Approaches of Cooperative Learning across Ministry of Health Nursing Education Institutions in Bamenda-Cameroon: Perceptions of Students and Teachers

Cooperative learning is an effective teaching strategy that maximizes student’s learning. A descriptive study involving 219 nursing students and 27 teachers used a self-administered questionnaire to determine the approaches of cooperative learning and perceptions of nursing students and teachers in Bamenda. The study set to assess the use of cooperative learning in Bamenda-Cameroon, identify the techniques implemented, highlight its achievements, challenges and describe students’ and teachers’ perceptions. The table of random numbers was used to obtain a probability sample of students while teachers were conveniently sampled. Data were collected using a modified Cooperative Learning Implementation Questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 20.0 at an alpha level of 0.05. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise numerical data, Correlation analysis through the Pearson Product Moment correlation test was used to test the relationship between cooperative learning and students’ achievement, while t-test was used to compare the perceptions of students and teachers on cooperative learning. The margin of error was set at P ≤ 0.05. Eventually, cooperative learning was noted to be occasionally used in Bamenda, with learning together, think-pair-share, group investigation and peer instruction identified as the methods often used.. The achievements of cooperative learning were affirmed with almost no disadvantage as the use of cooperative learning was observed to always improve students’ achievement. Both groups of respondents indicated their love for cooperative learning and willingness to implement it but did not really agree on how it was implemented. Within the perspectives of this study, it was observed that cooperative learning existed as an informal technique of education in Bamenda.

Radical Cystectomies at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka: Baseline Characteristics, Short-term Complications, and Role of Nursing Care

Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the world and the 11th most common cancer in Zambia. Bladder cancer is of three histological types, Squamous cell cancer, Transitional cell cancer, and Adenocarcinoma. The most common histological type in Zambia is Squamous cell cancer accounting for 60 percent of cases of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer is radical cystectomy, Lymph node dissection, and urinary diversion. Globally, radical cystectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The most common diversion used was uretero-sigmoidostomy, accounting for 60 percent of cases. In our case series, the most common complications were wound dehiscence, hypo-proteinemia, bowel ileus, deep vein thrombosis, and electrolyte imbalance. Identification and prevention of complications associated with this procedure play a crucial role in improving survival for these patients. The role of nursing staff in the early recognition of these complications cannot be overemphasized.

Experiences of Registered Nurses’ in Assessing Postoperative Pain among Children: Exploring the Challenges in Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Ghana

Pain is a common occurrence in children after surgery, but it has been neglected over the years. Management of pain is a fundamental human right for everyone who undergoes any surgical procedure. Pain assessment is the initial step of pain management and involves subjective and objective (behavioural and physiological) measures. This study aimed to describe the challenges of registered nurses in assessing post-operative pain among children (0- 3 years)). Descriptive phenomenology was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nine registered nurses with experience in nursing children after surgery in Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (Ghana). The researchers conducted an in-depth interview which was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and qualitatively analysed following Colaizzi’s approach to descriptive phenomenology analysis. The study findings revealed that nurses have experienced several challenges in assessing post-operative pain, including inadequate knowledge, inadequate resources, structural challenges, time constraints, and child-imposed factors. Given these results, nurses should make opportunities to enhance their skills and utilize evidence-based approaches to formally assess paediatric post-operative pain.

Job Satisfaction among Hemodialysis and Labour Ward Nurses: A Comparative Descriptive Study

