Health compromising behaviours and perception of student -teacher interpersonal relationship among secondary school students in Benghazi City, Libya

Adolescents are vulnerable to the risks of smoking, drug addiction, alcohol and violence. This is also a time of high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This study was conducted firstly to investigate some of the health compromising behaviours present among secondary school students, their correlates and associations Secondly, to assess the students views and teachers perceptions about student-teacher interpersonal relationship and its correlation with the students' health compromising behaviours. A descriptive, cross-sectional study using a multistage, stratified, school-based, cluster sampling design conducted in Benghazi city, Libya where 985 secondary school students [440 girls and 545 boys] and 111 teachers in 21 secondary schools were included. Two predesigned tested self administered questionarriars were used for data collection, the first for students including open ended questions investigating different heath compromising risky behaviours. The second for both teachers and students to assess the perception and views of students and teachers about student -teacher interpersonal relationship. The results of this study demonstrate the high and increasing levels of risk behaviors among the students. Tobacco use was reported by [14.8%] of students [12.7%] current cigarette and [5.3%] water pipe smokers, Alcohol [7.0%] and drug use [9.4%], Sexual behaviour [16.6%], Unhealthy nutrition [64.4%], Unsafe driving [58.6%] and Violence related behaviour practiced by [42.7%]. Data also confirm the adolescents' tendency towards multiple risks where it was revealed that 63.5% of all studied students participate in two or more of the six investigated health compromising behaviors. By multiple regression analysis, male gender was the main influencing factor and additional work beside study found to be protective against involvement in risky practices. High mother education was found to be positively correlated with most of the risky behaviours among students. Significant correlation was found between the different investigated risky behaviours where violence related behaviour shows a highly significant positive correlation with all mentioned health risk behaviours. High discrepancies were found between the students' and teachers' perceptions related to their interpersonal relationship. Perceived poor relationship and communication with school teachers was found as one of the main determinants of risk taking behaviour among students. Strengthening the student - teacher interpersonal relationship may be protective against students' health compromising behaviours. The study findings provide valuable information to policy-makers, educators, health providers and community workers that can be used to improve the health and well-being of adolescents in Libya. Much more work must be done, through a multi-sectorial approach to promote a healthy population of adolescents and the young

Assessment of health team knowledge and monitoring the application of auditing tools for nosocomial infections in Benghazi hospitals, Libya

An infection occurring to a patient in a hospital or other health care facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. This includes infections acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge, and occupational infections among staff of the facility As a public health problem, nosocomial infections will become increasingly important in the future. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of health team members [Physicians and Nurses] about nosocomial infection, and to monitor the application of auditing tools for nosocomial infection. The study was carried Out in all hospitals of Benghazi City, Libya. The sample of the study included 120 health team members aged from >20 to 50 years old. The cota sample approach was applied. The results revealed that all heath team members had poor knowledge's scores about nosocomial infection and all heath team members in all 7 hospitals had minimal compliance for application of auditing tools for nosocomial infections .The study recommended that Establishment of occupational health department, which follows the rules, and regulations of occupational safety and health act such as evaluating personnel for existing infection, administering vaccines, keeping records, managing exposures and educating employees, a written policy and infection control manual should be available for all health team at their work place

Risk factors for work-related stress, burnout and coping among nurses of University Hospitals

To investigate the extent of burnout among nurses and risk factors related to burnout; to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were related to burnout and to examine the relative contribution to burnout made by these different variables. This study included a total of 200 nurses working in the Medical and Surgical Wards, Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals [100 nurses from each hospital]. Study tools included an interview questionnaire, the Staff Stress Inventory Checklist, the Burnout Potential Inventory and the Jalowic Coping Scale. Nurses stresses in Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals were mainly in the form of physical stresses, mainly due to workloads. Total stress scores were significantly higher among nurses in Sohag University Hospital than those among nurses in Zagazig University Hospital [95.4 +/- 34.7 and 82.1 +/- 29.6, p=0.004]. Affective oriented coping was more than the problem-oriented coping [72.0 +/- 25.9 and 35.2 +/- 12.5, in Sohag vs. 64.4 +/- 22.5 and 3 1.6 +/- 10.9 in Zagazig]. Nurses in Sohag showed significantly higher scores for coping than those in Zagazig [107.2 +/- 38.2 and 96.0 +/- 33.4, respectively, p=0.028]. In both university hospitals, conflict and overload mean scores were high, while the mean scores of values conflict were the lowest score. Nurses in Sohag University Hospital sustained significantly higher conflict, poor teamwork and values conflict while those in Zagazig University Hospital sustained significantly higher punishment. Age, income, and years of experience in nursing had significantly negative correlation with stress scores and burnout and significantly positive correlation with coping scale. There is a positive significant correlation of stress with burnout in both Sohag and Zagazig [r=0.6283 and 0.7094, respectively, p<0.001] and negative significant correlation of coping with burnout [-0.4235 and -0.3760, respectively p<0.001]. Stress scores were significantly higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. Coping scores were higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. Nurses in university hospitals experience occupational stress. With less age, salary and years of experience in nursing, work-related stress becomes more perceived. Affective oriented coping strategies are resorted to more than the problem-oriented coping. Nurses in Sohag cope better than those in Zagazig. The hospital organization should monitor staff conflict and must ensure that workloads correspond to workers capabilities and resources. Training places more emphasis on preparing nurses to deal with the emotional needs of their patients, with detached concern. Stress inoculation training which teaches nurses appropriate coping skills could be implemented. Particularly vulnerable groups of nurses, such as those with Diploma with specialty, should be monitored regularly for signs of burnout. They should be the primary targets for ongoing training and/or preventative interventions such as stress inoculation training