Nursing Journal CMU

EDITORIAL

2024-12-27T22:11:51+07:00

Concept Mapping: A Tool for Critical Thinking Development in Nursing

2024-09-24T14:27:26+07:00

Critical thinking is important for the development of decision-making skills. The goal of nursing education management requires developing nursing students’ clinical judgment and critical thinking skills. When appropriately prepared and ready to learn, nursing students will be able to learn in a variety of clinical practice settings. Generally, critical thinking can use problem-based learning, case-based learning, and simulations. Concept mapping is a schematic device to represent a set of concepts meaningfully, helping students learn though their knowledge structure and knowledge construction. The process of concept mapping consists of: 1) subsumption, 2) progressive differentiation, and 3) integrative reconciliation. These can be applied to nursing courses to enhance critical thinking capacity, for instance, in terms of theory and practice integration, and clinical practice. Moreover, concept mapping can be used to develop nursing care plans. There are benefits for students in terms of ease of understanding and remembering since important concepts are connected in meaningful ways on one page.

Effects of a Long COVID Literacy Enhancement Program on Reducing the Severity of Post-Infection COVID-19 Behaviors of Elderly in Communities, Bangkok Metropolitan Area

2024-09-16T15:36:21+07:00

Long COVID symptoms in elderly with COVID-19 affect their lives. Enhancing health literacy can reduce the severity of Long COVID symptoms. This randomized controlled trial explored the effects of a Long COVID literacy enhancement program on reduction of the severity of post-infection COVID-19 behaviors of elderly in Bangkok communities. The two-group pretest-posttest design applied Nutbeam’s health literacy as a conceptual framework. Sixty four elderly Bangkok residents, aged 60-80 years with COVID-19 for five days to two months were randomly assigned, by multi-stage random sampling with a computer, to an experimental group or a control group with 32 per group. The experimental group received the Long COVID literacy enhancement programe consisting of healthy dietary instruction; demonstrations on selecting online sources of knowledge about Long COVID via Google, Facebook, and YouTube; lung exercises; and breathing exercises for relaxing from stress. The participants were instructed to engage in lung and breathing exercises at home once a day and document their exercise for 12 weeks. Pretest and posttest data were analyzed with independent t-test and paired t-test statistics.

The findings showed that the experimental group had a significantly higher mean score for reducing severity of post-infection COVID-19 behaviors after the experiment (M = 74.44, SD = 5.93) than before the experiment (M = 52.00, SD = 9.64, t = 9.78, p < .001). Moreover, the experimental group had a significantly higher mean score for reducing severity of post-infection COVID-19 behaviors after the experiment (M = 74.44, SD = 5.93) than the control group (M = 50.38, SD = 7.96, t = 13.70, p < .001).

These findings provide a guideline for community nurse practitioners, professional nurses, and health teams to reduce the severity of symptoms of post-infection COVID-19 patients.

Nursing Practice Environment and Resilience of Nurses in General Hospitals, Naypyitaw, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

2024-03-08T09:27:17+07:00

Nurses are confronted with increasing levels of adversity in their workplace and experience many stressors. Resilience can help nurses avoid or lower the adverse effects caused by these stressors, leading to retention of nurses. This descriptive-correlational research aimed to describe the nursing practice environment and resilience, and to examine their relationship among nurses in general hospitals in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 155 nurses from general hospitals in Naypyitaw. The research tools utilized were the Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25). The Cronbach alpha coefficients of the tools were .82 and .91, respectively. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient were employed to analyze the data.

The findings were as follows:
1. The nursing practice environment as perceived by nurses was favorable (M = 2.61, SD = 0.24).
2. The mean score for resilience in nurses was 71.71 (SD = 12.46), with the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles being 0-65 (25.80%), 66-73 (25.16%), 74-81 (24.52%), and 82-100 (24.52%), respectively.
3. The nursing practice environment had a significantly positively moderate relationship with the resilience of nurses (r = 0.33, p < 0.001).

This study's findings can provide vital evidence for nurse administrators, hospital administrators, and policymakers to strengthen and maintain a favorable nursing practice environment; design in-service training programs for professional competence; organize adequate facilities, flexible working schedules, and regular staff meetings to tackle the foundations of stress; and seek collaborative outcomes for enhancing nurses’ resilience.

