Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public health

Policy Factors Associated with Nurse Managers' Preparedness in Mentorship Role at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

2024-08-28T19:57:00+00:00

Purpose: Mentorship plays a crucial role in the professional development of nurses, emphasizing a patient-centric approach to nursing care. However, there exists a lack of clarity regarding the preparatory measures for nurses in charge who, at the same time, are ward managers, posing challenges in effectively conveying their multifaceted responsibilities. This research aimed to assess policy factors associated with the preparedness of nurse managers for mentorship roles at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Methodology: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, utilizing a simple random sampling strategy to engage 88 respondents. Data collection involved a carefully designed self-administered questionnaire comprising a blend of open-ended and closed-ended inquiries to ensure a comprehensive exploration. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

Results: Key findings revealed that 42% of participants were moderately prepared for mentorship roles, while 58% were inadequately prepared due to time constraints, workload, and lack of management support. Correlation results revealed that nurses’ level of involvement in policymaking was significant at r(87)= .281, p=.008). The nurse managers are best placed to offer mentorship to other nurses, especially to junior nurses who have joined the profession.

Conclusion and Recommendations: The study concluded that while nurses were actively involved in policy-making processes, their contributions were often disregarded during policy development, leading to a lack of clear guidelines for mentorship programs despite existing standard operating procedures within nurse manager units. It is imperative for the hospital management to actively involve all stakeholders, including nurse Managers in the policy development process. Considering the input of nurse managers alongside other stakeholders will ensure that policies regarding mentorship programs are comprehensive and inclusive.

Influence of Demographic Factors on Uptake of Diagnostic Imaging by Oncology Patients in South Rift Counties, Kenya

2024-08-28T20:16:17+00:00

Purpose: To determine the influence of demographic factors on uptake of diagnostic imaging by oncology patients in South Rift Counties, Kenya.

Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was adopted when collecting data from 5 public hospitals in South Rift Counties. The study issued questionnaires to oncology patients and interviewed the rest of the respondents. A pre-test study was done at Texas Cancer Center in Nairobi County. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. Qualitative results data was analyzed through thematic method.

Results: 74(25%) patients had 41-50 years and 65(22%) were 61-70 years. The least number of oncology patients who were 3(1%) and they were 18-20 years of age. Further, 264(89%) were married while 33(11%) were not married. Additionally, 182(61%) were male patients while 115(39%) were female patients. Additionally, 166(56%) had a tertiary level of education while 39(13%) had primary school qualifications. In addition, 203(68%) were Christians and 80(27%) were Muslims and only 5(2%) were not religious. Notably, 110(37%) of the patients had breast cancer while 77(26%) had colon cancer. The least group of patients who were 12(4%) had lung cancer. Additionally, most of healthcare workers who were 12(39%) had more than 50 years while 10(32%) had 41-50 years. However, 4(13%) had 18-30 years. Further, 18(58%) had a master’s degree while 5(16%) had a PhD. In addition, 17(55%) had more than 10 years of service while only 5(16%) had 5-7 years. The Chi-square result revealed that χ² (1, N = 297) = 461.599, p < 0.05. That is the Pearson Chi-Square was 461.599 at a p-value of 0.027.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Most patients that sought cancer diagnostic imaging were middle and old aged male people who were married. This meant that unmarried young female adults hardly sought imaging services. The most common cancer illnesses scanned were breast, colon, and cervical cancers. The study recommends that that the hospital management should provide more funding for sensitization programs to inform unmarried young people especially females to seek early diagnostic imaging services. This will enable them to ensure that no cancerous cells are growing to be discovered at a late stage for effective management.

Institutional Factors Affecting Timely Referral and Safe Transport of Neonates in Makueni County Referral Hospital, Kenya

2024-09-05T18:49:38+00:00

Purpose: Internationally, 2.5 million babies lose their lives before first 28 days of life, many of the deaths occur in underdeveloped countries and a third occur on day one of life. According to the World Health Organization, many infant deaths are preventable by simple interventions. Some of the early interventions are proper preparedness and early identification of danger signs, timely referral, and safe transport of sick newborns to ensure reductions in newborn deaths. The purpose of this study was to identify institutional factors that affect timely referral and safe transport of neonates in Makueni County Referral Hospital.

Methodology: The study employed an analytic cross-sectional study design. The researcher collected data from 50 primary caregivers or the mothers. The researcher used a self-administered questionnaire, document reviews of the patients’ files, and a structured data checklist. Patients condition on admission was obtained from the patient’s file. The researcher analyzed the data quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 (SPSS V26).

