Journal of Holistic Nursing Science

First author: a prestigious position in academic publication

Sumarno Adi Subrata — 2025-01-27

The position of the first author in academic publishing is widely regarded as prestigious as it often symbolizes the primary contributor to the research process. This role is typically reserved for the researcher who has made the most significant contribution to the study including the design, data collection, analysis, and writing of the manuscript. The first author position is not just a title; it reflects the individual’s dedication to the research and the extent of their involvement throughout the entire study process. It is often seen as a mark of academic excellence which highlight the individual’s central role in advancing knowledge within their field. Being the first author brings increased visibility to the researcher, as their name appears prominently on the publication. Moreover, it often become the focal point in academic and professional circles. This recognition can significantly enhance a researcher’s academic reputation which lead to further career opportunities such as job offers, invitations to speak at conferences, and potential collaborations. Moreover, the first author position can be crucial for young researchers or those early in their careers due to it can be a key factor in securing future funding or grants. However, the significance of the first author role is not without its challenges. In collaborative research, determining the rightful first author can become contentious, particularly in interdisciplinary studies involving multiple contributors with diverse skill sets. Additionally, issues surrounding authorship attribution can raise ethical questions, particularly if the order of authorship does not accurately reflect individual contributions. This paper explores these complexities and address the responsibilities tied to the first author position and its implications for career progression. In due course, the position of the first author is of paramount importance in the realm of academic publishing as it reflects both individual contribution and scholarly recognition.

Keywords: academic publishing, authorship order, career progression, first author, research contribution

Assessing the depth of knowledge about HIV among nurses working in the hospital: a descriptive study

Afifah Setia Fawadya — 2025-01-18

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains a critical global health challenge. Nurses play a pivotal role in providing care, including case finding, education, and counseling. However, misconceptions about HIV may lead to hesitation in treatment. Enhancing nurses' knowledge is crucial to boosting their confidence and competency. This descriptive quantitative study used a cross-sectional design to assess HIV knowledge among 386 nurses at a large hospital in Yogyakarta, selected through consecutive sampling. Participants met criteria such as active status, at least Diploma 3 education, and over one year of experience. Data were collected using the HIV-KQ-18 tool and analyzed via univariate and bivariate methods. Results showed a median knowledge score of 13 (range = 0-18). Scores were highest in HIV transmission knowledge and lowest in prevention. Significant differences in knowledge were linked to experience in patient care (p < 0.001), interaction history with HIV patients (p < 0.001), and participation in HIV-related training (p = 0.038). Despite generally good knowledge levels, gaps remain in HIV prevention. Enhancing experience, interaction, and training is recommended to better prepare nurses for effective care.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, knowledge, medical nursing, nursing care, prevention

Web-based health education utilizing “Sahabat Sehat Serviks” to prevent cervical cancer among adolescent girls

Yasmin Nur Muazizah — 2025-01-19

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in Indonesia, caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The progression of this disease takes a long time, and one of the at-risk groups is adolescent girls who engage in deviant sexual behavior, improper reproductive organ care, and unhealthy lifestyles. Adolescents need to have good knowledge, attitudes, and skills from an early age because these can influence their future behavior, especially in early cervical cancer prevention. Therefore, it is necessary to provide contemporary cervical cancer education through the website "Sahabat Sehat Serviks" to improve adolescents' knowledge, followed by changes in attitudes and skills. This study aims to determine the effect of health education through the website on increasing the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of adolescent girls in the early prevention of cervical cancer. The research design is a quasi-experiment with a quantitative approach, using a pre-post with a control group design. The study population consisted of 179 adolescent girls aged 11–13 years. The sample included 36 respondents selected by proportional stratified random sampling. The results showed significant differences in knowledge, attitudes, and skills among respondents who received cervical cancer health education through the "Sahabat Sehat Serviks" e-health website, with p-values of 0.000 for knowledge, 0.014 for attitudes, and 0.001 for skills. The "Sahabat Sehat Serviks" website is effective as a medium for cervical cancer health education for adolescent girls in improving knowledge, attitudes, and skills for early cervical cancer prevention.

