Effect of self-management training on blood glucose, self-care, and psychosocial adjustment among type 2 diabetics

A large body of literature exists on diabetes education, including several important quantitative reviews showing positive effects. However, there are clearly many gaps in the literature on the effectiveness of diabetes self-management training in type 2 diabetes. The aim of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of diabetes self-management training program on blood glucose, self-care, and psychosocial adjustment among type 2 diabetics, Sample. Forty subjects were recruited for the study which was conducted at the out patient diabetes clinic of EL Kasr Al-Ainy University Hospital. The following instruments were utilized: Socio-demographic and medical data sheet; Blood Glucose Log Sheet; The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure [SDSCA] [Toobert, Hampson and Glasgow, 2000] that assess compliance to different aspects of the diabetes regimen; and The Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale [PAIS] [Derogatis, 1996] to measure quality of a patient's psychosocial adjustment to a current medical illness. The program focused mainly on lifestyle modification [diet and physical activity], knowledge level, problem solving, and on skills such as self-monitoring of blood glucose and stress management. The effects of diabetes self-management education program, on improving diabetes self-care activities; psychosocial adjustment and/or decreasing blood glucose levels were examined. The primary findings showed that participants made major improvements in blood glucose reduction, diabetes self-care activities compliance and psychosocial adjustment to diabetes, after the program. Moreover, participants most in need of change, those not complying [< 5 days per week] with self-care activities at baseline, made the most significant improvements in self-care activities. Improvements in blood glucose levels were correlated to increases in specific self-care activities and psychosocial domains. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed that improved blood glucose was negatively correlated to diabetes duration and years of education. Evidence supports the effectiveness of self-management training in type 2 diabetics, particularly in the short term. The study findings emphasize the abilities of adults with diabetes to aid in the management of their own care through increases in self-care activities and consequently improved adjustment following a diabetes self-management education program. The challenge for researchers and practitioners alike is to put this research into practice effectively. Further research is needed to assess effectiveness of self-management interventions on cardiovascular risk factors and ultimately, quality of life

Intimate partner violence and life satisfaction among women in two different Arab countries: Egypt [Cairo] and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Riyadh]

Intimate partner violence [IPV] is a global public health problem that violates fundamental human rights of women. Although intimate partner violence has been reported to be common, the magnitude of the violence and consequences are not usually identified and reported .Therefore; this study aimed at estimating the prevalence of IPV and its impact on life satisfaction in two community-based samples from Egypt Cairo governorate and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] [Riyadh].a comparative design was utilized in this study. A convenient sample consisted of 200 women was recruited, 100 women from each community. The study was carried out in two different settings, the Gynecological Out-patient Clinic at El- Manial University Hospital [Cairo] and the Out-patient Clinic of Maternal and Child Health [MCH] Centre [Riyadh]. Tools for data collection included the following: 1] Interview questionnaire sheet, includes subject's socio -demographic characteristics 2] Intimate Partner Violence [IPV] questionnaire, Hassan [2003] and 3] Life Satisfaction Questionnaire [LSQ]. El-Dosouki [1998] Results of this study revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding to socio-demographic characteristics. Prevalence of IPV was 74% in Egyptian group and 34% in the Saudi group [p <0.001]. In Egyptian group, psychological IPV was the most frequent [72%], followed by sexual [63%] then physical violence [29%]. The same ranking was seen in Saudi group with frequencies of 31%, 20% and 14%, respectively. However, sexual IPV was more frequent in the Egyptian group [p = 0.003]. There was a significant negative correlation between the total score of IPV and the LSQ score [r =-0.582]. IPV of all aspects was within the global figures. Low Income and large number of children were the two main factors associated with higher prevalence of IPV. The IPV is a real public health problem that necessitates counseling and out-reach program as well as social and economic solutions, the study recommended that organizations for violence against women should be activated to identify, screen, counsel and refer for appropriate services

Effect of educational support for children with thalassemia on enhancement of their quality of life

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder which can be fatal if proper treatment is not received. It is characterized by partial or no production of alpha or beta globin chains which form part of the structure of the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. this study aims at assessing knowledge of children with major thalassemia about their illness and evaluate the effect of educational support on their quality of life, the study sample consisted of 50 thalassemic children. An experimental design was utilized in this study. the study was conducted at out patient clinics, Abo EL-Reech, pediatric Hospital, and Cairo University. Tools of data collection include, Interviewing questionnaire: It was designed by the researchers after reviewing of related literature. It was constructed to elicit personal data about the afflicted child with thalassemia and Quality Of life Instrument [Ferrell 1995]. Results, the study results revealed that, age of 64% of studied children under 12 year, while 24% more than 15 year. Majority of studied children 80%had relative within their families affected with thalassemia. Meanwhile 68% of children had kinship relation between their parents. there is no statistical significant differences regarding the children physical well being as a domain within quality of life as ascribed to test [pre and post tests], Meanwhile there are statistical significant differences in their psychological well being, social concerns and spiritual well being and the entire domains of quality of life for these children as ascribed to test pre and post tests Recommendation, Thalassemia-prevention program must be developed, with the use of better education programs that provide acceptable care, including transfusion of safe blood and supportive therapy including chelating, Premarital counseling to reduce the frequency of births with major thalassemia should be encouraged

Assessment of burden and reaction in nurses providing a palliative care for children and adult having cancer

The phenomena of caregivers burden is a perceptual and multidimensional reaction experience. Caregivers experience distress and burden from assuming responsibility for performing complex medical procedure, providing support for patient and their families[Norton, 2007] ,This study aims at assessing level of burden and reactions experienced by the nurses who providing a palliative care for children and adult having cancer, by using A descriptive correlational design ,The study sample consisted of 132 nurses who are working in three health sectors AL Hussein Cancer Center [as a private sector], Royal Medical center and Al-basheer hospital [as a governmental sector],an official permission was obtained from the director of each hospital .Data collection tools include, Demographic Data Sheet about nurse's age, marital status, gender, level of graduation, years of experience and monthly income. Caregiver Burden Assessment Scale Zarit, [1980] and Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale developed by Given et al.[1992].Results of the study revealed that ,oncology nurses who providing palliative care for cancer patients experience high level of burden and reaction at 2.69 mean score for overall burden and 0.55 18 S.D. total mean score for caregiver reaction was2 ,7 I and 0.516 S.D. There were statistically significance difference at 0.05 in all burden, reaction in all dimension except for financial problem reaction dimension and site of work, the study concluded that, nurses experience high level of burden. Also experience high level of reaction, for nurses to be effective in this area of care delivery and to improve patient outcomes, they must have the necessary skills and support. Therefore, a clinical supervision and action learning model with management, education, and support is important to address both the skill needs and support needs of registered nurses through the use of available resources