Spiritual Care of Couples Practicing Natural Family Planning

There are few studies that have investigated the spiritual problems of couples practicing natural family planning (NFP). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the spiritual problems and interventions of couples who were taught NFP by means of a professional online Web-based support system. Responses from this online system and its forums were categorized according to spiritual responses, spiritual problems, and spiritual interventions to the practice of NFP. Themes addressed included spiritual care in regards to decisions about the transmission of new life, difficulties in dealing with chastity and abstinence, bioethical problems related to pregnancy and illness, end of the reproductive life decisions, ethical treatment of women\u27s health problems, sacrifice, and personal and relational struggles. Online community support, help in building confidence in NFP methods, and bioethicist referral are key interventions. The complexity of these spiritual responses, problems, and appropriate interventions require the expertise of health professionals in cooperation with bioethicists. We concluded that NFP can be viewed as both a spiritual practice and a means of spiritual growth

Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder at a Pediatric Hospital: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This review of literature describes the behaviors of hospitalized children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that health care providers find challenging. It also identifies strategies used to address these challenging behaviors. The systematic review of literature identified 34 articles from databases on health care of challenging behaviors of children with ASD. The review identified four categories of challenging behaviors (non-compliance, hyperactivity, sensory defensiveness, self-injury) and several strategies for reducing these behaviors. Partnering with parents to develop strategies is important for children with ASD to deliver timely and safe care

Psychometric Evaluation of an Instrument to Measure Hispanic Mothers’ Normative Beliefs, Intentions, Past Experience and Past Behavior Related to the Discussion of Sex-Related Topics with their Adolescent Daughters

Aim: The aim of this project was to describe the psychometric properties of a recently developed instrument that measures Hispanic mother normative beliefs, intentions, past experience, and past behavior regarding the Discussion of Sex-Related Topics (DSRTs) with their adolescent daughters. Background: The DSRTs between Hispanic mothers and their adolescent daughters is important because this interaction has been found to be a protective factor against the daughter’s risk for STDs and unintended pregnancy. Hispanic mother talk less with their daughters about sex-related topics (SRTs) than other ethnic groups. The Rodriguez Normative Belief Instrument (RNBI) has been established to measure normative beliefs, normative beliefs, past behavior, and past experience regarding Hispanic mothers’ DSRTs with their adolescent daughters. Method: The 44-item RNBI was developed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Parent-Based Expansion Theory of Planned Behavior. A convenience sample of 119 Hispanic mothers of adolescent females grades 6 through 8 from two Midwestern Catholic Middle Schools was enrolled completed the instrument. Paper and pen instruments were administered in the language of the participant’s choice, English or Spanish. Results: The entire RNBI and each of the four subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .70). The overall reliability of the RNBI was .82 with the normative beliefs subscale of .85, intentions .88, past behavior .89, and past experience .88. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the four subscales. Conclusion: Psychometric analyses indicated that the RNBI demonstrates acceptable validity and reliability for this sample

Hispanic Mothers\u27 Normative Beliefs and Intentions about the Discussion of Sex-Related Topics with Their Adolescent Daughters

Hispanic adolescent females continue to have rates of pregnancy and STIs, which exceed those of white non-Hispanic peers. When mothers engage in the discussion of sex-related topics (DSRTs) with their adolescent daughters, it has been shown to delay or decrease sexual intercourse. However, it has been found that Hispanic parents talk less with their daughters about sex-related topics (SRTs) when compared to other ethnic groups. Understanding why Hispanic mothers may or may not intend to engage in DSRTs is important in order to design culturally appropriate programs aimed at increasing their DSRTs. A sequential mixed-methods predictive correlational design framed by The Theory of Planned Behavior and the Parent-Based Expansion of the Theory of Planned Behavior was used to determine the influence of normative beliefs and other factors on mothers\u27 intentions to engage in the DSRTs. In addition tests of validity and reliability were conducted on a newly constructed instrument, the Rodriguez Normative Belief Instrument Regarding the Discussion of Sex-Related Topics (RNBI.DSRT). One hundred nineteen Hispanic mothers of females in 6th through 8th grade were recruited from two Midwestern Catholic Middle Schools. The quantitative portion of the study included measures of mothers\u27 normative beliefs, intentions, past experience, and past behavior using the RNBI.DSRT. The qualitative portion of the study consisted of two focus groups of mothers. Questions were asked about their experiences with the DSRTs. Primary quantitative findings indicated that mothers\u27 normative beliefs were predicted by familism and past behavior. Mothers\u27 intention to engage in the DSRTs was predicted by past behavior and normative beliefs. The RNBI.DSRT demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability for this sample. Qualitative results indicated that while mothers intend to discuss SRTs, they face barriers including the uncustomary nature of the DSRTs in their culture which has led them to feel a lack of knowledge and confidence, and uncertainty about whether the DSRTs will protect their daughters or give them ideas. Based on past experiences, Hispanic mothers want to protect their daughters and have high hopes for their futures which motivates them to ask for help with the DSRTs. Taken together, the quantitative and qualitative data suggested that while normative beliefs predict mothers intentions, there are other factors that may have a greater influence on their intentions

