Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Horns Of Dilemma: Life Or Sovereignty, Farida Bibi Mughal, Bibi Hajira Irshad Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Death and dying are the bitter truth that is faced by every person inevitably. Paying respect to the decision of a patient in a hospital setting is always a challenging task. In eastern countries, family plays an important role in decision making. But it always overrides the preferences and wishes of the patient and this leads to violation of ethical principles such as autonomy, informed consent and veracity. Looking a situation from different paradigms and deciding the best solution on the ground of ethical principles should be the utmost priority of the healthcare provider.

Why Women Suffer Domestic Violence In Silence: Web-Based Responses To A Blog, Salima Farooq, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Yasmin Parpio, Nasreen Lalani, Muecke Marjorie

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background & Aim: Domestic violence (DV) is a global socio-cultural concern faced by a majority of women. DV has a negative impact on women’s social, physical, and psychological wellbeing. Objective was to explore perceptions regarding contributing factors to domestic violence among women.
Methods & Materials: A qualitative descriptive exploratory method was applied for the study. Purposive sampling was used to select participants through emails to respond to the web based blog created for the study. 41 worldwide participants shared their perceptions through the blogs in the study. The data were collected using a web-based discussion forum on the Urban Women …

Risk Factors Of Cardiovascular Disease And Its Recommendations In Pakistani Context., Rubina Barolia, Amber Hussain Sayani

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Cardiovascular diseases possess a major cause for fatality and disability the world over. Since last several decades, the rates of cardiovascular diseases-related deaths have decreased in a number of high-income countries but increased in low- and middle-income countries with around 80% of the burden. Despite the seriousness of cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries, minimal attention is given to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases risk factors in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan. In addition, economic and political instability is accelerating the rates of cardiovascular diseases in the country. Practical efforts are required to enhance the understanding of cardiovascular diseases …

Peer Violence Perpetration And Victimization: Prevalence, Associated Factors And Pathways Among 1752 Sixth Grade Boys And Girls In Schools In Pakistan, Rozina Karmaliani Professor, Judith Mcfarlane, Rozina Somani, Hussain Maqbool Ahmed Khuwaja, Shireen Shehzad Bhamani, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Saleema A. Gulzar, Yasmeen Hassan Somani, Esnat D. Chirwa, Rachel Jewkes

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Child peer violence is a global problem and seriously impacts health and education. There are few research studies available in Pakistan, or South Asia. We describe the prevalence of peer violence, associations, and pathways between socio-economic status, school performance, gender attitudes and violence at home.
Methods: 1752 children were recruited into a cluster randomized controlled trial conducted on 40 fairly homogeneous public schools (20 for girls and 20 for boys), in Hyderabad, Pakistan. This was ranging from 20-65 children per school. All children were interviewed with questionnaires at baseline.
Results: Few children had no experience of peer violence in …

Women Experiences Of Using External Breast Prosthesis After Mastectomy., Zohra Asif Jetha, Raisa B. Gul, Sharifa Bashir Lalani

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify the experiences of breast cancer patients using external breast prostheses (EBP) in the context of the Pakistani society.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive exploratory design was used in the study. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 15 postmastectomy women using EBP. A semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions was used for the interviews. The analysis of the data was organized into four categories according to the study questions including reasons for using EBP, feeling about EBP, challenges for using EBP, and coping with lost breast. Each category was further divided into subcategories. …

Who Teaches Science To Nurses?, Naghma Rizvi

School of Nursing & Midwifery

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the demographics of individuals teaching basic science courses in private nursing schools.

METHODS:

The study was conducted in Karachi, and comprised teachers teaching basic science courses in 16 registered private nursing schools. A demographic questionnaire was used to collect data. The study was conducted in the year 2013.

RESULTS:

Teachers holding academic/professional degrees in different science disciplines were involved in teaching science to nurses. In most of the schools, all the basic science courses were taught by one subject specialist science teacher. These subject specialist science teachers held degrees in different disciplines, which included Doctor of Philosophy, …

Being "With Women, For A Lifetime": The Current State Of Nurse-Midwifery Practice In The United States, Michal Koren

Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this research project is to explore the evolution of midwifery care from its earliest beginnings steeped within societal structures and birthing customs to its contemporary practices filled with professional regulations and competing technologies. Focused interest will be given to: 1) identifying the core values and basic principles of midwifery that have endured over time, and 2) ascertaining the significant changes in educational regulations and clinical competencies that influence midwifery practice in contemporary times.

