Windows Version Research Articles

Instructional Program on Nurses' Knowledge and practice Towards Nursing Documentation in Pediatric Wards

Background: Nursing documentation is a set of written information, transmitted in the form of a document with regard to patient’s health and care status, It is a legal and professional action for people involved in health care affairs, including nurses. Objectives: To determine Instructional Program on Nurses' Knowledge and practice Towards Nursing Documentation in Pediatric Wards at Mosul Hospitals. Methods: Quasi-experimental design through using ( Non probability ) Purposive Sampling was conducted to determine Effectiveness of an Instructional Program on nurses' knowledge and practice Nursing documentation in Pediatric Wards at Mosul Hospitals from 13 October 2023 throughout 14 March 2024.A simple random sample with probability of 60 sample . Data is analyzed using the "Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software for Windows (Version 26)" Results: This finding the showed that those aged 30-34 had the highest percentage (46.7%). In regards to sex, more than half of the study sample were female (60%) as compared with those who were male. Regarding educational level, the percentage was almost equal. Years of relevant experience resulted in a mean of 2.53.

Epidemio-Clinical Profile and Determinants of Paediatric ENT Pathologies in Rural Hospitals: Case of Kimpese Evangelical Medical Institute

Ear-Nose-Throat disorders in children are one of the leading causes of consultations in paediatrics, with a variety of aetiologies. The study aimed to investigate the epidemiological-clinical profile, treatment and determinants of Ear-Nose-Throat disorders in children attending the paediatric department of the KIMPESE Evangelical Medical Institute (EMI) hospital. This was a prospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical approach, which took place between October 2022 and March 2023. The KIMPESE Evangelical Medical Institute (KIMPESE/EMI/) was the setting for this study. The study included all children aged 0-16 years who had been consulted or admitted for any sign of Ear-Nose-Throat disease, whose parents had given their consent. The data collected was encoded an Excel 2016 database. They were transferred to SPSS for Windows version 21 for processing and analysis. Out of a total of 205 children cared for at the EMI, 139 had presented with at least one ENT pathology, i.e. a frequency of 67.8%. The median age of the children was 5 (2-10) years, and more than half were under 5 years of age. They were predominantly male, with a sex ratio of 1,13. The ENT pathologies presented by these children were distributed as follows: 28.8% suffered from otological pathologies, 25.4% from rhinological pathologies and 17.1% from pharyngological pathologies. The most common otological pathologies were cerumen impaction and congestive AOM, while rhinitis was the most common rhinological pathology and rhinopharyngitis was the most common pharyngological pathology. The factors associated with ENT pathologies in children, in multivariate analysis, were determined by passive smoking, a history of rhinopharyngitis, household size ≥6 people, and living in a polluted environment. This study has shown that oral diseases in children are also common in rural areas, the case of KIMPESE Evangelical Medical Institute, especially in our African countries where the population is very young. The results obtained provide ample evidence of the existence of certain factors determining the genesis of certain oral diseases in children in the town of Kimpese.

Efficacy of BioMin F and NovaMin toothpastes against streptococcus mutans: an in vitro study

ObjectiveThis in vitro study was accomplished to demonstrate the antibacterial efficacy of BioMin F and NovaMin toothpastes against the recently-isolated Streptococcus Mutans in comparison with a commonly used fluoride toothpaste.Materials and methodsDental plaque collection method was adopted to isolate streptococcus mutans in children with dental caries. Then an ideal Streptococcus Mutans colony was incubated in 20 Petri dishes that contained Mueller-Hinton medium. Each dish had 3 wells; one well for each toothpaste (BioMin F, NovMin, and Signal) to perform the agar diffusion test. After incubating for 24 hours, the inhabitation zone around each well of each Petri dish was noticed and measured. Statistical Analysis was achieved using a statistical package, SPSS Windows version 17, by applying Kruskal-Wallis with Mann–Whitney U test (α = 0.05).ResultsBioMin F showed the highest mean of inhibition zone diameter (x¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\bar{x}$$\\end{document} = 2.67 mm) in compared with NovaMin and Signal (x¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\bar{x}$$\\end{document} = 0.39 mm and x¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\bar{x}$$\\end{document} = 2.19 mm; p < 0.001 in each pairwise comparison).ConclusionBioMin F toothpaste showed superior antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans to Signal and NovaMin toothpastes. Novamin showed the lowest antibacterial effect. This in vitro study suggests that BioMin F toothpaste shows encouraging potential to be recommended as a preventive measure to reduce the caries risk.

