Linu Sara George

Effectiveness of a training program for bleeding disorders among accredited social health activists in Udupi District, Karnataka, India

Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders are underreported and cause significant morbidity and mortality in resource‐constrained countries. Training and the creation of awareness among accredited social heath activists (ASHAs) will aid in the early detection of bleeding disorders at the community level.

Effect of Preoperative Education on Postoperative Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: The objective of this review was to assess the effect of preoperative education on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was made on PubMed, CINAHL, Ovid, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane database between 1995 and 2015. Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included. Data analysis was performed with RevMan software and created the Supplementary Appendix using the GRADE approach. Findings: Meta‐analysis showed that preoperative education reduced anxiety scores (standardized mean difference = −0.96, 95% confidence interval: −1.37, −0.54; P < .0001). However, there was no significant effect of preoperative education on pain, depression, and length of hospital stay. There is low‐quality evidence, and reasons for downgrading are due to study design limitations, inconsistency, and imprecision of effect estimates. Conclusions: The results show that preoperative education can effectively decrease anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Lifestyle practices among students of different nationality in a selected university

A healthy lifestyle is one that concerns with good physical and mental health. Physical health can be achieved by following a healthy diet, adequate rest and sleep and doing regular exercise.

Factors Affecting Learning Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction: Nursing education expects the students to be competent enough to render quality care for their patients in hospital as well as community setting. To reach the level of expected competency, the students must undergo vigorous training during their undergraduate education. The learning experience of the students is influenced by many factors. Aim: To identify the factors, affecting learning as perceived by the students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive survey was conducted among 414 undergraduate nursing students enrolled in selected Nursing Colleges. Background information was collected using Demographic Proforma and the factors affecting learning were identified using Likert Scale. Factors were identified by exploratory factor analysis using extraction method of principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Results: Majority (73.7%) of the samples were between 22-25 years of age, 93.2% were females, most (38.9%) were studying in the fourth year of nursing, 50% of the students enrolled in the study had chosen nursing as a career due to job security in future, 58.7% students did not spent time every day for their studies and majority (89.1%) had English as their medium of instruction in Pre-university college. Factor analysis identified five factors (Learning environment, Supportive services, Teacher characteristics, Learner challenges and Personal factors) that affect the student learning. Conclusion: From the present study it can be concluded that perception of students do have an influence on factors affecting learning. The study findings will help the faculty members to bring in changes for the best learning outcome.

Eating experiences of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after radiotherapy- Qualitative meta-synthesis

Background: Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients’ often experience problems related to eating of various severities. Damages to the salivary gland, changes in salivary consistency and pain have greater influence on eating behaviour and psychosocial life. nMethod: The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative meta-synthesis on eating experiences of HNC patients followed by radiation therapy. A comprehensive literature search of qualitative studies was done between March and May 2015, using the MeSH words, key words and Boolean operators from three online data bases such as PubMed, Ovid Medline and CINAHL for the articles published between 2010 and 2015. A summative approach of qualitative content analysis was adopted for summarizing the findings. nResults: Total of 878 articles was identified. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative checklist was used to for critical appraisal of individual studies. Data was extracted from four research articles which were relevant for the review question. Experience of eating was described as difficult and painful. Longer time was taken to eat due to longer chewing, changes in the consistency of saliva and difficulty in opening the mouth. Because of the changes in the behaviour of eating HNC patients isolate themselves. A theme-”Disquieting eating experience” evolved from the present review. nConclusion: Patients with HNC experience many problems related to eating. Early identification and rehabilitation of such patients is essential to improve the Quality of Life (QOL).

Effect of Complementary Therapies in Patients Following Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular diseases are increasing rapidly and have become a major health problem worldwide. The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease are increasing rapidly, predominantly in the developing countries. Patients with cardiovascular disease who do not respond to routine medical treatment will have to follow cardiac surgical procedures. The objective of this study was to apprise the evidence of the effect of various complementary therapies on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A comprehensive literature search was made on PubMed-Medline, CINAHL, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases for original research studies published between 2000 and 2015. Original articles that reported the effect of complementary therapies in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included. Twenty-eight studies were analyzed, and they have produced conflicting results. Most of the studies (n = 25) have documented the effects of complementary therapies on improving postoperative outcomes of patients, whereas other studies (n = 3) found no evidence of improvement. Although methods varied considerably, most of the studies included in this review reported positive results. Therefore, there is some evidence that complementary therapies can lead to positive postoperative outcomes. Evidence of the efficacy of complementary therapies in cardiac surgical patients remains inconclusive. Additional research is needed to provide a strong evidence base for the use of complementary therapies to improve postoperative outcomes and recovery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Self-image of the patients with head and neck cancer: A mixed method research

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the self-image of the patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs) by using a mixed method research. Subjects and Methods: A mixed method approach and triangulation design was used with the aim of assessing the self-image of the patients with HNCs. Data was gathered by using self-administered self-image scale and structured interview. Nested sampling technique was adopted. Sample size for quantitative approach was 54 and data saturation was achieved with seven subjects for qualitative approach. Institutional Ethical Committee clearance was obtained. Results: The results of the study showed that 30 (56%) subjects had positive self-image and 24 (44%) had negative self-image. There was a moderate positive correlation between body image and integrity (r = 0.430, P = 0.001), weak positive correlation between body image and self-esteem (r = 0.270, P = 0.049), and no correlation between self-esteem and integrity (r = 0.203, P = 0.141). The participants also scored maximum (24/24) in the areas of body image and self-esteem. Similar findings were also observed in the phenomenological approach. The themes evolved were immaterial of outer appearance and desire of good health to all. Conclusion: The illness is long-term and impacts the individual 24 h a day. Understanding patients′ self-concept and living experiences of patients with HNC is important for the health care professionals to improve the care.

Effectiveness of Ambulation during First Stage of Labour, on the Outcome of Labour among Primigravid Women in Selected Hospitals of Palakkad District, Kerala

Many women desire mobility during labour, which helps to enhance their physiological and psychological wellbeing. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of ambulation during first stage of labour, on the outcome of labour. Quasi experimental, post test only control group design was used in 60 samples. Statistical analysis of data revealed that ambulation during first stage of labour was effective in reducing duration of labour (t value = -2.27 and p value <0.05) also in bringing positive behavioural response (Mann-Whitney U test, p value< 0.05).

Career Preferences of Preregistration Nursing Students: Exploratory Survey

Background: Preparing nurses, the largest employee group in most health care organizations, enabling them to take greater responsibility for their career goals is critical. There are many factors that can influence a graduating nurses perception of their career. nObjectives: This study explores the career preferences of undergraduate nursing students and the associated factors, and examines the demographic factors relationship to their career preferences. nDesign, Setting & Participants : An exploratory survey was conducted among 300 undergraduate B. Sc Nursing students in four selected colleges of Mangalore city. nResults: The key finding suggests that maximum number of participants (88.3%) were sure about their career preferences and more than half of them (64%) prefer to work in hospital setting. The participants most preferred area of work were teaching faculty 63(21%), critical care nursing 59(19.7%), whereas and public health nursing 8(2.7%) and nurse anaesthetist 5(1.7%) were the least preferred area. 16.3% of participants have a plan to divert the career. nConclusion: Identifying the factors that influence young nurses career preferences, which can be interpreted by the nurse educators and administrators to prepare nurses to become professionally equipped and to retain and enhance themselves in their profession.