Adolescent violence. Assessment of nurses' attitudes and educational needs.

Adolescent violence is a major public health problem. Because of their roles in community and hospital settings, nurses have an opportunity to limit the epidemic of violence. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived levels of knowledge, the value of further education, resource utilization, and attitudes of nurses caring for adolescent victims of violence. Data were collected from 60 nurses employed at an urban public hospital. Results of the study indicate that 50% of the respondents had high scores on the perceived knowledge section of the survey. However, the majority of nurses (82.5%) felt inadequately educated about violence. The attitudes reported with the most frequency were frustration (78%), anger (59%), and powerlessness (58%). The results of this study indicate a need for additional violence education for nurses, particularly in the areas of available resources and intervention for adolescent victims of violence.

Women speak. Healing the wounds of homelessness through writing.

The Women Speak writing project explores the use of writing as a therapeutic process with homeless women at an urban drop-in center. The project was developed in response to the women's desire to give voice to their experiences. By speaking about and sharing the experiences of their lives, a sense of empowerment through expression began. Nursing students and faculty working at the drop-in center were challenged to re-think the traditional clinical site relationship which gives highest priority to meeting the needs of students and faculty.

Health care and nursing in Romania.

Health care and the nursing profession have been affected dramatically by political and socio-economic conditions in Romania. The Romanian Ministry of Health has recognized the health problems and barriers to care delivery which exist in the country, with several goals identified to improve the status of Romanian health care. This paper explores the critical issues which have impacted on health care and nursing in Romania.

Sexual violence and older women.

Sexual violence and older women is a growing problem that is underreported in crime statistics and often not identified by clinicians. Overcoming ageism and acknowledging the sexuality of older women are fundamental to the improved recognition of sexual violence throughout the life span. An epidemiologic analysis of factors associated with sexual violence suggests approaches for prevention, improved recognition, and intervention with older women. The use of geriatric assessment parameters, such as functional assessment, is suggested for older female victims of sexual violence, along with physical examination strategies and follow-up interventions, such as counseling and community referrals. Preventive measures include advocacy for safer environments and counseling about potential vulnerability.

Strongyloides stercoralis-like infection in a dog.

Helminths similar to Strongyloides stercoralis were recovered from the jejunum and ileum of a 6-month-old Boston Terrier that was shedding unusually large eggs, both unembryonated and embryonated, as well as first-stage larvae in fresh feces. Clinical signs included stunting, mucoid and blood-flecked feces, radiographic evidence of diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltrate, focal dermatitis, and anemia. Decreased intestinal absorption of carbohydrate was found by means of the oral glucose and oral lactose tolerance tests. Serum protein and calcium values were decreased. At necropsy, histopathologic findings included uneven crypt hyperplasia and mild inflammation in the ileum and jejunum, diffuse interstitial pulmonary inflammation, Kupffer's cell hyperplasia in the liver, and generalized lymph node hyperplasia.