Development of an early detection scale for intimate partner violence to occur in relationships under power and control.

AIM: This study aimed to develop a detection scale for intimate partner violence (DS-IPV), excluding physical and sexual violence, and to validate the scale. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken using an anonymous 26-item self-administered questionnaire with volunteer women aged 18-59 residing in one prefecture in Japan. A total of 1,937 responses were obtained, and 1,915 were valid. The responses of the 1,277 women who had a partner at the time were included in the analysis. Statistical analysis examined exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and construct validity. RESULTS: A four-factor scale with 22 items was extracted for the DS-IPV. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the indices of fitness supported these results. Prior to the factor analysis, the Kiser-Mayer-Olkin measurement (.936) and Bartlett's sphericity test (p < .001) showed that all samples met the statistical criteria. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .92 for total score and varied between .70 and .90 for each of the four factors, and internal consistency was confirmed. The following four factors emerged from an oblique factor analysis, with a cumulative variance of 58.1%: "arousing anxiety"; "controlling behavior"; "coercion and threat"; and "daily emotions". These four factors had a moderate correlation (.23-.48, p < .01) with each other, which indicated construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the indices of fitness supported these results. CONCLUSIONS: The DS-IPV scale, a concise scale to detect and screen for potential intimate partner violence, was developed. The DS-IPV scale showed good internal consistency and construct validity.

Development of a clinical nurse recognition scale for female intimate partner violence patients.

AIM: We aimed to develop a Recognition Scale for Female Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Patients (RS-FIPVP); measure the levels and clarify the structure of IPV recognition among clinical nurses; and confirm the validity and reliability of the scale. METHODS: A cross-sectional, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was administered to clinical nurses (n = 2570) at seven clinical settings in Okinawa, Japan. As a result, 1855 valid responses were obtained and used in the analysis. The statistical analysis examined an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and construct validity. RESULTS: Four factors, comprising 20 items, were extracted for IPV recognition among clinical nurses. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the indices of fitness supported these results. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.83 for the total score and 0.71, 0.73, 0.74, and 0.71 for Factors 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Four factors were extracted from the oblique factor analysis, with a cumulative variance of 50.0%: "understanding of the victim's situation", "violence that is difficult to detect", "patient characteristics", and "support and coordination". The four factors had a moderate correlation (0.27-0.47, P < 0.01) with each other, which indicated construct validity. These findings confirmed fit for the RS-FIPVP. CONCLUSIONS: The RS-FIPVP, a recognition scale to measure and evaluate the recognition of female IPV patients among clinical nurses, was developed. It may be used to improve the recognition of female IPV patients in nursing continuing education and also to measure and evaluate educational interventions. The reliability and validity of the scale were verified; however, further refining, testing, and evaluation are required.

Unnecessary Dieting Intention and Behavior among Female Students in Naha City, Japan.

Weight concerns and dieting are prevalent among female adolescents both in Western and Asian countries. They can result in negative psychological and physiological consequences. This study aimed to examine the relative importance of social and personal factors in the decision to diet among female adolescent students in Japan, applying the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data were collected from five junior high schools and three high schools in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, in 2010, through self-administered questionnaires. The data of 756 female students were assessed. The independent variables included social factor variables (norms) and personal factor variables (attitude to dieting, perceived behavior control, body esteem, body-figure discrepancy and past dieting). The dependent variables were dieting intention and behavior. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to examine three models: model 1 (age and obesity index), model 2 (social factor variables with age and obesity index) and model 3 (all variables). Although model 2 failed to explain a substantial proportion of the variance, model 3 explained approximately a half of the variance for intention (R(2) = 0.507) and more than one third of the variance for behavior (R(2) = 0.376). Past experience of dieting was the best predictor of both dieting intention and behavior. Body esteem was the second best predictor for dieting behavior. In conclusion, personal factors are more likely than social factors to drive the dieting decision. Diet education programs should consider targeting frequent dieters and those with poor body esteem.

Development of competence scale for senior clinical nurses.