Introduction: Increasing CKD cases means higher demands for haemodialysis nurses. Haemodialysis nurses are required to fulfil many demanding roles such as advocate, caregiver, educator, mentor and technician while patients attend a dialysis unit. The complexities of the role that are performed by these nurses along with organization factors within the work environment have led to haemodialysis nurses experiencing high levels of burnout thus impacting on satisfaction derived from job done. Objectives: To compare job satisfaction among haemodialysis nurses with that of labour ward nurses and determine if the type of patient managed affects job satisfaction of nurses. Methodology: The multidimensional Job satisfaction scale designed and validated by Murat Ozpehlivan and Zafer Acar was used to determine job satisfaction among sixty-six hemodialysis nurses and sixty-four labour ward nurses in a cross sectional comparative descriptive study. Statistical significance difference between the two group of nurses attributed to events with a p-value lower than 5% (p < 0.05). Results: The overall mean job satisfaction score was higher among the labour ward nurses 67.95 ± 13.39 compared to the mean score among renal nurses 65.07 ± 14.24 (T= 1.81, p = 0.240). The mean score of labour ward nurses regarding satisfaction based on patient managed 74.51 ± 14.96 is higher than the mean score among renal participants of 71.21 ± 14.70 (T= 1.27, p = 0.201). Conclusion: Hemodialysis nurses in Nigeria are satisfied with the job they do and this is comparable to that of nurses in labour ward.

Factors Affecting Home Delivery among Women Living in Remote Areas of Rural Zambia: A Cross-Sectional, Mixed-Methods Analysis

Luapula Province has the highest maternal mortality and one of the lowest facility-based births in Zambia. The distance to facilities limits facility-based births for women in rural areas. In 2013, the government incorporated maternity homes into the health system at the community level to increase facility-based births and reduce maternal mortality. Despite the policy to stopping traditional birth attendants from conducting deliveries at home and encouraging all women to give birth at the health facility under skilled care, many women still give birth at home. An exploratory cross section survey was used to gather data by conducting structured interviews with 50 women of childbearing age who had a recent or previous home delivery. The following factors were found to be associated with home deliveries in surrounding villages in kashikishi; abrupt onset/precipitate labor, long distance/transport difficulties to reach the nearest health facility, having had successful HD, poverty/low income and gender though having a small percentage. Parity in which the majority were multiparas’ women, attitude was also associated with home deliveries and other unforeseen circumstances such as a funeral and being alone at home at the onset of labour.

Exploring Students’ Experiences of E-learning in Midwifery Course: A Qualitative Study Involving Nursing Students Taking Midwifery Course at Rusangu University

Digital teaching and learning sprouted as sparks of fire at different points with the traditional method of teaching and learning stone walling its presence and its ability to be appreciated. Following an unprecedented burst of COVI-19 pandemic, institutions of higher learning embraced digital learning extensively and seemingly forever. This study was launched for the purpose of exploring nursing students’ experiences of e-learning as they pursued Midwifery Course during the pandemic. The study used a cross-sectional design with a qualitative approach. A mixture of 60 third year and fourth year Nursing students taking Midwifery as a course participated in the study through 6 Focus Group discussions. The study found that students residing in rural places of the country faced challenges of poor internet connectivity due to weak signal strength. They could fail to participate during interactive virtual class due to uncharged electronic gadgets or interrupted session due to power outages. Some had neither Personal Computers nor a smart phone to enable them access learning materials. E-learning, in spite of institutions embracing it due to COVID-19 pandemic related reasons, it remains the quickest, widest and most efficient and effective way of teaching and learning with greater potential for being the future mainstay of learning. Telecommunication and electricity supply companies need to invest more in technology to enable lecturers and students access uninterrupted and reliable internet network because with technology advancement comes, a cultural shift from the traditional way of learning to the digitalized mode of learning.

Health Related Quality of Life Among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients and Healthy Pregnant Women: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: About 600 million (10%) of the world population has chronic kidney diseases (CKD). It is progressive, irreversible but effectively treated with maintenance hemodialysis and renal transplantation. In Nigeria, majority of end stage kidney disease patients struggle to continue regular hemodialysis as renal transplantation is beyond the reach of many. The financial burden and other restrictions on the life of the patients have implications for quality of life of these patients. Objectives: To compare health related quality of life of end stage CKD patients with that of healthy pregnant women without any medical co-morbidity. Methodology: WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to determine quality of life of 64 CKD patients and 64 healthy pregnant women in a cross sectional comparative descriptive study. Statistical significance difference between the two groups attributed to events with a p-value lower than 5% (p < 0.05). Results: The mean quality of life index among the maintenance hemodialysis patient was 43.03±15.96 while it is 63.56±12.61 among the healthy pregnant women and the difference is statistically significant (T= 8.01, p =0.000). Hemodialysis participants had lower QOL across all the four domains when compared to healthy pregnant women. Conclusion: Health related quality of life of CKD patients in Nigeria is low. The government and care givers need to push for interventions known to make quality of life of CKD as well as that of healthy populace.

