African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN: 2198-4638 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 619-630, May, 2016.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Student nurses’ competence in applying bioscience to practice in South Africa

Desmond Oscar Bernard¹* and Alan Kevir Mark²

¹Western Cape College of Nursing, Cape Town, South Africa.

²Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Nursing and Midwifery; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

E-mail: oscar.benny@hotmail.com

Accepted 26 April, 2016

Abstract

Student nurses’ competence in applying bioscience to practice is under-researched in South Africa. This paper reports on two objectives of a longer study: (1) to describe final year nursing students’ self-reported depth of understanding of six bioscience subjects; and (2) their perceptions of relevance of the bioscience subjects to their practice using descriptions of personal critical incidents and picture interpretations of three nursing activities. A descriptive observational survey was employed using a self-administered questionnaire at one time point in a classroom in a nursing college in Cape Town, South Africa in 2013. A sample of 76/236 (32.2%) fourth year students participated. Results showed that the majority of responses (n=252/456, 55.3%) across six subjects indicated self-reported adequate understanding of bioscience, but deep understanding for anatomy (n=35, 46.1%), physiology (n=32, 42.1%) and pharmacology (n=30, 39.5%). Respondents self-rated their understanding of biophysics, biochemistry and microbiology as superficial (n=31, 40.8%; n=32, 42.1%; n=16, 21.1%) respectively. Most respondents considered anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to be relevant for practice and microbiology to some extent but not biophysics and biochemistry. Most respondents’ (23/56, 41.1%) descriptions of their interventions in clinical situations aligned with Akinsanya’s Bionursing Model level two (task specific) and none at task level four (personal and professional development). The mismatch between self-reported adequate knowledge and a task approach to practice may be ameliorated by a practice model to guide an undergraduate biosciences curriculum.

Key words: Bioscience, nursing, bionursing model, student nurse.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN: 2198-4638 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 613-618, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mother-to-child transmission prevention on pregnant women living with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infection

Huosman D. Atiku*, Mohammed G. Musa and Dansuki Gregory Salmani 

Department of Nursing Science, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail: huosman2020@yahoo.com

Accepted 10 March, 2016

Abstract

Pregnant women living with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infection are at risk of transmitting HIV to their babies. Most of this transmission occurs during pregnancy, labour and delivery and during breast feeding. The nurse/midwife as a change agent has an important role to play in ensuring prevention of mother to child transmission. Effective and efficient performance of this role by nurses is predicated on their adequate knowledge, attitude and practices. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses in State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri towards the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. This is a descriptive cross sectional survey. A total sample of 50 nurses participated in the study and data was collected through a self-developed and validated questionnaire. Analysis was done manually; descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages was used to answer research questions. The mean age of respondents was 40 ± 6.2 years. Many of the nurses had multiple sources of information on PMTCT; unfortunately multiple sources of information did not translate significantly to improved knowledge of the participants as shown by their low knowledge on PMTCT of HIV (65.7%). The study further reveals a general negativism in the attitudes (41.8%) of respondents towards prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. Greater percentage of the respondents showed a discriminatory attitude towards pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS. The practice of PMTCT was generally very low (56.9%). This study demonstrates that nurses in State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri are inadequately informed on practical issues in the prevention of MTCT of HIV. They are therefore handicapped to play an effective role in this important aspect of prevention of HIV. Sensitization, capacity building and appropriate clinical settings remain indispensable assets for meaningful intervention results.

Key words: Prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT), knowledge, attitude, practice, Maiduguri.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN: 2198-4638 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 603-612, March, 2016.© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Birth preparation practices and recognition of danger signs among pregnant women in Ethiopia

Berhanu D. Isaac¹*, Birtukan D. Dego² and Zeresnary R. Baruch² 

¹Harara Health Science College, Harrai Region, Ethiopia.

²Nursing Department, College of public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia.

E-mail: tadessetilahun19@gmail.com

Accepted 7 February, 2016

Abstract

Key elements of the birth plan package include recognition of danger signs. Although there are some studies on birth preparedness and complication readiness in Ethiopia; most of them studied women attending antenatal care. Moreover, there is no data on the eastern part of the country where the culture is more liberal and cash crop is the mainstay of the livelihood. This study explored the association between knowledge of obstetric danger signs and birth preparedness among pregnant women in rural communities. A cross sectional community based study was conducted in Dere Teyara District (Woreda) of Rural Harari Region in the Eastern Ethiopia from March to May, 2013. The sample size was determined using formula for estimation of single population proportion. A total of 436 pregnant women were selected using simple random sampling technique. A pre tested interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. The data were coded and entered into and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 20. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to isolated independent predictors of good birth preparedness. Out of 423 respondents, 42.8% (181/423) of the pregnant women had good birth preparedness. A total of 28.6, 28.6 and 40.9% had good knowledge on obstetrical danger sign during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum period, respectively. The main danger signs during pregnancy mentioned were vaginal bleeding (75.5%) and severe headache (68.8%), while severe vaginal bleeding (81.1%) and prolonged labor (39.2%) were mentioned to be danger signs during delivery. Severe vaginal bleeding (68.3%) and swollen hands/face during the postpartum period (44.7%) were stated to be danger signs in the post partum period. On multivariable logistic regression model, women who had literate husbands were 2.8 times more likely to have good preparedness (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.83; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.423, 5.655). Literate mothers were 2.46 times more likely to be birth prepared (AOR=2.46; 95% CI= 1.09, 5.57). Likewise, women who started the first antenatal visit before four months of pregnancy were 15.5 times more likely to have good birth preparedness (AOR=15.50; 95% CI=3.713, 64.67). It was also observed that, women who had two or more ANC visits were nearly twice as likely to have good birth preparedness (AOR=1.96; 95% CI=1.13, 3.41). Women with good knowledge on obstetric danger signs during pregnancy (AOR=2.517; 95% CI=1.39, 4.55) and postnatal period (AOR=2.245; 95% CI=1.26, 3.97) were also more likely to be birth prepared than those without this knowledge. Antenatal care attendance, knowledge about obstetric danger signs and literacy status of the woman and her husband were strong predictors of birth preparedness practices. The findings imply the need for behavior change communication on obstetric danger signs and the importance early initiation of ANC follow up, especially to illiterate women to reduce maternal mortality. 

