Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: Aug | Volume: 7 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 227-233
A Study to Assess the Knowledge on Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Collection, Preservation and Utilization among Nurses in the Selected Hospitals at Jalandhar, Punjab
Ujala Joshi1, Gopal Singh Charan2, Dr. Lalita Kumari3
1Assistant Professor, S.G.R.D. College of Nursing, Amritsar, Punjab
2Associate Professor, S.G.R.D. College of Nursing, Amritsar, Punjab
3Professor cum Principal, S.G.L. Nursing College, Jalandhar, Punjab
Corresponding Author: Gopal Singh Charan
ABSTRACT
A critical link that supports and nourishes the baby in the womb for 9 months is the umbilical cord and called the life line. After a baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, some blood remains in the blood vessels of the placenta and the portion of umbilical cord referred to as cord blood. It is the richest source of stem cells that have the potential to treat serious diseases. It is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve a biological resource that could be lifesaver for child or other family members. Umbilical cord stem cells are highly proliferative and are becoming common therapy for treating a number of diseases and disorders. Nurses are at the forefront of health care delivery and are therefore directly involved in all the processes of stem cell collection, use and also are in close contact with mothers during their pregnancy and delivery. So nurses can counsel them regarding the importance of stem cells. In present study pre-experimental one group pre test post test only design was selected. Convenience sampling technique was used to select 60 nurses working in maternity units. Structured knowledge questionnaire was used collect data on knowledge of umbilical cord stem cell collection, preservation and utilization. Result of study showed that more than half (53.3%) of nurses were in age group of 21-25 years and all (100%) of the nurses were females. Most of the nurses had done General Nursing Midwifery (91.7%). According to clinical experiences it was revealed that (31.7%) had more than 8 years experience in context of previous experiences; nurses (47.7%) had maternity ward and (40%) had labour ward and remain (18.3%) had operation theatre experience. Most of the nurses (61.7%) had mass media exposure from magazines and newspapers. The mean of the knowledge score of post test (23.60±5.016) is higher than pre test (13.68±6.358). There is mean difference of pre test and post test is 9.92. It means the knowledge score increased after structured teaching programme(STP). Here calculated t value (14.191)> tabulated t-value (2.00). H0 rejected as tcal 14.191 > ttab2.00 ∞ at 5% level of significance.
Key words:Umbilical cord, stem cell, cord blood, collection, preservation, utilization, knowledge, nurses.