Liudmila Lipiäinen

Russian nursing students’ knowledge level and attitudes in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – a descriptive study

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of Russian nursing students regarding HIV and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and their attitudes towards caring for people/patients living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA - People Living With HIV/AIDS) and their possible homophobic attitudes. The HIV epidemic in Russia is substantial and increasing rapidly. Hence this study provides important new information regarding this phenomenon.MethodsThe data was collected by questionnaire from students in three nursing schools (nu2009=u2009102, response rate 95.3%). The data was analyzed using PASW Statistics version 18. For computing the level of the students’ AIDS knowledge, all correct answers were recorded as equal to (1), while all incorrect and “Don’t know” answers were recorded as equal to (0). Each respondent’s scores were totaled and individual scores were analyzed using regression analysis. The effect of demographic variables on the average scores of attitudes was also subjected to regression analysis.ResultsOverall, students’ knowledge level regarding HIV and AIDS was moderate (range 5–26). Of a maximum score of 33, the mean of correct answers was 19.8 (SDu2009=u20093.70). Nursing students’ attitudes were quite negative and they also demonstrated homophobic attitudes. The mean scale score for nursing students’ general attitude was 2.75, and for homophobic attitudes it was 3.3 (minu2009=u20091, maxu2009=u20095). Only the background factor of gender correlated with the homophobic level demonstrated (pu2009=u2009.05, βu2009=u2009−.67). Nursing students’ overall willingness to provide care for PLWHA was associated with their attitudes (pu2009=u2009.003, βu2009=u2009−.534).ConclusionsGiven that the HIV epidemic in Russia is both substantial and increasing, it is essential to improve HIV nursing education to provide sufficient and up-to-date information about HIV and also to prepare nursing students for caring for PLWHA. In doing so, this may help to address both the deficits in student knowledge, and also modify their attitude towards PLWHA.

Identifying cancer patients with greater need for information about sexual issues

PURPOSEnThe aim of the research was to identify cancer patients who may have a greater need about sexuality-related information. The study explored the association between sexuality-related information need and socio-demographic factors, cancer type, types of cancer treatment, experienced adverse effects on sexuality, and changes experienced in relationships.nnnMETHODS AND SAMPLEnThis study used a survey design. Questionnaires were distributed and completed by 505 patients, with a diversity of cancer diagnoses, treated at a university hospital in Finland in 2009 and 2010. Information needs were rated using the international and well validated Information Needs Questionnaire (INQ). Sosiodemographic factors, cancer type, treatments, experienced adverse effects on sexuality and changed experienced in relationships were measured by using another questionnaire.nnnKEY RESULTSnThose patients with experiences of functional problems or other adverse effects on sexuality due to cancer or treatment found sexuality related information more important than those with no experiences of adverse effects on sexuality. Patients with experiences of weakened relationships due to cancer had greater information needs than those with experiences of strengthened relationships or no changes in relationships due to cancer.nnnCONCLUSIONSnCancer patients should be asked whether cancer or treatment has caused problems in their sexuality and possible relationships. Patients who experience problems in their sexuality or relationships should be provided an opportunity to discuss the issues. The whole oncology team have a role to play in patient sexuality guidance. The items on the INQ could be used as a reference tool for exploring patients information needs.

A trajectory analysis of body mass index for Finnish children

The aim of this study is to investigate the early development of body mass index (BMI), a standard tool for assessing the body shape and average level of adiposity for children and adults. The main aim of the study is to identify the primary trajectories of BMI development and to investigate the changes of certain growth characteristics over time. Based on our longitudinal data of 4223 Finnish children, we took anthropometric measurements from birth up to 15 years of age for birth years 1974, 1981, 1991 and 1995, but only up to 11 years of age for the birth year 2001. As a statistical method, we utilized trajectory analysis with the methods of nonparametric regression. We identified four main trajectories of BMI growth. Two of these trajectories do not seem to follow the normal growth pattern. The highest growth track appears to yield to a track that may yield to overweight and the low birth BMI track shows that the girls’ track differs that of boys on the same track, and on the normal tracks. The so-called adiposity rebound time decreased over time and started earlier for those on the overweight track. According to our study, this kind of acceleration of growth might be more of a general phenomenon that also relates to the other phases of BMI development. The major change seems to occur especially for those children on high growth tracks.

Mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to give birth to children who experience early weight problems

We tracked the body mass index (BMI) of children born to mothers with or without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or type 1 diabetes from birth to 12 years of age and examined the trends in both diseases.

Labour market attachment following major workforce downsizings: a comparison of displaced and retained workers

In plant downsizings, attention tends to be paid to displaced workers, while the retained are considered ‘fortunate survivors’. Exploiting a comprehensive Finnish employee-employer dataset, this study examines both displaced and retained workers and compares their seven-year labour market attachment after downsizing. Advanced statistics, including trajectory analysis, are used to identify groups characterized by ‘immediately weakening’, ‘gradually weakening’ and ‘strong’ employment. Workers displaced in major downsizings have a significantly higher risk of immediately weakening employment than those retained. Sequence analyses were performed for those on weakening employment trajectories and it was found that the pathway ‘unemployment – unemployment pension – old age pension’ was quite common among displaced workers but also among those retained. The results support the segmentation theory hypothesis of a dualism in outcomes, but surprisingly there is little difference in the labour market outcomes of retained and displaced workers in the long run.

Willingness to take care of HIV positive people: Responses from Russian nursing students

This article is a report of a study on Russian nursing students’ willingness to take care of people living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA). HIV and AIDS are continuing to spread in Russia. Nursing students’ willingness to care for people living with HIV or AIDS is one aspect that should also be taken in consideration on this transmission situation. In total, 102 nursing students participated in the study (the response rate was 95.3%). The data were collected using the Nurse Willingness Questionnaire (NWQ) and analysed using SPSS version 15 for Windows. The study showed that nursing students’ willingness to care for PLWHA was low when asked with one general question but quite high when asked more specifically related to some nursing activities. Nursing students were more willing to perform clean nursing activities than activities with infectious risk. There is a great need for improving understanding of and proficiency in safety work with HIV-infected patients.

Trajectory analyses of sickness absence among industrial and municipal employees

BackgroundnCompared with the public sector, the private sector is more susceptible to changes in the economic environment and associated threats of downsizing, outsourcing and transfers of production. This might be assumed to be associated with more restrictive sickness absence practices.nnnAimsnTo investigate whether this difference is reflected in higher sickness absence rates in the public sector and to explore the potential of trajectory analysis in researching such absences.nnnMethodsnThe sample consisted of industrial and municipal employees. Latent groups of differential sickness absence during a 6-year study period were searched with a two-response trajectory analysis that jointly captured the spells and the days. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess associations of the labour market sector with the set of trajectories obtained.nnnResultsnThere were 2207 industrial and 3477 municipal employees in the study group. The analysis assigned the employees to three trajectory groups, the low-level, middle-range and high-range groups. The relative risk ratios for the middle-range and the high-range trajectories of public sector employees were not higher after controlling for age, gender and occupational.nnnConclusionsnIn this study, the labour market sector was not a major independent determinant of sickness absence practices. Trajectory analysis can be recommended as a way to determine differential absence practices. The trajectory approach might help occupational health services to identify more accurately the employees who need support to maintain their work ability.

Patterns of Integration : A Longitudinal View of the Labour Market Attachment of Immigrants in Finland

Abstract The labour market integration of immigrants is often time-consuming and a socially selective process that depends on macroeconomic, institutional and individual characteristics. In this paper, we studied the labour market integration of immigrants as a longitudinal process through different patterns of labour market attachment. Using information about individuals’ main activity statuses based on the Finnish Longitudinal Employer-Employee Data (FLEED) and using sequence analysis, we followed the labour market transitions of immigrants during the years 2000–2010. The theory on transitional labour markets provides an analytical tool for analysing the heterogeneity of the individuals’ labour market attachment. The results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the labour market integration of immigrants.