Exploring the Need and Potential Role for School Nurses in Saudi Arabian Schools
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Exploring the Need and Potential Role for School Nurses in Saudi Arabian Schools by Hebah Alqallaf Bachelor of Science Nursing , King Saud University, 2009 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education © Hebah Alqallaf, 2016 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means,without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Exploring the Need and Potential Role for School Nurses in Saudi Arabian Schools by Hebah Alqallaf Bachelor degree of Nursing, King Saud University, 2009 Supervisory Committee Dr. Patti-Jean Naylor, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education Supervisor Dr. Sandra Gibbons, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education Departmental Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. Patti-Jean Naylor, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education Supervisor Dr. Sandra Gibbons, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education Departmental Member The purpose of this study was to explore the need for school nurses in the Saudi school system and to explore the current role of nurses in school health education and health promotion in Saudi Arabia. The study used a qualitative approach that was guided by implementation literature. Fifteen participants (8 nursing students; 4 nursing faculty members; 3 nurses) answered open-ended questions and participated in semi-structured interviews. From the findings, three themes emerged to identify the current role of nurses in Saudi Arabian school: “Health educator”, “Health promoter”, and “Liaison with community”. Four themes were identified based on the potential role of nurses in Saudi Arabian schools: “Leadership role”, “Care provider role”, “Educator role”, and “Liaison with community”. Five themes were identified based on facilitators and barriers to providing health and physical education in Saudi schools: “University and college level support”, “School health services”, “Governmental support”, “Lack of cultural approval”, and “Demand for nurses exceeds supply”. This study contributes to our understanding of what are the current and potential roles of nurses in Saudi Arabian schools, are nursing students currently prepared to provide health education and promotion to school staff and students, and what facilitators and barriers exist for nursing to provide health education and promotion in Saudi schools. This information can contribute to decision-making processes, formulation of necessary legislation, and government measures towards the implementation of school nursing and physical education, particularly in girls’ schools in Saudi Arabia, so as to maximize health and wellness in the Saudi community. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee .................................................................................................. ii Abstract ........................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... iv List of Tables .................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................ vii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... viii Dedication ....................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 10 Research question ....................................................................................................... 10 Operational Definitions ............................................................................................... 10 Chapter2: Review of Literature ................................................................................... 13 Children’s health ......................................................................................................... 14 Public health ................................................................................................................ 18 Schools: an important setting for children’s health .................................................... 23 Education system in Saudi Arabia .............................................................................. 26 Comprehensive school health approach ...................................................................... 28 Research on comprehensive school health .................................................................. 32 School health service is a key component within CSH models .................................. 36 School nurse is a major player providing school health services ............................... 38 Nursing profession in Saudi Arabia ............................................................................ 42 Best health delivery- school nurses ............................................................................. 45 Chapter 3: Method ........................................................................................................ 48 Design ......................................................................................................................... 48 Participant selection and recruitment .......................................................................... 49 Data collection ............................................................................................................ 51 Data analysis ............................................................................................................... 52 Chapter 4: Results ......................................................................................................... 56 Current role of nurses in Saudi Arabian school .............................................................. 56 Theme 1: Nurse’s role as health educator ................................................................... 57 Theme 2: Nurse’s role as health promoter .................................................................. 60 Theme 3: Nurse’s role as liaison with community health services ............................. 61 Potential role of nurses in Saudi Arabian school ............................................................ 62 Theme 1: Leadership role ........................................................................................... 64 Theme 2: Care provider role ....................................................................................... 67 Theme 3: Educator role ............................................................................................... 70 Theme 4: Liaison with the community ....................................................................... 73 Facilitators and Barriers .................................................................................................. 75 Theme 1: University and college level support .......................................................... 77 Theme 2: School health services ................................................................................. 79 Theme 3: Governmental support ................................................................................. 81 Theme 4: Lack of cultural approval ............................................................................ 87 Theme 5: Demand for nurses exceeds supply ............................................................. 89 v Question five responses ................................................................................................. 90 Chapter 5: Discussion ................................................................................................... 92 Current role of nurses in Saudi Arabian school .............................................................. 93 Theme 1: Nurse’s role as health educator ................................................................... 93 Theme 2: Nurse’s role as health promoter .................................................................. 94 Theme 3: Nurse’s role as liaison with community health services ............................. 95 Potential role of nurses in Saudi Arabian school ............................................................ 97 Theme 1: Leadership role ........................................................................................... 97 Theme 2: Care provider role ....................................................................................... 99 Theme 3: Educator role ............................................................................................. 101 Theme 4: Liaison with the community ..................................................................... 105 Facilitators and barriers ................................................................................................. 106 Theme 1: University and college level support ........................................................ 106 Theme 2: School health services ..............................................................................