Volunteerism, psychological well-beings and health prevention measures: an Awareness campaign layout addressed to university students

Non governmental organizations [NGOs] are playing an important role in community development. Their activities and initiatives are depending mainly on volunteering efforts. The present study aims at developing an awareness campaign layout to promote volunteerism for health prevention and continuity of care among university students. An explorative, descriptive, cross sectional design was adopted in the course of this study. Sample: a] a purposively selected convenient sample of 117 volunteers were the study subjects. B] Jury group [experts] with representation from different NGOs and university staff [30 members]. Volunteering organizations affiliated to mosques, churches, NGOs, political party were the study settings. Three tools were used to achieve the purpose of the study: 1] A self - administered questionnaire format 2] A depression state symptomatology scale format 3] A self administered opinionnaire format and a proposed campaign layout for promoting volunteerism among university students. 1-A-self administered question naire format: reflecting socio-demographic characteristics, of study subjects. 2- A depression state symptomiatology scale format [Radolff, 1977]. It was used for the purpose of investigating the effect of voluntarism on the depressive symptoms, self- expression by the three study groups namely, current volunteers [n = 34], willing to volunteer [n = 31] and never been volunteers attending first orientation sessions [n = 106]. 3- An opinionnaire sheet addressed to jury members to test the validity of the proposed Campaign layout. Technique: approvals were obtained from top level managers in each study setting. Aim of the study was explained. A pilot study was performed. Subjects were guided for the proper use of the study tools. Study subjects age ranged from 20-60 years, 55.7% of them were under 30 years of age with nearly equal representation of males and females, Finding of the present study emphasized the positive impact of volunteering on the psychological well-being of all participants in volunteering activities with greater significance to those who were then in current volunteering status. The study findings also, indicated that the proposed campaign layout is valid to be used to promote volunteerisin among university students. These studies [phase 1 and 11] are reflecting a significant mutual gain for both the volunteers and the community served therefore the proposed campaign layout targeting university students will be of great help in future integration of structured voluntary services. Coordination,collaboration between faculty of nursing and Ain Shams university for the application of the proposed campaign- Initiation of volunteer center affiliated to Aim- Shams university campus and managed by faculty of nursing. Further researches that shed the light on this important issues are needed

Availability of volunteerism in health care services and willingness for supporting families with caregiver's role

This study aimed at exploring the availability of volunteerism in community health-related services in Cairo Governorate. Volunteers' preferred fields/types/approaches of their services as well as their willingness and motivation to render community volunteering services for families enduring caregiver's role were investigated. Factors enhancing/hindering volunteering work as perceived by the study subjects and their suggestions for its promotion in the community were illustrated. A total of 188 volunteers and 97 health care professionals constituted the study sample. A self-administered questionnaire for health care professionals was used which aimed mainly at investigating the availability of volunteering services within the specific health sectors. A self-administered questionnaire for volunteers also was used. It consisted of four parts [socio- demographic data; volunteering previous experience; data related to directing volunteering work toward supporting families with care giver's role and/or working in hospitals; volunteer' opinions and perceived thoughts and suggestions to promote volunteering work in the community]. The results revealed that volunteerism activities in hospital settings were actually provided in different health sectors except private hospitals, but they still in charity, scattered, informal way. Availability and willingness for supporting families enduring caregiver's role with chronically disabled one was expressed by 22.8% of the volunteers. Their main reported motivating factors were willingness out of goodness, sense of duty towards others, followed by effective use of time and sharing as well as alleviating others suffering, respectively

Changes in self-perceived abilities for first aiders role taking among industrial workers

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine if employees self perceived abilities for first aider role taking would change following participation in a one week training program entitled [emergency and first aid management in industrial settings]. Sixty trainees were selected by the plant management to be assigned later to act as first aider in each shift. Participants were asked to fill in a modified performance appraisal inventory prior and after the training program completion, as a tool for this study. Willcoxon test indicated a highly significant change in trainees self-percieved abilities to undertake the role of first aider after the program. Findings reflected the positive effect of the training program not only in improving trainees knowledge and, providing training experiences for new skill mastering, but also in exploring potentialities of trainees and in positively modifying their perception about their abilities in taking new roles in their industrial plants

Health needs and problems of married female students of Alexandria University

One hundred and fifty female students of Alexandria University were interviewed. The interview questionnaire included data about their obstetric and gynaecological histories, their birth control practice, their medical care and the care they gave to their children. The Villoughby's neurotic tendency was also done to explore their neurotic tendency. The results showed that irregular menstrual period, dysmenorrhoea leucorrhoea and other gynaecological problems occured among [10%], [37.7%] and [39.3%]. About two thirds of them [64.7%] had pregnancies, [20%] abortions and [20.3%] difficult labour. Antenatal care was done by [86.6%] with a mean visit of 6. +/- 3.35. All the pregnant students delivered at hospitals with the exception of 11 cases [9.5%] who delivered at home by a midwife. Postnatal complications arised in [14.9%]. Two thirds of the students used contraceptives. Pregnancy occured among 10 cases of them. Breast feeding was carried by [63.0%] of mothers and gastroentrites occured to [37.0%] of their children [72.7%] of the married students seeked medical care. Obstentric and gynaecological problems were the main reason for that. The neurotic tendency of [47.3%] was above the 50th percentile. The staff of UHS were interviewed. There was no special University Health Program for married female students