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Objective To obtain the perception of nurses on the use of Facebook as a learning tool. Materials & methods We conducted a pilot observational study in which data were collected through a detailed course evaluation and feedback survey questionnaire. Twelve stroke care nurses were enrolled in a stroke course specifically designed to provide participants with information and knowledge about stroke unit nursing care. Firstly, a closed Facebook group consisting of the participants and facilitators was created. An activity in accordance with the course content was posted in the group daily. Before the start of the course, a pre-course test was conducted. The four-week course culminated in a graded written examination. Its results were compared with the pre-course test. A detailed feedback questionnaire was given to the participants at the end of the course, which was specifically designed to elicit perceptions of nurses about the use of Facebook as a learning tool. Results Of the 12 enrolled nurses, 10 completed the certification and the post-course feedback evaluation. Facebook was used by all participants as a platform to view and study the course contents. The timing of the course activities was rated "very good" by three and 'good' by six of 10 participants. However, one of the major issues faced by five participants was problematic internet access. The overall rating of the course was "very good" by five participants, "good" by three, and "satisfactory" by two of 10 participants. The post-course test showed that nine of 10 candidates passed with scores >70% compared to only two candidates getting scores >50% in the pre-course test. Conclusion Facebook use enabled participants to study the material when their schedule permitted them. The online teaching and facilitation were ideal for our full-time stroke unit nurses as reflected by their improved post-course test results.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of anemia with stroke severity in acute ischemic stroke patients. MATERIAL & METHODS: We enrolled 96 patients (mean age: 60.25 ± 11.92 years old) who were admitted to the stroke unit of Shifa International Hospital between 1st March 2015 and 31st August 2015. Each patient presented within 72 hours of onset of symptoms, underwent computed tomography (CT) of the head and blood tests, including hemoglobin concentration, on the first day of hospitalization. Stroke severity was assessed on admission using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. Anemia was evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (men, <13 g/dL; women, <12 g/dL). We examined the frequency of anemia in patients with different severities of acute ischemic stroke. RESULTS: World Health Organization defined anemia was positive in 38 (39.6%) and negative in 58 (60.4%) patients. Among the patients who were positive for anemia, seven (18.4%) had a minor stroke, 10 (26.3%) had a moderately severe stroke, and 21 (55.3%) had a severe stroke. There was a significant association between anemia and stroke severity (P-value 0.000). CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that anemia was a frequent finding in acute ischemic stroke patients, with increasing frequency corresponding to stroke severity.
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Background and purpose Lower back pain is an extremely common health problem and causes more global disability than any other condition. Moreover, it causes an enormous economic burden in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of different risk factors for lower back pain in a tertiary care centre in Islamabad. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital's neurosurgery and neurology outpatient department from September 2016 to February 2017. A total of 375 patients with lower back pain were interviewed regarding risk factors. Results Among the 375 patients, the majority were men (51.7%, n = 194). The mean patient age was 42.05 ± 15.35 years (mean ± standard deviation); most of the patients belonged to the 21- to 40-year-old age group (48%, n = 180). The majority (78.4%) had chronic back pain. Lower back pain was found to be predominant in housewives (30.1%, n = 113), followed by those with office jobs (18.1%, n = 68), private jobs (i.e., truck drivers, shopkeepers) (14.7%, n = 55), and healthcare workers (12.3%, n = 46). In terms of work schedule, 51.2% of patients reported working around 41-50 hours per week. The major risk factors identified were lack of exercise (76.3%, n = 286), use of soft foam mattress (52.0%, n = 195), prolonged sitting (50.4%, n = 189), lifting heavy weight (48.5%, n = 182), bending or twisting (41.6%, n = 156), sleep disorder (41.6%, n = 156), anxiety (39.5%, n = 148), hypertension (32.3%, n = 121), and depression (28.8%, n = 108). Conclusions Our study concludes that lower back pain is a multifactorial phenomenon. Age, gender, profession, working hours, comorbid conditions, trauma, lifestyle, and stresses in life all play a role in its causation. Increasing physical activity and modifying lifestyle are suggested to prevent this major health issue.