African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 461-464, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

A comparative study of the effect of treatment for labor pain with changes in VAS scores

*Fredrik Anders Bildt, Carl Reinfeldt and Svante A. Palme

School of Life Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.

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

Accepted 10 August, 2015

Abstract

Assessing pain in relation to childbirth is one of the midwife’s more important tasks. However, pain research shows that health care professionals often assess patients’ pain inaccurately. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is one of the most used instruments for assessing pain and pain relief both in research and clinical practice. On the other hand, a patient’s verbal report is considered to be the single most reliable indicator of how much pain the patient is experiencing. The aim of this study was to compare women’s verbally reported effect of treatment for labor pain with changes in VAS scores. This comparative prospective study was carrying out on a labor ward with approximately 2,500 deliveries annually in western part of Sweden. Women (n=122) at gestational week 37 to 42 with spontaneous onset of labor, requesting pain relief, were randomized to one of two treatments: acupuncture or sterile water injections. Pain was assessed on a VAS before as well as 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after treatment. Within two hours after delivery the women were asked to verbally report the effectiveness with the treatment. Main outcome measure was agreement between VAS scores and verbal reports. Non-parametric tests were used. All tests were two-tailed at the significance level p< 0.05. The distribution of the VAS scores 30 min after administration of pain relief showed that the women verbally responding that treatment was “very effective”, also rated their pain significantly lower (p< 0.001) on the VAS, compared to the women verbally reporting otherwise. A moderate correlation (r = 0.56; p< 0.001) was obtained between VAS-scored pain change after 30 min and verbally reported pain relief effect. The women who stated that treatment was “very effective” also rated their pain significantly lower at 30, 60 and 90 min on the VAS, compared to baseline. This study confirms that verbal reports and changes in VAS scores are reliable indicators of treatment effect for labor pain. It might, however, be valuable to combine VAS scores with verbal reports for a more extensive assessment of treatment effect.

Key word: Childbirth, pain, pain relief, verbal reports, visual analogue scale.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 307-308, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of the tools used by nurses in the assessment of their patients’ pains in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Oraka N. Gabriel  and Igboje Nathan

Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 25 July, 2015

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the tools used by nurses in assessment of their patients’ pains using a cross–sectional descriptive research design. The instrument used was questionnaire developed by researchers with Validity of 0.86. 450 nurses used in the study were randomly selected from Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. The results show that majority of the nurses use mainly patients’ verbal report of pains (87%) and simple descriptive pain intensity scale (57%) as their pain assessment tools. This revealed that despite the number of pain assessment tools available, nurses only use the subjective method to assess their patients’ pains. It was recommended that intensive training programme on pain assessment should be organized for nurses to improve their use of pain assessment tools.

Keywords: Pain assessment, patients’ pain, assessment tool.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 492-495, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment of the effects of mobilization on the quality of life of older people

¹Pavol A. Pellegrini and ² Renata H. L'ubomira

¹Faculty of Health Care, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.

²School of Life Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.

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

Accepted 18 August, 2015

Abstract

Quality of life in older people is significantly influenced by their mobilization. Using the statistical comparison of observed groups we found out that the mobilization of elderly and geriatric patients improves their quality of life. We used nonparametric Mann - Whitney test as an evaluation method. To determine relations between variables we used the Spearman correlation coefficient. Geriatric patients have shown rates of mobility in the BREF questionnaire (item 15) and ADL test at the same level.Physical activity represents a significant attribute of mobility in seniors, which confirmed the results of foreign studies. Reduced mobility is a maximum barrier in hospitalized geriatric patients. The positive overall impact of physical activity was reflected in increased confidence of seniors in their own abilities.In nursing there must be a continuous mobilization of geriatric patients according to their degree of dependence. 

Key words: Mobility, quality of life, senior, geriatric patient, correlation, self-sufficiency.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 177-180, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of mentorship and management activities within an accelerated baccalaureate nursing programme

*Kelsey Laura, Amelia Chow, Cameron Vergara and Karthryn E. Russell

School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York City, New York. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 25 April, 2015

Abstract

Accelerated second-degree baccalaureate nursing programs are a common feature in schools of nursing, therefore it is essential that schools of nursing examine the attributes of these programs and these graduates as they transition into practice. It was found that accelerated students assume leadership roles in the nursing workforce and benefit from continued peer mentorship post- graduation. Graduates expressed the preference that accelerated students form a separate cohort, rather than being integrated with basic baccalaureate students for upper division nursing courses. Faculty perceived the need for some adaptation of pedagogical approaches that reflect the needs of these more advanced learners.

Keywords: Baccalaureate nursing, nursing program, leadership  and mentorship.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 347-351, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Clinical evaluation methods in general nursing programmes in Nigeria

*Emuobo J. Margret, Adnah V. Young and Nduka E. Ndidi

Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Delta State University,

*Corresponding author’s E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 29 July, 2015

Abstract

This paper highlights currently practiced clinical evaluation methods in General nursing programmes in Nigeria, explain the acronyms OSCE / OSPE, view their methodologies, advantages and limitations. Finally, useful suggestions that address unique evaluation practices capable of producing credible clinical evaluations, as well as empowering teacher – student – client relationships and cooperation are proffered.

Key words: OSCE, OSPE, clinical practice, clinical evaluation, nursing programmes.