BACKGROUND

Aggression is a major challenge in psychiatric settings, particularly among service users with schizophrenia. Psychiatric nurses are at the frontline of aggression prevention thus making their strategies vital for safe, high-quality care.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the strategies used by psychiatric nurses in preventing aggression among adult schizophrenia service users at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) and also analyzed the relationship between nurses' demographic profiles and their prevention strategies.

METHODS

A quantitative, descriptive-correlational, comparative design was employed. A total of 18 head nurses and 87 staff nurses were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation tests to determine associations between nurse profiles and aggression prevention strategies. Ethical approval was also obtained prior to data collection.

RESULTS

Most head nurses were female (77.78%), aged 30–39 years (44.44%), and held a BSN degree (77.78%). Staff nurses were also predominantly female (57.47%), aged 30–39 (67.82%), and BSN graduates (96.55%). Both groups frequently applied risk assessment, de-escalation, therapeutic communication, and medication administration. Significant relationships were found between age, sex, education, and length of service, and nurses' ability to prevent aggression. No significant differences were found between head nurses and staff nurses in their self-assessed ability to prevent aggression.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatric nurses' age, education, and experience significantly influence aggression prevention strategies. Strengthening training in risk assessment, de-escalation, therapeutic communication, and medication administration is essential for enhancing nurse competency and ensuring safer mental health care.

Human ; Schizophrenia ; Nurses ; Mental Health ; Aggression ; Adult ; Health

Background: The mechanism of injury (MoI) for a patellar dislocation has not been fully established. The aim of this study was to use systematic video analysis to determine the MoI of a patella dislocation. Methods: A systematic search was conducted of three video sharing websites and three popular search engines to identify videos demonstrating a patellar dislocation. Videos were reviewed by three surgeons trained in systematic video analysis, who commented on the position of the lower limb and the situation in which the injury occurred.The results were reviewed to build a consensus of the MoI for each video. Statistical analysis was conducted for interobserver agreement (p < 0.05). Results: Initial search yielded 603 videos with 13 meeting the inclusion criteria. The injuries were sustained performing a sporting activity (n = 9) or whilst dancing (n = 4). The injury was predominantly sustained during a non-contact situation (n = 10). The most common mechanism was an unbalanced individual with a flexed hip sustaining a valgus force to their flexed knee with the tibia externally rotated. Conclusions This study provides some insight into the MoI for a patellar dislocation and the findings may assist in developing injury prevention programmes and rehabilitation protocols as well as guiding future research.