RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Inappropriate handling of biomedical waste (BMW) may pose serious threats to the health of patients and hospital personnel. Among all healthcare workers, staff nurses play a vital role in BMW management (BMWM). Thus, the present study aimed to determine the predictors of BMWM practices among staff nurses of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 staff nurses, working at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India, from July to August 2018. Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured, and self-administered questionnaire after taking their written informed consent. Regression analysis was carried out to identify the predictors of satisfactory BMWM practice status. RESULTS: Of the total 150 staff nurses, most of them were young females with a work experience of ≤ 5 years. Concerning knowledge scores, most staff nurses (63.3%) belonged to the moderate category, whereas a few (24%) were in the high category. Also, most of them (62.7%) were in the high category of attitude scores. For practice scores, half of the participants were in moderate and high categories, each. Female gender, attended training status, and moderate and high knowledge scores were significantly associated with satisfactory BMWM scores in unadjusted analysis. After adjusting for other independent variables, all these three factors were found significantly associated with satisfactory BMWM practice scores. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that the female gender, attending training in BMWM, and having a moderate and high knowledge of BMWM were significant predictors of satisfactory BMWM practice among staff nurses. Thus, all hospitals must periodically train their staff nurses to strengthen their BMWM practices. Safe BMWM leads to environmental protection and safeguards the health of patients, hospital personnel, and the public.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The demands and learning challenges in medical schools are not efficiently overcome by all learners. Despite the gravity of the problem, there is a dearth of studies to identify, define, and address the needs of learners. Thus, the present study was designed to do a situational analysis to identify and define the problems of learners and to develop a model for student support system in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A phenomenological type of qualitative research was undertaken. One-to-one in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted, 10 each among undergraduate medical students, faculties and parents (n = 30) to understand the problems of students and their suggested solutions from each one's perspective. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and manual thematic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Manual thematic analysis of the transcripts yielded 16 subcategories and 7 categories. The various categories that emerged are (1) curriculum related; (2) interpersonal adjustment problems; (3) personal issues and family problems; (4) cognitive learning disabilities; (5) poor organizational skills; (6) students' lack of motivation; and (7) miscellaneous. Based on the problems and their suggested solutions, a model for the essential components of a student support system for our college was developed. It outlines the principal roles of four key stakeholders, namely students, faculties, parents, and college administration. CONCLUSION: It has been found that students face various academic problems, personal, interpersonal and family level issues. We developed the support system model suitable for our context. In future, it may be implemented and evaluated to check if it achieves the desired purpose.
RESUMO
This case series presents 10 pediatric patients, aged 4 to 9 years, with leukomelanosis on the chest or forehead. The pigmentary changes developed after the traditional use of Piper betle leaves as a home-based remedy for a cough or cold. Piper betle-induced leukomelanosis in children is a rare dermatosis resulting from cultural practices. It is important to recognize the role of ethnobotany in dermatology.
