Implementation Of A Doula-Supported Postpartum Wellness Toolkit In A Black Community-Based Maternal Wellness Program, Janice Luethje, Leslie Torres

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objective: The objective of this project was to expand the areas of focus within a maternal wellness program at a Black community center and to evaluate the satisfaction levels of the doulas who utilized the material during postpartum home visits. The toolkit covers a range of postpartum topics in the areas of nutrition, exercise, sexual health, mindfulness, and social support as well as a postpartum mental health screening tool.

Design: This quality improvement project included three distinct phases: The pre-implementation phase, the implementation phase, and the post-implementation phase.

Setting: The project location was a Black community center in Lincoln, Nebraska. …

Effects Of An Educational Evidence-Based Website To Improve Breast Health Knowledge And Self-Efficacy Of Breast Self-Examination: Interim Analysis, Mackenzie Koch, Jennifer Cera, Brooke Hancock, Elizabeth Graham

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose and Aims

Breast disease, whether benign or malignant, encompasses a wide array of diagnoses. Breast self- examination (BSE) is a simple screening assessment that improves early recognition and diagnosis. With changes in the 2021 ACOG practice guidelines from mandatory to optional provider-performed clinical breast examinations (CBE), it is imperative for patients to possess basic breast health knowledge and accurate BSE techniques. Current standard patient education is provided via brochures or pamphlets. An educational multimedia website was created using ACOG guidelines to impart knowledge and demonstrate proper BSE techniques. Aims were to evaluate changes in participant’s (1) breast health knowledge …

Evidenced-Based Strategies To Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Rates, Tuong Cat Vo Bsn-Rn, Nada Salloukh Bsn-Rn, Tatiana Elena Swanson Bsn-Rn, Xiao Mie Cindy Zhu Bsn-Rn, Laura Taylor Reed Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer affecting women worldwide (Staley et al., 2021). With cervical cancer being a preventable disease, an effective method of reducing healthcare costs and mortality is primary prevention, such as screenings. Financial burdens and barriers to accessing medical care may result due to the lack of proper cervical cancer screenings. Detecting cervical cancer includes screening women 21 to 65 years old with a Papanicolaou (PAP) test every three years. Women aged 30 to 65 years old can extend the screening of cervical cancer by having a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test along with …

Factors Associated With Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Exclusively Breastfeeding Palestinian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ramzi Shawahna, Mohammad A. Jaber, Hatim Hijaz, Loaa Haj-Yehia, Nashwa Nserat, Nour Bana, Iyad Maqboul

Palestinian Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal

This study identified the factors associated with adequate knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusively breastfeeding women who visit maternity healthcare clinics in Palestine. This study was conducted in a cross-sectional design. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. The women were recruited from different maternity care and primary healthcare clinics. In this study, 51 (51.0%) of the exclusively breastfeeding women reported that they did not receive counseling on breastfeeding from healthcare providers on the last visit to the maternity clinic before delivery, and 43 (43.0%) of the women reported that they did not receive counseling on breastfeeding from …

Effects Of Menopause On Coronary Artery Disease, Angelica Gonzales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Menopausal women, 40 to 60 years old, have an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) when they experience hormonal changes. Which then can lead to unwanted cardiac events. Within the literature review of this paper, it was found that there are factors of menopause that may further increase the risk of coronary artery disease in menopausal women. Such factors include whether a woman underwent surgical or natural menopause and the timing when menopause began. Additionally, within the review, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was explored to determine whether the possible intervention can decrease the progression and risk of developing …

Cervical Cancer Education & Prevention For Women In The Philippines, Kate Isabel Juanillo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Although cervical cancer is preventable, it continues to pose a significant health concern in the Philippines as evidenced by high cervical cancer diagnosis rates. The purpose of this quantitative study is to investigate low cervical cancer screening rates and the effectiveness of educational interventions in increasing awareness and screening rates. A literature review will examine topics such as low cervical cancer screening rates, cervical cancer screening methods, and barriers. This research proposal involves a quasi-experimental study that investigates education as an intervention for increasing cervical cancer awareness and cervical cancer screening rates. Fifty Filipino women will be randomly assigned to …

