African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2756-3332 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Curbing maternal and child mortality: The Nigerian experience

Ogunjimi Lucas Olusegun¹*, Ibe, Rosemary Thomas² and Ikorok Maria Micheal³

¹Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

²Department of Public Health Nursing, College of Health Technology, Calabar, Nigeria.

³Department of Physical and Health education, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 October, 2020

Abstract

The paper examined the unacceptably high maternal and child mortality in Africa using Nigeria as a case study. Place and duration of study were the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Calabar, and Department of Public Health Nursing, College of Health Technology, Calabar, Nigeria, between February, 2010 and April, 2011. The opportunity created by the presence of over 300 Nurses at the 2010 October 3rd to 8th, 8^th African Regional Conference organised by Nurses Christian Fellowship International (NCFI) in Ghana, was utilized to extensively compare notes and discuss salient issues contained in our reviewed work. Existing research works in prints and electronic among others were used in the search and collation of facts and figures contained in the study. Theme of the conference was: Reforming Nursing and Midwifery Care in Africa. Nigeria is the most populous Black Nation and has the maternal mortality rate of 280 to 1150 per 100,000 live births (Onwumere, 2010). Maternal and child mortality is closely linked to poverty with malnutrition as an underlying contributor in over half of these deaths. Factors associated with these problems include, poor socio-economic development, weak health care system and low socio-cultural barriers to care utilization (Ibeh, 2008). The persistent high rate of maternal and child mortality in the country negates the achievement of the 4th and 5th Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Nigeria, which constitutes just 1% of the world’s population, accounts for 10% of the world’s maternal and under-5 mortality rates. Factors associated with these problems include, poor socio-economic development, weak health care system and low socio-cultural barriers to care utilization. Key interventions identified for curbing these problems include, care during pregnancy, birth and post partum supports in addition to approved child survival intervention.

Key words: Curbing, maternal, child, mortality, Nigerian experience.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2756-3332 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Quality assurance package for health care in Nigeria: The case of Akwa Ibom State

Maria Michael Ikorok¹, Idongesit Ibanga Akapbio² and Lucas O. Ogunjimi³

¹Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

²Department of Nursing Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

³Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 October, 2020

Abstract

Persistent poor health care quality attributable to non-responsive alien models necessitated this study to develop quality assurance package (QAP) for health care in Nigeria with focus on Akwa Ibom State. Quality assurance index (QAI) was the instrument for data collection. A multi-stage random sample of 340 respondents was drawn from 840 health managers in primary health care settings in the state. The research and development (R&D) survey designed was used to develop the package through progressive steps such as: (a) Exploration and establishment of need for the package through library search; (b) determination of the elements (contents) for quality assurance; (c) preliminary validation of the elements; (d) empirical validation of the contents to determine the suitability; and (e) integral feedback mechanism. From the findings of the study, suitable elements for quality assurance identified were: the philosophy {(care should be at minimal risk to client (84.9%), care of benefit to client (79.5%), health worker should aim at best result as they demonstrate moral sense of duty (73.6%); workers should strive for best results (62.4%)}; objectives (giving consumers adequate information in tandem with local needs and exigencies (80.4%), continuous care innovations (67.6%), and safeguarding consumers’ satisfaction (76.6%); and measures for quality assurance (continuous education for health workers (87.2%), licensing all health care givers (83.5%), close supervision (79.8%), minimizing unjustified geo-variation of care (85.3%), reducing access barrier (79.4%), among others). The package was recommended for adoption for health care administration in the country.

Key words: Ikorok, healthcare quality assurance parameters.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2756-3332 Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Impacts of virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans isolates on the pathogenesis of acute vaginitis

Mohammed Sh. Jebur

Institute of Medical Technology, Foundation of Technical Education, Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 09 November, 2020

Abstract 

Streptococcus mutans, known to be an etiologic agent of dental caries, also causes infective endocarditis. Adherence of these bacteria results from the interaction of adhesions that form part of their structure with salivary components (or other body’s fluids), specifically those that compose the acquired pellicle. In the present study, acute vaginitis samples (vaginal swabs) were investigated from pregnant women patients who were admitted to many hospitals and maternal care centres in Baghdad city of Iraq. Ages of the women ranged from 20 to 30 years (only married women), while all samples were collected during March to July 2009. One hundred and fifty vaginal swabs were collected and cultured on blood agar plate, nutrient agar plates, chocolate agar plates and MacConkey agar plates, then incubated aerobically and anaerobically for 24 h at 37°C. Bacterial diagnosis were done according to macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical tests. The results of recent study showed that the prevalence of bacterial acute vaginitis of pregnant women indicated 18 (12%) as positive cases, while no growth was seen in the rest vaginal swabs (132, 88%). Results of bacterial isolation and identification showed that out of 18 isolates, only 8 (44.4%) isolates were diagnosed as S. mutans while other isolates were distributed to Staphylococcus epidermidis (8, 44.4%) isolates, Staphylococcus aureus (6, 33.3%) isolates, and 5 (27.7%) isolates each for Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus salivaris and Proteus spp. Results of blood hemolysis of S. mutans isolates as virulence factors showed that only two isolates (25%) have the ability to produce hemolycin enzyme, and noticed that four isolates (50%) of S.. mutans were had the ability to produce extracellular protease enzyme on Mg media. Results of antibiotics profile resistance of S. mutans isolates showed that all isolates (100%) were resistant to ampicillin and amoxcillin, whereas seven isolates had also shown resistance in a lesser degree (87.5%) to tetracycline and gentamycin and to cefotaxime (75%) and ciprofloxacin and to erythromycin (62.5%) while all isolates showed high sensitivity (100%) to amoxiclave, doxicyclin and ampiclox antibiotics. S. mutans isolates showed moderate prevalence in the distribution of pathogenic microorganism of acute vaginitis. These isolates had 25% ability of blood hemolysis, and 50% ability to produce protease enzyme. S. mutans vaginal isolates appeared highly (100%) sensitive to amoxiclave, doxicyclin and ampiclox antibiotics, but it had 100% resistance to synthetic penicillin (ampicillin and amoxcillin) and there were different susceptibility to the rest antibiotics used in the study.

