[Health promotion for long-term unemployed. Effects on motivation for a healthy lifestyle]. / Gesundheitskompetenztraining für Menschen in Langzeitarbeitslosigkeit. Auswirkungen auf die Motivation zu einem gesünderen Lebensstil.

Among the long-term unemployed ill health is often a hindrance to successful reintegration in the job market. In a quasi-experimental controlled study we examined the effects of a health promotion intervention program tailored to the specific needs of the long-term unemployed combining individual sessions based on motivational interviewing and participatory group sessions including physical activity. Over a period of 3 months the participants of the intervention group (n = 179) showed more improvement compared to the control group (n = 108) in terms of motivation for lifestyle changes towards more physical activity and healthier nutrition. Participants of the intervention group developed an intention to act significantly more often (active lifestyle: odds ratio 4.44; 95% CI: 2.00-9.83; healthy nutrition: odds ratio 3.94; 95% CI: 1.55-10.00) and actually implemented a behavior change significantly more often (active lifestyle: odds ratio 2.77; 95% CI: 1.35-5.71; healthy nutrition: odds ratio 4.34; 95% CI: 1.92-9.78). In terms of smoking and alcohol consumption no significant intervention effects were detected. The results of the study show the effectiveness of the described health promotion program regarding a lifestyle change towards more healthy nutrition and more physical activity.

Neoteric physiologic and immunologic methods for assessing early-onset neonatal sepsis.

Septicemia is a growing problem among low birth weight infants. Early identification and treatment of sepsis in these infants would help to reduce the high mortality and morbidity seen with this disorder. Newer techniques may make earlier diagnosis a reality. In the following review article, early-onset sepsis in the premature infant is described, specifically focusing on the neonatal inflammatory response, neutropenia, and its somewhat inconsistent and delayed role as a marker for sepsis risk factors. Physiological signs, laboratory indicators, skin temperature, peripheral perfusion, and the interaction of macro-environmental factors are also discussed. Newer (neoteric) immunologic and cytokine markers of sepsis are reviewed. Finally, thermography, a noninvasive bioinstrument measuring vasoactive peripheral perfusion, which has potential for early recognition of neonatal septicemia, is described.

Being-in-tune caregiving.

The practice of providing developmentally supportive caregiving is familiar to nurses but often is not practiced until after the infant's stabilization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study reported here explored the constructs that describe the characteristics of physiologically stable extremely low-birthweight infants and the process of caregiving to these infants. A purposive sample of 20 experienced nurses in a level III NICU was selected. Two separate constructs emerged: individually defined stability and being-in-tune caregiving.

Accuracy and precision of neonatal electronic incubator scales.

Measurement of weight in the neonatal intensive care unit demands accuracy and precision. To date, however, no studies exist that independently document the accuracy of infant incubator bed scales. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Airshields-Vickers Warm Weigh internally mounted incubator bed scale with foam and water mattresses using 500 gm and 1,500 gm standard weights to ascertain the precision of electronic bed scales and to evaluate the differences between nurse weighers. Two experienced neonatal nurses evaluated new incubator bed scales. Each nurse independently collected data and kept the results masked. Eight measurements were obtained from each incubator. Results indicated error beyond +/- 2 gm at 500 gm with the foam mattress and in both weight groups with the water mattress using the Technical Error Measurement (TEM) method. This indicates that the bed scales did not perform within the manufacturer's rated accuracy of +/- 2 gm at the smallest weights found in the clinical area. Weight errors were not judged to be clinically significant by a group of NNP experts.