Development of a quality of work life scale for Japanese community pharmacists: a questionnaire survey mostly in large companies

BackgroundHuman resource management may become complex for community pharmacists owing to recent changes in work volume and content. Few studies have examined job satisfaction, well-being, and quality of work life (QWL) among community pharmacists in Japan. This study focused on QWL, a more comprehensive concept than job satisfaction, and aimed to develop the QWL questionnaire for Japanese community pharmacists (the QWLQ for JCP) and assess its reliability and validity.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among 2027 pharmacists who worked in pharmacies with the cooperation of 20 corporations running pharmacies. Collected data were subjected to principal component factor analysis with Promax rotation via SPSS Windows version 28.ResultsThe factor analysis used data from 1966 pharmacists. In total, five significant components, which formed the basis of the QWLQ for JCP, were identified. These included “Influence of work on mind and body,” “Relationships with colleagues,” “Relationship with the boss,” “Meaning of existence in the workplace,” and “Pride in work.” Cronbach’s alpha, which expressed reliability, ranged from 0.585 to 0.854 for all the subscales.ConclusionThe QWLQ for the JCP significantly explained the concept of QWL, which indicated that its validity was sufficient.

The effect of simultaneous administration of occipital nerve block and cervical myofascial trigger point injection (MTrPI) on headache parameters in chronic migraine patients.

Peripheral myofascial mechanisms have been identified as contributors to migraine pathophysiology. The specific comorbid relationship between migraine and cervical trigger points may exacerbate the occurrence and severity of migraine attacks. Trigger point injections (TPIs) are frequently employed to address headaches and alleviate migraine symptoms. The current study explores the impact of concurrent myofascial trigger point injection (MTrPI) and occipital nerve block (greater occipital nerve block [GONB] + lesser occipital nerve block [LONB]) on the severity of headaches and the number of migraine attacks in individuals with chronic migraine (CM) and cervical myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), with a comparison of occipital nerve block alone (GONB + LONB). During trigger point examination and injection, trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, temporalis, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were targeted. We planned the treatment based on whether they were in the muscle groups we determined, rather than the number of trigger points. This study enrolled 62 individuals experiencing CM with bilateral headache and cervical MTrP who sought care at the Algology Unit within the Departments of Neurology and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at Siirt Training and Research Hospital between 2020 and 2022. The CM cohort was stratified into two groups: group 1 received trigger point injections (TrPI), while group 2 underwent concurrent bilateral occipital nerve block (GONB + LONB) and TrPI. Both groups underwent three treatment sessions with bupivacaine 0.5% (1ml = 5mg) in weeks 1, 2, and 4. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure the patients' pain intensity. The evaluation included the assessment of the monthly migraine frequency and visual analog scale (VAS) p score for pain before treatment (BT) and after treatment (AT), conducted at baseline and during follow-up visits. Analysis of the data was conducted utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 28.0 software. Among patients diagnosed with CM and MTrPs, 32 individuals (51.6%) underwent GONB and LONB, while 30 patients (48.4%) received simultaneous GONB, LONB, and cervical MTrPI. Within the entire sample, 51 participants (82.3%) were female, and 11 (17.7%) were male, with a mean age of 32.81 ± 10.75years. With an average age of 32.81 ± 10.75years, there was no statistically significant variance between the two groups (p = 0.516). Of the total cohort, 45 individuals (72.6%) reported experiencing headaches persisting for 12months or longer. Among CM patients, 80% had active trigger points, while 20% had latent trigger points. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups concerning TrPs (p = 0.158), and the distribution of TrPs was homogenous across the two groups. In group 1, the median (min-max) monthly frequency of migraines reduced from 18.5days (range: 15.0 to 25.0days) before treatment to 12.0days (range: 7.0 to 17.0days) after treatment (p = 0.000). In group 2, the median monthly frequency of migraines reduced from 16.5days (range: 15.0 to 22.0days) before treatment to 4.0days (range: 2.0 to 8.0days) after treatment (p = 0.000). The median (min-max) VAS score in group 1 was 8.0 (range: 5.0 to 9.0) before treatment, 4.0 (range: 2.0 to 6.0) at week 1, and 5.0 (range: 4.0 to 8.0) at week 4 (p = 0.000). In group 2, the median VAS score was 7.0 (range: 5.0 to 9.0) before treatment, 0.0 (range: 0.0 to 0.3) at week 1, and 2.0 (range: 0.0 to 0.3) at week 4 (p = 0.000). There were significant distinctions between the groups in terms of both the monthly count of migraine days and the severity of headaches (p = 0.000). The combination of repeated MTrPIs and ONB proves more effective than ONB alone in managing patients with CM and cervical MTrP. In patients with CM, performing TrPs examination and adding treatments for this may contribute to the treatment. In cases where patients endure prolonged episodes of headache associated with chronic migraine, the inclusion of trigger point injections alongside peripheral nerve blocks may offer enhanced therapeutic benefits.

