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EC Use Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women Seeking SRH Services at Retail Pharmacies in Kenya
No full textBackground: Unintended pregnancy remains a public health challenge for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) worldwide. Among AGYW in Kenya, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services are often accessed in retail pharmacies, including emergency contraception (EC) and other family planning methods. Understanding factors associated with purchasing EC among AGYW at retail pharmacies in Kenya could inform pharmacy-delivered SRH services for this population.
Methods: We analyzed data from an ongoing cluster-randomized trial comparing pharmacy-based PrEP delivery models among AGYW at 20 retail pharmacies in Kisumu, Kenya (NCT05467306). All AGYW (15-24 years) purchasing contraception (EC, oral pills, injectables, implants, condoms) at retail pharmacies were eligible. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices were ascertained by trained study staff. Intimate partner violence (IPV) was assessed using the Hurt, Insult, Threaten (HIT) scale (0-10 points), using scores \u3e10 to indicate IPV. We used Chi-square tests to compare the characteristics of AGYW purchasing EC versus other contraceptive products.
Results: As of October 2024, 1,453 AGYW were enrolled in the trial; the median age was 21 years (IQR 19-23) and 11% were \u3c18 years. Most AGYW (83%) were unmarried, 31% reported ≥1 sexual partner, and 54% reported a prior pregnancy. Overall, 12% had ever experienced IPV. EC was the most frequently purchased contraceptive method (48%), followed by injectables (22%), oral pills (15%), and condoms (13%). Among AGYW purchasing EC, 95% knew about long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) methods. There was no difference in frequency of EC purchase among AGYW who were \u3c18 versus ≥18 years (48% vs. 48%, p=0.974) or who experienced versus did not experience IPV (43% vs. 48%, p=0.594). AGYW enrolled in school more frequently purchased EC compared to those not currently enrolled in school (60% vs. 40%, p\u3c0.001), as did AGYW who reported no prior pregnancy compared to those who reported a prior pregnancy (61% vs. 34%, p=0.001) and those who were unemployed versus employed (50% vs. 42%, p=0.01).
Conclusion: AGYW seeking contraception at retail pharmacies often purchase EC, especially those attending school, unemployed, and without prior pregnancy. Retail pharmacies have the potential to reach AGYW seeking EC with other SRH services, including counseling on LARC, to address unmet SRH needs among AGYW
Nurses Do It, Why Can\u27t We? Social Media Use in the Prelicensure Clinical Setting
No full textBackground: Nomophobia is defined as the fear of being detached from mobile phone use. The use of smart phones during clinical education is highly regulated by healthcare facilities and nursing schools alike. A meta-analysis of smart phone use among nursing students indicates the prevalence of nomophobia at 22% in a sample of 2780 nursing students (Osorio-Molina et.al, 2021). Nursing student use of cell phones in the clinical setting is associated with increased levels of procrastination, hypervigilance and “buck-passing” which can affect both their clinical and academic performance (Marquez-Hernandez et al, 2020).In the fall of 2022, nursing faculty received an anonymous student tip that students in a particular clinical course were using the BeReal app during their clinical time and photographs had been taken that could constitute a violation of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA). Over 60 students emailed the baccalaureate program director to take accountability for having taken a photograph or being in a photograph taken with the BeReal app during clinical. Student remediation included completion of a learning growth contract and a 2-page reflection essay.Qualitative analysis of deidentified reflective essays revealed 9 fascinating themes: habitual phone use - use it without thinking, using social media is the norm, it\u27s a means of social support, no consideration of consequences, inappropriate use affects professional image, need to be more mindful when using, recognition that school policies and procedures are important, and students frustrated by inconsistent policies or clinical enforcement.This study provides unique insight and understanding of student judgment and perceptions regarding cell phone use and engagement in social media while in the clinical setting. Understanding student feelings, perceptions and practices will help the nurse educator design relevant orientation, policies, and education to convey expected student behaviors
Text Message Intervention Among Northeast Louisiana Women With Cardiovascular Disease
No full textBackground: Physical activity plays a significant role in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reoccurring cardiac events. Physical inactivity is a global burden, and women are self-reporting physical inactivity or insufficiency is higher (8%) than males. In Louisiana, women ages 55 to 64 had the highest risk factors for CVD and heart attack. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a 6-week text messaging intervention on the effects of physical activity and physical activity self-efficacy among Northeast Louisiana women with cardiovascular disease.
Methods: Female subjects (N = 46) were recruited from the different parishes of Northeast Louisiana and randomized into either the control group (n = 23) or the intervention group (n = 23). Both groups were asked to complete the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) during recruitment and at week 6. All subjects were expected to wear a pedometer and self-report on a Daily Activity Log every day for 6-weeks.
Intervention: Subjects in the intervention group received text messages based on theoretical constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory three days a week for 6-weeks.
Results: The results of the ESES indicated that text messaging did not statistically impact physical activity (p = 0.51) or physical activity self-efficacy (p = 0.28); however, results were significantly positive with self-reporting from subjects.
Conclusions: Self-efficacy influences the effort an individual spends on an activity. The findings of ESES are essential measurements focusing on modifying behaviors to be physically active. Although the results of this study were not statistically significant, the outcome was significant in increasing physical activity.
