Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Familial Factors In The Development Of Social Anxiety Disorder, Christine M. Olson

Articles

The purpose of the current article is to explore familial factors that influence the development of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in children and adolescents, including parenting, sibling relationships, and family environment. A multitude of interrelated genetic and familial factors have been found to cause and maintain SAD in children and adolescents. There are many challenges in diagnosing and treating the disorder. Knowledge and awareness of familial factors provide insight on targeted treatments that prevent or ameliorate SAD.

I Was Determined To Breastfeed, And I Always Found A Solution: Successful Experiences Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Chinese Mothers In Ireland, John Kearney, Qianling Zhou, Haoyue Chen, Katherine Younger, Tanya M. Cassidy

Articles

Background: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months was previously found to be very low among Chinese immigrants in Ireland, at 5.8% (Zhou et al., Front Public Health 6:351, 2018). This study investigates the successful experiences of Chinese mothers living in Ireland who exclusively breastfeed for between four and 6 months.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the sample of the Ireland Chinese Mother Survey. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with fourteen participants in their homes or public places.

Results: A content analysis revealed that various factors contributed to a successful experience of exclusive breastfeeding among the group …

Cost-Effectiveness Of A Mobile Health-Supported Lifestyle Intervention For Pregnant Women With An Elevated Body Mass Index, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Salwa Rokicki, Maria Kennelly, Kate Ainscough, Fionnuala M. Mcauliffe

Articles

Objective To assess the cost-effectiveness of a mobile health-supported lifestyle intervention compared with usual care.

Methods We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the publicly-funded health care system. We estimated costs associated with the intervention and health care utilisation from first antenatal care appointment through delivery. We used bootstrap methods to quantify the uncertainty around cost‐effectiveness estimates. Health outcomes assessed in this analysis were gestational weight gain (GWG; kg), incidence of excessive GWG, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incidence of large-for-gestational-age (LGA). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated as cost per QALY gained, cost per kg of GWG …

Comparing Alternative Breast Milk Feeding Questions To U.S. Breastfeeding Surveillance Questions, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Sheela R. Geraghty, Patricia Cassano, Kathleen M. Rasmussen

Articles

Background: Most mothers in the United States express their milk, which is then bottle fed to their infants. The National Immunization Survey (NIS), used to report national breastfeeding prevalence, asks about infant breast milk consumption, regardless of whether it is consumed at the mother's breast or from a bottle. The NIS data are often erroneously interpreted, however, to mean prevalence of at-the-breast feeding. We hypothesized that over half of infants classified as breastfed at 3, 6, and 12 months by the NIS questions would also be consuming expressed breast milk.

Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 456 …

The Maternal Health Behaviours Of Non-Irish Nationals During Pregnancy And The Effect Of Time Living In Ireland, R. Palmer, R. Layte, John Kearney

Articles

Objectives Maternal health behaviours (MHBs) can influence pregnancy outcomes. Despite efforts internationally to encourage positive MHBs, women often fail to comply with pregnancy guidelines. International studies show differences in MHBs between nationalities and an effect of time spent in the host country. There is limited Irish data in this area, with no previous research relating to the effect of time in Ireland.

Study design This study is a cross-sectional analysis of the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort, a nationally representative longitudinal study. Methods Examination of the MHBs of non-Irish nationals during pregnancy and the effect of time in Ireland …

Avoiding Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency May Lower Blood Glucose In Pregnancy, Méabh Walsh, Linnea Bärebring, Hanna Augustin

Articles

Background Vitamin D status is hypothesised to play a role in gestational glucose control. No studies to date have examined vitamin D in relation to changes in blood glucose in pregnancy. Thus, the aim was to examine if vitamin D in early pregnancy and vitamin D trajectory associate with blood glucose trajectory over pregnancy in a Swedish cohort. We also investigated the relation between maternal vitamin D status and excessive fetal growth.

Methods In 2013–2014, pregnant women were recruited to the GraviD cohort study when registering at the antenatal clinics in south-west Sweden. In the present analysis, 1928 women were …

Optimization Of Folic Acid Supplementation In The Prevention Of Neural Tube Defects, Shona Cawley, Daniel Mccartney, Jayne V. Woodside, Mary Rose Sweeney, Robert Mcdonnell, Anne M. Molloy, Michael J. Turner

Articles

Background We examined the relationship between timing and duration of folic acid (FA) supplementation in achieving red blood cell (RBC) folate levels in early pregnancy which are optimal (>906 nmol/l) for the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods Clinical, FA supplementation and dietary folate details were computerized at the first antenatal visit. Maternal blood samples were analysed for RBC and serum folate. Results Of the 502 women, 98.2% (n = 493) reported taking FA. There was a positive correlation between duration of supplementation and both RBC folate (r = 0.43, P < 0.001) and serum folate (rho = 0.29, P < 0.001). The optimal RBC folate level was achieved in 80.4% (n = 46) of women who started FA 400 μg 4–8 weeks before their LMP compared with only 53.6% (n = 153) in women who started 4–8 weeks after their LMP (P < 0.001). Conclusions This study provides, for the first …

Unpacking Action Research And Implementation Science: Implications For Nursing, Mary Casey, Denise O'Leary, David Coghlan

Articles

Aim

The aim of this study was to unpack the key concepts of action research and implementation science thereby enabling appropriate use of these methods in nursing.

