18^th International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare December 05-07, 2016
(10Plenary Forums - 1Event)
Dallas, Texas, USA

Moira Walker has completed her MSc in Complementary Therapies from the University of Westminster in 2015 and is hoping to commence a Mindfulness Based Teaching Course in 2016. She is a full time Lecture in BSc Hons Nursing Degree Course. She has a background in hematological transplant nursing and is a great believer in using complementary therapies to enhance allopathic medicine.

Student nurses are required to undergo assessments both practical and theoretical to meet the requirements of the European Union (EU) Directive (2005). As a result nursing students often feel stressed and are emotionally frail. Nursing relies on reflection to gain insight into actions for improvement on future performance but could mindfulness be used to help with the immediate stressors students deal with day to day, especially during assessments? 31 students enrolled on a randomized mindfulness (M)/reflection (R) 6 week program. The students were asked to complete the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) questionnaires pre-study and post a practical exam with 3 open ended questions. Results were analyzed showing an increase in the mindfulness scores in the M group, and a small increase in the R group. Stress improved marginally in both groups. The 3 open questions analysis showed that the M Group exercise was helpful in dealing with major stressors, encouraged positive thinking and allowed time to step back from any given situation before reacting. However, there were also negative emotions highlighted with this technique. The R group acknowledged the importance of writing down their thoughts and feelings, to acknowledge emotions and ultimately realize that they have ability to achieve. Results show a possible need to assess the use of mindfulness and reflection in a combined study in the future to assess long term intervention of the skills to help deal with stressors of their daily working lives, and to put in place support for distress noted.

Nancy A Praglowski, MS, RN, is the Nurse Manager of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her BSN from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989 and her MS in Nursing Administration from Stevenson University in 2014. She has been working in child psychiatry for 26 years.

Improving nutritional standards for children has become a national health initiative. However, children who are hospitalized are often at additional risk for poor nutrition and diet. Additionally, patients who suffer from psychiatric illness are more vulnerable to weight gain while hospitalized. When the change was made from individual patient trays to family style, buffet style dining, nursing staff on the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit of the Johns Hopkins Hospital noted significant patient weight changes. Initial menu selection was developed to include patient favorites like chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, donuts and bacon. Unfortunately, these foods were also high in sugar, fat and salt. A quality improvement project was initiated to address this issue and promote healthy weight maintenance. Nursing staff requested changes to the types of foods served and placed limits on how much patients were permitted to eat. When the menu was overhauled, it limited those unhealthy foods and also offered a sandwich and salad bar daily. In addition, a nutrition group was developed in order to educate the patients regarding healthy food choices. Weight changes were able to be reduced from a mean change of 2.5 kilograms to a mean change of 0.01 kilograms. Patient education, healthy food choices and limiting the amount of food eaten at meals had positive outcomes on patient weights while hospitalized on a child and adolescent psychiatry unit.

Karen Aul completed her PhD from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Arkansas State University. She has been a Nurse Educator for over fifteen years in pre-licensure nursing programs and has developed a research interest in health promotion.

Obesity is a nationwide health concern in the United States with 17% of children and over 30% of adults currently obese. Obesity is referred to as a national epidemic that is causing higher medical costs and a lower quality of life. Because of the impact of obesity, it has been identified as a high priority health issue. Therefore, the focus of this project was to increase the awareness and understanding of obesity since it is such an increasing health issue. A cohort of pre-licensure nursing students were selected to develop an increased awareness of healthy eating and being physically active by tracking their eating and physical activity patterns using the iPad application of MyPlate Calorie Tracker by Livestrong.com. This study helped nursing students to first identify their own patterns of eating and physical activity in order to educate other people. Through the improved obesity awareness gained from this study, students can further educate patients on the benefits of increasing healthy eating and physical activity. This patient education will then help to raise the health status of individuals and communities in order to decrease the obesity rate.

Safaa Salem has completed her PhD from Case Western Reserve University, Frances Bayne Bolton School of Nursing and Post-doctoral studies from the same University. She is a Faculty member at Menoufia University, School of Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. She has published five papers in reputed journals and has been serving as Women’s Health Services Counselor at Women and Child health care centers at Menoufia Governerate.