Relationship between Anthropometric and Serum Parameters of Adolescent School Children Aged 10 – 19 Years in Upland and Riverine Public Secondary Schools in Rivers State

The study assessed the relationship between anthropometric and serum parameters of adolescent school children aged 10 – 19 years in upland and riverine public secondary schools in Rivers state. Four hundred and eighteen (418) adolescents were randomly selected from 4 secondary schools, two each from the upland and riverine areas for the study. Standard procedures were used to obtain data for all parameters. Serum from forty subjects was used for biochemical analysis. Data collected was analysed using statistical product and service solution (SPSS) for windows version 25. Data obtained was presented as frequencies, percentages, Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between variables and significance accepted at p ≤ 0.05. Significant correlation exist between BMI and haemoglobin in the upland (r = 0.364) and in the riverine area (r = 0.819) at p&lt;0.05.While a positive correlation was observed between WHR and serum zinc in the Riverine (r = 0.731) at p&lt;0.05, and a negative correlation exists between WHR and serum calcium in the Upland (r = -0.421) area at p&lt;0.05. MUAC showed a positive correlation with Haemoglobin in the Upland (r = 0.452) at p&lt;0.05. Triceps (r = -0.818) and sub-scapula (r = -0.747) skinfolds both showed negative correlations with serum zinc in the Riverine area at p&lt;0.01 and p&lt;0.05 respectively. Nutrition education and counseling are essential in secondary schools to reduce malnutrition among adolescent school children.

Efektivitas Konseling Cognitive Behavior Teknik Latihan Asertif Untuk Mereduksi Perilaku Merokok Pada Siswa SMA

&lt;em&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-AU"&gt;This study aims to determine the application of cognitive behavior counseling techniques of assertive training to reduce smoking behavior in high school students. The method used in this study is experimental. Sampling using purposive sampling technique. Data collection collected a smoking behavior questionnaire. The data analysis technique used parametric statistical analysis, namely by using the Paired-Sample T-Test with the help of the SPSS For Windows version 25.00 program. This research method aims to determine the effect of cognitive behavior counseling on assertive training techniques to reduce smoking behavior in high school students. The design of this study was the Pretest-Postest Control Group Design which was carried out on students in the control class and the experimental class. This research focuses on the changes produced by cognitive behavior counseling, assertive practice techniques to reduce smoking behavior in high school students with the data collection technique used, namely a questionnaire. Based on the significance test, it was found that the significance value was 0.000 where 0.000 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-AU"&gt;˂&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-AU"&gt; 0.05, where the Application of Cognitive Behavior Counseling Assertive Training Techniques&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="IN"&gt; is Effective&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-AU"&gt; for Reduce Smoking Behavior in High School Students.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;

