https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/44207 2026-04-04T21:56:37Z 2026-04-04T21:56:37Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111431 2023-07-11T07:32:57Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Going home from hospital : the perceived post discharge needs and challenges of Maltese homebound elderly individuals and their informal carers Abstract: Literature revealed that the transition from acute care back into the community may be accompanied with a myriad of needs and challenges influencing the bio-psycho-social spiritual aspects of life of both elderly individuals and their informal carers especially in the immediate weeks following discharge. This study explored how Maltese homebound elderly individuals and their informal carers describe the immediate needs and challenges of everyday life in the first two to three weeks following discharge. A qualitative case study approach was adopted and data were collected via face-to-face semi-structured interviews with homebound elders and their informal together with document analysis of the discharge letter and forms. The Multiple case method was adopted where three families were chosen as life cases. Each case was made up of a Maltese elder individual discharged from the local acute general hospital in the months of November or December 2010 following either a medical, surgical or orthopeadic admission diagnosis and his/ her nominated informal carer/s. Miles and Huberman's (1994) model of analysis together with the six phases of thematic analysis outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006) were merged and adopted as the framework guiding the data analysis. Participants felt that there was very little discharge planning. Moreover, the three elderly participants identified physical needs as a prominent concern in the immediate weeks, whilst informal carers remarked that they felt physically and emotionally exhausted with the new role of carer which had repercussions on their health and family relationships. Moreover, both elders and informal carers went through a period of frustration and psychological distress characterised by panic, uncertainty, sadness and fear. The impact and challenges of becoming homebound or an informal carer for the first time strongly emerged, accompanied with social and financial needs which were quite pertinent issues for the three families. The participants mentioned various coping strategies which they adopted. These included spirituality, adjustment in their life routines and environment, prioritizing, laying down the rules and delegating. This study raised in-depth issues around the perceived needs and challenges of these two vulnerable groups following hospitalisation providing the building blocks for different larger studies. Different recommendations for education and practice were presented including the introduction of structured discharge planning which prepares and caters for the holistic needs of both the patients and their informal carers for their return to the community. Description: M.SC.NURSING

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68281 2021-02-02T08:42:25Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Parents' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours in relation to passive smoke exposure amongst children Abstract: Although passive smoke exposure is known to cause harmful effects in children and studies have verified this (Cook, Strachan & Carey, 1999; Dunn et al, 2008), parents still choose to smoke. The prevalence of smoking has increased in Europe (Dobson et al., 1998) whilst parents are more aware about precautions which can be taken when their children are present and most of them make efforts to protect them against this exposure (Johansson, Hermansson & Ludvigsson, 2004). The aim of the study was to measure parents' knowledge and attitudes about passive smoke exposure amongst children and examines smoking behaviour in the presence of children amongst those parents who smoke. A quantitative, cross sectional design was used. The sample, selected by convenience sampling, consisted of 46 individuals who were parents and happened to be visiting a general practitioner within three different health centres on the day data was gathered. The response rate was 92%. A questionnaire, based on literature reviewed, was formulated and used to collect data. The study revealed that participants were well aware about the fact that passive smoking causes harm to children. They were particularly knowledgeable about the increased risk of children for developing asthma after prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke. However more knowledge about the other conditions which are caused by passive smoking is needed. Attitudes towards prevention of passive smoking amongst children were also overall positive. Non-smoking parents had a more positive attitude than smoking parents. Issues about rights of smokers and rights of children seemed to conflict and this was due to the fact that children are exposed to other pollutants anyway. Restrictions imposed by law also seemed to conflict with parents' attitudes towards children's rights. When it came to smoking behaviour, most smoking parents claimed that they took precautions in their home to limit exposure of their children to environmental tobacco smoke. The most common precaution implemented was smoking outside with closed doors and most parents said that they always followed these precautions. On the other hand 44% of smoking parents reported smoking in their car in the presence of their children. From these findings, some recommendations were drawn. Amongst these was the recommendation for future studies be done on a much larger scale, including a more representative sample. Health care professionals, including nurses, should be involved in implementing client-centred educational strategies to parents. Educational programmes on passive smoke exposure towards children including clarification of myths and misconceptions were also suggested. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68097 2021-01-29T12:38:58Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Nurses' awareness and prevention of colorectal cancer Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer in the general public. CRC is a type of cancer which can affect both men and women and is thought to increase in the near future. Prevention of CRC would be fundamental to reduce its occurrence. Prevention includes primary and secondary prevention. Primary prevention involves the healthy population and refers to the avoidance of the development of polyps to form cancer. Secondary prevention involves screening tests in asymptomatic individuals to detect the presence of polyps. Several studies have been done about the awareness and prevention of CRC in the healthcare setting. The present study was done for the same purpose to identify interesting findings about this topic among Maltese nurses working in medical wards at Mater Dei hospital. Ten questionnaires were delivered in every medical ward. The total sample size consisted of sixty qualified nurses both males and females. However, forty-seven participants filled the questionnaire. The findings of each questionnaire were imputed in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to analyse and evaluate the data of the open and closed ended questions. The results of this study show that the nurses were knowledgeable about CRC. The participants were knowledgeable about the awareness and preventive measures of CRC. The majority of the participants agreed that there are certain risk factors which can contribute to CRC. Besides that, the participants were also knowledgeable about the screening tests which can be used to prevent and detect the presence of any malignancy. Almost all the participants give education to their patients about CRC. The most suggested educational programs by the participants were TV and radio. An important recommendation for education is that the participants should take into consideration the level of knowledge of their patients. This is to make sure that their patients acquire the appropriate knowledge about CRC. For this to work a screening program should be available and most importantly accessible to individuals for preventive measures and early detection. Further future research should be targeted for awareness, prevention and education of CR C. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67813 2021-01-26T13:03:59Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Exploring the management of dry skin in an elderly residence Abstract: Statistics show that the ageing population in Malta is increasing and dry skin is associated with an ageing skin. It is important for the geriatric population to take good care of dry skin to prevent from additional complications. Since the majority of the elderly people who are living in an institution are being cared for by nurses, it is vital for nurses to have a good understanding of the management of dry skin in order to prevent the geriatric population from living with the burden associated with dry skin. The aim of this small scale exploratory study is to investigate the management of dry skin in the elderly population. The data was collected by means of self-structured internally mailed questionnaire. The sample was chosen by systematic sampling from an eligible population of 155 nurses of which 24 nurses participated in this study. The tool included 13 closed-ended questions and 5 open-ended that directly explored five dimensions in the management of dry skin. The study revealed that the majority of the nurses surveyed are aware of the signs and symptoms of dry skin and its complications. Exogenous and endogenous factors influencing dry skin, both positive and negative, were identified. The most frequently reported factors were the use of soaps and bubble baths, the application of emollients and creams and the importance of nutrition. Overall, the participants showed a satisfactory understanding towards the management of dry skin. However, the majority of nurses emphasized the need for more education on this topic in order to promote better practice in dermatology. One conclusion that warrants further investigation is the development of emollient therapy according to the patient's individual needs, together with an information sheet for the nurses to provide adequate skin care. Additional research should also explore nurses' view regarding the management of dry skin in acute settings and the possible implementation of the bag/basinless bath. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z