https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/49422 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:26:12 GMT 2026-04-05T21:26:12Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52923 Title: The lived experiences of Maltese patients with colorectal cancer following (cessation of) adjuvant treatment : a qualitative analysis Abstract: Background: For individuals with colorectal cancer, the transition into the phase following completion of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment is a significant landmark, as well as a critical time for the person’s long-term health. Regardless of the emerging body of literature about survivors` with colorectal cancer at its various stages, relatively few studies focus on the immediate phase following cessation of adjuvant chemotherapy. Objective: The aim of this dissertation is to explore the lived experiences of individuals with colorectal cancer in Malta as they transition from being chemotherapy patients, to life after treatment as cancer survivors. The study explores what positive or negative impacts the illness trajectory has on the life of these individuals following the transition period understudy. Furthermore, this study subsequently explores the facilitators and barriers to the normal life and self that these study participants face when recalling what they perceive as the “self throughout the journey”. Design: Phenomenology informed the methodology using the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Setting: The setting of this study is the local oncology hospital. Participants: Six Maltese participants with colorectal cancer Methodology: Participants were recruited by purposeful sampling. The collection of data took place between October and December, 2018. Each of the participants took part in semi-structured interviews. The data was transcribed verbatim and analysis was done using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Three super-ordinate themes emerged with the overriding concept of exploring the self throughout the journey. The themes are: (1) Being cast into the uninvited journey (2) Journeying through the obstacle course and (3) Journeying into a new path. Conclusion: Adults with colorectal cancer experienced both different and similar challenging experiences during their illness trajectory. These participants were found to transition through three-time points namely; being diagnosed with cancer, following the early weeks on completion of adjuvant chemotherapy and the time of recovery, when participants regained some form of control and ‘normality’ in their life. The dimensions that challenged the participants understudy throughout the immediate transition included physical, psychological, social and spiritual issues. Throughout the transitional journey participants mainly coped by understanding the issues of self, issues of meaning and issues which impinged on their lifestyle. Participants acknowledge the need for further professional support, but this should be provided by professionals who are experienced in their particular problems. This study has increased knowledge related to the transitional survivorship issues as individuals with colorectal cancer transition to the life after adjuvant chemotherapy. Implications for education and training, clinical practice and further research including, gaps in participant’s knowledge and transition issues, are provided. Description: M.SC.NURSING Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52923 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52920 Title: Effects of enteral feeding on lung function in children with cystic fibrosis Abstract: Overview of the topic - Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is genetic disease that is characterized by the build-up of thick and sticky mucus in the lungs which can damage various organs of the body (Mayo clinic 2016). Quality of life of CF sufferers is affected as lung function declines with time and activities of daily living become more limited. Past studies has linked improved lung function with artificial feeding. The research question - In children with cystic fibrosis does artificial feeding have any effect on lung function? PEO elements - The population (P) studied were children with Cystic Fibrosis. The exposure (E) observed was artificial feeding. The desired outcome (O) was improved lung function. The inclusion and exclusion criteria applied - Studies on children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF), who were on tube feeding and who were assessed for lung function/FEV₁ were included. Studies that explored the impact of nutrition on adults with CF or that explored the impact of nutrition on, children who required tube feeding but did not measure impact on lung function were excluded. Studies were limited to those published in the English journals, within the last 10 years. The outcome of the search - A correlation between GT feeding and improved lung function has been shown. Methods of appraisal used - The Critical Appraisal skills programme (CASP) tool for was used to critically appraise the literature. The main results from the evidence - There appears to be a positive relationship between enteral feeding improved lung function. The main conclusions - Since the studies retrieved were non experimental, and based on retrospective cohort studies, a causality cannot be affirmed and improvement of lung function with enteral feeding remains speculative. The implications and most important recommendations - Introducing Gastric feeding as early as possible in children suffering from CF appears to minimize effect of malnutrition when the child is developing. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52920 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52918 Title: The effect of breastfeeding on mother-infant bonding Abstract: Topic Overview: Breastfeeding, further known as nursing, involves feeding a baby or young child milk from a woman’s breast. It is to be preferably commenced within the first hour of a baby’s life and continued as often as the baby needs. Evidently, it is the most natural way to nourish since it not only provides all nutritional value, but it also satisfies the baby’s hunger and thirst. For this reason, it is highly recommended by health professionals. However, there is a recurring question whether breastfeeding impacts a mother’s attachment to her baby and vice versa. A research question was formulated to clarify the role of breastfeeding on mother-infant bonding. The research question: Does breastfeeding effect the bond between a mother and her infant when compared to not breastfeeding? PICO elements: The population (P): mothers and infants. The intervention (I): breastfeeding. The comparison (C): not breastfeeding. The final desired outcome (O): bond between a mother and her infant. Method: The key elements of the PICO question were used as key terms to generate alternative terms. These terms were combined using the Boolean Operators together with the application of limiters to narrow down the search results. The combined terms were searched in Hydi which is the University of Malta database and furthermore through EBSCO, Science Direct, ProQuest Central, PubMed and Advanced Google Scholar. The PRISMA 2009 checklist (Appendix 1) was used to exclude irrelevant articles. The inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied in order to assess the eligibility of the articles (Table 2.7). A total of five key studies were retrieved and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool was used to critically appraise the literature. Local experts were contacted in order to view the current relationship between the topic under study and the local setting. Ethical issues were also considered. Results: Findings indicate that there is no particular effect on the mother-infant bond in relation to the feeding method. Inconsistencies were found upon comparing the methods and findings of the key studies and the results were interpreted with caution. Although a conclusive answer was not obtained, breastfeeding was always described as a positive role in all studies. Furthermore, it was noted that a very few studies have been conducted to date upon the topic of interest. Conclusion: A definite conclusion may not be presented, yet the overall gathered evidence led to a positive inclination towards breastfeeding. More research is definitely required in the area in order to answer the PICO question. Implications and Recommendations: Besides learning the need for further research to ascertain the intervention’s effectiveness, more education must be given to health care professionals and to the general public. The development of an appropriate bonding measuring tool is also required for future studies. In addition, emphasis is made on the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to teach, guide and support pregnant women and mothers. The management is responsible for providing guidelines for practice and encouraging individuals to take part in future studies. This is also beneficial way to promote health. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52918 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52917 Title: Breastfeeding and the incidence of childhood asthma Abstract: Background: Breastfeeding is said to provide several benefits for children; including regulation of the child’s growth and development, protection of the immune system and it is also associated with reduction in the incidence of asthma (Dieterich, Felice, O’Sullivan & Rasmussen, 2013). In this dissertation, the effect of breastfeeding in reducing the incidence of asthma is going to be studied. A research question was generated with respect to this subject: Does exclusive breastfeeding reduce the incidence of childhood asthma? The Population, Exposure and Outcome (PEO) framework contained the following components: (P) Children; (E) Exclusive breastfeeding; and (O) Reduction in the incidence of asthma. Methods: A combination of keywords relative to the subject were used to conduct a literature search using three different databases. To narrow down the search, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and limiters were used to facilitate the screening process. Appraisal tools where utilised for the critical appraisal of the eight chosen key studies. Results: Eight key studies were chosen which where comprised of five cohort studies and three cross-sectional studies. All the studies showed a positive link among breastfeeding and asthma, since the lowest prevalence of asthma was found in the groups of children who were breastfed. However, not all of these results where statistically significant. Conclusion: Due to the results not being statistically significant in all of the studies, a definite conclusion could not be made. However, results still show that breastfeeding is beneficial to the child. Moreover, additional research is required regarding this area to provide an evident answer to the PEO question. Implications and recommendations: Additional research is required to determine a definite conclusion of the association between breastfeeding and the incidence of childhood asthma. Furthermore, additional education should be given to both the mothers and certain health care professionals involved in this area. Public places should also try to make the environment more baby friendly by having rooms especially made for breastfeeding mothers. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52917 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z