Results: According to the study findings, institutional characteristics highlight several significant factors associated with the likelihood of timely referral and safe transport during a referral. Patients who did not receive stabilization treatment were found to be more prone to experiencing a lack of timeliness and safe transport during referral (P=0.004), patients who did not undergo vital signs monitoring were 9.25 times more prone to experiencing delays and unsafe transportation (P = 0.035). The results suggest that patients with a response time exceeding 2 hours were more likely to face a lack of timeliness and safe transport during referral (P=0.032). The availability of an ambulance emerged as a significant factor, with 59.5% (25) reporting waiting for an ambulance as the reason for the delay.

Conclusion: The study concludes that institutional factors influenced safe transport and timely referral including stabilization treatment, vital signs monitoring, response time for referral, and the availability of an ambulance. The study recommends that ambulances should be availed timely, in adequate numbers, and be equipped with the necessary drugs and equipment so that in the event of a problem, the healthcare provider can intervene appropriately. Also, hospitals should be supplied with all the necessary equipment and drugs to aid in stabilization of patients.

Training institutional Factors Influencing Curriculum Implementation on Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care for Faith-Based Diploma Nursing Students in Meru and Tharakanithi County

2024-09-10T17:50:00+00:00

Purpose: Maternal and newborn healthcare is fundamental to achieving positive health outcomes in a country. The implementation of the curriculum on emergency obstetrics and neonatal care (EmONC) plays a crucial role in preparing skilled birth attendants. This study aimed to assess training institutional factors influencing curriculum implementation on emergency obstetrics and neonatal care for faith-based diploma nursing students in Meru and Tharakanithi County.

Methodology: A total of n=216 (84.7%) responses (second-year and third-year diploma in nursing programs students) were received out of a target population of N=255 (100%) respondents while a total of n=10 (90.9%) responses (nurse educators) were received out of a target population of N=11(100%) respondents. Data was collected through an online-administered questionnaire to nursing students and nurse educators. In addition, key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data from nurse educators. Data was cleaned coded, and entered into the scientific package for social sciences (SPSS) software vs. 27. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret findings.

Results: Bivariate correlation, showed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.898 and 0.640 for nurse educators and students respectively, and are all statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study concluded that training institutional factors positively influence implementation of curriculum on EmONC in Meru and Tharakanithi County. Based on the findings of this study the study recommends several actions to improve curriculum implementation in EmONC. The college administration needs to avail necessary resources in the classroom and skill lab to facilitate learning in EmONC and make arrangements for students to get preservice EmONC if possible before graduation.

Uptake of Modern Contraception Among Postpartum Women in Vihiga County, Kenya

2024-09-22T09:35:44+00:00

Purpose: Contraception is achieved by use of modern methods such as emergency pills, barriers, oral contraceptive pills, and injectable contraceptives and implants. With devolution of health services in Kenya, it is important to understand the county-specific contraception trends and factors that influence such trends. Vihiga County has previously reported a contraception rate of 53%, lower than the national rate of 61%. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to assess uptake of modern contraception among postpartum women in Vihiga County, Kenya.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was implemented. Study participants and wards were selected using simple random sampling whereas purposive sampling was used to select health facilities. Questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions were the research instruments for data collection. Qualitative data was organized into themes and presented in accordance with the study objectives. Quantitative data was analyzed using chi-square for pairwise comparison and regression.

Results: The findings revealed that knowledge regarding the nine methods of contraception was low. However, knowledge of individual contraceptive methods including DMPA, implants, pills, and coils was high. The current rate of contraceptive use in Vihiga sub-county is 62.8%, an increase from the previously reported 53%. DMPA and implants were the most used methods. Age, marital status, number of children, and period since the last birth were the most significant demographic influencers of contraceptive use among postpartum women in Vihiga sub-county. Reasons for or against use, duration of use of contraceptives, and future intent to use them were the attitude factors associated with contraceptive use. Social factors influencing contraceptive use were religion, husband agreeing, and community allowing. In terms of contraceptive access, quality of contraceptive services best influenced the uptake of contraceptives.

Conclusion: The study highlighted the need to improve state of contraceptive use in Vihiga County. It also highlighted young and single women as the populations that should be targeted when implementing contraceptive education. An understanding of social factors that influence contraceptive uptake will ensure that healthcare stakeholders make better decisions that are targeted for this population in Vihiga County.