Nursing workforce characteristics and effect on life expectancy and under-five mortality in the ASEAN

To assess the effects of the nursing workforce and advanced nursing practice on the outcomes of patients and life expectancy, including mortality rates of under-five children in Cambodia, and to develop policy recommendations to increase the influence of the nursing workforce.

In low-middle-income nations, life expectancy and under-five mortality are important measures of public health. However, there is still a dearth of literature related to the nursing workforce in Southeast Asia.

The authors retrieved the data from the World Nursing Report produced by the World Health Organization 2020 for 10 member states. The transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis checklist has guided this study. The univariate linear regression model was applied to categorize the potential predictors for each outcome assessment. In addition, the Spearman rank correlation test was selected to assess the potential predictors, and a multivariate statistical analysis was carried out for each of the five outcomes.

According to the study's findings, nurse density and advanced practice nursing improve both female and male life expectancy. The existence of advanced nursing roles is associated with decreased under-five mortality.

There are great opportunities to improve the nursing workforce within Cambodia and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to increase patient outcomes. Investment in nursing is essential for improved patient outcomes.

Health policy investments in these projects and future initiatives intended to advance nurse density, education, and practice are based on this study's results. Policy initiatives should focus on increasing density because nursing appears to impact life expectancy and other outcomes.