Skin is the major protective barrier in a human body. In premature infants, the immature skin barrier reduces the protection against germs. Emollient therapy is an effective prophylactic measure to improve premature infants’ skin condition so as to protect the premature infants against infection. A systematic review of studies shows that emollient therapy is a simple, safe and cost effective intervention for premature infants to improve skin condition. Evidence shows that emollient therapy can also decrease transdermal water loss, conserve heat and energy, stabilize fluid and electrolytes and prevent nosocomial sepsis. The potential of implementing the proposed evidence-based guideline is explored. It will be carried out in a clinical setting. The transferability of the findings, feasibility and cost-benefit ratio of the emollient therapy will be discussed. In order to ensure the evidence-based guideline will be carried out smoothly, a communication plan is necessary to be made in consultation with the stakeholders. A pilot study will also be conducted before the innovation is implemented to ensure frontline staff members to be familiar with the emollient therapy. At the end, the effectiveness of the emollient therapy will be evaluated in terms of skin score. Patients’ outcome and healthcare provider’s outcome will also be evaluated. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 83 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-66).

No description available.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-141)

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

The purposes of this study were to determine if participation by mothers and their children in a time-limited parent education intervention would influence the children's oral hygiene status and to determine if there was a generalization effect of the parent education intervention on responsibility in the home. A secondary purpose of the study was to observe the influence of the intervention over time in order to ascertain ways in which the intervention might be strengthened. The research design was an adapted multiple time series design. Twenty middle socioeconomic level mothers in rural West Virginia with at least one child between the ages of seven and eleven who did not assume responsibility for brushing his or her teeth were randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. The ten mothers in each group accompanied their target child and siblings to two dental hygiene appointments, one week apart, at the Dental Hygiene Clinic at the West Virginia Institute of Technology. The mothers and their children in the experimental group participated in an Adlerian counseling interview. All children received an oral prophylaxis, X-rays, toothbrushing instruction and a toothbrush. Oral hygiene observations were collected by independent dental hygienists on random days at school before, during and following the treatment for five weeks. Inter- and intrarater reliability checks were made throughout the study. The Adlerian Parental Assessment of Child Behavior Scale (APACBS) was administered to all parents during the initial appointment and during the second and fifth weeks after the second appointment. Analyses of variance and covariance indicated at the .05 level of significance that specific parental involvement is necessary to stimulate children to assume responsibility for their oral hygiene care. It appeared that a generalization effect occurred in the home although caution is expressed regarding this interpretation. Parent evaluation reported that while all parents reacted favorably to the program, more parents in the experimental group indicated that the program had an effect on them and their children. Based on the results and the parental satisfaction, no specific recommendations were made to strengthen the parent education intervention within the time frame investigated. Recommendations for future research are made.

Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / The Department of health, Limpopo province in recent years has developed eye care services in public hospitals. It is reckoned that people living in the rural areas would benefit significantly from the cheaper public eye care services. However, the level of utilization of the public eye care services by the rural communities in the province has not been investigated. It was therefore, considered of interest to evaluate whether or not the services are being utilized adequately or not. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the public eye care services in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province are adequately utilized by the rural population. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional qualitative survey study design was used. A questionnaire with 42 questions on the utilization of eye care services was developed in English, translated to Northern Sotho (the local dialect) and back translated to ensure veracity. The questionnaire included questions on demography, knowledge of available eye care services, need for eye care services, utilization, attitude and perception of public eye care services. The questionnaire was field-tested in a pilot study conducted prior to the study and involves 20 participants, with final amendments made to ensure clarity of contents. The participants included males and females from 1000 households in selected 38 villages. The questionnaire was delivered to the head of each household for completion. Data analysis was done with computer software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 15. Results are presented in narrative and tabular forms and as figures.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Hospital-acquired, or nosocomial infections (HAIs) are the major source of mortality and morbidity for hospitalized patients. It is estimated that 7-10% patients developed HAIs during their hospital stays, with most patients got infected from intensive care units (ICU) [1,2]. Hand hygiene (HH) is recognized as the most easy and effective way to prevent HAIs. However, the observed hand hygiene compliance rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) have been regarded as unacceptably low, especially in ICU [3]. This literature review is to discuss the factors influencing the hand hygiene compliance among HCWs in ICU, in both the individual and institutional level, and suggest which factor was important in both levels. Recommendations in comprehensive approach on hand hygiene practices will also be included. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

Voice problems are common among teachers due to their job characteristics. Thus, the quality of teaching, daily communication, emotion would be adversely affected. However, the past studies mainly focused on primary school and preschool teachers. There is lack of investigation on voice problems of secondary school teachers. Moreover, the need for voice use training for secondary school teachers was not addressed in the past. This study investigated the prevalence of voice problems in secondary school teachers in Hong Kong and the need for preventive education. A questionnaire was decided with domains in demographics, job natures, impact on voice disorders, risk factors, history of seeking help because of voice problems, view on different treatment options and opinion towards the need of voice protection training. Subjects were recruited from four local secondary schools in Hong Kong. 85 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The results showed a high prevalence of voice disorders (75%) among secondary school teachers. Also it revealed different levels of impact on work performance, emotion and daily communication. Laryngitis was the only risk factor found to be significantly correlated with the voice disorder. On the other hand, the rate of seeking professional help and their knowledge about voice rehabilitation were low. Most of the respondents realized the need for voice protection training. It suggested that the voice problems of secondary school teachers should be highlighted and more voice protection information and voice training should be provided. / published_or_final_version / Surgery / Master / Master of Medical Sciences