The Education Prescription: Exploring The Potential Of Patient Education To Reduce Mental Health Issues In Hormonal Contraceptive Users, Maria Abraham

Nursing | Senior Theses

The many birth control options available impact a woman’s life, as hormonal contraceptives are commonly used but often misunderstood. These contraceptives, which contain progestin only, or estrogen and progestin combined, can come in various forms such as pills, implants, IUDs, injections, the vaginal ring, and skin patches. They offer benefits such as reduced menstrual cramps and ectopic pregnancy risk. However, they may lead to adverse side effects which can include increased blood pressure, nausea, headaches, breakthrough bleeding, and a higher risk of blood clots, with research indicating a potential link between oral contraceptive use and a decline in the user’s …

Empowering Low-Income Women With Breast Cancer: Promoting Acupuncture At Community Health Fairs, Katrina Ramos

Nursing | Senior Theses

While research has explored the positive effects of acupuncture on cancer and cancer treatment symptoms, a notable gap exists in understanding its impact on lower-income populations. These individuals encounter barriers to accessing acupuncture, such as limited availability, cost, and provider knowledge. This longitudinal study aims to assess the impact of community health fairs, featuring acupuncture information for breast cancer and chemotherapy-induced symptoms, on the acceptance and utilization rates of acupuncture among low-income women with breast cancer. Collaborating with the Women’s Cancer Resource Center and a local non-profit integrative cancer care clinic in Oakland, we will conduct a three-day health fair …

Exploring The Influence Of Trauma-Informed Care On Pelvic Examinations For Women, Sarah Dodge, Madison Child, Madison Shirland, Chloe Smith, Claudia Fox, Grace Fernandez

Non-Thesis Student Work

Trauma-informed care (TIC) has become increasingly common in discussions regarding women’s health. TIC refers to a clinical approach that implements compassion, respect, and acknowledges the impact of trauma on patients. In the United States, pelvic exams are routinely performed on women over 21 for gynecological abnormalities. Many of these women present with histories of post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and other psychological comorbidities. These histories greatly influence women’s behaviors, including their likelihood to seek gynecological care in fear of being retraumatized. A literature search was conducted to determine the impact of TIC on the rates of women …

Age, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity And Quality Of Life In Turkish Pregnant Woman With And Without A Diagnosis Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparative Study, Yaren Nur Tayyar, Hatice Kahyaoglu Sut

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine and compare the age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and quality of life (QOL) of third-trimester Turkish pregnant women with and without a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A comparative study was conducted in the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital in Turkey, and it included 210 women (GDM women = 105 and non-GDM women = 105). Personal Information Form, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Short Form-Turkish (WHOQOL-Bref-TR) were used.

Results: The age and BMI of GDM women were higher …

Navigating Transitions: Cranialsacral Therapy, Occupational Therapy And Neuroregulation Strategies For Adjusting To A New Home, Carol J. Reshan

Journal of Transformative Touch

Report of working with a hyper-vigilant 9-year-old male with difficulty handling a transition to a new home. CST and sensory processing enhancement were utilized to help develop neuroregulation, enabling self-awareness, self-regulation, and personally directed life skills for maintaining a safe and alert state.

Improving Intimate Partner Violence Screening In A Women’S Health Practice Through Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Screening Tool, Jasmine Weber

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement intimate partner violence screening in an outpatient women’s health clinic with no prior screening process in place. Current recommendations are to screen all reproductive age women for intimate partner violence 6 . During a three-month period 170 patients out of 260 eligible patients were screened using the HARK screening tool, 7 of those patients screened positive and were offered referrals to social work. While universal IPV screening was not achieved, a screening rate of 64% is a remarkable improvement from an apparent absence of screening prior to project implementation.

