Factors affecting low back pain intensity among nurses working in three hospitals affiliated to Alexandria University

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for nurses work related injury. It is referred to lifting tasks involved patient handling, lifting and moving a heavy objects. Those activities exert more pressure on nurses back. Thus, low back pain has a reflect on the quality of nursing care and nurses quality of life. The study aimed at identifying factors affecting low back pain intensity among nurses working in three university hospitals. The study was carried out in three settings namely: Main University Hospital, El Hadra orthopedic Hospital, and University Student Hospital at Alexandria.100 nurses were included, from the selected settings. A structured assessment sheet was developed by the researchers to identify the factors that affect pain and to determine the level of pain among nurses. The results of the study revealed that low back pain among nurses results from physical, physiological psychological and personal habits. It can be recommended that in-service educational program about body mechanics should be provided, efforts to enhance nurses job satisfaction and low back exercise handouts should be provided for nurses

Sleeping patterns of institutionalized elderly person

Institutions often impose strict living regimens on their patients in order to efficiently operate the facility. If the elderly person natural schedule does not coincide with the institutional norms, he may experience disturbance of his natural sleep cycle. The objectives of this study were to survey what elderly persons themselves had to say about their sleeping patterns and to identify the factors which affect elderly sleeping patterns entering the institution. Data were collected from Mohamed Ragab Geriatric Home and Main Alexandria University Hospital. Elderly persons over 60 years of age admitted to the above mentioned institutions for at least one month, constituted the sample of this study. [N=100]. An interview schedule was developed by researchers after through review of literature to assess sleeping patterns of elderly persons and identify factors that affect sleeping pattern. The findings showed that the majority of the sample after admission to the institution, had increase in the time taken to fall asleep, frequent wakening after sleep onset, early wakening at the end of sleep period and they took naps during the day. Furthermore, it is also apparent that physiological, environmental and psychological factors increase an elderly person's susceptibility to sleep disturbances. On the basis of this study, it is recommended that the nurse teach older persons that, changes can be anticipated in sleep pattern as age advances, and that she should help to create a sleep-inducing environment in the institution

need for continuing professional education for nurses

There is an obvious need of post basic education for nurses If high standard of nursing care is to be maintained. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of nurses awareness toward the need to continue their education beyond their initial years of training. The study was conducted at the Main University Hospital in Alexandria on 100 nurses worked in different hospital departments. Nugent questionnaire [1990] was translated into Arabic and used. The results concluded that, their was a significant positive responses in relation to the need for continuing education regardless of their qualifications. There was significant positive attitude among those who were young,-those with less experience and those who had inservice training. Also the results revealed lack of nurses knowledge about the meaning of continuing education