African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN: 2198-4638 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 595-602, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

 The professional image of nursing as perceived by nurses working in tertiary hospitals Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

¹Ingwu, J. A (M.Sc Nursing), ²Ohaeri, B.M (PhD Nursing) and ³Iroka O.L (BNSc)

^1,3 Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.

² Department of  Nursing, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]. Tel: +2348063601549.

Accepted 20 February, 2016

Abstract

Nurses’ image has always been a concern among those in the profession. This study set to determine the professional image of nursing as perceived by nurses working in tertiary hospitals in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the factors within the nursing profession that motivates the nurses to practice nursing, determine the organizational factors that inhibit nurses to practice nursing. A cross sectional descriptive study was used. A sample of 281 nurses was used for the study. Questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. A stratified proportionate sampling was used to select respondents from the study settings while the respondents were selected using systematic sampling technique utilizing the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that nurses have a negative perception about the profession with overall mean score of 2.43, the major factor within the profession that motivate nurses to continue with the practice of the profession was team work 218(80.7%), organizational factor that inhibits nurses from continuing with the practice of the profession was poor remuneration 150(55.6%) and upgrading the diploma schools 195(72.2%). It was recommended that nurses should be encouraged to be self motivated and continue with the practice of nursing as a career, the government should give adequate remuneration to the nurses and Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria should upgrade the diploma schools to degree awarding institutions.

Key words: Nursing, profession image, Southeast Nigeria, tertiary hospitals. 

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 585-590, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of maternal and child mortality in Africa with Nigeria as a case study

*Kayode Christopher, Fayemi Aminu and Ike Onwenu

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 20 August, 2015

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 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 591-594, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

An assessment of the knowledge of postnatal mothers about low birth weight (LBW) in a resource restricted urban setting in Zimbabwe

*Alick Zhakata, Mawere Strive and P. G. Asante

Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.

*Corresponding author. E-mail [email protected]

Accepted 3 August, 2015

Abstract

This study aimed to establish the knowledge of postnatal mothers about low birth weight (LBW) in a resource restricted urban setting. A non-experimental descriptive study was conducted using a systematic sampling method to select fifty mothers aged between 15 and 41 years with babies below five years born with LBW of below 2500 grams. The women were selected as they sought health care at Mabvuku Satellite Clinic in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. Data were collected using an investigator- administered interview guide that also included three open-ended questions. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies, percentages and tables. The major finding was that all participants had inadequate knowledge about LBW. Their total score was below 50% with a mean of 1.56% which, on the scale of “adequate knowledge” score levels defined by Nachega et al. (2005) was well below the 75% plus accepted score for adequate knowledge. Additionally, findings showed that all the participants did not remember any information they received on LBW during pre/ postnatal care. Eighty percent of the participants stated that nurses did not talk about LBW. To increase knowledge on LBW, we advocate that a manual on topics to be covered during pre/postnatal care be developed and that both young men and women, pregnant and not, be educated on factors associated with LBW by health care providers.

Key words: Low birth weight, resource restricted setting, weight in grams, poor socio-economic factors, pre/postnatal.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 578-584, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mainstreaming quality assurance philosophies, objectives, and measures in the existing health structure in Nigeria: The case of Akwa Ibom State

*Chinua E. Azikiwe, Olusegun Femi and Yakubu A. A Musa

Department of Physical and Health Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 9 August, 2015

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 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 562-564, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

An assessment of the structural defect of the fallopian tubes in infertile women with hysterosalpingography in Tikur Anbessa Hospital

*Meles Hailemariam, Teshome Selassie and Tesfaye Hailu

Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 27 August, 2015

Abstract

Infertility is a common public health problem especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Hysterosalpingography (HSG) has for many years been employed in the evaluation of infertility for assessment of tubal patency and tubal or intrauterine lesions. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the structural abnormality of the fallopian tubes in infertile women with hysterosalpingography in Tikur Anbessa Hospital (TAH). Retrospective analysis of clinical records of 331 women with infertility problem who underwent HSG in TAH from March 1, 2003 to March 31, 2006 was done. Infertility unit in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in collaboration with Radiology Department compiled the data. Primary infertility is more common (60%) than secondary infertility (40%). Tubal pathologies accounted for 261 (78.9%) of the total sample. The age group of 23 to 27 years and 33 to 37 years accounted for the majority of cases of primary and secondary infertility respectively. Tubal pathology accounted for 78.9% of infertility in this study. HSG should continue serving as a valuable means of investigation (imaging modality) in infertile women of reproductive age group related to tubal pathology. 

Key words: Infertility, hysterosalpingography, tubal pathologies.