Efektifitas Pendekatan Konseling Realita Dengan Teknik WDEP Untuk Meningkatkan Disiplin Belajar Peserta Didik Kelas X PH Di SMK Negeri 1 Singaraja

&lt;p&gt;This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the reality counseling approach with the WDEP technique to improve the learning discipline of class X hospitality students at Singaraja State Vocational School. The method used in this study is experimental. Sampling using random sampling technique. Data collection uses a learning discipline questionnaire. The data analysis technique used parametric statistical analysis, namely by using the Paired-Sample T-Test with the help of the SPSS for window version 20.00 program. This research method aims to determine the effectiveness of the reality counseling approach with the WDEP technique to improve student learning discipline. The design of this study was the Non-Equivalent Control Group Design which was carried out on students in the experimental class and the control class. This study focuses on the changes produced by the reality counseling approach service with the WDEP technique to improve student learning discipline with the data collection technique used, namely a questionnaire. Based on the significance test, it is found that the significance value is 0.000 where 0.000 &amp;lt;0.05, where the Reality Counseling Approach with the WDEP Technique is Effective for Improving Learning Discipline in Class X Hospitality Students at SMK Negeri Singaraja.&lt;/p&gt;

The Effect of C-Reactive Protein Levels, Neutrophil, and Lymphocyte Count to Mortality of COVID-19 Patients with Sepsis in Referral Hospital

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by infection of Severe Acute RespiratoryDistress Syndrom Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2). COVID-19 patients may develop sepsis, the disregulation ofthe immune system that causes organ dysfunction and life-threatening situations. High mortality of COVID-19and sepsis make it important to study. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of CRP levels, neutrophil,and lymphocyte count to mortality of COVID-19 patients with sepsis. This study is an analytic observational studywith a cross-sectional approach. Samples were randomly retrieved of COVID-19 patients with sepsis admittedin referral hospital. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis used SPSS 26th version of Windows. Theresults of this study indicate a significant effect of CRP levels and neutrophil count on mortality of COVID-19patients with sepsis. Meanwhile, lymphocyte count had no significant effects. The multivariate analysis showedits significance value. Partially, the effect of neutrophils on the patient's mortality has a significant value. Theconclusion of this study is CRP levels and neutrophil count simultaneously have an effect on higher mortality ofCOVID-19 patients with sepsis.

