Background of Study
The primary problem tackled in the mixed-methods study conducted by El-Hajj et al. (2021) is the phenomenon of correlation between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeD) and people’s predisposition to stroke. The present research presents an exceptional value to nursing, as it provides recipients with relevant data on the direct interrelation between one’s adherence to MeD and chances of stroke. Moreover, both quantitative and qualitative data collected for the study were interpreted in a comprehensive manner in order to be accessible to the general audience. The purpose of this study is to reduce the stroke prevalence among the Lebanese population in the long-term perspective. The objective of the study is “to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeD) and the risk of stroke in the Lebanese population” (El-Hajj et al., 2021, p. 1). The research question may be put as follows: “How does adherence to MeD affect the risk of stroke among the Lebanese population?”
The second study conducted by Wekesah et al. (2019) addresses the issue of perception of stroke risk factors among the Nairobi population. This qualitative study presents value to nursing because of its aim to bridge the communication gap between nurses and the general population and define the needs of the public health population. The purpose of the study is to increase the general population’s awareness of the stroke risk factors and promote a healthy lifestyle and nutrition. The objective of the study is to “explore the understanding of and perception towards cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors, and how they influence prevention and development of the conditions, care-seeking and adhering to treatment” (Wekesah et al., 2019, p. 1). The research question is as follows: “How does awareness of risk factors among the Nairobi population affect the prevention and development of cardiovascular diseases?”
How do these two articles support the nurse practice issue you chose?
The study conducted by El-Hajj et al. (2021) will be used in terms of the PICOT question outlined in order to justify the relevance of the intervention, as the study demonstrates that there is a significant difference between stroke and non-stroke patients in terms of adherence to MeD (p. 4). Moreover, both qualitative and quantitative questionnaires presented in the research may serve as a blueprint for the potential study. As far as the study by Wekesah et al. (2019) is concerned, the research will be used as a blueprint for gathering phenomenological data. Moreover, the findings of the study will be used to justify the need for nutrition education among the patients.
In the study conducted by El-Hajj et al. (2021), the sample comprised two major groups: stroke-case patients (205 participants) and stroke-free patients (445 participants) (p. 1). Hence, it may be outlined that the study groups are created on the basis of binary opposition, presenting a similarity between the intervention and comparison groups outlined in the PICOT question. However, in El-Hajj et al.’s (2021) research, there was no intervention as such, as the participants were interviewed about their socio-economic background and dietary habits. The study sample in the research by Wekesah et al. (2019) had no control group, and the population was divided into several similar focus groups of 6-8 people each, presenting no resemblance to the intervention outlined in the PICOT question.
Method of Study
The study by El-Hajj et al. (2021) is primarily a mixed-methods case-control study that uses both quantitative (surveys), and qualitative (interviews) approaches to collecting data in order to later provide an exhaustive and comprehensive interpretation of data (p. 2). On the contrary, the study by Wekesah et al. (2019) is a phenomenological qualitative study that uses a coding system to interpret data collected during semi-structured in-depth interviews with the participants. Hence, the primary difference between the approaches is the fact that while the first study aims at analyzing collective community data with the help of structured interview approaches, the second study places major emphasis on the individual experiences of the participants.
As far as the study by El-Hajj et al. (2021) is concerned, it should be outlined that a primary benefit of such an approach is the scope of the study, as structured communication with the patients allows for collecting more samples. However, the results of the research eventually depended mostly on the quantitative findings and did not account for the patients’ unique dietary experiences. When it comes to Wekesah et al.’s (2019) research, it is evident that a focus group discussion is an asset in terms of obtaining insights into the population’s perception of health. However, the sample of the study comprises only 65 people, and involving more people in the study may be a highly expensive endeavor in terms of transcribing and systematizing data.
Results of Study
Key findings of the study conducted by El-Hajj et al. (2021) state that there is a significant correlation between age, socio-economic status, education level, marital status, and dietary habits, and one’s predisposition for stroke. Non-stroke patients have a significantly better level of MeD adherence than stroke patients. The final argument outlined by the researchers states that “the higher the adherence to MeD, the lower the risk of stroke” (El-Hajj et al., 2021, p. 4). The findings of the study conducted by Wekesah et al. (2019) conclude that one’s socio-economic background contributes to their perception of health risk factors and conscious prevention. Moreover, it is stated that stress and contaminated foods are some of the most significant contributors to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the population (Wekesah et al., 2019, p. 8). There is a strong need to increase the population’s awareness of CVD preventive measures.
Both studies, although having major differences in terms of their design, are primarily created to promote the risk prevention rates among the population. For this reason, their implication for the nursing practice is the increase in the level of public health education conducted by nurses on the matter of healthy diet as means of CVD prevention and stroke risk reduction.
Ethical Considerations
The two primary ethical considerations in conducting research are consent and impartiality. The first consideration concerns the participants’ agreement and awareness when sharing sensitive data with the authors of the research. In order to secure consent on data processing, it is imperative to obtain either oral or written agreement on the participant’s part. The second consideration deals with the objectivity of data processing, as frequently, authors willing to justify a certain hypothesis alter the primary data in order to achieve desirable outcomes. To eliminate such a risk, the research is to be reviewed by impartial parties.
In the study conducted by El-Hajj et al. (2021), all the patients were informed about the study intentions and actions plan prior to conducting the interview. Thus, all the participants agreed to share the data, but the consent was oral (El-Hajj et al., 2021, p. 2). As far as the other study is concerned, the procedure was similar except for the fact that the consent was written (Wekesah et al., 2019, p. 2). This study was also reviewed on the matter of ethical approval by the Kenia Medical Research Institute (Wekesah et al., 2019, p. 9). No such information is indicated in the first article.
References
El-Hajj, M., Salameh, P., Rachidi, S., Al-Hajje, A., & Hosseini, H. (2021). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet decreases the risk of stroke in the Lebanese population: a case-control study.Pharmacy Practice (Granada), 19(1), 1-7.
Wekesah, F. M., Kyobutungi, C., Grobbee, D. E., & Klipstein-Grobusch, K. (2019). Understanding of and perceptions towards cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors: a qualitative study among residents of urban informal settings in Nairobi. BMJ Open, 9(6), 1-9.