Certified Midwives: An Exploration Of Their Impact On Maternal Health Outcomes – A Comprehensive Literature Review, Heather Hollister

Capstone Experience

Maternal health outcomes in the United States have been consistently worse than other high-income countries, with a disproportionate impact on women of color. Midwives have long played an important role in maternal health worldwide. The literature review examines the evidence for midwives as key contributors to improving maternal health outcomes. The paper reviews the existing literature on midwifery, including the impact on maternal health, labor and delivery outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Electronic searches were conducted through Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Medline and Embase. Articles were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria including that they must be a randomized study; participants …

Facility-Based Audit System With Integrated Community Engagement To Improve Maternal And Perinatal Health Outcomes In Rural Pakistan: Protocol For A Mixed Methods Implementation Study, Zahid Memon, Wardah Ahmed, Shah Muhammad, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Shanti Chohan, Arjumand Rizvi, Paul Barach, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Maternal and newborn mortality in Pakistan remains as a major public health challenge. Pakistan faces significant infrastructure challenges and inadequate access to quality health care, exacerbated by sociocultural factors. Facility-based audit systems coupled with community engagement are key elements in achieving improved health system performance. We describe an implementation approach adapted from the World Health Organization audit cycle in real-world settings, with a plan to scale-up through mixed methods evaluation plan.
Objective: This study aims to implement a locally acceptable and relevant audit system and evaluate its feasibility within the rural health system of Pakistan for scale-up.
Methods: The …

Barriers To Early Detection In Women Experiencing A Postpartum Hemorrhage: An Integrative Review, Katie Ragsdale

Master of Science in Nursing Final Projects

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this integrative review is to explore barriers to early detection in women experiencing postpartum hemorrhage.

Background: Women in the United States are more likely to die from childbirth complications than any other women living in other developed countries. Despite advances in maternity care, postpartum hemorrhage is the cause of nearly 70,000 maternal deaths every year, comparable to one woman dying of postpartum hemorrhage blood loss every eight minutes. Most maternal deaths are avoidable, as the solutions to prevent and manage these deadly complications are well known. Risk factors, assessment tools, causes, interventions, and outcomes are …

An Educational Program To Improve African American Women’S Knowledge And Self Efficiency In Seeking Treatment For Endometrial Cancer, Lauren Elise Rosenthall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, there is a significant difference in the survival rate for endometrial cancer for African American women when compared to women of other ethnic groups, specifically White women. There is supporting evidence that supports that morbidity and mortality rates for endometrial cancer increase if diagnosed in later stages. There are many contributing factors to a patient receiving an early diagnosis of a disease. One of the key determinants to early diagnosis of endometrial cancer is understanding risk factors, and what symptoms require further evaluation. An educational program was developed to identify knowledge deficits in the African American …

The Reversal Of Roe Vs. Wade And Its Effect On Contraception Access In The U.S., Jessica Dupler, Abby Enck

Non-Thesis Student Work

Over the past year, there has been a shift in the United States healthcare system following the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade. This shift has caused a burden to fall on contraceptive use across states that either prohibited abortion or permitted it. This information poses the following question: In women of reproductive age living in the U.S., has the reversal of Roe v. Wade impacted birth control access in U.S. states with limited abortion rights compared to U.S. states that do not limit abortions over the past year? A literature search was conducted on CINAHL, PubMed, and Google …

Nurse-Led Education For Postpartum Depression In Primiparous Asian-American Mothers, Colleen Peralta

Nursing | Student Research Posters

The postpartum period is a critical point when women remain a vulnerable in the hospital setting. This stems from various physical, emotional and psychological changes that women face after childbirth, when patient support and attention is vital. For instance, the postpartum stage poses risk to women for complications, such as postpartum depression (PPD). When left untreated and misdiagnosed, PPD can lead to adverse maternal outcomes, such as: problems with mother-infant bonding, difficulty breastfeeding, and an increased risk for suicide (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Asian-American mothers with postpartum depression face unique challenges, including the stigma surrounding mental health, which remains prevalent within …

Nutrition-Related Experiences Of Women With Perinatal Depression During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Dahlia Stott, Cynthia Klobodu, Lisa A. Chiarello, Bobbie Posmontier, Mona Egohail, Pamela A. Geller, June Andrews Horowitz, Brandy-Joe Milliron