Implication for Practice: This research represents a further step toward focusing on women’s cardiovascular health, specifically in the Northeast region of Louisiana. Focusing on mastering, modeling, and positive self-efficacy can help individuals with personal, environmental, and behavioral factors leading to a healthy lifestyle
Mixed Reality in Modern Nursing Practice: A Systematic Review of Clinical Applications
No full textObjective: This study aims to review recent literature on using mixed reality (MR) in nursing practice, focusing on outcomes related to nursing efficiency, satisfaction, ergonomics, competency, and team effectiveness. The research addresses the growing interest in using MR technology to enhance nursing care delivery and improve access to care.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. Multiple databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus, were searched for relevant literature from January 2013 to January 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies that employed MR in nursing settings with measurable outcomes in efficiency, satisfaction, ergonomics, competency, or team effectiveness. Exclusion criteria removed studies without a primary focus on nurses. The article selection involved dual reviewers, with data extraction managed through Covidence software. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane’s ROBINS-I and RoB-2 for non-randomized and randomized trials, respectively.
Results: Out of 1805 screened studies, eight met the inclusion criteria, spanning randomized, quasi-experimental, and qualitative designs. The review revealed mixed evidence for MR’s effectiveness in nursing. MR showed promise in improving task efficiency, especially in wound care documentation and pediatric code cart training, but offered mixed or no benefits to training CPR or intubation skills. Satisfaction outcomes varied, with some evidence supporting MR\u27s potential to enhance nursing job satisfaction through task facilitation. Ergonomics-related outcomes highlighted both benefits, such as hands-free operation, and challenges, like device discomfort and technical malfunctions. Team effectiveness was minimally explored, with one study demonstrating improved remote collaboration between nurses and wound care specialists.
Conclusion: MR technology holds potential as an adjunct to traditional nursing education and practice, but technological and ergonomic barriers limit its impact. The studies suggest MR could enhance certain nursing tasks, though further research is needed to determine its broader clinical relevance and feasibility. Future work should include rigorous comparative studies to establish best practices for MR implementation in nursing while addressing health equity concerns
The Association Between Substance Use and Mental Health in College: A Multi-Substance Analysis
No full textBackground: Substance use, including tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis, is widespread among college students and has been linked to mental health issues. This study investigates the relationship between substance use risk and serious mental illness (SMI) in a large college student sample, examining how different levels of use correlate with mental health outcomes.
Methods: Utilizing variables from the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment III (Fall 2019-present) Spring 2022 reference group dataset (n = 69,131 students), we assessed the association between levels of substance use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis) and SMI, controlling for demographic and behavioral covariates. The sample included college students at low, moderate, and high risk for each substance.
Results: Findings indicated significant associations between increased substance use risk and increased odds of SMI, as evidenced in tobacco moderate-risk users (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.21–1.40) and high-risk users (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 2.27–3.14) when compared to low-risk users. Alcohol moderate-risk users (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.55–1.77) and high-risk users (OR = 3.38, 95% CI: 2.83–4.04) had higher odds of SMI. Also, cannabis moderate-risk users (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.55–1.77) and high-risk users (OR = 3.33, 95% CI: 2.82–3.92).
Conclusion: The study highlights a strong link between substance use and SMI among college students, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health interventions that address substance use. Results underscore the importance of incorporating substance use prevention and mental health support programs tailored to at-risk groups.
Implications: These associations indicate the need for early intervention programs that identify students at risk of developing more severe substance use behaviors and mental health issues. Further, these findings suggest colleges should prioritize integrated health services that address physical, mental, and behavioral health. There is a need for longitudinal research to understand better how substance use impacts mental health outcomes over time by tracking the mental health trajectories of students to identify potential long-term risks and protective factors
Creating a Healthy Work Environment During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Hearing-Impaired Healthcare Professionals
No full textPandemic-mandated masks have resulted in communication challenges among hearing-impaired healthcare personnel who rely upon visual cues and lip-reading. This session provides an evidence-based approach for mitigating these issues among hearing-impaired colleagues and ensure a healthy work environment for staff and patients.
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A Commitment to Impact Racism in Healthcare: An Academic and Healthcare Institution Partnership
No full textPotential benefits are considerable when addressing perinatal racism in nursing school is then expounded upon in new hire residency programs. Such an effort was undertaken in a Texas city involving collaboration between a university nursing professor and a nursing research scientist and nurse educator working within a local healthcare system.
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Utilizing a QR Code to Promote Interprofessional Collaboration and Education
No full textThis presentation reviews a cost-saving, multidisciplinary effort to provide just-in-time education for nurses and clinicians. Using a QR code, nurses and clinicians can review clinical pearls, medication dosing, and access videos in real time. The content can be updated at any time while the QR code remains the same.
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Interprofessional and International Collaboration: Building Sustainable Relationships
No full textA sustainable international and interprofessional collaboration that developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 by faculty at three universities and with three professions was found to be a creative and unique way to collaborate with global partners to benefit student and faculty growth and development.
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Nursing Peer Support and Quality of Life
No full textA descriptive, correlational study was done to examine if a relationship exists between the use of peer support and the quality of life with participating nurses. Results and implications will be shared during this educational activity.
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