Publications

Abstract

This study aims to examine resources and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and factors influencing TCM utilization in urban community health centers (CHCs) in Hubei Province of China. A cross-sectional survey including 234 government-owned CHCs was conducted in 2009. One-way analysis of variance analysis and a Poisson regression model were used to examine distribution of TCM resources and factors influencing TCM utilization. This study found unequal distribution of TCM resources among districts. TCM outpatient visits were positively associated with higher economic development districts, lower initial capital investment of the CHCs, health services covered by health insurance, higher qualification of TCM physicians, provision of TCM health records and rehabilitation, and greater availability of herbal medicine. To achieve equal access to TCM services, policy makers should consider the socioeconomic differences and income groups, provide training for TCM physicians, build pathway to recruit senior TCM physicians, and cover more TCM therapies by health insurance.

Abstract

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To enhance and extend the recent Cochrane effectiveness review of protocolized weaning (Blackwood 2010) by synthesizing evidence from qualitative research to identify contextual factors that impact on the use of ventilator weaning protocols for critically ill adults and children. The research questions we will address are as follows. 1. Which contextual factors may have contributed to the heterogeneity in effect sizes of the randomized controlled trials included in the Blackwood (2010) review on protocolized weaning? (enhancing the review). 2. Which contextual factors (facilitators and barriers) may have an impact on the effective use of protocols for weaning critically ill adults and children from mechanical ventilation? (extending the review).

Abstract

This study examined the perception of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and caregiving among family caregivers of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD in China. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 46 family caregivers of individuals with cognitive impairment in 2009 in Wuhan and Beijing, China. Participants included 38 spouses, 7 adult children, and 1 sibling, aged between 41 and 85 years old. The findings showed that all family caregivers thought the Chinese terminology of AD laonian chidai, brought discrimination to individuals with cognitive impairment. Caregivers of individuals with AD experienced burden and desired an increase of formal services. Traditional beliefs of respecting elders and caring for extended family members were held among family caregivers of individuals with cognitive impairment, and there was nearly no difference found between caregivers of AD and those of MCI. It implied that traditional culture provided positive influences on caring for elders with cognitive impairment. An alternative term for MCI may contribute to further reducing the discrimination brought by the old Chinese terminology of AD laonian chidai. Development of formal services for elders with cognitive impairment may contribute to reducing caregivers' worries about future caregiving.

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed to assess the trends in tooth loss among adults with and without diabetes mellitus in the United States and racial/ ethnic disparities in tooth loss patterns, and to evaluate trends in tooth loss by age, birth cohorts, and survey periods. Methods Data came from 9 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1971 through 2012. The trends in the estimated tooth loss in people with and without diabetes were assessed by age groups, survey periods, and birth cohorts. The analytical sample was 37,609 dentate (ie, with at least 1 permanent tooth) adults aged 25 years or older. We applied hierarchical age-period-cohort cross-classified random-effects models for the trend analysis. Results The estimated number of teeth lost among non-Hispanic blacks with diabetes increased more with age than that among non-Hispanic whites with diabetes (z = 4.05, P <.001) or Mexican Americans with diabetes (z = 4.38, P <.001). During 1971-2012, there was a significant decreasing trend in the number of teeth lost among non-Hispanic whites with diabetes (slope = -0.20, P <.001) and non-Hispanic blacks with diabetes (slope = -0.37, P <.001). However, adults with diabetes had about twice the tooth loss as did those without diabetes. Conclusion Substantial differences in tooth loss between adults with and without diabetes and across racial/ethnic groups persisted over time. Appropriate dental care and tooth retention need to be further promoted among adults with diabetes.

Abstract

Dating violence is a significant problem for older adolescents with implications for the survivor's health. Survivors disclose the violence to friends who are often ill equipped to help them manage the consequences. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of Friends Helping Friends, a community-level education program to teach older adolescents to recognize and intervene in dating violence. A convenience sample of 101 students aged 18 to 22 years were nonrandomly allocated to a treatment or control group and completed pre- and post-test measures. Compared with the control group, treatment group participants reported increased perceived responsibility to help, skills to act as a bystander, and intention to help and decreased rape myth acceptance. Friends Helping Friends shows promise as an effective strategy for older adolescent females in the prevention and response to dating violence.

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate gender differences in quality of life (QOL), demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics. Design: Prospective, observational. Setting: Two radiation oncology departments in northern California. Sample: 185 patients before initiation of radiation therapy (RT). Methods: At their RT simulation visit, patients completed a demographic questionnaire, a measure of QOL, and symptom-specific scales. Backward elimination regression analyses were conducted to determine the significant predictors of QOL. Main Research Variables: QOL, gender, and 20 potential predictors. Findings: In women, depressive symptoms, functional status, age, and having children at home explained 64% of the variance in QOL. In men, depressive symptoms, state anxiety, number of comorbidities, being a member of a racial or ethnic minority, and age explained 70% of the variance in QOL. Conclusions: Predictors of QOL differed by gender. Depressive symptom score was the greatest contributor to QOL in both genders. Implications for Nursing: Nurses need to assess for QOL and depression at the initiation of RT. Knowledge of the different predictors of QOL may be useful in the design of gender-specific interventions to improve QOL.

