Comparing the effects of lecture and work in small groups on nursing students' skills in calculating medication dosage

Performing medication dosage calculations is one of the responsibilities of the nurses failure in which may lead to crucial threats for patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two methods of lecture and work in small groups on nursing students' skills in mathematical calculation of medication dosage. In an experimental study performed as two groups, pre and post-test, all nursing students in their second semester or more, studying in Shahid Sadouqi university of Yazd [n=85], were selected. They were divided randomly into two control and experiment groups and the mathematical skills, necessary for performing medication dosage calculation, were taught to them through lecture and work in small groups, respectively. Before the education and a week after that, the students' skills were examined using a medica-tion dosage calculation test. Most students had low skills in medication dosage calculation. The mean scores of medication dosage calculations in the two groups increased significantly after the education. The mean of the scores differences, before and after the education were 1.95 +/- 1.22 and 2.03 +/- 1.36 in lecture group and small group education, respectively, which showed no significant difference between the two groups. Both educational methods had positive and also similar effects on enhancing students' skills in performing medication calculations. It is recommended to employ both of them for training this skill

Evaluation of tetanus vacination status of pregnant mothers referring to delivery wards, Yazd

Tetanus is a serious infectious disease and the most common cause of neonatal mortality in developing countries. Although neonatal tetanus [NT] can be prevented by immunization of expectant mothers, good hygiene and asepsis during delivery, total eradication of organism is not possible. The cross-sectional study was done on 480 pregnant women after delivery. Data was collected by a questionnaire and analysed using SPSS windows software program. Prenatal immunization rate [complete and partial] was 65/2% and 34/8%, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the vaccination status and age, education of mother, parity and length of time between pregnancy and previous pregnancy. The reasons reported by non immunized mothers [not receiving the two dose vaccine] included complete tetanus vaccination coverage before pregnancy, lack of awareness about the needs for vaccination, improper counseling by persons responsible for antenatal care, e.t.c. Considering the results of the study, it is proposed that a complete history of the pregnant woman recorded at the first antenatal visit should be the basis of counseling and education of the woman and prenatal care staff should be also be fully educated