International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Knowledge on availability of suicide preventive services among undergraduate students at a public university in Ghana","authors":"Koduah Amankwah ,&nbsp;Apedani Dominic ,&nbsp;Azie Aren-enge Reubean ,&nbsp;Ankamah Ababio Christian ,&nbsp;Odotei Adjei Rose ,&nbsp;Brempong Appiah Emmanuel ,&nbsp;Okyere Paul","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The incidence of suicide cases and its related episodes is on the increase in tertiary institutions and attracts extreme mass media attention. Globally, over 800,000 people die of suicide every year and it is the second leading cause of death in 15–29-year-olds. The study sought to determine how well-informed undergraduate students are about suicide prevention services available at a public university in Ghana.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study employed a cross-sectional study design and quantitative approach. A well-structured close-ended questionnaire was used to assess students’ knowledge of the availability of suicide preventive services among undergraduate students in all six colleges of a public University campus in Ghana.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study found out that the majority of the students (86.29 %) did not know whether the university had suicide support/prevention hotlines or not, however, ten per cent (10 %) of them were aware of such hotlines and eleven per cent (11 %) was able to provide the service number correctly. Some respondents said the unit is not accessible to them and cited reasons ranging from location or distance (74.04 %). On whether the university has a mental health service available, eleven per cent (11 %) were aware of such services while forty-four per cent were not sure if such services exist or not. But then 43.79 % were sure that such services were not available. Most of them (76.03 %) knew there was a helpline for such services, however only a few students (10.00 %) could produce the number. The student’s access to other informal social support systems for comfort, reassurance and encouragement was assessed and the findings show that the majority of them rely on family (79.15 %) and friends (95.61 %) for such support.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The majority of the students have no idea about the availability of suicide preventive services. It is recommended that the university authorities focus on mental health education programmes, orientation and awareness creation should also be organised regularly to increase students’ knowledge on the availability of suicide preventive services. Also, during orientation programmes for freshmen (new students) awareness creation on counselling services and mental health services in the university hospital is possible at the beginning of every academic year. Dissemination of suicide and mental health services’ hotlines/helplines to students can be done through bulk SMS messages to individual students’ cell phones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100851"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143882130","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 untold psychosocial experiences of men with partners diagnosed with breast cancer in Ghana: A qualitative Exploration","authors":"Ernestina Ayim-Aboagye ,&nbsp;Merri Iddrisu ,&nbsp;Hadiru Iddris Mumuni ,&nbsp;Helena Sarfoa Opare ,&nbsp;Benedicta Boateng","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Breast cancer has psychological and socioeconomic impacts on not only patients but also their families especially male partners. The impacts on patients is well-documented, but less attention has been given to that of male partners of patients living with breast cancer.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study explored and described the psychosocial experiences of men with partners living with breast cancer in the Accra metropolis.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Design; An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design was employed and 15 male participants purposively recruited to share their experiences. After the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Ethics Review Board approved the study, a semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct face-to-face individual interviews. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach used to analyse data.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Two major themes and eight subthemes generated. 1) Psychological Impact of breast cancer and 2) Socioeconomic Impact of breast cancer, on Male Partners. Subthemes under Psychological Impact include emotional turmoil, increased caregiver burden, strengthened marital bonds, and intimacy changes. The Socioeconomic impact also had four subthemes: financial strain, work disruptions, increased healthcare expenses, shifting family responsibilities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study reveals the complex interplay of psychological, and socioeconomic factors affecting men whose partners have been diagnosed with breast cancer and going through treatment. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive support systems addressing the emotional, financial, and informational needs of male partners throughout the breast cancer journey. Healthcare providers should consider adopting a family-centered approach to care that includes male partners in treatment discussions and decision-making processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100900"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158049","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":"Assessment of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of satisfaction in marital relationships during and post-lockdown","authors":"Rasha Aziz Attia Salama ,&nbsp;Rabab Gad Abd El-Kader ,&nbsp;Talaat Matter Tadross ,&nbsp;Shaimaa Hashem Elsalous","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100831","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100831","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current study aimed to assess marital satisfaction during and post the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the factors influencing marital satisfaction among the public.