Abstract

Background: Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for hematological malignancies experience a number of challenges during treatment. There is growing evidence that malglycemia (hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and/or increased glycemic variability) contributes to HCT-related complications, even in patients without preexisting diabetes. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate factors influencing glycemic status and associated infection occurrences in nondiabetic autologous HCT recipients. Methods: Oncology patients without preexisting diabetes treated with autologous HCT at a National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center were followed from admission through discharge or 28 days post-HCT. Patients had morning fasting laboratory tests. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between BG levels and risk for infection while adjusting for baseline covariates including age, body mass index (BMI), cumulative glucocorticoid dose, and diagnosis. Results: The sample included 28 female and 25 male predominately non-Hispanic White patients (mean age 55.7 years, SD = 11.32). Blood glucose (BG) range was 35–325 mg/dl. Twenty-three patients incurred at least one infection. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 was associated with high BG and infections. In the multivariate Cox model, an increase of 1 interquartile range in BG 2 days before infection was associated with a moderately increased risk of infection (hazard ratio = 1.44, p =.008). Conclusions: Understanding the contributors to and consequences of malglycemic events can lead to better protocols for identifying patients at greater risk for infection. Further investigation is warranted for interventions to mitigate BG events for improved outcomes.

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives: To assess the effects of high blood sugar at the levels of diabetic or prediabetic states during cancer treatment because patients undergoing chemotherapy (CTX) experience multiple symptoms that vary among individuals and may be affected by glucose levels. Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional. Setting: Two comprehensive cancer centers, one Veterans Affairs hospital, and four community-based oncology programs. Sample: 244 outpatients with breast, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and lung cancers. Methods: Patients completed demographic and symptom questionnaires. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was evaluated to determine diabetic state. Descriptive statistics and one-way analyses of variance were used in the analyses. Main Research Variables: HbA1c, symptom severity scores, patient and clinical characteristics (e.g., age, gender, comorbidities, sociodemographic information, body mass index [BMI], lifestyle factors). Findings: HbA1c results showed 9% of the sample in the diabetic and 26% in the prediabetic state. Patients in the diabetic state reported a higher number of comorbid conditions and were more likely to be African American. Patients in the prediabetic state were older aged. Patients in the diabetic and prediabetic states had a higher BMI compared to nondiabetic patients. No differences in symptom severity or quality-of-life (QOL) scores were found among the three diabetic states. Conclusions: This study is the first to evaluate for associations between diabetic states and symptom severity and QOL scores in patients receiving CTX. This study confirmed that older age, as well as having higher BMI and having multiple comorbidities, were associated with increased mean glycemic levels. Implications for Nursing: Clinicians should assess and identify patients with diabetes or prediabetes undergoing treatment for cancer. Patients who are older aged, those with a high BMI, and those with multiple comorbid conditions may be at increased risk for higher glycemic states.

Abstract

Effective handoff communication is critical for patient safety. Research is needed to understand how information processes occurring intra-shift impact handoff effectiveness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine medical-surgical nurses’ (n = 21) perspectives about processes that promote and hinder patient safety intra-shift and during handoff. Results indicated that offgoing nurses’ ability to grasp the story intra-shift was essential to convey the full picture during handoff. When oncoming nurses understood the picture being conveyed at the handoff, nurses jointly painted a full picture. Arriving and leaving the handoff with this level of information promoted patient safety. However, intra-shift disruptions often impeded nurses in their processes to grasp the story thus posing risks to patient safety. Improvement efforts need to target the different processes involved in grasping the story and painting a full picture. Future research needs to examine handoff practices and outcomes on units with good and poor practice environments.

