The frequency with which administration of chemotherapy for gynecological cancer treatment is used has increased along with the use of surgery and radiotherapy. Among the various side effects of chemotherapy, stomatitis causes a problem of function and sensation in the oral cavity. This oral discomfort can be categorized into two components; perceived oral symptoms and observed oral symptoms. If the oral problem continues, it may cause infection, bleeding and nutritional deficiencies. As a result of this condition, compliance with the treatment process can be affected as well as the prognosis for the cancer patients. But as the oral discomfort usually appears after chemotherapy, it is often not reported to the health care personnel as a patient problem. Without problem identification of the oral discomfort and ability to assess the problem, effecive intervention cannot be planned. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the pattern and the degree of oral discomfort due to cancer chemotherapy and thus to provide data for identification of the patient problem and for nursing assessment. The design of this study was a longitudinal descriptive study. The subjects were in-patients who received chemotherapy under the diagnosis of gynecological cancer between Mar. 15, 1994 and May 15, 1994 at a general hospital in Seoul, Korea. The number of subjects was 64 and they were divided into two groups, one of 41 (A: 5FU and Neoplatin), the other of 23 (B: Neoplatin, Cytoxan, Adriamycin), according to the treatment regimen. The data were collected for 24 days using self-report instruments. The instruments were the [Perceived Oral Symptom Assessment Tool] and [Observed Oral Symptom Assessment Tool] developed by this researcher. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-PC program, ANOVA, t-test, paired t-test and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient were applied. The results of this study are as follows: 1. In A regimen the peak time for perceived oral symptom scores was the fifth day after chemotherapy, and the tenth day for observed oral symptom scores. Both of the problems started on first day of chemotherapy and were not resolved completely until the 24th day after treatment. 2. In B regimen, the peak time for perceived oral symptom scores was on the seventh day after chemotherapy, and the eighth day for observed oral symptom scores. It was noted that perceived oral symptom scores were higher than observed oral symptom scores consistently for 24 days. Both also started on first day of chemotherapy, and were not resolved completely until the 24th day after chemotherapy. 3. There were no differences statistically in perceived oral symptom scores between A and B regimen. The loss of appetite and xerostomia caused the most severe discomfort in both of these two groups. 4. The were no differences statistically in observed oral symptom scores between the A and B regimen. In the A regimen, the highest observed symptom scores were the lips, gingiva, tongue and buccal membrane in that order. But in the B regimen, the highest observed symptom scores were tongue, lips, buccal membrane and gingiva in that order.
The central concept of the Salutogenic Model is sense of coherence, which is defined as a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a feeling of confidence that one's internal and external environments are comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. Sense of coherence is proposed as a determinant of positive health consequences and successful coping. The purpose of this article is to review Antonovsky's Salutogenic Model, the concept of sense of coherence, and its central components and sources. For conceptual clarity, sense of coherence is compared and contrasted with the concept of hardiness. The empirical research findings are integrated to better understand sense of coherence and to enhance future implications for nursing researching and practice.
This study was aimed at exploring the current status of graduate programs for an advanced practice nurse(APN) to recommend future directions of APN education.
A total of 142 students enrolled in seven APN specialty programs, 67 professors who were involved in APN education, and nine nurse administrators participated in the study. Data was collected by questionnaires and focus group interviews.
The current definition of APN was found not to be specific enough to represent expected roles of APN in regards to knowledge, attitudes, roles, and skills. Standard curricula employed regardless of the area of APN specialty, lack of qualified clinical practice settings, as well as prepared instructors were found to be problematic.
The following needs to be addressed: 1. redefining of APN roles, 2. tailoring specialty areas of APN, 3. consolidating educational programs, and 4. ensuring APN role models and faculty. Suggesting a CNS role in Korean APN, areas of APN should be rearranged toclarify their roles and educational programs need to be further developed to meet the expectations and quality of APNs. It is necessary to ensure APN's employment in the health care system by laws and policies to perform advanced nursing roles.
The purpose of this study was to test and validate a model to predict contraception behavior in unmarried men and women.
Data were collected from a questionnaire survey of 180 unmarried men and 186 unmarried women 20 years of age or over who had sexual relationships in the past 6 months. Participants were from Seoul, Kyunggi, Daegu, and Busan and data collection was done from February 19 to April 16, 2013.
Model fit indices for the hypotheoretical model fitted to the recommended levels. Out of 15 paths, 11 were statistically significant in both. Predictors of contraception behavior in unmarried men and women were intention to use contraception and self-efficacy for contraception. Exposure to sexual content was directly significant to the intention in men only. Self-efficacy for contraception was affected by perceived threat of pregnancy and gender role attitude. In women, the two predictors were also significant except for the effect of exposure to sexual contents.
Results indicate that an intervention program which increases self-efficacy in unmarried men and women contributes to effective contraception behavior. In addition, proper sexual education programs using positive aspect of mass media can help develop active participation for contraception behavior.
This study was based on social-role theory, and purposes were to investigate (1) how depression and health determinants vary with married and employed women, and (2) what factors contribute to depression according to family cycle.
A stratified convenience sample of 765 married and employed women was recruited during May to August 2010. Study variables of depression, socio-demographic threatening factors, psycho-stimulating factors, and social-role related factors were measured via a structured questionnaire.
Prevalence rate for depression was 18.6%, with highest rate (25.4%) from elementary laborers. Greater levels of depression were related to women’s occupation, higher life stress, and poorer health; lower social support and vulnerable personality; higher levels of social-role related stress. From multivariate analysis, women with preadolescents were the most vulnerable to depression affected by occupation, life stress, personality, and parenting stress. These factors (except for occupational class) combined with economic status, social support, and housework unfairness were significant for depression in women with adolescents.
Depression among married and employed women differs by psycho-stimulating and social role relevant factors in addition to occupational class and family life cycle. Female elementary laborers and women with children need to have the highest prioritization for community mental health programs.