Key word: Birth preparedness, complication readiness, birth.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN: 2198-4638 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 595-602, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

 The professional image of nursing as perceived by nurses working in tertiary hospitals Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

¹Ingwu, J. A (M.Sc Nursing), ²Ohaeri, B.M (PhD Nursing) and ³Iroka O.L (BNSc)

^1,3 Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.

² Department of  Nursing, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: agoryeingwu@gmail.com; justin.ingwu@unn.edu.ng. Tel: +2348063601549.

Accepted 20 February, 2016

Abstract

Nurses’ image has always been a concern among those in the profession. This study set to determine the professional image of nursing as perceived by nurses working in tertiary hospitals in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the factors within the nursing profession that motivates the nurses to practice nursing, determine the organizational factors that inhibit nurses to practice nursing. A cross sectional descriptive study was used. A sample of 281 nurses was used for the study. Questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. A stratified proportionate sampling was used to select respondents from the study settings while the respondents were selected using systematic sampling technique utilizing the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that nurses have a negative perception about the profession with overall mean score of 2.43, the major factor within the profession that motivate nurses to continue with the practice of the profession was team work 218(80.7%), organizational factor that inhibits nurses from continuing with the practice of the profession was poor remuneration 150(55.6%) and upgrading the diploma schools 195(72.2%). It was recommended that nurses should be encouraged to be self motivated and continue with the practice of nursing as a career, the government should give adequate remuneration to the nurses and Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria should upgrade the diploma schools to degree awarding institutions.

Key words: Nursing, profession image, Southeast Nigeria, tertiary hospitals. 

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 585-590, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of maternal and child mortality in Africa with Nigeria as a case study

*Kayode Christopher, Fayemi Aminu and Ike Onwenu

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: c_kayode@yahoo.com

Accepted 20 August, 2015

Abstract

The paper examined the unacceptably high maternal and child mortality in Africa using Nigeria as a case study. Place and duration of study were the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Calabar, and Department of Public Health Nursing, College of Health Technology, Calabar, Nigeria, between February, 2010 and April, 2011. The opportunity created by the presence of over 300 Nurses at the 2010 October 3rd to 8th, 8^th African Regional Conference organised by Nurses Christian Fellowship International (NCFI) in Ghana, was utilized to extensively compare notes and discuss salient issues contained in our reviewed work. Existing research works in prints and electronic among others were used in the search and collation of facts and figures contained in the study. Theme of the conference was: Reforming Nursing and Midwifery Care in Africa. Nigeria is the most populous Black Nation and has the maternal mortality rate of 280 to 1150 per 100,000 live births (Onwumere, 2010). Maternal and child mortality is closely linked to poverty with malnutrition as an underlying contributor in over half of these deaths. Factors associated with these problems include, poor socio-economic development, weak health care system and low socio-cultural barriers to care utilization (Ibeh, 2008). The persistent high rate of maternal and child mortality in the country negates the achievement of the 4th and 5th Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Nigeria, which constitutes just 1% of the world’s population, accounts for 10% of the world’s maternal and under-5 mortality rates. Factors associated with these problems include, poor socio-economic development, weak health care system and low socio-cultural barriers to care utilization. Key interventions identified for curbing these problems include, care during pregnancy, birth and post partum supports in addition to approved child survival intervention.

Key words: Curbing, maternal, child, mortality, Nigerian experience.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 591-594, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

An assessment of the knowledge of postnatal mothers about low birth weight (LBW) in a resource restricted urban setting in Zimbabwe

*Alick Zhakata, Mawere Strive and P. G. Asante

Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.

*Corresponding author. E-mail alickzhakata@yahoo.com

Accepted 3 August, 2015

Abstract

This study aimed to establish the knowledge of postnatal mothers about low birth weight (LBW) in a resource restricted urban setting. A non-experimental descriptive study was conducted using a systematic sampling method to select fifty mothers aged between 15 and 41 years with babies below five years born with LBW of below 2500 grams. The women were selected as they sought health care at Mabvuku Satellite Clinic in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. Data were collected using an investigator- administered interview guide that also included three open-ended questions. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies, percentages and tables. The major finding was that all participants had inadequate knowledge about LBW. Their total score was below 50% with a mean of 1.56% which, on the scale of “adequate knowledge” score levels defined by Nachega et al. (2005) was well below the 75% plus accepted score for adequate knowledge. Additionally, findings showed that all the participants did not remember any information they received on LBW during pre/ postnatal care. Eighty percent of the participants stated that nurses did not talk about LBW. To increase knowledge on LBW, we advocate that a manual on topics to be covered during pre/postnatal care be developed and that both young men and women, pregnant and not, be educated on factors associated with LBW by health care providers.

Key words: Low birth weight, resource restricted setting, weight in grams, poor socio-economic factors, pre/postnatal.