International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences最新文献

Aim

The goal of this study is to explore the factors that predict ICU readmissions and their correlations with readmissions that occur early and those that occur later. It evaluates various elements, including demographic information, clinical attributes, and variables related to treatment, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the risk factors influencing the timing of ICU readmissions.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study, utilizing electronic medical records, to pinpoint adult patients who were repeatedly admitted to the ICU between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Predictors of early and late ICU readmissions were evaluated, employing statistical analyses that involved logistic regression models.

Results

The study analyzed data from 136 ICU patients. Patients admitted from the emergency department exhibited 2.22 times higher odds of early readmission in comparison to those admitted from the ward (p-value = 0.044). However, no significant correlations were observed between gender and readmission, and univariate analyses demonstrated no noteworthy variances in age, APACHE II score at discharge, Braden score, and length of ICU stay with regard to the nature of readmission.

Conclusion

The findings from our study hold considerable implications for healthcare procedures and policies. These outcomes suggest that the source of ICU admission plays a pivotal role in foretelling early readmission, which could potentially influence patient care and administration. The correlation between the source of ICU admission and early readmissions accentuates the necessity for patient-centric care, especially for those admitted from the emergency department, who face heightened risks.

Background

WHO recommends three or more doses of intermittent preventive treatment of Malaria with Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) for pregnant women living in areas of moderate-to-high malaria transmission in Africa to protect them and their babies from severe risks by malaria. Despite this, the coverage of utilization of a minimum of three doses of the drug is still very low in Nigeria. This study assessed the knowledge and utilisation of IPTp-SP among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in public health facilities in Osogbo, Nigeria.

Methods

Descriptive cross-sectional was used, data were randomly collected from 549 respondents through a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square, and logistic regression were used for analysis.

Results

About half (49.4%) of the respondents had good overall knowledge of IPTp-SP, 72.2% took a minimum of one dose, and only 10.1 % took a minimum of three doses. Factors influencing the utilisation included drug affordability, SP shortage at the facility, and monitoring of pregnant women’s intake of SP. Logistic regression analysis indicated that pregnant women in primary and secondary healthcare settings were 2.4 times and 1.3 times respectively more likely to utilise IPTp than those in tertiary healthcare settings.

Conclusion and recommendation.

Almost half of the participants had good knowledge of IPTp-SP, only a few took four doses. Healthcare providers should organize IEC programmes to create more awareness among the public on the use and safety of SP in pregnancy. The government is to establish a mechanism to ensure a consistent supply of SP in all healthcare settings,

Background

Midwives providing care to a culturally diverse society must know and understand the important cultural practices for women receiving maternal care. On the part of the midwives, balancing an act of respecting cultural beliefs and practices while maintaining the professional standard of care is an art.

Objective

To explore and describe the experiences of women receiving maternal care regarding cultural practices and their perception about midwives providing maternal care.

Method

A phenomenological, qualitative and descriptive design approach was chosen for this study. Women receiving maternal care (antenatal and postpartum) within five public hospitals in the North West Province of South Africa, were purposively sampled. A total of fifty (n = 50) in-depth individual interviews, guided by an interview guide, were conducted in English or Setswana. The interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim followed by thematic analysis. The independent co-coder also conducted data analysis to enhance rigour.

Findings

Participants described specific self-care practices which are essential to them during the antenatal period. These included restricting movement and social activities, wearing loose clothing, not smoking and attending the antenatal clinic. Important cultural practices included consulting traditional healers for protection against evil spirits throughout the pregnancy journey. The cultural practices in the postnatal period involved using traditional medicines to protect the newborn as well.

Conclusion

The objective of this study was achieved as the women receiving maternal care were able to share their important cultural practices during antenatal care until postnatal period, they further revealed that their cultural practices are not allowed.

Background

Immediate newborn care interventions provided by midwives within 48 h of birth are invaluable in the reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this concept analysis is to clarify the meaning of immediate newborn care within 48 h of birth in relation to its attributes, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents.