Predicting Factors of the Preparation for Active Aging Among Workers in an Industrial Area, Chonburi Province

2024-09-03T16:15:16+07:00

Preparing the working-age population for quality aging can significantly reduce their long-term dependency in communities. This predictive correlational study aimed to investi- gate readiness for quality aging and its predictors, including personal, economic, social, and environmental factors. The sample consisted of 151 working-age individuals aged 40-59 years from industrial areas in Chonburi Province, selected through cluster random sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire comprising six sections: 1) personal information, 2) work conditions, 3) attitudes toward aging, 4) health threats, 5) workplace policies, and 6) readiness for quality aging. The questionnaire demonstrated content validity indices of .88, .86, .97, and .82, with reliability coefficients of .88, .75, .88, and .93, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis.

The findings revealed that the overall readiness for quality aging among the workers was high (M = 3.88, SD = 1.10). Economic preparedness was the most prominent, followed by social, physical health, and mental health aspects. The significant predictors of readiness for quality aging were workplace policies (β = -0.197) and job position (β = 0.195), collec- tively accounting for 8.0% of the variance in readiness (R² = 0.080, F = 6.452, p < 0.01).

Therefore, community health nurses or occupational health nurses can apply these findings by promoting exemplary readiness behaviors among supervisory staff and organizing activities that support physical and mental health preparedness for aging individuals in the workforce.

The Factors Related to Blood Pressure Control Behaviors Among Rubber Farmers with Uncontrolled Hypertension

2024-07-24T13:43:50+07:00

Blood pressure control among rubber farmers is quite difficult due to their lifestyle, which primarily involves working at night. Working at night is a significant factor affecting blood pressure control because insufficient rest makes blood pressure control difficult. The objective of this descriptive correlational research design was to examine the factors related to blood pressure control behavior among rubber farmers with uncontrolled hypertension in Nan province, Thailand. The PRECEDE framework was applied as the conceptual framework for this study. A total of 136 rubber farmers with uncontrolled hypertension were recruited using multi-stage cluster sampling. Data was collected using a 7-part questionnaire on the following: 1) demographic characteristics; 2) knowledge about hypertension; 3) attitude towards blood pressure control; 4) perception towards blood pressure control; 5) access to health services; 6) social support; and 7) blood pressure control behavior. It was validated by three experts, achieving a CVI of .96. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to test reliability, yielding a value of .88. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation, and point biserial correlation.

The results revealed that the average score of blood pressure control behavior amongst the participants was at a good level (M = 62.94, SD = 4.65). The following factors related to blood pressure control behavior among the participants demonstrated statistical significance: gender (r_pb = 0.290, p-value = .001); knowledge about hypertension (r_s = 0.381, p-value = .001); attitude towards blood pressure control (r_s = 0.414, p-value = .001); perception towards blood pressure control (r_s= 0.523, p-value = .001); access to health services (r_s = 0.302, p-value = .001); and social support (r_s = -0.186, p-value = .037).

The study recommends that changing the blood pressure control behavior of rubber plantation farmers should focus on promoting awareness of their ability to control blood pressure, along with changing attitudes towards disease management, and providing comprehensive knowledge about the condition.

Factors Related to Electronic Cigarette Smoking Among Female Vocational Students in Chachoengsao Province

2024-06-06T07:33:12+07:00

The rate of adolescents smoking electronic cigarettes is continuously increasing. This research aimed to study the rate of e-cigarette smoking and factors related to e-cigarette smoking among female vocational school students. The participants were 196 female vocational students studying at three vocational colleges under the Office of Vocational Education Commission, Chachoengsao province. Data were collected with self-answered questionnaires that included questions on demographic data, alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking, perceived ability to avoid e-cigarette smoking, stress, attitude towards e-cigarette smoking, and access to e-cigarette advertising which demonstrated reliability via Cronbach’s correlation coefficient of .81, .93, .87, and .80 respectively. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis.

The results of the study found that female vocational school students had an e-cigarette smoking rate of 48.5%, and the average age of starting e-cigarette smoking was 14.9 years (SD = 1.4). The results also showed that female vocational school students' e-cigarette smoking was significantly associated with several factors, including perceived ability to avoid smoking (AOR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.125-5.022), alcohol drinking (AOR = 4.77, 95% CI = 2.240-10.196), attitudes towards e-cigarette smoking (AOR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.836-8.257), and peer e-cigarette smoking (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.469-7.270).

