Midwives’ knowledge and utilization of non-pneumatic anti shock garment in reducing complication of postpartum haemorrhage in selected health care facilities in Bayelsa state Nigeria

Background: Non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) is a first-aid lower-body pressure device that reverses hypovolaemic shock and decreases obstetric hemorrhage thereby decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality due to post-partum haemorrhage (PPH).This study assessed the knowledge and utilization of non-pneumatic anti shock garment in the management of postpartum hemorrhage among midwives in selected health care facilities in Bayelsa state.  Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study in which a sample size of 112 nurses were selected using purposive sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire and data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.  Results: The study revealed that majority of the respondents regardless of their educational level had good knowledge of the description, mechanism of action, and uses of NASG. It was also revealed that majority of the respondents do not use NASG in their centers and its application in management of post-partum hemorrhage was not part of the protocols in these centers, which was a clear indication of underutilization of the NASG in the primary health care centers. There was no significant association found between years of working experience of respondents and their utilization of NASG with (X2 = 8.577, df = 2, P = 0.114) as well as between the level of knowledge of midwives and their utilization of the NASG with (X2 = 0.387, df = 1, P = 0.534).Conclusions: It was recommended that non-pneumonic antishock garment should be made available by government and its utilization should be included in all health care centers policy as a management protocol for post-partum hemorrhage.

Teaching practice experiences of nursing students: a comparison between direct entry and generic students of department of nursing science, University of Calabar

An essential part of the nurse education programs is to facilitate the linking of theory to practice. Teaching practice experiences of nursing student provide greater insight to develop effective classroom and clinical teaching strategies in nursing. This paper described teaching practice experiences of nursing students, expectations and benefits for effective learning. The study simulated the complexities of life in a typical classroom that facilitates learning characterized by an acceptance of responsibility and clinical decision making in nursing practice using a mixed research design. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 0ne hundred and fifteen (115) students, 38 direct entry and 77 generic fourth year students while ten students (five direct and five generic) participated in the focused group discussion (FGD). Descriptive data were analyzed using SPSS vision 18 to obtain frequencies, percentages mean and standard deviation and chi square findings. The FGD based on their categories were divided into two groups. The data collected was analyzed by coding and categorizing the themes that emerged. Quantitative analysis revealed significant (**p<0.001) chi square rejecting the null hypotheses at 0.05 with probabilities less than 0.001. This shows that nursing students’ experiences, expectations and benefits are significantly derived from teaching practice although contingent on the mode of entry into the university (Direct entry and Generic entry). It is concluded that teaching practice is a motivating and challenging method that necessitates learning of facts, principles and procedures for effective development of decision-making skills that assist nursing students assume responsibility. It is recommended that more time be allotted for this important exercise especially for generic students.KEYWORDS: Nursing Student, Teaching Experiences, Expectation, benefits, Teaching Practic

KNOWLEDGE AND REASONS FOR ANXIETY AMONG NURSES TOWARDS COVID -19 IN NIGERIA

Background: Nurses in Nigeria and the whole world are facing an unprecedented severe level of anxiety in their professional and individual lives, compounded by not knowing what the future holds especially with regards to the present COVID-19 pandemic. This research is to evaluate the knowledge and reasons for anxiety toward COVID 19 among Nurses in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional quantitative survey that utilised a multistage sampling technique and data was collected with questionnaire instrument from 418 nurses using Google form for a period of eight weeks.  Analysis of the result was with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 software. Descriptive data of participants was presented in tables while the test of the inferential data was with Chi-square at 95% level of significance (p = 0.05).   Results: The result revealed that 81.3% of the respondents are female, with a mean age of 37.81+8.21 years and mean years of experience of 13.1+8.44 years. One hundred and eighty (56.9%) of the respondents have good knowledge of COVID -19, with mean of 10.67±1.19.  88.5% were anxious because they are frontline workers and having direct contact with COVID-19 patients. The relationship between identified reasons for the anxiety experienced among Nigerian nurses and level of knowledge of COVID-19 were p > 0.05.   Conclusion: Although nurses in Nigeria are knowledgeable about the COVID-19, they have reasons for being anxious. Addressing the reasons for their anxiety will promote their physical and psychological wellbeing

