Sandra Benavides-Vaello

Using focus groups to plan and evaluate diabetes self-management interventions for Mexican Americans.

Using focus groups also can balance the sense of power between researchers and participants.2 Focus group participants are the experts regarding the issue under study. They possess knowledge that is of value to researchers and can provide new and original perspectives that allow researchers to gain a better understanding of the issue at hand. This role reversal empowers the participant, distributing authority more equally between the researcher and the participant.

Modifiable Factors that Support Political Participation by Nurses

Political participation is an opportunity for individuals to give their time and energy in such a way that it benefits others and advances relevant agendas. Political participation is a key issue for nurses because they are familiar with clinical issues that directly impact health care policies instituted at the local, state, and federal levels. Collectively, nurses also represent the largest number of health care providers in the United States and are among the most trusted health professionals. However, there are many obstacles that prevent nurses from taking a more active role in politics, creating a gap in how nurses pursue and respond to political participation, or civic engagement. The purpose of this exploratory review is to identify modifiable factors that support political participation among nurses. A review of the extant literature revealed three primary factors that promote civic engagement among nurses: (a) integration of political education in the nursing curriculum; (b) value of active psychological engagement, including a personal interest in political knowledge and information; and (c) value of collective influence such as membership in professional organizations.

Sociocultural construction of food ways in low‐income Mexican‐American women with diabetes: a qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVESnThe aim of the study was to explore how low-income Hispanic women, with at least 10xa0years of having type 2 diabetes, successfully manage the disease within a sociocultural context, especially in relation to foodways.nnnBACKGROUNDnManaging type 2 diabetes is challenging, particularly for underserved populations such as low-income Hispanic women. This population segment has higher rates of type 2 diabetes, diabetes-related complications, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles than the general U.S.nnnPOPULATIONnDietary management is a critical aspect of diabetes care, but it is perhaps the most difficult health behaviour to modify.nnnDESIGNnA qualitative and ethnographically based study was used.nnnMETHODSnParticipant observation and individual interviews explored the interrelationships of culture, food habits and type 2 diabetes among 12 low-income Hispanic women residing in an impoverished rural community located on the Texas-Mexico border.nnnRESULTSnHispanic women used unique strategies to adjust their diet, particularly portion control; for example, they emphasised the use of the fork, based on the notion that Hispanic finger foods are less healthy. Women categorised foods as bad or acceptable, depending on the context, such as important family or social gatherings. Those with years of diabetes experience confidently took charge of the disease based on knowledge of their bodies and a desire to avoid complications, while acknowledging brief infractions of dietary rules and balancing various social roles and expectations.nnnCONCLUSIONSnHispanic women manage their type 2 diabetes within a sociocultural environment. Those with expertise make changes in how they eat to care for their diabetes, but also continue to maintain traditional foodways.nnnRELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICEnFoodways are critical to most cultural groups and modifying dietary behaviours can be challenging. Clinicians must develop self-management guidance within the sociocultural context of the patient if diabetes outcomes are to improve and be sustained.

Measuring the Success of a Pipeline Program to Increase Nursing Workforce Diversity.

The purpose of this study was to understand changes in knowledge and opinions of underserved American Indian and Hispanic high school students after attending a 2-week summer pipeline program using and testing a pre/postsurvey. The research aims were to (a) psychometrically analyze the survey to determine if scale items could be summed to create a total scale score or subscale scores; (b) assess change in scores pre/postprogram; and (c) examine the survey to make suggestions for modifications and further testing to develop a valid tool to measure changes in student perceptions about going to college and nursing as a result of pipeline programs. Psychometric analysis indicated poor model fit for a 1-factor model for the total scale and majority of subscales. Nonparametric tests indicated statistically significant increases in 13 items and decreases in 2 items. Therefore, while total scores or subscale scores cannot be used to assess changes in perceptions from pre- to postprogram, the survey can be used to examine changes over time in each item. Student did not have an accurate view of nursing and college and underestimated support needed to attend college. However students realized that nursing was a profession with autonomy, respect, and honor.

Using the generative nursing model to reframe nursing student transition to practice.

