Tokophobia affects up to 14% of pregnant women globally and is linked to high cesarean rates, particularly in Egypt. This study evaluated the efficacy of a culturally adapted Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program on fear of childbirth and maternal self-efficacy among Egyptian pregnant women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Damanhur City, Egypt, involving 96 pregnant women with moderate to severe tokophobia. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 48) receiving a six-week program via WhatsApp or a control group (n = 48) receiving routine antenatal care. The intervention included cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and psychoeducation grounded in Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory. Outcomes were assessed using the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire and Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory at baseline and post-intervention. Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in fear of childbirth scores (mean decrease: 14.32 ± 5.55; p < 0.001) and an increase in maternal self-efficacy (mean increase: 38.3 ± 35.7; p < 0.001). Large effect sizes were observed for both fear reduction (η²=0.876) and self-efficacy enhancement (η²=0.600). The control group showed no significant changes. The culturally adapted Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program significantly reduced tokophobia and enhanced maternal self-efficacy, supporting its integration into perinatal care. These findings align with Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and suggest the potential of digital interventions in improving psychological outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings. Integrating the program into routine antenatal care could provide accessible, cost-effective support for women experiencing tokophobia, potentially reducing unnecessary cesarean sections and informing health policy regarding the effectiveness of the ICBT program. Future research should assess long-term outcomes and generalizability in diverse populations. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier (NCT06640608) on October 15, 2024

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) remains a leading cause of mortality among preterm infants weighing < 2000 g, particularly in resource-limited settings. While Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has shown promise in stable preterm infants, its effectiveness for those requiring respiratory support remains unclear. This study evaluated nurse-led implementation of KMC for preterm infants with RDS. A prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted across four neonatal intensive care units in Tanta, Egypt (January 2023–June 2024). Two hundred forty preterm infants (<2000 g) with RDS were randomly assigned to either nurse-implemented KMC (n = 120) or standard care (n = 120). The KMC protocol, implemented for a minimum of 6 h per day until hospital discharge, integrated continuous skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding promotion, and structured parental education. Outcomes included 28-day survival, respiratory status (Silverman-Anderson Scores), nosocomial infections, maternal-infant bonding, growth trajectories, and clinical course metrics. The KMC intervention significantly improved 28-day survival (adjusted HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.28–0.63, p < 0.001) and reduced nosocomial infections by 55% (RR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.75, p < 0.001). KMC recipients demonstrated faster respiratory improvement, shorter CPAP duration (−2.2 days, p < 0.001), and higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge (74.2% vs. 48.3%, p < 0.001). Maternal competency scores showed progressive improvement with enhanced bonding and responsiveness. Nurse-implemented KMC is a safe, effective intervention for preterm infants with RDS, yielding significant improvements in survival, clinical outcomes, and family-centered care metrics. These findings support the expansion of nursing roles in implementing KMC for high-risk infants in resource-limited settings. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06707376).

Background/Objectives: Endometriosis, a chronic and debilitating gynecological disorder, exacts a heavy clinical and socioeconomic toll on women’s lives. Despite its prevalence, its timely diagnosis and effective management are hindered by pervasive knowledge gaps among frontline nursing professionals, and these are especially pronounced in under-researched regions such as Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. Aim: Guided by the Knowledge–Attitude–Practice model, this study aimed to assess the level of endometriosis-related knowledge among nurses in the Al-Jouf region of Saudi Arabia and to identify the sociodemographic and professional determinants of knowledge levels. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical design was employed between January and July 2024, enrolling 215 nurses from a principal maternity and children’s hospital and two primary healthcare centers in Sakaka. A rigorously validated, bilingual 20-item questionnaire assessing four domains (definition, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment goals) was administered. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and binary logistic regression to elucidate predictors of knowledge. Results: A concerning picture emerged: 61% of participants scored below 60% (indicative of low knowledge), with only 6% achieving high scores. Higher educational attainment proved the strongest predictor (β = 0.415, p < 0.001), followed by age (β = 0.232, p < 0.001), years of experience (β = 0.149, p = 0.041), and direct patient care exposure (β = 0.168, p = 0.021). Collectively, these factors explained 37.6% of the variance in knowledge scores, underscoring a critical deficit in endometriosis management preparedness. Conclusions: The stark deficiencies in endometriosis knowledge among nurses in Al-Jouf call for immediate, tailored educational and policy interventions. Strengthening clinical competencies is essential for fostering early diagnosis and improving care outcomes for women burdened by this complex condition.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality globally. Myocardial infarction (MI), a major type of cardiovascular disease, presents long-term challenges for patients. Recognizing patients’ perceived health needs and the factors that influence them is crucial for providing comprehensive care and improving outcomes. Aim: This paper explores the perceived health needs, levels of depression, and social support among MI patients, as well as investigates the correlations between these factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Salman Specialist Hospital from March to June 2024, enrolling 244 MI patients through convenience sampling. Data collection was performed using the following three validated questionnaires: the Cardiac Patient Learning Needs Inventory (CPLNI) to assess the learning needs of MI patients, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to evaluate depression levels, and the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3) to measure social support. Statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 27. Results: Patients aged 40 years or older and those who were employed exhibited greater learning needs (p < 0.001). Female patients were more depressed than males (p = 0.008). Higher social support was reported by the female patients, those with a family history of MI, and those who were employed (p = 0.002, 0.002, and 0.003, respectively). The total mean score for perceived learning needs was 3.72, with the highest needs in “other pertinent information”, “medication information”, and “anatomy and physiology”. Depression was indicated in 45.1% of MI patients, with significantly higher depression levels in female than in male patients. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between social support and perceived learning needs (r = 0.205, p = 0.001), as well as a negative correlation between social support and depression (r = −0.441, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Addressing both the physical and psychological needs is essential for MI patients. Comprehensive educational programs and mental health support services are necessary for improving outcomes. Personalized patient education and routine depression screenings should be integrated into post-MI care. Future research should examine longitudinal changes in learning needs and mental health status.

Preterm birth often leads to prolonged neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays and delays early parent–infant bonding. While Family Integrated Care