Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Grant Application: Randomized Comparison Of Two Internet-Supported Natural Family Planning Methods, Richard J. Fehring

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Methods of Natural Family Planning

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Abstinence And Coital Frequency Between Two Natural Methods Of Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, Thomas Bouchard, Mary Schneider

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Methods of Natural Family Planning

Problem Statement: The length of periodic abstinence, due to overestimation of the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle is often a reason for dissatisfaction, discontinuation, and user error with natural family planning (NFP) methods. The objective of this research was to compare the length of required abstinence (i.e., estimated fertility) and coital frequency between two NFP methods.

Study Design: Analysis of existing data from a 12 month prospective comparison study in which participants were randomized into either an electronic hormonal fertility monitor (EHFM) group or a cervical mucus monitoring (CMM) group, both of which included a fertility algorithm as …

A Pilot Study To Develop A Cognitive Intervention To Support Dementia Caregivers: A Focus Group Of Caregivers Caring For Persons With Dementia As Informants, Abir K. Bekhet, Karie R. Kobiske

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Psychometrics Of The Positive Thinking Skills Scale Among Dementia Caregivers, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Executive Summary: Randomized Comparison Of Two Internet-Supported Methods Of Natural Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Methods of Natural Family Planning

Only 0.2% of US women use modern methods of natural family planning, i.e., the basal body temperature and the cervical mucus methods of natural family planning (NFP). The reason that such few women use NFP methods is because they are often ineffective, they are difficult to use, there is lack of access to properly trained NFP teachers, a lack of motivation to use a behavioral method, and health professionals are reluctant to prescribe NFP methods. One way to potentially increase the use of NFP methods is to provide easy access to an effective but simplified NFP method that uses a …

Influence Of Motivation On The Efficacy Of Natural Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider, Mary Lee Barron, Jessica E. Pruszynski

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Methods of Natural Family Planning

Purpose: Mutual motivation is recognized as essential for effective behavioral methods of family planning. Few studies have studied this factor in family planning efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of mutual motivation on unintended pregnancy rates of couples who used natural family planning (NFP) methods to avoid pregnancy.

Study Design and Methods: Using an online taught NFP method, 358women and ( their male partners) indicated “how much” and “how hard” they wished to avoid pregnancy on a scale of 0-10 before each menstrual cycle charted over 12 month of use. This motivation scale is used …

Embracing A Competency-Based Specialty Curriculum For Community-Based Nursing Roles, Pamela F. Levin, Susan M. Swider, Susan Breakwell, Julia M. Cowell, Virginia Reising

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The Quad Council competencies for public health nursing (PHN) provide guidance in developing curricula at both the generalist and specialist level. However, these competencies are based on nursing roles in traditional public health agencies and community/public health is defined more broadly than official agency practice. The question arises as to whether community-based specialties require largely the same knowledge and skill set as PHN. The purpose of the competency cross-mapping project reported here was to (a) assess the intersection of the Quad Council competencies with four community-based specialties and (b) ensure the appropriateness of a Quad Council-based curriculum to prepare graduates …

Attributed Meanings And Strategies To Prevent Challenging Behaviors Of Hospitalized Children With Autism: Two Perspectives, Norah L. Johnson Phd, Rn, Cpnp, Abir K. Bekhet, Karen Marie Robinson, Dana Rodriguez

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Understanding is limited of the meaning attributed to behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder and strategies used to prevent challenging behaviors in the context of hospitalization.

Methods

This qualitative study consisted of two focus groups (n = 10; five mothers and five health care providers [HCPs]). Transcripts were analyzed using the qualitative method of narrative inquiry.

Results

The meaning attributed to behaviors by the mothers and the HCPs differed. The mothers attributed behaviors to the child's communication of frustration, hyperactivity, and self-calming. The HCPs attributed challenging behaviors to self-stimulation and child aggression. Strategies to prevent behaviors also …

The Microbiology And Immunology Of Normal Physiologic Birth: A Plea For The Nature Of Mother, Lisa Hanson, Leona Vandevusse

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Contemporary Women’S Adaptation To Motherhood: The First 3 To 6 Weeks Postpartum, Cynthia Aber, Marianne Weiss, Jacqueline Fawcett

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

A better understanding of the process of adaptation to motherhood should enhance nurses’ ability to prepare women for the transition to motherhood and to provide care following childbirth. Knowledge about women’s adaptation to motherhood was developed primarily from the 1960s to the 1990s. Cesarean birthing was a special focus of research throughout the late 1970s and the 1980s, followed by functional status, and more recently, depression and stress associated with birth and postpartum. Adaptation to motherhood in the context of the early 21st century has received limited attention in nursing research, creating an assumption that the process of adaptation is …

Use Of Urinary Pregnanediol 3-Glucuronide To Confirm Ovulation, R. Ecochard, R. Leiva, Thomas Bouchard, H. Boehringer, A. Direito, A. Mariani, Richard Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Urinary hormonal markers may assist in increasing the efficacy of Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABM). This study uses urinary pregnanediol-3a-glucuronide (PDG) testing to more accurately identify the infertile phase of the menstrual cycle in the setting of FABM.