Comparative Efficacy of Levofloxacin Versus Amoxycillin/Clavulanic Acid Combined with Azithromycin in Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Early initiation of antibiotics is highly recommended. In most CAP cases, multiple drug options are increasingly becoming available, but there is often a lack of evidence that allows for a direct comparison of the efficacy of one drug versus another. Aim: The main objective was to compare treatment outcomes using oral levofloxacin alone and combined azithromycin and amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid in outpatient treatment of Community-acquired pneumonia. Methods: This study was a prospective longitudinal design. Patients diagnosed with CAP were randomly assigned to first and second treatment groups. Community-acquired pneumonia was diagnosed according to America Thoracic Society criteria. The sample size of 78 was arrived at by Yamane Taro (1967) formula. Every patient diagnosed and treated in the outpatient department who gave written consent to participate was enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups. Minors below 18 years were excluded from the study. Data were analysed using SPSS for Windows version 26. An independent t-test compared the effectiveness of the two treatment groups. Changes in white blood cell count during the follow-up visits were done using a chi-square test. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The majority, 33(50%) of the patients, were aged between 21 and 29 years, and over sixty percent, 42(63.6%) of participants were females. Of all the participants, 66(100%) had a cough and chest pain, 57(86.4%) had crackles, and about ten percent, 6(9.1%) had difficulty breathing at the time of admission into the study. About 29(43.9%) of patients had a fever at baseline, and 14(21.2%) had a respiratory rate between 16 and 29 breaths per minute at baseline. A combination of azithromycin and amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was associated with statistically significant faster resolution of chest pains and cough (mean 1.7 and 3.14 days, respectively) compared to levofloxacin group (mean 2.21 and 3.71 days, respectively) in patients who had community-acquired pneumonia (p=0.009. There was no difference in fever resolution, time to crackles subsidence, resolution of difficulty in breathing, and change in white blood cell count in participants in the two treatment groups. Conclusions: Azithromycin combined with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid reduced chest pain in 1.70 days (SD=0.618) compared to levofloxacin alone (2.21 days, SD=1.204) (p=0.009). Azithromycin combined with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid reduced cough in 3.14 days (SD=0.789) versus levofloxacin alone (3.70 days, SD=0.588) (p=0.014). Hence, the azithromycin plus amoxycillin/clavulanic acid combination was found to be superior for managing CAP.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Emergency Contraceptive Among Female Preparatory School Students in Awsi Resu Zone(01), Afar, Ethiopia, 2023

BACKGROUND: Students in preparatory schools are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, which may lead to a rise in untended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and STIs. Many of these unplanned pregnancies can be avoided using emergency contraception. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of emergency contraceptives. OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of emergency contraception among preparatory school students of Awsiresu zone (01) in Afar, Ethiopia. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected preparatory schools in Awsi Resu Zone, Afar, Ethiopia, from October 20 to November 8, 2023, among 419 female students who were selected using the systematic random sampling method. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and entered into the Kobo toolbox. Data were collected by five female public health officer students using interview-administered methods. A one-day discussion was held among group members and data collectors on how to obtain consent and collect complete data. The collected data was exported to SPSS window version 26 for analysis, and a descriptive analysis was performed for all variables. RESULT: Three hundred ten (74.0%) of the students said that they have heard about emergency contraceptives. 57.7% of the students had a positive attitude towards emergency contraceptives. One hundred (32.3%) of the students said that EC is recommended as a regular contraceptive method, and another one hundred forty-one (50.2%) students said that EC can prevent STIs. Among the ten respondents who had used emergency contraceptives, six (60%) used regular contraceptives. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The study findings showed that most of the respondents who had ever heard of emergency contraception had good knowledge and a positive attitude, despite some respondents having misunderstandings about emergency contraceptives. Therefore, the Afar Health Bureau should distribute educational materials such as brochures, posters, and flyers that teach about emergency contraception and arrange programs on a regular basis to provide accurate information concerning the utilization of emergency contraception.

Comparative Evaluation of Longevity of Fluoride Release from Three Different Fluoride Varnishes: An Observational Study.