The result of this research will be beneficial to public health personnel and those involved in developing effective programs to prevent e-cigarette smoking among adolescents.

Emotional Labor and Job Stress Among Nurses in Private Hospitals

2024-03-20T14:45:49+07:00

Emotional labor and job stress among nurses are significant in relation to their quality of life and work performance. This descriptive correlational research aimed to investigate emotional labor, job stress, and the association between emotional labor and job stress among nurses working in two private hospitals in Bangkok. The study included 386 participants. A simple random sampling technique was used to reach the study sample according to the proportion of nurses in each hospital. The research instruments consisted of two questionnaires: the Emotional Labor Scale for Nurses and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF), translated into Thai. These instruments were tested for reliability, with results of .84 and .94, respectively. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and the point biserial correlation coefficient.

The results revealed that the overall level of emotional labor among the sample group was moderate (80.31%), (M = 61.82, SD = 5.52). Regarding specific aspects of emotional labor, the sample group also showed a moderate level of emotional labor in terms of emotional pretense by norms, patient-focused emotional suppression, and emotional control effort in profession, with percentages of 84.20%, 82.64%, and 76.94%, respectively. Regarding job stress, the sample group experienced high stress levels (M = 57.80, SD = 5.54). When examining specific dimensions of job stress, the highest average scores were found for job demand (M = 81.76, SD = 1.44) followed by job insecurity (M = 72.52, SD = 1.61). There was a significant positive correlation between overall emotional labor and job stress at a low level (r = 0.176, p < 0.001). When considering specific dimensions, emotional control effort in profession and patient-focused emotional suppression showed a significant positive low-level correlation with job stress (r = 0.241, p < 0.001, r = 0.134, p < 0.001, respectively).

The results of this study indicate that occupational health nurses and related personnel should recognize the development of awareness about emotional labor and job stress among nurses in private hospitals with appropriate mental health promotion activities. This can lead to improved efficiency in their work performance and overall well-being.

Effect of the Health Literacy Promoting Program on Self-Management Behaviors Among Older Persons with Uncontrolled Hypertension

2024-01-08T08:12:16+07:00

Self-management behaviors are important for older persons with uncontrolled hypertension in order to control their disease. This quasi-experimental research with two groups measured results, before and after the experiment, aiming to study the results of a health literacy promotion program on self-management behaviors among older persons with uncontrolled hypertension. The participants included older persons diagnosed with hypertension and uncontrolled hypertension who received services at the health-promoting hospital in Nakae district, Nakhon Phanom province. A total of 48 participants were randomly selected and assigned to either the experimental or control group (24 in each). The experimental group participated in the health education program, while the control group received routine care. The tools used in the study consisted of two parts: 1) a health literacy promotion program and 2) a data collection tool, including a personal and illness data recording form, and a measurement of self-management behaviors among older persons with uncontrolled hypertension. The health literacy promotion program was checked for content validity by six experts. Regarding the measurement tool for self-management behavior, the researcher tested the internal consistency and obtained a Cronbach's correlation coefficient of .91. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test statistics, and dependent t-test statistics.

The research results found that the experimental group had a higher self-management behaviors mean score (M = 93.25, SD = 5.23) than before participating in the intervention (M = 70.67, SD = 7.46), with a statistically significant difference (t = 22.75, p < .001) as well as a higher mean score than that of the control group (M = 74.04, SD = 4.71), with a statistically significant difference (t = 13.37, p < .001).

Healthcare providers can apply this model for promoting health literacy as a guideline for health education in older persons with uncontrolled hypertension to improve their self- management.

Hydration Literacy and Fluid Intake Among Older Persons with Chronic Diseases

2023-11-20T09:16:47+07:00

Hydration literacy can help older persons with chronic diseases analyze their own daily water consumption. They can also make decisions to increase or decrease their daily water intake to maintain an appropriate level for their health condition. This descriptive correlation research aimed to describe hydration literacy, fluid intake, and the association between hydration literacy and fluid intake among older persons with chronic diseases. The participants consisted of 213 older persons with chronic diseases who received healthcare service from sub-district Health Promotion Hospitals in Mueang Lamphun district, Lamphun province. The participants were selected using proportional stratified random sampling. The research tools included a demographic and illness data recording form, a water intake record form, and a hydration literacy interview measurement. The hydration literacy interview measurement was tested for reliability, and an acceptable coefficient of .93 was obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

The results showed that the older persons with chronic diseases had a moderate level of hydration literacy. The average daily fluid intake was 2,413.97 milliliters (SD = 760.69), which was above the standard criteria. Hydration literacy had a significant positive correlation with fluid intake (r = .514, p < .01).

