African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 736-747, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Coping strategies of pregnant and parenting teenagers in Zambia

*Mumba Lombe¹, Lungu Phiri², Mwale Mampi² and Elidah Liato

¹Department of Women and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kabwe, Zambia.

²Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Mukuba University, Kitwe, Zambia.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 04 July, 2016

Abstract

Pregnant and parenting teenagers have needs that are unique to the developmental stages of adolescence in addition to the needs common to all pregnant women. The study investigated the experiences, needs and coping strategies of pregnant and parenting teenagers. The study utilized a phenomenological approach, where in-depth interviews with pregnant and parenting teenagers were conducted to get an insight into their experiences, needs and coping strategies. Participants were purposively selected. A sample size was 27 participants which was determined using data saturation principle. Three themes emerged on the experiences of teenage pregnancy and parenting including, abandonment and rejection, loss of parental support and burden of being pregnant or being a parent, while three broad needs were identified; information about HIV status, physical materials for the unborn or new born baby and mother, and the desire to go back to school for those who fall pregnant while schooling. Both adaptive and maladaptive strategies were identified as a means for coping including, avoidance of negativity, support from parents, relatives and partner, repentance and dependence on God, focusing on own and the child’s future, and denial of pregnancy or motherhood. It was concluded that pregnant and parenting teenagers undergo diverse negative experiences, while negotiating the transition from teenage hood to adulthood and motherhood amidst unmet teenage and pregnancy related needs. As a means to cope with the negativity and live within circumstances of unmet teenage and motherhood needs, coping strategies are required.

Keywords: Experiences, needs, coping strategies, teenage pregnancy, parenting.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 727-735, June, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the effect of heat application on relieving dysmenorrheal pain among young females

*Khalil Ouda¹, Sameh Latif² and Tayea Nabil²

¹Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Al Fayoum, Egypt.

²Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Banha University, Banha, Egypt.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 12 July, 2016

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhoea is considered the most common gynaecologic disorder among young females. Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful and difficult menstrual flow in the absence of any pelvic disorders. The study was carried out to examine the effect of heat application on relieving pain of primary dysmenorrea, examine the effect of stretching and core strengthening exercises on relieving pain of primary dysmenorrhea, compare between heat application and stretching and core strengthening exercises on relieving pain of primary dysmenorrhea among young females. Quasi experimental design (randomized controlled trial design) was used to conduct this study. The subjects included in the study were between 18-25 years with primary dysmenorrhea selected from female girls at faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University. Three tools were used in this study; tool one: interviewing questionnaire which include; socio-demographic data, menstrual history. Tool two; assessment of dysmenorrheal symptoms. Tool three; the numeric pain rating scale (NRS) assessing pain of dysmenorrhea before and after intervention. Simple random sample was used to select the participants of this study, total sample was 150 females. There was no statistical significance difference between the three studied groups regarding pain scores before intervention but there was a highly statistical significance difference between them after intervention (after use in the same menstrual cycle, second cycle and after third cycle ( p=<0.001**, <0.001** and<0.001**) respectively. Stretching and core strengthening exercises (Group B) was more effective in reducing pain of dysmenorrhea as compared with heat application (Group A). Heat application and stretching and core strengthening exercises help in decreasing the intensity of pain of dysmenorrhea in group A and B than group C (control group). Stretching and core strengthening exercises was more effective in reducing pain of dysmenorrhea than heat application. Health education of young female girls about the importance of the use of heat application and physical exercises to relieve pain of primary dysmenorrheal is recommended.

Keywords: Menstrual cycle, primary dysmenorrhea, pain score, heat application, stretching and core strengthening exercises.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 721-726, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the management of sickle-cell patients in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

*Philip Nduka¹, Emeka Ogwude¹ and Umahi Obi²

^*1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia, Nigeria.

²Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 July, 2016

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia is a progressive hemoglobinopathy producing chronic hemolytic anemia, microvascular thrombosis, ischemic pain, tissue infarction, decreased quality of life, shortened life expectancy. The study evaluated health profiles of sickle-cell anaemia (SCA) patients. This simple random cross-sectional survey sampled 68 subjects undertaking treatment at the Sickle-Cell Clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla between January to December, 2010; using an adapted and modified questionnaire which also used Visual Analogue scale to assess the pain levels. After which, data collected were analysed decriptively. 30(44%) and 38(56%) subjects were males and females respectively. 13(19.0%) SCD patients within <1-5years were most frequently treated and 2(2.9%) of 31-35 & >45years-the least. Prevalence of pain occurred among the entire 68 SCA patients. Pain provocative factors include Stress 53 (77.9%), Sitting 4(5.9%), and cold 2 (2.9%). 62 (91.2%) respondents reported direct proportional relationship between pain and Activities of Daily Living; with complications in all patients. Experts’ management involved 68(100%) haematologist and 9 (13.2%) physiotherapists. Patients’ percception of pain relief recorded 61(89.7%) temporal; anger and depression respectively recorded 1 (1.5%) post-treatment; and non in 5 (7.4%). Conclusively, pain perception was an important psychologic and therapeutics factor for the patients wellbeing post-treatment. However, SCA patients’ pain management required qualitative and clinical evidence-based multiagency healthcare services approach especially physiotherapy.

Keywords: Profiles, pain perceptions, management, sickle-cell patients, multiagency healthcare approach, Southeast and Nigeria.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 713-720, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Pregnant women’s experiences with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) at a hospital in Accra, Ghana

*Henry Kwame, Daniel Appiah and Adongo Amewu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 July, 2016

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe pregnant women’s experiences of acquiring and living with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) at a hospital in Accra, Ghana. Background: In the past 20 years, the prevalence of GDM has increased dramatically. The impact of being diagnosed with GDM, such as developing medical complications and associated lifestyle changes, has rarely been investigated in low to middle income countries. Methods: The descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Ten pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were recruited. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. Findings: The findings indicated that participants had challenges with life style modifications. Managing GDM affected their psychological wellbeing. They feared that they could develop Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; others felt it had spiritual connotations. The participants found the support of family, friends and medical staff to be helpful. We believe that hearing the experiences of participants living with GDM will help medical personnel to render the care and advice needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome. The findings of this research are adding to existing knowledge and form a basis for further research. It potentially can inform policies related to patient education.

Keywords: Experiences, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Lifestyle modifications, Psychological and Social experiences.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 689-694, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Willingness of women to utilize post natal care services in Edu L.G.A of Kwara State, Nigeria

*Abubakar Kunle¹, Akanbi Lawal² and Salihu Rashidi²

¹Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kogi State University Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.

²Department of Nursing, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 October, 2016

Abstract 

This study determines the knowledge and utilization of post natal care services in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Two objectives were set, the corresponding research questions were answered and a hypothesis was tested in this study. This study adopted descriptive research design using researcher’s developed questionnaire as instrument for data collection. A split-half test of reliability was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. Four hundred and eighty women were purposively sampled for the study. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and mean percentages to answer research questions. The inferential statistics of Chi-square was used to test null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings show that women of childbearing age knowledge about postnatal care services was very high, but women showed poor willingness to utilization of post natal care services in Edu Local Government Area. This study recommended that Edu LGA health unit, Kwara State and Federal ministries of health and Non-governmental Organizations should strengthen the health education intervention programmes on the promotion of post natal visits and to improve the maternal health awareness on the significant of post natal care services utilization in the existing primary health care centres.

Keywords: Knowledge, Edu Local Government Area, Knowledge and utilization, Post natal care services, Post natal visit, Women of childbearing age, Maternal health services.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 5 (3), pp. 704-712, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Awareness level of safe sex among students of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Ali Onoja¹, Ahmed Bala² and Mustapha Umar²

¹Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medical Science, Bayero University Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.

²Department of nursing Science, College of Medical Science, Bayero University Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 April, 2016

Abstract

Keywords: Knowledge, Practice, Safe sex, Students, Medical sciences.