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Research Article
Factors Affecting Nurses’ Clinical Decision-Making at Adult and Paediatric Emergency and Critical Care Units in Orotta National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea, 2025
Hisabu Kidane Gebremedhin*,
Okbamichael Tekle Zewde,
Humed Idris Humed,
Mebrahtu Hadgu Redae,
Samuel Abedom Abay,
Sofonyas Mihreteab Beyene,
Eyasu Habte Tesfamariam
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
44-54
Received:
2 April 2026
Accepted:
20 April 2026
Published:
11 August 2026
Abstract: Background: Clinical decision-making is essential to the advancement of professional nursing practice. Competent nurses must apply sound decision-making skills to deliver safe and effective care. The decisions made by nurses have a direct and immediate impact on patient outcomes, including survival. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of clinical decision-making among nurses and identify the factors influencing it within Adult and Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care Units. Methods: An analytical, quantitative cross-sectional study design was conducted from October 2024 to March 2025 at Orotta National Referral and teaching Hospital. Data were collected using an adapted, predesigned, and pre-tested questionnaire comprising demographic variables and decision-making items. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test were used for analysis employing SPSS Version 26.0. Result: clinical decision-making scores ranged from a minimum of 40 to76, with a mean score of 56.58. Using the mid-point of the scores as a cut-off, 45.1% of nurses demonstrated high decision-making performance. Notably, 87% of nurses who refrained from adjusting inotropic infusions without a physician’s order reported that such actions were not permitted. Statistically significant differences in decision-making scores were observed based on sex (p<0.001), professional level (p<0.002) and position held (p<0.01). Conclusion Considerable proportion of nurses exhibited limited clinical decision-making capacity. Implication: Understanding the level and determination of nurses’ clinical decision-making is crucial for enhancing nursing practice and informing organizational policies.
Abstract: Background: Clinical decision-making is essential to the advancement of professional nursing practice. Competent nurses must apply sound decision-making skills to deliver safe and effective care. The decisions made by nurses have a direct and immediate impact on patient outcomes, including survival. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level ...
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Research Article
Level of Compliance with the Vaccination Scheme in Children Under 1 Year
Mejia Belloso Isabel Teresa De La Chiquinquira*
,
Pina Salguero Elias Alberto
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
55-58
Received:
6 February 2026
Accepted:
27 July 2026
Published:
17 August 2026
Abstract: Background: Childhood vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing infectious diseases and reducing infant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of national immunization programs, incomplete or delayed vaccination schedules remain a major challenge, particularly in low-resource settings. Parental misconceptions, vaccine hesitancy, limited access to healthcare services, and socioeconomic factors contribute to poor vaccination adherence. Objective: To determine the level of adherence to the vaccination schedule among children younger than one year of age. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted. Vaccination records from 260 children under one year of age were reviewed to evaluate adherence to the national immunization schedule. Vaccination status was classified according to predefined adherence categories based on the completeness and timeliness of the recommended vaccines. Results: Among the 260 children included, 141 (54.2%) demonstrated significant non-adherence to the vaccination schedule, whereas 119 (45.8%) showed poor adherence. Overall, adherence to the recommended immunization schedule was below expected levels. Conclusions: Adherence to the vaccination schedule among children younger than one year was insufficient. These findings highlight the need to strengthen educational interventions for parents, improve access to vaccination services, and implement strategies that promote timely childhood immunization in primary healthcare settings.
Abstract: Background: Childhood vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing infectious diseases and reducing infant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of national immunization programs, incomplete or delayed vaccination schedules remain a major challenge, particularly in low-resource settings. Parental m...
