Blended teaching and learning methods in nursing and midwifery education: A scoping review of the literature

Background: Blended learning (BL) is defined as the combination of both traditional face-to-face learning and synchronous or asynchronous e-learning approaches. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the literature to obtain a broad understanding of the use of BLin nursing and midwifery education in general, in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and in particular Rwanda.Methods: The literature published between 2010 and 2019 were reviewed from six electronic databases using keywords including blended learning, nursing education, midwifery education, higher education, SSA, and Rwanda. Arksey and O'Malley's framework was used in this review.Results: The initial search identified 1,283 records. Eleven articles were selected for this review after the application of predetermined inclusion criteria. Almost all reviewed articles indicated that the integration of BLmethods improved the quality of nursing and midwifery education in general, and in SSAcountries including Rwanda.Conclusions: Initial research in this area highlights that moving from traditional classroom-delivered programs to the BLapproach is feasible and can promote the quality of nursing and midwifery standards of education. This scoping review highlights a paucity of research on BL in nursing and midwifery education, particularly in SSAcountries. Keywords: Blended learning, nursing and midwifery education, SSA, Rwand

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards hepatitis B virus prevention among nursing students at a selected campus in Rwanda

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus continues to be among the significant global challenges, and its prevention is doubtable among  nursing students due to the lack of knowledge or exposure to risky behaviors in their clinical practices. This study was conducted to assess nursing students at a selected campus in Rwanda about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards hepatitis B  prevention.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to conduct this study. Non-probability sampling, including convenience and snowball techniques, was used to determine the representation at all levels at a selected Campus from May to July 2018. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used for data entry. Descriptive and inferential statistics using Binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Rwanda approved the study, andparticipants' rights were protected.Results: Among 171 study participants, only 140 returned the completed questionnaires, which translates to a response rate of 82.4%. Among the students who participated in this study, most were males, 75 (53.5%). The respondents' mean age was 25 years old, and the maximum age was 43. Most of the participants were from level 1 52(37.1%). The findings revealed that nursing students have adequateknowledge and practices towards HBV prevention at 65% and 71%, respectively. However, their attitudes regarding HBVprevention were negative because 96% scored at most four questions right.Conclusion: Knowledge and practices regarding HBV prevention among nursing students were quite adequate. However, a significant proportion of nursing students do not have good attitudes. These findings highlight the need to increase knowledge about HBV among nursing students in clinical orientation meetings before starting their clinical placements and introducing infection prevention and  control training when they are already in clinical settings. Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, knowledge, attitudes, practices, nursing students, Rwand

Early routine amniotomy: an unnecessary procedure

Early routine amniotomy, also known as artificial rupture of the amniotic membrane, is one of the procedures used to induce and accelerate labour before cervical dilation reaches four centimeters. Because of its benefits and risks, there are at least two schools of thought about this controversial issue. The purpose of this paper is to argue against early routine amniotomy as an unnecessary procedure that can have drastic and unintended outcomes associated with the labour process, the fetus, and the mother. This commentary paper articulates that early routine amniotomy is a questionable procedure because its risks outweigh its benefits. Therefore, routine early amniotomy should be discouraged among obstetrical procedures. Keywords: Amniotomy, artificial rupture of membrane, routine, labour, proces