nbsp;Brendah Nambozo ,&nbsp;Solomon Wani ,&nbsp;Ritah Nantale ,&nbsp;David Mukunya ,&nbsp;Julius N Wandabwa","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Globally, cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. However, this is rarely done in low- and middle-income countries, where the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are reported. In Uganda, less than 20% of the targeted population utilize cervical cancer screening services despite these being readily available in health facilities across the country at no cost. We aimed to determine the factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive age at Mbale regional referral hospital in eastern Uganda.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a cross-sectional study involving 355 participants, we recruited clients attending the family planning clinic at Mbale regional referral hospital. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Data were analyzed in Stata version 14.1.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Only 33/355 (9.3 %) women had ever utilized cervical cancer screening services. Majority of the women 23/33(69.7 %) who had ever screened for cervical cancer, did so after recommendation by a health worker. Utilization of cervical cancer screening services was associated with: maternal age of 30 years and above [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 11.25 Confidence Interval (CI) (3.67–34.55)] and being more knowledgeable about cervical cancer [AOR 5.13 95 % CI (1.75–15.08)].</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Adequate knowledge about cervical cancer and level of utilization of cervical cancer screening services was low among women at a regional referral hospital in Eastern Uganda. We recommend the following interventions targeted at increasing access to services and health literacy levels in the community. 1. Integrating cervical cancer screening into existing community outreach programs such as immunization. 2. Use of mass media and text messages in local dialects to communicate information about cervical cancer. 3. Community led campaigns and outreaches aimed at educating the public about risk factors and available methods of prevention of cervical cancer. 4. Health workers are also encouraged to routinely recommend and encourage cervical cancer screening services to all women of reproductive age that are under their care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100897"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145010316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The emergency care of patients who have experienced sexual violence: An integrative literature review of global practices and commentary on feasibility for low resources settings","authors":"Dylan Quiroga,&nbsp;Meghan Botes","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100873","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100873","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Sexual violence remains a pervasive worldwide issue, and despite noteworthy progress in survivor-oriented care, service delivery in settings with limited resources continues to be unpredictable and inconsistent.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose of the Study</h3><div>This review aims to consolidate scholarly evidence on the emergency care provided to individuals who have experienced sexual violence and to assess which of the identified advancements could be feasibly implemented in low-resource environments.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An integrative literature review was conducted, involving an exhaustive search of multiple databases. From an initial pool of 2,142 articles, 47 met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently examined and evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis produced eight central themes: (1) screening processes for sexual violence, (2) emergency medical interventions, (3) forensic services, (4) mental health provisions, (5) follow-up protocols, (6) technological supports, (7) organizational or structural elements, and (8) the impact on healthcare professionals.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Systematic screening for sexual violence, the introduction of structured quality improvement techniques (e.g., clinical pathways), and strengthened follow-up and psychological interventions achieved through nurse-driven programs and the application of Trauma Informed Care are key strategies for improving care in resource-constrained settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100873"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Practices and Challenges in Foetal Heart Rate Monitoring: A Case Study of a County Referral Hospital in Kenya","authors":"Godfrey Mbaabu Limungi ,&nbsp;Evans Kasmai Kiptulon ,&nbsp;Festus Mwendia Muriuki ,&nbsp;Sylvia Nabwile Makhoka ,&nbsp;Maté Orsolya","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100877","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100877","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background of the study</h3><div>Inadequate monitoring of foetal heart rate has resulted in undesired outcomes during delivery. It has contributed to perinatal mortalities resulting from birth asphyxia.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The study aimed at identifying gaps involved in monitoring foetal heart rate, with the sole purpose of improving practice and reducing cases of perinatal mortality from birth asphyxia.