Barriers and facilitators experienced by South Korean women undergoing fertility treatment: A qualitative socioecological study.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to use interview data to identify and describe the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and policy barriers and facilitators experienced by South Korean women undergoing fertility treatment. The researchers conducted one-on-one interviews with 14 women who had undergone fertility treatment and then completed a thematic content analysis on the collected interview data. Guided by the socioecological model, the researchers explored the barriers and facilitators women experienced during fertility treatment. The participants described their struggles and -emotional distress as well as their coping mechanisms: addressing their physical and emotional stress; soliciting support from their husband, personal network, online peers, and healthcare team; and seeking government financial assistance. The information gained from this study can help healthcare providers and government agencies design effective psychosocial and national policies and interventions for this population.

Thin Film Composite Membranes as a New Category of Alkaline Water Electrolysis Membranes.

Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is considered a promising technology for green hydrogen (H2 ) production. Conventional diaphragm-type porous membranes have a high risk of explosion owing to their high gas crossover, while nonporous anion exchange membranes lack mechanical and thermochemical stability, limiting their practical application. Herein, a thin film composite (TFC) membrane is proposed as a new category of AWE membranes. The TFC membrane consists of an ultrathin quaternary ammonium (QA) selective layer formed via Menshutkin reaction-based interfacial polymerization on a porous polyethylene (PE) support. The dense, alkaline-stable, and highly anion-conductive QA layer prevents gas crossover while promoting anion transport. The PE support reinforces the mechanical and thermochemical properties, while its highly porous and thin structure reduces mass transport resistance across the TFC membrane. Consequently, the TFC membrane exhibits unprecedentedly high AWE performance (1.16 A cm-2 at 1.8 V) using nonprecious group metal electrodes with a potassium hydroxide (25 wt%) aqueous solution at 80 °C, significantly outperforming commercial and other lab-made AWE membranes. Moreover, the TFC membrane demonstrates remarkably low gas crossover, long-term stability, and stack cell operability, thereby ensuring its commercial viability for green H2 production. This strategy provides an advanced material platform for energy and environmental applications.

General self-efficacy differentially moderates depressive symptoms in adults with epilepsy depending on seizure severity.

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether the relationship between general self-efficacy and depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy differed depending on age, sex, and seizure status. METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted on 299 adults with epilepsy, using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES). We performed stepwise linear regression analysis and analysis of covariance with interaction terms. RESULTS: The stepwise linear regression analysis showed that BDI scores were negatively correlated with GSES scores and positively correlated with age ≥ 40 years, unemployed status, recurrence of generalized or focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS or FBTCS), and antiseizure medication polytherapy. The final model explained 38.9% of the variance in BDI scores. The analysis of covariance revealed that the moderating effect of GSES scores on BDI scores was less in subjects who had seizure freedom for at least 1 year than in those who did not. In contrast, the moderating effect of GSES scores on BDI scores was greater in subjects who had an age ≥ 40 years and those who experienced GTCS or FBTCS during the previous year than in those who did not. The negative relationship between GSES and BDI scores tended to be stronger in men than in women, but it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.098). All models were adjusted by significant factors in the linear regression analysis of BDI scores. CONCLUSIONS: The negative relationship between general self-efficacy and depressive symptoms may be stronger in older patients and patients with poorer seizure outcomes.

Chemical hazard of robotic hull in-water cleaning discharge on coastal embryonic fish.

In-water cleaning (IWC) involves the removal of biofilms and foulants from the hull of a ship using brush or water jet. During IWC, several factors associated with the harmful chemical contaminants release to the marine environment, which can create "hotspots" of chemical contamination in coastal areas. To elucidate the potential toxic effects of IWC discharge, we investigated developmental toxicity in embryonic flounder, which are sensitive life stage to chemical exposure. Zinc and copper were the dominant metals, while zinc pyrithione was the most abundant biocide associated with IWC discharge in two remotely operated IWC. Discharge from IWC carried by both remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) produced developmental malformations including pericardial edema, spinal curvature, and tail-fin defects. In an analyses of differential gene expression profiles (fold-change of genes with a cutoff < 0.05) as assessed by high-throughput RNA sequencing, genes associated with muscle development were commonly and significantly changed. The gene ontology (GO) of embryos exposed to IWC discharge from ROV A activities highly enriched muscle and heart development, while cell signaling and transport were evident in embryos exposed to IWC discharge of ROV B. We analyzed the gene network by significant GO terms. In the network, TTN, MYOM1, CASP3, and CDH2 genes appeared to be key regulators of the toxic effects on muscle development. In embryos exposed to ROV B discharge, HSPG2, VEGFA, and TNF genes related to the nervous system pathway were affected. These results shed light on the potential impacts of muscle and nervous system development in non-target coastal organisms exposed to contaminants found in IWC discharge.