Western and Traditional Educational Background of Midwives and Delivery Pain Control among Women in Cross River State, Nigeria

This study sought to investigate western and traditional educational background of midwives with regard to their effectiveness in delivery pain control in Cross River State - Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the investigation. The study adopted the survey design. The sample consisted of 360 post-natal women selected from a population of 78,814 through the polio immunization registers of selected health centers. Accidental sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The instrument used for collecting data for the study was a 36-item questionnaire. Independent t-test and contingency chi-square were used in testing the null hypotheses. The result showed that women delivered by traditional midwives have more positive control of delivery pain caused by attitude of midwives than their counterparts who delivered by the western midwives; On the basis of these finding it was concluded that western midwives are actually different from their counterparts. All what they need is workshops, seminar, conferences during ante-natal period to acquaint the traditional midwives with delivery related activities and procedures. It was also recommended that the traditional midwives should be given adequate western training retain so that they can face the society and avoid further complications. Government should also continue to train more midwives to avoid negative attitudes towards their clients

Influence of Age on Perception of Midwives and Their Performance in Objective Structured Clincial Examination (Osce) in Nigeria

Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a means of assessing clinical competence based on objective testing through direct observation. OSCE, as a method of evaluation, was introduced in 1990 by the Nursing & Midwifery council of Nigeria (N&MCN). The aim of this quantitative study is to ascertain if age has any influence on midwives’ perception of OSCE and their performance in the examination. Ex-post facto design was adopted for this study. That is because the independent variable was studied in retrospect in order to establish possible relationship with the dependent variables. We were concerned with ascertaining and establishing the status quo and facts at the time of the research and used such facts to analyze data, interpret and extrapolate and also draw inferences. Eight institutions of midwifery education in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states of Nigeria were used for this study. 502 out of 532 midwives who graduated from the institutions between 2004 to 2006 participated in the study. Two validated instruments were used for data collection namely: OSCE stake holder’s questionnaire and achievement test on OSCE. The reliability index for perception stood at (r) 0.60 while the index performance stood at (r) 0.66.Data were analyzed using linear regression analysis and one way analysis of variance. Findings show that older midwives had significant higher perception of OSCE than the younger midwives. Conclusion: age has significant influence on midwives’ perception of OSCE but perception has no influence on their performance in OSCE

Influence of Marital Status on Attitude of Midwives towards OSCE and Their Performance in the Examination in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Nigeria

This quantitative study investigated the influence of marital status on the midwives’ attitude towards OSCE and how this affects their performance in the examination. Two hypotheses guided the study. HO 1 sort to find out if there exist a significant influence of marital status of midwives on their attitude towards OSCE as well as performance in the examination and HO 11 states: there is no significant joint influence of midwives’ attitude and marital status on their performance in OSCE. Ex-post facto design was used to carry out the study. 502 midwives from 8 institutes of midwifery education in Akwa Ibom & Cross River states were engaged in the study. Two validated instruments, OSCE stake holders’ questionnaire (OSCEQ) and Achievement test on OSCE were used to collect data for the study. Data were analyzed using linear regression analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings show that marital status significantly influences midwives’ perception of OSCE. However, there is no significant influence of marital status on midwives’ attitude towards OSCE.  The implication of these findings is, it will be useful and helpful to midwife educators in counseling of new midwifery students on OSCE

School-based survey of adolescents’ opinion on premarital sex in selected secondary schools in Yakurr local government area, Cross river state, Nigeria