Quality Of Life And Its Determinants In Adult Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment In Pakistan., Parveen Chagani, Yasmin Parpio, Raisa B. Gul, Adnan Jabbar

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective:

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Likewise, in Pakistan, it is a major health problem, with an approximate increase each year. Cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy, produces a detrimental effect on individuals' well-being. Since the past few years, quality of life (QOL) is considered as the primary goal of cancer treatment in patients' survival. This study aimed to assess the QOL and its determinants in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Methods:

An analytical cross-sectional design was employed to achieve the study objectives, utilizing consecutive sampling technique. A total of 150 adult (>19 years) cancer patients were …

Practices Of Faculty Members Regarding Teaching And Learning Strategies In Nursing Education, Shams Ul Huda, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Kashmira Nanji, Shanaz Hussein Cassum

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective: To determine the different teaching learning strategies utilized, percentage of faculty members utilizing these teaching strategies and faculty perceptions regarding effectiveness of these in undergraduate nursing degree programs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan.
Methodology: Cross sectional descriptive design was used to conduct this study. The sample size was 42. The faculty members were recruited from different nursing institutes offering degree programs in KPK, Pakistan. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS & STAT.
Results:Discussion, lecture, group discussion, and PPT were used by 78.6%, 73.8%, 73.8%, and 69% of the faculty members, respectively. However, other learning strategies like debate, PBL, …

Palliative Care: An Alien Concept In Pakistan, Nadia Pyarali Mulji, Sumaira Sachwani

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Every living being has to die. Respecting a dying individual’s personal values and preferences is a challenge. We live in a culture where family decisions are given priority over individual’s wish. To address this challenge, a concept of palliative or comfort care is newly introduced in Pakistan. Palliative care is a multidisciplinary specialty that emphases on prevention and relieving suffering as well as supporting the optimal quality of life of patients and their families (Bailey, Harman, Bruera, Arnold, & Savarese,2014). In Pakistan, the concept of palliative care is like a newborn baby who needs a lot of ethical attention in …

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Annagrace E. Anderson

Senior Honors Theses

Breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition. In the past, infant formula was promoted as equal or superior to breast milk. However, research has shown that breastfeeding is the superior form of infant nutrition except in rare circumstances. Breast milk provides for all of a newborn’s caloric needs and has the correct balance of nutrients to promote proper development. In addition, breast milk provides protection against illnesses, supports an infant’s immune system, and promotes life-long health for the newborn. Mothers also experience personal benefits by breastfeeding such as decreased cancer risks, bonding with their babies, and faster postpartum …

Nurse Teachers’ Conceptions And Practices Of Written Feedback In Karachi., Sobia Idrees, Raisa B. Gul, Ambreen Tharani, Syeda Kauser Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background:

Written Feedback (WFB) plays a significant role in student’s learning in terms of improvement of their academic writing skills. However, the quality of WFB may be affected by various personal and contextual factors. This study aimed to identify nurse teachers’ conceptions and practices of WFB on written assignments in nursing degree offering institutions in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used to answer the study questions. The study was conducted at 11 nursing schools in Karachi by recruiting those teachers who were teaching in nursing degree programs. The sample size of the study consists of 80 …

Creating Enabling Environment For Student Engagement: Faculty Practices Of Critical Thinking, Shanaz Hussein Cassum, Raisa B. Gul

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Critical thinking (CT) is considered an important attribute in practice disciplines and faculty members in nursing, medicine, and education are expected to facilitate the development of CT in their graduates so that these individuals can be critical, reflective, competent, and caring professionals and service providers (Distler, 2007; Shiau & Chen, 2008; Worell & Profetto-McGrath, 2007). When students are actively engaged in their learning, and classrooms have an enabling environment, critical thinking is promoted. Teachers must reflect upon their teaching pedagogy when students do not participate in stimulating discussions, or asks questions in class. Research suggests that lack of understanding of …

