ETHICAL ISSUE AND NURSING STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN NURSING EDUCATION

Background: This paper aimed at presenting in-depth information on strategies of implementing ethical decision making in nursing practice and education in the contemporary society. The complex issues in nursing education and practice have ethical implications for the attainment of professional standard. The ability of nurses to engage in ethical practice in everyday work and to deal with ethical situations, problems and concerns could be the result of decisions made at a variety of levels. Sometimes, nurses find themselves trapped in an ethical dilemma and caught between conflicting duties and responsibilities. Ethical-dilemmas require ethical-reasoning and decision -making, which is a skill that could be learned. However, many nurses are ill prepared both in knowledge and in skill to live up to expectations in such circumstances. Conclusion: To achieve professional standard, nurses should ensure acquisition of adequate and relevant knowledge in ethics and ethical decision-making models and promote dialogue on ethical issues in health and educational institutions. Furthermore, advocacy is needed for the elimination of quackery in nursing practice to promote safe, competent and ethical care and practicing nurses should increasingly acquire new knowledge and skills in their areas of practice. Additionally, clients care should continually receive impetus from relevant research findings

Solutions of Schr\"odinger Equation with Generalized Inverted Hyperbolic Potential

We present the bound state solutions of the Schr\"odinger equation with generalized inverted hyperbolic potential using the Nikiforov-Uvarov method. We obtain the energy spectrum and the wave function with this potential for arbitrary - state. We show that the results of this potential reduced to the standard known potentials - Rosen-Morse, Poschl - Teller and Scarf potential as special cases. We also discussed the energy equation and the wave function for these special cases.Comment: 20pages, 5figure

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND COMPACTION CHARACTERISTICS OF MODIFIED STARCH OF DISCOREA ALATA USING DICLOFENAC SODIUM TABLET

Objective: This work focused on evaluating the micromeritic and compressional properties of pregelatinized African water yam (Discorea alata) starch and its modified forms with comparison to pregelatinized corn starch and microcrystalline cellulose.Methods: Two modifications of the water yam starch were prepared; acetone dehydrated pregelatinized form (DSA) and an admixture of DSA and pregelatinized corn starch (CDSA). A third form of starch is the acetone dehydrated pregelatinized corn starch (CSA). These were used to form batches compacted as tablets using diclofenac sodium as the active moiety. Physicochemical and flow characteristics of the starch powders were elucidated, and the drug starch compatibility studies done using the Fourier transform Infra-red (FTIR) technique. Compaction studies were investigated on tablets formed at different compression pressures and Heckel plots were prepared.Results: The slope of the straight line (K) of 0.8959 was greatest for F1 while yield pressure (Py) value of 10.965 was highest for F3. These values from the Heckel plot suggest that while the tablets of control batch of microcrystalline cellulose (F4) and a batch of pregelatinized corn starch (F2) formed harder compacts, less likely deformed plastically, the Discorea alata batch (F1) and the admixed batch (F3) were likely to deform plastically. Also, the binding efficiency of the compact was significantly high (47.81%Kgscm-1) for F4 at 56.5Kpas compaction pressure, higher than that obtainable for any of the other formulations at the compaction pressures under consideration. All starches formed had similar moisture content (of 10%) despite the different sources but the interaction between the water molecule and pregelatinized water yam starch improved as revealed by viscosity(7.18mPas), hydration capacity(3.27%) and swelling index (250%) of CDSA.Conclusion: It could be concluded that pregelatinized water yam starch could be used as a substitute for corn starch or microcrystalline cellulose as a pharmaceutical excipient (binder/filler) in tablets formulation

Perceived Relative Factors Influencing Nurses’ Practice of Health Promotion for Women in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Socio-cultural factors negate the health of women. Therefore, health promotion as a focus of nursing practice aimed at capitalizing on the inherent capacities of women to establish health priorities, goals and strategies to improve their health. A descriptive survey with the purpose of ascertaining the influence of culture, social and health policies on nurses’ practice of health promotion was undertaken. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A sample of one hundred and thirty six nurses participated in the study. A validated questionnaire with a test-retest reliability coefficient (r) of 0.79 was used for data collection. Correlation analysis was carried out to test hypotheses. The results revealed that 132 (97.1%) participants were female with a mean (SD) age of 40 ± 7.29. Many participants 58 (42.6%) perceived that social policies have high influence on their practice of health promotion. The results also showed significant negative correlation between culture and practice of health promotion (r = -0.532; p = 0.01) while the practice of health promotion was significantly and positively correlated with social policies (r = 0.515; p = 0.01). It was recommended that negative cultural practices be addressed through social policies and health education of women on negative cultural practices in order to enhance the practice of health promotion for them