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>The study used a descriptive cross-sectional study design utilizing a mixed-method approach. A simple random sampling method was used to select 127 medical records, whilst a convenience sampling method was used to recruit 17 midwives. The study focused on women who had delivered in January 2023. Data were collected using a data abstraction form, an observation checklist, and a structured interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic method with an inductive approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Based on direct observation, 100 % of women were monitored for foetal heart rate. However, the frequency and timing of monitoring were inconsistent. Most women (46 %) were monitored four times, 36 % twice, and 18 % once, with monitoring intervals ranging from 30 min to 4 h. Monitoring occurred primarily during active labour (88 %), with no monitoring observed in the second stage. In contrast, review of medical records revealed that only 70.1 % of women had documented evidence of foetal heart rate monitoring. Observed challenges included inadequate staffing, poor documentation practices, non-adherence to the monitoring schedule, cultural preferences, women’s unwillingness to be auscultated, peer pressure during delivery, lack of accountability, and assumptions by the midwives<strong>.</strong></div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The practice of foetal heart rate monitoring at the County Referral Hospital falls short of the international standards. The inadequacy is evident in the inconsistency in monitoring, particularly among the women in the latent phase of the first stage of labour and those in the second stage. This gap is due to challenges existing at the facility, which include inadequate staffing, documentation challenges, non-adherence to the monitoring schedule, cultural preferences, unwillingness of the women to be auscultated, peer pressure during delivery, lack of accountability and assumptions by the midwives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100877"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144770687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developing a Digital Community of Practice to address professional isolation among emergency nurses in Lesotho","authors":"Mahlomola Kutoane ,&nbsp;Tricia Scott ,&nbsp;Petra Brysiewicz","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100876","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100876","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Professional isolation is a deficiency in one’s network of professional relations and is associated with compromised health service delivery and quality of life among health professionals, working in low-resource environments.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This paper describes the design process undertaken to develop a Digital Community of Practice (DCOP) to address professional isolation among emergency nurses in Lesotho.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This study is part of a larger, four-cycle collaborative action research project aimed at developing an intervention to manage professional isolation among emergency nurses in low-resource environments. Guided by the Communities of Practice Model’s five-phased life cycle, a Digital Community of Practice was developed. In Cycle One, a needs assessment was conducted through a scoping review and five focus group discussions. Cycle Two involved 13 individual interviews to explore perceptions of professional isolation. In Cycle Three, the research team concluded that a Digital Community of Practice could effectively manage professional isolation among emergency nurses in Lesotho.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The preliminary results from the evaluation of the implementation of a digital community of practice show that it was functional, highlighting mutual engagement, joint enterprise, and a shared repertoire. These results show how a digital community of practice enabled Emergency Nurses to gradually implement a change in practice; as well as to recognize and minimize professional isolation among themselves.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Combining results from Cycles One and Two, the research team developed and implemented a Digital Community of Practice. The results show that a Digital Community of Practice using WhatsApp may be a useful intervention strategy for managing professional isolation with emergency nurses in marginalised areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100876"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144781203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perception, intention and barriers to breast self-examination practice among reproductive age women attending maternal and child health services at Dilla public health facilities; Dilla, Ethiopia 2024:- a qualitative study","authors":"Hana Bekele Hailu ,&nbsp;Semarya Berhe Lemlem ,&nbsp;Bazie Mekonnen ,&nbsp;Tigistu Gebreyohannis Gebretensaye","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The primary goal of breast self-examination (BSE) is to detect breast cancer at an early stage, which is crucial in reducing its morbidity. However, in low-income countries, many women do not perform BSE due to factors such as lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the practice.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to explore the perceptions, intentions, and barriers to BSE among women of reproductive age at Dilla public health facilities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted from February 26 to March 22, 2024, involving women attending maternal and child health services at Dilla public health facilities. Participants were purposively selected, and data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews until saturation was reached, with 24 participants interviewed. Each interview lasted 20–30 min. Atlas ti 9 software was used for data analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three main themes emerged: perception, intention, and barriers to BSE. Many women had no intention to practice BSE, believing it was unnecessary. Women who recognized the benefits of BSE for early breast cancer detection were more likely to practice it. Barriers included lack of knowledge about BSE and breast cancer, as well as religious and traditional beliefs that hindered practice.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Women who underestimated the importance of BSE were less likely to intend to practice SBE. Personal beliefs, lack of knowledge, and religious and cultural factors mentioned as barriers to Breast self-examination practice among reproductive age women.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100901"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}