RJM Volume 4 - No. 1 - 2016

Cover page

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Cover page

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Contents

Knowledge, attitudes and practices on antibiotic usage among nursing undergraduates in University of Ruhuna

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Knowledge, attitudes and practices on antibiotic usage among nursing undergraduates in University of Ruhuna Dissanayake, L.H.; Kariyawasam, P.N.; Liyanage, G.C. Emergence of antibiotic resistance has become a public health concern throughout the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic usage among nursing undergraduates in University of Ruhuna. A cross sectional study was conducted among nursing undergraduates of all academic years in University of Ruhuna. Apre tested self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data. Questionnaire included questions to assess the knowledge on antibiotics (ten questions with a maximum score of 10), to assess the awareness on antibiotic resistance (six questions with a maximum score of 15) to evaluate attitudes regarding antibiotic usage (seven statements with a maximum score of 35) and regarding practices in antibiotic usage (six questions with a maximum score of 30). Data was analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical software. Correlation of knowledge, attitudes and practices with academic year was analyzed with Pearson correlation. Out of 134 students, 107 (80%) were females. Mean (SD) age was 24 (2) years. Mean (SD) of knowledge regarding antibiotics, awareness on antibiotic resistance, attitudes regarding antibiotic usage, practices regarding antibiotic usage were 8.3 (1.7), 11.43 (2), 25 (4) and 22 (3.5) respectively. There was a positive correlation in knowledge score (r = 0.523 and P<0.01), awareness on antibiotic resistance (r = 0.460 and P<0.01) and attitudes regarding antibiotic usage (r = 0 3 16 and P<0.01) with the advancement of the academic year. No significant difference was observed in practices with respect to the advancement of the academic year.

Knowledge and practices on birth preparedness and complication readiness among antenatal mothers; a study from southern province

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Knowledge and practices on birth preparedness and complication readiness among antenatal mothers; a study from southern province Ganewatta, S.M.T.; Rathnayaka, N.; Dassanayake, L. Birth preparedness (BP) and complication readiness (CR) is a novel concept and studies on this area is limited in Sri Lankan context. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of knowledge and practices on BP and CR and associated factors among antenatal mothers attending antenatal clinics (ANC) of Teaching Hospital Mahamodara (THM). A self-administered questionnaire was applied to 200 conveniently selected 3rd trimester mothers attending ANCs in THM in a descriptive cross sectional study. The questionnaire consisted of 60 questions to evaluate the level of knowledge and practices on BP and CR. Binary logistic regression was applied to detect the factors associated with level of knowledge and practice. Mean (SD) age of the study participants was 28.61 (5.34). Nearly 94% (187) of the pregnancies were registered before the 12th weeks of their pregnancy and 65.5% (131) had taken pre-conceptual folic acid. Majority (64.5%, n= 129) knew at least 10 danger signs of pregnancy, child birth and post-partum period. BP and CR was a known concept to 88.5% (177) of study participants. Satisfactory level of knowledge on BP and CR were reported in 92.5% (185) and in 78.0% (156) of the participants respectively. Among the mothers 83.5% (167) had satisfactory level of practice on BP and CR. Advanced maternal age (p=0.02, OR=3.77, CI=1.16; 12.24) was negatively associated with level of knowledge on BP. None of the factors were associated with level of knowledge on CR. Higher educational level (P=0.03, OR=0.31, CI=0.11; 0.91) and planned pregnancy (P =0.008, OR=0.26,0=0.10; 0.70) were significantly associated positively with level of practice on BP and CR.