The results of this research can be used as information for healthcare professionals involved in caring for older persons with chronic diseases, in promoting hydration literacy and fluid intake among this population.

Factors Predicting COVID-19 Vaccination Intention of Unvaccinated Older Adults in Phetchabun Province

2023-12-04T15:50:31+07:00

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global outbreak affecting people around the world. COVID-19 vaccines are a significant tool for protection against the disease, reducing serious illness and death rates. This predictive correlational descriptive study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccination intention and identify factors predicting COVID-19 vaccination intention among unvaccinated older adults. Independent variables included perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, perceived seriousness of COVID-19, perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccines, perceived barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, received recommendations from healthcare providers, and knowledge about COVID-19. The Health Belief Model was used as a theoretical framework. Participants were 120 unvaccinated older adults living in Chondaen district, Phetchabun province, who were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling approaches. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

Results demonstrated that the mean intention score of unvaccinated older adults was 3.57 (SD = 3.18), ranging from 0 to 10. Increased perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 was significantly associated with an increased possibility of COVID-19 vaccination intention among older adults (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.02-2.13). Increased perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccines were significantly associated with an increase in the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination intention among older adults (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.01-1.77). Perceived severity of COVID–19, perceived barriers to COVID–19 vaccination, received recommendations from health care providers, and knowledge about COVID-19 did not predict COVID-19 vaccination intention among older adults.

Findings from this study provide basic information and direction for nurses and healthcare providers in designing health services to promote the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated older adults to reduce severe illness and deaths.

Effects of Technology-Based Education on Health Literacy Among Elderly Monks with Hypertension

2023-10-31T07:25:51+07:00

Hypertension has been found to have a high incidence among elderly monks. Technology-based education through a health literacy program may help elderly monks with hypertension to improve their health literacy. This experimental research aimed to study the effects of technology-based education on health literacy among this group. The sample group consisted of elderly monks diagnosed with hypertension who received care at Health Promoting Hospitals in Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan Province. A total of 54 participants selected by simple random sampling were divided into a control group and an experimental group of 27 each. The experimental group received four sessions of group teaching and one session of individual teaching throughout a span of three weeks, while the control group received usual care. Data collection instruments included 1) an interview form on personal and illness data and 2) an interview form on health literacy for elderly monks with hypertension. The program on technology-based education for health literacy was checked for content validity by five experts. Regarding the measurement tool, an interview form on health literacy for elderly monks with hypertension, the researcher tested its internal consistency and obtained a Cronbach's correlation coefficient of .85. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and dependent t-test.

The results showed that after receiving the technology-based education program, the experimental group had higher mean scores for health literacy (M = 45.41, SD = 2.64) than those of the control group who received usual care (M = 19.93, SD = 3.03) with a statistically significant difference (t = 33.01, p < .001) and a higher mean score than before receiving the program (M = 20.74, SD = 3.21) with a statistically significant difference (t = -46.68, p < .001).

In conclusion, the technology-based education program effectively improves health literacy. Healthcare professionals can apply the technology-based education program to promote health literacy promotion among elderly monks with hypertension.

Effectiveness of Home-Based Continuing Care Programs on Burden Among Caregivers of Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2024-11-27T10:06:23+07:00

When caring for stroke patients, caregivers must provide ongoing and long-term care, which directly impacts them physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and economically. Caregivers’ perceived difficulties in performing caregiving activities lead to feelings of burden. Therefore, appropriate caregiver support is essential to help reduce their burden. This systematic review aimed to summarize knowledge about the effectiveness of home-based continuing care programs in alleviating caregiver burden for stroke patients. It follows the Joanna Briggs Institute's systematic review guidelines, focusing on studies published between 2014 and 2024. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies examining the effectiveness of home-based care programs in reducing caregiver burden were included. Out of 4,327 studies, eight met the inclusion criteria and passed quality assessment. Homogeneous studies were analyzed using meta-analysis, while narrative summary was employed to interpret results from heterogeneous studies.

