Quality of life of patients with oral and pharyngeal malignancies

The target population was cases of oral and pharyngeal cancer in Alexandria and El Behira regions. Data were collected through all accessible archives. Data about quality of life [QoL] were collected through interviewing 171 subjects using the Arabic version of "Functional Living Interview Questionnaire for Cancer" [FLIC]. It consists of 22 items translated into Arabic language, and was checked for reliability and validity. Only 12 questions were found suitable for use after testing the questionnaire. Responses are coded on a 7 point Likert scale. Questions included pain, psychic stress, and ability to work and do household activities. The initial scale's structure identified a two-factor model: functional including 6 questions, and psychological including 6 questions. The grand total score was calculated as the sum of responses to the 12 items. The total score of the scale range is 12 to 84 points. The median was used for demarcation between what was considered as "good" response, and what was considered as "poor" QoL. Quality of life displayed higher "good" frequencies among those 30-60 years old. Males, and rural cases expressed better QoL than females and urban. Married were of better QoL compared to single patients. The educated showed higher frequency of "good" compared to un-educated. Employees and professionals reported better QoL. Stage categories showed significant indirect correlation with QoL scores. The best QoL according to total or psychological mean scores was recorded for pharyngeal-otherwise [pharyngeal of a mysterious origin] or lip cases, while the worst were for the floor of the mouth. Lip cases showed the best QoL scores through the functional domain. According to treatment; surgery showed the best QoL, while chemotherapy showed the worst. When it came to chronic irradiation complications; those without complications expressed the best QoL. All those treatment complications showed significant associations with dichotomous leveling of QoL. Logistic regression showed that stage, late surgical complications, and response to treatment were the most important predictors of QoL

Professionalism among nurse practitioners and nurse educators at Tanta University

The aim of the present study was to test the degree of professionalism among nurse practitioners and nurse educators at Tanta University. All clinical nurse instructors working in Higher Institute of Nursing Tanta University were included in the study. Nurse practitioners working in the Teaching Hospital affiliated to Tanta University, were randomly selected and included in the study. The Hall's professionalism scale was translated into arable language and tested on a pilot study, and used for data collection. The components of professionalism scale tested were: the use of professional organization as a major reference, the belief in service to the public, the belief in self regulation, the sense of calling to the field, and autonomy. Results of the study revealed that nurses differ in their degree of professionalism when grouped according to their educational level, occupation and type of working community. They significantly differ in their use of professional organization as a major reference, and in their belief in autonomy. Regarding the rest of components nc significant difference was detected between groups. The nurses professionalism mean scores were significantly higher witi increased level of education. The assistant lecturers scored significantly higher than bedside nurses, while no significani difference was found on total professionalism mean score among clinical instructors, nurse supervisors or head nurses. The nurses working in the educational community scored higher than those working in the practitioner community in their professional attitude. The present study recommends that: 1- Teaching about professionalism in the nursing curriculum is a pressing need for the progress of the nursing profession. 2- Advanced education for nurses at all levels, should be encouraged. 3- Nurses should be encouraged to be active member in the professional nursing organizations and active participant in all nursing issues. 4- Recognition for different types of practitioners with different levels of education

Patient satisfaction with hospital services: development and testing of a measuring instrument

The present study was undertaken with the aim of developing and testing an instrument that could be used to measure patient satisfaction with hospital services in Kuwait. The instrument, which comprised 57 items, and measured satisfaction with 7 specific dimensions of hospital services, was administered to 493 patients using the interview technique. Statistical analysis showed that the instrument yields good response variability. Reliability of the instrument, measured in terms of the internal consistency coefficient alpha, exceeded the acceptable criterion level, the coefficients ranging between 0.73 and 0.86. Evidence of the construct validity of the instrument was found in significant positive correlation between the dimension specific satisfaction scale scores and scores for allegiance scale and for overall rating of quality of hospitals services. Construct validity was further supported by convergent discriminant analysis, which showed that correlations between items of all 7 scales and their total scale scores were greater than correlations between scale items and the total scores of scales they do not represent. Analysis of an open-ended question about dissatisfying aspects of hospital services not included on the interview was to examine the instrument's content validity. Results indicated that patients identified 11 items, 8 of which were identified more than once, and 2 of which were not classifiable to the 7 dimensions assessed by the instrument. It was suggested to add the 8 items that were identified more than once, and to reassess the reliability and validity of the revised instrument. Assessment of the test-retest reliability, by comparing scale scores over time, was also suggested

Multiple regression analysis of dental status and related factors for a group of adolescents in Alexandria

Variables included in a theoretical model of caries process have been studied in a group of adolescent pupils selected by the stratified random technique from the first and second grades of secondary schools in Alexandria. The sample amounted to 1170 pupils. Two multiple regression analyses were performed to uncover significant explanatory factors for: DMF [T] index and plaque index. Each analysis produced significant R[2] explaining respectively 48.65% and 12.36% of the variance. If results demonstrated the contribution of the different factors included in the proposed models It was found that plaque index was by far the most significant. Factor of the DMF [T] index, birth order, family size, age and level of oral hygiene by dental floss and tooth brustiwj are significant determinants of dental caries. Adolescent pupils had a higher caries index than female pupils of the same age. Plaque index was significantly related to age, family size, oral hygiene after sugar meal, and by using dental floss and tooth brushing. Male pupils and pupils with mal occlusion of the jaw had higher plaque index. Plaque index was found equal 1 among 53.40% of the studied sample

Measuring job satisfaction among hospital nurses: some methodological issues

The present study was undertaken to compare between the various methods that have been used to measure the job satisfaction of nurses. Five different measures were developed: a global measure, an unweighted direct facet-specific measure, an unweighted indirect facet-specific measure, a weighted direct facet-specific measure, and a weighted indirect facet-specific measure. Using the interviewing method, the scaIes constructed to calculate these measures were administered to 91 nurses employed at one of the general hospitals that belong to the Ministry of Public Health in Alexandria. Results indicated that all the ten job facets were rated as very important by the greater proportion of respondents. A statistically significant positive correlation was detected between the total score of all five measures of satisfaction; however the correlation was strong between the weighted and unweighted direct measure, and between the weighted and unweighted indirect measure, but was intermediate between all the remaining measures. Comparison between ratings of satisfaction with ten specific job facets, as measured by the direct and indirect methods, revealed a statistically significant difference for nine facets. Mostly, a more favourable attitude was expressed by the direct method. The accuracy of the available methods of measurement of job satisfaction, and the value of incorporating the degree of importance of job facets in facet-specific measures were questioned. The need for further research in this area was emphasized

androgyny index among working females

The androgyny index was determined and studied among working females. It had been found that the mean index among them was 117.37 +/- 9.19. This index as a phenotype is determined by the interaction of the genotype and environment. The genotype was monitored by blood groups and subscapular skin fold while environment was monitored by body mass index. The androgyny index was higher among AB blood group females, while it was lower with higher body mass index