BackgroundThe health sector is faced with constant changes as new approaches to tackle illnesses are unveiled through research. Information, communication and technology have greatly transformed healthcare practice the world over. Nursing is continually exposed to a variety of changes. Variables including age, educational level, years worked in nursing, computer knowledge and experience have been found to influence the attitudes of nurses towards computerisation. The purpose of the study was to determine the attitudes of nurses towards the use of computers and the factors that influence these attitudes.MethodsThis cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among staff nurses working at one public hospital (Kenyatta National Hospital, (KNH) and one private hospital (Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). A convenience sample of 200 nurses filled the questionnaires. Data was collected using the modified Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Computerisation (NATC) questionnaire.ResultsNurses had a favorable attitude towards computerisation. Non-users had a significantly higher attitude score compared to the users (p = 0.0274). Statistically significant associations were observed with age (p = 0.039), level of education (p = 0.025), duration of exposure to computers (p = 0.025) and attitudes towards computerisation.ConclusionGenerally, nurses have positive attitudes towards computerisation.This information is important for the planning and implementation of computerisation in the hospital as suggested in other studies.

The objective of this study was to create a model of nursing practice in Sub-Saharan Africa based on population needs, current practice and expectations of stakeholders. A three component study was done in eight sub-Saharan countries to ascertain (1) the health needs and the burden of disease in these countries, as well as evaluating the structure of their health systems; (2) the views on nursing functions held by opinion leaders in the community, other health professionals, patients and their families; and (3) to conduct a survey of nurses and midwives to determine the roles that they actually perform in hospitals and public health centres (PHCs). Four Anglophone and 4 Francophone countries were studied with a document audit, and 191 stakeholders included in focus groups. The current practice of 734 nurses in ambulatory and hospital settings was evaluated. Based on a triangulation of this data, 9 roles were identified: the provision of holistic care, health education, managing the care environment, as well as the advocacy and collaboration, providing emergency care, providing midwifery care, prevention and management of infectious diseases and diagnosis and treatment. Three contextual support factors (positive policies and practices, an enacted regulatory framework and an enabling educational system) were also identified.

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Background: Severe acute malnutrition is a widely prevalent problem in developing countries and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, children with severe acute malnutrition were rehabilitated within inpatient services. Advent of ready to use therapeutic food made it possible to treat majority of these children in their homes. However, there is limited data about the outcomes of the program. Objectives: To determine the outcomes (recovery, default, mean weight gain and non-response rates) of severely malnourished children aged 6-59 months enrolled in outpatient therapeutic program at Kitui County Hospital. Methodology: A prospective longitudinal study design was carried out for one month. Hundred and four (104) children with SAM were recruited in the study. Anthropometric measurements, physical examination and appetite test of the children were conducted on a weekly basis for 28 days. Descriptive analysis was conducted using means, frequency and proportions. Paired t test was computed for mean weight gain and mid-upper arm circumference between admission and subsequent visits. Results: The findings of the study revealed that the recovery rate was 73.3%, weight gain rate of 5.1 g/kg/day, defaulter rate was 2.9% and non-response rate was 13.9% (WHZ = −3SD). Mean weight increased from 6.8 kg on the 1 st visit to 7.5 kg in the 4 th visit (P = 0.000) and the meanmid-upper arm circumferenceincreased from 11.1 cm at admission to 11.9 cm at 4 th visit (P = 0.000). Conclusion: The recovery and weight gain rates were below the global acceptable SPHERE of minimum standards * Corresponding author. D. Mbaya et al. 327 (recovery rate > 75% and weight gain rate > 8 g/kg/day). The defaulter rate was within the acceptable international standards (<15%).

In diagnosing bacterial vaginosis, Pap smears have moderate sensitivity (though higher than simplified Amsel's criteria). Specificity of Pap smears is adequate. Including bacterial vaginosis assessment as a standard component of Pap smears warrants consideration.