Development and Modification of a Culturally Tailored Education Program to Prevent Breast Cancer in Korean Immigrant Women in New York City.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in Korean American (KA) women. In view of its high prevalence in these women, their low screening rates, and the cultural influence of BC risk factors in their lifestyles, we developed a community-based culturally tailored BC prevention program, the Korean Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Program (KBCRRP). Guided by the PRECEDE-PROCEDE and health belief models, the KBCRRP was developed to achieve four goals: (1) healthy weight, (2) physically active lifestyle, (3) healthy diet, and (4) BC screening and adherence. KBCRRP combines effective multicomponent strategies for BC screening and a group-based lifestyle intervention incorporating traditional Korean health beliefs and is tailored for BC risk reduction. In this paper, we provide an overview of the program, the process of program development, implementation, and evaluation, and modification during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial program involved 8 weeks of in-person group education sessions led by interdisciplinary healthcare professionals and 16 weeks of follow-up involving smartphone applications, phone calls, and text messaging from trained lifestyle coaches. Participants received opportunities to obtain free mammography during the program. After feasibility testing, the program was modified by incorporating participants' feedback. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we provided the program using the Zoom video platform. Participants' recruitment and retention during the pandemic was successful, reflecting the fact that virtual delivery of group-based education was a feasible and acceptable alternative to in-person sessions. Collaboration with community organizations serving the target population is the key to developing and sustaining a successful community-based educational program.

Dual burdens of felt stigma and depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy: Their association with social anxiety, marriage, and employment.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated whether patients with epilepsy with dual conditions of felt stigma and depressive symptoms are more strongly associated with social anxiety, being unmarried, and being unemployed than those with depressive symptoms or felt stigma alone. METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study evaluated subjects using the Stigma Scale-Revised, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the six-item versions of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, and the companion Social Phobia Scale. Subjects were grouped by depressive symptoms and felt stigma into four groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The 298 subjects included 173 men and 125 women. Of these subjects, 35 (11.7%) had depressive symptoms alone, 33 (11.1%) had stigma alone, and 27 (9.1%) had both depressive symptoms and felt stigma. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that, compared with the control group having neither depressive symptoms nor felt stigma, the odds ratios (ORs) for social interaction anxiety and social phobia were highest in the group of dual conditions (OR 18.7 and 13.5, respectively), followed by the depression-alone (OR 7.7 and 4.6, respectively) and stigma-alone (OR 5.0 and 2.8, respectively) groups. Similarly, the ORs for being unmarried (OR 29.2) and unemployed (OR 3.1) were significant only in the group of dual conditions. In addition, male sex and younger age were independently associated with being unmarried whereas seizures recurring ≥1 per month were independently associated with being unemployed. CONCLUSIONS: Dual conditions of felt stigma and depressive symptoms may be more strongly associated with social anxiety, being unmarried, and being unemployed than depressive symptoms or felt stigma alone in patients with epilepsy.

Perceived social support and help-seeking among U.S. Chinese older adults who reported elder mistreatment.

This study aimed to examine the associations between perceived social support and help-seeking among U.S. Chinese older adults who reported elder mistreatment (EM). Data were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago. Perceived social support and informal/formal help-seeking intentions and behaviors were measured. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regressions, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 450 participants reported EM. Mean age of the sample was 72.73 ± 8.03 years old. Perceived social support was associated with an increase in intentions of seeking help from informal sources. Compared with not seeking help, older Chinese-American adults with any EM who perceived social support were more likely to seek help from informal and formal sources. The potential role of social support in increasing help-seeking was highlighted. Culturally tailored interventions that provide social support might promote help-seeking among U.S. Chinese elder immigrants who experienced EM.

Global Gender Inequality, Older Women, and the Call for Change in the United States.

