Infection control and prevention in burn victims:The role of nurses

Burn injury is a major public health concern,with an estimated 180,000 deaths each year associated with burn-related infections.The majority of these occur in low-and middle-income countries,and almost two-thirds occur in the World Health Organization African and South-East Asia Regions.There is a risk of an escalation of burn injury site infections if nurses who are directly involved in burn care do not develop a mechanism to mitigate this risk in the coming years.Hence,this study aims at explaining what burn injuries are and how nurses can prevent the occurrence of infection among burn victims.This review analyzed published studies using keywords such as burn injury,infection in burn patients,and nurses’involvement in infection prevention and control(IPC)on search engines such as PubMed,Science Direct,and Google Scholar.The literature was retrieved and reviewed for eligibility to capture just the variables indicated in this seminar objective;the date range chosen in the literature search was from 2015 to 2023.The study found that many patients die from burn injuries as a result of exposure to infection and most nurses are not adequately informed about infection control.The study also found that nurses’responsibilities include proper hand hygiene,wound care,the use of personal protective equipment,antibiotic medication,cleaning the patient’s surroundings,and preventing patient cross-contamination.Burn injuries pose a significant risk to patients,necessitating infection control and prevention.Therefore,nurses in burn units should be informed on IPC practices and also educate patients,families,and coworkers on their importance.

Impact of Plastic Waste on the Human Health in Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Background: Plastic pollution is the accumulation of waste composed of plastic and its derivatives all over the environment. Whether in the form of visible garbage or microparticles, as it slowly degrades, plastic pollution poses significant threats to terrestrial and aquatic habitats and the wildlife that call them home, whether through ingestion, entanglement or exposure to the chemicals contained in the material. Unfortunately, there is a lack of documentation on the impact of plastic waste on human health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL and Web of Science) and gray literature, following the preferred reporting elements for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), for the impact of plastic waste on human health in developing countries. We included quantitative and qualitative studies written in English and French. We assessed the quality of the included articles using the Mixed Methods Appraisal tool (MMAT). Results: A total of 3779 articles were initially identified by searching electronic databases. After eliminating duplicates, 3167 articles were reviewed based on title and abstract, and 26 were selected for full-text review. Only three articles were retained. The three articles dealt with practices likely to lead to oral exposure to plastic chemicals in human health, as well as the level of awareness of participants concerning the possible impact of plastic on human health, namely, the use of plastic baby bottles, the use of microwaves to cook food and reheat precooked food, the use of plastic bottles to store water in the refrigerator, water purifier containers with plastic bodies and plastic lunch boxes, the reuse of plastic bags and the inadequacy of treatment facilities. Conclusion: Plastic waste poses different risks to human health at every stage of its life cycle. Hence, strategies must be adopted to raise public awareness of the dangers of plastic waste to their health. Trial registration: The review protocol is registered in the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews (ID = CRD42023409087).

The role of nurses in the prevention of cervical cancer: Cervical screening, an unkept promise by the majority of women in Nigeria

Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem accounting for continuous female death in developing countries.Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women globally with an estimated number of 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 273,000 mortalities annually.Cervical screening is the best cancer screening test in the history of medicine and most cost-effective of all medical screening tests.The study review aimed to highlight methods of cervical cancer prevention,identify the uptake of cervical screening among women,and explain the role of nurses in uptake of cervical screening.Cervical cancer is preventable and easily treatable if it is detected at early stages,but poor information on prevention and access to screening and treatment contributes to 90%of deaths.In the developing countries such as Nigeria,a large proportion of cervical cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages,with poor rates of survival.The three main methods for preventing cervical cancer are through primary prevention(human papillomavirus vaccination and health education),secondary prevention(cervical screening,early detection of precancerous lesions,and treatment),and tertiary prevention(measures to slow the progression or recurrence,surgical removal,radiotherapy,and chemotherapy).Nurses can help improve the acceptability of this neglected promise by focusing on health education on cervical screening and vaccination in prenatal clinics and infant welfare clinics where there are more women.Inclusion of cyberspace could also serve as a successful and popular platform for this health teaching.All nurses/midwives must preach and fervently work toward the WHO 90–70–90 plan for eradicating cervical cancer.