The cycles of demineralization and remineralization result in a dynamic process of caries development. Caries are prevented by the shift in the balance from demineralization to remineralization at the tooth-oral fluid interface with the help of salivary fluoride levels (in parts per million). The advantages of fluoride varnish application over other substitutes like dentifrices, mouthrinses, gels, or foams are that varnishes are well tolerated by infants, young children, or children with special healthcare needs and have prolonged therapeutic effects. This study was formulated to evaluate and compare the longevity of fluoride release from different fluoride varnishes, namely Fluor Protector, Enamelast, and Enamel Pro varnish. To evaluate and compare the longevity of fluoride release from three different fluoride varnishes. The study samples comprised 72 healthy permanent maxillary anterior teeth. The teeth were divided into four groups, with eighteen teeth in each group. The surfaces of all teeth were then covered by different colored nail varnish according to the respective group, except for a 3 × 3 mm window on the facial (labial) surface of the crown, where the test materials were applied according to their respective group. In group I, Fluor Protector varnish; in group II, Enamelast varnish; and in group III, Enamel Pro varnish was applied. Group IV was the control group; hence, no test material was applied. All specimens were then stored in plastic containers with a pH of 7.2 in artificial saliva at room temperature. The specimens were transferred into new plastic containers after 1 day, containing fresh artificial saliva, and solutions from previous plastic containers were taken for fluoride analysis. This process was repeated sequentially to analyze the amount of fluoride released in ppm from the specimens at the end of 1, 3, and 6 months. Analysis was performed on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (Windows version 22.0). Conventionally used 1.5% ammonium fluoride varnish, that is, Fluor Protector varnish, showed the least release of fluoride (0.03 ± 0.0 ppm), while resin carrier-based 5% sodium fluoride varnish, that is, Enamelast varnish showed a good amount of fluoride release for 6 months continuously, that is, (0.16 ± 0.06 ppm) at last follow-up. Enamel Pro varnish, which has 5% sodium fluoride with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) formula, was found to be the best varnish as it released the maximum amount of fluoride in ppm in artificial saliva for up to 3 months (0.32 ± 0.08) but less than Enamelast varnish only at 6 months follow-up that is 0.09 ± 0.03 ppm. The present study concludes that based on the amount of fluoride released for 6 months duration, Enamel Pro varnish, followed by Enamelast varnish and Fluor Protector varnish, are advisable to apply for caries prevention. Singh V, Naik S, Vashisth P, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Longevity of Fluoride Release from Three Different Fluoride Varnishes: An Observational Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(3):341-345.

Parents' perceptions of morbidities and some functional abilities in people with down syndrome in Morocco.

This study aimed to assess parental perceptions of morbidity and certain functional abilities in people with Down syndrome (DS) and their variability according to age and sex in Morocco. A retrospective and analytical survey was conducted between May 2014 and November 2017, and addressed to the parents of 279 individuals with DS, including 161 boys (57.7%) aged 1-40 years. The sample was subdivised to tree age groups, children under 10 years old, adolescents aged 10-18 years and adults aged ≥ 18 years. Information about the identity of parents, age and sex of people with DS, their morbidity during the two years preceding the survey, and some functional abilities was collected. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). Chi-square (χ2) test was used for testing statistical significance. Differences were considered significant when the p-value < 0.05. The multivariate analysis were used to identify the causes of morbidies independently associated with age and sex of child. Associations were measured in Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% Cl). The most common factors of morbidity registered in the study sample with DS, included respiratory infections, visual disturbances, oral pathologies, and cardiac problems (75.4%, 72.1%, 59.3%, and 44.9%, respectively). The hearing deficit, cardiac problems, respiratory infections, and oral pathologies showed statistically significant differences among the three age groups. According to the participants parents' perceptions, half of them (50%) were able to walk at 30 months, talk at 72 months, sit at 16 months, crawl at 16 months and eat alone at 48 months old. People with DS at different ages present a set of potentially treatable diseases that require multidisciplinary medical monitoring. They also need early paramedical care to improve their functional abilities.

An assessment of treatment compliance using the Morisky scale-8 tool in adult hypertensive patients of Eastern India.