Gender inequality that persists through much of their lives, from birth through adulthood, impacts women and their quality of life in their later years. With some variation this holds true in every nation in the global community. In older adults, the most apparent indication of gender inequality-and a linchpin-is the disproportionate impoverishment of older women compared to older men. We take stock of global policy directions toward equality for girls and women, focusing specifically on derived avenues for furthering and protecting the economic well-being of older women in the United States, cognizant that these directions can rebound with implications for nations worldwide.

Utilization of Mental Health Services Among Older Chinese Immigrants in New York City.

Older immigrants are at risk of developing mental illness. This study aims to examine mental health service utilization among older Chinese immigrants, using a mixed-method design. Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use informed an examination of predictors of mental health services utilization, and semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to illuminate these findings. Participants who were younger, had less than a high school education, and had a higher level of depressive symptoms were more likely to use mental health services. Stressors of psychological distress included breakdown of support system, language barriers, and financial hardships. Factors influencing mental health services use included information from family/friends, referrals from primary care physicians, perceived needs for help, mental health stigma, and culturally competent mental health professionals. Understanding the factors associated with seeking mental health services for older Chinese immigrants could help health care providers to develop early screening programs and culturally sensitive interventions.

Factors Influencing Health Service Utilization Among Asian Immigrant Nail Salon Workers in the Greater New York City Area.

Most nail salon workers in the greater New York City area are Asian immigrant women. They are exposed daily to potentially toxic chemicals and hazards in their workplace, making them more vulnerable for possible health problems. The study's primary purpose was to identify factors influencing past year healthcare utilization among Asian immigrant women working in nail salons. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a modification of Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare utilization in which 148 Korean and Chinese immigrant women currently working in nail salons were surveyed. The questionnaire included: (1) individual health determinants, (2) health service utilization in the past year, and (3) work environment, work-related health concerns, and work-related health problems. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models assessed factors related to past year healthcare utilization. Women who had health insurance (p < .01), a usual source of care (p < .01), low educational attainment (p < .05), and more work-related health symptoms (p < .05) were more likely to visit a primary care provider. Women who had health insurance (p < .01), a usual source of care (p < .05), and low educational attainment (p < .05), were also more likely to visit a woman's health provider. Korean (rather than Chinese) women (p < .05) and women who perceived themselves to be in fair/poor health (p < .05) were more likely to see a traditional provider of Eastern medicine. Asian immigrant women who work in nail salons have workplace health and safety concerns. They generally use Western rather than traditional medicine, with different factors related to these two types of medicine.

Effects of Exercise Interventions on Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review.

Depression is the most prevalent mental health problem among older adults. Exercise has been found to have a protective and treatable effect on depression in this population. A systematic review of literature published between 2006 and 2015 was performed to examine the influence of exercise interventions in reducing depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Ten studies were identified for inclusion. Exercise interventions have positive effects on clinical depression and depressive symptoms among older adults. In addition, exercise interventions alleviated the depressive symptoms among older adults with a diagnosis of chronic disease. Future studies should include a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample, longitudinal design, and culturally sensitive intervention. For long-term benefits, incorporating motivational strategies into community exercise programs and collaborating with community health care providers are recommended to enhance the maintenance of exercise behavior among community-dwelling older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(3), 31-38.].

Nursing teams: behind the charts.

AIMS: To examine the nature and characteristics of both received and provided mutual support in a social network within an acute care hospital unit. BACKGROUND: Current evidence regarding the social network in the health care workforce reveals the nature of social ties. Most studies of social network-related support that measured the characteristics of social support used self-reported perception from workers receiving support. There is a gap in studies that focus on back-up behaviour. METHODS: The evaluation included a social network analysis of a nursing unit employing 54 staff members. A 12 item electronic survey was administered. Descriptive statistics were calculated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Social network analyses were carried out using ucinet, r 3.2.3 and gephi. RESULTS: Based on the study findings, as providers of mutual support the nursing staff claimed to give their peers more help than these peers gave them credit for. Those who worked overtime provided more mutual support. CONCLUSION: Mutual support is a key teamwork characteristic, essential to quality and safety in hospital nursing teams that can be evaluated using social network analysis. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Because of a discrepancy regarding receiving and providing help, examining both receiver and provider networks is a superior approach to understanding mutual support.

