Purpose: Psychiatric nurses lack experience caring for patients with acute physical illnesses. Notably, they are expected to have experienced burnout when they were taking care of mentally ill patients infected with COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the impact of infection control knowledge, emergency nursing competency, and infection prevention environment on burnout. Methods: This survey was conducted on 127 psychiatric nurses from February to March 2023 using a structured self-report questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed through multiple regression analysis using the SPSS 28.0 program. Results: The subject's burnout score was 2.83 out of 5, infection control knowledge was 0.69 out of 1, emergency nursing competency was 2.80 out of 4, and infection prevention environment was 3.83 out of 5. Regression analysis showed infection control knowledge (β=-.17, p=.048) and nurses’ self-perceived efficacy in responding to an emergency (β=.26, p=.002) were factors affecting burnout, and the explanatory power for burnout was 9% (F=7.22, p<.001). Conclusion Based on these results, we believe that infection control is needed. In addition, rather than simply providing education to increase nurses' emergency nursing competence, educational measures are needed to increase nurses' sense of efficacy in responding to emergencies.

No abstract available.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Gastroparesis/complications/*diagnosis/radiography ; Gastroscopy ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Stomach Volvulus/*diagnosis/etiology/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Purpose: This study is descriptive research aiming to identify factors influencing the stigma experienced by college students with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), focusing on COVID-19 pandemic stress, depression, and fear of negative evaluation as the main variables. Methods: An online survey was administered to 175 college students who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 from January to May 2022 and were enrolled in universities in Seoul, Cheongju, and Daegu, South Korea. The survey collected data on pandemic stress, depression, fear of negative evaluation, and stigma. The data were analyzed using the t-test, ANOVA, the Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression in SPSS/WIN 26.0. Results: We analyzed differences in stigma scores based on general characteristics of the college students and found significant differences in stigma scores by age, major satisfaction, interpersonal satisfaction, date of COVID-19 confirmation, treatment modality, and recent subjective health condition. Factors influencing stigmatization were identified as COVID-19 pandemic stress, depression, date of COVID-19 confirmation, treatment modality, recent subjective health condition, and major satisfaction, with an overall explanatory power of 37.6%. Conclusion This study is significant as it identifies emotional changes across various aspects of pandemic stress, depression, fear of negative evaluation, and stigma among college students who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The findings of this study suggest the development of programs to reduce psychological distress and enhance mental health management skills among these students.

Increasing epidemiological evidence suggests that maternal nutrition and environmental exposure early in development play an important role in susceptibility to disease in later life. In addition, these disease outcomes seem to pass through subsequent generations. Epigenetic modifications provide a potential link between the nutrition status during critical periods in development and changes in gene expression that may lead to disease phenotypes. An increasing body of evidence from experimental animal studies supports the role of epigenetics in disease susceptibility during critical developmental periods, including periconceptional period, gestation, and early postnatal period. The rapid improvements in genetic and epigenetic technologies will allow comprehensive investigations of the relevance of these epigenetic phenomena in human diseases.
Animals ; Critical Period (Psychology) ; Disease Susceptibility ; Environmental Exposure ; Epigenomics* ; Family Characteristics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Nutritional Status ; Phenotype ; Pregnancy

Purpose: This study aimed to explore nursing students' experiences of neonatal nursing simulations using peer tutoring. Methods: In this qualitative content analysis study, data were collected using a narrative survey and focus group interviews with 27 third-year nursing students and six fourth-year nursing students from April to May 2022. Content analysis of the collected data was conducted. Results: Four categories—"stabilizing emotionally through each other", "advancing together", "difficulties in relationships", and "hoping to continue"—and nine sub-categories were extracted. The sub-categories "reduced burden" and "gaining confidence" were grouped into the first category, "stabilizing emotionally through each other". The sub-categories "being motivated to learn," "increased learning ability", and "preparation as a process" were grouped under "advancing together", and "attitudes affecting study environment" and "depending on help" were grouped into the third category of "difficulties in relationships". The fourth category of "hoping to continue" had "wanting to supplement for development" and "wanting to participate in different roles" as sub-categories. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, we expect pediatric nursing practicum education to improve through the active use of neonatal nursing simulation education incorporating peer tutoring.

