Howieda Fouly

Background: Pre-menstrual syndrome is a multi-factorial syndrome that upsets adolescent girls psychologically and physically. Purpose: To determine the influence of daily habits on pre-menstrual syndrome among adolescent girls. Methods: Six governmental intermediate and four high schools for girls; two intermediate and two secondary schools were used. The participants were female teenage students aged 13-18 years. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was used. A convenient sample including 207 students was recruited. Results: The mean age was 16.41 years, and most of the study sample members were single (87%). One- fourth were in preparatory school, and most lived in the family house with their parents. There are statistically significant differences between participants’ residence and pre-menstrual syndrome (t=3.714, P=0.000). Statistically significant differences are found between participants' smoking habits and pre-menstrual syndrome (t=-2.511, P= 0.013). Nonetheless, a statistically significant association was observed between a diet rich in sugar (carbohydrates) and PMS. A statistically positive relationship was found between psychological and physical domains and pre-menstrual syndrome (r= 0.667 and P= 0.000). Conclusion: The daily nutrition intake reflects statistically significant differences between a diet rich in sugar and PMS. The current study concludes a positive correlation between psychological and physical domains and pre-menstrual syndrome. Implications for Nursing: Nurses could play a vital role in identifying adolescents at risk of PMS syndromes and guiding them toward a healthy lifestyle. Nurses should assess physical, psychological and behavioral domains when managing adolescents with PMS. Understanding the impacts of daily activities, including exercise, diet and smoking on PMS symptoms. It is essential to collaborate with dietitians to enhance the effectiveness of nutritional interventions regarding PMS symptoms

Introduction: The clinical environment, which includes "simulation labs, educators, teaching hospital, and clinical staff," serves as an active pedagogical strategy that helps students translate their knowledge into technical skills and foster critical thinking. However, this strategy needs a periodic evaluation from students' perspectives to be updated with technological advancements. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical learning environment of the "Nursing the Childbearing Family" course from the students' perspectives. Materials and Methods: A study with an observational prospective design was conducted at simulation labs of the Childbearing Family c.ourse, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. A convenient sample of 62 students (84.93% participation rate) willingly took part in this investigation. A structured questionnaire comprising 54 questions (50 multiple-choice and 4 open-ended questions) was used to students' perspectives and clinical learning environment. Descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (the Pearson test and paired t test) were used to describe and compare the mean scores of the student's performances before and after receiving the simulation training labs. Results: A total of 62 BSc nursing students (with a 100% response rate) enrolled in the Childbearing and Family Nursing course during the academic year took part in this study. The participants' mean ± age was 20.75 ± 0.97 years. Most of the study standards indicators of comparing students' perspectives before and after clinical training reflected a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Notably, a significant relationship was observed between the students' views regarding the clinical site and clinical instructors (r= -0.641, P=0.001). Conclusion: Most students held positive perspectives toward the four standards of students' clinical site, students' view of their clinical instructor, effective working relationships between the university and the clinical site, and students' perspectives of the simulation labs before and after the clinical training were positively significant. However, some views underscored the need for more coverage on some topics, such as obstetric emergencies, breech position, and amniotic fluid embolism. Therefore, the current study confirmed that assessing the clinical environment instilled more confidence in participants to go beyond the course procedures and seek more complex scenarios.

Introduction: Women's knowledge regarding childbirth progress can increase their comfort and satisfaction during labor. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Simple Awareness for Women About (SAWA) labor stages program on their childbirth experience using the childbirth roadmap tool. Methods: A pretest and posttest technique was employed and conducted at the Labor Department, Woman Health Hospital, affiliated to the Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. Based on the eligibility criteria, a convenient sampling method was used to recruit all parturient women admitted between June 2017 and August 2017. The sample consisted of 172 participants. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in the baseline information regarding the stages of childbirth subsequent to the SAWA program implementation. There was a significant relationship between the mode of delivery and the participant's satisfaction with the study tool. Conclusion: This study highlighted the benefits of using a simple, attractively illustrated instrument, the childbirth roadmap, for achieving the meaning of support through the SAWA program during labor stages.

COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91,056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on the use of sanitizers and disinfectants and health was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was translated into 26 languages via web-based platforms. The findings of this study suggest that detergents, alcohol-based substances, and chlorinated compounds emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents compared to other sanitizers and disinfectants examined. Most frequently reported health issues include skin effects and respiratory effects. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds (sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine) with all possible health effects under investigation (p-value <0.001). Examination of risk factors based on multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohols and alcohols-based materials were associated with skin effects (OR, 1.98; 95%CI, 1.87–2.09), per-chlorine was associated with eye effects (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.74–1.93), and highly likely with itching and throat irritation (OR, 2.00; 95%CI, 1.90–2.11). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92–2.44). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92–2.44). The use of sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine also had a high chance of having respiratory effects. The findings of the current study suggest that health authorities need to implement more awareness programs about the side effects of using sanitizers and disinfectants during viral epidemics especially when they are used or overused.

Background: Helping the woman to adopt a comfortable position during childbirth significantly affects labor changes and pain management. However, there is a lack of consensus on the impacts of different childbirth positions on labor outcomes. In addition, a scarce of studies have assessed the effects of the upright and recumbent positions on delivery outcomes, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Objective: This study aimed to examine and compare the influence of upright and recumbent childbirth positions on birth outcomes. Methods: The setting was the childbirth unit at East Jeddah Hospital from November 2020 to March 2021. The research design was quasi-experimental, including 300 women in labor under 18-45 years. The sample includes two equal groups of 150 women: upright (experiment) and recumbent (comparison) position groups. Three tools were used to collect data: a structured interviewing questionnaire, the modified WHO partograph, and the Wong-Baker FACES® pain rating scale. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test were used for data analysis. Results: Women in the recumbent position spent a longer duration in the first, second, and third stages of childbirth and had higher pain scores and less satisfaction with the assumed position than women in the upright position, with a highly significant difference (p <0.001). Conclusion: Laboring women in upright positions experienced faster progress of labor, shorter duration of childbirth, less pain, and higher satisfaction than those assumed recumbent positions. This study serves as an input for midwives and nurses to enable them to offer appropriate advice to improve intrapartum care. In addition, educational programs targeting pregnant women about the positive impacts of upright position on women’s birth experience are encouraged.

Background: Elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is commonly present in critically ill patients. Where the trigger mechanism of preeclampsia is related to increase abdominal hypertension. Aim: Monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure for early detection of preeclampsia among pregnant women. Design: A quasi-experiment clinical practice research. Methods: a sample of 60 pregnant women divided into an intervention group included a total of 30 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and 30 normotensives as a control group. Setting: The study conducted at obstetric ICU and emergency unit, woman's Health Hospital, Upper Egypt. Results: There is a statistically significant difference between intra-abdominal pressure and preeclampsia and its clinical feature. The risk factors' effects on intra-abdominal pressure, such as age and gravidity, have no statistically significant relationship. Conclusions: The study confirms that the range of intra-abdominal pressure in the preeclamptic group significantly higher than the normotensive group, and there is a positive correlation between elevated IAP and preeclamptic complications. Relevance to clinical practice: Applied continuous nursing monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure for all critical patients in the obstetric field is an essential part of nursing care to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome and organ complications.

Background: Improving the quality of maternal health is one of the eight major developmental goals of the World Health Organization. Women's satisfaction with maternity healthcare services is a crucial indicator of quality health care.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the gap between the quality of maternity care and women's satisfaction with postnatal care.Methods: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The sample size was 300 postpartum Saudi women. The data were collected from the postnatal care unit at the King Khalid Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, The study used the SERVQUAL and Postnatal Satisfaction with Nursing Care Questionnaires to measure the studied variables.Results: Themean ± SD(3.73 ± 0.466) of women perceived that the provided care was of high quality and themean ±SD(3.20±0.511) of women's satisfaction with postnatal care was moderate. The gap between expected and perceived quality of maternity care was reported to be -1.27. There is a significant positive relationship between the quality of maternity care and women's satisfaction.Conclusion: The study concluded that the participants were generally satisfied with the postnatal care and overall maternity care provided in the King Khalid Hospital. However, they showed the desire to get more empathetic care. Patients' satisfaction should be evaluated periodically to establish baseline data and provide postnatal care interventions tailored to women's expectations. There is a need to increase training for enhancing healthcare providers' empathetic and communication skills to improve the relationship between the staff and women.