Abstract

Objective: HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa increasingly occurs among people who inject drugs (PWID). Kenya is one of the first to implement a national needle and syringe program. Our study undertook a baseline assessment as part of evaluating needle and syringe program in a seek, test, treat, and retain approach. Methods: Participants enrolled between May and December 2012 from 10 sites. Respondent-driven sampling was used to reach 1785 PWID for HIV-1 prevalence and viral load determination and survey data. Results: Estimated HIV prevalence, adjusted for differential network size and recruitment relationships, was 14.5% in Nairobi (95% CI: 10.8 to 18.2) and 20.5% in the Coast region (95% CI: 17.3 to 23.6). Viral load (log10 transformed) in Nairobi ranged from 1.71 to 6.12 (median: 4.41; interquartile range: 3.51-4.94) and in the Coast from 1.71 to 5.88 (median: 4.01; interquartile range: 3.44- 4.72). Using log10 viral load 2.6 as a threshold for HIV viral suppression, the percentage of HIV-infected participants with viral suppression was 4.2% in Nairobi and 4.6% in the Coast. Heroin was the most commonly injected drug in both regions, used by 93% of participants in the past month, typically injecting 2-3 times/day. Receptive needle/syringe sharing at last injection was more common in Nairobi (23%) than in the Coast (4%). Estimated incidence among new injectors was 2.5/100 person-years in Nairobi and 1.6/100 person-years in the Coast. Conclusions: The HIV epidemic is well established among PWID in both Nairobi and Coast regions. Public health scale implementation of combination HIV prevention has the potential to greatly limit the epidemic in this vulnerable and bridging population.

Abstract

Introduction: HIV testing is the portal to serostatus knowledge that can empower linkage to care for HIV treatment and HIV prevention. However, young people's access to HIV testing is uneven worldwide. The objective of this paper is to review the context and concerns faced by youth around HIV testing in low- as well as high-income country settings. Discussion: HIV testing is a critical entry point for primary and secondary prevention as well as care and treatment for young people including key populations of vulnerable youth.We provide a framework for thinking about the role of testing in the continuum of prevention and care for young people. Brief case study examples from Kenya and the US illustrate some of the common barriers and issues involved for young people. Conclusions: Young people worldwide need more routine access to HIV testing services that effectively address the developmental, socio-political and other issues faced by young women and men.

Abstract

Hospice and palliative nursing care occurs in most practice settings, at all stages of chronic illness, and for persons of all ages. Thus, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) seeks to provide direction for research by highlighting key gaps in knowledge that serve as barriers to excellent care. The 2015-2018 HPNA Research is designed to (1) provide a focus for graduate students and researchers, (2) guide research funding by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation, and (3) illustrate to other stakeholders the importance of these research foci. The agenda also begins to outline a procedure for HPNA development and endorsement of clinical practice guidelines. The resulting document has been developed for all HPNA members regardless of role: clinical, academic, or research. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association members were asked to select from among the 8 domains of the National Consensus Project which domain encompassed the most pressing gaps in knowledge. The 2 most frequently selected domains were (1) structure and processes of care and (2) physical aspects of care. The third component of this agenda, also member driven, will focus on the process of research translation in palliative nursing. While all research in palliative care is important to patients, the 2015-2018 HPNA Research Agenda identifies specific target areas to bring focus to research efforts and highlights the importance of research translation.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify how organizational nursing factors at different structural levels (i.e., unit-level work environment and hospital Magnet status) are associated with hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) in U.S. acute care hospitals. Design: A cross-sectional observational study used data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators®. Responses from 33,845 registered nurses (RNs) were used to measure unit work environments. The unit of analysis was the nursing unit, and there were 1,381 units in 373 hospitals in the United States. Methods: Unit work environment was measured by the Practice Environment Scale of Nurse Working Index (PES-NWI). Multilevel logistic regressions were used to estimate the effects of unit work environment and hospital Magnet status on HAPUs. All models were controlled for hospital and unit characteristics when considering clustering of units within hospitals. Results: Magnet hospital units had 21% lower odds of having an HAPU than non-Magnet hospital units (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.98). With one unit increase of the PES-NWI score, units had 29% lower odds of having an HAPU (95% CI, 0.55-0.91). When including both hospital Magnet status and unit work environment in the model, hospital Magnet status no longer had a significant effect on HAPUs (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.66-1.02), whereas the significant effect of unit work environment persisted (OR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.93). Conclusions: Both hospital and unit environments were significantly associated with HAPUs, and the unit-level work environment can be more influential in reducing HAPUs. Clinical Relevance: Investment in the nurse work environments at both the hospital level and unit level has the potential to reduce HAPUs; and additional to hospital-level initiatives (e.g., Magnet recognition program), efforts targeting on-unit work environments deserve more attention.

Abstract

Background: An estimated 50% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally are unaware of their status. Among those who know their HIV status, many do not receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a timely manner, fail to remain engaged in care, or do not achieve sustained viral suppression. Barriers across the HIV care continuum prevent PLHIV from achieving the therapeutic and preventive effects of ART. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted, and 6132 articles, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies with or without comparators, cross-sectional studies, and descriptive documents, met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 1047 articles were used to generate 36 recommendations to optimize the HIV care continuum for adults and adolescents. Recommendations: Recommendations are provided for interventions to optimize the HIV care environment; increase HIV testing and linkage to care, treatment coverage, retention in care, and viral suppression; and monitor the HIV care continuum.