International Journal of Neonatal Care and Pediatric Nursing

A Survey Study to Assess Nursing Knowledge on Child Rights in Thi-Qar Pediatric Hospitals, Iraq

Qusay Hasan Mansi — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child brings obligations to states and adults regarding all their actions concerning children, including the provision of healthcare and the right to play. Objectives: To assess Nursing of Child Rights in Thi Qar Hospitals. Methodology: A descriptive study design was utilized to achieve the objectives of the study on 30 nurses who worked at Thi Qar Governorate Hospitals. Using questionnaire tools for data collection. The questionnaire consists of two major parts: part one, demographic characteristics for nurses, and part two, which consists of a questionnaire is including (7) criteria that are concerned with the nursing assessment of child rights in hospitals. Results: The results of the study showed that that the age of the studied nurses ranges from 22 year to 46 years old and slightly more than half of nurses (56.7%) their experiences less than 5 years. That is a total nursing assessment of child rights in hospitals. All axes were rated average, except for the axis of equality and non-discrimination, which was rated good. Conclusion: The study concluded that the total nursing assessment of child rights in hospitals. All axes were rated average, except for the axis of equality and non-discrimination, which was rated good. Recommendation: Develop training modules focused on specific aspects of child rights where the assessment identified gaps. Emphasis on the Center for Continuing Education by conducting continuous child rights in hospitals.

Cigarette Smoking Behavior among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Bangladesh

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the world. Most cigarettes contain a mixture, or blend, of several types of tobacco from a variety of sources. Cigarette smoking remains a widespread health concern among adolescents and young adults, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. Nursing students, as future healthcare providers, are expected to be role models in tobacco-free living. However, increasing trends in tobacco use among this population are alarming. Objective: To assess the cigarette smoking behavior associated determinants, and cessation efforts among undergraduate nursing students in Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 nursing students using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical approval was obtained from the respective institutional review board, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Results: The prevalence of smoking among students was 98.4%, with a mean initiation age of 14.67± 1.50 years. It revealed that 12% of the respondents were current smokers, with a significantly higher prevalence among males. Major contributing factors included peer influence, curiosity, and academic stress. Peer pressure (93%) and family smoking (88.4%) were major determinants. Significant associations were found between peer influence, family smoking, and smoking patterns (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of smoking among nursing students in Bangladesh. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally relevant, multi-faceted interventions, including family-based education, stricter housing policies, and the integration of tobacco cessation content into course curricula. Implication: The findings suggest an urgent need for smoking cessation programs, awareness campaigns, and policy initiatives within nursing institutions.

Influence of Single Parenthood on Academic Performance of Students in Secondary Schools in Tanzania: A Study of Rungwe District in Mbeya region, Tanzania

Abel Samwel Mkumbwa, Gwamaka Asajenie — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study looked at the impact of single parenthood on Tanzanian secondary school students' academic achievement. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in the study, in collaboration with a cross-sectional survey research design, to capture the real-life experiences of the participants. For the foundation of this investigation, the family system theory was adopted. A total of 100 respondents from intact and single-parent families participated in the survey, which was conducted in Tanzania's Rungwe district. Data was gathered through the use of questionnaires and document reviews. Comparing the academic achievement of students from intact and single-parent households in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, was the aim of the study. The results of the four subjects under comparison indicate that students from intact families outperformed pupils from single-parent households in every subject. Both male and female pupils from the two household systems performed differently, according to the study. In order to help students from single-parent households overcome their emotional challenges, counselors should offer the required help and psychological support. Additionally, parents must continue to be educated on the significance of the home environment for children's development. This is essential so that parents may comprehend the ramifications and effects of parental separation and use all available resources to reduce the issues that result from the circumstance. Finally, in order to guarantee that children receive the essential advisory services, school counselors should be hired by educational institutions, and proper oversight should be established.

Substance Abuse and Secondary School Student Performance: A Study of Khana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State

Bieh, N. Nwoke, Lawrence Ayah Iruo — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

There is growing local and international concern about substance abuse and academic performance among secondary school students all over the world. The simple reason is that the development of quality education and a country’s investment in education and human resources are seen as essential for promoting worldwide development, hence the need for this study. The study examines substance abuse and academic performance among secondary school students in Khana LGA of Rivers State. It is anchored on Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory and Jessor’s Problem Behaviour Theory. The study adopts a descriptive survey research design. The target population for the study is 6,616, consisting of all the Senior Secondary Two (SS2) students in Khana LGA of Rivers State. The study centers around the 47 public secondary schools in the LGA The sample size consists of one hundred and five (105) students drawn from ten (10) public secondary schools in the LGA. A 20-item structured questionnaire titled "Influence of Substance Abuse on the Academic Performance of Secondary School Students Questionnaire" informed the primary method of data collection. The data analysis techniques include the use of frequency counts and percentages to provide a clear description of both participants’ personal information and also address the research questions. Based on the findings of the study, certain recommendations that will discourage students from involving in substance abuse so as to enhance their academic performance in the area under study are proffered.

Nutritional Assessment of Under-Five Children in Selected Rural Area of Chamarajanagara District

Sandhyashree B, Supritha N. R. — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: To assess the nutritional status of under five children and compare with WHO growth standards in Anganwadi at Doddarayapete, Chamarajanagara district.

Results: This study shows that of 54% of children are nourished, 28% of children are mild malnourished, 12% of children are moderately malnourished and 6% of children are over nourished, 54% of children are according to height for the age is normal, 20% of children are stunted, 20% of children are severely stunted and 6% of children are above average. 42% of children are normal according to BMI for age, 54% of children are stunted, and 4% of children are over-nourished.

Methodology: An explorative descriptive method has been adopted, and 50 children under five were selected for the study. They obtained data by questionnaire on demographic, Proforma, physical examination, and anthropometric measurement.

Conclusion: There are numerous nutritional programmes existing for children to decrease the prevalence of malnutrition among them. The study concludes that 54% of children are according to weight for age, 54% of children are according to height for age and 42/% of children according to their BMI for age, despite all the efforts by the government.

Effectiveness of Home Based Steam Inhalation on Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection among Under-Five Children at Selected Villages in Bangalore

Chinchu Maria Francis — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURTIs) remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under five years, particularly in developing countries. While pharmacological options are limited, steam inhalation offers a simple, low-cost, home-based intervention. This study evaluated the effectiveness of home-based steam inhalation in reducing symptoms of AURTIs among under-five children in rural Bangalore. A pre-experimental one-group pre-test & post-test design was adopted. Sixty children aged 1–5 years with AURTIs were selected using convenient sampling. Symptoms were assessed using a structured observational checklist. Steam inhalation was administered every six hours for three days under supervision. Effectiveness was analyzed using paired t-test, and associations with demographic variables were examined using chi-square test. Before intervention, most children presented with cough (95%), fever, rhinorrhea, nasal stuffiness, and sneezing (70–90%), while 50–60% had wheezing and tachypnea. The mean symptom score reduced significantly from 36.1 (SD = 15.06) pretest to 12.8 (SD = 9.48) post-test (t = 4.14, p < 0.001). Post-intervention, 95% of children had only mild symptoms, and none progressed to severe illness. No significant associations were found between treatment effectiveness and demographic variables. Home-based steam inhalation is a safe, inexpensive, and effective method for reducing AURTI symptoms among under-five children. It can be recommended as a supportive home-care practice to improve child health and minimize unnecessary medication use in community settings.