The Process, Structure and Contribution of Work-Based Learning (WBL) to Nursing or Health

Background: Nurses and midwives’ contribution to the health workforce is commended globally. Continuous professional guidelines for nurses and midwives are in place to enhance life-long learning. However, literature on Work-Based Learning in healthcare settings is limited. It is important to document evidence on how nurses learn at their places of work to strengthen life-long learning. Aim: To identify existing evidence on the process, structure and contribution of WBL to nursing or health care outcomes. Design: we used scoping review approach. Data sources: EBSCOhost, Wiley Online University, and Science Direct. Google was used as a general search engine. Review Methods: Screening was by reading abstracts and full texts. Contextualization and thematic analysis were employed. The John Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice appraisal tools were used to determine the level and quality of evidence. Results: A total of 14 articles were reviewed. Identifying the problem, assessing the environment, having a learning action plan and documentation are key steps for WBL. A positive workplace culture, collaboration between the learner, organization, regulation and education institutions in addition to learning resources make a strong structure for WBL. Individual and institutional growth and visibility that contribute to improved quality of care are outcomes of WBL. Conclusion: The literature reviewed suggests that nurses ought to engage in a step wise process for effective WBL. Efficient collaboration between the learner, workplace, education and regulatory institutions are needed to support WBL. WBL plays an important role in improving nursing and health care outcomes.

Community Health Delivery System in Ituri Province the Democratic Republic of Congo

WHO reports in 2010 that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) private health sectors stepped to filling up health system delivery by lack of state health care provision? In DRC's state-building many NGOs and government partners interacted in multiple arenas with multiple stakeholders' health policies are presented is a need to conclude that a lot of improvement more efforts and resources are required (WHO, 2010). NGOs and governmental states share the common interest of providing health services, but their institutional interests vary. Though independent, health actors interact in a variety of ways to solve public health problems in the DRC. Through longstanding patterns of interactions regarding processes, state and non-state partners have developed a de facto networked health sector governance that accounts for the survival of the fragile health DRC context.

Effect of Nursing Intervention on Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Women Attending Selected General Hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria

Inadequate knowledge of Diabetes mellitus (DM) in Pregnancy among diabetic pregnant women could lead to poor skill about self-care, failure to seek timely medical attention and failure to follow medical prescriptions, which could lead to complications and sometimes death of mother and/or fetus/baby. This study seeks to assess the effect of nursing intervention on Knowledge of DM among diabetic pregnant women attending two general hospitals in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. This study utilizes one group pretest- posttest experimental research design. The purposive sampling technique and total enumeration sampling size method that included seventy-five participants were used for the study. Instrument for data collection consisted of seven demographic data and forty- two (42) test questions. The study was carried out in three sessions: pre-intervention, intervention and the evaluation sessions over a period of six weeks. Paired t test was used to determine significance level between pre and post-intervention knowledge. Ethical approval and consent were obtained from Babcock University Health Research Ethical committee and Lagos State Heath Service Commission respectively. The results revealed that most of the participants were between the ages of 21 and 45 (88%); most of them had tertiary education (70.7%); most of them (57.3%) had family history of DM. Results also revealed that pre-intervention knowledge among diabetic women was poor (0.28) and the post intervention knowledge was good (0.83). Paired t test results (t= 36.20, p = 0.000) revealed a significant difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention knowledge. This shows that nursing intervention was effective.