The review revealed that the most effective care model for reducing caregiver burden included a combination of educational components. This model included education on stroke, patient care, skill training, mental health promotion, and emotion regulation and behavior management. Skill training begins while the patient is hospitalized and continues throughout recovery at home, along with ongoing counseling and psychological support for caregivers. This model resulted in a statistically significant reduction in development of burden (p < 0.00001).

This review recommends further primary research to evaluate the effectiveness of home-based continuing care programs, aiming to generate more robust evidence to guide practical implementation.

Effect of a Nurses’ Self-Efficacy Enhancement Program on Screening and Stimulating Development of Early-stage Children with Developmental Problems at a Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital in Nakhon Sawan Province

2024-08-28T09:45:04+07:00

The self-efficacy of nurses in assessing and screening child development may help them accurately screen and stimulate children's development. This quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest research design aimed to study the effects of a nurses’ self-efficacy enhancement program on screening and stimulating development of early-stage children using the Thai Early Developmental Assessment for Intervention (TEDA4I) assessment guide for early-stage children with developmental problems. The sample consisted of 40 nurses who participated in a three-session self-efficacy enhancement program. Data were collected using a self-efficacy assessment tool designed for screening and stimulating early childhood development, based on the TEDA4I assessment guide for early-stage children with developmental problems. The tool was validated with an Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) of .89 and demonstrated high reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .99. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test.

The results indicated that after participating in the self-efficacy enhancement program, the nurses had significantly higher average scores (M = 85.45, SD = 9.30) than before the program (M = 71.98, SD = 12.59, t = 6.007, p < 0.01).

The self-efficacy enhancement program could enhance nurses’ self-efficacy in screening and stimulating child development with the TEDA4I, reflected by the higher average scores, which is likely to improve the effectiveness of developmental screening and stimulation in early childhood.

Application of the Modify Cardiac-Children's Hospital Early Warning Score for Prevention of Pulmonary Hypertensive Crisis in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Disease after Open-Heart Surgery

2023-10-10T10:15:46+07:00

Pulmonary hypertensive crisis after congenital heart defect surgery is a life-threatening emergency that requires proper assessment and immediate treatment because it may lead to heart failure and death. This comparative retrospective and prospective study aimed to compare the prevalence of pulmonary hypertensive crisis occurrence and cardiopulmonary resuscitation after congenital heart defect surgery between an experimental group and a control group. The participants were 58 pediatric patients with non-cyanotic congenital heart defects of the left-to-right shunt type and preoperatively diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, who were equally divided into each of the two groups. Regarding the control group, the researchers collected data retrospectively from the electronic medical records of the year 2019. The experimental group received assessment using the Modify Cardiac-Children's Hospital Early Warning Score (C-CHEWS) after their open-heart surgery and were managed based on the assessed scores. The research instrument included: 1) the data collection tools, including a general data form and pulmonary hypertensive crisis and cardiopulmonary resuscitation form; and 2) the intervention tool, the Modify C-CHEWS, with three dimensions: the behavioral assessment or neurological system; the cardiovascular system; and the respiratory system. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test.

The findings revealed that 24 patients (82.8%) in the control group had episodes of pulmonary hypertensive crisis, and one patient (3.40%) received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The experimental group had episodes of neither pulmonary hypertensive crisis nor cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The prevalence of pulmonary hypertensive crisis between the two groups were statistically significantly different (p < .001); however, there was no statistically significant difference regarding the prevalence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p = .31).

The results of this study demonstrated that usage of the Modify C-CHEWS tool to assess signs and symptoms and manage deteriorated clinical conditions of congenital heart defect pediatric patients after their open-heart surgery helps prevent the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension crisis and decreases mortality rates. Therefore, it should be considered for use in the ward, for providing care to pediatric patients after heart surgery.

Factors Predicting Job Satisfaction Among Nurses in General Hospitals, Health Region 11

2023-11-29T09:27:28+07:00

Job satisfaction is important to the performance of nurses. This research aimed to study job satisfaction and the predicting factors of job satisfaction among nurses at general hospitals in health region 11. The participants included 176 nurses selected by using a multi-stage sampling method. Research instruments include the Index of Work Satisfaction, the Job Demand Scale, the Job Control Scale, and the Perceived Organizational Support Questionnaire. The instruments’ reliabilities, calculated by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, were .92, .91, .80, and .92 respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.

