Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Subgroups of College Students at Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Background and Purpose: To examine the co-occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors and cluster subgroups of college students for cardiovascular risks. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using co-occurrence patterns and hierarchical clustering analysis in 158 college students. Results: The top co-occurring cardiovascular risk factors were overweight/obese and hypertension (10.8%, n = 17). Of the total 34 risk factors that co-occurred, 30 of them involved being overweight/obese. A six-cluster-solution was obtained, two clusters displayed elevated levels of lifetime and 30-year cardiovascular disease risks. Conclusions: The hierarchical cluster analysis identified that single White males with a family history of heart disease, overweight/obese, hypertensive or diabetes, and occasionally (weekly) consumed red meat, take antihypertensive medication, and hyperlipidemia were considered the higher risk group compared to other subgroups

Knowledge and Awareness Among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3

Knowledge is a prerequisite for changing behavior, and is useful for improving outcomes and reducing mortality rates in patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this article is to describe baseline CKD knowledge and awareness obtained as part of a larger study testing the feasibility of a self-management intervention. Thirty patients were recruited who had CKD Stage 3 with coexisting diabetes and hypertension. Fifty-four percent of the sample were unaware of their CKD diagnosis. Participants had a moderate amount of CKD knowledge. This study suggests the need to increase knowledge in patients with CKD Stage 3 to aid in slowing disease progression

Self-management interventions in stages 1 to 4 chronic kidney disease: an integrative review

The prevalence, effect on health outcomes, and economic impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have created interest in self-management interventions to help slow disease progression to kidney failure. Seven studies were reviewed to identify knowledge gaps and future directions for research. All studies were published between 2010 and 2013; no investigations were conducted in the United States. Knowledge gaps included the focus on medical self-management tasks with no attention to role or emotional tasks, lack of family involvement during intervention delivery, and an inability to form conclusions about the efficacy of interventions because methodological rigor was insufficient. Educational content varied across studies. Strategies to improve self-management skills and enhance self-efficacy varied and were limited in scope. Further development and testing of theory-based interventions are warranted. There is a critical need for future research using well-designed trials with appropriately powered sample sizes, well-tested instruments, and clear and consistent reporting of results

FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER SUCCESS OF WOMEN IN NURSING

The major purpose of this descriptive study was to describe and examine three factors (educational preparation, personal characteristics, and significant others) that have facilitated career success of women in nursing. Career success was defined as nurses who have obtained a doctorate. The sample for this study was a random selection of 236 doctorally prepared female nurses. The Career Success Survey was developed as the data collection instrument for this study. The factor personal characteristics was ranked as the most important factor facilitating career success. The 10 personal characteristics that were reported to be most influential to their success were knowledgeable, intelligent, competent, goal-oriented, hardworking, perseverance, responsible, person-oriented, organized, and committed. The second ranked factor facilitating career success was educational preparation. Most of the respondents agreed they would not be in their present position without their educational degrees. In addition, their educational preparation has helped them secure positions that were more challenging and offer greater financial rewards. Respondents also reported that their degrees have given them more credibility and prestige. The third ranked factor facilitating career success was significant others. Numerous types of mentoring assistance have been provided by significant others. The three major categories of assistance which were ranked as most important included: Encouragement and Recognition of Potential, Opportunities and Responsibilities, and Instruction and Training. The three significant others who were ranked as most influential were: Teacher, Peer/Colleague, and Supervisor. It was also reported by these successful women that they have been a mentor of some kind in the past and desire to be one in the future. The most frequently reported additional factor facilitating career success was being in the right place at the right time. The most frequent offered advice to young aspiring women in nursing related to educational recommendations, the second to career planning, the third to believing in themselves, and the fourth to career mentoring and networking