Foundation University Medical Journal

Assessment of nurses' attitude towards geriatric patients In a tertiary care hospital of Rawalpindi, Pakistan

2024-05-16T14:00:47+08:00

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Nurses engage with elderly individuals across various levels of care, yet observations indicate the presence of relational gaps that contribute to adverse outcomes for elderly patients.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the factors shaping nurses' attitudes towards the care of elderly patients.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi comprising of registered nurses, from August 2023 to October 2023.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used as data collection tool using convenient sampling. The sample size of this study was 140. Both male and female nurses having work experience of more than 2 years were included in the study. The nurses who were not residents of Rawalpindi were excluded as they may have different working conditions, patient demographics and healthcare protocols which could skew the results and reduce the study's internal validity. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 23. Frequencies and percentages were computed, descriptive statistical analysis was done.

Results: A total of one hundred and forty nurses were included. About 89(64.0%) were aged between 15-25 years, 45(32.0%) aged between 26-35 years, 6(4.0%) aged between 36-45 years. Regarding attitudes, the majority agreed to have felt good caring for elderly patients except thirty six percent of the participants who felt it was a tedious job. The majority of the participants i.e. one hundred and fourteen individuals (81%) disagreed with the notion that caring for geriatric patients would hinder their ability to attend to other patients. About 80% nurses stated that the mental status and diverse behavioral exhibitions were major hindrances towards effective care of them.

Conclusion: The study's findings indicate that the majority of nurses exhibit a positive attitude toward elderly care and demonstrate a solid understanding of geriatric care principles.

Road traffic accidents and their associated factors: A retrospective study at Heavy Industries Taxila Hospital, Taxila Cantt

2024-04-19T15:25:13+08:00

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the frequency, type of injury and association of age and gender in the pattern of road traffic accident (RTA) injuries.

Study Design: Retrospective study

Study Place: Heavy Industries Taxila Hospital, allied hospital of HITEC-IMS (Heavy Industries Taxila Education City-Institute of Medical Sciences)

Duration Of Study: 3 months

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology HITEC-IMS from 15 Oct 2022 to 15 January 2023. Data were obtained from the accident and emergency record register of Heavy Industries Taxila Hospital. The record contained 172 road traffic accident cases. Data from these cases were entered into an approved and pre validated injury surveillance questionnaire recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The questionnaire included information such as demographic data for example age, sex and various factor associated with road traffic accidents such as role of human intent, place of occurrence, activity, nature of injury, mechanism of injury and time of injury. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 23.

Results: A total of 172 RTA cases were reported in these two years with minor injuries making 52% of total cases. Accidents were most commonly seen in males in the age group of 15-30 years. Most of the road traffic accident victims were commuting via motorcycle/cycle to or from work in the evening hours (12pm to 8pm). The number of cases reported in winter months was greater. Most of the accident cases reported had occurred accidentally without any element of suicide. Patients were then given treatment in hospital and discharged except those requiring continuous care.

Conclusion: Road traffic accidents causing minor injuries are frequently reported in Heavy Industries Taxila Hospital, moreover, there might be an association of road traffic accident occurrence with male gender and age group (15-30 years).

Frequency of postpartum depression and its effects on quality of life amongst mothers attending EPI Center, PIMS Islamabad

2024-05-20T13:52:27+08:00

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
- To assess the prevalence of postpartum depression.
- To assess the effects of postpartum depression on quality of life.

Study Design: Cross sectional study design and Non probability convenient sampling technique was used.

Study Place & Duration: Data were collected in EPI centre, PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences) Islamabad over a duration of eight months (October 2022 to May 2023).

Materials and Methods: Demographic questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) Urdu version 1 was used to assess frequency of postpartum depression and WHOQOL-BREF 2 (World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version) to assess the quality of life of the participants.

Consent was obtained from all participants before they completed the questionnaire. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. For categorical and continuous variables, frequency was calculated. Chi square was applied. P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Our study population is mothers of infants presenting in EPI centre of PIMS. Sample size of 240 was calculated using WHO sample size calculator with 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error.

Results:
- Overall, 66.3% of the population had postpartum depression (PPD) according to EPDS.

- 10.8% participants with postpartum depression scored 45 or below on WHOQOL (World Health Organization Quality of Life) scale showing low quality of life.

- 68.3% participants with postpartum depression scored between 46 and 65 on WHOQOL scale showing moderate quality of life.

- 20.8% participants with postpartum depression scored 66 or above on WHOQOL scale showing high quality of life.

Conclusion: This study shows that frequency of postpartum depression is very high in our society and has a substantial effect on the quality of life of mothers.

Prevalence of astigmatism in myopic patients A study done at HITEC IMS

2024-06-21T15:50:21+08:00

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of astigmatism in myopic patients concerning age and gender.

Study Design: It was a descriptive study.

Settings: It was done at HITEC-IMS Taxila from March 2022 to July 2022.

Methodology: In our study, 370 patients were included, all of them were myopic. Patients with complaints of blurred vision and age 18 to 40 years were included in our study. Patients who had undergone LASIK surgery or had congenital myopia were excluded from our study.

Results: Astigmatism was 77.3% in myopic patients, 44.6% were males and 55.4% were females. Prevalence was high in patients 29-31 years old.

Conclusion: Astigmatism was more prevalent in myopic patients, ranging from 29 to 31 years of age.

Bacterial isolates and their sensitivity profile from CSF samples – A 5 year study at a tertiary care hospital

2024-05-14T12:59:48+08:00

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of various bacteria isolated in cases of meningitis and their sensitivity profile.

Study design: Descriptive Cross sectional study

Study place & duration: Study place & duration: This study was carried out at Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi over a period of 5 years (January 2017 and December 2021).

Methodology: All CSF samples received in microbiology Lab during the study were centrifuged at 2500 r/min in the laboratory of Microbiology. The supernatant fluid was discarded. The sediment was inoculated on blood agar, Chocolate agar and MacConkey's agar and were incubated at 370^oC for 24-72 hours aerobically and in 5% CO2. Cultures that yielded growth of any bacteria were further proceeded by standard microbiological methods of bacterial identification and sensitivity testing according to CLSI guide lines.

Results: A total of 2000 CSF samples were received during the study period examined. One hundred and fifty seven samples yielded growth of bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30%) was the most frequent organism isolated from CSF from patients followed by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA (13%).

Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent organism isolated from CSF of patients of meningitis followed by MRSA.

Artificial intelligence - A new player in the field of medicine

2024-04-26T11:51:02+08:00

The healthcare landscape is evolving at a very rapid pace. Artificial intelligence (AI) is working as a transformative force. The practice of medicine is likely to be revolutionized soon. Optimization of diagnosis and treatment is not very far off. From clinical decision-making to improving patient outcomes along with a reshaping of healthcare delivery system can all be achieved through the help of AI.