Health Literacy, Self-Care Behavior and Quality of Life in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: An Integrative Review

Purpose: The review aimed to find the best evidence on the relationship between health literacy, self-care behavior and perceived quality of life (QoL) among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Searching engines included Cumulative Index to Nursing Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Pro Quest, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SAGE Journals, Wiley on Line Library, and Science Direct electronic databases from 2010 to 2018. Fifteen research articles assessed the main variables and their associations with demographic and clinical variables. Results: Different methodologies and samples were analyzed: analytic descriptive, systematic review, a randomized control trial, retrospective cohort, a prospective Cohort, cross-sectional, and correlational designs. The fifteen studies showed that the patients with ACS have inadequate health literacy. Patients’ ability to understand basic and complex information or to accurately assess health risks was impaired and may hinder patients’ engagement in self-care. Low HL in patients having ACS is consistently associated with poor QoL. Physical domain of QoL remained the significant outcome of both self-care behavior and health literacy after adjusting for demographics and clinical variables in patients with ACS. Conclusion: The literature pointed to the importance of considering health literacy and self-care behaviors as predictors of quality of life among patients with ACS. However, there has been no previous evidence on the best process of the association between these three variables.

Effect of Foot Self-Care Behavior According to Severity of Diabetic Neuropathy in Japanese Patients with Diabetes

PURPOSE: Diabetic patients with severe diabetic neuropathy often have hypoesthesia and numbness. This study evaluated foot self-care behavior according to severity of diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: We used a hand-held nerve conduction test device DPN check (HDN-1000, Omron) to evaluate severity of diabetic neuropathy. Foot self-care was evaluated using the Japanese SDSCA (the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure). Foot self-care comprised visual inspection, washing, wiping interdigital areas, and checking shoes, and was scored according to the number of days self-care which was performed in the previous week. RESULTS: The study evaluated 103 diabetic patients (age: 65.7 years, diabetes duration: 13.9 years, HbA1c: 7.3%). Total scores (out of 28 points) for self-care behavior according to neuropathy severity were 11.8 (Normal: n = 54), 10.6 (Mild: n = 27), 13.3 (Moderate: n = 17), and 10.8 (Severe: n = 5). Foot self-care scores were low in all groups, with particularly low scores in those with severe neuropathy. However, no statistically significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Foot self-care is essential in diabetes because lesions are more likely to occur in severe neuropathy. Living alone and the presence of recurrent foot lesions are associated with poor survival prognosis. Accordingly, foot-care intervention must take neuropathy severity and lifestyle factors into account. The severity of diabetic neuropathy must be determined and foot-care intervention should take lifestyle factors into account.

Socio-Demographics and Late Antenatal Care Seeking Behavior: A Cross Sectional Study among Pregnant Women at Kyenjojo General Hospital, Western Uganda

Background: Late antenatal care attendance among pregnant women at health facilities remains a significant public health problem. Globally, approximately 830 women die every day due to pregnancy-related complications and 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries whereby 86% of pregnant women access Antenatal Care (ANC) services at least once. Objective: The general objective of the study was to determine factors associated with late antenatal care seeking behavior among pregnant women at Kyenjojo general hospital. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study design that considered quantitative data collection methods among pregnant women attending ANC. The sample size was determined using Kish and Leslie (1969) formula using a proportion of 37% (0.37) of women who sought late ANC. A systematic sampling technique was used to sample pregnant women on daily basis. Results: A total of 283 women participated in the study. Spouse’s occupation was significantly associated with late ANC attendance (p = 0.026). On the other hand, education level of respondent (Fisher’s = 8.363, p = 0.028*), religion (Fisher’s = 5.77, p = 0.048*) and parity (Fisher’s 10.312, p = 0.026*) revealed statistically significant association with late ANC attendance. In multivariate logistic regression, on occupation, women with unemployed spouses were significantly associated with 25% increase in attendance of late ANC compared to those in formal employment (AOR = 0.25, CI: 0.073 - 0.855, p = 0.027*). Conclusion: The Majority of pregnant women sought ANC at 90.1% (n = 255). There’s a need for government to strengthen health promotion targeting women in rural communities.

