Bindu John

Introduction:  Antibiotics play a monumental role in infectious diseases control and management and have been used in all drug treatment strategies. But the inappropriate use and practice of antibiotics among health professionals results in adverse effects and accelerates the growth of microbial resistance against the majority of effective antibiotics. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge and practice of antibiotic awareness and its usage among staff nurses working in hospitals and also to identify the association of demographic factors on knowledge and practice of antibiotic awareness and its usage. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 100 staff nurses (4 males and 96 females) were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a questionnaire to assess the knowledge and a rating scale for practice about antibiotics awareness and usage. Results: About 50 percent of the participants demonstrated good knowledge of antibiotic awareness and its usage, and 72 percent had very good practice of antibiotics usage in hospitals. A highly significant, weak positive correlation (r=0.316, at p ? 0.01) between knowledge and practice of antibiotic awareness and usage among staff nurses was obtained. A significant association of gender with practice (? =59.64, p = 0.002) and educational qualification with knowledge was found (?=53.82, p = 0.017). Discussion: The study results suggested that staff nurses in general have good knowledge of antibiotic awareness and usage and very good practice in antibiotic usage. However, there should be effective training programs to consistently keep the knowledge and practice of staff nurses regarding antibiotic awareness and its practice at a satisfactory level and to raise awareness among those who demonstrated less knowledge and practice for its judicious use and practice. Keywords: Antibiotic awareness, Staff nurses, Antibiotic practice, Antibiotic knowledge, Antibiotic resistance

Introduction: Research on simulation is still a developing field in nursing and simulation-based learning is gaining momentum with its application over the past two decades in nursing education. Simulation is utilized as a method of training, by helping the learners for competent practice and to improve patient safety, but not much evidence is available for its application in pediatric nursing education. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) describe the application of simulation in teaching pediatric nursing education and (2) explore the evidence for its application in developing clinical competencies and skills in nursing students taking pediatric courses. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Science Direct & ProQuest for the relevant articles available on the internet. Descriptive, experimental, and systematic reviews concerning simulation in pediatric nursing were included. Results: Mixed results were cited in studies about imparting the knowledge concerning the applicability of simulation in pediatric nursing courses. Available evidence shows that simulation can improve the competency of students in clinical practice and in improving patient care outcomes and communication skills. There is a paucity of studies about the applicability of simulation in pediatric nursing education. Conclusion: Simulation is found to be a useful strategy in providing a near-to-real experience for the students to practice high-risk, rare procedural skills in pediatric nursing education. However, further, evidence is required to replace clinical practice experience with simulation, for sustained improvement in patient care outcomes, and in critical thinking and knowledge retention in nursing students. Keywords: Simulation, Clinical competencies, Pediatric nursing education, Pediatric nursing practice, Pediatric Skill Assessment

Introduction: COVID- 19 pandemic has affected hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, and so far, accounted for 0.39-12.3% of affected disease population. Even though a large number of studies have reviewed symptoms and characteristics of adults with COVID-19, only some of them have included a smaller number of children. Objectives: This study aimed a) To examine the epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection reported in children from published studies b) To outline the signs and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection reported in children from the research studies and c) To provide converging evidence of the clinical outcomes and prognosis of children affected with SARS-CoV-2 infection from reported studies. Materials and Methods: A literature review was conducted through online sources of data base available in the internet. Studies published from Jan 2020 up to September 2021 were included. Results: The organism causing infection was the novel Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2). In children, almost 0.39-12.3% of the population was affected. A slight predominance of boys vs. girls was noted, but it was not statistically significant. The incubation period ranged from 2-14 days. Nearly 51% of children were presenting with mild disease and nearly 4% were asymptomatic. The children also presented with non-respiratory symptoms, but the exact figures were not available. Multisystem inflammatory response was the most common reported complication. Conclusion: Current findings indicate that children have a lower incidence of the disease, with milder predominance and better prognosis, but prolonged shedding of virus in the nasal and stools sample and being asymptomatic raises a concern of community transmission. Keywords: Children, SARS­CoV­2, Epidemiology, Clinical outcomes, Signs and Symptoms, Clinical presentation, Etiology

Introduction: The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) had increased tremendously, causing increased morbidity, mortality and disability among population. Cardiovascular diseases remain as a major NCD affecting public health, accounting for 23% and 30% of the total mortality in rural and urban population, respectively, in India. Health-seeking behavior of women is an important factor in tackling NCDs as it can influence the health of the family, through influencing lifestyle and related changes in preventing NCDs. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 100 women were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data was collected using questionnaires to collect demographic information, NCD risk factors, and a rating scale for assessing the health-seeking behaviors. Results: Forty-seven percent of the participants were diabetic, 45 had hypertension and 28 of them were having dyslipidaemia. Forty-six of them had a family history of NCDs, 68 of them performed regular exercises, such as walking, 56 of them followed a mixed diet, and 63 had a preference to sweets, and 40 percent had a habit of dining out on a regular basis. A majority of the participants followed medicines and the prescribed treatment regimen directed by their physician. Only fifty percent of them engaged in leisure time activities during their free time and very few participants practiced methods like yoga, or meditation. Discussion: The participants had risk factors contributing to NCDs, and in general, were practicing good health-seeking behaviors. However, targeting on modifiable risk factors, continuously maintaining health determinants to continuous quality of life improvement is essential to curtail the further deterioration and complication of NCDs. Keywords: Non­communicable diseases, Quality of life, Health­seeking behaviors, Wellbeing, Chronic diseases, Risk factors

Changing demographics have brought a dramatic increase in the need for research in the health care of the population, and understanding and countering opportunities and challenges presented by an aging population, and the process of aging, for enhancing the positive aspects of aging. It is also envisaged that the knowledge brought through research on the elderly has a large potential for improving individual lives and society. Since the elderly population represents a vulnerable group, it is thus required that research is conducted following ethical principles and proper protocols. This article examines various aspects involved in evidence-based research on the elderly. Keywords: Responsible Conduct of Research, Legal rights for Elders, Ethical principles of elderly research