African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Beliefs of patients about the causes of Tuberculosis in rural Andhra Pradesh

Bojja Venkatraju* and Sheela Prasad

Centre for Regional Studies, University of Hyderabad, Gacchibowli, Hyderabad, 00046. Andhra Pradesh, India.

Accepted 26 October, 2018

Abstract

This paper explores the beliefs concerning cause of tuberculosis (TB) in Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh (A.P.). Health care professionals primarily attribute TB causation to germs such as bacteria. However, patients with TB described the causation of their disease in multiple ways that differ significantly from that of health professionals. Results indicate that causation beliefs held by TB patients can be grouped into two broad categories: (1) natural and (2) supernatural origin. Despite the tremendous progress made in understanding TB causation, study results demonstrate the continued existence of folk theories of disease causation. For example, attributing TB disease to sin, wrath of deities, witchcraft, evil eye, fate, imbalance in hot-cold qualities in the body, bad blood, etc., are still evident in the study population. The study results also suggest that mind, body, spirit and other issues of social life are interconnected and disruptions in any one aspect can affect the health of an individual. Some of the implications of the findings of study for creating awareness about TB causation and transmission are discussed. The study argues that modern medicine has to engage with socio-cultural beliefs and practices of communities for TB treatment to be effective.

Key words: Hot-cold imbalance, witchcraft, natural origin, evil eye, explanatory model.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Relationship between levels of burnout of midwives who work in Sivas, Turkey province center and identified socio-demographic characteristics

Ozgur Alparslan¹* and Gulbahtiyar Doganer

Midwifery Department, Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Turkey.

Accepted 23 September, 2018

Abstract

This study was conducted for the purpose of investigating the relationship between some burnout-related socio-demographic and professional variables and level of burnout of midwives working as health care workers. Burnout is a prolonged response to chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors on the job and is defined by the three dimensions of exhaustion, cynicism and inefficacy. It a special significance in health care where staff experience both psychological-emotional and physical stress. Measuring burnout among midwives is important because their well- being has implications for stability in the healthcare workforce and for the quality of care provided. This research, planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The population was the 257 midwives who work in Sivas, Eastern Turkey province center. There were 110 of these midwives who did not want to participate in the study or were on maternity or vacation leave and were, therefore, not included in the study, leaving 147 midwives who were included in the sample. The research data were collected on a 28-item questionnaire prepared from information in related literature and the Maslach Burnout Inventory which were administered using interview technique. The data obtained were analyzed in the computer with Variance Analysis, Kruskal Wallis and Tukey tests. Midwives’ level of burnout was moderate. Age, marital status, number of children, work area and work schedule were not found to have an effect on the midwives©burnout. However midwives who had not willingly chosen the profession, who stated that they worked in the profession for economic reasons, who were not pleased with working in their profession had higher mean scores for levels of emotional burnout and depersonalization and a lower mean score for personal accomplishment (p < 0.05) . According to the research results some socio-demographic characteristics of midwives (personal characteristics, place of employment, work schedule, length of employment, school from which graduated) had an effect on burnout.

Key words: Midwifery, socio-demographic characteristics, Maslach Burnout Inventory, burnout level.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Adult sickle cell diseased patients’ knowledge and attitude toward the preventive measures of sickle cell disease crisis

Dihya Ebrahim Jaffer*, Fatima Khairallh Amrallah, Khadija Mohammed Ali, Nafeesa Abdulla Mohammed, Ridha Abdulla Hasan and Zainab Mahdi Humood

Ministry of Health Intensive Care Unit (Ward 205), P.O. BOX 12, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Accepted 09 November, 2018

Abstract

Sickle cell crisis is preventable most of the times. However, in Bahrain sickling crisis is the most complained and cause of hospital admission. No data is available regarding the extent of knowledge and attitudes towards the sickling crisis’s preventive measures the adult Bahraini sickle cell patients have. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of knowledge and attitude of Bahraini adult sickle cell patients towards the preventive measures of sickle cell crisis. The objective is to establish baseline data and to utilize the findings in designing awareness programs that would assist the sickle cell patients to prevent the sickling crisis. A convenient sample of 84 Bahraini adult sickle cell patients achieved. Structured interview approach was used to assess the subjects©knowledge and attitudes toward the preventives measures of sickle cell crisis. The results indicated that the sample was moderately knowledgeable about the sickling preventive measures (Mean of Knowledge score = 55%) and moderately compliant (Mean of Attitudes score = 63%). The subjects© knowledge (about the preventive measures) was found to be moderately and positively correlated (r = 0.57, r2 = 0.32, p = 0.000) with their attitudes toward crisis prevention. Designing awareness programs regarding the preventive measures of sickle cell crisis is an evident need for these patients.

