• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.44-54
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Uncertainty and restrictions on daily life have increased fear, stress, and depression during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Depression is the most common mental health problem in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of fear and stress related to COVID-19 experienced by pregnant women, as well as their levels of depression, and to examine the factors associated with depression during pregnancy. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, correlational study conducted among 153 pregnant women who visited a maternity hospital in Busan, South Korea. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection from December 18, 2021 to March 8, 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results: Pregnant women experienced a moderate level of fear related to COVID-19, with an average score of 21.55±4.90. The average score for depression during pregnancy was 14.86±11.10, with 50.3% of the participants experiencing depression (≥13). The factors associated with depression during pregnancy were fear of COVID-19, contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, being in the third trimester of pregnancy, high stress levels due to difficulties experienced from social distancing measures, and unintended pregnancy. These five statistically significant factors explained 35.0% of variance in depression during pregnancy. Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of depression in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to develop interventions to reduce anxiety by providing correct information and alleviating the stress of social distancing.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to measure COVID-19 stress and the quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) stress quotient and identify the coping styles of face-to-face service industry employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study administered structured questionnaires consisting of sections on general characteristics, COVID-19 stress, and coping style for stress to 21 face-to-face service industry employees between April 1 and April 18, 2021. The physical tension & stress quotient and psychological distraction & stress quotient were measured in the prefrontal lobe with QEEG. Results: Emotional easiness (r=.62, p=.002) and escape-avoidance (r=.55, p=.009) as a passive coping style were associated with COVID-19 stress, and seeking social support as an active coping style was associated with the left physical tension & stress quotient (r=.47, p=.031). Conclusion: These findings provide evidence regarding the objective status of the mental health of face-to-face service industry employees using both a self-reported scale and neuroscientific indicators, including brain quotients.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.208-211
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccination intentions in Korean parents for their children aged 5 to 11 years and the factors influencing them. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 363 parents of children aged 5 to 11 years was conducted in Korea in April 2022. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, χ² -test, Fisher's exact test, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 26.0 and MedCalc software version 20.113. Results: Of 363 Korean parents with children aged 5 to 11, 42.4% intended to vaccinate their children. Significant factors influencing vaccination intention were the second or third birth order of children (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.45~8.21), vaccine hesitancy-confidence (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.51~2.65), vaccine hesitancy-collective responsibility (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.10~2.25), and COVID-19 anxiety-avoidance (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.13~2.11). Conclusion: Findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccine campaigns based on reliable information and evidence from health authorities are needed to increase COVID-19 vaccination. Well-designed health communications for the target population may help to increase parental vaccine acceptance.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.467-475
• /
• 2023

Background: To mitigate the spread of Covid-19, nurses infected with the virus were required to isolate themselves from their families and community. Isolated patients were reported to have experienced mental distress, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and suicide. Though studies have reported the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, less is known about the lived experiences of nurses who survived Covid-19 infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to study the lived experiences of registered nurses who survived Covid-19 disease. In-depth interviews were conducted among nurses diagnosed with Covid-19 from two hospitals in Kenya between March and May, 2021. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit registered nurses. Data were analyzed using Giorgi's steps of analysis. Results: The study included ten nurses between 29 and 45 years of age. Nurses' experiences encompassed three themes: diagnosis reaction, consequences, and coping. Reactions to the diagnosis included fear, anxiety, and sadness. The consequence of the diagnosis and isolation was stigma, isolation, and loneliness. Nurses coping mechanisms included acceptance, creating routines, support, and spirituality. Conclusion: Our findings aid in understanding how nurses experienced Covid-19 infection as patients and will provide evidence-based content for supporting nurses in future pandemics. Moreover, as we acknowledge the heroic contribution of frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is prudent to recognize the considerable occupational risk as they balance their duty to care, and the risk of infection to themselves and their families.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.446-458
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the non-contact nursing experiences of clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative research design applying thematic analysis was used. The participants were purposive sampled from three institutes: a tertiary hospital, a general hospital, and a residential treatment center in Seoul. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2022 through individual in-depth interviews with 12 clinical nurses. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's method to identify the meaning of the participants' experiences. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fields where the participants performed non-contact nursing included intensive care units and isolation wards of hospitals, a residential treatment center, and home cares. Their tasks in non-contact nursing commonly involved remote monitoring using digital devices or equipment, consultation and education. From their experiences performing tasks in these fields, the four theme clusters and nine themes were derived. The four theme clusters are as follows: (1) Confusion of nursing role; (2) Conflict due to insufficient support system; (3) Concern about the quality of nursing; (4) Reflection on the establishment of nursing professionalism. Conclusion: This study highlights the necessity for institutionalizing professional nursing areas, nursing education, and practical support by clarifying the purpose and goals of non-contact nursing and developing nursing knowledge through frameworks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.31-39
