Adolescent Pregnancy

Adolescent or teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in under the age of 20.

Adolescent pregnancies occur in most parts of the world but a higher percentage are in developing countries. 

The average adolescent pregnancy and birth rate in middle-income countries is more than twice as high as that in high-income countries, with the rate in low-income countries being five times as high.

Note: a girl can become pregnant from sexual intercourse after she has begun to ovulate which can be before menarche, but usually occurs after the start of her periods.

Half of all adolescent births occur in just seven countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and the United States (WHO, 2016)

Risks associated with adolescent pregnancy include:

• ·        Low Birth Weight
• ·        Premature Labor
• ·        Anemia
• ·        Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia
• ·        Obstructed Labour
• ·        UGF (Uro-Genital Fistulas)
• ·        Post-Partum Haemorrhage
• ·        Depression

Adolescent pregnancies can be reduced with education where both the individual and her family are made aware of the health and social implications.



 Michael Akaka, 2016. Adolescent Pregnancy. ©Knightmode

Who Says Nurses Can't...

And who dare says nurses can’t be both beautiful and gorgeous just because they are busy attending to the patient’s needs?

It may be true that a day is not enough when you are a nurse especially if you are to make the double shift and the hospital is fully packed with patients coming in and out. But this isn’t a reason enough for nurses to neglect their own health and beauty.

Follow these skin care tips to make you look stunning:

• ·       Tone your muscle and skin with facials and body massages. This doesn’t mean you have to go to the salon or spa every week. A simple massage for 15 minutes is good enough.

• ·       Exfoliate even twice a week to help renew skin and lessen visible discoloration and fine lines. It will help remove oil and dirt on pores, preventing breakouts on skin.

• ·       Use sunscreen with UVB/UVA sun protection. Apply this even when it’s cloudy or raining to prevent premature aging.

• ·  Stay away from negative vibes! Stress is a major cause of wrinkles. Remain calm, pamper yourself, do breathing exercises or yoga to relieve yourself of stress and negativity.

• ·       Keep yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of water and add lemon for vitamin boost and antioxidants.

• ·       Cleanse your skin every day. Wash your face every morning and put on moisturizer or sunblock. Be sure to remove makeup too before going to bed.

• ·       Exercise regularly. Though the everyday walking and standing on the shift at the hospital is exhausting, it is a must that a regular exercise is practice. A 30-minute workout will do, as this will help in blood circulation and prevent skin sagging as well.

Of course, these tips should be accompanied with the right diet, exercise and enough rest for a nurse to be radiant despite the ‘busy mode’ environment at the healthcare institution

nursingguide.com 

Nurse Dairy

A Patient Slapped Me

So, my patient whom I was taking care of today slapped me…

And I was thinking… What should I do? Did I actually made the right call when I reported the situation to my supervisor or should I have retaliated?

Sometimes during the course of our duties we come across all sort of personalities; some -  understanding and charming, others - mean and annoying.

How we deal with the situation and such patients are crucial as to how we portray ourselves, the institution and the profession in general.

What really happened…?

Medications are served to all patients at given times as stipulated by hospital protocols and as documented on the medication chart.

My patient, whom I am going to call “X” had her medications to be served at 2pm. Another patient who was just brought in from the OR was being served post-op analgesics and X, seeing the other patient taking medications asked that hers be served.

I explained to her that her medications are not due until 2pm. She said she also had pains and she needed her medications.

NOTE: X is being managed for Diarrhoea. Nil history of body pains or headaches.

I asked for the site of pains but she declined answering saying she was in pains and needed her meds.

I explained that her remaining drugs had no analgesics included just antibiotics and if she was feeling pains I had to get a doctor to review her present condition.

She got angry, slapped me and told me to go get her meds or she will make sure I lose my job.

I was furious but calmed my nerves and quickly informed the charge nurse who took up the case to the hospital admin.

30 minutes later, I noticed the unit doctor, the nurse-in-charge and the hospital admin come into the unit had a talk with the patient and discharged the patient.

The husband to patient X had to apologise before leaving with his wife who was feeling very sober.

I had mixed feelings… Was I happy, sad… I couldn’t tell.

Vacancies at The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) was established by Act No 9 of 1977 and the subsequent amendments Acts to advise the Federal Government on all aspects of Technical Education falling outside the Universities including the general development of Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology, Trade Centers and other Technical Institutions.

As a result of restructuring and the need to fill some consequential vacancies, the Board is desirous of employing capable hands for the efficient and effective discharge of her mandate.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacant position:

Nurse

Job Schedule

• ·        To provide Nursing care to Patients.
• ·        Candidate Requirements
• ·        RN, RM certificate in Nursing and Midwifery and General Nursing Certificate.

Note

• ·        When the online application portal opens, candidates should select their desired position and apply
• ·        Multiple Application will lead to disqualification.
• ·        All applications are to be submitted online ONLY.
• ·        All applications will be treated in line with Federal Character Principles.
• ·        Applicants with experience from TVET institutions are strongly advised to apply.
• ·        All applicants must be computer literate.
• ·        Previous working experience will be an added advantage (for all M.Sc level)
• ·        All applicants for this position must have the NYSC discharge certificate, if applicable

Apply before Thursday, December 29, 2016

Companies may expire jobs at their own discretion.

If you have not received a response within two weeks, your application was most likely unsuccessful.

The Effects Of Premature Birth

Every year an estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely. That means more than one in ten babies is born too early every year. According to a new study published by the World Health Organization and advertised worldwide on World Prematurity Day on November 17, nearly one million children die each year due to complications of preterm birth. Most survivors have to struggle with numerous disabilities, including visual and hearing problems and learning disabilities.

