African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

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.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The health and well-being of people with a previous diagnosis of cancer: A record-linkage study in Scotland

Josie M. M. Evans¹*, Iain A. Atherton², Chris Dibben³ and Gill Hubbard⁴

¹School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, United Kingdom.

²School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Stirling (Highland Campus), Inverness  IV2 3JH, United Kingdom.

³School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St. Andrews, Irvine Building, North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9AL, United Kingdom.

⁴Cancer Care Research Centre, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, United Kingdom.

Accepted 24 October, 2018

Abstract

Routinely collected health care data (the Scottish Cancer Registry) were record-linked to representative survey data on health and health behaviours (the Government-funded Scottish Health Survey) to compare the health and well-being of cancer survivors in Scotland with people who had never had cancer; a methodological approach which has been under-utilised. After adjusting for age, sex and occupational classification, people with a previous diagnosis of cancer (even > 6 years previously) (n = were more likely to have poorer self-assessed health, reduced activity and psychological morbidity than people who had never had cancer (n = 25,631).

Key words: Cancer survivors, record-linkage, routine datasets, health and well-being.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 772-780, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of the nutritional status among under-five children in Evbuotubu community Egor Local Government Area, Edo State

*Ehwarieme T.A¹_, Ogbogu C.J², Mbadugha Chisom² and Obiekwu Adaobi L²

¹Department of Nursing Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria.

²Department of Nursing sciences, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

*corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected] Tel. 08060696870

Accepted 09 April, 2018

Abstract

Malnutrition is among the leading cause of deaths in children below age five in the developing countries. For MDG goal to be met, under-five malnutrition is to be reduced to the barest minimum if not eradicated. This is aim at assessing the nutritional status among under -five children in Evbuotubu Community Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used in a sample size of 272 mothers with 544 under-five children. Questionnaire, observational checklist and instrument for anthropometric measurement were used to collect data using convenient sampling technique. Data collected were analyse using descriptive statistics, hypothesis were tested using chi-square at 0.05 significant level. Result show that 196(36.1%) of the children were underweight with 250(46.0%) of them been stunted and 138(25.4%) wasted, out of 36.1% underweight children, 112(20.6%) were boys and 84(15.4%) girls. In addition, of the 25.4% wasted 72 (13.2%) boys and 66(12.1%) were girls. Also mother’s level of education was a significant predictor for weight-for-age (p=0.042 AOR: 2.300, 95% CI: 1.032 – 5.127), and mother’s age for being a strong predictor for child wasting with p= 0.012 AOR: 3.462, 95% CI: 1.313 – 9.131). To improve nutritional status of under-five children, education of the mothers/care givers should be made compulsory. Information on good nutritional practices should be provided by health worker at all level of health care. Government should provide at least one square meal which is fortified with adequate nutrient for all under-five children.

Keywords: Maternal knowledge, nutritional status, underweight, under five children.