The ABNF journal : official journal of the Association of Black Nursing Faculty in Higher Education, Inc最新文献

This review surveyed qualitative and quantitative studies to explore the expectations around birth that are held by women from different cultures. These studies are grouped according to expectations of personal control expectations of support from partner/others/family; expectations of carel behavior from providers such as nurses, doctors, and/or midwives; expectations about the health of the baby; and expectations about pain in childbirth. Discussed are the findings and the role that Western culture in medicine, power and privilege are noted in providing care to these women.

This research examined whether the same predictive variables of mothers'perceptions of child vulnerability are present for extremely low birth-weight (ELBW) and very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Data were collected using 120 infants and 119 mothers. In ELBW infants, days until first bottle feeding, feeding problems, and feeding practices accounted for 69.9% of the variance (p < .001) at four months; feeding problems 49.9% (p < .001) at six months; and days until the first bottle feeding and feeding problems were 41.9% (p < .001) at twelve months. In the VLBW infants, feeding problems and length of stay accounted for 46.9% of the variance (p < .001) at four months; infant length of stay was 15.1% (p < .001) at six months; and there was no significance at twelve months. Mothers' perceptions of child vulnerability can be predicted at four, six and twelve months. The predictive variables may depend on the birth weight category of the infant.

Several initiatives have been embarked upon over the past decade to encourage breast cancer screening and follow-up among women who reside in urban communities. With these efforts, data revealed that many women do not receive the recommended breast cancer screening. Studies have been published in scientific literature that explored barriers faced by women relative to breast cancer screening. But, only a few reports have been published of efforts initiated to define the limits of characteristics of women who have and women who have not been screened. This cross-sectional exploratory study was designed to examine the breast cancer screening practices of women 40-74 years of age and older who reside in a densely populated metropolitan community of S.E. Wisconsin, and to identify and compare the characteristics of women who report breast cancer screening and with characteristics of women who report no breast cancer screening. The organizing framework for this study was derived from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Determinants of Health Model. An investigator-designed instrument was used to assess the influence of age, family history of breast cancer insurance status, characteristics of residential neighborhood and local access to breast care on breast cancer screening. While the majority of the women surveyed reported breast cancer screening, less than half of the women reported screening that was consistent with recommended breast cancer screening guidelines (i.e. annual mammography and annual clinical breast examination). Deficits in breast cancer screening were noted most among women who were uninsured, with no knownfamily history of breast cancer, who resided in low income neighborhoods, inner-city neighborhoods and neighborhoods without facilities for primary breast care. The results of this study demonstrate the needfor clinicians, health care administrators and advocates committed to breast cancer detection and control within targeted communities. They must carefully assess the impact of individual, social and structural factors on breast cancer screening, and the need to design initiatives specifically targeted to women who have received less than optimal or no breast cancer screening.

This research attempted to test an HIV prevention intervention for Afro-Caribbean female teens. The purpose was to improve knowledge and attitudes concerning HIV/AIDS, improve mother-daughter sexual communication, and to reduce risky sexual behaviors. Using a community-based approach, sixty mother and daughter pairs were randomly assigned. One condition was experimental using the Making Proud Choices Caribbean Style (MPCCS); another was a comparison of General Health Education. Independent t-tests were used for analysis between the pretest, posttest and 90 days posttests. MPCCS indicated clear usage with other Caribbean teens. This study helped to support the theory when Afro-Caribbean (AC) teens feel they need to become sexually active (subjective norm), and have referent support (parental support), they may blend values, knowledge, and skills (control beliefs), and are likely to make proud choices to reduce risky sexual behavior in minimizing HIV in their communities.

This research used a quantitative design to explore perceived stress experiences of African American wives in the care of spouses who are stroke survivors. The wives as caregivers (44.7%) were participants from rural communities in the southeastern region of North Carolina. These wives, although many had employment outside of the home, provided duties including activities of daily living (ADL) and all other domestic tasks. They were forced into the caregiving role, although many were often not prepared, and experienced much stress related to a lack of knowledge, training and minimum assistance from other family members. A nursing implication must include extensive discharge planning with an emphasis on education and training prior to discharge. More research in reference to African American wives as caregivers is needed to provide an adequate knowledge base in not only caring for their spouses, but also themselves.

Spirituality is an integral part of the Afro-Caribbean experience. This study explored spirituality's influence on health in a church-going Afro-Caribbean population in order to further develop the concept of Spiritually-Guided Health risk Interception (SGHRI). Using a naturalistic approach, ten (10) members of local Pentecostal churches including ministry leaders, were interviewed. Items from the Spiritual Health Locus of Control scale (SHLC) guided the sessions. Content analysis was used to examine the data, and three themes emerged: compassion for service, divine authority, and shared responsibility. The findings of this study suggested that Afro Caribbean church-goers are fervent in their spirituality and dedication to social services provided by the church. While they rely on church leaders for guidance in health matters, recognition of personal role in health promotion was acknowledged. This valuable resource may be used to combine the fundamental principles associated with their spiritual practices and with health risk interceptions.