Nurses' knowledge versus their performance regarding the care of neonates undergoing phototherapy in Kuwait

Neonatal period is the first weeks of life. Some neonates during this period are 'at risk' for various health problems. Neonatal jaundice is the most common medical condition in neonates, whether physiologic or pathologic which required medical attention. It is first noticed in the face then it descends downwards as the bilirubin level increases. Phototherapy is the standard of care for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates, where blue wavelengths of light are employed to alter unconjugated bilirubin in the skin. Neonatal nurse is the person who is responsible for providing the neonates with the essential care. She is responsible for the assessment of neonates for early detection of problems and initiation of prompt management. Providing care to a neonate with hyperbilirubin-emia requires knowledge and skills from the nurse to achieve optimal outcomes. This study aims to investigate nurses' knowledge versus their performance regarding the care of neonates' underphoto-therapy. A convenient sample of 50 neonatal nurses from Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Special Care Units of Maternity hospital located in El-Sabah Medical Region-Kuwait was the study subjects. Data were collected through an observational checklist for nurses' performance regarding care of neonates undergoing phototherapy, and a structured questionnaire of nurses' knowledge regarding care of neonates undergoing phototherapy. Results of the present study revealed that the majority of nurses had poor knowledge scores and unsatisfactory performance scores regarding the care of neonates undergoing phototherapy. Continuing education programs a-e recommended for nurses in work place and a strict and nurses' continuous supervisions are mandatory to improve nurses' performance

Aminosidene sulphate in experimental cryptosporidiosis

The present study aimed at investigating the efficiency of a recent antibiotic aminosidine sulfate [Gabbroral] in experimental cryptosporidiosis. The course of infection was studied when the drug was given early before the infection, and late during the infection both parasitologically and histopathologically. When the drug was given early, the results were satisfactory, with a significant reduction of size, number and pathological changes of the parasites in the stool and in ileal sections of infected mice. However, the drug had no effect when given late during the infection

study on experimental cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium oocysts were isolated from stools of infected patients diagnosed as cryptosporidiosis. Suckling Swiss albino mice were infected orally by these oocysts in a dose of 104 oocysts/mouse. Mice were divided into 9 groups according to the duration of infection 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 10, 15, 21 days postinfection, corresponding noninfected control groups were included. Stools of infected mice were examined twice daily to determine infection rate, prepatent period and intensity of infection. Mice were sacrificed according to the schedule and the whole intestine was isolated and processed for histopathological examination by H and E and modified Ziehl Nielsen stain and histochemical examination for acid and alkaline phosphatase activity. The results revealed that the infection rate was 90%, prepatent period was 3-5 days and the course of infection was 21 days. The maximum pathological changes were in the ileum. These changes were reversible

Maternal approach to breast feeding and weaning at Alexandria, Tanta and Assiut: a comparative study

The difference between varieties of cultures and subcultures can be found in the same country in which the individuals are brought-up. This study aims to investigate the difference of maternal approach about breast feeding and weaning process in different subcultural group in Egypt. Three hundred mothers [representing equally Alexandria, Tanta in Delta region and Assuit in Upper Egypt] were interviewed in the out-patient clinics of the pediatric University hospitals in each of the three cities. The results showed that mothers knowledge and practice regarding breast feeding was generally satisfactory, but mothers in Alexandria and in Tanta had better knowledge than those of Assuit. Although mothers lacked knowledge regarding weaning process in the three cities, mothers of assuit showed the lowest percentage

Immunization against schistosoma mansoni by using trichinella spiralis and trichinella pseudospiralis antigens

The antigenic fraction of a cell free homogenate of each of Trichinella spiralis and T. pseudospiralis were prepared to be used for induction of immunity against S. mansoni in albino mice. The results of the study showed that immunization with either of the two antigens induced reduction in worm load ranging from 80. 48% to 87, 86% in the different groups of the study. Reduction in tissue egg count was also reported: Liver egg count was reduced from 69. 47% to 100%. Intestinal egg count reduction ranged from 73. 83% to 99. 78%. There was also reduction in egg excretion as evidenced by diminution in stool egg count. Liver granulomas were less in number and size and showed accelerated reaction together with inhibition of fluorescence. These findings were more manifest in animals given T. spiralis than T. pseudospiralis antigen

School-age children's surgical fears

The study included 100 school-age children hospitalized for abdominal surgery and were unaccompanied by their parents. Each child was hospital environment, hospital personnel and surgery itself. The findings showed that the highest percentages of children expressed different fears in relation to surgical operations which were fear of death, pain, change body image, surgical gown, abdominal incision and anesthesia. Children also expressed their fears of injection and laboratory investigations. Hospital environment was a source of fear for the children, where they were afraid of hospital as a strange place, the general view of the hospital at night, darkness and noises. Also, the majority of children expressed their fears of doctors and nurses. The study revealed that females expressed more fears than

Traditional methods used by mothers for managing their children with skin disorders

The study revealed that both rural and urban mothers lacked knowledge about the causation of disease. Most of rural and urban mothers tended to use one or more of the traditional practices in managing their children with burn, sweat rash and paronychia or boils. Some of these practices may have bacteriostatic, emollient or dehydrant actions. Mother in law and health healers had a significant role among rural mothers, while relatives and neighbors had this responsibility among urban ones. The findings suggested that a traditional health care system should be integrated in the national health care system. Mass media and comprehensive health teaching programs should be conducted for mothers and grand mothers. Research in traditional medicine should be encouraged. Finally, nurses should be qualified professionally to be capable of providing care to people from different socio-cultural backgrounds

Temperature stability of newborn infants in incubators during their first 72 hours of life

The study was conducted on 50 newborn infants [25 full-term and 25 premature] admitted immediately after delivery to the intensive care unit at El-Shatby Maternity Hospital. Newborns' temperature and incubators temperature were recorded every hour for the first 6 hours, then every 3 hours for the rest of the 72 hours. The study revealed that the full term infants needed up to 24 hours and the premature needed up to 66 hours to reach the normal temperature and have their temperature be stabilized

evaluation of an orientation program for mothers of handicapped children

The study aimed at evaluating the effect of an orientation program on mothers' knowledge and performance of a rehabilitation course related to their handicapped children. The sample comprised 60 mothers of those attending the Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit at Alex. University Children Hospital, for the first time with their handicapped children. Mothers were equally and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. An orientation program was introduced to the experimental group. Both groups were then left to undergo the usual routine of the unit. Mothers' knowledge and performance were tested before and after the orientation. The results revealed that mothers' knowledge about rehabilitation and their performance of it have improved significantly after the implementation of the orientation program