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to restrictions on daily living including social distancing. These restrictions had an impact on the individual's healthy lifestyle and health status. We investigated the associated factors with changes of metabolic abnormalities among general population in COVID-19. Methods: The participants were 43,639 people who received health check-ups twice in 2019 and 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic, at 16 health promotion centers. Metabolic abnormalities were identified according to the third report of the cholesterol education program criteria. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the factors related to changes of metabolic abnormalities during COVID-19. Results: Metabolic syndrome and metabolic abnormalities increased overall during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase was mostly appeared in males. The occurrence of metabolic syndrome during COVID-19 was associated with 50s and older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.130; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.019-1.254), attempt to quit smoking (OR, 1.467; 95% CI, 1.171-1.839), start smoking (OR, 1.251; 95% CI, 1.110-1.412), decrease in aerobic exercise (OR, 1.328; 95% CI, 1.162-1.517), and increase in strength exercise (OR, 0.704; 95% CI, 0.592-0.838). Conclusions The metabolic syndrome is closely related to smoking experience and lack of exercise during COVID-19.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore tutoring experiences related to a high-risk newborn care simulation among nurses and nursing students to derive insights into developing effective neonatal nursing practice. Methods: A qualitative content-analysis study was conducted in March 2023. Data were collected through narrative surveys and focus group interviews with four neonatal intensive care unit nurses and 12 senior nursing students participating in a 1-day high-risk newborn care simulation program. A content analysis was performed on the collected data. Results: Three categories (“efforts to foster a sense of presence,” “efforts to promote positive awareness of the neonatal intensive care unit,” and “establishing one’s role as an educator”) and six subcategories were derived from the nurses’ responses. Three categories (“growth through a realistic virtual simulation,” “improved learning effects,” and “hope for continued development”) and six subcategories were derived from the nursing students’ responses. Conclusion The nursing students experienced realistic practice with their nurse tutors in the high-risk newborn care simulation, which helped them form their professional identity as future nurses. After tutoring, the nurses’ perceptions of nursing students changed positively, which affected their teaching methods.

Background: Even before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexpected new infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, novel influenza A and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) affected the Korean healthcare systems. Nevertheless, during the COVID-19 period, we still experienced difficulties in systematic response. Especially in Ulsan Metropolitan City, which had no confirmed cases during the MERS, the response infrastructure was also very insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate in depth experiences of managers and practitioners of infectious disease management organizations with the COVID-19 response and identify areas for improvement in the response to future novel infectious diseases. Methods: We recruited participants through targeted and snowball sampling. Data were collected between March 27 and May 2, 2023, through in-depth interviews with 15 healthcare workers from Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, including civil servants, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, all of whom had experience with the COVID-19 response. Results: We extracted 1,496 semantic units, 16 subcategories, and 5 categories. The participants experienced confusion at being inserted into the infectious disease response without a thorough understanding of the work due to the sudden appearance of COVID-19.In the absence of precise manuals or designated consultancies, the participants’ confusion was exacerbated by frequent changes to guidelines and insufficient communication, and they felt despair by others’ passive attitudes, which contradicted their own feelings. They also felt bewildered that they were not supported by policy, despite having chosen to support a great cause in an emergency. Excessive workloads led to health problems. Nevertheless, the participants actively sought help, received support, made efforts to construct the response environment, and felt a sense of reward when they witnessed the results. The participants emphasized the need to build up the inadequate public healthcare system in Ulsan to prepare for future novel infectious diseases, to maintain a trained, professional workforce, and to secure a sufficient budget to provide support and compensation. Conclusion The findings indicate that local governments need to establish public healthcare systems and secure professionals for responding to novel infectious diseases.

Background: Even before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexpected new infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, novel influenza A and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) affected the Korean healthcare systems. Nevertheless, during the COVID-19 period, we still experienced difficulties in systematic response. Especially in Ulsan Metropolitan City, which had no confirmed cases during the MERS, the response infrastructure was also very insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate in depth experiences of managers and practitioners of infectious disease management organizations with the COVID-19 response and identify areas for improvement in the response to future novel infectious diseases. Methods: We recruited participants through targeted and snowball sampling. Data were collected between March 27 and May 2, 2023, through in-depth interviews with 15 healthcare workers from Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, including civil servants, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, all of whom had experience with the COVID-19 response. Results: We extracted 1,496 semantic units, 16 subcategories, and 5 categories. The participants experienced confusion at being inserted into the infectious disease response without a thorough understanding of the work due to the sudden appearance of COVID-19.In the absence of precise manuals or designated consultancies, the participants’ confusion was exacerbated by frequent changes to guidelines and insufficient communication, and they felt despair by others’ passive attitudes, which contradicted their own feelings. They also felt bewildered that they were not supported by policy, despite having chosen to support a great cause in an emergency. Excessive workloads led to health problems. Nevertheless, the participants actively sought help, received support, made efforts to construct the response environment, and felt a sense of reward when they witnessed the results. The participants emphasized the need to build up the inadequate public healthcare system in Ulsan to prepare for future novel infectious diseases, to maintain a trained, professional workforce, and to secure a sufficient budget to provide support and compensation. Conclusion The findings indicate that local governments need to establish public healthcare systems and secure professionals for responding to novel infectious diseases.