Purpose: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among patients with heart failure. However, their effect on the quality of life (QoL) is not well investigated in developing countries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the effect of anxiety and depression on QoL among Jordanian patients with heart failure. Patients and methods: Two hundred patients with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure from 1 governmental and 1 private hospital in Amman, Jordan, were recruited between March and August, 2017. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. QoL was measured using the Arabic version of the Short Form-36. Results: Patients reported poor QoL in both physical component summary (M ± SD; 35.8±9.6) and mental component summary (M ± SD; 41.5±11.3). Prevalence rates for anxiety and depression were 62% and 65%, respectively. In stepwise regression analysis, anxiety and depression were independent predictors for poor QoL in both summaries, p<0.001. Conclusion: Patients with heart failure have poor QoL and high anxiety and high depression prevalence rates. Inclusion of routine assessment and management of anxiety and depression in heart failure protocols is highly recommended.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a major cause of mortality worldwide. When basic life support techniques are implemented quickly, the chance of survival is doubled. Therefore, this study evaluated public awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards basic life support in Jordan. A descriptive, cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 300 Jordanian adults aged over 18 years, recruited from three metropolitan areas in the northern, middle and southern regions. A total of 87 participants (29%) stated that they have received training about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Among them, 20 participants (23%) received their training through the media. The highest response rate for cardiac arrest signs was chest pain (n = 129, 43%). Participants who received training had greater knowledge of the three signs of consciousness evaluation. The numbers of participants who received training and performed chest compression, mouth-to-mouth ventilation, and both compression and ventilation were higher than those who did not receive training. Overall, 256 participants (88.3%) reported that they would perform CPR on someone from their family without hesitation. The most important concern about performing CPR was making a mistake. Improving knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an important topic, which can be achieved by training the general population. Media can play an important role in this issue.

Background: Anxiety and depression are common among nursing students due to different factors. When they are minimal and not persistent, they work as stimuli for good achievement. However, when they are high or persistent they have negative consequences (i.e.low academic achievement and higher absenteeism rates).Objective: The purpose of this study was to check the effect of persistent anxiety and depression on nursing student academic achievement and absenteeism rate.Methods: A prospective observational correlational design with a convenience sample of 170 students enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate programs-college of nursing at a private university in Amman, Jordan. Anxiety and depression were measured twice at the beginning of the semester and then two months later by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data regarding grade point average, number of absenteeism and the gender of the students; were collected from the electronic system of the university.Results: Persistently anxious group has lower grade point average than persistently non-anxious group (mean [SD], 64.1 [13.8]vs. 73.1 [12.3], P< .001). Moreover, they have higher absenteeism rate than persistently non-anxious group (7.62 [5.7]vs. 4.0 [3.4], P< .001) and higher than transiently anxious group (7.62 [5.7]vs. 4.7 [4.6], P< .05). Persistently depressed group has lower grade point average than persistently non-depressed group (64.0 [13.8]vs. 73.2 [13.0], P< .001) and lower than transiently depressed (64.0 [13.8]vs. 71.7 [10.6], P< .01).Conclusion: Nursing administrators should search for the underlying causes for these negative emotions. Furthermore, setting strategies to control these negative emotions is highly recommended.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure is a major public health issue and a growing concern in developing countries, including Saudi Arabia. Most related research was conducted in Western cultures and may have limited applicability for individuals in Saudi Arabia. Thus, this study assesses the quality of life of Saudi patients with heart failure. MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational design was used on a convenient sample of 103 patients with heart failure. Data were collected using the Short Form-36 and the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey. RESULTS: Overall, the patients’ scores were low for all domains of Quality of Life. The Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary mean scores and SDs were (36.7±12.4, 48.8±6.5) respectively, indicating poor Quality of Life. Left ventricular ejection fraction was the strongest predictor of both physical and mental summaries. CONCLUSION: Identifying factors that impact quality of life for Saudi heart failure patients is important in identifying and meeting their physical and psychosocial needs.

Background: Evidence-based practice has become a worldwide concern for healthcare staff and administrators as well as researchers. Evidence-based practice has been considered as critical element to improve quality of health services and achieving excellence in patient care. The implementation of Evidence-based practice in clinical environments has been challenging. One of the most important barriers to implement Evidence-based practice is knowledge deficit. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe Jordanian nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding evidence-based practice. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in seven major hospitals in Amman/ Jordan. Five hundred nurses answered a self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the data. Results: Attitudes toward Evidence –Based Practice had the highest mean followed by the knowledge/skills and finally the practice. Female nurses practice research less, have less positive attitude, and less knowledge about research compared to male nurses. Nurses with MSc degree, working in ICU and private hospitals have more positive attitude, reported higher levels of knowledge and skills compared to nurses with BSc, nurses working in other units, and nurses working in ministry of health and Royal Medical Service respectively. Conclusion: Ongoing education for nurses and minimizing barriers are recommended to promote the use of Evidence –Based Practice in Jordan.

Purpose: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a common and remarkably effective treatment for coronary heart disease, improving health status and enhancing quality of life. However, some outcomes after surgery remain unexplained, including psychological factors such as depression. The prevalence rates of pre- and post-operative depression among CABG patients are high, which is associated with negative short- and long-term outcomes. This study explores the impacts of pre-operative depressive symptoms on post-operative hospital length of stay (LOS) among patients undergoing CABG in Jordan. Patients and methods: This was a non-experimental, prospective observational study among 227 CABG patients recruited from 5 hospitals in Amman, Jordan. Depression was measured within an average of two weeks prior and one month after the operation using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Length of stay was abstracted from medical records after discharge. Results: The average post-operative LOS was 11.40±10.41 days. The average pre-operative depression level was moderate; 12.76±6.80 and 42.47% complained of varying levels of depressive symptoms. The average post-operative depression level was moderate; 11.11±6.78 and 40.53% complained of varying levels of depressive symptoms. In stepwise regression models, depression scores and female gender were independent predictors that increased post-operative LOS. On the other hand, high income (≥1501$/month) and use of statins had protective effects and decreased post-operative LOS. The model explained 22.4% of the total variance regarding LOS. Conclusion: Pre-operative depressive symptoms increased post CABG LOS. Application of policies and depression assessment protocols prior to CABG by health care providers can identify high-risk groups (eg, females), so appropriate interventions can be designed and implemented to decrease morbidity and mortality.