The impact of foot reflexology on fatigue and sleep quality in school-aged children undergoing hemodialysis

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology on fatigue and sleep quality in school-aged children receiving hemodialysis.Methods:A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was utilized.Thirty children of ages 6-12 undergoing in-center hemodialysis were recruited.The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Inventory of Fatigue Symptom(IFS)scales were administered at baseline.Participants then received 30 min of foot reflexology massage before hemodialysis sessions 3 days per week for 12 weeks.Posttest administration of the sleep and fatigue scales occurred after the intervention period.Results:Reflexology massage led to significant improvements in sleep quality components,including duration(0%-30%normal sleepers),efficiency(0%-50%>85%),latency(50%-0%>60 min),disturbances,and daytime dysfunction.The mean PSQI score decreased from 18.2 to 9.7(P<0.05).Fatigue severity substantially decreased,with the mean IFS score improving from 105.7 to 64.1(P<0.05).Conclusion:Foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention for reducing fatigue and improving sleep quality in children on hemodialysis,warranting integration into routine care.

Omicron: Egyptian nurses’ knowledge and attitudes

Objective:The current study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nurses toward the current COVID-19 pandemic and Omicron variant.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional online survey was used.Totally 277 Egyptian nurses completed an electronic questionnaire comprising demographics with 5 items,nurses’knowledge on Omicron with 18 questions,and nurses’attitudes on Omicron with 5 questions.The data collected were expressed using numbers,percentages,and mean and standard deviation.Results:The mean age of nurses was 27±5 years,nearly 50%of the nurses were bachelor degrees.The total score of correct answers related to knowledge was 75%,showing the different degrees of knowledge about Omicron.The majority of nurses showed positive attitudes toward controlling and managing the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusions:Egyptian nurses have average knowledge about Omicron and a positive attitude toward controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.There should be scope for further assessment to enhance understanding about COVID-19.Moreover,health education programs should be developed for nursing staff to improve information,beliefs,behaviors,and attitudes towards the Omicron variant in particular and the COVID-19 pandemic in general.

Role of community health nurse in the prevention of elderly dehydration:A mini-review

As dehydration is related to negative health outcomes in the elderly,including an increased risk of disability and death,prevention may help improve health,functional status,and quality of life.Dehydration diagnosis can be challenging in the elderly as the traditional physical indications of dehydration may be absent or ambiguous.Numerous etiologies place the elderly at an increased risk.The role of the community health nurse(CHN)derives from the responsibilities attached to her,and the Betty Neuman’s Systems Model of health care with three levels of protection is usually applied to the CHN.In this mini-review,we try to integrate the Betty Neuman’s Systems Model with the results of identified articles.This study includes a literature search of reputable international databases such as SpringerLink,PubMed,Embase,and Wanfang,particularly for the period 2005 to the present.Ten articles that met the qualifying criteria were included in this study.The findings of this study draw a picture of the role of CHN in preventing dehydration across the three levels of prevention as mentioned by Betty Neuman.

Dehydration risk factors and outcomes in older people in rural areas

Objective:To determine the risk factors for dehydration in elderly people in one of Elbehira Governorate’s villages.Methods:A descriptive correlational design was utilized in this study.The study was conducted at Elnemaria village,Markaz Abo Elmatamir,Elbehira Governorate,Egypt.Data were collected using 3 tools:a structured interviewing questionnaire,a dehydration knowledge questionnaire,and a dehydration risk appraisal checklist.Results:The study found that 29.5%of the par ticipants were aged between 65 and 70.Males constituted 51%of the study par ticipants.The majority of the study participants regularly took anti-acids,anti-inflammatory drugs,and diuretics.Among the elderlies comprising the respondents,40%had a low level of knowledge regarding dehydration.More than half of the study subjects were at moderate risk for dehydration.Conclusions:The study showed that half of the par ticipants had diabetes and a medium level of information about dehydration.The study also showed in general that the elderly in the village are exposed to a moderate dehydration rate,and there is also a strong relationship between taking different types of medication and the occurrence of dehydration.