Open Access
Analysis of mental health effects among nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review
(Wiley, 2022) García Vivar, Cristina; Rodríguez Matesanz, Irati; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Ferraz Torres, Marta; Escalada Hernández, Paula; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Introduction: Health professionals have suffered negative consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic. No review has specifically addressed the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of nurses exclusively according to the work context. Aim: To analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses who have worked in hospitals, primary care centres and social health centres. Method: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Cochrane databases were searched (Prospero number: CRD42021249513). Out of 706 papers, 31 studies (2020–2021) were included in the systematic review. A qualitative synthesis method was used to analyse the data. Results: Most studies were conducted in hospitals or frontline settings. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe symptoms was for anxiety 29.55%, depression 38.79%, posttraumatic stress disorder 29.8%, and insomnia 40.66%. Discussion: This review highlights the mental health effects among nurses working in acute hospital settings. It also evidences a data gap on mental health effects among nurses working in primary health care and in nursing homes. Implications for practice: In the post phase of the pandemic, there is an urgent need to assess and respond to the impact on the mental well-being of nurses, and to monitor international policies for the improvement of nurses’ working conditions.
Open Access
Mental health of spanish nurses working during the covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study
(Wiley, 2022) San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Ferraz Torres, Marta; Rodríguez Matesanz, Irati; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Aim. To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses working in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare centers in Navarre (Spain). Background. Healthcare workers, especially nurses, are at high risk for developing mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Introduction. Spain ranks among the European countries with the highest incidence of and mortality from COVID-19 and has a 31% deficit in the number of nurses compared with the average for the European Union. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study involving 800 Registered Nurses in Navarre, Spain. Four standardized instruments, along with a self-administered online questionnaire, were used to measure the impact in terms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was used to report this study. Results. Of the 800 nurses, 68% had some level of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress, and of these, 38% had moderate or severe symptoms. Those who worked in hospital COVID units and in nursing homes showed a higher impact on their mental health. Discussion. The sustained pressure that nurses have experienced in their work during the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected their mental health. Conclusion. This study found that nurses who worked in hospital COVID units and in nursing homes during the pandemic had worse mental health outcomes. Implications for nursing/policy. Recommendations for nursing policy include the need to implement coaching and emotional programs to support nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic. There is also an urgent need for the implementation of national training programs to strengthen health emergency preparedness, improve response capacity, and increase the resilience of nurses to disasters.
Open Access
Web-based personalized intervention to improve quality of life and self-efficacy of long-term breast cancer survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
(MDPI, 2022) Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Ferraz Torres, Marta; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Long-term breast cancer survivors (>5 years free of disease) may suffer late sequelae of cancer that impact on their quality of life. The use of telehealth for cancer care is recommended but little is known about the effectiveness of digital interventions for long-term cancer survivors. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based personalized intervention based on artificial intelligence instead of usual primary health care to improve the quality of life of long-term survivors of breast cancer and self-efficacy for the management of late sequelae. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted. The sample will consist of long-term breast cancer survivors recruited from primary health centers. Women will be randomly assigned to the intervention group to receive a web-based personalized intervention or to the control group to receive standard primary health care by nurses. Data on quality of life of cancer survivors and self-efficacy for the management of late sequelae of cancer will be collected and assessed at preintervention, and at 3, 6, and 9 months. It is expected that, at the end of the programme, the experimental group will have improved quality of life and improved self-efficacy for the management of late sequelae of cancer.
Open Access
Density of nurses and midwives in sub-Saharan Africa: trends analysis over the period 2004-2016
(Wiley, 2021) Saralegui Gainza, Amaia; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; Arregui Azagra, Adriana; García Vivar, Cristina; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Aim: to analyse the trends of density rates of nurses and midwives per population in sub-Saharan Africa over the period from 2004 to 2016. Background: nursing, the largest health care workforce, is actively contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The African continent is one of the most affected areas by the differences in the density of nurses and midwives indicator. Methods: joinpoint regression analysis was applied to identify significant changes in trends of the density of nurses and midwives from the 50 countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Results: from 2004 to 2013, the density of nurses and midwives in sub-Saharan Africa increased significantly from 5.6 to 12.44 per 10,000 population, although it exhibited a increasing trend of a magnitude of 8.3% until 2013 that does not continue from that year. Conclusions: only seven countries show an increasing trend, although in the case of the rest, they do not present any trend that suggests a change in this indicator in the short term. Implications for Nursing Management: from a macrolevel nursing management point of view, our study shows the importance of implementing actions that contribute to the increase of the nursing workforce in Africa, essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Open Access
Extended and long-term cancer survivorship of childhood survivors: a scoping review of nursing evidence with bibliometric analysis
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2024-06-10) Leite, Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi; Nascimento, Lucila; Neris, Rhyquelle Rhibna; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: With the increasing survival rates of childhood cancer, nurses' familiarity with published evidence has become crucial to care for this population and their families throughout the survival process. Objective: to systematically identify and conduct a bibliometric analysis of nursing-related evidence concerning extended and long-term survival of childhood survivors. Methods: a scoping review was conducted using bibliometric analysis with searches performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. A total of 300 studies on childhood cancer survival within the nursing field were included. Results: the first study on this topic was published in 1975. American and Chinese researchers lead study publications, primarily publishing in nursing journals such as Cancer Nursing. Quantitative designs were prevalent, and the majority of the studies focused on physical late effects, overall quality of life, and survivor follow-up care. Conclusions: this study has allowed us to map and synthesize the bibliometric evidence pertaining to the extended and long-term survivorship of childhood cancer survivors in the nursing field. Consequently, it identifies gaps in knowledge, research trends, and areas necessitating further exploration. Implications for practice: the evidence presented in this review can facilitate academic and clinical discussions, offering a comprehensive synthesis of the published knowledge. More research needs to be developed on the topic, particularly in Central and Latin America, Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe, and in some regions of Asia. Furthermore, the scope of studies should extend beyond late effects and quality of life, encompassing the experience of surviving childhood cancer, including psychosocial and spiritual dimensions.