Adolescent girls throughout the globe are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. In the U.S., sexually-active, adolescent girls in urban settings are at elevated risk for HIV. The purpose of this ...study was to describe a theoreticallydriven, HIV prevention intervention tailored for adolescent girls and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing sexually-risky behaviors. Sexually-active urban adolescent girls (n=738) recruited in a mid-size, northeastern U.S. city were recruited for a randomized controlled trial and participated in a theory-based, sexual risk reduction intervention or a structurallyequivalent health promotion control group. Preferred sexual risk-reduction strategies were collected using ACASI at baseline, then at 3, 6 and 12-months post-intervention. The manualized interventions included four small group sessions and two booster sessions all of which included information, motivational and behavioral skill constructs. Facilitators were trained in motivational interviewing and incorporated this technique throughout the sessions. Relative to girls in the control group, girls receiving the sexual risk-reduction intervention were more likely to increase the number of sexual-risk reduction strategies at post-intervention; however, girls in the control group also increased the number of strategies used though not at the same rate. Theory-based, HIV interventions tailored to adolescent girls can help increase sexual riskreduction behaviors and provide girls with a menu of options to employ. Due to the manualized structure of this randomized controlled trial, the intervention could be modified to meet the needs of adolescent girls throughout the world.
This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 00161343).
To address the unique needs of our returning military and veterans, the White House initiated the Joining Forces campaign and has encouraged colleges of nursing throughout the nation to support this ...mission.
At the University of South Florida College of Nursing, we have implemented a multifaceted approach that addresses education, research, and employment. These military-related programs have been unified under our RESTORE LIVES (Research and Education to Rehabilitate and Restore the Lives of Veterans, Services Members and their Families) initiative.
To accomplish this mission, we enhanced our curriculum to include veteran health care issues, developed research that addresses veteran wellness, launched an accelerated program to enable veterans and military personnel with medical experience to obtain their baccalaureate in nursing, and encouraged a culture within the college that is supportive of military-based health care and employment needs.
We have shared our experiences through webinars and presentations and by hosting a national conference.
The primary aim of this qualitative methods study was to describe the lived experiences of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses with ethical and morally challenging issues.
The target ...population for the study was registered nurses working in the NICU. Interviews were completed with 16 nurses from 1 hospital.
A phenomenological method design was used to describe NICU nurses' lived experiences with ethical and moral issues encountered in the NICU.
After obtaining signed consent, the principal investigator interviewed all participants, using a semistructured interview guide consisting of open-ended questions.
Ethical and moral distress related to neonatal abstinence syndrome was the predominant outcome.
Caring for infants, coping with families, and discharging infants home were the major concerns voiced by nurses in this study.
Nurses in this study struggled with issues of beneficence and nonmaleficence and were not aware of scientific evidence that guides methadone management of pregnant women.
Aims and objectives
To investigate differences in sexual risk factors between adolescent girls reporting similar‐aged or older sex partners.
Background
Adolescent girls are at significant risk of ...heterosexual‐acquired HIV infection and other long‐term reproductive health issues. Sexual partner age discordance in teen girls has been correlated with STIs, lack of protection, multiple partners and earlier age of sexual transition.
Design
A descriptive study comparing girls currently involved with age‐discordant partners to those with similar‐aged partners. Two‐sample t‐test for continuous variables and chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables were used to compare groups.
Methods
Baseline data from 738 sexually active, urban, adolescent girls aged 15–19 were analysed to determine which behaviours were more likely to occur in girls with older partners. Data were collected as part of a gender‐specific HIV‐prevention intervention in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) tailored to adolescent girls.
Results
Multiple reported sexual risk behaviours were found to significantly differ between the two groups at baseline. Overall, girls with older partners had more episodes of sexual instances (vaginal, anal and oral). Specific sexual risk behaviours were found to be statistically significant between the two groups. Girls with older partners started having sex at earlier ages, had more lifetime sexual partners, higher incidents of STIs and were reluctant to discuss using condoms with their partners. Girls with similar‐aged partners were less willing to engage in risky sexual behaviours.
Conclusions
Findings from this investigation support data from other studies. Relationships with older male partners place adolescent girls at increased risk of HIV/STIs and unintended pregnancy.
Relevance to clinical practice
Adolescent girls in age‐discordant relationships are at risk of immediate and long‐term sexual health morbidities. Identifying girls who are at increased risk by asking tailored questions will enable nurses to recommend appropriate diagnostics for this population and provide age‐specific counselling.