Pregnancy is a critical period during which maternal nutrition has a major effect on a mother’s and baby’s health. Lack of adequate nutrition of good quality and quantity during pregnancy can cause health problems for both the mother and her fetus. Maternal malnutrition increases the risk of gestational anemia, hypertension, miscarriages and fetal deaths during pregnancy, pre-term delivery and maternal mortality. For newborn, it can cause low birth weight, fetal intrauterine growth retardation that may have long life consequences on newborn development, quality of life and health care costs. Malnutrition also has an adverse effect on the development of the immune system of the newborn. Therefore, identifying maternal nutrition and fetal development relationship is critical. A prospective Cohort study of 150 pregnant women was conducted in maternal and child health care centers in Menufia Governorate. There was a significant relationship between maternal malnutrition and maternal and newborn outcomes. Nutritional counseling needs to be an integral part of antenatal care in order to reduce the risk of maternal-fetal and newborn complications.

Shovana Rai has completed her Master’s degree in Woman’s Health and Development from Institute of Medicine in 2004. Midwifery is the major subject of her Master’s degree. She has completed her Post-graduate Diploma in Health Service and Hospital Management from South Bank University, London in 1993. She has involved as a Researcher in Nepal Maternal Mortality and Morbidity study 2008/09 funded by USAID. She has published three articles related with Reproductive Health in local journals. Currently, she is working with Nick Simons Institute as Follow-up and Enhancement (FEP) Coordinator.

Presence of skilled birth attendance (SBA) in safe delivery is an important strategy to reduce newborn and maternal mortality. The major services of SBAs include conducting safe delivery and timely complication management. Thus, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) of Nepal launched in-service training (SBA) since 2007 to Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) service providers specially working in rural setting. Over 7000 SBAs have been produced across the country. With follow-up rarely done, large information gaps about these SBA graduates; knowledge and skill retention, working environment and their attitudes. To explore these issues and providing on site coaching with the partnership between National Health Training Center (NHTC) and Nick Simons Institute Follow-Up and Enhancement Program (FEP) has been conducted since 2011. FEP tool was developed and amended after piloting. Quantitative assessments of knowledge and skills followed and provided intensive coaching. Enabling environment, confidence and barriers to safe practice were also assessed. 511 SBAs (91% auxiliary nurse midwives and 9% staff nurse) were followed up from 280 health facilities and among them 25% and 75% SBAs were working in hospitals and below district level health facilities respectively. It shows that SBAs are main delivery service provider of rural setting. They have good competence in overall knowledge and management of postpartum hemorrhage whereas less competence in complication management. Enabling environment in most of the health facilities was inadequate for providing maternal and newborn health services. This survey recommends that training doesn’t necessarily stick unless there is a follow-up and on-site coaching. This program facilitate as an eye-opening at all levels. As a result, MoHP of Nepal has replicated and integrated into GoN system since 2014.

Ivy Lynne Alcazar-Bejerano has great interest in women and child’s health. She completed her master’s degree in maternal and child health nursing and presently completing her doctorate degree in children’s health. She has conducted systematic reviews related to women and children’s well-being. Currently, her research works mainly focus on physical, psychosocial, mental and emotional well-being of children from multicultural families in South Korea.

Statement of the Problem: Globally, the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in children is reported to be approximately 18-58 per million children and more common in children older than 6 years than in those younger than 6 years. The mortality rate of children with CKD requiring Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) is at least 30-fold higher than their age-matched peers, and the health outcomes are not improving with an expected lifetime expectancy for children 0-4 years of age receiving dialysis is only until 20 years. Children receiving dialysis suffer significant disruption to their daily routine and quality of life. Most of them suffered delayed growth, social isolation, fatigue, depression, poor school attendance, impaired cognitive development, and low self-esteem. This article aimed to systematically review the factors affecting quality of life (Qol) of children and adolescents with CKD receiving dialysis. Methodology: Systematic computer searches were conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, Science Direct and CINAHL databases covering the period January 2000 to December 2014. Data were analyzed and the results are presented using the conceptual model of Health Related Quality of Life by Wilson and Cleary. Results: The review found information on factors affecting overall QoL of children with CKD receiving hemodialysis categorized as biological factors, symptoms experience, functional status and general health perception. The socio-demographic characteristics and environmental factors contributed to the Qol of children diagnosed with CKD. Conclusion: Given the detrimental effects to physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing of this vulnerable age-group, understanding and addressing the associated factors affecting several domains are paramount to better, sustainable Qol of pediatric population. This multifactorial analysis brings greater challenge for the health care providers to conduct comprehensive assessment and provide holistic approach of treatment and care management.