Pakistan BioMedical Journal

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Undergraduate Nursing Students Toward Evidence-Based Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

2025-01-01T13:37:41+00:00

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is the collective utilization of best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preference. Limited studies were found regarding the EBP of nursing students. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding EBP among undergraduate nursing students in District Mardan and to explore the relationship between demographic variables and students' attitudes and practices toward EBP. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 111 4th-year undergraduate nursing students selected through a one-stage cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic details and the Students' Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (S-EBPQ), which was scored on a seven-point Likert scale. The internal consistency of the S-EBPQ was validated using Cronbach’s Alpha (α = 0.82). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA applied to examine the relationship between demographic variables and EBP attitudes and practices. Results: The analysis revealed that 70.2% of students exhibited a moderate level of EBP, with 48.4% demonstrating a highly positive attitude towards EBP. While no significant association was found between demographic variables and practice scores, the religious group variable was significantly associated with attitude scores (p = 0.006). Gender, though not significant, approached the significance threshold (p = 0.078). Conclusions: This study contributes to the limited body of research on EBP among nursing students in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It highlights the importance of demographic factors, especially religious background, in shaping students' attitudes toward EBP, suggesting the need for tailored educational interventions

Association of Hikikomori Syndrome Symptoms and Internet Addiction in Young Adults

2025-01-01T13:37:49+00:00

Hikikomori syndrome is no more a Japanese phenomenon as it has been rapidly spreading across the globe, especially in South Asian countries. Among those individuals who tend to confine themselves within the walls of their homes, internet addiction has turned out to be a major component further fueling the isolation. Objectives: To explore the association between internet addiction and Hikikomori symptoms and to assess gender differences in Hikikomori symptoms and internet addiction. Method: This cross-sectional research study assessed 318 individuals attending a private university in Lahore. The participants for this study were selected through a non-probability purposive sampling technique and included 23% men and 75% females, and 1.6% selected '3'(rather not say) while two respondents did not provide gender information. Structured measures with well-established psychometric features were used to collect data. Results: Participants who felt socially isolated and lacked emotional support might have stronger internet addiction (p<0.05). Meanwhile, there weren't big differences between men and women in how isolated they feel (p>0.05), but men scored significantly higher than women on the socialization and emotional support domain (p<0.05). Men also tended to be more addicted to the internet than women (p<0.01) in the present study. However, demographic variables when correlated with Hikikomori and internet addiction, showed varying patterns of association. Conclusions: It was concluded that findings provided significant insights into internet addiction and socialization, isolation and emotional support dimensions of hikikomori syndrome in young adults in Lahore.

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Nosocomial Infections among Nursing Students in Private Institute in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

2025-01-07T13:41:03+00:00

Nosocomial infections are a severe global health challenge with the worst happening in low- and middle-income countries. It contributes to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Prevention education among healthcare professionals, most especially nurses and nursing students, is the backbone of reducing their prevalence. Objective: To assess nursing students' knowledge and attitudes toward HIAs to bridges that gap by improving training with effective infection control practices within the health care setting. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 80 nursing students with simple random sampling from a private nursing institute in Pakistan. Their knowledge and attitudes toward Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) were assessed through structured, validated questionnaire. Results: The knowledge assessment showed 63% had poor knowledge regarding HAI, 30% had fair knowledge, and 7% showed good knowledge. Among the questions, the question that elicited the highest correct response was for the general definition of HAI at 78%, while prevention strategies elicited only 27% correct responses. Regarding attitudes, 70% students gave a negative attitude toward HAI, and 27% gave a fair attitude, while only 3% reflected a positive attitude. Conclusions: Nursing students lacked knowledge and have negative attitudes toward HIAs. The study highlighted targeted educational interventions to build nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward HAIs. Better adherence of infection control protocols can be ensured by improving training programs, leading to a reduced burden of HAIs in healthcare settings.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Cancer among Female Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan

2025-01-14T13:41:46+00:00

Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, with early detection being critical for improving survival rates. Objective: To evaluate the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) regarding breast cancer among female university students. Method: Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a representative sample of students. Results: The study showed a positive attitude among female students regarding Breast Cancer (BC): 80% believed BC could be prevented, 67% recognized family history as a risk factor, 77% felt comfortable discussing BC with doctors, and 93% emphasized public education. However, significant gaps in practices were observed: 46% never attended BC awareness sessions, 28% never adopted preventive lifestyle changes, 36% did not seek medical advice for breast changes, 73% never had a mammogram, and 30% never performed breast self-examinations. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for improved education and practical interventions to enhance BC awareness and early detection behaviors.

Breaking Barriers in Mental Health: Novel Targets and Therapies for Depression and Anxiety

2025-01-01T13:37:33+00:00

Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health disorders, posing significant challenges to individuals and society. Despite the widespread use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), many patients fail to achieve full remission or encounter debilitating side effects. This underscores an urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches that go beyond traditional monoaminergic systems, targeting new pathways and mechanisms involved in these complex disorders.

Recent advances have highlighted promising therapeutic targets, including the glutamatergic system. Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has demonstrated rapid and sustained improvements in mood, inspiring the development of drugs that modulate glutamate transmission. Other systems, such as neuropeptides like oxytocin and vasopressin, are gaining attention for their roles in emotional regulation, while the endocannabinoid system offers potential for regulating mood and stress response [1].

Another recent study have shown that ketamine may offer significant benefits for individuals with psychiatric conditions such as treatment-resistant bipolar depression. Evidence suggests that even a single dose of intranasal ketamine can produce swift antidepressant effects, offering an alternative option for patients unresponsive to standard treatments [2]

These novel approaches bring significant challenges with them. The safety profile of new agents must be rigorously evaluated to avoid unintended consequences, and regulatory barriers can delay the availability of innovative therapies. Moreover, the heterogeneity of depression and anxiety, influenced by genetic, environmental, and social factors, highlights the need for personalised medicine. Future research must prioritise understanding these differences to optimise treatment outcomes for diverse populations.

The exploration of novel targets and drugs signals a paradigm shift in the treatment of depression and anxiety, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach toward tailored interventions. These advancements bring renewed hope to millions of patients worldwide, promising more effective, rapid, and sustainable relief. With ongoing research and careful clinical translation, these innovative therapies have the potential to transform mental health care in the coming decades.