Digital Commons Network^™

Labour And Birth Information Needs Of First Time Mothers In Malawi And Satisfaction With Information Received, Address M. Malata

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Giving labour and birth information to first time mothers is one of the challenges facing the midwives in Malawi. There are many underlying health and soeioeconomic problems facing the people of Malawi particularly mothers in the child bearing age because of inadequate human and material resources in the health sector. This thesis presents findings of a study carried out in Malawi to explore labour and birth information given to first time mothers at hospitals and in the communities. Maternal satisfaction with the information received was determined. In addition labour and birth information needs of first time mothers in Malawi were …

Home Hospice Cancer Care: Family Members' Expectations, Perceptions And Satisfaction With Care, Kristina Medigovich

Theses : Honours

Increasingly, there is greater expectation by the public, as health consumers, that they will receive care from health professionals which meets their expectations and does not leave them dissatisfied. The stress experienced by families caring for a family member with advanced cancer may be complicated when they are dissatisfied with care received from health care professionals. To further promote family satisfaction it is important therefore for health professionals to understand the theoretical underpinning of family satisfaction with care. One theoretical explanation of family member satisfaction with advanced cancer care in the palliative care setting, Porter's Discrepancy Theory, was investigated in …

The Effect Of Cancer Diagnosis Information On The Anxiety Of Patients With An Initial Diagnosis Of First Cancer, Kim S. Allen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of differing educational programs on state anxiety of patients with an initial diagnosis of first cancer. The Neuman Systems Model was used as the conceptual framework. The convenience sample included 40 patients in an outpatient chemotherapy clinic. The control group (n=21) received the standard cancer education, the experimental group (n=19) received additional cancer diagnosis information. The dependent variable, state anxiety, was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Two-way ANCOVA demonstrated that, after controlling for pre-test trait and state anxiety, the experimental group who received additional cancer diagnosis information had …

Reanalysis Of Tendon Data: Availability Of Dilated Eye Exams By Optometrists, Patrice Conrad

Masters Theses

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among adults. Dilated funduscopic eye exams are necessary to screen for this complication of diabetes. It is often asymptomatic in the earliest stages when it is the most treatable. Nurses often need to refer people with diabetes for these screens.

Data were collected by TENDON through a survey of optometrists and were reexamined. The TENDON region includes ten counties in Western and Central Michigan. The original survey was sent to optometrists in the ten counties to gather information to print a survey used by nurses and others making referrals for screening. …

A Comparison Of Postpartum Clients' And Nurses' Perceptions Of Priority Information Needs For Early Discharge, Karen E. Lincoln

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare the perceptions of postpartum clients and nurses as to priority information needs for early discharge. King's Theory of Goal Attainment provided the conceptual model. A convenience sample of 33 nurses and 62 clients was used for the study. A 50-item instrument by Degenhart-Leskosky (1989) was used to compare perceived maternal and infant needs.

Though the analysis of data suggested there were no significant differences between the clients' and nurses' perceptions, there were discrepancies in 14 of 50 topics, and in some mean rankings. Infant feeding appeared as top priority for both …

Perceived Sources And Level Of Stress Experienced By Student Nurses In Associate And Baccalaureate Degree Programs, Lori J. Kane

Masters Theses

This study examined possible differences in levels of stress and perceived sources of stress in student nurses attending associate degree programs and baccalaureate degree programs. A combination of Lazarus' theory of cognitive appraisal with Roy's Adaptation Model provided the conceptual framework. One hundred and sixteen students from a public university, two private Christian colleges and two community colleges participated in the study. The Student Stress and Coping Inventory (SSCI) questionnaire was used to measure stressful situations and/or experiences from students beginning the second semester of their first year in the nursing program. Reliability of the questionnaire was established at 0.91. …

Cancer Health Beliefs And Knowledge In Relationship To Korean American Cigarette Smoking Status, Melissa Sue George

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe health beliefs and knowledge in relationship to Korean American cigarette smoking status. The data for this study came from the Asian American Cancer Control Study conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Asian American Cancer Control Survey examined the cigarette smoking status, demographic variables, cancer knowledge and beliefs, and alcohol use of 263 Korean Americans. The health belief model was the conceptual framework for the study. Chi square analysis indicated a statistically significant relationship between cigarette smoking status and gender, education, spoken English proficiency, years of residency in the United …

Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Intradermal Injection Of Lidocaine, Iontophoretic Delivery Of Lidocaine, And Topical Emla Cream As Local Anesthetics For Venipuncture, Carol Straight

Masters Theses

The study was undertaken to establish whether the administration of a local anesthetic, lidocaine, significantly reduces the pain of venipuncture in adults, to establish the degree of tolerability and effectiveness of each of three delivery methods for lidocaine, and to identify recipient's preferences among the three pain-relieving measures. In this study, lidocaine was administered using three different delivery techniques: (1) intradermal injection of lidocaine, (2) iontophoresis of lidocaine, and (3) topical application of lidocaine/prilocaine cream, prior to undergoing venipuncture. Participants were asked to measure the level of pain experienced with each method of local anesthesia as well as the level …

A Description Of The Health Beliefs And Skin Cancer Prevention Practices Of Michigan Farmers, Denise Ann Coats

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the skin cancer knowledge, health beliefs, prevention practices and cues to action o f a sample of Michigan farmers. A sample o f 106 randomly selected male farmers responded to a mailed questionnaire comprised of 40 items measuring variables of the Health Belief Model and demographic information.

The farmers spent an average of 4.05 hours in the sun each day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and an average o f 45.13 years living and/or working on a farm. They were quite knowledgeable about skin cancer (M = 77% correct), but most …

Importance And Fulfillment Of Family Needs In The Icu, Linda L. Baker

Masters Theses

The family is a major source of support for the intensive care patient. To provide optimal support to the patient the family’s needs must be met. A convenience sample of thirty family members of intensive care patients were interviewed. The continuing importance of primary needs established in previous studies was demonstrated. None of the needs were universally perceived as being fulfilled. The nurse was most often cited as the best person to meet needs. Many respondents couldn’t choose a single best person emphasizing the need for a multi disciplinary approach to meeting needs. Seven additional needs were identified (a) to …

Humor And Its Relationship To Cohesion Of Work Group Members In The Acute Care Setting, Marla J. Niedzwiecki

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the relationship between the use of humor and cohesion of work groups. It was hypothesized that individuals with a high value and use of humor to cope would have a tendency to use humor with others. Additionally, groups with more members who value and use humor to cope would exhibit more group cohesion than groups consisting of members with minimal or no humor use. A descriptive correlational design was used. A convenience sample of hospital based staff nurses was studied. The participants completed three surveys measuring individuals’ use of humor to …

Health Beliefs And Adherence To Cardiac Exercise Following A Cardiac Event, Vince Worthington

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to examine the relationship between health beliefs and adherence to cardiac exercise at eighteen to twenty four months post cardiac event. Ninety subjects participated in a study by Foster (1995) and McGinn (1995), examining the relationship of health beliefs and adherence to cardiac exercise six to eight weeks post cardiac event. This study contacted the same sample at eighteen to twenty four months post cardiac event. Thirty five subjects responded to a mailed questionnaire measuring perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, adherence to exercise, and demographic information.

Descriptive analysis of the data was conducted …

The Relationship Between Organizational Climate In The Hospital And Rn Satisfaction, Dawn R. Shoemaker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of organizational climate in the hospital and RN satisfaction. This study examines the hospital work climate and how it affects the level of quality of care, cost-efficiency, and job satisfaction. A meta-analysis (Irvine & Evans, 1995) with Maslowian underpinnings as the basis of the conceptual framework of job satisfaction and organizational climate was used in this study. A secondary analysis was preformed on previously obtained data from a large scale database (n=330 registered nurses). This descriptive correlational study utilized two main instruments, both of which were modified for this study; …

Immune Responses To Final Exams In Healthy And Asthmatic Adolescents, Duck-Hee Kang, Christopher L. Coe, Donna O. Mccarthy, William B. Ershler

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Immune responses to an academic stressor were examined in healthy and asthmatic adolescents with regard to their illness symptom reports. Eighty-seven high school students completed a health diary for 2 weeks and provided three blood samples during midsemester, final-exam, and postexam periods. During exam week, all students showed significant immunological alterations from baseline: Natural killer cell activity was significantly lower, whereas lymphocyte proliferation and neutrophil superoxide release were significantly higher. These immune changes tended to return toward baseline during the postexam period, but the enhanced neutrophil reactivity continued to rise. Overall, immunological responses were similar between asthmatic subjects and controls. …