The effect of self-employment on health, access to care, and health behavior

The focus of this paper is to investigate the role self-employment conceptualized as a lifestyle factor on health, access to health care, and health behaviors. We analyze rich data on 13,435 working adults in the US, who are either selfemployed or salaried workers. Outcomes include physical and mental health perception, validated indexes of physical and mental health, and medical conditions;access-to-care measures such as a barrier to obtaining necessary health care;and health behaviors such as smoking, physical activity and body mass index. Instrumental variables methods are used to correct for selection into self-employment. We find that self-employment is positively associated with perceived physical health, and is negatively associated with having diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and arthritis. No mental health outcome is significantly associated with self-employment. There is no significant difference between self-employed and wage-earning individuals with regard to access to care. Self-employed individuals are less likely to smoke, and are more likely to participate in physical activity and have normal-weight. We conclude that despite lack of health insurance, self-employed persons in the US are as healthy as wage-earners, do not experience a greater barrier to access to care, and are more likely to engage in healthy behavior.

Rehabilitative Outcomes after Hip Fracture in a Special Care Unit for Persons with Dementia and Behavioral and Psychotic Symptoms

Aim: Hip fracture implies severe problems to older people;special concerns regard persons with dementia, due either to cognitive impairment, or to behavioral and psychic symptoms. This study illustrates rehabilitative outcomes of these patients discharged by a special care unit ruled by “GentleCare” principles. Method: 54 patients [89% females, aged 82.3 years (range 66 - 94)] followed a post-surgery rehabilitative program carried out by a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist, supported by a psychologist. The multidimensional assessment consisted of cognition evaluation (Mini Mental State Examination, Clinical Dementia Rating, Global Deterioration Scale), functional evaluation (Barthel Index, Tinetti Gait and Balance, Bedford Alzheimer Nursing Severity scale), behavioral evaluation (UCLA Neuropsychiatric Inventory) and comorbidity evaluation (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale). Results: All parameters improved, including the 5 most frequent behavioral and psychic symptoms that usually preclude admission in ordinary rehabilitation units. 24% of improvement in Barthel Index total score was explained by agitation and apathy at discharge, in a multiple linear regression model: better functional levels corresponded to smoother behavioral problems. Most patients improved;70.5% of them were discharged to home. Conclusion: A prosthetic approach enables valuable results in the rehabilitation of severely demented patients with hip fracture also in presence of behavioral symptoms.

Prevalence of childhood illness and mothers’/caregivers’ care seeking behavior in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: A descriptive community based cross sectional study

Introduction: In Ethiopia, even though there are great achievements in decreasing infant and child mortality from year 2000 to 2011, still children are suffering from diarrheal diseases, respiratory problems and malnutrition. This study was done to determine the prevalence of illnesses among under-five children and mothers’/caregivers’ care seeking behavior for childhood illnesses in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was done on a sample of 415 mothers/caregivers from April 15 to May 15, 2011. Three kebeles (the smallest administrative unit) from Bahir Dar were selected randomly. The sample was proportionally distributed to the selected kebeles according to their population size. To be eligible to participate in the study, mothers had to live in households that had children under five years of age. These households were selected by systematic sampling method. Mothers/caregivers were interviewed in their homes using a structured questionnaire that had been pre-tested. The collected data were analyzed using a computer program of SPSS version 20.0. Result and Conclusions: The overall two weeks prevalence of childhood illness that had one or more symptoms of disease was 110 (26.5%). The prevalence of the most commonly reported symptoms were diarrhea, fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI) and others 11.3%, 10%, 6.3% and 4.6% among children of under five years respectively. Eighty (72.7%) of mothers sought treatment from health care facilities for sick children. The main reasons for not seeking treatment from health care facilities as reported by mothers/caregivers were, 53.3% Illness was not serious, 26.7% lack of money and 13.3% did not see any benefit for such childhood illness. Hence there is a need for designing a tailored health message for mother/ caregivers about preventable childhood illness and treatment seeking by the local health extension workers and program planners.