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Research Article
Sanitary Survey of Food and Drinking Establishments in Mettu Town Southwest, Ethiopia
Dagim Dagne*
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
59-66
Received:
18 July 2026
Accepted:
3 August 2026
Published:
20 August 2026
Abstract: Food safety is a critical determinant of public health, as contaminated food and infected animal products can trigger severe food borne infections. This cross-sectional survey, conducted from February to March 2025, assessed the sanitary conditions of public food and drinking establishments in Mettu town, southwest, Ethiopia. Utilizing pre-tested questionnaires, observational checklists, physical check-ups, and stool examinations of food handlers, the study evaluated both infrastructure and hygiene practices. The results revealed that while 96.6% of the establishments were privately owned and 86% were owner-managed, 38.9% operated without a formal license and 54.4% were in rented buildings. Physical infrastructure was largely deficient; only 23.6% of the 123 establishments with kitchens achieved a "good" sanitary rating, though formally licensed venues consistently outperformed informal ones. Notably, routine oversight proved highly effective, as establishments inspected within the past year were significantly safer in storing ready-to-use equipment (OR = 6.53; 95% C.I. [3.07, 13.86]). However, health screenings exposed critical vulnerabilities, with 34.5% of tested food handlers testing positive for worm infections. Ultimately, the overall sanitary conditions were unsatisfactory, creating a high risk for food contamination. To mitigate these risks, integrated intervention is required from local health sectors, the municipality, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism. Immediate recommendations include enforcing strict legal licensing, establishing regular sanitary inspections, and implementing proper waste handling systems, and providing structured training for catering managers to ensure rigorous supervision of food handlers.
Abstract: Food safety is a critical determinant of public health, as contaminated food and infected animal products can trigger severe food borne infections. This cross-sectional survey, conducted from February to March 2025, assessed the sanitary conditions of public food and drinking establishments in Mettu town, southwest, Ethiopia. Utilizing pre-tested q...
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Research Article
Socio-demographic Profiles, Clinical Determinants, and Medication Adherence Patterns Among Hypertensive Adults at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study
Abdul Rauf Segun Ibraheem*,
Lateef Shola Mustapha,
Abitare Hope,
Chinyere Beatrice Nwosu,
Lawal Badru,
Zuliat Nihinlola Sanni,
Nusirat Tinuke Abdullateef
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
67-77
Received:
18 July 2026
Accepted:
28 July 2026
Published:
22 August 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.jfmhc.20261203.14
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Abstract: Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease globally, but its management is frequently hindered by suboptimal medication adherence, which leads to poorly controlled blood pressure. While poor adherence is a well-documented challenge, a critical research gap exists in North-Western Nigeria regarding how the region's unique socio-cultural factors, such as high levels of informal education and polygamous family structures, influence patients' medication adherence in general outpatient settings. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the socio-demographic profiles, clinical determinants, and medication adherence patterns among adult hypertensive patients attending a general outpatient clinic in a teaching hospital in North-Western Nigeria to provide context-specific epidemiological data for localized healthcare policies. Method: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 adult hypertensive patients at the General Outpatient Clinic of the Federal Teaching Hospital Birnin Kebbi. Participants on antihypertensive medications for at least six months were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire for socio-demographics, and the validated 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was utilized to evaluate adherence patterns. Additionally, blood pressure and Body Mass Index were measured and categorized. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with chi-square tests used to determine statistical associations (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The participants had a mean age of 50.16 ± 11.09 years, and the majority (62.3%) were female. Medication adherence was exceptionally poor; according to the MMAS-8 scale, 74% of participants had low adherence, 23% had medium adherence, and only 3% had high adherence. There were no statistically significant associations between medication adherence patterns and socio-demographic variables. However, there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between the duration of hypertension treatment and medication adherence (p = 0.012). Participants treated for less than one year showed better adherence, while low adherence was exceedingly high among those treated for 1-5 years or longer. Furthermore, a significant majority (67.8%) of participants had uncontrolled blood pressure, and nearly half (43.1%) were obese. Conclusion: Medication adherence among adult hypertensive patients in North-Western Nigeria is alarmingly low, which severely undermines treatment efficacy and cardiovascular outcomes. The significant decline in adherence observed with longer treatment durations suggests pervasive treatment fatigue. To mitigate this, healthcare providers must implement continuous, patient-centered educational interventions and holistic lifestyle management strategies tailored to patients undergoing long-term therapy.
Abstract: Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease globally, but its management is frequently hindered by suboptimal medication adherence, which leads to poorly controlled blood pressure. While poor adherence is a well-documented challenge, a critical research gap exists in North-Western Nigeria regarding how the region's unique ...
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