Young Adult Women's Responses To Undergoing Treatment For Early Breast Cancer, Donna Abrashoff Schutte Dnsc

Dissertations

In the nearly two decades of cancer research in the United States, there has been little emphasis on the experiences of young adult women with breast cancer. I therefore adopted a qualitative multicase study method to explore the experiences of five young adult women from the time of discovery of a breast mass through the first three months of recovery from mastectomy. Utilizing data collected via semi-structured interviews, this study sought to describe their concerns, the way in which their concerns changed over time, and the influence of contextual factors. Three themes were identified. These included: "I'm going to die!" …

Helper Woman: A Biography Of Elinor Delight Gregg, Jacqueline S. Pflaum Dnsc, Mph, Ms

Dissertations

The intent of this investigation was to conduct an extensive study of the life and character of Elinor Gregg (1886-1970) in order to identify the contributions she made to professional nursing and to humanity. Nurse, educator, administrator, beloved relative, and friend, Elinor Gregg was an outstanding person whom nurses today might well emulate. Historical method provided the context for the study. Data were collected from the National Archives; National Library of Medicine Historical Section; Nursing Archives at Mugar Library, Boston University; Nursing Archives at Simmons College; National Headquarters of the American Red Cross; Archives of Colorado College; and Archives of …

Basics Of Research (Part 8): Unique Aspects Of Nursing Research, Cheryl Thompson, Cheryl J. Erler

Journal Articles: College of Nursing

No abstract provided.

Nurses Alumni Association Bulletin, Fall 1996, Betty Piersol, Elizabeth K. Prisnock, Marian E. Smith, Margaret Summers, Deborah Fireman, Nicole Herndon

Nursing Alumni Bulletins

1996-1997 Meeting Dates Calendar

1997 Annual Luncheon-Meeting Notice Inside

Officers and Committee Chairs

Bulletin Publication Committee

1996-1997 Meeting Dates Calendar

The President's Message

Treasurer's Report

News About Our Graduates

Letter To Jefferson Nurses

Fiftieth Anniversary

Resume' of Minutes of Alumni Association Meetings

Alumni Office News

Nursing Up-Date 1995-1996

Scholarship Funds At Work

Diploma School of Nursing Alumni Association-Mabel C. Prevost Scholarship Report 1995

Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation

Operation Support Freedom - Humanitarian Aid to Kiev

The Best Mousetrap - Computers In Nursing

Christmas, As A Prisoner Of War

Restroom Policy

Happy Birthday

Committee Reports

• Bulletin
• Development …

Health Promotion Practices Of Nurse Practitioners Practicing In The State Of Mississippi, Valerie O'Briant Sullivan

MSN Research Projects

Health promotion has become a major factor in the practice of modern medicine for reasons such as cost effectiveness, disease prevention, and health promotion. Nurse practitioners are on the forefront in educating the public about health promotion practices. The purpose of this study was to describe the health promotion practices of nurse practitioners who practice in the state of Mississippi. Pender's (1992) Health Promotion Model which uses wellness orientation guided the research. The study addressed the question: What are the health promotion practices of nurse practitioners who practice in the state of Mississippi? The sample was comprised of all nurse …

A Descriptive Study Of Family Relationships, Race And Ethnic Origin, And Sexuality Education In Pregnant Adolescents, Joy Murphy

MSN Research Projects

Adolescents are becoming sexually active at increasingly younger ages despite the well-known health risks. The adolescent pregnancy rate in the United States has been considered the highest of any country in the Western world. The purpose of this study was to identify, examine, and describe family relationships, race and ethnic origin, and sexuality education in pregnant adolescents. Pender's Health Promotion Model was used as the theoretical framework to guide this descriptive study. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 30 pregnant adolescents who received prenatal care at three local obstetricians' health care clinics in Northeast Mississippi. Participants were surveyed …

Levels Of Depression In Diabetic Elders With Controlled And Uncontrolled Blood Glucose Levels, Julie Sharon Randolph Briggs

MSN Research Projects

Depression is one of the most prevalent illnesses among elders. However, while it is one of the most treatable illnesses, depression is often the most neglected. It is well documented that depression leads to suicide. With the suicide rate among elders the highest of all age groups, it is imperative that health care providers become aware of the risk of depression among diabetic elders. Elders are at risk for depression with advancing age, loss of previous good health, and social interaction. The purpose of this nonexperimental, descriptive study is to compare depression levels in diabetic elders with controlled and uncontrolled …