Methods

Walker and Avant’s (2019) framework was used to analyze the concept. The framework consist of the following steps: selecting a concept; determining the aims of the analysis; identifying all the uses of the concept; identifying the defining attributes; identifying and constructing model, borderline, related and contrary cases; identifying antecedents and consequences; and finally defining empirical referents.

Results

The attributes of immediate newborn care are up to date knowledge, proficiency in skills, effective communication, willingness, responsibility, compassionate, honesty, commitment, resilience, touch and patience. The identified antecedents are availability of adequate midwives, pre-service and in-service training, availability of functioning equipment and supplies, regular supervision, follow up and mentorship. The consequences include: improved provider's performance, client/caretaker's satisfaction, provider's growth and satisfaction, and reduction in neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion

Immediate newborn care within 48 h helped in highlighting interventions that can be implemented immediately after child birth in order to reduce neonatal deaths.

Background

Testicular cancer represents a considerable health issue for young adults, including university students, yet there is a lack of specialized interventions targeting this demographic. Drawing from the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Social Support Strategy, an educational campaign seeks to empower male university students by providing them with information and encouraging proactive self-examination practices concerning testicular cancer.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of this educational intervention, utilizing the HBM and Social Support, in enhancing testicular cancer awareness and encouraging self-examination among male university students through a pioneering pre-post quasi-experimental study.

Methods

A pre-post quasi-experimental study engaged 350 university students from Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, KSA, over a period of five months, from June to October 2023. The intervention comprised seven training sessions, encompassing sociodemographic information, knowledge assessment, evaluation of the Health Belief Model (HBM), and an assessment of the social support strategy.

Results

Following the intervention, participants, with a mean age of 20.8 ± 13.5 years, exhibited significant improvements across various domains. These enhancements encompassed increased knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, recognized benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action, social support, and performance in Testicular Self-Examination.

Conclusion

The research underscores the effectiveness of an intervention grounded in Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and social support in cultivating preventive behaviours against testicular cancer among university students. This establishes a foundation for future educational interventions aimed at promoting awareness and proactive measures against testicular cancer within this demographic.

Recommendations

The study recommends implementing targeted campaigns that collaborate closely with healthcare professionals, utilize interactive platforms, and exhibit cultural sensitivity. It emphasizes the importance of regular follow-ups, public awareness initiatives, school-based programs, and ongoing adaptation based on emerging research as essential components of a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing the incidence of testicular cancer through behaviour modification.

Background

The incidence and prevalence of breast cancer continue to grow each year in sub-Saharan Africa. With limited access to diagnostic testing in this resource-limited area, clinical breast exams are a priority. Diversity in clinical breast exam skills contributes to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of breast cancer. Computer-based simulation improves clinical breast exam skills and has the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tactually accurate computer simulation on participants’ clinical breast exam competence, confidence, and intent to perform clinical breast exams in their practice.

Methods

This was a retrospective study design analyzing MammaCare® training data and web-based survey data from 34 healthcare providers, including midwives, nurses, physician assistants, and medical officers, employed at five clinics in Ghana.

Results

Participants demonstrated clinical breast exam skill competence. With each successive training module, the participants increased palpation coverage of breast tissue and decreased the number of false positive lumps identified as well as accurately identified true positive lumps. Participants reported increased confidence and intent to perform clinical breast exams and inquire about risk factors and symptoms patients may be experiencing.

Conclusions

Clinical breast exam skills training using tactually accurate computer simulation was effective and appropriate for practicing healthcare providers. The training may promote enhanced screening practices and early detection of breast cancer.

Background

Male breast cancer remains largely unfamiliar to students, the general public, and healthcare professionals. In stark contrast, female breast cancer, being more prevalent, has garnered significant awareness across various demographics.

Objective

This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes of male nursing students about male breast cancer and prevention measures.

