Karen Neill

Use and Safety Perceptions Regarding Herbal Supplements: A Study of Older Persons in Southeast Idaho

Herbal supplements (HS) are used by older persons and are often perceived as safe, although there is limited research that examines why this perception exists. A questionnaire was developed and pilot tested to investigate the use and perceived safety of HS among a convenience sample of 112 adults aged 60 to 92 in southeast Idaho. Fifty-five percent of the participants (n = 62) reported using HS in the past. Ninety-five percent (n = 59) of those using HS and 75% (n = 37) of nonusers reported they believed most or some HS were safe. Perception of herbal supplement safety was greatly influenced by family and friends, and HS users had a greater perception of safety than nonusers (p ≤ .001). The top reasons for perceived safety given by HS users were that HS: (1) can be purchased without a prescription, (2) can be purchased in many locations, and (3) are natural.

Rape-accepting attitudes of university undergraduate students

&NA; The College Date Rape Attitudes Survey and the Attitudes Toward Women Scale were used in a cross‐sectional study to assess rape‐accepting attitudes of a convenience sample of 1602 university undergraduate students using a survey distributed online. The findings evidenced that males and individuals with more traditional gender role beliefs had attitudes more accepting of rape than the females and individuals who had more egalitarian gender role beliefs. Respondents who personally knew a rape survivor had attitudes less accepting of rape than those respondents who did not know a survivor. These findings support a continuing need to address rape myths in sexual violence prevention programming. The sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE‐A) has an important role in prevention services to educate and build awareness of rape myths both on campus and through community‐based efforts to reach this high risk population. Further, the SANE can build important linkages between the college campus and the healthcare setting to support the provision of effective intervention services and improved outcomes in victims of sexual violence.

Oral health champions in long-term care facilities-a pilot study.

This preintervention/postintervention pilot study examined impact of onsite support by a dental hygiene champion (DHC) on oral health and quality of life (QOL) of elderly residents in three long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Arkansas. Oral health and oral health-related QOL were operationalized using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), respectively. CNAs in Facility A received standardized oral health education/materials with onsite DHC support. Facility B received education/materials only. Facility C served as control. Data analyses included Wilcoxon-signed rank tests (OHAT) and repeated measures ANOVA (GOHAI) (p ≤ .05). OHAT postintervention data in Facility A showed significant improvements in three measured areas (tongue health, denture status, and oral cleanliness); in Facility B, one area (tongue health); and none in Facility C. No significant differences were found in GOHAI scores across facilities. Findings suggest that the presence of DHCs in LTCFs may positively impact the oral health of CNA-assisted residents.This preintervention/postintervention pilot study examined impact of onsite support by a dental hygiene champion (DHC) on oral health and quality of life (QOL) of elderly residents in three long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Arkansas. Oral health and oral health-related QOL were operationalized using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), respectively. CNAs in Facility A received standardized oral health education/materials with onsite DHC support. Facility B received education/materials only. Facility C served as control. Data analyses included Wilcoxon-signed rank tests (OHAT) and repeated measures ANOVA (GOHAI) (p ≤ .05). OHAT postintervention data in Facility A showed significant improvements in three measured areas (tongue health, denture status, and oral cleanliness); in Facility B, one area (tongue health); and none in Facility C. No significant differences were found in GOHAI scores across facilities. Findings suggest that the presence of DHCs in LTCFs may positively impact the oral health of CNA-assisted residents.

Intention to Change Nutrition-Related Behaviors in Adult Participants of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education

OBJECTIVE To determine whether participation in selected Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) lessons had an impact on the intent to improve nutrition-related behaviors of participants. METHODS A quantitative study using a retrospective post-then-pre design to measure SNAP-Ed outcomes of 203 adult participants after selected nutrition lessons in 14 counties across the state of Utah. After the intervention participants completed a retrospective post-then-pre survey evaluating intent to improve nutrition behaviors related to the SNAP-Ed lessons. Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction and paired t test were used. RESULTS Participants reported sometimes engaging in nutrition related behaviors before attending SNAP-Ed lessons and intent to usually engage in these behaviors after attending SNAP-Ed lessons. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrated that participation in selected SNAP-Ed lessons was positively related to the intent of participants to improve nutrition-related behaviors.