Simulation as an active pedagogical strategy helps students transfer their knowledge into technical skills and create rules through critical thinking. However, it needs a periodic evaluation from students' perspectives to be up to date with technology. Aim: To evaluate the clinical learning environment of the "Nursing the Childbearing Family" Course from the students' perspectives. Methods: Observational/ prospective design conducted at simulation labs of childbearing family course, school of nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Maryland, USA. 62 masters/postgraduate students out of 73 (more than 80%) enrolled in the childbearing course (Spring/2017). The study included all students who agreed to participate in the study. Results: The majority of the study's standards indicators regarding students' clinical site, clinical instructor achieved successfully. The comparison between students' perspectives before and after receiving clinical training reflected a statistical significance difference at p<0.05. A significant relationship between the students’ perspective regarding the clinical site and clinical instructors P<0.001. Conclusion: The majority of students’ perspectives toward the four standards are positively high except some perspectives refers to the need for more details in some topics such as obstetric emergencies "breech position, amniotic fluid embolism" which confirmed that the audit for the clinical environment gives the students more confidence to go behind the course procedures and ask for more complicated conditions.

INTRODUCTION. The most common cause of eating non-food items (pica) is specific deficiencies of minerals, such as iron. This study aimed to assess the relationship between Pica and Iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women. METHODS. The study was conducted in the out-patient department, antenatal Clinic at East Jeddah Hospital from July to September 2020. Design: A quantitative descriptive correlation design. Sample size: A total of 400 pregnant women, included anemic pregnant women, ≥ 18 years old, with singleton fetus and iron deficiency anemia. RESULTS. The mean age was 32.2 ± 6.6, half of the participants reported food cravings. Ice was the main item in pica followed by clay and chalk. Two-thirds had pica, more than half during the 1st trimester. There is a statistically significant relationship between pica and the history of a family member, parity, and gravidity at (P< 0,001, P <0,001, P <0,005) respectively. Hb and hematocrit in relation to pica reflected a statistically significant relationship (P< 0,001) and (P< 0,001), respectively. The symptoms attributed to iron deficiency were significantly associated with pica (P< 0,006). CONCLUSION. The pica and iron deficiency anemia had a significant association with pregnant women in EJH. RECOMMENDATION. The follow-up visits should integrate the food behavior inquiry to check if the pica existing with anemic or non-anemic pregnant women. Also, increase the awareness among midwives-nurses about the prevalence of pica and iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women.

Background: Warm compress is believed to reduce perineal tear occurrence and decrease pain intensity during the second stage of childbirth.Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of warm compresses on perineal tear and pain intensity during the second stage of labor. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted between 28 September 2018 to 30 October 2018 in King Khaled Hospital (KKH), affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard Hospital Affairs, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City Western Region, Saudi Arabia. According to eligibility criteria, the sample randomly recruited through lottery included 100 primigravida pregnant women, with 50 in each intervention and control group. Data were presented in the form of frequency and percentages, standard deviation, and mean. Chi-square test was used for data analysis, with p-value significance at ˂ 0.05.Results: Sociodemographic data revealed no statistically significant difference in the age, education, occupation, and residence of both the control and experimental group. The perineum area’s pain intensity after birth showed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and the control groups (p = 0.001). The perineal tear was also significantly different between both groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The applied warm compresses on the perineum area positively reduce second and third-degree perineal tear and pain intensity during the second stage of labor and after childbirth. Therefore, midwives and nurses are expected to actively provide effective planned in-service training programs regarding warm compresses' advantages in the second stage of labor and apply this procedure actively.