The Effects of a Premature Birth Can Stay with a Baby for Life

There’s a growing body of evidence that people who are born prematurely are a bit different than those who were carried to term. Besides a variety of health problems preterm babies might be suffering from, they are also susceptible to introversion and are more likely to struggle with certain cognitive problems.

Those born prematurely are also more sensitive to emotional stress and may encounter social difficulties later in life. According to a study from Warwick University, preterm babies are more likely to struggle financially and earn less than those who were born on time.

As the research suggests, preterm babies should have more support in school to prevent them from failing later in life. School teachers should be trained to work with prematurely born children and know how to tend to their needs.

Premature Birth Is a Form of Loss for Mothers

Ask any NICU nurse, and she’ll tell you about the pain a mother suffers seeing her tiny angel having to go through invasive medical procedures. Preterm birth isn’t a problem just for the baby itself, but for the whole family as well, especially the mom.

It might sound odd, but most preterm moms confessed that premature birth felt almost like they’ve lost something. Sure, their babies survived and are healthy now, but they’ve missed what’s usually expected in pregnancy.

They Lose the Feeling of “Mothering” the Baby

Imagine that you just gave birth and you are not allowed to hold your baby for more than a month. Then, your kangaroo care sessions (when the baby is put on your bare chest) lasted only a few moments before your baby’s monitors started to sound like crazy.

You feel helpless as you watch others tend to your baby’s needs.  It’s excruciating.

They Lose the Most Beautiful Part of Their Pregnancy

Fear is the main emotion experienced by mothers who are susceptible to preterm birth. The final trimester should be the most beautiful part of the pregnancy, but for those women is hell. They don’t get to take pictures of their belly each month. And, they never get to rub their belly every chance they got.

They Might Suffer from Mild Cases of PTSD

It’s well known that parents who’ve spent time with their babies in neonatal care are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can have a severe impact on a mother’s day to day life. From reliving the events to the feeling of being constantly on edge, a premature birth can make a woman’s life take a turn for the worst.

You Can Fight Premature Birth

Because November is Prematurity Awareness Month, Scrubsmag encourages all women, pregnant or considering pregnancy, to learn as much as possible about what they should do to ensure a healthy term. Talk to you doctor about risk factors, concerns, premature labor, and so on. Don’t assume that just because you are healthy, it will never happen to you. 

It can happen to anyone, even the healthiest woman.




scrubsmag.com

Depressed After Pregnancy?

Being a mother or having another newborn  comes with a collision of emotions – from lack of sleep to the excitement of having a new family member. These feelings usually come in a rush; more like having more than one feeling at a time. As time goes on the feelings of excitement begins to fade and then stress, worry, anxiety and sadness begin to set in.

For some, these feelings gradually turn to depression and then there is an increased threat for both mother and baby!

If you think you may have postpartum depression, look out for these signs.

·        Feelings of hopelessness, anger, or sadness

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when you first bring a child into this world. But postpartum depression goes beyond feeling naturally overwhelmed — Postpartum Progress states this disorder will make you feel as if you’re not well-equipped to be a mother, and that perhaps you should never have had the baby to begin with.

This overwhelming feeling is often followed by guilt, as you may believe other mothers can handle their emotions better than you. You may feel disconnected from your child and feel as if your baby doesn’t really need you in the long run, which can also lead to anger and sadness

·        Loss of appetite and fatigue

Your mind may not be the only part of your body that suffers when you have postpartum depression. Your body will also be feeling the effects of the stress, often leading to appetite issues or upset stomach. On the flip side, some women overeat. WebMD explains weight fluctuations may happen every day from eating differently than you normally would. You may also feel as if you have very little energy, and certainly not enough energy to care for a child. In some cases, women will feel drained as soon as they wake up in the morning.

·        Headaches, backaches, and joint pain

Many experts believe depression can make you feel pain differently than you otherwise would, and postpartum depression is no different. Even if you’re exercising or doing yoga, these aches and pains are not associated with typical muscle soreness. According to Postpartum Progress, many new moms experience constant headaches, backaches, stomach troubles, and joint pain. The condition can also lead to panic attacks, which may lead to chest pain.

If your only symptoms of postpartum depression are random aches and pains, then try paying attention to your mental state. Are you feeling foggy, drained, and anxious in addition to these pains? Then these could very well be caused by depression

·        Crying and feelings of irritability

The American Pregnancy Association says between 70% and 80% of new mothers experience some sadness and anxiety associated with recently giving birth. But if you find yourself always tearful several weeks down the road, then this could be a sign of postpartum depression. Your tears may not just be pure sadness, either. As we mentioned before, anger is also common. This anger may be all you can focus on, which can lead to trouble concentrating on anything else during your day.

·        Negative thoughts about harming the baby

Your negative feelings may turn into more severe thoughts that go way beyond sadness as well. While you may know you’d never actually cause any harm to another human, much less your newborn child, the Office on Women’s Health says you may have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. In less severe cases, you may feel indifferent toward your child. These thoughts, as personal as they are, should be brought to a doctor’s attention. A nurse/doctor can give you counsel and support through this difficult time, and can help you decide on a course of treatment.

Cheatsheet.com

Zika: An International Emergency?

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Friday that the Zika virus and related neurological complications no longer constitute an international emergency

but said that it would continue to work on the outbreak through a "robust program".

The WHO's Emergency Committee, which declared an international public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in February, said in a statement that they felt that "the Zika virus and associated consequences remain a significant enduring public health challenge requiring intense action but no longer represent a PHEIC."

"We are not downgrading the importance of Zika, by placing this as a longer program of work, we are sending the message that Zika is here to stay," Dr. Peter Salama, Executive Director of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told a news briefing.

foxnews