Beyond urban places: responding to intimate partner violence in rural and remote areas

Abstract Intimate partner violence is a recognized public health problem impacting the lives of women, families, and communities. Women in rural and more remote areas who experience IPV face unique barriers and challenges to accessing healthcare services to support healthy outcomes. Resources, access to services, presence of compassionate and informed healthcare providers, and environmental circumstances influence effective responses to this issue in rural and more remote areas. In a public health approach to this problem, prevention efforts, victim-centered responses, and the support of safety are imperative to improve outcomes for women. Forensic nurses play an important role in effective response by building linkages across health, human, and social systems through collaboration, partnership, activism, advocacy, and sensitivity to the issue across the rural landscape.

Oral Health and Interprofessional Education Experiences in Family Medicine and Pediatric Residency

INTRODUCTION Prevention of dental diseases in children requires interprofessional education (IPE) and care coordination between oral health professionals and primary care providers; however, the extent of preparation of medical residents and its impact on their provision of preventive oral health services in clinical practice requires further investigation. METHODS A two-stage cluster sample of 470 US family medicine and 205 pediatric residency programs was used. A random sample of 30% (N=140) of family medicine and 29% (N=60) of pediatric residency programs were randomly selected. Of these, 42 programs (21%) invited residents to participate. Residents (N=95, 28%) completed an online questionnaire regarding oral health training in residency. Statistical analysis included frequencies and Spearman’s rank correlations. RESULTS Eighty-three percent of family medicine and pediatric residents combined reported receiving oral health education. Clinical experiences involving oral healthcare were frequently reported (77%, n=75); however, IPE with an oral health professional was limited. Both groups indicated they provided anticipatory guidance regarding regular dental visits and toothbrushing “very often” and avoiding bottles at bedtime “often.” Residents reported performing dental caries assessments “often” and applying fluoride varnish “occasionally.” For family medicine residents, moderate correlations (p ≤ 0.01) were found between hours of oral health education and providing anticipatory guidance. For pediatric residents, a moderate correlation (p < 0.01) was found between hours of oral health education and assessing teeth for demineralization. CONCLUSION Increased effort is needed to meet national recommendations for educating family medicine and pediatric residents regarding oral healthcare for children, including increased IPE involving oral health professionals. Received: 05/25/2015 Accepted: 08/28/2015 Published: 10/22/2015

Perceived risk, severity of abuse, expectations, and needs of women experiencing intimate partner violence.

ABSTRACT This prospective, descriptive, correlational study examined perceived risk, severity of abuse, expectations, and needs of women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) with arrest of the offender occurring at the time of incident. This study builds on previous research completed on fear and expectations of female victims/survivors of IPV that come to the attention of police, to expand knowledge of women’s experiences once they enter the criminal justice system and to create a comprehensive response to this recognized public health problem (Apsler, Cummins, & Carl, 2002). Forty-three women were interviewed regarding the incident, relationship, and experience. Most of the women in this study reported experiencing mild violence and varied forms of threats. There was a significant relationship between the experience of mild violence, serious violence, sexual violence, threats to victims, threats to objects, and others and nonverbal threats with fear of the offender. However, there were no significant correlations between levels of violence or threats with perceived risk of future physical abuse. As the criminal justice response to this crime has changed with the development of legislation and laws aimed at keeping women safe and holding offenders accountable, further research is needed to understand the experience of IPV victims and support an informed response. Forensic nurses are critical interdisciplinary team members in these efforts and play a significant role in providing expertise, sharing of knowledge, and application of evidence fostering victim-centered approaches to addressing IPV.