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ras Al Khaimah Emirate, United Arab Emirates. A total of 409 respondents participated in a web-based anonymous survey from April to September 2021 and completed sociodemographic and personal characteristics. The Enriching and Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness Marital Satisfaction scale, and the GAD-7 scale were employed in data collection. Bivariate and logistic regression were used to determine the relationship between marital satisfaction and sociodemographic and personal factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings indicated that the mean score of the EMS scale increased significantly after the lockdown in all areas of marital relationships, except for leisure time activities (P = 0.42) and religious orientation (P = 0.47). Marital satisfaction during and after the COVID-19 lockdown was significantly associated with age, gender, education attainment, income, health condition, and anxiety status. Factors such as gender, education, income, and anxiety status have been identified as predictors of marital satisfaction, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The results underscore the importance of considering sociodemographic and personal factors in understanding fluctuations in marital satisfaction during challenging times. They highlight the need to address mental health and emotional well-being within marital contexts, especially during crises. Tailored interventions aimed at enhancing coping strategies, communication skills, and emotional support could help mitigate anxiety’s adverse impact on marital satisfaction, ultimately strengthening relationships and overall well-being.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100831"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143509221","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":"A systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of physical and behavioral intervention on community dwelling older adult’s well-being","authors":"Rashida Bibi ,&nbsp;Zhang Yan ,&nbsp;Hamayun Khan ,&nbsp;Fath ur Rahman ,&nbsp;Nahed Ahmed Hussien ,&nbsp;Imtiaz Alam","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100837","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100837","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Several lines of gerontology researches support the efficacy of physical activity, and behavioural modification interventions in a large population. However, the true impact of this kind of intervention on the subjective well-being of community-based older adults is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the true effects of physical, and behavioral interventions on the subjective well-being (WB) of high-risk older adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The search process was carried out from January 2023 to May 2023; following databases were searched to pool all the relevant scientific papers: PubMed (Web of Science (1950–January 2020), Medline (2006–2021), Scopus (1978–2022), Springer (2008–2020), Science Direct (1978–2021), Google Scholar (2010–2020), and Mandalay (2014–2023). Checking the reference lists; searching for ongoing trials and research registers; and performing manual searches. Two independent authors did this, and a third independent author tested the data extraction. We adopted the PRISMA guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The review included 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2037 community-based older adults. The overall effect size of physical, and behavioral interventions on the overall subjective WB of community based older adults was −0.0274 (95 % CI: −0.6697 to 0.8950), which was statistically significant (Z = 0.03752, p.0.02075). Five studies had shown statistically significant improvements in Quality Of life (QOL) scales in the intervention group compared to the control group</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Physical, and behavioral intervention when blended together improve the WB of community based high-risk older adults. Further research with appropriate randomization, and allocation maybe needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100837"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143839330","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":"Towards health justice: Implementing structural competency in women’s healthcare education","authors":"Daina Charnelle Fougang ,&nbsp;Charles Mpofu ,&nbsp;Dianne Wepa","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100819","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100819","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The World Health Organization advocates for preparing medical students to address health disparities experienced by minority groups. The persistent disparities in women’s health outcomes, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities, highlight critical gaps in current medical education approaches. Despite strong consensus about the significance of structural competence training in medical education, most curricula struggle to develop, teach, and assess it effectively, particularly in addressing women’s health disparities.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This systematic review aims to: (1) evaluate structural competency’s role in women’s health disparities and (2) develop implementation strategies for women’s healthcare education.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>A systematic literature review using Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases (2010–2023) initially identified 905 articles. Following rigorous inclusion criteria focusing on structural competency, women’s health disparities, and medical education, 40 articles were selected for final analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>The review presents (1) comprehensive evidence of health disparities in women’s healthcare, particularly affecting racial and ethnic minorities; (2) the critical role of structural competency in addressing systemic barriers and discrimination in healthcare delivery; (3) effective teaching strategies including lecture-based, case-based, team-based, and simulation-based learning approaches; Findings indicate that successful implementation of structural competency requires multi-level interventions across individual, interpersonal, clinic, community, research, and policy domains.