Keywords: Attitude, cervical cancer, health education, nursing skills, reproductive health

An evaluation of patient outcomes and cost-benefits associated with a home intravenous therapy program in Canada

Sue Venter — 2025-02-05

Home intravenous (IV) therapy programs are a growing community health initiative due to their safety, cost-effectiveness, and ability to facilitate earlier patient discharge. These programs provide nursing support for clients receiving antibiotic treatment at home and ongoing education for patients and caregivers. The Surrey Home IV program, launched two decades ago with 3–4 patients, expanded to approximately 505 patients by 2012 but had not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the outcomes and cost benefits of the program through a retrospective chart review of 168 clients enrolled between January and December 2012. Data were analyzed statistically to evaluate outcomes. Findings indicated that socio-demographic factors (age, gender, caregiver support) were not significantly associated with readmissions or complications. Spousal caregivers facilitated quicker program acceptance by allowing earlier initiation of education. Longer hospital stays were associated with longer durations in the home IV program. Co-morbidities, diagnosis, or type of infection did not influence complications, readmissions, or program duration. Open wounds required an average of six weeks of IV therapy, while systemic infections needed 4–6 weeks. Cost analysis showed that a 40-day home IV program saved an estimated $8.147.160 compared to a hospital stay, demonstrating substantial savings for the health authority. The Surrey Home IV program has proven to be safe, cost-effective, and beneficial for patients, caregivers, and health systems. These findings highlight the value of supporting home IV therapy and patient self-care models to reduce healthcare costs while maintaining high-quality care.

Keywords: Health authority, home intravenous therapy, morbidities, mortalities, nursing care

Stress levels and coping mechanisms among patients' caregivers whose family members are hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit in Indonesia: an observational study

Suhaimi Fauzan — 2025-02-07

The stress levels and coping mechanisms experienced by families of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) often contribute to significant psychological distress. This heightened stress among caregivers is a critical concern that warrants further investigation to mitigate its negative consequences. While the impact of stress on ICU patient families is recognized, research specifically addressing this issue within the Indonesian population remains limited. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the stress levels and coping mechanisms employed by caregivers of ICU patients at RS Universitas Tanjung Pura, Indonesia. This observational study involved 50 participants; all family members of patients admitted to the ICU. Data collection utilized three standardized instruments: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess stress levels, the Brief COPE Questionnaire to evaluate coping strategies, and the Family Support Questionnaire to measure perceived social support. The findings revealed a concerningly high prevalence of severe stress among the participants, with 84% experiencing stress levels classified as severe. Interestingly, a substantial majority (82%) of the caregivers also demonstrated strong coping mechanisms. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive and strong correlation (r = 0.790, p < 0.05) between stress levels and coping strategies. This suggests that as stress increases, caregivers are more likely to engage in coping behaviours, though the effectiveness of these strategies may vary. The results underscore the crucial role of family support and individual coping mechanisms in navigating the intense stress associated with having a loved one in the ICU. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted nursing interventions designed to enhance emotional resilience and provide comprehensive support for families of ICU patients.

Keywords: Coping mechanism, family caregivers, Intensive Care Unit, mental health nursing, stress levels

Resistance band exercise outperforms low-intensity exercise in reducing BMI, body fat, and blood glucose levels in patients with non-communicable diseases

