i-manager's Journal on Nursing (JNUR)


Volume 5 Issue 3 August - October 2015

Article

On the Road to Therapeutics: Biological Mechanisms of Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease

Dennis*
*Correspondent, Piirus, University of Warwick, United Kingdom.
Relojo, D. (2015). On the Road to Therapeutics: Biological Mechanisms of Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 5(3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.5.3.3622

Abstract

This paper has sought to explore and summarise more recent findings on the genetic underpinnings of Parkinson's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have contributed to our understanding of these two devastating diseases. As the most common neurodegenerative disease, AD accounts for about two thirds of cases of dementia – ranging in various studies from 42 to 81 per cent of all dementia – with vascular causes and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Pick's disease and diffuse Lewy-body disease constituting the majority of the remaining cases. Meanwhile, it has been identified that PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, after AD. The cause of PD remains unknown, but epidemiological studies suggest an association with pesticides and other environmental toxins, and biochemical studies implicate a systemic defect in mitochondrial complex. In light of the current findings and issues on PD and AD, this paper highlights the range of therapies available for those afflicted with these diseases.

Article

Gender Selective Abortions Should be Prohibited

Younas Masih* , Salima Saleem Mithani**
* Vice Principal, New Life School of Nursing, Karachi, Pakistan.
** Registered Nurse, Department of Cardiology Medicine-inpatient, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Masih, Y., and Mithani, S.S. (2015). Gender Selective Abortions Should be Prohibited. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 5(3), 9-12. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.5.3.3623

Abstract

100 million little girls, or maybe more than that lose their lives due to gender discrimination. If a woman gives birth to a baby girl, she would become an object of shame to her entire family. Also, the baby girl and the woman herself would be treated in ways unimaginable. This is not only a legal but an ethical issue which deeply effects the societies and its roots. The purpose of this paper compare the benefits as well as the negative aspects of the sex selection and its abortion. It also focuses on the roles of the nurses in education of the communities to reduce it, also recommendations are given to help in the reduction of these problems. The role of the leaders, nurses and religious persons is vital in reducing the increasing load of this phenomenon in the world and particularly in Pakistan.

Article

Early Marriage of Girls in Pakistan

Armish Aziz Ahmed* , Nazish Hussain Ali Pachani**
*-** Nursing Intern, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Rajwani, A.A., and Pachani, N.H.A. (2015). Early Marriage of Girls in Pakistan. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 5(3), 13-16. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.5.3.3624

Abstract

Marriage is a precious bond formed between a bride and a groom. In contrast, early marriages evokes challenge, especially for a girl. Sudden shift in roles, responsibilities and environment creates a stress. Their physical and psychological immaturity to deal with emerging demands leads to illnesses like; depression, sepsis, obstructed labor, HIV, etc. This issue is completely preventable, but its roots are deep down. Social, cultural, economical, and religious factors encouraging rural and semi-urban population of Pakistan for many decades. There is a need to re-pattern this practice. Educating girls and making them self-reliant is a key to its implementation. This paper would discuss about its severity, contributing factors, effects and some interventions that can be done to resolve its burden of the country and to achieve millennium developmental goals (MDG's).

Article

Hepatitis C in Pakistan: An Alarming Threat

Nighat Karim* , Kausar Karim**, Mehreen Nizar Ali***, Saba Kabani****, Kiran Nawaz*****, Anita Sultan******
*-****** Nurse Intern, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Karim, N., Karim, K., Nizar, M., Kabani, S., Nawaz, K., and Sultan, A. (2015). Hepatitis C in Pakistan: An Alarming Threat. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 5(3), 17-21. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.5.3.3625

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most widespread infectious diseases. It is becoming a major public health problem of developing countries, including Pakistan that has the second highest prevalence rate of HCV ranging from 4.5% to 8% (World Health Organization).There are various determinants that are contributing to the rising trend of hepatitis C in Pakistan. The most prevalent cause includes reuse of syringes and needles, usage of unsterile equipment, especially by local dentists and barbers, multiple sex partners, unscreened blood transfusions, unavailability of proper health care delivery system, and lack of awareness. The general public is either infected with the virus or they are most vulnerable of contracting it, due to several malpractices and misperceptions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to take preventive measures at primary, secondary and tertiary level to tackle this widespread disease.

