Assessment of nurses' knowledge concerning peritonitis- dialysis association in Baghdad teaching hospitals

The study aims to assessing nurses' knowledge concerning peritonitis- dialysis association at the peritoneal dialysis units, and to identifying the relationship between some nurses' knowledge and some of their demographic characteristic. A descriptive study was carried out at the peritoneal dialysis units in Baghdad Teaching Hospitals started from November 29th 2004 to August 15th, 2005. A purposive sample of [52] nurses was selected from Baghdad Teaching Hospitals. The data were collected through the use of constructed questionnaire, which comprised of [97] items as an interview questionnaire technique as mean of data collection. The reliability of the instrument was determined through a pilot study and the validity through a panel of experts. The data were analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis that includes frequency and percentage, the application of inferential statistics that include the mean of score and Chi-square test. The findings of the study indicated that the peritoneal dialysis nurses have inadequate knowledge about general information concerning peritonitis- dialysis association was, acceptable, knowledge in diagnosis and treatment and adequate knowledge in prevention of peritonitis- dialysis association. It is recommended that special peritoneal dialysis training program and booklets should be designed and presented to these nurses

Prevalence and predictors of diabetic foot syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jordan

To detect feet changes and to identify risk factors leading to amputation among type 2 diabetics. A total of 1142 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 595 males [52%], and 547 females [48%] were seen between January and December 2001 at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics [NCDG] Amman, Jordan. The mean age was 56.1 years [SD=10.2] and the mean duration of diabetes was 9 years [SD=7.1]. All patients had a complete medical assessment including history, physical examination, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] [the mean of the last 4 readings] and microalbuminuria. Statistical analysis were performed to identify significant risk factors leading to amputation using Epi info, version 6 software. Mean HbA1c was 7.4% [SD=1.4]. The prevalence of hypertension was 52%, retinopathy 45% and microalbuminuria 33%. Impaired vibration, position and protective sense were found in 19%, 13%, and 18%. The prevalence of all amputations was 5%. The following were strong predictors of amputation; duration of diabetes [P= 0.04], smoking [P=0.01], microalbuminuria [P=0.02], retinopathy [P=0.008], legs hair loss [P=0.003], neurological deficit [P=0.0001], ulceration [P=0.00001] absent dorsalis pedis [P=0.0006] and insulin therapy [P=0.0001]. The rate of amputation was directly proportional to high HbA1c >= 8% [P=0.01]. Age and gender were not found to have an impact on prevalence of amputation. Prevalence of amputation correlates with duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, smoking, neurological impairment, peripheral vascular disease and microalbuminuria