Adequate management of hypertension is crucial for decreasing the likelihood of cardiovascular ailments and associated complications. Nonetheless, in the Indian context, maintaining compliance with prescribed hypertensive therapies presents a notable hurdle, impeding the attainment of favorable health outcomes. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of treatment adherence and explore the diverse factors that impact adherence patterns among individuals diagnosed with hypertension. A community-based cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out among the diagnosed hypertensive patients from 12 purposefully selected villages of Khagaul block, Patna. A total of 262 participants were recruited in the study by using non-probability sampling. The 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used for measuring adherence. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 21.0 (SPSS Inc; Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis of data. As per MMAS scores, 10 (3.8%) had high, 133 (50.8%) moderate, and 119 (45.4%) poor adherence. However, good adherence was reported among geriatric patients [1.65 (1.01-2.7)], those with a history of absence of comorbidities [2.15 (1.21-3.85)], more than 5 years' duration of hypertension [3.2 (1.89-5.41)], once-a-day drug intake [2.8 (1.61-4.87)], and having controlled blood pressure [5.2 (3.08-8.96)]. Controlled blood pressure (AOR = 0.048, 0.023-0.098), perception of high benefit of treatment [0.497 (0.255-0.97)], and absence of comorbidity [0.016 (0.168-0.832)] were identified as predictors of good treatment adherence. Overall medication adherence in the current study was 54.6%. Achieving treatment adherence frequently demands proactive patient engagement, highlighting their active role in disease management. Also, involving the patient's caregivers can offer an additional tactic to tackle non-adherence stemming from forgetfulness of the patient.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Modern Family Planning Methods among Men in Ogbogu Community in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State

This study examined the knowledge, attitude and practice of modern family planning methods among men in Ogbogu Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. Introduction: Family planning is the practice that helps individuals or couples to attain certain objectives such as avoiding unwanted pregnancies, bringing about wanted babies at the right time, regulating the interval between pregnancies, controlling the time at which birth occurs in relation to the ages of the parents. Methodology: The study used a descriptive survey research design. The study population comprised married men currently residing in Ogbogu Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. A sample size of 389 persons was selected using a simple random technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) windows (version 20.0). Results: The study showed that there is high awareness of family planning of among the married couples used for the study. Majority of the participants had detailed knowledge of condom. Also, the study indicated that married couples had a favourable attitude toward modern family planning methods of 51%, out of the married couples that were aware of modern family planning methods. Again, the study revealed that high percentage of married couples practice modern family planning methods. Conclusion: Knowledge of modern contraceptives is high in the study population. Substantial proportion of married couples had positive attitude towards modern contraceptives and hence more room for increasing modern contraceptive use in the study population.

Effects of an EMR Education Program on Nursing Information Literacy, Self-Directed Learning, Problem-Solving Ability, and Practice Satisfaction of Undergraduate Nursing Students

Purpose: This study implemented an electronic medical record (EMR) training program for nursing students and aimed to confirm its effectiveness.Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The participants were 42 sophomore nursing students enrolled in a fundamental nursing course (experimental group: n=21, control group n=21). The EMR training program consisted of 6 sessions, taught over 5 weeks. Data were collected between April 23 and July 14, 2023, and were analyzed using the &lt;i&gt;x&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; test, Fisher exact test, t-test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test with SPSS for Windows version 24.0.Results: Significant differences were shown between the experimental and control groups regarding self-directed learning ability (t=2.22, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.032), problem-solving ability (t=2.34, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.026), practice satisfaction (U=136.00, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.016) and EMR competency (U=101.50, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.001).Conclusion: The EMR training program effectively improved nursing students’ self-directed learning ability, problem-solving ability, practice satisfaction, and EMR competency. Therefore, developing and applying EMR-related content can enhance nursing student’s awareness of EMR systems is recommended.

Factors Influencing Medication Adherence in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate medication regimen complexity, social support, and beliefs about medicine as factors related to medication adherence, with the eventual goal of targeting these factors to improve medication adherence in patients undergoing hemodialysis.Methods: This study included 143 patients undergoing hemodialysis (hospitalized or outpatients) from two hospitals located in Daegu city. Data were collected from January 11 to March 31, 2023, using self-reported questionnaires, including the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), medication regimen complexity index, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and beliefs about medicine. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive tests, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression via SPSS for Windows version 25.0.Results: Based on the MMAS-8 scores, the prevalence of medication nonadherence was determined to be 53.8%. In hierarchical regression analysis, the factors affecting medication adherence included beliefs about medicine (β=.34, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001) and social support (β=.30, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001). The total explanatory power of the regression model was 44% (F=16.83, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001).Conclusion: Social support and beliefs about medicine can be effective strategies for positively changing medication adherence in patients undergoing hemodialysis. It is essential to establish nursing intervention programs to increase social support and modify beliefs about medicine in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Delay in reaching health facilities for emergency obstetric care and associated factors among postpartum mothers at Bale zones, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study.