Effects of health concept model-based detailed behavioral care on mood and quality of life in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND With the intensification of social aging,the susceptibility of the elderly population to diseases has attracted increasing attention,especially chronic heart failure(CHF)that accounts for a large proportion of the elderly.AIM To evaluate the application value of health concept model-based detailed behavioral care in elderly patients with CHF.METHODS This study recruited 116 elderly CHF patients admitted from October 2018 to October 2020 and grouped them according to the nursing care that they received.The elderly patients who underwent health concept model-based detailed behavioral care were included in a study group(SG;n=62),and those who underwent routine detailed behavioral nursing intervention were included as a control group(CG;n=54).Patients’negative emotions(NEs),quality of life(QoL),and nutritional status were assessed using the self-rating anxiety/depression scale(SAS/SDS),the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire(MLHFQ),and the Modified Quantitative Subjective Global Assessment(MQSGA)of nutrition,respectively.Differences in rehabilitation efficiency,NEs,cardiac function(CF)indexes,nutritional status,QoL,and nursing satisfaction were comparatively analyzed.RESULTS A higher response rate was recorded in the SG vs the CG after intervention(P<0.05).After care,the left ventricular ejection fraction was higher while the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and left ventricular end systolic diameter were lower in the SG compared with the CG(P<0.05).The post-intervention SAS and SDS scores,as well as MQSGA and MLHFQ scores,were also lower in the SG(P<0.05).The SG was also superior to the CG in the overall nursing satisfaction rate(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Health concept model-based detailed behavioral care has high application value in the nursing care of elderly CHF patients,and it can not only effectively enhance rehabilitation efficiency,but also mitigate patients’NEs and improve their CF and QoL.

Rational-emotive behavioral intervention helped patients with cancer and their caregivers to manage psychological distress and anxiety symptoms

There is a dearth of evidence-based data on how psychological distress and death anxiety symptoms experienced by cancer patients and caregivers are treated in developing regions. This article sheds light on the report of the findings from a 2016 study that revealed a rational-emotive behavioral intervention helped a select group of cancer patients and their family caregivers to manage problematic assumptions, psychological distress, and death anxiety symptoms in Nigeria.Based on my experience as a co-investigator and corresponding author of this previous study, I addressed the challenges of conducting such a study and the implications for future research in this article. This article encourages future researchers to replicate the study and endeavor to overcome the limitations of the previous study. Funders were also encouraged to ensure increased access to funds for conducting similar studies with cancer patients and their family caregivers in developing countries and other parts of the world.

Decision-Making and Management of Self-Care in Persons with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries: A Preliminary Study

Patients and physicians understand the importance of self-care following spinal cord injury (SCI), yet many individuals with SCI do not adhere to recommended self-care activities despite logistical supports. Neurobehavioral determinants of SCI self-care behavior, such as impulsivity, are not widely studied, yet understanding them could inform efforts to improve SCI self-care. We explored associations between impulsivity and self-care in an observational study of 35 US adults age 18 - 50 who had traumatic SCI with paraplegia at least six months before assessment. The primary outcome measure was self-reported self-care. In LASSO regression models that included all neurobehavioral measures and demographics as predictors of self-care, dispositional measures of greater impulsivity (negative urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance), and reduced mindfulness were associated with reduced self-care. Outcome (magnitude) sensitivity, a latent decision-making parameter derived from computationally modeling successive choices in a gambling task, was also associated with self-care behavior. These results are preliminary;more research is needed to demonstrate the utility of these findings in clinical settings. Information about associations between impulsivity and poor self-care in people with SCI could guide the development of interventions to improve SCI self-care and help patients with elevated risks related to self-care and secondary health conditions.