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Women with perinatal depression are at a high risk for unhealthy dietary behaviors but whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated this risk is unknown. Here we report the findings of a qualitative study exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition-related experiences of women with perinatal depression. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women with a history of perinatal depression and 10 healthcare providers. A semistructured format elicited how food and nutrition-related behaviors of women with perinatal depression were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis identified 4 themes related to …

Mental Health Problems Among Elementary School Students Mandated To E-Learning: A Covid-19 Rapid Review Caveat, Renée M. D'Amore, Angelina N. Halpern, Lauren R. Reed, Kevin M. Gorey

International Journal of School Social Work

Extended lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic mandated millions of students worldwide to e-learning and by default made many of their parents proxy homeschool teachers. Preliminary anecdotal, journalistic and qualitative evidence suggested that elementary school children and their parents were probably most vulnerable to this stressor and most likely to experience mental health problems because of it. We responded with a rapid review of 15 online surveys to estimate the magnitude of such risks and their predictors between 2020 and 2021. The pooled relative risk of mental health problems among school children and their parents was substantial (RR = 1.97). Moreover, …

Intimate Partner Violence Screening In The Emergency Department, Rebecca Stuerman

Dissertations

Problem: Intimate partner violence [IPV] is a public health concern that affects one in three women worldwide. IPV can be addressed through identification and early intervention with minimal risk to the patient. The emergency department is an important setting for screening given the frequency with which people who experience abuse may present with IPV-related injuries and other related concerns (depression, suicidality, etc.). Successfully implementing a validated tool for screening and providing early access to resources and referrals may help to mitigate the longterm negative impacts of IPV. The need for increased staff education was a major barrier to screening for …

Encouraging Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake: A Healthcare Improvement Project, Lauren E. Woll

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Human papillomaviruses are the causative agents of >95% of cervical cancers, most oropharyngeal and anogenital cancers, yet the vaccination status of the population remains critically low despite Gardasil9 offering robust protection against HPV-related disease.

Methods: This quality improvement project utilized a descriptive, observational design to assess the effect of the HPV Encouragement Bundle, a two-step intervention to improve HPV vaccine uptake. Quantitative data was collected via retrospective chart review to assess the effect of the intervention on first-dose administration of Gardasil9 (series initiation), as well as overall Gardasil9 vaccine uptake.

Results: Following implementation, Gardasil9 first dose uptake increased …

Improving Access To Community Resources For Mothers In Southern New Jersey, Ariana Blake, Josalynn Maree, Nayarith Lopez, Vanessa Pizutelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Maternal mortality rates have skyrocketed across the nation. New Jersey specifically has one of the highest rates across all 50 states. According to the New Jersey Maternal Health Report, southern New Jersey has the highest maternal mortality ratio, with 91% of the maternal deaths throughout New Jersey between 2016-2018 being preventable. It is crucial that families are receiving support during pregnancy and postpartum from the health care system and their community in order to reduce this trend. Acenda Integrated Health’s Connecting NJ aims to provide community support by connecting expectant mothers and families with children under the age of 3 …

Infertility: An Evaluation Of Treatment Modalities And Ethical Considerations, Elise Ferenczy

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis reviews a variety of options for treatment of infertility, along with ethical considerations for each. The basis for ethical concerns will be primarily a biblical worldview, as the goal is to support Christian couples in decisions regarding infertility treatment. The biblical worldview is outlined to provide readers with an understanding of its core principles, and the Bible is used as the primary source for ethical discussion. The most common etiologies of infertility are outlined, followed by treatment modalities grouped by category. While some modalities present very few ethical concerns, others require careful consideration in many regards. Many of …

Addressing Adolescent Sexual Health Through An Educational Toolkit For Providers In Rural Alaska, Anna M. Martin, Tracy L. Brewer, Hannah E. Warren

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Introduction. Adequately addressing an adolescent’s sexual health is essential during the child’s development yet, 33% of adolescents have health visits with no mention of sexual health. On average, primary care providers spend approximately thirty-six seconds discussing sexual health topics with adolescents despite recommendations for comprehensive education. Alaska Native youth face significant disparities regarding sexual and reproductive health care. Implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive educational toolkit regarding various sexual health topics for rural healthcare providers in Alaska revealed positive outcomes in discussing sexual health with an adolescent.

