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The aim of this study was to explore the perception of male nursing students' experiences and challenges in maternity clinical practice. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. The self-administered questionnaire included 18 items 5-point Likert scale to identify the challenges experienced by male nursing students in their maternity clinical practice, and 14 items to assess comfort level in performing procedures in maternity clinical areas. Participants were 93 male nursing students who had completed their maternity clinical posting in different maternity clinical areas as a part of their nursing program, at the College of Nursing, Kuwait. Results showed that male nursing students are not very keen on undergoing maternity clinical training (Chi-square analysis χ 2 = 96.939; P < 0.001). Participants are concerned that they will not be accepted to provide care to maternity clients because of the gender difference and prevailing cultural scenario. Out of the 93 participants, the majority 77 (82.8%) reported that they were treated differently at the maternity unit because of their gender. Chi-square analysis showed that male nursing students were not comfortable performing procedures involving exposure to private parts (χ 2 = 108.638; P < 0.001). 35.5% of participants were refused by the maternity clients to provide them care. Out of 60 (64.5%) participants who were not refused to provide nursing care to obstetric clients, 49 (52.7% of the total) decided not to work in maternity areas. These results indicate that male nursing graduates prefer not to work in maternity areas (McNemer's test χ 2 = 5.297; P = 0.021). In conclusion, this study showed that being treated differently and being refused to provide care to clients were the main challenges faced by male nursing students during their maternity practice. The participants had a strong belief that they will not be accepted by maternity clients because of the gender difference and cultural influence. There is a need to design strategies in both academic and clinical How to cite this paper:

Background: Nurses continue to reiterate that their professionals and students who smoke are potential barriers to smoking cessation interventions. Over four decades of numerous evidence based studies, and the debate still continues as to the best prevention and smoking cessation interventions for nursing professionals and students. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of tobacco use among students in College of Nursing, Kuwait and evaluate the best tobacco cessation intervention. Method: This was a cross sectional survey of 253 (82 males and 171 females) students using 50-item self-administered questionnaire in Arabic. Also, 25 faculty members were interviewed. Results: The prevalence of cigarette and shisha smoking were 18.2%, and 24.9% among male and female students respectively. Seventy seven percent male and 76% female smokers claimed they were initiated into tobacco use from an early age. College of Nursing curriculum adequately covers hazards of tobacco products and quitting interventions and was confirmed by 93% female and 80.8% male participants. Conclusion: Study hypothesis was confirmed. Despite adequate information and training, students still smoke tobacco, because of early age initiation by family and friends as a way of socializing. Recommendations: Dangers of cigarette and shisha smoking should be introduced in primary schools. Nursing institutions should have smoking cessation clinics on campus and offer student nurses who are active smokers, help to cease smoking. Directions for future research should include cultural aspect of shisha smoking and genetic links of nicotine addiction.

Background: Smoking cessation involves changing of unhealthy smoking habit which accounts for 63% of global deaths. This study was in response to the United Nations General Assembly Global Forum for Noncommunicable Disease's invitation to nurse researchers to evaluate smoking cessation interventions for their students. Objective: To evaluate "Tobaccofree campus initiative" combined with tobacco cessation interventions as quitting model for student nurses. Methods: This was the second part of a multi-phase study which involved a series of 'No-smoking' campaigns, enforced tobaccofree campus initiative, mandatory weekly monitoring of biological health indicators and biochemical feedback using expiratory carbon monoxide (CO) levels for 36 real cigarette and shisha smokers. The quasi-experiment lasted 10 weeks. Participants' data on tobacco use, quit attempts and self-efficacy (SE) were collected using a 25-item bilingual questionnaire. Counseling and smoking cessation aids for their choice were offered. Results: All the participants lived with their families and 70% of the families smoked cigarette and/or shisha. Previous quit attempts were statistically higher in males than females, 47.2% versus 13.9 % and (U=76.00, P= 0.007). High SE to quit was 36% and the quit rate for the last 4 weeks was 13.9%. Biological health indicators of participants such as pulse rate and systolic blood pressure improved as a result of cessation interventions. Conclusion: CO monitoring followed by counseling were effective smoking cessation interventions.