Michele R. Davidson

Physical activity and body composition analysis of female baccalaureate nursing students

Although nursing students are educated about the importance of healthy diets and the benefits of exercise, many do not engage in health promotion behaviors. This study longitudinally examined specific indicators of obesity among a group of female nursing students who incorporated an exercise program into their normal weekly routine. Indicators for obesity were identified using anthropometric data that included weight, body mass index (BMI), and percentage of body fat. Blood pressure, pulse data, and a physical activity level assessment were performed at the beginning and at the conclusion of the study period. Results indicated improvement in overall body composition, including a reduction in percent body fat and BMI. Students also showed improved physical activity levels. Since nurses need to counsel clients on primary prevention issues such as physical activity and maintaining ideal body weight and lean mass, the importance of positive health behaviors for nursing students and nurses cannot be stressed enough.

Description of the moderate brain injured patient and predictors of discharge to rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE To describe patients with moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) treated and discharged at levels I and II trauma centers in the United States; and to describe the predictors of discharge to rehabilitation after acute care. DESIGN Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study. SETTING Trauma centers. PARTICIPANTS Patients with moderate TBI (N=2087; age range, 18-64 y) as reported in the 2010 National Sample Project. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Discharge destination (rehabilitation vs home with no services). RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that demographic, clinical, and financial characteristics influenced the likelihood of being discharged to rehabilitation. Increased age, increased severity, Medicare use, longer length of stay, and trauma center locations in the Midwest and Northeast all increased the likelihood of discharge to rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS The decision to discharge a person with moderate TBI from acute care to rehabilitation appears to be based on factors other than just clinical need. These findings should be considered in creating more equitable access to postacute rehabilitation services for patients with moderate TBI because they risk long-term physical and cognitive problems and have the potential for productive lives with treatment.

Latina Immigrants’ Cultural Beliefs About Postpartum Depression:

It is estimated that U.S. Latinas have a higher risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) than the general population, with even higher risk among immigrant Latinas. We conducted three focus groups with immigrants from Mexico and Central America (19) inquiring about cultural messages regarding PPD. Groups were conducted in Spanish, and thematic analysis was used to uncover themes. Themes are presented within three categories: views of PPD, cultural messages and beliefs that prevent treatment seeking, and suggestions to promote treatment seeking. Community and family-led efforts to decrease stigma and normalize PPD are suggested.

Childbearing in Geographically Isolated Communities: The Smith Island Experience

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the childbearing beliefs and to describe the perspectives of pregnancy in women living on Smith Island, a geographically isolated community that lacks on-site obstetrical care services. Design: A qualitative exploratory, longitudinal focus group model consisting of two focus groups, conducted 6 years apart, that included 12 female participants was used. The focus group used open-ended questions regarding their childbirth experiences and the impact of geographic isolation and lack of healthcare access impacted them during the childbearing period. During the initial focus group, 60%multiparous and participated in a 70 minute interview. The second focus group contained only multiparous women and lasted 110 minutes. The timing interval represented the interval when another group of women had given birth. The study included 100% of women who were pregnant and subsequently gave birth who were living on the Island during the study period. Data collection and analysis were performed simultaneously and included: audio recordings with verbatim transcription, and subsequent coding using direct quotes from the participants. Findings: The majority of women identified acceptance of pregnancy as a safe, normal biological process and identified strong religious beliefs as the underlining factor for their perceptions. All women identified themselves as Methodist religion and “to be religious”. All of the women also identified anxiety, separation strain, and financial strain as normal components associated with pregnancy and childbearing in this remote island community. Of the women who had never given birth, all of them, and the majority of the multiparous women feared their family members, especially their husbands, would miss the actual birth due to geographic separation and feared being alone in labor and at the time of birth. Conclusions: The strong religious presence provided a foundation of acceptance of normalcy of childbearing. Women perceived their religious beliefs as a source of protection. They viewed childbirth as a rite of passage, but reported spending a great deal of time and financial resources on obtaining prenatal care. Separation strain occurred when the women were forced to be away from family and friends at the end of the pregnancy. Multiparous women with older children expressed a greater degree of stress in being separated from children and having to manage childcare and school issues. All of the women in the study had a fear that their husbands, working watermen, would missthe birth itself and that they would be alone at the time of birth.