A Study of Hie and LBP: The First Step to Improve Subjective Well-Being

Backgrounds: Health does not only physical health, therefore, we need to study it from various viewpoints. Many Japanese female complain of a Hie or a low back pain (LBP), which they reduce their subjective well-being. We analyze. Those patients often have acupuncture therapy. In this study, we analyze the characteristics of Hie and LBP, the satisfaction level of alternative therapy and we pursue a tip to improve subjective well-being. Methods: Of 1000 women, Hie (+)/Hie (−) or LBP (+)/LBP (−), we compared their body temperature (BT) (axilla) and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, the Chi test identified ten factors of “body” and seven “mind” information. Results: In the result of BT (axilla) while LBP indicated a significant difference. Both Hie and LBP showed difference in the opposite direction. Hie did now show such clear differences in “body” information. However, interestingly, all seven questions in the “mind” information showed statistical difference. Discussion and conclusion: One reason why those patients have acupuncture therapy may acupuncture therapy traditionally has not separate “mind” and “body” and it has the concept of “mind-body unity”. To improve subjective well-being, first we need to focus on “Mind” as well as “mind-body unity”. Mental-health support is important for patients with Hie or LBP to reduce physiological stress.

Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Personal Protective Equipment for the Prevention of COVID-19 in Public Hospitals Khartoum State Sudan 2022

Since December 2019, there had been a series of unexplained cases of pneumonia reported in Wuhan, China, and on 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) named this new virus as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging, rapidly changing global health challenge affecting all sectors, including the health sector. This study aimed to investigate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in three public health hospitals in Khartoum state. A self-administered questionnaire was used. A total of 14 knowledge questions were adopted. There are 5 questions constructed for attitude. A total of 12 practice questions were used. Mean score of knowledge considers as follows when the mean more than 75% considers as good knowledge while this percent uses as good practice and poor practice respectively to analyze the mean score differences of knowledge, attitudes, and practices between the independent variables. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between mean knowledge and attitude scores. Results: Of the 101 nurses approached, a total of 100 nurses responded (99.0% response rate). The mean age of the participants was 27.6 (SD 5.3) years, and the majority of the participants were male (293/434, 67.5%). The mean knowledge score was 1.01 (SD 0.100). The mean attitude score was 10.5 (SD 4.1), and 54.8% (238/434) of the participants had a good attitude toward COVID-19. The mean practice score was 1.4176 (SD 1.4176). There was a negative correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (P < -0.014) and between knowledge and practice scores (P < -0.081). Conclusions: The overall levels of knowledge and practice and attitude were good.

Effect of Health Education Program on Self-Efficacy and Functional Capacity of Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Khartoum State-Sudan, 2015-2019

Coronary heart disease is among the most prevalent and costly of all global health problems. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been increasingly used since the 1960s. Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, including Sudan. Self-efficacy and functional capacity is a critical factor for quality of life in patients who has undergone CABG as well as for their caregivers from their families. Aim of the Study: To explore the effects of an educational program on self-efficacy and functional capacity of patients after CABG. 1) There will be no significant difference between the intervention group and control group concerning knowledge regarding Self-efficacy and functional capacity post CABG surgery. 2) The application of our educational program for the patients will enhance the patients with CABG surgery and improve knowledge about Self-efficacy and functional capacity post CABG surgery. 3) There are some socio demographic factors that affect the response to the educational program. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental, interventional and hospital-based study, including pre-test, a post-test and follow-up test, with a control group, conducted during the period from September 2014 to June 2019. Patients were recruited consecutively to the cases and control group using convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 76 patients;41 as cases and 35 as control group. The sample included those who had undergone CABG in Khartoum State. Relevant data were collected using a checklist to monitor the effect of a health education program on self-efficacy and functional capacity of the patients. Result: The results showed marked improvement in patients’ self-efficacy and functional capacity between pretest and posttest for the study group;p-value = (0.001) in the health status of cases in comparison to the control group. The indices were observed to be higher for patients who received a nursing educational program throughout the study period;p-value = (0.002).