Background

A key issue in action research is not so much the methodology employed to gather data/evidence but who decides the research agenda and who benefits from it. Implementation science is a way to ensure that evidence is translated into practice. The question arises as to how action research and implementation may be understood in relation to one another in nursing.

Design

Discussion Paper

Data sources

This discussion paper is based on our …

Copd Management And Role Of The Nurse Coach: Increasing Referrals And Participation In Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Carol Upcraft, C. Hoover, Joy Plamann, Jessica Oman

Articles

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a significant cause for hospitalization and with complex management issues upon discharge a significant portion are being re-admitted within 30-days of first hospitalization. The beneficial effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in the management of COPD is well documented but continues to be underutilized as an important management strategy to reduce hospital readmissions. Transitional care programs which include nurse coaches, have immerged to empower patients to manage their disease and facilitate transitions through multiple care environments. Little is known about the efficacy of such programs on referral and participation in PR and subsequent reductions in …

The Perceptions Of Key Stakeholders Of The Roles Of Specialist And Advanced Nursing And Midwifery Practitioners, Mary Casey, Laserina O'Connor, Emma Nicholson, Rita Smith, Denise O'Brien, Denise O'Leary, Gerard Fealy, Martin Mcnamara, Diarmuid Stokes, Claire Egan

Articles

Aim: To explore the perceptions of key stakeholders of the roles of specialist and advanced nursing and midwifery practitioners. Background: There is evidence that the contribution of these roles to patient care is poorly understood. Design: This research took place over 2 months in 2015 and is part of a larger study involving a rapid review to inform policy development on the specialist and advanced nursing and midwifery practice in Ireland. As an added value, a qualitative element involving thematic analysis was undertaken with key stakeholders. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted incorporating semistructured interviews …

Use Of A Web-Based Dietary Assessment Tool In Early Pregnancy, Laura Mullaney, Amy C. O'Higgins, Shona Cawley, R. Kennedy, Daniel Mccartney, M.J. Turner

Articles

Background Maternal diet is critical to fetal development and lifelong health outcomes. In this context, dietary quality indices in pregnancy should be explicitly underpinned by data correlating food intake patterns with nutrient intakes known to be important for gestation.

Aims Our aim was to assess the correlation between dietary quality scores derived from a novel online dietary assessment tool (DAT) and nutrient intake data derived from the previously validated Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire (WFFQ).

Methods 524 women completed the validated semiquantitive WFFQ and online DAT questionnaire in their first trimester. Spearman correlation and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to test associations …

Bacteria On Shared Mobile Phones Can Lead To Infections, Roberta Basol, Jean Beckel, Judy Gilsdorf-Gracie, Amy Hilleren-Listerud, Terri Mccaffrey, Sherri Reischl, Pamela Rickbeil, Mary Schimnich, Kirsten Skillings, Mary A. Struffert

Articles

It's now a common practice for hospital-owned mobile phones to be shared among healthcare employees from shift to shift. Despite the benefit of increased, timely communication between caregivers, sharing mobile devices can lead to the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) if they aren't properly disinfected. The Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities describe "non-critical environmental surfaces" as items that are frequently touched by the hand and may pose a risk of secondary infection transmission.

You Missed A Spot! Disinfecting Shared Mobile Phones, Roberta Basol, Jean Beckel, Judy Gildsdorf-Gracie, Amy Hilleren-Listerud, Terri Mccaffrey, Sherri Reischl, Pamela Rickbeil, Mary Schimnich, Kirsten Skillings, Mary A. Struffert

Articles

The use of portable mobile devices has facilitated timely communication among healthcare team members. It's now a common practice for hospital-owned mobile phones to be shared among healthcare employees from shift to shift. Despite the benefit of increased, timely communication between caregivers, sharing mobile devices can lead to the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This article looks at the efficacy of two types of cleaning products on shared mobile phones carried by RNs at a 489-bed, Magnet-designated, Midwestern regional medical center. The cleaning methods evaluated were 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and ethyl alcohol wipes.

Comparison Of Manual Versus Automated Data Collection Method For An Evidence-Based Nursing Practice Study, Matthew D. Byrne, T R. Jordan, Tamara Welle

Articles

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to investigate and improve the use of automated data collection procedures for nursing research and quality assurance.