Results revealed that nurses’ job satisfaction was at a high level (M = 184.55, SD = 21.24). Job demand (β = -.255, p = 0.01) and perceived organizational support (β = .574, p = 0.0) could predict job satisfaction at 57.90%.

Therefore, nursing administrators should enhance nurses' job satisfaction by providing organizational support and reducing demands on nurses' jobs.

Health Service Needs Among Teenage Mothers at a Secondary Hospital in Southern Thailand

2024-07-10T16:08:40+07:00

Teenage mothers are a vulnerable group requiring specific health services appropriate to their age, health status, and psychosocial contexts. The quality of health services for these mothers should be professional and standardized, responding to the receiver’s needs congruently and appropriately. This qualitative descriptive research aimed to understand the need for health services among teenage mothers at a secondary hospital in southern Thailand. Participants were teenage mothers who visited this hospital for antenatal care, labor, and postpartum services, including young mothers referred from community hospitals and private clinics. Twenty-three participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through documentation and individual in-depth interviews, and content analysis was the analysis method.

The findings included four main issues with 13 sub-issues regarding the need of health services among teenage mothers at a secondary hospital in southern Thailand, as follows:
1. The need for physical and psychosocial care, with seven sub-issues: 1) pain relief and intimate care in the delivery room; 2) presenting of parents or relatives in the delivery room; 3) providing information on care, treatment, progress of birth, and related infant care; 4) fostering a successful parturition; 5) family planning counseling; 6) advising and supporting in solving complicated life problems; and 7) adequate caring by skillful personnel.
2. Service behavioral needs, with two sub-issues: 1) receiving respect and acceptance of self and 2) non-stigmatized behavior.
3. The need for a support system, with two sub-issues: 1) having adequate access to modern medical equipment and 2) having mobile phone availability in the delivery room.
4. Environmental requirements, with two sub-issues: 1) proportional and uncrowded service areas and 2) a warm and relaxed environment in delivery room.

The study's findings can be basic information for administrators and healthcare providers to offer better services for teenage mothers in secondary hospital contexts and to develop specific competencies for caring for teenage mothers.

Adolescent Depression and Suicide Risk in Vientiane, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

2024-01-04T11:00:52+07:00

Depression and suicide are global mental health and psychiatric problems. This cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to study depression and suicide risk among adolescents in Vientiane, the Lao PDR. The participants were 403 students aged 10-19 who are studying at grade level 1-7. The research instruments included 1) a demographic data record, 2) the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A), and 3) a suicide risk assessment form. The instruments were tested for reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, yielding a value of .82 and .89, respectively. Descriptive data analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results revealed that:
1. Most participants had no depression (75.93%) while almost a quarter reported depression (24.07%). Those with depression reported mild and moderate depression at rates of 96.91% and 3.09%, respectively.
2. Nearly all participants demonstrated no risk of suicide (96.87%). A small number did have a suicide risk (1.24%) and, of those, participants reported mild and moderate suicide risk at of 60.00% and 40.00%, respectively.

The research results can be used as basic information for mental health promotion and psychiatric problem prevention and caring among students. The results should be utilized as a part of teaching and learning in Lao PDR to raise awareness about depression and suicide risk.

A Study of the Current Situation, Problems, and Teaching Methods regarding Sexual Harassment Prevention for Autistic Students in Grades 4-6 at Government Bangkok Metropolitan Inclusive Schools

2024-09-25T10:38:20+07:00

Currently, cases of sexual harassment in Thai society are frequently reported, and autistic students are among the most vulnerable groups because they exhibit many behaviors that lead to the risk of sexual harassment. This research aimed to study the current situation, problems, and approaches to teaching sexual harassment prevention for autistic students in grades 4-6 at Government Bangkok Metropolitan Inclusive Schools. This mixed-methods research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, quantitative research was utilized to investigate the current situation, problems, and teaching methods used by teachers. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire designed to assess the current situation, the problems, and the teaching methods used by teachers. The participants included 55 special education teachers in Government Bangkok Metropolitan Inclusive Schools. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the second phase, qualitative research was conducted to explore the approaches to teaching for sexual harassment prevention among autistic students in grades 4-6. The data collection instrument was a focus group, and the participants were eight experts in the field. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