New nurses are leaving hospitals in record numbers after fulfilling their initial employment obligations. Reasons for turnover relate to job dissatisfaction in the form of stressful working conditions, disempowerment, insufficient resources, difficult working relationships, and poor management. The authors discuss an approach for preparing students to manage factors that lead to burnout and new nurse turnover using the Generative Leadership Model as a framework.

Nursing and health sciences workforce diversity research using PhotoVoice: a college and high school student participatory project.

This participatory study used PhotoVoice and qualitative description to (a) mentor baccalaureate nursing and college students in workforce diversity research; (b) explore barriers and facilitators encountered by rural American Indian, Hispanic, and other high school students when attending college and pursuing careers in nursing or the health sciences; and (c) model a process of social action to help existing and future students. Baccalaureate nursing and graduate students participated in all stages of research, including dissemination. Five themes emerged from analysis of PhotoVoice data: (a) being afraid; (b) believing; (c) taking small steps; (d) facing fears; and (e) using support systems. Findings underscore the importance of helping students participate in efforts to increase work-force diversity through research. Increasing nursing and health sciences workforce diversity may require strategies developed within and tailored to specific cultures and communities.

“Can you keep it real?” : Practical, and culturally tailored lifestyle recommendations by Mexican American women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study

BackgroundThe purpose of this article is to engage clinicians in a dialogue about ideas on how to provide more specific, contextually relevant, practical and culturally tailored diabetes self-management recommendations as suggested by Mexican-American women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Current diabetes self-management recommendations, targeting Mexican Americans in particular, remain largely broad (“reduce your calorie intake” or “cut back on carbs”), overly ambitious (“stop eating tortillas”), and relatively ineffective (Svedbo Engström et al., BMJ Open 6(3):e010249, 2016; Johansson et al., Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 11, 2016; Oomen et al., The Diabetes Educ 25:220-225, 1999; Franek, Ont Health Technol Assess Ser 13(9):1-60, 2013; Purnell et al. Patient 9:349, 2016).MethodsA secondary and focused analysis (Nu2009=u200912) was performed on data gathered from a larger qualitative study (Nu2009=u200916), which explored diabetes among Mexican-American women residing in rural South Texas.ResultsFindings from the secondary analysis were that study informants elicited more realistic or contextually relevant, specific self-management strategies that reflected the cognitive, emotive, and behavioral areas but were reframed within the context of the Mexican-American culture. Self-management strategies fell into the categories of: (a) environmental controls, (b) avoiding overeating, (c) lifestyle changes, (d) cooking tips, and (e) active self-management.ConclusionsDiabetes remains a serious health threat to Mexican Americans, women in particular. Few individuals attain glycemic control, likely due in part to the disconnect between global and non-contextual self-management recommendations offered by health care providers and the need for more detailed and realistic guidance required for the day-to-day self-management of diabetes.

Strategies for conducting health research with Latinos during times of political incivility

The current US political climate towards immigrants introduces new challenges for researchers already struggling to recruit and retain Latino participants in health research. The purpose of this work is to illuminate how current political incivility further deters participation by Latinos in research and present strategies to overcome these challenges.

Views on exercise: A grounded theory exploration of the creation of exercise perceptions in Hispanic children with asthma

Introduction: There is a large prevalence of asthma, particularly among Hispanic children. Although physical activity is a good way to manage asthma, more Hispanic children with asthma lack activity than their healthy classmates. Given this, the purpose of this study was to explore the development of exercise perceptions in Hispanic children with asthma and to further develop an existing explanatory theory. Method: Grounded theory was the approach for the study. Grounded theory illuminated components of exercise perceptions from participants. Participants included Hispanic children with asthma, their families, and professionals who work with Hispanic children with asthma (n = 29). Results: Findings from this study supported the previously identified grounded theory called The Process of Creating Perceptions of Exercise. In addition, two new concepts (cultural and peer influences) were identified that further explain the category of exercise influences. Conclusion: The revised theory can be used to assist in developing nursing interventions aimed at increasing exercise participation among Hispanic children with asthma.