The African Health Profession Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives

Background

More than thirty-five sub-Saharan African countries have severe health workforce shortages. Many also struggle with a mismatch between the knowledge and competencies of health professionals and the needs of the populations they serve. Addressing these workforce challenges requires collaboration among health and education stakeholders and reform of health worker regulations. Health professional regulatory bodies, such as nursing and midwifery councils, have the mandate to reform regulations yet often do not have the resources or expertise to do so. In 2011, the United States of America Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began a four-year initiative to increase the collaboration among national stakeholders and help strengthen the capacity of health professional regulatory bodies to reform national regulatory frameworks. The initiative is called the African Health Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives. This article describes the African Health Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives and discusses its importance in implementing and sustaining national, regional, and global workforce initiatives.

Discussion

The African Health Profession Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives convenes leaders responsible for regulation from 14 countries in East, Central and Southern Africa. It provides a high profile, south-to-south collaboration to assist countries in implementing joint approaches to problems affecting the health workforce. Implemented in partnership with Emory University, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the East, Central and Southern African College of Nursing, this initiative also supports four to five countries per year in implementing locally-designed regulation improvement projects. Over time, the African Health Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives will help to increase the regulatory capacity of health professional organizations and ultimately improve regulation and professional standards in this region of Africa. The African Health Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives will measure the progress of country projects and conduct an annual evaluation of the initiative??s regional impact, thereby contributing to the global evidence base of health workforce interventions.

Conclusion

The African Health Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives is designed to address priority needs in health workforce development and improve regulation of the health workforce. This model may assist others countries and regions facing similar workforce challenges.     

Sexual Dysfunction in a Nigerian Stroke Cohort: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Sexual dysfunction is common among individuals who are post-stroke but this rarely attracts attention among clinicians during stroke management. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of sexual dysfunction among Nigeria stroke survivors and their age and sex matched healthy controls, and determines the correlates of sexual dysfunction among stroke survivors. A comparative cross-sectional study of 121 stroke survivors and sex matched 121 healthy controls completed 14-item Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire. Associated factors with sexual dysfunction were assessed. Male and female stroke survivors of similar age and healthy controls participated in the study. The stroke survivors had significant lower sexual functioning with higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (84%) compared with healthy controls (35%) and these remained unchanged when stratified by gender and sexual response cycles. Females had consistent significant higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction than their male counterparts either as a stroke survivor (95 vs. 75%) or a healthy individual (50 vs. 21%). Only increase in age and female gender were significant correlates of sexual dysfunction. Every one-year increase in age has a 6.7% (OR 1.067, CI 1.012–1.125) increase in odds of having sexual dysfunction among stroke survivors. Female stroke survivors compared with male were seven times (OR 6.934, CI 1.645–29.226) more likely to be sexually dysfunctional. In conclusion, the stroke survivors have significant lower sexual functioning and higher sexual dysfunction compared with apparently healthy controls which suggest that stroke impacted sexual functionality in post-stroke individuals. Being a female and/or with increase in age are significant associated factors to low sexual functioning.     

Child Sexual Abuse Revisited: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study Among Swiss Adolescents

PurposeChild sexual abuse (CSA) is one of the most serious public health problems among children and adolescents, owing to its widespread prevalence and serious health consequences. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of, and characteristics and circumstances associated with, CSA.MethodsAn epidemiological survey was conducted on a nationally representative sample of 6,787 ninth-grade students (15.5 ± .66 years of age) in Switzerland. Self-reported computer-assisted questionnaires were administered between September 2009 and May 2010. Various forms of sexual victimization were assessed using the newly developed Child Sexual Abuse Questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 40.2% and 17.2% of girls and boys, respectively, reported having experienced at least one type of CSA event. Lifetime prevalence rates were 35.1% and 14.9%, respectively, for CSA without physical contact, 14.9% and 4.8% for CSA with physical contact without penetration, and 2.5% and .6% for CSA with penetration among girls and boys. The most frequently experienced event was sexual harassment via the Internet. More than half of female victims and more than 70% of male victims reported having been abused by juvenile perpetrators. Depending on the specific event, only 44.4%–58.4% of female victims and 5.8%–38% of male victims disclosed CSA, mostly to peers.ConclusionsThe present study confirms the widespread prevalence of CSA. The high prevalence of CSA via the Internet and the frequent reports of juvenile perpetrators suggest emerging trends in CSA. Low disclosure rates, especially among male victims, and reluctance to disclose events to family members and officials may impede timely intervention.     

Putting the Patient in Patient Reported Outcomes: A Robust Methodology for Health Outcomes Assessment

When analyzing many health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) outcomes, statistical inference is often based on the summary score formed by combining the individual domains of the HRQoL profile into a single measure. Through a series of Monte Carlo simulations, this paper illustrates that reliance solely on the summary score may lead to biased estimates of incremental effects, and I propose a novel two‐stage approach that allows for unbiased estimation of incremental effects. The proposed methodology essentially reverses the order of the analysis, from one of ‘aggregate, then estimate’ to one of ‘estimate, then aggregate’. Compared to relying solely on the summary score, the approach also offers a more patient‐centered interpretation of results by estimating regression coefficients and incremental effects in each of the HRQoL domains, while still providing estimated effects in terms of the overall summary score. I provide an application to the estimation of incremental effects of demographic and clinical variables on HRQoL following surgical treatment for adult scoliosis and spinal deformity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sexual Function in Patients with Stoma and its Consideration Among Their Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sexual function is a paramount issue in patients with stoma, but it is a problem often underestimated by physicians and caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the difference between patient expectations and the consideration of patients sexual function by caregivers. This multicentric study consisted of two surveys addressed to patients with stoma and to stomatherapists, between March 1st and May 31st 2012. The surveys were distributed among all Italian Regions. A total of 457 valid surveys from patients with stoma were included. The 40% of patients had a definitive colostomy. The 85% of cases referred a good health status and 71% was autonomous in the ostomy management. Sexual activity was defined “important” in 80% and 68% patients before and after the operation, respectively. The presence of the ostomy influenced sexual activity in 22.5% patients. This study demonstrated the major issues of patients with stoma about sexual function and the difficulty and embarrassment of caregivers in talking about it with their patients.

