Introduction: Phototherapy is the primary treatment for neonatal jaundice and is evaluated via total serum bilirubin (TSB) level. Hanging white material around phototherapy unit can multiply energy delivery by many folds. This study is to evaluate the effect of hanging white bedsheet around phototherapy unit on the reduction of TSB level. Methods: Comparative interventional study was conducted in two public hospitals. 200 eligible neonates with hyperbiliru- binemia were recruited and assigned to intervention (n=100) and control group (n=100). Neonates assigned into intervention group were nursed under phototherapy with the addition of white bedsheet hanging around the unit while the control group were nursed under phototherapy with non-white curtains. Results: Mothers’ blood group (x = 3.75, p = .29), neonates’ blood group (x = 2.87, p = .41), birth weight (t = 1.41, p = .16), baseline total serum bilirubin (TSB) level (p = .08), baseline irradiance of phototherapy prior to the hanging of curtains (p = .13) and hours of phototherapy (p = .53). The mean for TSB level in intervention and control group at 24 hours was 235.82µmol/L and 208.67µmol/L respectively. The mean difference in TSB level between intervention and control group was sta- tistically significant at 24 hours (x = 27.15, t = 4.56, p < .001) and 48 hours (x = 19.27, t = 2.32, p = .02) after initi- ation of phototherapy. Conclusion: The baseline and demographic characteristics of the neonates and mothers were comparable between the intervention and control group. The TSB level at 24 hours and 48 hours were significantly lower in control group if compared to the intervention group. Therefore, hanging white bedsheet did not significantly hasten the reduction of TSB level when compared to ordinary non-white curtains.
This paper examines the experiences of mothers caring for a child with Down syndrome in the Malaysian (Sarawak) context. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 biological mothers of children with Down syndrome aged 18 years and below. They were accessed through selected child health clinics, community-based rehabilitation centres and schools using purposive sampling within two regions in Sarawak, one of the two Borneo States of Malaysia. Major themes emerging within the context of care demands were children's health, developmental delays, daily needs and behaviour issues. The insights obtained into the care demands experienced by mothers of children with Down syndrome have several implications for practice by care professionals.
The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing nursing students' intention to use a simulated web-application 'Integrated Nursing Education System' for practicing electronic health documentation. The cross-sectional study was conducted at a Malaysian University that provides undergraduate nursing degree program. A total of 133 undergraduate nursing students in their year 2 to year 4 of the program were recruited. They had accessed the simulated web-application as part of the teaching-learning activities during the academic year 2016/2017. Technology Acceptance Model was used to guide the study. Validated questionnaires were used to measure the students' perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitudes and intention to use the application. Data collection was done at the end of the semester. Data analysis was done using SPSS (19.0) and AMOS (23.0). Perceived usefulness was the most influential factor of the students' intention to use the simulated web-application. Perceived ease of use influenced their perceived usefulness significantly. Nurse educators should explain the usefulness of the simulated web-application before assigning students to access it to practice electronic health documentation. The availability of a stable internet access and IT support is important to influence students' perceived ease of use and intention to use the application.