Randomized controlled trial to enhance psychosocial adjustment of asthmatic childern

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a psychosocial patient education program on the psychological adjustment of asthmatic children between 11 and 18 years old. One hundred children attending the outpatient health insurance clinic were randomly selected and randomized to experimental and control groups. Children's asthma knowledge, self-esteem, asthma severity and psychological adjustment were assessed for both groups before and after the intervention. An intervention program was developed and introduced to the experimental group. The program consisted of sixteen sessions of Information giving and cognitive-behavioral strategies for the children. The results revealed significant differences in the mean percentage change of the intervention and control groups regarding self-esteem, knowledge and asthma severity [Z=2.83, Z=4.75 and Z=2.24 respectively, P< 0.05]. Statistical significant differences were found between the mean percentage change of the intervention and control groups regarding, dependency, hostility, productivity and withdrawal domains as well as the total PARS Ill score. In conclusion, the study demonstrated positive effect of the intervention in promoting the adjustment of asthmatic children. It is suggested that similar interventions can be directed to children with any chronic illness and can be implemented in a variety of pediatric settings

Factors affecting academic nursing achievement in Faculty of Nursing

Undergraduate nursing education is concerned with preparing and producing a professional practitioner of nursing capable of providing quality service in the expanding health care delivery system. There must be some kind of analysis of learning problems or study difficulties to enhance student learning. This requires an exploration of factors affecting academic performance. The aim of this study was to determine some factors which affect learning in undergraduate nurses and their relations with student's academic achievement. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University. The sample included 230 first-year nursing students. A designed questionnaire was used. The results showed that excellent students had chosen the faculty either on their own or by family choice, as their families are satisfied by nursing as a career and also their teachers. In addition, it was found that students with high grades have less socioeconomic problems than those with low grades. Furthermore, students who live either on campus or away from their families achieved less in nursing