Predictors of Quality of Life Among Patients with Diabetes-Related Lower Extremity Amputation in Selected Hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
Diabetes-related lower extremity amputation remains one of the most devastating outcomes of diabetic foot disease, often leaving patients to grapple with pain, loss of mobility, emotional distress, altered family roles, and economic strain. In Nigeria, evidence on how patients actually live through this experience and how it shapes their quality of life is still limited. This study therefore assessed quality of life of patients with diabetes-related lower extremity amputation in selected hospitals in Lagos State, with attention to coping strategies and perceived social support. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. Data were obtained from 65 patients using the WHOQOL-BREF, Brief COPE Inventory, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that participants had an overall poor quality of life, with low scores across the physical (14.86±6.53), psychological (11.99±5.01), social relationship (5.63±3.39), environmental (16.24±7.81), and general health (4.10±0.88) domains. The most commonly used coping strategies were problem-focused coping, especially active coping and planning, alongside emotion-focused coping through religion. Perceived social support was high overall (6.03±1.49), with support from significant others rated highest. Regression analysis showed that coping strategies significantly predicted quality of life (R=.478, R²=.228, F=18.171, p<.001), while perceived social support had an even stronger influence (R=.684, R²=.468, F=11.983, p<.001). The study concludes that care for these patients must move beyond surgery alone. It recommends routine psychological assessment and counselling, stronger rehabilitation services, family-centred education, and social reintegration support to improve recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Keywords: Diabetes, Experiences, Quality of life, amputation, coping mechanisms
Perception and Experience of Pregnant Women Toward Midwife-Led Perinatal Care in Abua-Odual Health Facilities, Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
Globally, the obstetrician-led and the midwife care are the two skilled science-based maternity care models available for pregnant women. Midwife-led care is maternal and children healthcare approach in which the midwife takes the lead role in planning, organizing, and providing perinatal care to pregnant women. This study examined pregnant women’s perception and experience toward midwife-led perinated care in health facilities in Abua-Odual, Rivers State, Nigeria. This study adopted the interpretive phenomenology design. The study was conducted at Five (5) health facilities in Abua-Odual. A convenience sample of 30 percent women completed the study. In-depth interview were done using a non-structured interview guide. Collected data were analyzed using the Hsieh and Shannon s 5-step systematic content analysis technique. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of Port Harcourt Institutional Review Board. The six themes that emerged under perception were: affordability of midwifery services, personalized midwife-client relationship, empowerment of women to make decision, improved continuum of care, improved women-centered care, and improved satisfaction of care. The respondents reported positive experiences and showed a willingness to receive midwifery-led perinatal care. The study revealed that women were satisfied with the financial cost of midwifery services, appreciated the midwifes expertise in providing maternity care, acknowledge the personalized relationship with the midwife, and shared that they were empowered to make decision about their health and wellbeing. This study recommends more research in this subject matter to enhance the delivery of women-friendly maternity care.
Keywords: Experiences, Perception, midwife-led care, phenomenology, pregnancy
Lived experiences of mothers of with premature babies in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a selected hospital, in United Arab Emirates: A Qualitative Content Analysis (Published)
Background: A mother’s expectation and excitement of having a healthy newborn is cut short when a baby is born premature. She is faced with the fear and anxiety of losing her baby or overwhelming thoughts of her baby suffering inconceivable distress in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Aim: This study explored the lived experience of mothers who had a premature baby admitted to NICU. Methods: A qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was used for the study. It was conducted from October to January 2019 among eleven women whose premature babies were admitted in the NICU at a hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Purposive sampling was used to choose the participants which continued until data saturation was reached. Data was collected using in-depth, semi structured face- to- face recorded interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Results: Three themes were generated from the analysis. Mother’s expression of thoughts and emotions while their babies in NICU; Families experienced emotion while their premature babies were in the NICU and Mothers perception of care and support from health care professionals. Conclusion: Mothers and family members were anxious about the survival of their premature babies admitted to NICU. They exhibited emotions such as anxiety, anger and sadness. During the recovering process, mothers relied on family support, faith and hope to help get through the ordeal. Satisfaction of nurses providing competent care and provision of psychological support to the mothers helped them to cope.
Keywords: Experiences, Mothers, Neonatal Intensive care unit, Preterm babies