Article

Nursing Shortage in Pakistan: A Growing Challenge for the Healthcare System of the Country

Muhammad*
*Registered Nurse, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad.
Muhammad (2015). Nursing Shortage in Pakistan: A Growing Challenge for the Healthcare System of the Country. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 5(3), 22-26. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.5.3.3626

Abstract

The Nursing shortage is becoming a real global challenge. Since, Pakistan is facing the dual burden of communicable and chronic diseases, the country is facing an acute shortage of the healthcare workforce, especially, the nursing shortage. There is a lack of adequate educational institutes besides of basic facilities in existing schools and colleges of nursing. Additionally, the rate of enrollment is not encouraging to satisfy the growing healthcare needs of the country. Moreover, a large number of qualified nurses leave the country in search of better opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the shortage of nurses in the country and to compare local nurse to patient ratio with internationally recognized standards. In addition, it includes causes, significance and impacts of nursing shortage on patients' care. Moreover, some strategies and recommendations have been proposed to overcome the issue of nursing shortage.

Research Paper

The Effect of Breast Milk Odor on First Breast Feeding Time and Weight Gain in Premature Infants

Batool Pouraboli* , Atefeh Shamsi**, Sedigheh Iranmanesh***
*-**-*** Research Scholar, Department of Nursing, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Aboli, B.P., Shamsi, A., and Iranmanesh, S. (2015). The Effect of Breast Milk Odor on First Breast Feeding Time and Weight Gain in Premature Infants. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 5(3), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.5.3.3627

Abstract

This study examines the effect of breast milk odor on the first breast feeding time and weight gain in premature infants. This experimental study was conducted on 92 premature infants less than 33 weeks of age. There were 46 infants in the control group and 46 infants in the intervention group. The study was conducted at two neonatal intensive care and premature units of a university hospital in Northern Iran from April 6 to September 6, 2013. The study was conducted over a four and a half month period. Demographic profiles were extracted from the infants' medical records. A checklist of recorded data from the same study was made available. Prior to initiating the research, we received the necessary approval from relevant organizations. Parental permission was obtained by signing a consent form. A pad impregnated with the mother's milk and olfactory stimulation of premature infants with this pad reduced the first breastfeeding duration. The mother's breast sucking was more effective and initiated over a shorter time in the intervention group compared to the control group. Olfactory stimulation of breast milk odor influenced strengthening feeding competence of infants and reduced the duration of time for the first breast feeding.

Research Paper

Influence of Educational Environment on Academic Performance of Nursing Students

Maxie Martis* , Rubiya I Shekh**, Thankamma M.S***
* Associate Professor, St. Ignatius Institute of Nursing Sciences, Honavar, India.
** Assistant Lecturer, St. Ignatius Institute of Health Sciences, Honavar, India.
*** Principal, St. Ignatius Institute of Health Sciences, Honavar, India.
Andrade, M., Shekh, R.I., and Thankamma, M.S. (2015). Influence of Educational Environment on Academic Performance of Nursing Students. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 5(3), 35-40. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.5.3.3636

Abstract

The context of learning, the educational environment and the learning styles have an influence on the academic performance. While the context of learning and learning styles are individualistic, the educational environment provided by an institution is generic. The aim of this study was to assess the education environment as perceived by the learners. The objectives of the study were to describe the educational environment and academic performance and identify the relationship between educational environment and academic performance. A cross sectional survey was held in December 2013, in one of the nursing institutions in India offering diploma and graduate nursing program. The Participants were the enrolled students available on the day of data collection and consented to the study. The total score obtained in the board/university examination was the measure of academic performance. The total score obtained from the administration of Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) was regarded as the educational environment. The Karl Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between educational environment and academic performance. The educational environment was perceived as 'more positive' by 84.84% of graduate (n=66) and 76.66% of diploma nursing students (n=90). However, the relationship between education environment and academic performance was not statistically significant among graduate (r= 0.006, p= 0.97, n=44) and diploma (r= 0.145, p=0.22, n=73) students. Nursing students should make effective use of the educational environment.