Effects of the Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program on Preterm Labor Stress, Anxiety, Physical Discomfort, and Situational Discomfort among Hospitalized High-Risk Pregnant Women: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Purpose@#This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effects of the Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program to mitigate preterm labor stress, anxiety, physical discomfort, and situational discomfort in hospitalized high-risk pregnant women. @*Methods@#This study used a nonequivalent control group nonsynchronized design and analyzed 23 participants from the experimental group and 23 from the control group. The participants from both the groups were matched and diagnosed with preterm labor, incompetent internal os of the cervix, preterm premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, or gestational diabetes mellitus. The effects of the Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program were measured using tools such as preterm labor stress, anxiety, physical discomfort, and situational discomfort. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, paired t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance. @*Results@#The Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program was effective in reducing preterm labor stress (F= 8.24, p=0.001), anxiety (F=17.80, p≤0.001), and situational discomfort (F=5.95, p=0.004). However, it was not effective in reducing the physical discomfort (F=1.20, p=0.311). Post hoc analysis between time points revealed effective reduction in the preterm labor stress and anxiety in both the groups immediately after the end of the program and at 7 days after the program. Situational discomfort was reduced at 7 days after the end of the program in both the groups. @*Conclusion@#The Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program can be applied in practice by nurses. It can contribute to alleviating the symptoms and discomfort of high-risk pregnant women.

Factors Influencing Behavior of Reducing Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Breastfeeding Mothers

PURPOSE: To investigate factors that affect behaviors of reducing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in breastfeeding mothers. METHODS: Subjects were 166 breastfeeding mothers who were recruited from January 25 to April 15, 2018. The questionnaire consisted of items associated with behaviors of reducing exposure to EDCs, attitude to behaviors of reducing exposure, subject norms of behavior of reducing exposure, and perceived behavior control. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Factors influencing behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs were attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure, perceived barrier, and period of lactation. The more positive the attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure was, the lower the perceived barrier. The longer the feeding period, the higher the behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs. CONCLUSION: To enhance behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, it is necessary to develop a positive educational program in breastfeeding department to improve attitude toward behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, decrease perceived barrier, and increase the breastfeeding period.

Erratum: Correction of Title. Literature Review on Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Partners

We found an title error in our published article.

Effect of Intervention Programs for Improving Maternal Adaptation in Korea: Systematic Review

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the literature on intervention for breast cancer survivors and their partners. METHODS: The literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Pubmed, and Proquest to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding intervention for breast cancer survivors and their partners. Articles published between January 2000 and December 2011 were included. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were identified. Couple-base d intervention was more effective than intervention for survivors alone. Intervention to partners had also effects on their wives. Most studies were conducted in USA with Caucasian women. Sample size of intervention studies was small with most being pilot studies. CONCLUSION: Providing couple-based intervention to breast cancer survivors could have positive impacts on physical, interpersonal, and social aspects in breast cancer survivors. Future studies with large sample and different ethnicity are needed to confirm the effects of couple-based interventions for breast cancer survivors.

Experiences of the Use of External Breast Prosthesis among Breast Cancer Survivors in Korea / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of the use of external breast prostheses among breast cancer survivors in Korea. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, using focus groups. Data were collected from breast cancer survivors who were patients of C women's hospital in Seoul, Korea. Data were analyzed using content analysis in order to identify significant themes. RESULTS: Participants included forty breast cancer survivors who had mastectomy as a surgical treatment. Four themes emerged from the collected data were: 1) concern over the high price of external breast prosthesis, 2) irregular use of external breast prosthesis, 3) unsatisfied with mastectomy bra, and 4) wanting to hide or not to talk about using breast prosthesis openly. CONCLUSION: Since most participants reported irregular use and negative experiences related to external breast prosthesis or mastectomy bra use, healthcare workers should allow more time for proper fitting and counseling and consulting with breast cancer survivors. In addition, health care providers as well as family and friends should keep in mind that cancer survivors need support that can help them cope by using positive reframing. Furthermore, improvements in the coverage of costs and services are needed for these women. This would be helpful for breast prosthesis users.

