Caring from Islamic perspectives is not well versed in Eurocentric nursing literature. There is widespread misunderstanding of the concept and practice of Islam within the context of health care and nursing practice. The areas of contention, in the context of health care systems, are whether the western paradigm to nursing care and management are applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims in both Islamic and non-Islamic countries. What is lacking in some of the conceptual frameworks and models of care is not only the fundamental spiritual dimension of care, but also the significance of spiritual development of the individual towards healing. The focus of this paper is to provide an awareness of Islamic health practices, health behaviours, code of ethics and the framework of Islamic perspectives of caring and spirituality. A brief overview of the Muslim world, the historical development in caring and health and the pillars of the Islamic faith provide the context of the paper. The development of a model of care based on the Islamic perspective is suggested.

Alcohol, cocaine and cannabis are the substances most commonly abused in Brazil. There is limited evidence on the perceptions of undergraduate nursing students towards substance misuse. Negative attitudes, in combination with the lack of appropriate knowledge and skills, may result in minimal care provided to substance misusers. The aims of the study are to examine the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards substance misusers and consider the implications of these attitudes for nursing education. The Nurse Education in Alcohol and Drug Educational Faculty Survey (NEADA) questionnaire on knowledge and education, nursing interventions, attitudes and values was distributed to undergraduate nurses (n = 227) in the south and south-eastern part of Brazil. The findings showed that there is a lack of adequate education in drug and alcohol use and misuse, including competency skills, but the participants were positive about treatment interventions. A paradigm shift in nurse education curricula and further research studies on attitudes and values towards substance misuse should be on the educational agenda. These are challenges faced by nurses to meet the healthcare needs of substance misusers.

This is a descriptive study about the formation of nurses regarding to the drug phenomenon. It was conducted with last periods students of Nursing Schools from five Federal Educational Institutions in southern Brazil. It presents and discusses Nursing students attitudes and beliefs about care, when facing the drug phenomenon. The data collection happened from October 2003 to February 2004, with intentional sample constituted of 105 students. An instrument was applied to them, with a scale asking about nurses attitudes and beliefs regarding to alcoholism and drugs. The study showed that the students understand knowledge about the drug phenomenon as fundamental to the profession, and they incorporate the care of people involved with psychoactive substances, as nurses role. The study also showed clearly a disarticulation between theory and practice, course s contents centered on medical and moral models, and interpersonal communication difficulties.

The widespread use and misuse of alcohol, drug and other psychoactive substances are major health and social concerns that affect the lives of many. The social and health sequelae of psychoactive drugs and alcohol are preventable and manageable with minimal interventions. Nurses and other health workers can effectively respond to substance misuse problems and their existing generic skills can be easily adapted in working with substance misusers. This paper considers some of the issues such as the extent of the problem, attitudinal considerations, response to substance misusers and a brief outline of the role of the nurse. The urgent need for education and training in substance misuse and addictive behaviour for nurse practitioners is also addressed.

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Nurses are the prime movers in the prevention and harm reduction in alcohol-related harm especially for those patients who are unwilling to access specialist care. The aim of the study is to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of nursing students before and after Brief Intervention Training for alcohol problems. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 120 undergraduate nursing students. Sixty recruited students were randomized into experimental and control groups (n = 60 each). Participants completed questionnaires on knowledge and attitudes before and after this training of brief intervention. The brief intervention program, 16 hours of duration, includes training for screening and early recognition, nursing, and the treatment of alcohol problems. Analysis of the data showed statistically significant positive change in the nursing students' knowledge (identifications and care) and personal and professional attitudes in working with patients with alcohol problems after the educational intervention. The experimental group differed significantly in all the variables measured at posteducational program. The provision of educational program on brief intervention in undergraduate nursing education can be an effective way for acquisition of knowledge and changes in attitudes in working with patients with alcohol problems.