Methods

Secondary analysis of an observational and simulation study, multicentre, European study. The study includes 107 women and tracks daily first morning urine (FMU), observed the changes in cervical mucus discharge, and ultrasonography to identify the day of ovulation over 326 menstrual cycles. The following three scenarios were tested: (A) use of the daily pregnandiol-3a-glucuronide (PDG) test alone; (B) use of …

Perinatal Outcomes Of Prenatal Probiotic And Prebiotic Administration: An Integrative Review, Leona Vandevusse, Lisa Hanson, Nasia Safdar

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this integrative review was to identify, critique, and synthesize the maternal and neonatal evidence on the prenatal use of probiotics and prebiotics to inform perinatal health professionals. A comprehensive literature search resulted in 37 studies of prenatal probiotics and 1 on antepartal prebiotics published from 1990 through 2011 that reported maternal, fetal, and/or neonatal outcomes. The methodologic quality of the studies reviewed was high, although investigators used different probiotic combinations and inconsistently reported perinatal clinical outcomes. The extraction of perinatal outcome variables resulted in identification of 9 maternal and 5 neonatal categories. Prenatal probiotics significantly reduced the …

A Review Of Patients With Renal Disease Undergoing Vascular Access Surgery: Is Gray-Scale Ultrasound Enough?, Nancy M. Raml, Susan Breakwell

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

An adequate fistula or graft is essential to long-term survival and quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are receiving hemodialysis because of its lower complication rates, lower costs, and prolonged patency. Use of duplex ultrasound for preoperative planning is currently recommended by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative for patients with ESRD with prior fistulas or grafts, central lines, pacemakers, and prior chest or arm surgery. The preoperative evaluation consisted of gray-scale ultrasound and physical examination in all patients with ESRD in this study. The current study determined the baseline data, including the type …

The Relationships Between Nurse Attributes, Site Characteristics, And Labor Support Attitudes And Behaviors Among Intrapartum Nurses, Ann Prenger Aschenbrenner

Dissertations (1934 -)

Most American women deliver their babies in the hospital; an opportunity for nurses to make a positive impact. However, nursing labor support has been associated with fewer positive outcomes than support performed by lay providers, doulas, or midwives. Positive outcomes associated with continuous labor support include decreased cesarean deliveries, and use of medication or epidurals for pain. It was unclear why the outcomes were not as great when nurses provided labor support.

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between nurse attributes, organizational characteristics, and labor support attitudes, behaviors, and perception of barriers among intrapartum nurses. Conceptual …

Immune Dysregulation And Glucocorticoid Resistance In Minority And Low Income Pregnant Women, Elizabeth J. Corwin, Ying Guo, Kathleen Pajer, Nancy Lowe, Donna O. Mccarthy, Sarah Schmiege, Mary Weber, Thaddeus Pace, Brian Stafford

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Chronic prenatal stress contributes to poor birth outcomes for women and infants. Importantly, poor birth outcomes are most common among minority and low income women. To investigate underlying mechanisms, we tested the hypothesis that chronic stress related to minority or low income status is associated with glucocorticoid resistance as indicated by disruption in the cytokine-glucocorticoid feedback circuit. Home visits were conducted during which 3rd trimester pregnant women completed stress and depression surveys and provided blood for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Saliva was collected 5 times the preceding day for diurnal cortisol levels. For statistical analyses, women were grouped 3 ways, …

Favorable Ratings Of Providers' Communication Behaviors Among U.S. Women With Depression: A Population-Based Study Applying The Behavioral Model Of Health Services Use, Abiola O. Keller, Ronald Gangnon, Whitney P. Witt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Little is known about the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics and ratings of provider communication behavior among women with depression in the United States. This study uses the Andersen Behavioral Model to examine the relationships among predisposing, enabling, and need factors and ratings of perceived patient–provider communication in women with depression.