Symptom Experience and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate symptom experience and quality of life (QOL) and to identify the predictors of QOL among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 disease-free breast cancer survivors at two hospitals between December 2007 and July 2008. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-B, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-short Form and The Linear Analogue Self Assessment Scale were used to assess symptom experience and QOL in these patients. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: The mean score of QOL for breast cancer survivors was 95.81 (+/-18.02). The highest scores among physical and psychological symptoms were sexual interest and anxiety. Year since treatment completion was significantly associated with QOL in sociodemographic variables. Physical and psychological symptoms have a significant negative association with QOL. The results of the regression analyses showed that physical and psychological symptoms were statistically significant in predicting patients' QOL. CONCLUSION: Symptom experience and QOL are essential variables that should be acknowledged when delivering health care to breast cancer survivors. More attention to the reduction and management of psychological distress could improve QOL among breast cancer survivors.

Concept Analysis of Relocation Stress: Focusing on Patients Transferred from Intensive Care Unit to General Ward / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze and clarify the meaning of the concept for relocation stress -focusing on patients transferred from an intensive care unit to a general ward. METHODS: This study used Walker and Avant's process of concept analysis. RESULTS: Relocation stress can be defined by these attributes as follows: 1) involuntary decision about relocation, 2) moving from a familiar and safe environment to an unfamiliar one, 3) broken relationship of safety and familiarity, 4) physiological and psychosocial change after relocation. The antecedents of relocation stress consisted of these facts: 1) preparation degrees of transfer from the intensive care unit to a general ward, 2) pertinence of the information related to the transfer process, 3) change of major caregivers, 4) change in numbers of monitoring devices, 5) change in the level of self-care. There are consequences occurring as a result of relocation stress: 1) decrease in patients' quality of life, 2) decrease in coping capacity, 3) loss of control. CONCLUSION: Relocation stress is a core concept in intensive nursing care. Using this concept will contribute to continuity of intensive nursing care.

Factors Influencing Sexual Satisfaction in Patients with Breast Cancer Participating in a Support Group and Non Support Group / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the influence of sexual behavior, body image, social support, and other characteristics on sexual satisfaction in patients with breast cancer according to their participation in a support group. METHOD: Data was collected by self-report questionnaires. Participants included 63 patients attending a support group and 76 patients who did not participate in the support group. The questionnaire sections consisted of sexual satisfaction, sexual behavior, body image, social support and information on general characteristics, disease-related characteristics, and sexual life-related characteristics. RESULT: There was no statistically significant difference in sexual behavior, body image and sexual satisfaction between the two groups. Social support scores were significantly higher in the support group. Sexual satisfaction was positively related with sexual behavior, post-op change of sexual intercourse frequency, body image, and patient's education level, and negatively related to age in the support group. Sexual satisfaction was positively related with sexual behavior, social support and body image in the non support group. Sexual behavior is predictable 37.0% of sexual satisfaction in the support group. Sexual behavior, body image, and social support is predictable for 38.0% of the sexual satisfaction in non support group participants. CONCLUSION: Implications point to the need for the development and implementation of programs that focus specifically on sexual life issues for breast cancer patients, as well as further research measuring the effects of such intervention programs. Continuous education and counseling through participation in support groups can contribute to promote and affirm a healthy sexual life for patients with breast cancer.

Development of Digital Textbook for Maternity Nursing Practice for the Internet: Nursing Care of Women in Labor and Delivery / 여성건강간호학회지

This study was done to develop a digital textbook for students to use over the internet for maternity nursing practice. The textbook is not only for student nurses, but also for nurse midwives and nurses working in the maternity. The process used was as follows; 1.Existing educational media on maternity nursing were reviewed and examined. 2.Workshops and meetings were held to decide the most appropriate type of presentation. 3. The digital content including text, pictures, audios, and videos were developed using Macromedia Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier. 4.Revisions were made recursively as the content was previewed and implemented over the internet by professionals and the end-users. 5. A database of members and a web survey module were developed and posted. The clinical implication of a digital textbook over the internet is the possibility of using it to educate many student nurses throughout the country and to disseminate the content for whoever needs it in practice settings and facilities. Another implication is that this site stressed interactivity by developing member database and web survey. In conclusion, the study found this first trial of digital textbook to be a unique educational media for nursing skills practice. Further refinement of this media is strongly recommended.