Association of the knowledge of nurses about the pain management with their attitude towards cancer patients

Objective: Proper training and knowledge about pain and pain management can help nurses during their task of active management to relieve pain, but it also builds positive attitude towards patients. We aimed to determine the association between knowledge and attitudes of the nurses about pain management of cancer patients and the relationship to different demographic and educational factors

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four hospitals of Lahore, [Pakistan] from 1st July 2013 to 1st July 2014. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. 100 nurses working in cancer units [both medical and surgical oncology wards] were included in the study using convenient sampling technique. Nurses not working in cancer units, high positioned [head nurses] and nurses with higher education [e.g. MSc [N], post RN-BSc [N], other courses] were excluded from the study. Questionnaire used based upon the "Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain [KASRP]" for knowledge and attitude. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0

Results: Out of one hundred nurses 90% were females while 10% were males. The mean age of participants was 30.88 +/- 8.91 years. Majority of the nurses i.e., 59% had inadequate knowledge. Attitude score regarding the cancer pain management was 60%. Knowledge of pain management was significantly associated with nurses attitude towards pain management [p = .001]

Conclusion: There is positive association between the knowledge and attitude towards cancer pain management. Thus, by showing good attitude, the nurses, who spend most of their time with patients can help to minimize their pain. This is only possible if the nurses have proper knowledge and education in this field

Evaluation of anti-streptolysin o titers in rheumatic heart disease patients

Background: Anti-streptolysin O titer is related to rheumatic heart disease

Objective: To assess anti-streptolysin O titer in rheumatic heart disease patients at Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study, 130 consecutive patients of rheumatic heart disease admitted at Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore between 1[st] January to 31[st] December, 2014, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Their laboratory findings were taken; CRP and ESR levels were measured. ASO titer was measured by latex agglutination test. ASO Titer more than 200IU/ml was taken as significant

Results: It was found that 81[62.31%] patients of rheumatic heart disease has ASO levels more than 200IU/ml and 49[37.69%] patients has ASO less than 200IU/ml. Fifty two percent study subjects were female and 60% were between 4-15 years of age

Conclusion: Majority of the patients admitted with RHD has raised level of ASOT