Methods

A descriptive research design was employed for this study. The participant pool comprised 165 male nursing students enrolled in the nursing program at the College of Nursing, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University. Data collection involved utilizing a participant identification form and a questionnaire, encompassing three primary sections addressing sociodemographic data, knowledge, and attitudes of the participants regarding male breast cancer and ways of prevention.

Results

The study revealed that the total mean score for knowledge among the participants regarding male breast cancer was 19.03±4.414. Additionally, the total mean score for their attitudes toward male breast cancer was 29.8±6.041. The analysis indicated a highly statistically significant association between the total knowledge scores and total attitude scores of the participants (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a notable and statistically significant relationship between the educational level of the participants and their total attitude scores.

Conclusion

Male nursing students lacked understanding about male breast cancer and had a poor attitude toward it.

Recommendation

These results provide a starting point for the creation of evidence-based, gender-specific health promotion and disease prevention strategies for men, while more research with bigger samples is required. Also, this study makes a significant contribution to the creation of an effective program meant to increase high nursing students' awareness of breast cancer and strategies to support their loved ones in the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Introduction

Nurses play a crucial role in providing healthcare services in prisons and psychiatric hospitals in Kosovo. In Kosovo, there are ten prison facilities with a capacity of 2500 inmates. At those facilities there are ten Prison Health Units with six Medical Clinics and three medical stationeries. At every PHU, basic healthcare services are offered round-the-clock.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of nurses in providing healthcare services in prisons and psychiatric hospitals in Kosovo. The study aims to assess the workload and responsibilities of nurses and the quality of healthcare services they provide. Additionally, the study analyzes the management of health services in these institutions.

Methods

This study is based on statistical data from the Prison Health Service in Kosovo from 2013 to 2022. The study calculated statistical coefficients related to the number of nurses and healthcare staff per 1,000 prisoners.

Results

The study found that there were 10.09 nurses per 1,000 inmates in the 10 prison facilities in Kosovo, and the total number of medical staff per 1,000 inmates was 15.49. The ratio of physicians per 1,000 inmates was 3.05, indicating a relatively low number of physicians compared to nurses. The study also found a higher ratio of nursing staff to inmates, indicating more individualized attention and care.

Conclusions

The study concludes that nurses play a vital role in providing healthcare services in prisons and psychiatric hospitals in Kosovo. The study recommends hiring more physicians to improve the quality of healthcare services in prisons.

Background

Although healthcare personnel often face hazardous working conditions with potential exposures to a variety of toxic and infectious agents, adherence to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols is quite low. Proper utilization of PPE safeguards health care providers from hazardous working conditions and increases patients' safety. However, there is a shortage of relevant studies yet to address this gap, especially in sub-Saharan regions.

Objective

The objective of the study was to determine knowledge, attitude, and practice on personal protective equipment utilization among healthcare workers.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the participants selected using a simple random sampling technique. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the associated factors.

Result

The practice of PPE utilization was 78.2%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed educational status, marital status, overcrowding of the working department, and supply of PPE as independent predictors of KAP of PPE utilization.

Conclusion

Knowledge about PPE utilization was good; however, the practice of PPE utilization was low. Decreasing the workload of healthcare workers and improving PPE supply are demanded to boost the utilization of PPE.

The outcome of diabetes management depends on diabetes self-management practices, in which factors assisting or hindering self-care play an essential role. This study identified enablers and barriers to diabetes self-management in adults diagnosed with diabetes in Kenya. The adapted Kawa River model was applied to collect data during semi-structured group discussions (n = 6). Adults (n = 32) diagnosed with diabetes at two geographically distinct county hospitals were purposively selected. The integrated model of behaviour prediction formed the theoretical platform of the study, and data were deductively analysed according to the distal variables in the model. Thematic analysis identified specific categories as enablers and barriers to diabetes self-management. The duplicated categories are economic determinants, dietary factors, support networks, and emotional influences. Health and physical status were identified as additional barriers to diabetes self-management. Findings may be more widely applicable than the context of the presented study. Self-management in diabetes care plays a crucial role, more so due to the worldwide increase in the prevalence of diabetes.