Overcrowding In The Emergency Department: A Barrier To Health Care Access, Judy Blaine

MSN Research Projects

Patterns of access for primary health care have placed additional strain on emergency departments (EDs). Issues related to these patterns were explored in this ex post facto study. Johnson's Behavioral Systems Model (1968) provided the conceptual framework. The following research questions were explored; What is the incidence of ED patients leaving without being seen by a health care provider? What are the demographic characteristics of ED patients who leave without being seen? How do demographic characteristics of ED patients who leave compare to those who are seen by a health care provider? And what are the reasons given by patients …

Spiritual Well-Being And Coping In Women With Breast Cancer, Denise Vandergriff Ferriss

MSN Research Projects

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among American women, with 180,000 new cases reported each year. The physiological, emotional, and spiritual challenges of the disease can be awesome. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine if there was a relationship between spiritual well-being and coping in women with breast cancer. The theoretical framework which guided the research was the Neuman Systems Model. The research hypothesis for the study was there will be a significant positive correlation between spiritual wellbeing and coping in women with breast cancer. Using a convenience sample of 31 women between the …

Health Beliefs In Elderly Clients With Congestive Heart Failure, Collette Dixon

MSN Research Projects

Congestive heart failure is increasing in incidence, prevalence, and mortality in a rapidly growing American geriatric population. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to identify, examine, and describe the health beliefs of elders with congestive heart failure (CHF). It is believed that health beliefs influence health or illness behavior. This study explored the health beliefs of elderly patients with CHF residing in Northeast Mississippi. The research question was what are the health beliefs of elderly clients with congestive heart failure? The sample consisted of 32 subjects aged 65 and older who were clients of a home care agency. …

The Significance Of The Therapeutic Use Of Pets On Socialization With Elders In An Extended Care Facility, Lisa Byrd

MSN Research Projects

In the year 2020, 80% of the United States population will be over the age of 65 years (Fick, 1993). Elders frequently reside in extended care facilities and experience feelings of loneliness, depression, disorientation, and helplessness (McQuillen, 1985). The therapeutic use of pets has been shown to have positive effects on the socialization of elders. Most research has been conducted utilizing group therapy with a pet. This study focused on the benefits of therapeutic use of pets with the individual elder. The theoretical framework was based on the Neuman Systems Model. The purpose of this study was to determine the …

Health Promotion Practices Of Nurse Practitioners Practicing In The State Of Mississippi, Valerie O-Briant Sullivan

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to describe the health promotion practices of nurse practitioners who practice in the state of Mississippi.

A Comparison Study: Sexuality In Women With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus And In Women Without Chronic Illness, Beth Eubank

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive comparative study was to explore sexuality in the insulin-dependent diabetic female.

Health Beliefs In Elderly Clients With Congestive Heart Failure, Collette Dixon

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify, examine, and describe the health beliefs of elders with congestive heart failure (CHF).

A Comparison Study; Sexuality In Women With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus And In Women Without Chronic Illness, Beth Eubank

MSN Research Projects

The relationship between chronic illness and sexuality has long been recognized, and diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness affecting 16 million individuals in the United States. The purpose of this descriptive comparative study was to explore sexuality in the insulin-dependent diabetic female. The research hypothesis that guided the study was there is no difference in perceived sexuality for women with insulin-dependent diabetes and women without chronic illness. The sample consisted of 30 females between the ages of 21 and 40 years who had not experienced surgical menopause and were clients in primary care clinics in the Mississippi Delta. Fifteen of …

The Effects Of A Smoking Prevention Program On The Post-Test Knowledge Levels And Attitudes Of Seventh And Eighth Grade Students, Sandra E. Stinson

MSN Research Projects

Chronic health problems associated with smoking in the adult population have been linked with the use of tobacco in the influential adolescent years. Education aimed toward the adolescent may decrease the incidence of cigarette smoking in the adult population. Little research has been done regarding the knowledge and developmental levels of adolescent smoking and the risks for health problems. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a smoking prevention program on the knowledge and attitudes of seventh and eighth grade students. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory served as the theoretical framework. The sample consisted of students …