Purpose: The study examined adolescents’ opinion on premarital sex in selected secondary schools in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.Method: A cross sectional descriptive survey design was used. The sample size was 313 senior secondary school students from four public secondary schools in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 313 students from 4 schools in Yakurr Local Government Area. Instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.79 using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient reliability method. For the data analysis chi square test analysis and independent t-test analysis were used to test the association and differences between variables at P < 0.05 significant level.Result: The result showed a non statistical association between adolescents’ age on opinion on pre-marital sex when the X2 calculated of 1.3 was lesser than X2 critical of 3.841 with 1 degree of freedom. The result also revealed that there was no significant difference between gender and opinion on pre marital sex with calculated t = .324, critical t = 1.96 df 311, P < 0.05.Conclusion/recommendation: The result showed a negative relationship between adolescents’ age and gender on opinion on premarital sex. Based on these findings, the study suggests intensive awareness programme on premarital sex to be carried out in schools for these adolescents that are at risk of exposure to pre marital sex.KEYWORDS: Adolescents, opinion, premarital sex

The burden of caring for renal patients: The nurses perspective

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Nigeria is on the increase and it is associated with increasing caregiving burden for both the professionals and informal caregivers. This study evaluated the burden experienced by nurses caring for CKD patients, identified the procedures causing the caregiving burden and factors associated with burden in two hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria. Two hundred and forty nurses caring for renal patients were selected from two health institutions in Ondo State. Information on sociodemographic data was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. The burden of care was evaluated using the Zarith Burden of Life Instrument (ZBI), with aggregate score ranged from 0–88. A score of 21–40 indicates mild-to-moderate burden while a score >40 indicates high burden. The mean age of the respondents was 33.7 ± 7.5 years (age range: 20–67 years). Forty percent experienced no burden, 48.3% experienced mild-to-moderate burden, 10.4% experienced severe burden while only 1.3% experienced very severe burden. Dialysis procedure (65.5%) was identified as posing the greatest caregiving burden. Factors identified as responsible for caregiving burden were shortage of staff (68%), followed by lack of funds on the part of the patients (67.1%). Caregiving burden was not associated with age, gender, or years of experience. Prevalence of caregiving burden was very high among the respondents and dialysis was identified as causing greatest burden. Government should fund and improve staffing of dialysis units to reduce caregiving burden

Dose-independent threshold illumination for non-invasive time-lapse fluorescence imaging of live cells

Fluorescent microscopy employs monochromatic light for excitation, which can adversely affect the cells being observed. We reported earlier that fibroblasts relax their contractile force in response to green light of typical intensity. Here we show that such effects are independent of extracellular matrix and cell lines. In addition, we establish a threshold intensity that elicits minimal or no adverse effect on cell contractility even for long-time exposure. This threshold intensity is wavelength dependent. We cultured fibroblasts on soft 2D elastic hydrogels embedded with fluorescent beads to trace substrate deformation and cell forces. The beads move towards cell center when cells contract, but they move away when cells relax. We use relaxation/contraction ratio (λ(r)), in addition to traction force, as measures of cell response to red (wavelength, λ=635–650 nm), green (λ=545–580 nm) and blue (λ=455–490 nm) lights with varying intensities. Our results suggest that intensities below 57, 31 and 3.5 W/m(2) for red, green and blue lights, respectively, do not perturb force homeostasis. To our knowledge, these intensities are the lowest reported safe thresholds, implying that cell traction is a highly sensitive readout of the effect of light on cells. Most importantly, we find these threshold intensities to be dose-independent; i.e., safe regardless of the energy dosage or time of exposure. Conversely, higher intensities result in widespread force-relaxation in cells with λ(r) > 1. Furthermore, we present a photo-reaction based model that simulates photo-toxicity and predicts threshold intensity for different wavelengths within the visible spectra. In conclusion, we recommend employing illumination intensities below aforementioned wavelength-specific thresholds for time-lapse imaging of cells and tissues in order to avoid light-induced artifacts in experimental observations