Methods

The sample consisted of women with depression who visited any provider in the previous 12 months in the 2002–2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (n = 3,179; weighted n = 4,707,255). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the independent contribution of predisposing, enabling, and need factors on …

Measuring Use Of Positive Thinking Skills: Psychometric Testing Of A New Scale, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Positive thinking interventions improve adaptive functioning and quality of life in many populations. However, no direct measure of positive thinking skills taught during intervention exists. This psychometric study of a convenience sample of 109 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) caregivers examined a new eight-item Positive Thinking Skills Scale (PTSS), which measures the frequency of use of positive thinking skills. The PTSS was found to be internally consistent (α = .90). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations (p < .01) with positive cognitions (r = .53), resourcefulness (r = .63), depression (r = −.45), and general well-being (r = .40). The findings …

Does Nurse Manager Education Really Matter?, Jared (Alex) Thompson, Roseanne Fairchild

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Resourcefulness, Positive Cognitions, Relocation Controllability, And Relocation Adjustment Among Older People: A Cross Sectional Study Of Cultural Differences, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background.  The population of older people in both the United States and Egypt is expected to double by the year 2030. With ageing, chronic illnesses increase and many older people need to relocate to retirement communities. Research has shown that positive cognitions and resourcefulness are positively correlated with adaptive functioning and better adjustment.

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study was to examine and compare relocation controllability, positive cognitions, resourcefulness and relocation adjustment between American and Egyptian older people living in retirement communities. The purpose of this cultural comparison is to gain insight into influencing factors in each culture …

Psychometric Assessment Of The Depressive Cognition Scale In Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Caregivers of persons with dementia are prone to depression. Early identification of cognitive depressive symptoms is important to prevent the development of clinical depression. The Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) can be used for early detection, but the scale's psychometrics have not been tested in caregivers of persons with dementia. In this study, 80 caregivers of persons with dementia completed the eight-item DCS and measures of caregiver burden and resourcefulness. A Cronbach's alpha of .88 indicated internal consistency. Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with caregiver burden (r = .40; p < .001) and resourcefulness (r = –.54; p < .001). Principal components factor analysis resulted in two factors in which five items loaded cleanly on one factor and two items have cross-loadings. Because prior factor analysis in previous studies resulted in one factor, we did confirmatory factor analysis in which we forced the items on one factor. All the items loaded on the single factor and the amount of variance explained was 55.99%. The findings suggest the DCS is useful for early detection of depression in caregivers of persons with dementia.

Concept Analysis Of Empowerment From Survivor And Nurse Perspectives Within The Context Of Cancer Survivorship, Teresa Jerofke-Owen

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The liberal usage of the concept of empowerment has led to the development of a broad and ambiguous term. In health care, empowerment is a core principle of patient-centered care that promotes patient engagement in health management. This is an analysis of the concept of empowerment within the context of cancer survivorship using both Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis and Caron and Bower's dimensional analysis. The dimensional analysis followed the evolutionary concept analysis as the perspectives of patients and nurse providers emerged in the analysis. Data sources included a sample of 249 papers from multiple disciplines covering the period 2000–2013. Empowerment …

Physical Activity Parenting Measurement And Research: Challenges, Explanations, And Solutions, Kirsten K. Davison, Louise C. Mâsse, Anna Timperio, Marilyn Frenn, Julie Saunders, Jason A. Mendoza, Erica Gobbi, Phillip Hanson, Stewart G. Trost

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Physical activity (PA) parenting research has proliferated over the past decade, with findings verifying the influential role that parents play in children's emerging PA behaviors. This knowledge, however, has not translated into effective family-based PA interventions. During a preconference workshop to the 2012 International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting, a PA parenting workgroup met to: (1) Discuss challenges in PA parenting research that may limit its translation, (2) identify explanations or reasons for such challenges, and (3) recommend strategies for future research. Challenges discussed by the workgroup included a proliferation of disconnected and inconsistently measured constructs, …

Spiritual Care Of Couples Practicing Natural Family Planning, Richard Fehring, Dana Rodriguez

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

There are few studies that have investigated the spiritual problems of couples practicing natural family planning (NFP). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the spiritual problems and interventions of couples who were taught NFP by means of a professional online Web-based support system. Responses from this online system and its forums were categorized according to spiritual responses, spiritual problems, and spiritual interventions to the practice of NFP. Themes addressed included spiritual care in regards to decisions about the transmission of new life, difficulties in dealing with chastity and abstinence, bioethical problems related to pregnancy and illness, end of …

Randomized Comparison Of Two Internet-Supported Fertility Awareness Based Methods Of Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider, Kathleen Raviele, Dana Rodriguez, Jessica E. Pruszynski

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Methods of Natural Family Planning

Background: The aim was to compare the efficacy and acceptability of two Internet-supported fertility-awareness-based methods of family planning.

