African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 316-322, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the screening practices of breast cancer by primary health care nurses in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

*Waheed G. Calpildeo Affion Dindial and George F. Winifred

Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical sciences, University of the Southern Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago.

*Corresponding author Email: [email protected]

Accepted 30 July, 2015

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death both in the less and more developed countries. Early detection of breast cancer has been shown to significantly reduce mortality rates, yet many women fail to receive screening. Primary health care nurses are uniquely positioned to role model screening behaviours, educate clients on performance of breast self-examination and perform other screening activities. This study sought to assess the breast cancer screening practices of Primary Health Care Nurses (PHCNs) for female clients 40 years and older in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Primary Health Care facilities throughout the nine (9) Health Districts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were utilized. This study utilized a non-experimental, descriptive survey design. Quota proportionate sampling of 62 of 70 Primary Health Care Nurses (PHCN) in SVG completed a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting primarily of objective type items which assessed knowledge of breast cancer, self-efficacy and breast cancer screening practices. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007 and IBM PASW (SPSS) Version 22. Nurses are engaged in screening activities but rates of performance are low and practices are inconsistent and widely varied. Several interpersonal and situational barriers exist which impact nurses’ screening behaviours. Organizational support and policies are essential in ensuring consistency and standardization of breast cancer screening practices.

Keywords: Breast screening practices, caribbean, primary care nurses, health education.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 163-170, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the troubles associated with families that have a mentally ill member

*Micheal H. Parker, Devon Harris, Steve Kriegor and John V. Burrell

Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania.

*Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

Accepted 23 April, 2015

Abstract

The study of the lived experience of families with a mentally ill family member involved seven family members who had come to visit their mentally ill relatives in the mental Hospital. The major objective was to explore the lived experience of families with a persistent¹ mentally ill family member. The study adopted a qualitative descriptive-phenomenological design, participants were purposively sampled and data was collected using a tape recorder. Colaizzi’s phenomenological approach for data management was then employed. The study revealed that family members held misconceptions about mental illness and described care as a contractual obligation. They lived in misery as the patients’ behavior was intolerable, sadistic, exasperated, and embarrassing. Although medication proved helpful, they had to plead with the patient to take it. Their homes were discriminated² which made them desperate and disappointed. Patients had bizarre complaints, could vanish, which forced family members to be vigilant all the time and made them feel guilty if anything happened to the patient. Family revenue was devastated and admission of the patients was considered a liberty to the family members and a break from the monotonous, tiresome and costly collection of medication from the hospital. Family members were pessimistic, and always in dilemma. Living with a mentally ill family member was considered a prime issue in the affected families. The study recommended health education to the community, institute programs to screen patients, counseling, and community patients’ follow up. There was need to initiate home based income generation through micro financing.

Keywords: Persistent mental illness, discriminated home, lived experience, family member and mentally ill.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 221-232, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the prevalence of postnatal depression and its risk factors among Arab women

Al-Habsi Yusuf and Sayyid F. Saudal

Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 27 May, 2015

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence of postnatal depression and its risk factors among Arab women. Even though postnatal depression remains a worldwide phenomenon, there are continental variations in the prevalence rates and predictors. Methods: The prevalence of postnatal depression and its predictors remains influenced by the culture, tradition, values and beliefs among the Arab women. Since postnatal depression has effect on the mother and the baby, early diagnosis will help in implementing the preventive strategies to prevent worsening of the problem. Hence a narrative review of studies on prevalence postnatal depression and risk factors among Arab women will help in informing the current situation to public and health care providers. This review was conducted to describe the prevalence of postnatal depression and its risk factors among the Arab women during the past 7 years from 2005-2012. We searched the electronic databases SCIENCE DIRECT, PUBMED, CINHAL, EBSCO, SCOPUS, and UPTODATE to identify relevant studies. Initially 38 studies were identified potentially relevant and out of which 17 studies which met the selection criteria were included in the review. Results: Seventeen studies with a total of 9,132 Arab women were included in the narrative review. The maximum and minimum reported prevalence of postnatal depression were 10-80 % respectively. History of late prenatal depression, and anxiety, being first time mother with poor body self image, poor relationship with partner and in-laws, unplanned pregnancy, lack of social support, perceived low parental knowledge and preterm birth were the significant risk factors identified among the studies reviewed. Conclusion: This narrative review informs the current status regarding prevalence and risk factors for postnatal depression among Arab women and has implications for clinical practice. The review identified that postnatal depression among Arab women is highly significant than other cultures. Midwives and health care providers should therefore be trained and given opportunities to learn to identify the risk factors of postnatal depression to aid the mental wellbeing among postnatal mothers.

Keywords: Arab women, postnatal depression, risk factors, screening, prevalence.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 454-460, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Evaluation of cultural awareness of nursing curricula: A replicable model

*Kimberly O. Cebral, Matthew Fells and Anna Kate Sakauye

Department of Nursing Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California. 

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

Accepted 9 August, 2015

Abstract

The nursing profession has acknowledged its responsibility to prepare all practitioners to provide culturally respectful care to diverse patient populations. A culturally competent academic and clinical teaching milieu is a strategy for shaping clinical nursing expertise. It is a vital link between theory and practice. This article presents a replicable model of the process in which one U.S. University School of Nursing engaged to assess the cultural competence of the nursing curricula at both undergraduate and graduate levels, the cultural awareness of faculty and students, and the perceptions of clients about the degree of cultural sensitivity demonstrated by program graduates.

Key words: Cultural competence, cultural sensitivity, nursing workforce diversity, strategic approach.