Awareness of sickle cell disease among nursing undergraduates in Farasan: Its interference with malaria.

Aim: The present study was conducted to generate data on awareness and incidence of sickle cell disease (SCD) and also to adduce the widespread myths peddled about SCD. Materials and Methods: Students studying in the Department of Nursing were recruited. A pretested, self-administered sickle cell assessment questionnaire was distributed electronically through WhatsApp group to collect necessary data. Participants were screened for malaria by thin blood smear analyses, and their hemoglobin (Hb) contents (g/dL) were determined by Sahli's haemoglobinometer. Statistical analyses were done using Origin (version 8.1, USA). A reliability study was performed for the validity of questionnaire data. Results: Study participants had significantly high awareness regarding SCDs (89.9%, P < 0.001). Most participants (96.3%) were aware about government policy regarding premarital screening for genetic disorders and replied that the government has strict health policies backed by equally robust laboratory diagnostics. Moreover, none of the participants had SCDs, although their parents had a consanguineous marriage. Thin blood smear analyses of participants did not reveal any cases of Plasmodium falciparum. However, significant percentages (33.1%) were found to be anemic, probably due to their dietary habits and lifestyles, as has been reflected by questionnaire analyses. Furthermore, a very less number of students had knowledge about genetic variations that might occur in malaria-endemic regions after long exposure to offer protection from malaria. Knowledge about management practices was also lacking among study participants (29%). Conclusion: This research points to the necessity that the nursing study plan should focus on providing specific training on management skills and preventive measures for SCDs, which is of paramount importance.

Contemporary Insights into Intractable Epilepsy in Children.

While most children with epilepsy find their seizures manageable through medication, some continue to experience seizures despite trying multiple drugs. Failure of medical treatment often becomes apparent early on, and for these cases, it is advisable to seek further treatment options at a specialized epilepsy center. Such centers offer additional treatments like epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and ketogenic diets. There is no universal definition for what constitutes "medically intractable" epilepsy. A proposal by a task force from the International League Against Epilepsy suggests that drug-resistant epilepsy could be defined as the inability to control seizures even after two adequate treatment attempts with well-chosen and tolerated medications, either alone or in combination. In this review, the authors discussed the management of intractable epilepsy in children.

Knowledge of Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Breast Cancer, Risk Factors, and BSE Practices Among Nursing Undergraduates in Farasan Island, KSA.

Background of the Study: Mammograms are sometimes met with issues of overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis; therefore, they are less reliable in identifying cancer in women with dense breasts. As a result, it is critical to be aware of other sensitive screening techniques for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Aim: The ultimate objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of nursing undergraduates regarding non-invasive biomarkers, such as volatile organic compounds in breath, nipple aspirate fluid, sweat, urine, and tears, for the early detection of breast cancer to help improve patient care, determine the risk factors, and encourage practice of breast self-examination. Methods: Cross-sectional research was done in the Department of Nursing at Farasan campus using a self-structured questionnaire as the study tool. A total of 260 students willingly participated. The study tool had evaluation questions focused on the non-invasive biomarkers of breast cancer, risk factors, and breast self-examination practices to collect data. The data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The statistical significance was calculated at P < .05. Data analyses were done using Microsoft Excel (2013). Results: A significant knowledge gap existed among the study participants about the non-invasive biomarkers of breast cancer. A lesser percentage of students (25%) stated that they do breast self-examination on a monthly basis. The most common reasons for not doing the breast self-examination were "not knowing how to do the breast self-examination" (77.3%), fear of a positive diagnosis (53.9%), thinking that they are not at risk as all were in their teens and hence not required (44.7%), and lack of time (48.7%). Age and frequency of breast self-examination were significantly associated (P < .05) as those few students (22.7%) who were doing breast self-examination practices every 2-4 months belonged to a higher study year. Furthermore, knowledge regarding incidence rates and health care expenditure by the government on breast cancer was also significantly low (P < .05). Conclusions: Outcomes would help prioritize actions to help future nurses better understand breast cancer, allowing them to extend patient care in the best way possible.

Effectiveness of simulation-based paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation training program among nursing students in Saudi Arabia.

The main objective of this study was to adopt a simulation-based advanced cardiac life support training program to assess nursing students' level of knowledge and practice regarding paediatric advanced cardiac life support and to identify the major knowledge and practice gaps. The methods used in this study were pre-experimental, one group pre and post-test investigation. This study was conducted between September 2022 and November 2022, at the University College of Farasan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Quantitative data were obtained using the "Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Knowledge Questionnaire", "Students' Satisfaction and Self-Confidence Scale," and the "CPR Skill Checklist," which were applied to 75 participants in focus groups. Before the simulation-based CPR training, the students' mean pre-test Paediatric CPR knowledge score was 6.5±2.3 out of 42.0. After the simulation, the mean post-test CPR knowledge score (38.1±2.9) considerably improved (p 0.05). The mean post-test CPR skills score (44.7±1.2) was also considerably higher than the mean pre-test CPR skills score (11.4±2.8) at (p 0.05). Additionally, after the simulation training, students' happiness and confidence levels (61.9±2.2) greatly increased. Themes from the qualitative data showed that the simulation was viewed as an engaging and effective teaching tool by the students. Two themes emerged from the study: "Worries before simulation" and "Satisfaction after simulation". Simulation-based paediatric cardio Pulmonary resuscitation training program has raised nursing students' level of expertise in knowledge, performance, and self-efficacy. Additionally, strong satisfaction and self-confidence levels were discovered following the simulation training.

L'objectif principal de cette étude était d'adopter un programme de formation avancé en réanimation cardiaque basé sur la simulation pour évaluer le niveau de connaissances et de pratique des étudiants en soins infirmiers en matière de réanimation cardiaque avancée en pédiatrie et pour identifier les principales lacunes en matière de connaissances et de pratique. Les méthodes utilisées dans cette étude étaient des enquêtes pré-expérimentales, pré- et post-test sur un groupe. Cette étude a été menée entre septembre 2022 et novembre 2022, au Collège universitaire de Farasan, au Royaume d'Arabie saoudite. Des données quantitatives ont été obtenues à l'aide du « Questionnaire de connaissances sur la réanimation cardio-pulmonaire ¼, de l'« Échelle de satisfaction et de confiance en soi des étudiants ¼ et de la « Liste de contrôle des compétences en RCR ¼, qui ont été appliquées à 75 participants dans des groupes de discussion. Avant la formation en RCR basée sur la simulation, le score moyen des étudiants en matière de connaissances en RCR pédiatrique avant le test était de 6,5 ± 2,3 sur 42,0. Après la simulation, le score moyen de connaissances en RCR post-test (38,1 ± 2,9) s'est considérablement amélioré (p = 0,05). Le score moyen des compétences en RCR après le test (44,7 ± 1,2) était également considérablement plus élevé que le score moyen des compétences en RCR avant le test (11,4 ± 2,8) à (p 0,05). De plus, après la formation par simulation, les niveaux de bonheur et de confiance des étudiants (61,9 ± 2,2) ont considérablement augmenté. Les thèmes issus des données qualitatives ont montré que la simulation était considérée comme un outil pédagogique engageant et efficace par les étudiants. Deux thématiques sont ressorties de l'étude : « Les soucis avant la simulation ¼ et « La satisfaction après la simulation ¼. Le programme de formation en réanimation cardio-pulmonaire pédiatrique basé sur la simulation a élevé le niveau d'expertise des étudiants en soins infirmiers en termes de connaissances, de performance et d'auto-efficacité. De plus, de forts niveaux de satisfaction et de confiance en soi ont été découverts à la suite de la formation par simulation.