The research findings revealed that in the current situation, when autistic students entered adolescence, teachers encountered problems related to the students' sexuality in public places. As for the problems in teaching harassment prevention, there was a shortage of time for teaching in the same way as for general students which resulted in autistic students’ inability to understand. Additionally, the common teaching methods used by teachers when encountering problems were talking, warning, or diverting the students' attention, which did not effectively teach the students about sexual harassment prevention. For teaching methods of sexual harassment prevention, experts have suggested that this be taught at the age of 11-12 or in grades 4-6. Visual learning materials are suitable for autistic students and should be used in teaching. In terms of assessment, both knowledge and demonstrated skills should be evaluated. Moreover, motivation should be provided through reinforcement, and assessments should include both knowledge and skills demonstrated through role-playing or simulation. The topics should start with issues that are relevant to the students, such as development changes, and then progress to teaching about cultural contexts in Thailand. Once students have a basic understanding, they should be taught how to refuse, with an emphasis on demonstrating these skills. One area that needs improvement in autistic students is language skills. Therefore, students could be encouraged to communicate and explain during role-playing or simulation, or they could be assessed through oral tests. Finally, students should be taught how to build and maintain good relationships with others.

It is recommended that these findings be used to create more suitable teaching methods for the Thai context and to develop further research into effective interventions for autistic students and other students with special needs.

Factors Predicting Postpartum Weight Retention

2024-04-18T16:32:20+07:00

Postpartum weight retention, which leads to overweight and obesity, is an important problem for postpartum women. This predictive correlational research design aimed to study the factors predicting postpartum weight retention among postpartum women, including gestational weight gain, fat intake, breastfeeding, and self-efficacy. The participants consisted of 129, 6- to 8-week postpartum women who received their postpartum check-up or who took their child to be vaccinated at Nakhon Phanom Hospital. The research instruments included a personal data questionnaire, a questionnaire on fat intake behaviour for postpartum women, and a form on self-efficacy for weight control, which were tested for reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient at .82 and .84, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis.

The results found that the average postpartum weight retention of 6- to 8-week postpartum women was 4.82 kilograms (SD = 3.61). Gestational weight gain, fat intake, and self-efficacy could significantly predict postpartum weight retention at 41.70% (R² = 0.417, R²_Change = 0.127, F = 5.02, p < .05) with gestational weight gain being the highest predictor (β = .462, t = 4.70, p < .01), followed by self-efficacy and fat intake (β = -.280, t = -3.67, p < .01, and β = -.169, t = -2.24, p < .05, respectively).

These results can be used as basic information for developing postpartum weight retention management guidelines by controlling gestational weight gain appropriately, ensuring appropriate fat intake, and promoting self-efficacy in postpartum women.

Predicting Factors of Perceived 21st Century Competency Among Nursing Students

2024-02-13T08:48:29+07:00

21st century competency refers to important characteristics and skills that enable and improve learning of nursing students which leads to learning outcomes development according to the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework. This competence is composed of five aspects: 1) capacity to communicate, 2) capacity to think, 3) capacity to perform problem-solving, 4) capacity for applying life skills, and 5) technological compe- tency. This predictive correlational research aimed to investigate the predictive ability of selected factors on nursing students’ competency. The participants consisted of 144 nursing students who were currently studying at the Buri Ram Province private university in their 1st to 4th years. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit samples. The instruments consisted of 1) a demographic data record form (age, gender, grade point average, family monthly income, and monthly income from family), 2) the SPST 20 stress questionnaire, and 3) the nursing students’ perceived 21st century competency questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression equations.

The results revealed that participants’ overall perceived 21st century competency was at a high level (M = 1.35, SD = 0.39). Students’ college year and their monthly income from family were statistically significantly correlated with their perceived 21st century compe- tency (r = -.016, p < .01; and r = .106, p < .01, respectively). Nevertheless, college year (β = -.136, p < .001) and monthly income from family (β = .031, p < .001) statistically significantly predicted perceived 21st century competency at 6.6% (R2 = .066, F (df₁= 2, df₂ = 141) = 1.291, p < .001).

The results of this study can be used as basic information to enhance the 21st century competency of nursing students.