Key words: Sickle cell disease (SCD), sickle cell trait (SCT), sickle cell disease crisis, sickling crisis, Vaso-occlusion crisis (VOC), knowledge, attitude, preventive measures of crisis.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Perceived positive effects of illness following acute myocardial infarction

Parkhideh Hassani¹*, Ardeshir Afrasiabifar², Masoude Fallahi Khoshknab³ and Farideh Yaqhmaei⁴

¹Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

²Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Academic Staff Member, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.

³University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Nursing, Tehran, Iran.

⁴Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Accepted 10 October, 2018

Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a traumatic health event in most patients' lives and their families. Posttraumatic responses to life-threatening events are not necessarily negative rather they may result in positive changes. The negative psychological reactions following myocardial infarction are well documented; however, little attention was paid to the positive effects of the illness. The aim of this study was to explore the perceived positive changes following acute myocardial infarction. This report is part of a larger grounded theory study. Eighteen patients, 4 women and 14 men with first time myocardial infarction ranging in age from 45 - 78 years participated in this study based on purposive and theoretical sampling. Data collection included semi-structured interviews. Strauss and Corbin approach (1998) was chosen for data analysis. The findings show that patients attribute positive meanings to their illness with one or more positive effects. The positive effects of illness following an acute heart attack were categorized as healthy lifestyle, appreciating of life/health, and improved social/interpersonal relationships. Based on the meanings attributed to their illness by the patients, there may be positive changes to enhance better health outcomes. Some implications were discussed.

Key words: Benefit finding, grounded theory, positive effect, posttraumatic growth, myocardial infarction.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparison of the effectiveness of vitamin C vaginal tablet with metronidazole vaginal gel in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis

Abbaspoor Zahra¹*, Goodarzy Fateme² and Abbaspoor MohamadReza³

¹Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahwaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran.

²  Bandar Abbas Medical Sciences University, Minab Health Center, Iran.

³Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahwaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran.

Accepted 22 September, 2018

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis is a change of vaginal flora in which the normal lactobacilli flora is replaced by an overgrowth of Gardnerella vaginalis and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal infection in women during their reproductive age. The relationship between bacterial vaginosis and increase of vaginal pH is suggested by the use of intravaginal acidification substances as a way for normalization of vaginal flora and treatment of bacterial vaginosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of vitamin C vaginal tablet and metronidazole vaginal gel in treatment of bacterial vaginosis in patient referring to Ahwaz Amir Al Momenin hospital in Ahwaz city, Iran. In this randomized clinical trial 60 non-pregnant women aged between 15 - 45 years with confirmed diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis by Amsel criteria were randomly assigned to receive either 250 mg vitamin C tablet via vaginal route once daily for 6 days (n = 30) or 5 gm of 0.75% vaginal gel metronidazole once daily for 5 days (n = 30). The results of both groups compared for demographic characteristic, contraceptive and education level. The cure rate evaluated in both groups after two (1st and 2nd weeks) follow up visits. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics, χ² and Fisher’s exact test performed. The study shows that cure rate after 1 week in vitamin C vaginal tablet group was 76.7% and in metronidazole vaginal gel group was 80% and after 2 weeks, cure rate was 9.5 and 5% respectively. Vitamin C vaginal tablet 250 mg is as effective as metronidazole vaginal gel for treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

Key words: Bacterial vaginosis, vitamin C, metronidazole.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Knowledge of diabetes management and control by diabetic patients at Federal Medical Center Umuahia Abia State, Nigeria

Okolie, V. Uchenna¹*, Ehiemere, O. Ijeoma¹, Iheanacho, N. Peace¹ and Kalu-Igwe I. Ngozi²

¹Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.

²School of Nursing Amachara Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 October, 2018

Abstract

This survey was undertaken to assess knowledge of diabetes management and control techniques on diabetic patients attending Federal Medical Center, Umuahia and Abia States, Nigeria. A descriptive research design was used for the study and a sample of 96 patients was used. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using percentages. The major findings showed that 80.2% knew what diabetes is, its signs and symptoms and complications. However, over 75.0% of the subjects did not know the major causes of diabetes. On knowledge of management of diabetes, 88.5 and 74.0% did not know how to avoid complications and prevent/control diabetes respectively. More than two- thirds of the respondents did not know how to take care of themselves in terms of testing their urine and types of food to eat. Majority of them stated that they did not receive any organized education/counseling on diabetes; rather, the health care providers were regimentally prescribing appropriate nutritional and pharmacological treatment for them. It is recommended there-fore, that a well-organized and equipped diabetic clinic be established and an educational and counseling programme conducted by nurses once a week to improve the patients’ self-care measures in management of diabetes.

Key words: Diabetes, diabetes knowledge and control, health education, self-care management.