The relationships among critical thinking disposition, caring behavior, and learning styles in student nurses

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among disposition toward critical thinking, learning styles, and caring behaviors in student nurses enrolled in three 5-year junior nursing colleges in Southern Taiwan. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample that comprised 777 nursing students from two cities. The data were obtained through the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory, Chinese Version (CTDI-CV), Index of Learning Styles (ILS), and the Caring Behavior Scale (CBS). The sample ranged in age from 16 to 22 years (M = 18.21). Results: Students scored highest on the inquisitiveness subscale and lowest on the truth-seeking subscale. Additionally, some dimensions of disposition toward critical thinking differed significantly by learning style. There was a positive relationship between overall critical thinking dispositions and caring behaviors (r = 0.23, p < 0.01). Finally, dimensions of caring behavior, with the exception of the maturity dimension, were significantly positively related to most dimensions of the disposition toward critical thinking (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that not only is learning style related to critical thinking disposition but also to caring behaviors. However, the cause of these relationships warrants further study.

Evaluation of Training Program for New Nurses to Enhance Caring Behavior

This research was aimed to evaluate the training program enhancing caring behaviors of new nurses by Kirkpatrick＇s four level for evaluation model： reaction, learning, behavior, and result of the program. The participants were new nurses, preceptors of new nurses, administrators, patients and members of the patients＇ family cared by new nurses. The research instruments were： （1） five questionnaires toward program suitability, knowledge, attitude, caring expression, and result to organization. The mean, standard deviation and dependent sample t-test were used for data analysis; （2） guidelines for focus group discussion and semi-structural questionnaire analyzed by content analysis. The study revealed that： （1） the mean of suitability was at the very high level （X = 4.49, SD. = .30）; （2） the knowledge and attitude after training were significantly higher than before training at .000 level, [t =-21.65, p = .000 and t = -19.30, p = .000）; {3} caring behavior after training was significantly higher than before training at the .000 level; and {4} the result of the program was at the high level { X = 4.25, SD. = .17}, related to the result of semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. These evaluation research finding suggested that administrators can use for improving the preparation of any project and apply to evaluate other training programs, developing human resource system.

Guided Care管理模式对慢性心衰患者服药依从性、自我护理行为及生活质量的影响

目的探讨Guide Care管理模式对慢性心功能衰竭(CHF)患者服药依从性、自我护理行为和生活质量的影响。方法选取在我院接受治疗的90例CHF患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分为对照组和干预组,每组45例。对照组接受常规护理,干预组在对照组基础上给予Guided Care管理模式。比较两组护理效果。结果干预组ACEI/ARB、β受体阻滞剂、ACEI/ARB与β受体阻滞剂联用的应用比例及达到指南推荐靶剂量的患者比例均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组MLHFQ、EHFScBS评分均呈现出先降低再升高的趋势。入院时和出院时,两组躯体领域、情绪领域评分和总分及EHFScBS评分比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);随访结束时,干预组的躯体领域、情绪领域评分和总分及EHFScBS评分均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 Guided Care管理模式应用于CHF患者中有助于改善患者的服药依从性,提高患者的自我护理行为和生活质量水平。

Perception of caring behavior and associated factors among nurses and midwives working in public hospitals in Southern Ethiopia

Objective:This study aimed to assess the perception of caring behaviors and associated factors among nurses and midwives who provided maternal health care services at Sidama region public hospitals,Hawassa,Ethiopia.Methods:An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of 269 nurses and midwives working in maternity wards in Sidama region public hospitals.A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data.Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with nurses’and midwives’perceptions of caring behaviors.Results:Totally 261 nurses and midwives participated the survey.Based on the mean score,participants’perception of caring behavior was classified as higher and lower.According to this study,75.1%(196/261)of nurses and midwives demonstrated a higher perception of caring behavior.Respondents’age,professional satisfaction,personal satisfaction,midwife/nurse-doctor relationship and workload were significantly associated with their perception of caring behavior.Conclusions:Assessing the nurses’and midwives’perception of caring behavior and related factors is crucial for providing high-quality nursing and midwifery interventions.It is suggested to create a positive and conducive caring behavior in the organization by reducing excessive workload of nurses and midwives,as well as enhancing nurse/midwife-doctor relationship,and increasing their job satisfaction by providing recognition and reward will improve nurses’and midwives’caring behavior.