Saroch Kaewmanee — 2025-02-08

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity pose significant global health challenges. While moderate-to-vigorous exercise is known to benefit NCD patients, the effectiveness of low-intensity resistance band exercise (RBE) remains less certain. A 12-month study on obese individuals engaging in RBE demonstrated consistent improvements in body composition, muscle mass, and glycemic control. Similarly, a 9-month study involving 100 patients with diabetes mellitus revealed significant reductions in BMI, body fat percentage, and blood glucose levels, alongside increases in muscle mass and protein content. In another 9-month study on chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, RBE led to notable reductions in BMI, abdominal fat percentage, blood glucose, and blood pressure, while muscle mass remained stable. The study further evaluated 220 NCD patients recruited from hospitals, who were randomly assigned to groups based on BMI, obesity, diabetes, and CKD status. Outcome measures included body composition changes, daily step counts, blood glucose and lipid levels, and program satisfaction. In conclusion, RBE proves to be an effective intervention for improving body composition, muscle mass, protein content, and glycemic control in both healthy individuals and those with obesity, diabetes mellitus, and CKD. Compared to other low-intensity exercises, RBE consistently yields greater reductions in BMI, body fat, and blood glucose levels, making it a promising strategy for managing NCDs.

Keywords: Health-status outcomes, metabolic disorder, noncommunicable diseases, program satisfaction, resistance band exercise

A comprehensive nursing care for patient with lung tumor post-thoracotomy and Water Seal Drainage: a case study utilizing Roy’s Adaptation Theory

Salsa Syifa — 2025-03-25

Lung tumors present a complex clinical challenge due to their potential for both benign and malignant manifestations. The physiological disruption caused by these tumors, particularly in the context of pleural effusion, necessitates meticulous nursing intervention. Specifically, the impairment of fluid reabsorption within the pleural cavity demands the implementation of Water Seal Drainage (WSD) as a critical therapeutic measure. In this context, nurses assume a pivotal role in delivering care and managing the intricate daily care requirements. Given the critical nature of this case, a detailed case study becomes essential to illuminate the nuanced aspects of nursing practice. This case study aimed to provide a descriptive analysis of the nurse’s role in caring for a patient with left lung tumors and left pleural effusion following a thoracotomy. What distinguishes this case is the deliberate application of Roy's Adaptation Theory, recognizing the patient's heightened need for adaptive responses to the physiological and psychological stressors associated with their condition. This article outlines the fundamental responsibilities of nurses in managing patients with lung tumors including maintenance of the WSD system, pain management, and patient education. The nurse's role is not limited to physical care but extends to facilitating the patient's emotional, and psychological adjustment along with adaptation.

Keywords: Case study; lung tumor; nursing care; thoracotomy; Water Seal Drainage

Factors affecting holistic motivation among registered nurses and its impact on nursing care quality in Jamaica: an integration of the Expectancy Theory of Motivation

Erica Sophia Lawrence — 2025-04-01

Holistic motivation in nursing is an approach that considers the entire person - physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being - to promote a more comprehensive and effective healing experience. Motivation is a important factor for nurses to improve the quality of nursing care and maintain professional competencies in clinical practice. However, many nurses focus primarily on physical factors that promote motivation, neglecting spiritual, psychological, and social aspects. This study aimed to assess the factors that influence holistic motivation among registered nurses in Jamaica, in order to deliver high-quality nursing care. A cross-sectional design was employed to achieve the study objective, guided by the Expectancy Theory of Motivation. A total of 56 clinical nurses from health facilities in Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica, participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire on work motivation was used to collect data, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square, and binary regression. The significance level was set at 0.05 for hypothesis testing. The findings indicated that 66% of nurses were motivated to continue practicing nursing. However, 42.9% of respondents reported that their mental health and motivation were impacted by their work status, high workload, challenging work environment, patients' attitudes, lack of essential resources, staff shortage, and limited welfare activities. Additionally, 31.5% of nurses expressed that their work status and motivation affected their spiritual activities. Although the majority of participants reported feeling motivated, factors determining holistic motivation varied among individuals. Future studies should address this holistic motivation to enhance patient care and outcomes in nursing practice.

Keywords: Expectancy theory of motivation, holistic care, nursing practice, patient-centered care, quality of care