Study design: Six hundred and sixty-seven women and their male partners were randomized into either an electronic hormonal fertility monitor (EHFM) group or a cervical mucus monitoring (CMM) group. Both groups utilized a Web site with instructions, charts and support. Acceptability was assessed online at 1, 3 and 6 months. Pregnancy rates were determined by survival analysis.

Results: The EHFM participants (N=197) had a total pregnancy rate of 7 per 100 users over 12 months of use compared with 18.5 for the …

Tamiah N. Mccoy - African American Women’S Birth Stories As Told To African American Women Interviewers, Tamiah N. Mccoy

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program 2013

Background: A woman’s birth story allows each woman to tell her own perspectives about her experience of bringing a child into the world. As healthcare providers, it is always important to value listening to and learning from our clients. Researchers systematically analyzing birth stories can yield insights on ways to improve birthing experiences for women. This is especially important for African American women, who differentially encounter the most numerous health disparities of any racial group, with twice as much infant mortality than other groups.

Purpose: This study examined birth stories of African American women in order to gain insights from …

Spirituality, Religiosity, Depression, Anxiety, And Drug-Use Consequences During Methadone Maintenance Therapy, Linda B. Piacentine

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Substance addiction is damaging to the health of persons, families, and society. Often the person with addiction has decreased spirituality and religiosity and suffers from anxiety, depression, or both, increasing the risk for continued substance use and its concomitant negative consequences. The study purpose was to describe spirituality and religiosity, among persons enrolled in methadone maintenance therapy and to examine associations between spirituality, religiosity, anxiety, depression, and drug-use consequences. Using a descriptive and cross-sectional correlational design, 108 participants completed questionnaires assessing the study variables. Spiritual well-being was similar to other addiction samples and lower than healthy person samples. Most participants …

A Theater Intervention To Prevent Teen Dating Violence For Mexican-American Middle School Students, Ruth Belknap, Kristin Haglund, Holly Felzer, Jessica E. Pruszynski, John Schneider

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

To test a theater intervention designed to raise awareness of the dynamics and consequences of teen dating violence (TDV) and to facilitate creation of nonviolent responses to TDV among Latino and Latina adolescents. The intervention was based on Theater of the Oppressed, which advocates the use of theater methods to explore social issues and to allow audiences to experiment with problem-solving, thereby promoting change.

Methods

This study used a pretest–posttest, no control group, mixed-measures design to study 66 Mexican-American adolescents (mean age, 13.4 ± 5 years). Two plays containing subtle and overt signs of control and abuse were written …

Christian Villanueva - Trauma Exposure Reported By Women Recently Deported From The U.S. To Mexico, Christian Villanueva

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program 2013

In 2012 the U.S. deported approximately 200,000 individuals to Mexico; a significant proportion of these individuals were women. The combined effect of previous traumatic experiences with that of being deported to Mexico is detrimental to women’s health. The trauma suffered through this process results in high levels of stress that lead to a variety of mental and physical health problems for Mexican women, disproportionally compared to men, who entered into and are deported from the U.S. The purpose of this study is to describe the life history of trauma exposure of women who have recently been deported from the U.S. …

Randomized Comparison Of Two Internet-Supported Fertility Awareness Based Methods Of Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider, Kathleen Raviele, Dana Rodriguez, Jessica E. Pruszynski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The aim was to compare the efficacy and acceptability of two Internet-supported fertility-awareness-based methods of family planning.

Study design

Six hundred and sixty-seven women and their male partners were randomized into either an electronic hormonal fertility monitor (EHFM) group or a cervical mucus monitoring (CMM) group. Both groups utilized a Web site with instructions, charts and support. Acceptability was assessed online at 1, 3 and 6 months. Pregnancy rates were determined by survival analysis.

Results

The EHFM participants (N= 197) had a total pregnancy rate of 7 per 100 users over 12 months of use compared with …

Quality Improvement Project: Analysis Of Efficiency Of Current Order Set For The Diagnostic Workup Used To Evaluate Neurogenic Stress Myocardium In Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Denise Miller Niklasch, Kathleen Bobay

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

To evaluate patterns of utilization of the aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) protocol order set for neurogenic stress myocardium (NSM).

Data sources

Retrospective chart review.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that protocol order sets can be prone to omissions, variations in practice, and delays.

Implications for practice

Education and implementation of an intervening compliance monitor are essential to improve utilization and correctness in use of the aSAH protocol order set for NSM. Advance practice nurses (APNs) or nursing staff could provide this service. This would improve teamwork, improve efficiency of care delivery and utilization of resources, promote leadership …