医护人员的临终关怀态度和安宁疗护行为调查

目的 了解临床医护人员临终关怀态度与安宁疗护行为现况,探讨安宁疗护行为的影响因素。方法 采用临终关怀态度调查量表和安宁疗护行为测量量表对425名临床医护人员进行调查。结果 临床医护人员安宁疗护行为得分为(48.00±10.14)分,显著低于安宁疗护机构医护人员(P<0.05);临终关怀态度得分为(103.72±10.70)分。临终关怀态度与安宁疗护行为呈正相关(P<0.05)。分层回归分析结果显示,男性、已婚以及接受过临终关怀教育的医护人员安宁疗护行为水平较高;临终关怀态度中以患者及其家属为中心的照顾意识维度能独立解释安宁疗护行为总变异的11.6%。结论 临床医护人员临终关怀态度总体偏正向,安宁疗护行为有待进一步提升,临终关怀态度对安宁疗护行为具有重要的促进作用。医院应通过开展专业培训,提升医护人员安宁疗护行为能力。

Development and psychometric evaluation of the nurse behavior toward confirmed and suspected HIV/AIDS patients (NB-CSHAP) scale

There is a scarcity of literature discussing nurses’ behaviors toward caring for suspected or confirmed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The development of a scale specific to measure nurses’ behaviors will allow health institutions to assess the disposition of their nurses in terms of HIV care. This study aims to present the rigors of developing and validating a reliable instrument to contextualize these nurses’ behaviors. This study utilized a sequential exploratory mixed method design to develop the NB-CSHAP scale. Thematic analysis was done on the qualitative data from the interviews with persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) from which items were selected to be included in the scale. Exploratory factor analysis was utilized to extract the factors and Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess the reliability of the instrument. Four factors were extracted and are categorized as either caring or discriminatory behaviors. These include: (1) service-oriented, (2) openhanded, (3) perceptive, and (4) discriminatory. The scale has an internal consistency of 0.73. The scale shows acceptable psychometric properties, hence can be used to assess the nurses’ behaviors in caring for confirmed or suspected HIV clients. The scale may be used by health institutions to determine the quality of the patient care provided by their nurses to clients with confirmed or suspected HIV .

临床护士关怀行为与职业应对自我效能感的相关性

目的:了解临床护士关怀行为与职业应对自我效能感现状,并分析两者相关性,为提高临床护士关怀行为提供参考。方法:2023年3月—4月将河南省各市按东部、中部、西部分层,分别抽取2所二级及以上综合医院共260名临床护士进行调查。采用一般资料调查表、职业应对自我效能感量表和护士关怀行为量表进行调查。结果:260名临床护士关怀行为得分为(121.84±19.69)分,职业应对自我效能感得分为(35.00±6.76)分,护士职业应对自我效能感与关怀行为呈正相关(P<0.01)。多重线性回归分析结果显示,工作年限、月收入、人文专项培训次数和职业应对自我效能感是护士关怀行为的影响因素(P<0.05)。结论:临床护士关怀行为水平较高,提高临床护士职业应对自我效能感有助于提高护士的关怀行为。提示管理者应进一步加强组织支持,营造和谐工作氛围以提高护士职业应对自我效能感,从而促进护士关怀水平,提升护理质量。

Examining the changing health care seeking behavior in the era of health sector reforms in India:evidences from the National Sample Surveys 2004&2014