Efficacy of a Culturally Tailored Therapeutic Intervention Program for Community Dwelling Depressed Korean American Women: A Non-Randomized Quasi-Experimental Design Study.

BACKGROUND: Asian American women are more prone to suffer from depression compared to their non-Asian American counterparts and have lower rates of seeking mental healthcare services due to lack of available culturally appropriate therapies. Two prior studies of a culturally tailored therapeutic intervention called LogoAutobiography were helpful in treating depressed Korean American women. The LogoAutobiography program was revised to enhance its efficacy not only for depressive symptoms and purpose in life but also to increase coping strategies. OBJECTIVES: To test the efficacy of the Enhanced LogoAutobiography program on depressive symptoms, purpose in life, and coping strategies of depressed community-dwelling Korean American women. DESIGN: Two-group, non-randomized quasi-experimental design. SETTINGS: Local Korean community areas located in New York City and eastern New Jersey of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 54 depressed women with Korean heritage completed either experimental group (n1=25) or control group (n2=29). Sample inclusion criteria were adult women with Korean heritage, depressive symptoms as measured by a CES-D score 16 or higher, fluent Korean language, and able to participate independently. Sample exclusion criteria were those who presented active suicidal ideation and history of episodes of mania or psychosis screened by the psychosocial survey questionnaire. METHODS: The experimental group received Enhanced Logo-Autobiography program which was guided by a facilitator who used a manualized intervention for 90minute sessions over 8weeks; the control group attended routine weekly community activities. Data were collected during the first session (pretest), the end of 8weeks (posttest), and the 3months follow-up session. Time and group changes in depressive symptoms, purpose in life, and coping strategies were computed using Repeated Measures General Linear Model (RMGLM). RESULTS: Findings suggested that the experimental group showed greater improvement in depressive symptoms (F=6.94 (2, 88), p<0.01), active cognitive coping (F=5.07 (2, 86), p<0.01), and avoidance coping strategies (F=3.48 (2, 86), p<0.05) compared to the control group during the three time intervals. Purpose in life showed statistically significant Time and Group effects (F=5.18 (2, 88), p<0.01; F=9.44 (2, 88), p<0.01, respectively), but no significant interaction effect of Time and Group was detected. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that enhanced LogoAutobiography is effective for depressive symptoms and coping strategies and somewhat effective for improving purpose in life for depressed Korean American women.

Health care provider social network analysis: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Although considerable progress has been made in understanding networks, their structure, and their development, little has been known about their effectiveness in the health care setting and their contributions to quality of care and patient safety.The purpose of this study was to examine studies using social network analysis (SNA) in the health care workforce and assess factors contributing to social network and their relationships with care processes and patient outcomes. METHODS: We identified all published peer-reviewed SNA articles in CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, JSTOR, Medline (OVID), and Web of Science databases up to April 2013. RESULTS: Twenty-nine published articles met the inclusion criteria. Current evidence of the health care workforce's social networks reveals the nature of social ties are related to personal characteristics, practice setting, and types of patients. A few studies also revealed the social network effects adoption and the use of a health information system, patient outcomes, and coordination. CONCLUSIONS: Current studies on the social ties of health care workforce professionals include several assessments of inefficiencies. The level of technical sophistication in these studies tended to be low. Future study using enhanced sophistication in study design, analysis, and patient outcome testing are warranted to fully leverage the potential of SNA in health care studies.

Examining family meetings at end of life: The model of practice in a hospice inpatient unit.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to rigorously examine the nature of family meetings as conducted in an inpatient hospice care unit in order to generate an inductive theoretical model. METHOD: In this two-phase project, we first interviewed eight members of the interdisciplinary care team who participated in multiple family meetings each week. Interview questions explored why and how they conducted family meetings. Using an observation template created from these interview data, we subsequently conducted ethnographic observations during family meetings. Using the methods of grounded theory, our findings were synthesized into a theoretical model depicting the structure and process of formal family meetings within this setting. RESULTS: The core of the family meeting was characterized by cognitive and affective elements aimed at supporting the family and facilitating quality care by clarifying the past, easing the present, and protecting the future. This inductive model was subsequently found to be highly aligned with a sense of coherence, an important influence on coping, and adaptation to the stress of a life-limiting illness. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Provider communication with family members is particularly critical during advanced illness and end-of-life care. The National Consensus Project clinical practice guidelines for quality palliative care list regular family meetings among the recommended practices for excellent communication during end-of-life care, but do not provide specific guidance on how and when to provide such meetings. Our findings provide a theoretical model that can inform the design of a family meeting to address family members' needs for meaningful and contextualized information, validation of their important contributions to care, and preparation for the patient's death.

