Introduction: Intense psychological and emotional stress experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic interferes with their wellbeing and work efficiency. Stress-management behaviors are required to enhance coping and ameliorate stress effects. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the management behavior of nurses during the pandemic to suggest ways to improve their wellbeing. Objective: The study aimed to examine nurses’ work-related stress management behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in UAE. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 64 nurses working in the Isolation and Intensive care units of two selected hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. A convenience sampling technique was used for sample selection. Each participant completed an online survey via Google forms of two validated instruments: a 10-item scale to measure perceived stress levels and a 15-item Stress management inventory. The completed questionnaires were analyzed on SPSS version 25. Results: Respondents (78.1%) reported a moderate level of stress (Mean = 18.03 and SD = 5.33). Stress management behaviors utilized included four elements (eliminating stressors, developing resilience, using short-term coping, and effective delegating) and the mean and SD were 17.62 ± 2.6, 17.42 ± 3.3, 8.88 ± 1.47, and 23.98 ± 3.54 respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between these four elements of stress management inventory (p = 0.00). Findings also showed a significant inverse correlation between the scores on perceived stress, short-term coping, and effective delegation. The overall regression of demographic covariates on stress management behaviors was not statistically significant [F = (1.015), (0.602), (0.909), (1.286), p >0.05]. Conclusions: Effective delegating and developing resilience were effective stress management behavior among nurses. Regular assessment of the psychological needs of nurses is essential to enhance overall wellbeing during stressful situations.

Introduction: Monkeypox (mpox) is an evolving infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). On July 23, 2022, the WHO declared the recent mpox outbreaks a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), which terminated on May 11, 2023. As of July 11, 2023, 88,288 confirmed cases and 149 deaths have been reported from 112 countries and territories. Currently, mpox is not a PHEIC, as the outbreak and its impacts are nearly over. Nurses played significant roles during the mpox 2022 outbreak as frontline workers. Purpose: In light of the impending mpox global outbreak in 2022, this brief report provides an update on the enormous difficulties faced by frontline nurses while playing a crucial role in handling the mpox outbreak and some potential solutions to these difficulties. The methodological framework employed in this narrative brief report involves conducting a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of relevant literature and hypothetical scenarios. The aim is to put forth practical strategies that can effectively tackle the difficulties encountered by frontline nurses in the context of the mpox outbreak. Additionally, the report seeks to envision a healthcare system that is more resilient in the face of future challenges. Conclusion: It is important to understand the challenges the nurses face from their perspective. As frontline health care workers, the various health issues of nurses and their concerns must be taken care of appropriately by adopting optimum health service practices, adequate safety measures, recommended precautionary measures, and boosting them mentally while handling mpox patients. Counseling and the arrangement of workshops are required. Appropriate care should be taken to address the various health issues concerning nurses by adopting health service practices at optimum levels. Side by side, recommended safety and precautionary measures should be followed.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) assess healthcare workers’ (HCWs) knowledge and attitudes toward mpox across 3 Gulf countries, and (2) examine factors influencing their acceptance of the mpox vaccine using the health belief model (HBM). This model evaluated perceptions related to susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. Additionally, the study explored the impact of prior coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination history on mpox vaccine acceptance.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 764 HCWs from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Data were collected through a structured online questionnaire based on HBM constructs. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze predictors of vaccine acceptance.Results: Knowledge levels varied across the countries, with the highest proportion of good knowledge reported in the UAE (59%). UAE HCWs also demonstrated higher perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and intention to vaccinate compared to those in Saudi Arabia and Qatar (p<0.001). Receiving 4 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine was associated with greater acceptance of the mpox vaccine. Among the HBM constructs, perceived benefits and self-efficacy were identified as the strongest predictors of vaccine acceptance. Perceived barriers, such as fear of side effects and concerns about vaccine safety, were more prominent among HCWs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.Conclusion: The HBM effectively explains the factors influencing mpox vaccine acceptance among Gulf HCWs. Targeted interventions that improve perceived benefits, reduce barriers, and improve self-efficacy may facilitate greater vaccine uptake and preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.

Introduction: Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE) has become necessary. According to published research, PPE-related physical impacts were probably underreported during the pandemic. Objective: To examine the physical burden and perceived stress associated with prolonged PPE wearing among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study of 209 nurses working in two hospitals in the UAE. A convenience sampling technique was applied, and the data were collected using an online questionnaire. Data collection was completed within three months (April 2022 to June 2022). The completed questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square statistics was used to test the association of categorical variables at a 5% level of significance. Results: A total of 209 nurses had a mean age of 38.4 ± 8.7 years. More than 65.1% wore PPE continuously for 4 hrs per day. The most common physical burdens reported were difficulty in breathing (62.2%), excessive thirst (41.6%), and facial itchiness (39.2%). Most participants (95.2%) reported high-stress levels. There was no significant association between the level of stress and the duration of wearing PPE ( p = .43 > .05). However, the authors found a statistically significant association between breathing difficulty with face masks and the duration of wearing them ( p < .05). In addition, itchiness/rash related to gloves was significantly associated with wearing duration ( p < .05). Conclusion: Findings show that nurses experienced adverse effects from PPE use, which increased with the number of hours of wearing. Further studies with a larger sample size will allow for generalization of the study results.

Background: Obesity confers substantial cardiometabolic risk. Tirzepatide, a once-weekly dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, produces dose-dependent weight loss in trials, but real-world patient-reported experiences are under-described. We evaluated real-world self-efficacy and experiences with tirzepatide in community settings. Methods: Explanatory sequential mixed-methods study of adults aged 18–59 years using tirzepatide for weight management. We collected a quantitative survey (demographics; medication use; 20-item Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire [WEL]) followed by purposive semi-structured interviews. Associations between WEL and participant characteristics were tested a priori (two-tailed α = 0.05). Results: Among 120 participants (50.8% male; mean age 42 ± 13 years), 91.7% reported weight loss and 85.8% had <6 months’ exposure. WEL total was 91 ± 34. Higher WEL was observed in females, employed participants, those with insurance coverage versus self-pay, during early months of therapy, and among those with prior weight-loss attempts (all p < 0.05). Interviews (n = 15) indicated high satisfaction, improved sleep/energy, mood, and confidence; gastrointestinal effects were usually mild/transient. Interpretation: In routine care, tirzepatide use was associated with high eating self-efficacy and positive patient-reported outcomes. Variation by coverage and duration suggests value in pairing pharmacotherapy with behavioral support and addressing affordability to sustain benefits.