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop a new scale, the Competence Scale for Senior Clinical Nurses (CS-SCN), to assess and evaluate senior clinical nurses in hospitals, and to confirm the validity and reliability of the scale. METHOD: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was undertaken at a hospital in Japan, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire administered to clinical nurses (n=374). A useable sample of 218 was achieved, which was used in the analysis. Statistical analysis examined exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and construct validity. RESULTS: A five factor solution with 22 items was extracted for nursing competence in senior clinical nurses, which was the interpretable questionnaire. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the indices of fitness supported these results. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.93 for the total score and varied between 0.63 and 0.90 in the five factors. Five factors emerged from an oblique factor analysis, with a cumulative variance of 66.7%: "role accomplishment"; "self-management"; "research"; "practice and coordination"; and "work implementation". The five factors had only a moderate correlation (0.30-0.77, P<0.001) with each other, which indicated construct validity. CONCLUSION: The CS-SCN, a concise scale to measure and evaluate the competence of senior clinical nurses, was developed. Results suggest initial support for the new instrument as a measure of competence of senior clinical nurses, but it must be further refined, tested, and evaluated. Both the validity and reliability of the scale were verified. Future studies using the CS-SCN might lead to improvement in the competence of senior clinical nurses.

Plasma midkine level is a prognostic factor for human neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is the third-most-common solid tumor of childhood. To date, no reliable blood marker for neuroblastoma has been established. The growth factor midkine is highly expressed in human carcinomas and its knockdown leads to tumor growth suppression in animal models. The present study evaluated the plasma midkine level in human neuroblastoma patients. Plasma samples were obtained from patients found through mass screening, as well as from sporadic neuroblastoma patients. The total number of cases examined was 756. Among them, prognostic information was available for 175 sporadic cases and 287 mass-screening cases. Midkine levels were significantly higher in neuroblastoma patients, including both mass-screening cases and sporadic cases, than in non-tumor controls (P < 0.0001). The midkine level was significantly correlated with the statuses of MYCN amplification, TRKA expression, ploidy, stage and age (P < 0.0001, < 0.0001, = 0.004, < 0.0001 and < 0.0001, respectively), which are known prognostic factors for neuroblastoma. There was a striking correlation between high plasma midkine level and poor prognosis (P < 0.0001). Within sporadic cases, the midkine level was also strikingly higher than in non-tumor controls (P < 0.0001), and correlated with the statuses of MYCN amplification and stage (P = 0.0005 and = 0.003, respectively). There was a significant correlation between high plasma midkine level and poor prognosis (P = 0.04). Taken together, the present data indicate that plasma midkine level is a prognostic factor for human neuroblastoma.

Health education for nurses in Japan to combat child abuse.

A health education program for nurses was conducted to address the complex problem of child abuse, which has reached epidemic proportions. In Japan, the number of consultations has risen 23-fold over the past 11 years. Maltreatment of children is a public health problem as perilous as any contagious disease. The International Council of Nurses asks for nurses' leadership to strengthen measures to combat abuse throughout the world. The Japanese Nursing Association has published statements for prevention, detection and support. Yet, few community-based education programs with a multidisciplinary perspective have been reported that focus on nurses, the largest group of health providers. More than 200 nurse educators, clinicians and managers met for a one-day program designed to improve understanding of the nurses' role in combatting the abuse and neglect of children and to formulate action plans. This significant health problem is addressed in the context of a health education program's needs, objectives, content and evaluation.

Factors contributing to tooth retention among elderly women.

The purpose of this study is to identify factors contributing to tooth retention. A questionnaire was prepared which includes 22 main items concerning oral health care. The questionnaire was answered by 144 females in their 80's at 4 Health and Welfare Centers for the Aged in the City of Naha in July 1995 through interview format. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, in which the dependent variable was tooth retention. The results were as follows: 1) The mean number of teeth of those in their 80's was 3.8 +/- 7.2; 2) A high percentage, 122 (84.7%), were observed to be in moderate or excellent health; 3) Less than half, 63 (43.7%), were observed to have a strong family history of oral health; 4) Character (p < 0.01), those having a periodical oral health checkup from their 50's (p < 0.01) and total oral health care in their 50's (p < 0.05) were statistically significant. The results also suggest that the multiple logistic regression model consisted of character (odds ratio (OR) = 11.62); having a periodical oral health checkup from their 50's (OR = 9.39); and total oral health care in their 50's (OR = 4.23) among elderly females in their 80's in Okinawa Prefecture.