Socio-Cultural Variables and Type of Birth Outcome of Women in Primary Health Care Facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

This study determined the influence of socio-cultural variables on type of birth outcome of women in Primary Health Care facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. The ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. Seven research questions were formulated and seven null hypothesis were tested at .05 level of significance. The population of the study comprised 1200 pregnant and nursing mothers in four primary health care facilities in Ikot Ekpene. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 280 women for the study. A 72-item researcher-designed questionnaire entitled, “Socio-Cultural Variables and Birth Outcome Questionnaire (SCVBOQ)” was the instrument for data collection. Validation was ascertained while reliability was done using Cronbach Alpha Internal Consistency Statistics. Reliability Coefficient of .75 was obtained. Research questions were answered using the Mean Statistics while t-test statistical analysis was used to test the null hypotheses. Results revealed that women’s knowledge of health care services, attitude towards health care services, perception of the treatment methods, beliefs, residential locations and economic status had significant influence on type of birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. It was recommended that frequent health campaigns should be carried out by health educators on the benefits of using Health Care facilities for delivery to prevent child birth complications and promote positive birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. Keywords: Socio-cultural Variables, Birth Outcome, Women in Primary Health Care Facilities

Determinants of Job Satisfaction among Nurse / Midwife Educators in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Background: Job satisfaction represents an important element of Nurse Educators' survival which has implications for performance, retention, dedication to the institution, the nursing profession itself and preparing nursing students who are capable of providing high quality patient care. The purpose of the study was to assess overall level of job satisfaction and satisfaction with nine facets of job satisfaction among Nurse/Midwife Educators in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.   Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey was used for the study. A total population study of Nurse /Midwife Educators in Calabar was undertaken. A self-administered structured questionnaire adapted from the standardized “Employee Opinion Survey” with a reliability of 0.60 to 0.90 coefficient was used for data collection. Data were computer analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 for Windows. Logistic regression was used to verify association between overall job satisfaction and facets/subscales of job satisfaction scale.   Results: A total of 50 respondents participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 46.9±6.9 while the mean years of working experience was 24.9±6.1.  The respondents were made up of (40) 90.0% female and (10) 10.0% male. The mean overall job satisfaction score was 2.63±0.62. The results also revealed that majority of the respondents 41(82.0%) were moderately satisfied with their work while 9(18.0%) were slightly satisfied. Most of the respondents 47(94.0%) were satisfied with the job itself subscale with a mean score of 3.27±0.59, while the least satisfying facet was communication subscale with a mean of 2.50 ± 0.90. Safety and working relationships were significantly related to overall job satisfaction.   Conclusion: The study has shown that the few but experienced Nurse/Midwife Educators in Calabar were not fully satisfied with most facets of their work which could have adverse effect on their work output and overall performance. Therefore in order to address the adverse effect of dissatisfaction, it is recommended that all sub-scales of job satisfaction be addressed by employers of Nurse Educators and the Professional Nursing Association with emphasis on safety and working relationships.   Keywords: Job satisfaction, Working relationships, Nurse /Midwife Educator, Nigeri

The Effects of Eggshell Ash on Strength Properties of Cement-stabilized Lateritic

Eggshell ash obtained by incinerating Fowls’ eggshells to ash has been established to be a good accelerator for cement-bound materials and this would be useful for road construction work at the peak of rainy seasons for reducing setting time of stabilized road pavements. However this should be achieved not at the expense of other vital properties of the stabilized matrix. This is part of the effort in adding value to agricultural materials which probably cause disposal problems. Thus this study aimed at determining the effect of eggshell ash on the strength properties of cement-stabilized lateritic soil. The lateritic soil was classified to be A-6(2) in AASHTO rating system and reddish-brown clayey sand (SC) in the Unified Classification System. Constant cement contents of 6% and 8% were added to the lateritic soil with variations in eggshell ash content of 0% to 10% at 2% intervals. All proportions of cement and eggshell ash contents were measured in percentages by weight of the dry soil. The Compaction test, California Bearing Ratio test, Unconfined Compressive Strength test and Durability test were carried out on the soil-cement eggshell ash mixtures. The increase in eggshell ash content increased the Optimum Moisture Content but reduced the Maximum Dry Density of the soil-cement eggshell ash mixtures. Also the increase in eggshell ash content considerably increased the strength properties of the soil-cement eggshell ash mixtures up to 35% in the average but fell short of the strength requirements except the durability requirement was satisfied

FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF THEOPHYLLINE HYDROCHLORIDE EFFERVESCENT FLOATING TABLETS: EFFECT OF POLYMER CONCENTRATION ON TABLET BUOYANCY

Objective: This study was undertaken to formulate a floating drug delivery system of theophylline hydrochloride using different concentrations of a chosen polymer and then investigate how polymer concentration affects buoyancy and drug release properties of the tablets. Methods: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) at different concentration levels of 15% (F1), 20% (F2) and 30% (F3) was used to form the three formulation batches of floating tablets. Wet granulation method was used for the granule preparation while Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid were used as the gas generating agent. The physical properties of the granules and the floating tablets were evaluated. Also determined were the physicomechanical properties, buoyancy and swelling characteristics of the tablets. The in vitro drug release study was carried out according to the USP I (basket method) for 8h in 900 ml 0.1N HCl at 50 rpm. Samples withdrawn at the regular predetermined time were analyzed spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 271 nm and data obtained statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The differences between means were considered significant at P<0.05. Results: The result showed that polymer (HPMC) concentration significantly (p>0.05) increased swelling index and improved floating lag time, it had no significant effect on the total floating time. Percentage drug release at the end of 8 h was 100%, 98.2% and 96.13% for formulation F1, F2 and F3, respectively. All three formulations followed the Higuchi drug release kinetics model and the mechanism of drug release was the non Fickian diffusion with exponents of 0.46, 0.51 and 0.56 for the respective batch. Conclusion: Batch F3 gave a better-controlled drug release and floating properties in comparison to batch F1 and F2 thus Polymer concentration influenced the onset of floating and controlled the release of Theophylline

Characterization of hydrocarbon reservoir by pore fluid and lithology using elastic parameters in an x field, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Quantitative rock physics analysis was carried out to determine the lithology and pore fluid of a reservoir in the Niger Delta. Density, compressional wave velocity and shear wave velocity logs were used as input to calculate elastic parameters such as velocity ratio, Poisson’s ratio, and Bulk Modulus, after estimating the hydrocarbon reservoir in the X field. The calculated velocity ratio log was used to differentiate between sand, sandstone and shale. Poisson’s ratio and velocity ratio were used delineate pore fluid content; gas sand, oil sand and sandstone formation from cross plot analysis. The reservoir in the field lies ranges from 9050 - 9426.5ft, (2760.25 – 2874.93m), this confirm what is obtained in the Niger Delta Basin. The Net Pay zones show an economical viable reservoir, it Net pay depth is 39 – 73.5ft. The Porosity and Permeability of the reservoirs suggested a productivity hydrocarbon reservoir. The reservoir lies between Gas sands, Oil sands and Brine sands, reservoir 2 and reservoir 3 are oil sand reservoirs while reservoir 1 lies between an oil sand and a brine sand

Awareness and practive of health promotion for women in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Aim: A descriptive survey was undertaken to ascertain nurses’ awareness and level of practice of health promotion among women in Calabar. Background: Women’s health is affected by array of factors; nurses could have a major impact in increasing women’s capacity to exercise increased control over their lives and determinants of health. Method: One hundred and thirty six nurses drawn from the ante-natal clinics of primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities in Calabar participated in the study. A questionnaire with a content validity index of 0.91 was used for data collection. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was (r) 0.79. Ethical issues were addressed. Data were analyzed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 15. Findings: Majority 110 (80.9%) of the participants were highly experienced, 96 (70.6%) were managers while only 52 (38.2%) had 1st degree and above. Health education was the most mentioned strategy of health promotion by participants 136 (100.0%) while specific protection was the least mentioned 3(2.2%). Only about half of the respondents 68 (50.0%) practiced health promotion appropriately. Nurses’ rank and years of working experience were significantly associated with appropriate practice. Conclusion: Nurses averagely practice health promotion. It was therefore recommended that Nurse Managers should provide learning opportunities to fill observe gaps in knowledge and motivate junior nurses to engage in women’s health promotion at every opportunity