Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Determinants of Academic Performance in Nursing (Published)
Nursing education is a rigorous and demanding pursuit, requiring a comprehensive understanding of medical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and effective clinical practice. The success of nursing students in academic and clinical settings is influenced by a myriad of factors that encompass both cognitive and non-cognitive determinants. This paper examines the key cognitive determinants, which include critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, clinical reasoning, and memory skills. These cognitive factors provide the foundational framework for grasping intricate medical concepts and making informed decisions in real-world healthcare scenarios. Furthermore, this paper delves into the non-cognitive determinants that significantly impact academic performance in nursing education. Factors such as motivation, emotional intelligence, resilience, and interpersonal skills play a pivotal role in shaping a nursing student’s approach to learning, coping with challenges, and delivering patient-centered care. The importance of cultural competence, adaptability, and teamwork is also explored, as they contribute to effective collaboration in the dynamic healthcare environment. Recognizing the intricate relationship between cognitive and non-cognitive determinants is imperative for nursing education programs. By fostering a nurturing learning environment, offering mentorship and support services, and integrating experiential learning opportunities, nursing institutions can equip their students with the tools needed to excel academically and become well-rounded, compassionate, and skilled nurses. This paper underscores the significance of addressing both cognitive and non-cognitive factors to ensure the holistic development of nursing students and their future contributions to healthcare.
Keywords: : Academic Performance, Cognitive, Determinants, non-cognitive
PERCEPTION OF THE DETERMINANTS OF MATERNAL MORTALITY IN CALABAR SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA (Published)
Objective: To identify perceived determinants of maternal mortality in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. Study design: A cross-sectional study design was used to identify perceived determinants of maternal mortality in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. About 360 respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique and a structured questionnaire was used to generate data from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 16.0 and chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 0.01 level of significance. Results: The results showed that maternal death were known to occur at home (24.7%), health facilities (24.4%), Traditional Birth Attendant homes (12.5%), churches (0.3%) and 7.5% in prayer houses. About 45% of maternal deaths were believed to occur outside the health facilities. Bleeding (39.2%), prolonged obstructed labour (17.2%), eclampsia (4.2%), abortions (3.3%), infections (1.7%), anaemia (1.9%) and malaria (0.8%) were perceived causes of maternal deaths. Delays in taking actions when danger signs occurred (24.7%), delivery of high risks pregnant women outside the health facility (28.2%), non-utilisation of Antenatal services (19.7%) and non-chalant attitude of health workers towards pregnant women (19.6%) were reported to perpetuate maternal deaths. This study also showed that educational status (P<0.01), socio-economic status (P<0.01) of pregnant women and socio-cultural practices influence maternal outcomes. Conclusion: Improving obstetric services in health facilities would facilitate optimal use of ANC and delivery services among pregnant women.
Keywords: Calabar South LGA, Determinants, Pregnant Women, maternal deaths