Background:Health policy formulations in India have witnessed a shift from a reactive approach to a more proactive approach over the last decade.It is therefore important to understand the effectiveness of recent national health policies(such as the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission)in addressing the varied needs of the heterogeneous population of India.Methods:We use datasets from the National Sample Surveys carried out in 2004 and 2014 to understand the change in the health seeking behavior as a result of these policies.The choice of health care facilities and the associated expenditures are compared through descriptive analyses.A multinomial logistic regression is used to identify the significant parameters which contribute towards the share of health care providers in India.The health status of two economically disparate Indian states(Bihar and Kerala)are also compared through specific metrics of performance.Results:It is seen that due to increased availability of facilities in close proximity,both rural and urban residents prefer to avail of those facilities which will result in minimization of transportation cost.The effectiveness of national health policies is found to vary on a regional scale.Literacy and health status have a strong correlation,thereby reinforcing that Bihar still lags far behind Kerala in terms of access to equitable health care.Conclusion:Therefore,a hierarchical system,incorporating medical pluralism and tailor-made policies targeted at diverse health care demands,needs to be put in place to achieve Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals as decreed by the United Nations,i.e.,“health for all”.

幼儿园教师科学保教观念向行为转化的困境及其纾解

为了解幼儿园教师科学保教观念向行为转化的困境,并针对性地提出纾解之道,基于扎根理论采用定性分析软件NVivo 12 Plus对26名教师的深度访谈内容进行了三级编码,发现幼儿园教师在科学保教观念向行为转化的过程中面临认知困境、关系困境、价值困境与逻辑困境。由此对应地提出纾解困境的有效路径:提升观念敏感性,助力幼儿园教师保教观念与行为一致发展;构建家园共同体,促进利益相关者观念到行为的科学转向;强调内生式发展,激励幼儿园教师的科学保教观念外显化;营造成长性组织文化,确保幼儿园教师科学保教观念到行为的发展逻辑。

合理信念替代疗法对冠心病患者心理弹性和自护能力的影响

目的:分析合理信念替代疗法对冠心病患者心理弹性和自护能力的影响。方法:按照入院顺序将某院2021年8月-2022年8月收治的102例冠心病患者分为对照组(n=51,常规干预)和干预组(n=51,常规干预+合理信念替代疗法);对比两组患者干预前后心理弹性[心理弹性量表(CD-RISC)]、自护能力[自我护理能力量表(ESCA)]、健康行为[健康促进生活方式量表Ⅱ(HPLP-II)]、生活质量[西雅图心绞痛量表(SAQ)]及满意度。结果:干预后,两组CD-RISC量表坚韧、乐观、自强各维度得分及总分均升高(P<0.05),且干预组均高于对照组(t=4.371,5.404,3.883,6.574;P<0.05);干预后,两组ESCA量表中自我概念、健康知识水平、自我护理技能、自我护理责任感各维度得分及ESCA量表总分均高于干预前(P<0.05),且干预组均高于对照组(t=7.252,3.908,5.848,5.643,10.496;P<0.05);干预后,两组HPLP-Ⅱ量表人际关系、运动锻炼、自我实现、压力管理、健康责任、营养各维度得分及总分均高于干预前(P<0.05),且干预组均高于对照组(t=2.624,3.883,3.378,3.642,3.610,2.828;P<0.05);干预后,两组SAQ各维度评分均升高(P<0.05),且干预组心绞痛稳定状况、疾病认知程度、治疗满意度、心绞痛发作频率、躯体受限程度五大维度评分较对照组高(t=2.122,2.340,3.699,2.976,2.766;P<0.05);两组满意度比较,干预组为96.08%,高于对照组的84.31%(χ^(2)=3.991,P<0.05)。结论:对冠心病患者采用合理信念替代疗法效果显著,可增强患者心理弹性,提高自护能力、健康行为水平和生活质量,获得较高的满意度。