Study of nosocomial respiratory infections and nurses' performance related to infection control measures in artificially ventilated patients.

The aim of this study was to assess nurses' performance related to control and prevention of nosocomial respiratory infection in artificially ventilated patients and to estimate incidence and the causative microorganisms of such infection. The study was conducted on 30 ventilated patients and 30 nurses who were responsible for their care. An observation checklist was used to assess nurses' practices regarding daily care activities, ventilator decontamination, use of universal infection control measures and maintenance of the patients' care environment. A second sheet was developed to estimate incidence of nosocomial respiratory infection and identification of the causative microorganisms. A third sheet was designed to help in daily assessment of the patient's health condition. The study revealed a high incidence of nosocomial respiratory infections (83.3%) and pseudomonas was the causative agents in more than one-fourth of the cases. Moreover, nurses' infection control practices were inadequate.

Pseudoaneurysm in gall bladder fossa following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A 32-year-old lady presented with severe hematemesis and melena after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Initial ultrasonography and spiral CT suggested a vascular lesion in the gall bladder fossa. Selective hepatic angiography confirmed the presence of a pseudoaneurysm close to the surgical clip and filling through the right hepatic artery. This was treated with coil embolization, resulting in cessation of hematemesis and amelioration of symptoms.

The nurses' knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy.

This study aimed at the assessment of the nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy. A sample consisting of 273 nurses working in different hospital departments, at three University hospitals in Tanta, Menoufiya and Zagazig was chosen. The results revealed a deficiency in the nurses' knowledge about epilepsy. However, they had a moderately positive attitude towards epilepsy. Although more than half of them considered epilepsy a mental illness, they agreed that epileptics must learn in special schools. It is recommended that all in-service training programs for nurses should emphasize epilepsy management, rehabilitation of epileptics, and how to change public attitudes towards epilepsy.

Assessment of physical education faculty students' knowledge about first aid.

The Physical Education Faculty students are highly exposed to different types of accidents, mainly fracture, sprains, strain, cramp, bleeding and wounds. The present study revealed that more than half of the students had correct knowledge about first aid of three injuries only out of eight namely fracture, cramp and bleeding. Lack of knowledge noted regarding cut wound, penetrating wound, falling, sprains and epistaxis. It is recommended that first aid course should be taught by specialized medical personal and the course content should include theoretical knowledge plus clinical practice of first aid in correct ways.

Family care of elderly problems.

This study was conducted to determine the elderly health problems and family care presented to them. The study was carried out in four MCH centers in Zagazig. The sample was composed of 275 women, having elderly members in their families, they were interviewed individually at the MCH center. The results showed that the main elderly physical problems were decline in daily activities, impairment of vision & digestive and urinary disorders. Psychological problems as mentioned by their families were agitation, depression and low body image. While the main identified socio-economic problems were loneliness and limited income. Regarding the family care presented to the elderly, the results showed that the low social class families had poor consideration as regards nutrition of elderly, regular physician visit, foot care, and personal hygiene. It is recommended to provide health education programs for the family about aging process, problems and needs of elderly people. As well as health education to the elderly themselves to motivate them to seek medical advice at regular intervals and integration of geriatric care in MCH centers.