Key words: Streptococcus mutans, virulence factors, antibiotics susceptibility.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2756-3332 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Risky sexual behaviour among undergraduates in Rivers State, Nigeria: A descriptive survey

Eunice O. Osuala¹, Oluebubechukwu A. Udi¹, Basil N. Ogbu¹ and Idang N. Ojong²

¹Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

²Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Accepted 03 January, 2021

Abstract 

The concern to explore risky sexual behaviour among youths has been on the increase in Nigeria following frequent reports of sexual abuse among young people. The aim of the survey is to determine the practice of risky sexual behaviour among students of tertiary institutions. Cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire adapted from World Health Organisation survey instrument to collect data on the practice of risky sexual behaviours among year one and year two Medical and Nursing undergraduate students at two tertiary institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 280 participants were randomly selected. Descriptive analysis and multiple regression was carried out using SPSS version 21.0, statistical significance was p value of ≤ 0.05. About 33.6% of the participants reported to have had sexual contact prior to this survey. About 14.9% of this number had first intercourse at age ≤15 while over 44% have ≤3 lifetime sexual partners. In addition, only 29.8% recently had intercourse in the last two to six months. Undergraduates engage in risky sexual behaviours and there is need for continuous and intensified public health strategies on health education and reproductive health services to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of undergraduate students.

Keywords: Risky sexual behaviours, practice, undergraduate students, youth, tertiary institutions.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2756-3332 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of shared kangaroo care on preterm infant twins’ cardiorespiratory, oxygenation and thermal responses

Amel M. Abouelfettoh¹* and Susan M. Ludington-Hoe²

¹King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, College of Nursing, Saudi Arabia.

²Pediatric Nursing, Frances Payne School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, USA.

Accepted 21 October, 2020

Abstract

Kangaroo Care (KC) is practiced in Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) rather frequently but predominantly with mothers of single infant. Mothers of twins often expressed a desire to do KC with their twins. Simultaneously holding both twins is called Shared Kangaroo Care (SKC). Two previous case studies of SKC could be found and have encouraged the practice of SKC prior to sufficient evidence of acceptable cardiorespiratory and thermal responses. The current study describes the effects of SKC on preterm twins’ cardio-respiratory and thermal responses to SKC and test the correlation between infant’s skin temperature and maternal breast temperature. Five triads were recruited. Thus, data from 10 infants and five mothers (5 triads) were collected. Infant Heart rate (HR), Respiratory rate (RR), infant oxygen saturation level (SaO₂), skin temperature and maternal right and left breast temperature were recorded every 30 s during a 5 min baseline (incubator) and during SKC holding period. Majority of infants tolerated SKC well. The Shared KC means for each vital sign did not appear to be clinically different than those obtained during baseline when infants were in separate incubators. The majority of breasts increased their temperature over the course of SKC. Maternal breast temperature means were positively, highly, and significantly correlated to infant skin temperature means during SKC. Further studies with a larger sample and controlled design are merited.

Key words: Twin, kangaroo care, cardio-respiratory, breast temperature.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2756-3332 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Higher nursing education reforms in High Medical School of Bitola by Bologna declaration

Elizabeta Popova-Ramova¹* and Anastasika Poposka²

¹Department of Physical Therapy and Nurse Education, University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Bitola, Republic of Macedonia.

²Orthopedic Clinic, Medical Faculty, Skopje, University “Ss Cyril and Methodius”, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

Accepted 19 September, 2020

Abstract

Nursing education in Europe and North America was reviewed, together with European Commission directives and regulations and pertinent World Health Organization documents. The new practical models for education are preferred. The aim of our research is to analyze the effect of education of nurses with faculty degree using one actual health activity. A total of 65 students in their third year of theoretical and practical courses were included. We made the evaluation before and after two months of the education. The analyses of the responses in the questionnaire showed a significant increase of the theoretical (p<0.05) and practical knowledge (p<0.01). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the education, it is necessary to choose an educational model that will offer reflexive information from the students. Choosing current medical topic and following the standards of prevention in treatment is one important segment of the health system in every country.

Key words: Education model, nursing practice, medical standards.