Effect of a Training Programme on Knowledge and Practice of Lifestyle Modification among Hypertensive Patients Attending Out-Patient Clinics in Lagos.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and death in the world. Research shows that the best way to remediate this problem is through lifestyle modification, but the percentage of hypertensive patients with the right knowledge about life-style modification is very low. It is therefore imperative to develop different ways of improving the practice and knowledge of life-style modification. Consequently, this study aim to determine the effectiveness of a training programme on knowledge and practice of lifestyle modification among hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was conducted with accidental sampling to select the sample size (n = 30). A modified structured questionnaire from World Health Organization (WHO), Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS) were used to measure knowledge of hypertension, knowledge of lifestyle modification and practice. Tables, percentages, mean, Standard Deviation and t-test were used for data analysis at 0.05 levels of significance, through statistical package for the social science software. RESULTS: The result showed that the t-test of the pre-knowledge about hypertension among hypertensive patients differed significantly from post-knowledge after intervention (t = 4.90, p = 0.001). In addition, there is significant different between the pre and post knowledge level about lifestyle modification after intervention (t = 3.62, p = 0.001). Significant different was also observed between the pre and post practice of lifestyle medication after intervention (t = 3.56, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The health care providers, especially the nurses, must provide a continuous and focused training programme for hypertensive patients in order to improve their knowledge and practice of lifestyle modification.

Medication belief as correlate of medication adherence among patients with diabetes in Edo State, Nigeria.

AIM: The study aim was to determine the level of medication adherence, patient medication belief and to determine the correlation between medication belief and medication adherence among patients with diabetes. This is to find out whether medication belief of patient could enhance medication adherence which in turn would promote effective management of diabetic mellitus in Nigeria. BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) estimated that over 366 million people are affected. The government and other non-governmental organizations such as Diabetic Association of Nigeria (DAN) put several programmes in place to reduce the incidence of the disease, but minimal progress has been recorded, and the factors responsible for that is a big dilemma in the heart of researchers in the field. Empirical findings showed that, there is increased rate of re-admission among DM patients and this is associated with poor medication adherence. There is a need to examine the factors responsible for poor medication adherence among patients with diabetes. In the review of the literature, medication belief is one of the major implicated factors, but there is no substantial evidence-based research to validate this presumption in Nigeria. Therefore, this study is to find out the relationship between medication belief and medication adherence among patients with diabetes. DESIGN: A correlational research design was adopted, to enable the researcher in determining the association between the medication belief and medication adherence among patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total enumeration was adopted for the study, where all the registered adult patients were invited to join the study voluntarily and informed verbal consent was obtained, after explaining the importance of the study. A total of 180 patients with diabetes participated in the study. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaires (BMQ) and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale were used. This is a standardized scale and well validated with a reliability coefficient of 0.86, using split-half model. A simple frequency distribution table and Spearman's rho correlational statistic were used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: The data analysis shows that the clients had a negative perception about medication and believed that medication had the tendency of causing harm or poison to their system. The correlation between medication belief and medication adherence showed p = 0.005 which means that there is a statistical relationship between the two variables.

Understanding the Challenges of Providing Holistic Oncology Nursing Care in Nigeria.

This article describes the current state of cancer nursing and the various challenges that hinder the provision of effective nursing care to cancer patients in Nigeria. The major issue identified was the lack of specialized oncology nursing education which should actually form a basis for nurses to practice in the oncology setting. Other issues include poor facilities for oncology nursing care, lack of specific cancer centers resulting in the management of cancer patients in non-specialist wards. It is therefore recommended that solidified structure be put in place in order to establish and strengthen the nursing curriculum which has a strong potential for improving the knowledge and skills of nurses to care for people living with cancer in Nigeria.

Effect of self-instructional module on knowledge about ebola virus disease among Nigerian University students in Bengaluru, India.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge about Ebola virus disease (EVD) is very crucial in the response to the recent outbreak and in order to control its spread. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of self-instructional module (SIM) in enhancing knowledge of EVD among Nigerian students in Bengaluru, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pre-experimental study design was employed, and a simple random sampling technique was used to select 60 participants. A pretest was conducted with the tool to assess the baseline knowledge of participants after which SIM was administered to all the participants in two episodes. The posttest was conducted after 7 days using the same tool to assess any gain in knowledge among the participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS at an alpha level of 0.001 and Descriptive analysis (such as percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation [SD]) as well as independent t-test was conducted. RESULTS: Findings showed that the majority of the participants (53%) were males, studying for the undergraduate degree (85%), 36 participants (60%) were in arts/social courses. More than average of the participants (67%) had spent only 1-year in India. Majority (53.3%) had average knowledge but after the administration of the SIM, majority had very good knowledge about EVD. The mean pretest knowledge score was 16.03 with an SD of 2.951 while the mean posttest knowledge score was 28.22 with SD of 3.273. The calculated t value was 21.432 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SIM was observed to be very effective in this study and therefore should be adopted by health personnel in order to convey health-related information to the public.

Oncology outpatient and provider responses to a computerized symptom assessment system.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To assess patient and provider responses to a computerized symptom assessment system. DESIGN: Descriptive, longitudinal study with retrospective, longitudinal medical records review. SETTING: University-based National Cancer Institute-designated outpatient cancer center. SAMPLE: 80 oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy, 8 providers, and 30 medical records. METHODS: Patients completed the computerized assessment during three chemotherapy follow-up clinic appointments (times 1, 2, and 3). Patient usability was recorded via an observer checklist (ease of use) and the computer (completion time). Patient satisfaction and impact were assessed during telephone interviews two to three days after times 1 and 3 only. Provider usability and impact were assessed at the end of the study using a questionnaire and focus groups, whereas effect on provider documentation was assessed through chart audits. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Patient usability (ease of use, completion time), satisfaction, and impact; provider usability and impact. FINDINGS: Patients reported good usability, high satisfaction, and modest impact on discussions with their providers. Providers reported modest usability, modest impact on discussions with patients, and had varied reactions as to how the system affected practice. Documentation of symptoms was largely absent before and after implementation. CONCLUSIONS: This system demonstrated good usability and satisfaction but had only a modest impact on symptom-related discussions and no impact on documentation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: A computerized system can help address barriers to symptom assessment but may not improve documentation unless it can be integrated into existing medical records systems.