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review establishes the importance of integrating structural competency into women’s healthcare education. While implementation challenges exist, the framework developed provides practical guidance to address women’s health disparities through structural competency training.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100819"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143377925","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":"Simulation-based education on initial neonatal care knowledge among nursing and midwifery students in Tanzania: Quasi experimental study","authors":"Rosemary M. Malya ,&nbsp;Kristin H. Urstad ,&nbsp;Bodil Bø ,&nbsp;Michael J. Mahande ,&nbsp;Jane Rogathi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100847","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100847","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Simulation-based education is an effective pedagogical method for improving nursing students’ knowledge and quality care. However, traditional methods of auditorium lectures are widely conducted in nursing education institutions in Tanzania. Such pedagogic provides students with theoretical knowledge with limited hands-on exposure for clinical competence, thus, affecting professional integration of students and quality care delivery. Therefore, this study assessed the effectiveness of simulation-based education on initial neonatal care knowledge among nursing students in Tanzania.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A quasi-experimental with pre-post study design was employed. Ninety students from two nursing schools: forty-five students in urban school (intervention group), and forty-five in a rural school (control group) were purposively selected to participate in the study. The students received two different initial neonatal care scenarios: (1) initial neonatal care to a term normal healthy breathing neonate, (2) Initial neonatal care to neonates with difficulty breathing. The pre-post test data was collected using structured questionnaire between March and June 2023. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, independent <em>t</em>-test, and multiple linear model.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The interventional group students showed a significant higher knowledge mean score on initial neonatal care aβC = 7.6(6.8–8.4), p- &lt;0.001. The effect size of the intervention was statistically significant aDiD 3.0(1.8–4.1), p- value 0.001.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Simulation-based education improved students’ knowledge in the interventional group compared to traditional lectures. This approach could enhance learning outcomes in Tanzania’s nursing education programs, addressing challenges related to the shortage of skilled healthcare providers and quality neonatal care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100847"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791136","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":"Factors delaying the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to acute ischemic stroke patients according to nurses’ perspective","authors":"Mahboobeh Mohammadnezhad ,&nbsp;Sadra Ashrafi ,&nbsp;Atefeh Ghanbari Khanghah ,&nbsp;Saman Maroufizadeh ,&nbsp;Tahereh Khaleghdoost Mohammadi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100884","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100884","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Prompt administration of tissue plasminogen activator(tPA) is a key factor in improving acute stroke outcomes. Several reasons contribute to the delayed application of this therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To examine the factors delaying the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from nurses’ perspective.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 97 nurses working in Poursina Hospital (Rasht, Iran) selected via the census method. The data were collected using a researcher-made form developed based on the literature. The form included a demographic questionnaire and a checklist of common delay factors. The data were analyzed in SPSS 16.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There was a statistically significant difference between the scores of delay factors (χ2 = 97.84, P &lt; 0.001). Overall, the most important delay factors were related to patients and their companions, neurologist, laboratory, imaging, hospital equipment and other treatment staff, and nursing staff, in the order of their appearance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>According to the nurses, the most important delay factors were related to patients and their companions. Also, the most important factor in this category was the delay caused by the consent of patients’ families due to their lack of knowledge about the benefits and side effects of the medication. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness quickly and obtain the consent of the family for tPA administration at the time of the patient’s arrival.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100884"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144895451","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":"Prevalence and associated risk factors of human immunodeficiency virus-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma among patients receiving care at Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"Stella Mankuce ,&nbsp;Victoria Mwiinga-Kalusopa ,&nbsp;Ruth Wahila","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100880","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100880","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) remains prevalent and among the ten most common cancers in Zambia despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The co-occurrence of KS and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection poses a significant public health concern due to its aggressive nature and its potential to exacerbate the health challenges faced by individuals already grappling with HIV infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of HIV-associated KS among patients receiving care at Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH).</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study, included 93 patients with KS, irrespective of HIV status. Data were analyzed using STATA version 16.0 MP. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were employed. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Unmarried individuals exhibited significant odds of developing KS (aOR = 13.1, 95 % CI: 5.72–30.2, p &lt; 0.001). Monthly income of ≤ K5000 Zambian Kwacha had higher odds of developing HIV-associated KS (aOR = 5.92, 95 % CI: 3.22–10.9, p &lt; 0.001). Residence outside Lusaka had a markedly elevated risk (aOR = 11.9, 95 % CI: 4.46–31.8, p &lt; 0.001). Cigarette smoking had increased risk of HIV-associated KS (aOR = 13.9, 95 % CI: 6.29–30.6, p &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results of this study highlight the need for targeted public health interventions, including routine HIV prevention strategies, strengthened tobacco control policies, and economic empowerment programs, to enhance health outcomes and mitigate the burden of HIV-associated KS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100880"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144829765","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":"Patients’ experience of recovery and coping after heart valve surgery at a national referral hospital, windhoek, khomas region, namibia","authors":"Lilian S. Masule ,&nbsp;Kristofina Amakali ,&nbsp;Wilma E. Wilkinson","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100894","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100894","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Heart valve disease is a significant public health challenge contributing to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. It serves as an indication for heart valve repair and replacement surgeries.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study aimed to explore and describe the patients’ experience of recovery and coping heart valve surgery.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design was employed. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participants. A total of twelve (N = 12) patients were interviewed through face-to-face interviews and data collection continued until data saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using Tesch’s method of content analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Two themes that emerged were different experiences of patients regarding recovery and coping supported by 5 sub-themes, and experiences of the patients regarding support and care from nurses and family members after heart valve surgery supported by 2 subthemes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings revealed that patients had challenges with recovery and coping after they were discharged from the hospital due to a lack of knowledge and information on self-care after heart valve surgery. Patients valued support from nurses and families, but some were disappointed due to inadequate nursing support and overprotective families owing to a lack of knowledge on cardiac rehabilitation.</div></div><div><h3>Contribution</h3><div>The findings have implications for developing an educational programme for nurses to facilitate the cardiac rehabilitation of patients after heart valve surgery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100894"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144917721","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":"Being a professional nurse at a south african rural-based hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"A.H. Mavhandu-Mudzusi,&nbsp;P.R. Risenga","doi":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all sectors and all individuals. However, the people most severely affected by the pandemic are the health care workers including professional nurses who are on the frontline in the fight against the COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The aim of this study was to gain in-depth understanding of being professional nurse at a South African rural-based hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>The study was conducted at a rural-based district hospital in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The research followed an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) design. Data were collected telephonically from nine purposively sampled professional nurses using in-depth individual interviews. Verbatim transcribed data were analysed thematically guided by an interpretative phenomenological analysis framework.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results indicate that professional nurses are confronted with death on a continuous basis, and the effects of witnessing a COVID-19-related death are visible in professional nurses’ behaviour.</div></div><div><h3>Recommendations</h3><div>The results reflected the trauma experienced by professional nurses during the provision of care to the patients with Covid 19 which requires the services related to debriefing, psychological and emotional support from the hospitals.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The experiences of professional nurses warrant urgent support in order to ensure that they remain emotionally and socially stable and able to provide care to the patients. The finding has implications on the nursing profession, policy and provision of care to patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38091,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100887"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144904033","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}