The challenges of online nursing education Smith, Glenn Gordon; Passmore, Denise; Faught, Timber
The Internet and higher education,
06/2009, Letnik:
12, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
To meet the current critical need for qualified nurses, many colleges have initiated online programs, primarily aimed towards registered nurse (RN) to BS students. Despite the growing number of ...online nursing programs, there is little research on instructor views of online learning. This study used interviews to investigate nursing instructor experiences in online learning. Results revealed instructor concerns with identifying the most effective assessment methods to judge students' ability to apply their lessons in real-world settings. Online nursing exhibits unique challenges, such as providing nursing students with online authentic learning experiences that relate to real-world nursing situations, which comprise both high-stake medical and interpersonal elements. Results also indicated that providing support and ensuring that the faculty have sufficient time to develop effective courses, with adequate assessment for the students, is necessary to ensure the quality of online nursing education.
The purpose of this article is to discuss lessons learned from conducting research with urban communities. A brief overview of the Health Improvement Project for Teens (HIPTeens) will be provided. It ...will be followed by several suggestions concerning recruitment and retention of participants, challenges related to working in impoverished environments, hiring and training of research teams, interacting with administration and community, and strategies for doing research in diverse settings.
Microbicides potentially offer women and girls more control over their HIV protection. Despite numerous trials, data describing adolescents' microbicide preferences are limited. To address this gap, ...the authors interviewed and surveyed 26 African American, urban, adolescent girls to identify whether microbicides would be an acceptable method of HIV protection, their likelihood to use, and preferred characteristics. Survey results reported that all participants' were willing to use microbicides; however, interviews revealed hesitancy due to a myriad of concerns. Factors impacting adolescents' microbicide acceptability differed from those of adult women, indicating a need for support tailored to adolescents' concerns. Additional mixed-methods studies are necessary to promote microbicide acceptability and adherence among this vulnerable population.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a long-term side effect of many frequently prescribed chemotherapy drugs. It may cause significant distress and interfere with patients' ability to ...conduct usual activities, leading to diminished quality of life. Health care providers often lack knowledge in assessment and management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, resulting in inadequate symptom management. There are currently no Web-based interventions to assist patients with self-management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Advantages of Web-based interventions include instant access to anyone with an Internet-enabled device and the ability to customize information to specific patient needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a Web-based intervention for assessing and managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, called the COPE-CIPN, using a framework of Creativity, Optimism, Planning, and Expert guidance. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches to test the usability and acceptability of the COPE-CIPN. Participants (n = 14) were instructed to complete the COPE-CIPN program in the presence of a member of the research team, providing verbal responses with regard to: comments and questions, explanations of hesitation at certain screens or skipped screens, and overall impressions. All responses were written down by a research assistant. Participants also completed the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ), a 19-item instrument for assessing user satisfaction with system usability. Iterative changes were made to the COPE-CIPN, based upon participant feedback, including enlargement of font and control buttons and consolidation and rearrangement of information. Following revisions, participants were asked to provide feedback on the revised COPE-CIPN and evaluate acceptability using the Acceptability e-Scale, which contains 9 Likert-type items evaluating the ease, helpfulness and overall satisfaction a user experiences from using a computer program. RESULTS: The COPE-CIPN demonstrated high usability and acceptability. Comments indicated that the COPE-CIPN interface was easy to use and the information was helpful and applicable. The COPE-CIPN may be a useful intervention to assist with self-management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Future studies should evaluate the efficacy of the COPE-CIPN in improving neuropathic symptoms and quality of life. Clinicians may eventually be able to recommend the COPE-CIPN to patients who are suffering with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is a painful and debilitating adverse effect of certain chemotherapy drugs. There have not been any patient-centered, easily accessible Web-based interventions to ...assist with self-management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. The aims of this study were to evaluate usability and acceptability and to estimate an effect size of a Web-based intervention for assessing and managing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Participants (N = 14) were instructed to complete the Creativity, Optimism, Planning, and Expert Information for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy program and provide verbal responses to the program. Participants completed the Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool and Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire. Iterative changes were made to the COPE-CIPN. Participants were asked to provide feedback on the revised COPE-CIPN, repeat the Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool, and evaluate acceptability using the Acceptability e-Scale. The COPE-CIPN demonstrated high usability (mean, 1.98 SD, 1.12) and acceptability (mean, 4.40 SD, 0.52). Comments indicated that the interface was easy to use, and the information was helpful. While neuropathy symptoms continued to increase in this group of patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy, there was a decrease in mean level of interference with activities from 53.71 to 39.29 over 3 to 4 months, which indicated a moderate effect (d = 0.39) size. The COPE-CIPN may be a useful intervention to support self-management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
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