Aligning population-based care management with chronic disease complexity.

BACKGROUND: Risk-stratified care management requires knowledge of the complexity of chronic disease and comorbidity, information that is often not readily available in the primary care setting. The purpose of this article was to describe a population-based approach to risk-stratified care management that could be applied in primary care. METHODS: Three populations (Medicaid, Medicare, and privately insured) at a regional health plan were divided into risk-stratified cohorts based on chronic disease and complexity, and utilization was compared before and after the implementation of population-specific care management teams of nurses. RESULTS: Risk-stratified care management was associated with reductions in hospitalization rates in all three populations, but the opportunities to avoid admissions were different. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of population complexity is critical to the development of risk-stratified care management in primary care, and a complexity matrix can help nurses identify gaps in care and align interventions to cohort and population needs.

Conventional or Alternative Mental Health Service Utilization According to English Proficiency Among Asians in the United States.

After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Asian Americans in the United States have experienced a surge in anti-Asian crimes, leading to heightened psychological distress among this community. Consequently, the mental well-being of Asian Americans demands greater attention than ever. Regrettably, Asians tend to underutilize or delayed mental health care treatments. This study examines the conventional and alternative mental health service utilization among Asians in the United States according to their English proficiency. From the 2015-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study examined 3,424 self-identified non-Hispanic Asians aged 18-64 with Kessler score of at least 5. Stratified bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted. Regardless of English proficiency, Asians did not utilize alternative mental health service more than conventional mental health service. However, those with limited English proficiency consistently utilize care less than those with English proficiency. Need factors, such as mental distress severity and self-rated health status, were significant factors associated with their mental health service utilization. English proficiency remains a structural factor in preventing Asians from utilizing mental health services regardless of the nature of services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more Asians have been experiencing mental distress. This study demonstrates a particular need for mental health services that are culturally specific and Asian language friendly.

Evaluating Occupational Workforce and Practices in New York Metropolitan Nail Salons.

This study investigated workforce characteristics, work practices, protective measures, and health symptoms among nail salon workers in New York and New Jersey following the implementation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) regulations in New York. An online survey conducted from 2022 to 2023 targeted registered nail salons and manicurists in both states (N = 146). The majority of respondents were Asian, primarily Korean (52.1%) and Chinese (26%). In New York, 79% of salons had a mechanical ventilation system, including LEV, while in New Jersey, where no ventilation regulation exists, only 52% of nail salons had mechanical ventilation systems. A substantial proportion of manicurists reported health-related concerns (40.5%) and symptoms related to chemical exposure (67.6%). The study emphasizes the need for continuous and improved illness prevention strategies, including the use of safer products, comprehensive health and safety training, and effective ventilation practices, to better protect nail salon workers.

Registered nurse scope of practice and ED complaint-specific protocols.

INTRODUCTION: The use of complaint-specific protocols (CSPs) by emergency registered nurses (RNs) can improve ED efficiency. However, RN practice is influenced by regulatory environments that may facilitate or inhibit the use of protocols. The purpose of this policy analysis was to explore the language of state boards of nursing scope-of-practice documents related to the use of RN-initiated CSPs in the ED setting. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was used to investigate how the RN's scope of practice relates to the use of CSPs in ED settings across states. Data were collected from state boards of nursing Web site documents. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged: cautiously within scope, intentionally vague/silent, and outside scope. Seven states (Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Oklahoma) were identified where RN-initiated CSPs appear to be currently outside the RN's scope of practice. Therefore 18% of the US population, or 55,973,900 people, resides in states where CSPs are not allowed. DISCUSSION: State-to-state inconsistencies in the RN's scope of practice may interfere with the implementation of practices that enhance ED efficiency. RNs in all states must ensure that they have the requisite knowledge, skill, and documented competency to implement CSPs, if supported by their employing facility. Efforts to standardize ED RN education and policy are warranted. Continued research is needed assess the impact of RN-initiated CSPs on the efficiency of ED care.