     

Touring Arkansas: A Statewide Project to Instruct Nurses and Patient Educators on Consumer Health Resources

Abstract

This article follows up a pilot project to help educate local nurses and patient educators on freely available consumer health resources. The Outreach Coordinator and Clinical Librarian at an academic medical center created a one-hour in-person and online class with continuing education credit and an online guide. Nurses frequently act as patient educators at the bedside and are therefore an important target for consumer health education. While nurses in an urban setting may have more access to educational opportunities, these opportunities are needed even more in rural settings. Librarians can obtain funding to travel and teach classes at rural community hospitals.     

Reproductive Health Knowledge About Miscarriage: A Cross-Sectional Study of University Students

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To assess university students’ knowledge of reproductive health information about miscarriage. A single-centre, cross-sectional study was carried out using...     

Sexual Health in Patients with Gynecological Cancer: A Qualitative Study

The sexual problems of patients with gynecological cancer were investigated. This qualitative study was conducted among eleven Turkish women who were treated in the gynecologic oncology clinic and aged between 30 and 55 years old. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Of the cases, 55 % had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 27 % with cervical cancer and 18 % with endometrial cancer. The participants had been affected in terms of body image, sexual functioning, wifehood and motherhood and reproductive ability. Most of the participants reported severe decreases in such features as sexual desire, arousal, the frequency of intercourse and orgasm. In addition, all participants reported that they wanted information from health care professionals (preferably female) and to be able to share problems with them. Sexuality remains a problem that is ignored by healthcare professionals in Turkey. As a vital component in terms of quality of life, healthcare professionals should utilize a more sensitive and personalized approach to sexuality with patients.     

口腔科护士在健康教育工作中的作用

健康教育对提高人们自护能力,建立健康行为,全面提高护理质量,起到了促进作用。口腔科护士在口腔健康教育中应该发挥积极的作用,帮助患者恢复健康,恢复自信心,恢复力量。牙科护理人员都应该懂得并真正地了解健康教育的必要性,从思想上认识到这一根本任务。     

Ethnicity and Self-Perceived Oral Health in Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

To estimate the association between self-perceived oral health indicators and ethnic origin in Colombia, a cross-sectional study (Information from the 2007 National Public Health Survey) was conducted. Variables: belonging to an ethnic group (Exposure); oral health indicators (Outcomes); sex, age, education and self-rated health (control). Analyses were carried out separately for men (M) and women (W). The association between the exposure variable and the outcomes was estimated by means of adjusted odds ratio (OR) with confidence intervals (95 % CI) using logistic regression. Men were more likely to report gum bleeding (aOR 1.78; 95 % CI 1.44–2.23) and dental caries (aOR 1.69; 95 % CI 1.42–2.02), while women were more likely to report unmet dental needs (aOR 1.43; 95 % CI 1.27–1.49) and dental caries (aOR 1.34; 95 % CI 1.22–1.47). Indigenous and Palenquero were more likely to report most of the indicators analyzed. Minority ethnic groups in Colombia were at risk to report oral health problems.     

Vision and Hearing Health Inequities in the Roma population: A National Cross-Sectional Study in Spain

We analyzed vision and hearing health status in the Spanish Roma population compared with the general population and its influence on mental health and social participation. We conducted a Cross-sectional study on Roma population (n?=?1.167) compared to general population in Spain (n?=?21.007). We analyzed the use of optical and hearing aids, vision and hearing limitations and associations with mental health, diagnosed depression and social participation; through prevalence, odds ratio adjusted by age (AOR), Chi square independence test and contrast of proportions (p?<?0.05). The Roma population are more likely to present vision limitations—far sight AOR?=?3.76 (3.13–4.55), near sight AOR?=?3.18 (2.33–4.35)-, hearing difficulties—AOR?=?1.41 (1.15–1.72)-, and lower use of corrective aids than the general population. These findings were associated with poor mental health and lower social participation (p?<?0.01). Vision and hearing limitations affect unequally in Spain. Addressing avoidable vision and hearing impairment among Roma population is needed to reduce health inequities.     

Sexual and Reproductive Health in Women with Pulmonary Hypertension: A Qualitative Study

Archives of Sexual Behavior - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterized by elevation in pulmonary artery pressure causing progressive symptoms: shortness of...     

女性性工作者对艾滋病性病健康教育材料需求的调查

目的了解女性性工作者对健康教育材料的具体需求,为未来宣传材料的设计和制作提供依据。方法专题小组访谈与调查问卷相结合。结果年龄、文化程度以及工作场所的差异影响了女性性工作者对不同健康教育材料的接受程度。结论现有材料在美观,内容以及内容形式上存在可改进的空间。     

湖州市农村社区居民健康知识现况调查

为了解湖州市农村社区居民的健康知识现状，开展健康知识传播激励活动，提高农村社区居民自我保健和预防疾病的知识水平。我们于2007年6月与湖州市预防医学会组织科普宣传志愿者在吴兴区八里店镇社区开展农村社区居民健康知识现状调查，结果如下。