Browsing by Author "Zenas, Joan, P."

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    Bridging training and practice gap: A mixed methods tracer study of bachelor of science in nursing graduates (2016–2020) at Kairuki University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    (Public Library of Science, 2025-10-03) Sariah, Adellah; Omari, Minael N.; Bugomola, Monica A.; Sungwa, Edson; Ndomondo, Mathew D.; Haruna, Tausi S.; Zenas, Joan, P.; Elizabeth Mika Z.; Mbao, Ezekiel H.; Semali, Innocent A.; Columba Mbekenga K.
    Background Tracer studies evaluate the effectiveness of university training by assessing how graduates perform in the job market. This study focused on Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates, aiming to describe their training experiences, application of acquired competencies, and overall stakeholder perceptions to inform BScN curriculum improvement. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data concurrently from 2016–2020 BScN graduates (February-May 2023). Graduates and other stakeholders (including educators, employers, and policymakers) in this study were selected from private, public, and faith-based hospitals and universities, colleges, and the Ministry of Health. Quantitative data were gathered via online structured questionnaires adapted and modified from the American International Health Alliance and the Technical Vocational Education and Training tools. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and focus groups with graduates, employers, educators, and policymakers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Integration occurred during interpretation to provide a comprehensive understanding of graduates’ experiences, competency application, and stakeholder perceptions of the BScN program. Results Among the 61 graduates who completed the online survey, 37 (60.7%) were female. Most (48; 78.7%) worked as nurses, while 6 (9.8%) were tutors and 3 (4.9%) worked as tutorial assistants. Demonstration was rated the most useful teaching and learning method by 52 (85.2%) respondents, and 47 (81%) rated practical exams as a useful assessment method. These were also supported by graduates and stakeholders who shared their perspectives with regard to the benefits and impact of the BScN program and training quality. Additionally, 54 graduates (94.7%) found the program very useful in preparing them for their professional roles, which aligned with their views on the connection between acquired competencies and job performance. Both graduates and educators highlighted challenges encountered during training and in professional practice. Policymakers and graduates also offered recommendations for improving the program. Additionally, 54 graduates (94.7%) found the program very useful in preparing them for their professional roles, which aligned with their views on the connection between acquired competencies and job performance. Both graduates and educators highlighted challenges encountered during training and in professional practice. Policymakers and graduates also offered recommendations for improving the program. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that the BScN program is widely regarded by graduates and stakeholders as effective in preparing students for professional practice, particularly through practical teaching methods such as demonstrations and practical exams. While the program’s impact on competency development and job performance was strongly affirmed, the study also revealed notable challenges during training and practice. These insights support the ongoing review and enhancement of the BScN curriculum.
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    Nursing practice on post-operative wound care in surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
    (Open Journal of Nursing, 2019) Mwakanyamale, Adela A.; Mukaja, Anna-Mary; Ndomondo, Mathew D.; Zenas, Joan, P.; Stephen, Ambroce M.; Mika, Elizabeth Z.
    Background: Postoperative wound healing has been a problem which causes high mortality in the developing world; postoperative wound has been reported to cause devastating consequences and a measurable mortality. There is a limited number of published studies in Tanzania investigating Nursing practice on post-operative wound care in surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. This study assesses nursing practice on postoperative wound care by nurses in surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study of surgical nurses was carried out through the use of randomly selected surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania from September 2011 to July 2013. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to obtain a suitable number of study participants. Data collection was done using a checklist from a convenient sample of 71 nurses in selected surgical wards. Results: The result indicates that a big number of the participants were female (76.5%) and those of the age group 25 to 34 years were 40.8%. Participants exceeding a half of the selected sample reported to have poor post-operative wound care practice (57.7%). In comparison, male participants scored higher, and had better practice than their female counterparts, however, there was no considerable difference in the scores (P = 0.803). During set-up and preparation phase, the washing of hands before starting and after the completion of procedure was taken into consideration by less than half of the participants (49.3%). All participants did not ensure the environment is clean and take into account the patient’s privacy through the use of screen or even closing the room. The report shows that nurses take into consideration putting on clean gloves during the removal of the old dressing (99%), the use of sterile gloves during wound dressing was taken into consideration by most of the nurses (63%). Good practice was noted in applying dressing solution as recommended (85%), dry sterile dressing was applied by (90%), arrangement and setting up of dressing forceps and other items that may be needed in order of their application using forceps (20%), usage of forceps to dip gauze into antiseptic solution (35%) and cleaning of the wound cleaning from least contaminated to most contaminated area was only adhered to by (34%). Post-operative counseling and giving to the patient not to temper with the wound was done by a representation of only 15% of nurses. All the nurses did not do the documentation of the changes observed on the wound nor did they report on the patients comfort and the date and time after the procedure wound changes, reported patient comfort, and recorded date or time after the procedure. Conclusion: Majority of the nurses in surgical wards do not follow the postoperative wound care checklist provided by MNH although they know its importance. Assessment of the wound and documentation continues to be a problem in the nursing profession in Tanzania. Nurses are reasonably knowledgeable about the principal of wound dressing; however, lack of knowledge on some of the key principles of wound dressing is worth noting. Almost half of the nurses do not wash hands before and after the procedures, they don’t use single gauze in one direction only, not cleaning from least contaminated to most contaminated area, which can lead to wound contamination.