METHODS:

A descriptive, correlational study analyzed 44 orthopedic surgical patients who were part of an evidence-based practice (EBP) project examining post-operative oxygen therapy at a Midwestern hospital. The automation work attempted to replicate a manually-collected data set from the EBP project.

RESULTS:

Automation was successful in replicating data collection for study data elements that were available in the clinical data repository. The automation procedures identified 32 "false negative" patients who met the inclusion criteria described in …

Recommended Actions For Improved Care Transitions: Mental Ilnesses And/Or Substance Use Disorders, Chris Walker, Paul Goering, Cathy Brouwer, Kathy Knight, Karen Lloyd, Terry W. Crowson, Michael A. Trangle, Paul Davis, Jennifer Mcnertney, Sue Abderholden, Nancy Houlton, Kathy Cummings, Joann Foreman

Articles

The transition period between care settings is the most vulnerable time for patients and their caregivers. The unique vulnerabilities for patients with mental illnesses such as depression, mania, anxiety, schizophrenia and/or substance use disorders* heighten the need for coordinated transitions and aftercare. In 2010, depression was the fourth diagnosis by volume for readmissions in Minnesota according to the Potentially Preventable Readmissions data collected by the Minnesota Hospital Association.

Information-Seeking Behaviour Of Nurses: Where Is Information Sought And What Processes Are Followed?, Denise O'Leary, Siobhan Ni Mhaolrunaigh

Articles

Aim This paper is a report of a study on how nurses inform their decision-making in the workplace

Background Despite the growing availability of research evidence, nurses have been slow to adopt it into their daily decision-making.

Method The study was undertaken in Ireland between 2006 and 2007 using a sequential mixed methods approach. In phase 1, the views of a quota sample of 29 nurses were explored using semi-structured interviews incorporating vignettes. Phase 2 involved the design and dissemination of a survey to a disproportionate stratified random sample of 1356 nurses. The response rate was 29%.

Findings In decision-making, …

Factors Associated With Weaning Practices In Term Infants: A Prospective Observational Study In Ireland., Roslyn Tarrant, Katherine Younger, Margaret Sheridan-Pereira, Martin White, John Kearney

Articles

The WHO (2001) recommends exclusive breast-feeding and delaying the introduction of solid foods to an infant’s diet until 6 months postpartum. However, in many countries, this recommendation is followed by few mothers, and earlier weaning onto solids is a commonly reported global practice. Therefore, this prospective, observational study aimed to assess compliance with the WHO recommendation and examine weaning practices, including the timing of weaning of infants, and to investigate the factors that predict weaning at #12 weeks. From an initial sample of 539 pregnant women recruited from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, 401 eligible mothers were …

The Prevalence And Determinants Of Breastfeeding Initiation And Duration In A Sample Of Women In Ireland, Roslyn Tarrant, Katherine Younger, Margaret Sheridan-Pereira, Martin White, John Kearney

Articles

Objective: To assess breast-feeding initiation and prevalence from birth to 6 months in a sample of mothers in Dublin, and to determine the factors associated with breast-feeding initiation and ‘any’ breast-feeding at 6 weeks in a sample of Irish-national mothers. Design: This prospective cross-sectional study involved the recruitment of women during the antenatal period, with subsequent follow-up of mothers who delivered healthy, term singleton infants, at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Setting: Participants were recruited from antenatal clinics in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin. Subjects: In all, 401 Irish-national and forty-nine non-Irish-national mothers met the criteria …

Structures And Practices Enabling Staff Nurses To Control Their Practice, Marlene Kramer, Claudia Schmalenberg, Patricia Maguire, Linda Chmielewski

Articles

This mixed-methods study uses interviews, participant observations, and the CWEQII empowerment tool to identify structures and attributes of structures that promote control over nursing practice (CNP). Nearly 3,000 staff nurses completed the Essentials of Magnetism (EOM), an instrument that measures CNP, one of the eight staff nurse-identified essential attributes of a productive work environment. Strategic sampling is used to identify 101 high CNP-scoring clinical units in 8 high-EOM scoring magnet hospitals. In addition to 446 staff nurses, managers, and physicians on these high-scoring units, chief nursing officers, chief operating officers, and representatives from other professional departments are interviewed; participant observations …

Session 1: Public Health Nutrition Breast-Feeding Practices In Ireland, Roslyn Tarrant, John Kearney

Articles

Breast-feeding is the superior infant feeding method from birth, with research consistently demonstrating its numerous short- and long-term health benefits for both mother and infant. As a global recommendation the WHO advises that mothers should exclusively breast-feed for the first 6-months of life, thus delaying the introduction of solids during this time. Historically, Irish breast-feeding initiation rates have remained strikingly low in comparison with international data and there has been little improvement in breast-feeding duration rates. There is wide geographical variation in terms of breast-feeding initiation both internationally and in Ireland. Some of these differences in breast-feeding rates may be …