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Over the past two years, most Korean nursing students had to go through distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, amental health crisis has emerged among nursing students in South Korea. The study aimed to examine the relationships among social contact, depression, loneliness, and suicidal ideation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from nursing students. The survey was conducted onlinein South Korea. A total of 184 nursing students were recruited from December 2021 to April 2022. For data analysis,the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation of the general characteristics of the subjects were calculated using IBM/SPSS Statistics 25.0. To examine the mediating effect of depression and loneliness on the relationship between social contact and suicidal ideation, multiple linear regression was used to analyze associations among social contact, depression, loneliness, and suicidal ideation. Results: The average age was 22.69±5.66 years (range=18~54), and the sex distribution was 155 females among 184 nursing students. Lower social contact among nursing students was significantly associated with higher depression and loneliness. Loneliness significantly mediated the relationship between social contact and suicidal ideation innursing students. Conclusion: The findings suggest that strategies for enhancing social contact and reducing depression and loneliness should be considered to improve suicidal ideation among nursing students.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.207-217
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate COVID-19 Knowledge, Risk Perception, Anxiety and Preventive Behaviors, and to identify the influencing factors on Preventive Behaviors of nursing students. Data were collected using questionnaires from 342 nursing students in Gwangju, November 2021. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression using IBM SPSS 21.0 program. The total mean scores were as follows: COVID-19 Knowledge, 13.25±1.38; Risk Perception; 4.57±1.34, Anxiety; 44.55±9.66, Preventive Behaviors; 7.66±1.55. Preventive Behaviors was found to have significant positive correlations with COVID-19 Knowledge and Risk Perception). The most influential factors influencing the Preventive Behaviors of nursing students were Experience in education related COVID-19 prevention, Risk Perception, COVID-19 Knowledge. In conclusion, in order to develop the Preventive Behaviors of nursing students, it is necessary to apply a program that improve the COVID-19 prevention education and Knowledge, and to control Risk Perception according to the individual level.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study was performed to explore and describe the overall clinical practice adaptation experiences among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study applied the grounded theory method by Corbin and Strauss. Data were collected from May to August 2021 through individual in-depth interviews with 14 nursing students from three universities in B metropolitan city. Results: From open coding, 20 sub-categories and 10 categories were identified. Analysis revealed that the core category was the process of "keeping the place of learning while adhering to the restrictions of the era of pandemic" and that it consisted of four phases: confusion, withdrawal, adjustment, and growth. Through this process, participants utilized various action/interactional strategies such as "shifting to positive thinking," "building a shield to protect oneself," and "focusing on learning." The consequences of these strategies were "adapting to the reality of the infectious disease situation" and "strengthening a foothold to grow as a future nurse." Conclusion: An in-depth understanding of nursing students' experiences of adapting to clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic will guide nursing educators to promote effective teaching strategies to better support nursing students in a time of infectious disease crisis.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.323-333
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors of COVID-19 stress, impulsiveness, and family strength on suicidal ideation of public nursing officials in community health centers. Methods: This study was a descriptive analysis study the subjects of this study were a total of 145 public nursing officials from community health centers in Busan. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS/WIN 23.0 version. Result: The result of the predictor analysis showed that the motor impulsiveness (β=.383, p<.001), workload (β=.222, p=.003), cognitive impulsiveness (β=-.205, p=.012), bond (β=-.169, p=.033). The regression model showed an explanatory power of 24.1%. Conciusion: it is necessary to increase impulse and stress control ability, and to adjust the workload. In addition, it is necessary to systematically guarantee a working environment where practical vacation can be used, but it may not be a realistic alternative in a disaster crisis such as COVID-19, so indirect alternatives such as reinforcing infectious disease experts, improving the work environment, and psychological support to prevent suicide in advance are required.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The study was done to compare the status of dispatch of public officials in charge of health care in response to COVID-19 according to location of primary health care posts and the practitioners' knowledge, attitude and support related to COVID-19. Methods: Among the 193 practitioners surveyed, 175 people in Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do were selected for final analysis according to work status and differences in knowledge, attitude and support. Data were analyzed using χ2 and one-way ANOVA, followed by a Scheffé-test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference by region in the number of days and places for dispatch teams to respond to COVID-19. In particular, in the case of support, the overall score was low, but Gyeongsang-do, which had the longest number of dispatch days due the occurrence of a large-scale confirmation of patients, showed higher support compared to other regions. Knowledge of COVID-19 was high, but there were no regional differences. Conclusion: Regarding performance of COVID-19 response tasks, the support level was low, indicating that psychological support and appropriate compensation from the local government are required. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a system for the provision of alternative services to prevent a work gap in health clinics.