https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63488 2026-03-11T13:49:23Z 2026-03-11T13:49:23Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/89712 2022-02-24T06:27:32Z 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Back pain as an occupational hazard Abstract: Back pain has been the occupational hazard particularly selected for this project in view of its relatively high prevalence within the nursing profession. A research study was conducted at seven units, situated within three separate hospitals, to elicit information on the cause and degree of back pain/injury in the nursing profession in Malta. The cause of the problem was considered by examining existing workplace factors and nurses' knowledge on safe handling. A questionnaire was distributed to all 72 nurses working on the mentioned units, and this was completed and returned by two thirds of them. ·Non-participant observation of two nurses from each unit was also undertaken to find out about the techniques used for manual transferring of patients. The study revealed that lifting and handling of patients is by far the factor most commonly associated to the occurrence of back trouble. This study is only considered to have touched on the subject of back pain in nurses, and its limitations necessitate caution in drawing conclusions. Nonetheless, it can provide a stepping stone to more elaborate and extensive future research on the problem of back pain in the Maltese nursing workforce. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

1992-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/77467 2021-06-21T05:34:26Z 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Investigations on the gene for human antithrombin III Abstract: Antithrombin III is a protein synthesised mainly in the liver. Its function is to support the fluidity of the blood through the inhibition of a number of serine proteases involved in the blood coagulation cascade. It does this by means of two active sites present in its molecule, the heparin binding site and the serine proteases binding site. Human liver mRNA was subjected to in-vitro translation using rabbit reticulocyte lysate. When the product was immunoprecipitated with antithrombin III antibody, a band was observed where antithrombin III was expected to migrate. From the same mRNA, cDNA was synthesised. This cDNA was subjected to the polymerase chain reaction utilising oligonucleotide probes flanking the known antithrombin III gene. The PCR products were cloned in M13 and pKK223-3 vectors and sequenced. The nucleic acid sequences were then compared with the sequences of the cloning vectors, antithrombin III and database. No significant homologies were however observed. The PCR products did not hybridise with the single stranded DNA containing the vector and PCR product. There are two possible conclusions; either something might have gone wrong from the moment the PCR product was subjected to Klenow enzyme, cleaned and cloned in M13 or the primers used in the polymerase chain reaction could have annealed to an unknown gene. Description: M.PHIL.

1992-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66159 2020-12-21T13:06:37Z 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A comparative analysis of two assessment tools used in the prevention of pressure sores : Norton vs Waterlow Abstract: Several risk assessment scales exist for the determination of risk for the development of pressure sores. Two such scales are the Norton Risk Assessment Scale and the Waterlow Risk Assessment Scale. The primary aim of this study was to compare the above mentioned scales. The study, which was carried out on a male medical ward. was mainly composed of a daily assessment of 32 patients. From the results one may note that the Waterlow Risk Assessment Scale is more valid and reliable that the Norton Risk Assessment Scale. The literature suggests that no specific reliability studies were done so as to determine the effectiveness of the two above mentioned scales. This implies that further research into the subject has to be made. The literature also looks at other risk assessment scales. No risk assessment scale can boast itself to be scientifically validated. Therefore further study into the science of pressure sore risk assessment is recommended. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

1992-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66154 2020-12-21T12:40:27Z 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The presence and role of parents on the paediatric wards in Malta Abstract: The literature favouring unrestricted access for parents on paediatric wards is considerable but in Malta, as late as 1991, parents were still prevented from staying with their children in hospital. Also, despite the international trends towards greater parental involvement in care, the role of the parent on the local wards was ambiguous. The purpose of this project was to identify likely factors accounting for the restricted presence of parents and to clarify their role on the paediatric wards. This project was conducted on the 3 paediatric wards at Karen Grech Hospital Paediatric Unit. Three samples, which consisted of 15 parents, 18 doctors and 20 Nurses were identified. A descriptive non experimental approach was chosen. A questionnaire was delivered to the doctors while the parents and nurses were addressed by means of a semi-standardized interview. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis was possible. The data revealed the nurses to be the least in favour of liberized visiting; they tended to view parents more negatively than the doctors. The parents appeared best able to identify whether or not their child needs them in hospital. It was also evident that parental involvement in care was limited with the parents being viewed more as 'visitors' than as 'partners in care'. Factors which could inhibit the presence and role of the parents on the local wards were identified. The implications of the project were discussed. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

1992-01-01T00:00:00Z