Methods. Larrabee's Model for Evidence-based Practice Change guided the development, implementation, and …

Sexual Education In Adolescence: Contraception Education For Adolescents Leads To Improved Sexual Practices, Marie Poellinger, Erica Jade Fong

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Adolescents of low socioeconomic status from 13-18 years of age face many challenges when it comes to maintaining safe sexual health practices, leading to unwanted pregnancies and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (STI’s). Challenges include:

• economic barriers → limited access to health care or lack of health insurance

• lack of proper sex education and therefore limited knowledge around contraceptive

Addressing these challenges is crucial for better sexual health outcomes. The nurse’s role is essential in providing education about contraceptive options, access to local resources, and guidance pertaining to safe sexual health practices (Dixon, 2014)

Maternal Postnatal Depressive Symptoms And Its Effects On Infant Bonding, Tammy Nguyen

Nursing | Student Research Posters

The objective of this thesis is to gain insight on precipitating factors that increase postpartum mother’s depressive symptoms, including stress and anxiety, and how attachment is influenced. Maternal-infant bonding is defined as the emotional relationship and interaction between mother and infant. Postnatal depressive symptoms typically are under-diagnosed due to a lack of education and the stigma of believing that the effects are “normal” consequences of motherhood. Those affected may not seek professional help. Unrealistic expectations about bonding with their infants can have a negative mental health impact on mothers and influence infants’ behaviors. High expectations of needing to be a …

Postpartum Education On Maternal Morbidity And Mortality, Ashley Veasley

MSN Capstone Projects

Postpartum education, or lack thereof, is the most overlooked cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The lack of thorough postpartum education with patient understanding is often the reason warning signs are overlooked as normal and seeking care is delayed, or not pursued at all. This narrative review aims to find research to enhance awareness of maternal morbidity/mortality and improve patient outcomes through education, including ways to intervene beforehand. The literature review began in August 2021, suitable peer-reviewed studies were retrieved from CINAHL, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. Evidence from the reviewed studies found supporting evidence indicating insufficient postpartum education related to …

Acupressure Modality Effectiveness: Research Results For Pain And Anxiety, Deanna Waggy Otr, Carroll Noel Mozer Otr/L, Marilyn Zurwaski Otr/L

Journal of Transformative Touch

According to recent studies, including Monson et all, JACM, 2019, there is growing evidence for the effective and safe use of acupressure as a non-pharmacological approach to reducing pain and anxiety. Acupressure can quiet the mind, promoting a sense of well-being by decreasing anxiety.

A collaborative retrospective analysis of self-rated pain and anxiety scores before and immediately after administration of a stress release protocol indicate that acupressure is a highly satisfactory complementary therapy. Results were clinically significant for a decrease in self-rated pain and anxiety scores.

Occupational therapy practitioners as well as those who use the Kawa model of reference …

Poster Presentation: Acupressure Modality Effectiveness: Research Results For Pain And Anxiety Poster, Deanna Waggy Otr, Carroll Noel Mozer Otr/L, Marilyn Zurwaski Otr/L

Journal of Transformative Touch

According to recent studies, including Monson et all, JACM, 2019, there is growing evidence for the effective and safe use of acupressure as a non-pharmacological approach to reducing pain and anxiety. Acupressure can quiet the mind, promoting a sense of well-being by decreasing anxiety.

A collaborative retrospective analysis of self-rated pain and anxiety scores before and immediately after administration of a stress release protocol indicate that acupressure is a highly satisfactory complementary therapy. Results were clinically significant for a decrease in self-rated pain and anxiety scores.

Occupational therapy practitioners as well as those who use the Kawa model of reference …