Infection Control In Labor And Delivery Room, Learning From The Small Hospital Based Project, Savera Aziz Ali, Sumera Aziz Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: It has been estimated that around 36% of the neonatal deaths occur due to infection in the lower and middle income countries. Infection control is a more substantial area of concern, particularly in Labor and delivery room. Multiple factors can cause infection in the labor room, therefore it is important to assess various factors of maternal and neonatal infection. Hence we explored multiple factors through this project and developed the action plan to address those factors effectively.
Methods: During our Leadership and Management course, we conducted a project in Labor room pertaining to a prevalent issue. The whole process …

Exploring The Impact Of Gender Inequities On The Promotion Of Cardiovascular Health Of Women In Pakistan, Rubina Barolia, Alexander M. Clark, Gina M. Higginbottom

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Cardiovascular disease exerts an enormous burden on women's health. The intake of a healthy diet may reduce this burden. However, social norms and economic constraints are often factors that restrain women from paying attention to their diet. Underpinned by critical realism, this study explores how gender/sex influences decision-making regarding food consumption among women of low socioeconomic status (SES). The study was carried out at two cardiac facilities in Karachi, Pakistan, on 24 participants (male and female from different ethnic backgrounds), who had received health education. Using an interpretive descriptive approach, the study identified major barriers to a healthy diet: proscribed …

Cultural Practices Of Rearing Preterm Infants: A Qualitative Study In A Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Salima Sulaiman Gulamani, Ambreen Tharani, Sharifa Bashir Lalani, Kiran Shaikh

School of Nursing & Midwifery

The research work explores the cultural practices of feeding and hygiene of preterm infants in the Pakistani context. A Qualitative descriptive-exploratory design has been used. Purposive sampling was utilized to recruit 17 mothers, who met inclusion criteria from a largest government tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The semi-structured interview was used to collect the data, which lasted for approximately 45-60 minutes. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the key findings of the study. Welcoming newborn with 'honey' and herbal remedies were reported as a common ritual among mothers. Findings revealed differences in the time period of initial bath given …

Attitude Towards Gender Roles And Violence Against Women And Girls (Vawg): Baseline Findings From An Rct Of 1752 Youths In Pakistan, Tazeen S. Ali, Rozina Karmaliani, Judith Mcfarlane, Hussain M. A. Khuwaja, Yasmeen Somani, Esnat D. Chirwa, Rachel Jewkes

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Violence against women is driven by gender norms that normalize and justify gender inequality and violence. Gender norms are substantially shaped during adolescence. Programs offered through schools offer an opportunity to influence gender attitudes toward gender equity if we understand these to be partly shaped by peers and the school environment.
Objective: We present an analysis of the baseline research conducted for a randomized controlled trial with 1752 grade 6 boys and girls and their attitudes toward gender roles, VAWG, and associated factors.
Methods: We used baseline data from a cluster randomised control study. Interviews were …

Association Of Awareness About Hepatitis C Infection With Patterns Of Health Seeking Behavior Among Hepatitis C Patients In Karachi, Pakistan, Shahina S. Pirani, Saleema Allana, Tazeen S. Ali, Faisal Wasim Ismail

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Hepatitis C infection is one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. In Pakistan, hepatitis C infection rate is 4.8%, which is the second highest prevalence rate among all developing countries. This study aimed to identify the association between awareness about hepatitis C infection and pattern of health seeking behavior among patients living with hepatitis C in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 hepatitis C patients who were recruited from the Aga Khan University Hospital and the Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan between March and May 2013. Data were …

Honoring Motherhood: The Meaning Of Childbirth For Tongan Women, Shelly J. Reed, Lynn Clark Callister, 'Ana Kavaefiafi, Cheryl A. Corbett, Debra Edmunds

Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this ethnographic study was to describe the meaning of childbirth for Tongan women.

Study Design and Methods: In this qualitative descriptive study, 38 Tongan women, 18 from Tonga and 20 from the United States, who had given birth in the past year were invited to share their perceptions of childbirth. Themes were generated collaboratively by the research team.

Findings: The overarching theme was honoring motherhood; other themes include using strength to facilitate an unmedicated vaginal birth, describing the spiritual dimensions of birth, adhering to cultural practices associated with childbearing, and the influence of the concept of …