Family Planning, Natural Family Planning, and Abortion Use among U. S. Hispanic Women

Hispanics are the largest minority group in the U. S. and they contribute to over 50 percent of Catholics under the age of 25. The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of contraceptive use (current and ever), natural family planning (NFP), and abortion among U. S. Hispanic women between the ages of 15 and 44 years and to compare their patterns of use to non-Hispanic women of the same age range. A particular interest was to determine the influence of faith on the choice of family-planning methods among the sexually active U. S. Catholic Hispanic women. Data for this study came from the National Survey of Family Growth 2006– 2008, which included 1,613 Hispanic and 5,743 non-Hispanic women between the ages of 15 and 44. Approximately 57 percent of the Hispanic women are Catholic. In general, U. S. Hispanic women had significantly less frequent use of the hormonal pill, male condom, withdrawal, and vasectomy (of male partner) but more frequent use of the IUD and Depo-Provera compared to non-Hispanic women. There was little use of NFP and no difference in the frequency of reported abortion. Catholic Hispanic women had significantly less frequent use of the male condom, the Pill, vasectomy, and abortion and more use of NFP compared to non-Catholic Hispanic women. Although there is some positive influence of faith among the sexually active Hispanic women of reproductive age, overall, the amount of ever use of sterilization (21 percent), condom use (80 percent), Pill use (66 percent), and Depo-Provera (30 percent) is remarkable. The more frequent use of Depo-Provera and the IUD might reflect the economic level of the participants and the use of federally funded family-planning services

Randomized Comparison of Two Internet-Supported Fertility Awareness Based Methods of Family Planning

Background: The aim was to compare the efficacy and acceptability of two Internet-supported fertility-awareness-based methods of family planning. Study design: Six hundred and sixty-seven women and their male partners were randomized into either an electronic hormonal fertility monitor (EHFM) group or a cervical mucus monitoring (CMM) group. Both groups utilized a Web site with instructions, charts and support. Acceptability was assessed online at 1, 3 and 6 months. Pregnancy rates were determined by survival analysis. Results: The EHFM participants (N=197) had a total pregnancy rate of 7 per 100 users over 12 months of use compared with 18.5 for the CMM group (N=164). The log rank survival test showed a significant difference (pb.01) in survival functions. Mean acceptability for both groups increased significantly over time (pb.0001). Continuation rates at 12 months were 40.6% for the monitor group and 36.6% for the mucus group. Conclusion: In comparison with the CMM, the EHFM method of family planning was more effective. All users had an increase in acceptability over time. Results are tempered by the high dropout rate

How Far Can Inclusion Take Us? Framing the Narrative for Transforming Our Community

In this piece we explore terms, specifically the term “inclusion.” In what ways does the language we use in our campus discourse on “inclusion” set particular emphases and consequently shape our work? We suspect that many of us involved in these conversations and work long for explicit attention to issues of power. Overall, we argue that in any thoroughgoing work for “inclusion,” we need to look at our own power structures and that which is oppressive in our own place. We need to choose language that gets us there. We survey here several ways of framing a commitment to inclusion that consistently foregrounds an analysis of power. We explore terminology that includes the critical elements of self-reflection, examination of the role of power in our classrooms and on our campuses, and the ability to respond to bias and discrimination

Adherence to Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) affects approximately 1% of children and may predispose a child with a bladder infection to develop pyelonephritis and renal scarring. To prevent these potential sequelae, one accepted treatment option for VUR includes low-dose continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) to maintain urine sterility until the condition resolves. Despite the widespread use of CAP, little data exists regarding adherence to long-term antibiotic therapy. Not only will poor adherence to CAP potentially preclude the intended benefit, but also nonadherence with antibiotic regimens may carry untoward effects including unnecessary treatment changes for presumed antibiotic failure, emergence of resistant organisms, and compromised clinical trial outcomes. We present an overview of medication adherence in children with VUR, discuss possible consequences of nonadherence to antibiotic prophylaxis, and suggest ways to improve adherence. We raise awareness of issues related to nonadherence relevant to healthcare providers, investigators, and the community

Comunicación y DDHH: la transformación desde el territorio

A través de la experiencia del proyecto de extensión Comunicar para la Educación en Derechos Humanos X + Cambio Social (Comunicar-EDH) se abordará el trabajo de difusión de los derechos humanos en la extensión universitaria. Este proyecto pertenece a la Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (UNQ) e inició sus actividades en 2011. Desde ese momento, el proyecto hace hincapié en la formación y práctica ciudadana del derecho a la comunicación de todas las personas. A su vez, mediante el análisis de diferentes problemáticas sociales, como la trata de personas, violencia de género y prácticas discriminatorias, entre otras; promueve la visibilización, el uso y acceso a los medios de comunicación, favoreciendo, así, el ejercicio cotidiano del derecho a la comunicación como valor social, constructor de pluralidad y como medio de promoción y reflexión de los derechos humanos.Universidad Nacional de La Plat