African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Assessing the effects of industrial unrest on Ghana health service: A case study of nurses at Korle-Bu teaching hospital

Gerald Dapaah Gyamfi

Institute of Professional Studies, Faculty of Management, P.O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra, Ghana. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 00233-242-874208.

Accepted 06 January, 2019

Abstract

This paper assessed the effects of industrial unrest from the perspectives of a cross-section of fifty nurses and patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana in West Africa, spanning the period of 2004 to 2008. The deductive study was based on descriptive analyses of statistical data gathered from the data subjects, who were randomly selected. The study revealed that strikes by the nurses in Ghana sent signals to the international community about workers’ unrest in Ghana and increased the national and household expenditure. It also revealed that when the nurses went on strike the health of the patients deteriorated which brought about reduction in the revenue generation of the economy of Ghana. The study recommended that to reduce the frequency of nurses industrial unrests and its impact on Ghana, the Government should take steps to reduce the high wage disparity among the health workers, educate the nurses on the repercussions of their strike actions on patients, put in place crises interventions committee at the hospitals and provide special rewards for the night services of nurses.

Key words: Strike action, ADHA, KBTH.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Helpless patients’ satisfaction with quality of nursing care in Federal tertiary hospitals, Enugu, Southeast, Nigeria

Ehiemere Ijeoma O.¹*, Nwaneri Ada¹, Iheanacho Peace¹ and Akpati V.²

¹Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.

²Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 January, 2019

Abstract

The satisfaction of patients with the care they receive from healthcare providers has become one of the most important approaches to the measurement of the quality of care in recent times as against the predominantly clinical and administrative approaches. This is because patients’ satisfaction could serve as index for compliance and non-compliance with care regimen. The study was to determine helpless patients’ satisfaction with quality of care received at tertiary hospitals in Enugu. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. A total population of 105 helpless patients (those that need assistance with the activities of daily living) were studied. Tools for data collection were questionnaire and interview guide. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that helpless patients were satisfied with physical and psychological care but satisfaction with spiritual care was marginal. Nurses seemed to lack skills for meeting spiritual needs of the patients. Patients’ satisfaction with nurses attitude was marginally positive. The study showed that there was need for improvement in the care nurses provide for helpless patients in the spiritual dimension. Opportunities for continuing education programme in spiritual care and in interpersonal relationship need to be addressed.

Key words: Helpless patients, satisfaction, quality, nursing care, tertiary hospitals.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of nurses' characteristics and education on their attitudes towards death and dying: A review of literature

Khaled Abdallah Khader¹, Samiha Suhail Jarrah² and Jafar Alasad³*

¹Education coordinator, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.

²Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Applied Science Private University, Jordan.

³College of Nursing, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (MC 3105), P. O. Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 10 October, 2018

Abstract

Nurses working in cancer centers deal frequently with the phenomenon of death and dying during the daily care of patients. Their demographic and experiential characteristics and previous educational background can shape their attitudes toward care for dying patients. To review relevant literature related to nursing care at the end of life and nurses’ attitudes towards death and dying, a literature search was conducted utilizing Medline, Elton B Stephens Company, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. The descriptor words were: death, dying, death experience, nursing, palliative care, attitudes, attitudes toward care of the dying, attitude change, and end-of-life. The review showed that certain standardized education programs, like end of life nursing education consortium, can change nurses' attitudes toward death and dying. By using several education methods, including role playing, case studies, reflection and open discussion, such programs help nurses reflect on their emotions and cope with the scene and thoughts of death and dying. Moreover, for change to occur, adequate duration of education is necessary. End of life education is vital for nursing curricula and in-service education to improve nurses' attitude toward death and dying and consequently improve quality of nursing care of dying patients.

Key words: Death, near-death experience, nursing care, palliative care, end-of-life, attitude to death, education.

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.