Maternal mortality occurs in developing nations as a result of inadequate health care, delayed medical attention and the inability to access medical facilities. The three-delay model was employed to determine the causes of maternal death. There was limited data on maternal delay in reaching health facilities for emergency obstetric care services in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of delay in reaching health facilities for emergency obstetric care and associated factors among postpartum mothers at Bale and east Bale zones. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 postnatal women from April 6 to May 6, 2022. A systematic sampling technique was used to select study participants. The data were collected electronically using an Open Data Kit and exported to SPSS window version 25 for cleaning and analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable analysis was done by using a binary logistic regression model to identify factors associated with delay in traveling for emergency obstetric care services. Statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05. In this study, the prevalence of delay in reaching health facilities during emergency obstetric care was 38.1% (95%CI: 33.3, 43). The following factors showed significant association with delay in reaching health facilities during emergency obstetric care: Average monthly income (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.14), distance (AOR = 4.35; 95% CI: 2.65, 7.14), a referral from other health facilities (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.11) and delay one (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.7, 4.93). This study showed that the prevalence of delay in reaching health facilities for emergency obstetric care services in the study area was high. Promoting road accessibility and transport mechanisms and strengthening referral mechanisms shall be emphasized.

Prediction model of health-related quality of life in older adults according to gender using a decision tree model: a study based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Purpose: The aim of this study was to predict the subgroups vulnerable to poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to gender in older adults.Methods: Data from 5,553 Koreans aged 65 or older were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D tool. Complex sample analysis and decision-tree analysis were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 27.0.Results: The mean scores of the EQ-5D index were 0.93 ± 0.00 in men and 0.88 ± 0.00 in women. In men, poorer HRQoL groups were identified with seven different pathways, which were categorized based on participants’ characteristics, such as restriction of activity, perceived health status, muscle exercise, age, relative hand grip strength, suicidal ideation, the number of chronic diseases, body mass index, and income status. Restriction of activity was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly men. In women, the poorer HRQoL groups were identified with nine different pathways, which were categorized based on participants’ characteristics, such as perceived health status, restriction of activity, age, education, unmet medical service needs, anemia, body mass index, relative hand grip, and aerobic exercise. Perceived health status was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly women.Conclusion: This study presents a predictive model of HRQoL in older adults according to gender and can be used to detect individuals at risk of poorer HRQoL.

Effects of perceptions of the importance of patient safety management and patient safety competency on patient safety management activities among nurses at unaccredited general hospitals

Purpose: This descriptive research study attempted to determine how general hospital nurses’ awareness of the importance of patient safety management and patient safety competency affected patient safety management activities.Methods: From September 13 to 26, 2022, a survey was administered to 230 ward nurses who provided direct care to patients at five non-accredited general hospitals being evaluated for accreditation located in metropolitan cities. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-way analysis, the Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression using SPSS for Windows version 26.0.Results: In total, 221 (96.1%) respondents were female. The average age was 32.2 years, and the average clinical experience was 3.5 years; 196 participants (85.2%) were general nurses. Patient safety competency (β = .44, p &lt; .001), awareness of the importance of safety management (β = .31, p &lt; .001), and medication error experience (β = -.15, p = .002) all had statistically significant associations with patient safety management activities. The explanatory power of these variables for patient safety management activities was 50.7%. Conclusion: This study confirmed that patient safety competency, awareness of the importance of patient safety management, and experience with medication errors significantly influenced patient safety management activities.