The Effect of Intervention on Nurse’s Performance Regarding Feeding of Premature Baby in Neonate Care Unit at Public Hospitals in Hodeida City: Yemen

Prematurity is the most common direct cause of newborn mortality that can be reduced by improving the care for premature baby in Neonatal Care Units. Nursing staff working in such units must be highly qualified to avoid complications which lead to the increase of disability and death rate. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intervention on Nurse’s Performance regarding feeding premature baby in Neonate Care Unit. Interventional Study design with pre and posttest was used. The study was carried out at neonatal care units of Organization of AL-Thora Public Hospital and AL-Slkhana Hospital for Maternal and childhood in Hodeida city in Yemen. Method: Total coverage of 50 nurses in the previously mentioned settings. Three tools were used tool viz. the Structured questionnaire including two parts for Demographic data of nurses and level of basic nurse’s knowledge tool, the Observation Check list, and the training program procedure which consists of 4 phases: Phase (1) Pretest for the existing knowledge for nurses using the questionnaire format;Phase (2) Orientation to the educational program;Phase (3) close supervision to the participants while applying the nursing practice;Phase (4) Posttest at the end of the program (the same questionnaire and the observation check list format were used). Results: The results showed that the total knowledge and practice skills of the nurses were higher in the posttest than the pretest. There was a statistical significance correlation between the total nurses’ knowledge and their total practice’s skill in the posttest (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Most of the study participants attained a score less than “good” in the levels of knowledge and practical skills in the pretest which became “very good” to “Excellent” after the educational.

Relationship between the Career Selection Process and Happiness among Japanese School Teachers, Office Workers, and Nurses

Background: Happiness varies across the life course in a U shape, with the least happiness in mid-life during the working years. Therefore, choosing a career may be an important factor in life’s happiness. However, the relationship between the career selection process and happiness remains unclear. Methods: We surveyed 805 schoolteachers, office workers, and nurses from an available marketing database using an ad hoc questionnaire assessing happiness and career selection type. Results and Discussion: We found that happiness was significantly greater among schoolteachers and nurses than for office workers in Japan. Furthermore, among schoolteachers and office workers, an evasive/avoidance type of career-selection process had an unfavorable effect on happiness. However, among nurses, no such association was observed. Conclusion: Paying attention to the career-selection process may be helpful to improve happiness.

Association between Clinical Characteristics and Quality of Life in Older People with Stroke at Hospital Discharge

Objective: The number of people with stroke increases worldwide. The stroke survivors live with disabilities and those influence their quality of life (QOL). This study was aimed to investigate the association between clinical characteristics and QOL of the older people with stroke at discharge from the hospital. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The participants were 113 stroke survivors aged 60 years and older admitted to the stroke unit. Quality of life was the study’s outcome which measured by using the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). Primary clinical characteristics were measured by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Potential confounding factors were age, sex, education levels, marital status, current occupation, and comorbidity (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and heart disease). Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis. Results: The main effects of clinical outcomes were high BI Score that had a significant difference association with QOL (β = 0.312, 95% CI = 0.042, 0.296, P = 0.009), lower mRS score also had significant difference association with QOL (β= -0.371, 95%CI = -5.394, -1.162, P = 0.003) after all adjusting. Additional risk factor in this study was marital status (currently married) (β= 0.155, 95% CI = 0.226, 8.666, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Low function status and severe stroke disability as the clinical characteristics were associated with QOL in older people with stroke at hospital discharge. An additional factor was marital status (currently married).