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Psychological burden is a central aspect of living with chronic cardiovascular disorders and profoundly affects how individuals experience and cope with fear, dependency and loss of control. Understanding these experiences is essential for delivering high-quality, holistic and person-centred care.
This study explored the experiences of psychological burden among individuals living with chronic cardiovascular disorders in a low- and middle-income context.
We conducted a qualitative descriptive study. Nineteen individuals were purposively recruited using maximum variation sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide between May and September 2024. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis software (MAXQDA).
The analysis of 19 interviews generated three overarching themes: (a) multifaceted disruption of life from acute onset to enduring dependency; (b) burden of existential fear and struggle for control; and (c) faith-based burden management: prayer, practice and spiritual resilience.
Individuals with chronic cardiovascular disorders experience a significant psychological burden, including sudden illness onset, dependency and existential fear, despite available treatment. Faith, family and community support serve as key sources of coping. The integration of psychological care, spiritual support and culturally sensitive interventions alongside biomedical management is essential for improving outcomes in low and middle-income countries.
Health care professionals should integrate psychological screening and counselling to address existential fears, social withdrawal and suppressed emotional expression among individuals with chronic cardiovascular disorders.
Patients with chronic cardiovascular disorders informed the design of the interview guide, participated in interviews and helped validate the interpretation of findings, ensuring that the study reflected their lived experiences.
This study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ).
To combine, synthesise, and interpret qualitative evidence from studies exploring the causes, immediate responses, and preventive measures of needle stick injuries from the perspective of healthcare workers.
In this qualitative evidence synthesis, the qualitative data from the included studies were synthesised to identify overarching themes. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis flowchart, Joanna Briggs Institute tool, and Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research checklist were used in the meta-synthesis process.
The MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, ProQuest, ClinicalKey and Scopus databases were searched between December 14 and December 31, 2024 for studies published between January 2000 and December 2024.
Nine primary research studies were included and the following themes were identified: unpredicted patient movement, casual attitude, recapping, excessive workload, scarcity of article or safety equipment, inadequate training or experience, vigilance, ongoing training, nurturing workplace culture, emotional response, re-living the injury and fear of reprimand.
Needle stick injuries result from a complex interplay of individual, administrative, engineering, and environmental factors, but there are potential solutions to address these issues.
Policymakers in healthcare settings would benefit greatly from an understanding of the causes, immediate responses, and preventive aspects of needle stick injuries. These findings can direct the creation of focused interventions and safety procedures by identifying important risk variables and useful coping mechanisms.
The causes, immediate responses, and preventive measures of needle stick injuries were explored. Findings can help develop protocols to lower needle stick injury rates and increase worker safety.
ENTREQ guidelines.
This research is a systematic review of published peer-reviewed studies.
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024620673.
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