Listening Sessions With Latinas: Documenting Life Contexts and Creating Connections

Objective: To use listening sessions with groups of Latinas to develop a contextual understanding of the lives of immigrant women to inform program development and ultimately better serve the community\u27s needs for domestic violence services. Design and Sample: This study was exploratory and descriptive, mixing qualitative listening sessions with quantitative methods. Seven listening group sessions were facilitated with 63 women participating. Measures: Data included information from a short demographic questionnaire, texts of narrative from the sessions, and tallies of thematic comments made during the listening sessions. Results: Themes derived from aggregated data from the listening sessions included women\u27s Unmet Needs, Responsibilities, Goals, Achievements, Help-seeking, and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Findings indicated that Latinas\u27 comments were often family-focused and they have many unmet needs. Familiarity with community resources to meet needs was not consistent across groups, for example, women who had not utilized domestic violence services were unlikely to know where to obtain help for IPV problems. Conclusions: The ease with which women shared knowledge of resources and offered emotional support to each other during listening sessions supports their use by bilingual public health nurses in communities for needs assessment, education, and networking among Latinas

Evaluation of Online Course Discussions: Faculty Facilitation of Active Student Learning

Graduate nursing faculty evaluated their initial experiences with online course discussions after making the transition from traditional use of weekly face-to-face classroom discussions to primarily computer-based interactions with students at distant sites. The online discussion data were analyzed qualitatively. The ways the faculty member communicated to facilitate active student involvement in the online discussions were coded. Six categories were identified that describe the ways the faculty member communicated to facilitate active student involvement in online discussions: assist with navigation, explain expectations, clarify faculty role, stimulate critical thinking, share expertise, and provide encouragement. Examples of each were provided to demonstrate ways faculty promoted student learning in online discussions

Rh Negative Status and Isoimmunization Update: A Case-Based Approach to Care

Prior to the 1970s and the advent of Rho (D) immune globulin (RIG) for Rh negative women, hemolytic disease of the newborn led to morbidity, long-term disabilities, and mortality. Antepartum RIG administration has been a standard of practice since 1983. Yet, Rh isoimmunization (sensitization) and its sequelae have not been completely eradicated. Rh-related issues remain clinical challenges facing perinatal and neonatal nurses. Evidence for the administration of RIG prenatally and during the postpartum period is presented including controversies and challenges. Current information about fetal and neonatal care of erythroblastosis fetalis and immune hydrops is also presented

Feasibility of Oral Prenatal Probiotics against Maternal Group B \u3cem\u3eStreptococcus\u3c/em\u3e Vaginal and Rectal Colonization

Objective To examine the effect of an oral prenatal probiotic on group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and to demonstrate the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial. Design This pilot study was an open‐label, two‐group quasi‐experiment. Setting An urban central city nurse‐midwifery and wellness center serving a diverse population. Participants Ten pregnant participants received the oral probiotic (Florajen3) taken once daily, and 10 participants served as controls. Methods A questionnaire on dietary practices, vaginal cleansing, sexual history, and symptoms and GBS colony count samples were taken at 28‐, 32‐, and 36‐weeks gestation. Results Participants in the probiotic group reported no adverse events or minor side effects; one half reported improved gastrointestinal symptoms. Although two women in each group had positive qualitative prenatal GBS cultures at 36 weeks, the probiotic group participants had lower quantitative GBS colony counts. The eight GBS negative averaged 90% probiotic adherence compared with two GBS positive women who averaged 68%. Yogurt ingestion was inversely related (p= .02) to GBS colonization. Conclusions Prenatal probiotic therapy has the potential to reduce GBS colonization. The potential of the probiotic intervention appears to be linked to daily adherence. A controlled clinical trial with a larger, adequately powered sample is feasible and justified

Couples\u27 Views of the Effects of Natural Family Planning on Marital Dynamics

Purpose: Natural Family Planning (NFP) requires periodic abstinence and partner cooperation to prevent pregnancy. The aim of this study was to learn about the effects of modern NFP methods on marital relationships. Design: Descriptive survey. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 1,400 randomly selected couples known to use NFP and residing in the United States of America; 334 couples (24%) responded. Content analysis was used to identify meanings and themes. Numeric analyses were used to determine frequencies. Findings: Nearly two-thirds of the qualitative comments were positive. Four themes were identified in the positive responses: relationship enhancements, knowledge improvements, spirituality enrichments, and method successes. Three negative themes were identified: strained sexual interactions, worsened relationships, and method problems. Although about onefourth of the comments indicated that NFP presented challenges, the majority (74%) found it beneficial, often resulting in stronger bonds, better communication, and improved knowledge. Conclusions: NFP had more positive than negative effects and its use warrants further consideration