Family Caregiving in Japan: The Influence of Cultural Constructs in the Care of Adults With Cancer.

Caring culture is a concept embodying the perceptions and caring practices of caregivers, acknowledging the unique role of cultural beliefs in shaping behavior. A qualitative descriptive study with 13 caregivers of adult family members with a cancer diagnosis in Japan was conducted to gain insight into perceptions and experiences surrounding caregiving. Several major categories were identified, representing rarely reported cultural constructs of high cultural value for the Japanese: On-repayment for what the patient has given, Caregiving as performing a socially expected role, Enryo/meiwaku-restraint in asking for help, Family decision making reflecting strong bonds, Omoiyari-empathizing with the patient's feelings, and Inori-praying to myriad gods and ancestors. The Japanese cultural construct of ie (the strong relationship to family lineage and spiritual connection to past and future generations) is helpful in understanding these categories. Invisible yet powerful cultural constructs permeated caregiving practices. Insights from Japanese cultural concepts and beliefs may foster sensitivity and individualized care in diverse settings, cultures, and societies.

[Relationship between personal trust and parental feelings of parents of children aged 3 years. Differences between the characteristics of fathers and mothers].

OBJECTIVES: In modern society, which is said to lack human relationships, an individual's personal ability to build relationships has gained great importance. The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between the parental feelings of parents of children aged 3 years and a personal trust (PT) scale developed by the author. We also clarified the differences between fathers and mothers with regard to PT. METHODS: The study sample comprised 329 parents (134 fathers, 195 mothers) of children who underwent the health examination for children aged 3 years in 2008 in City A, Japan. We distributed questionnaire forms to the participants before the examination and collected the completed forms on the day of the health examination. The PT scale consists of 3 subscales: (1) strategic trust for building bonds (ST), (2) universal trust toward the general public (UT), and (3) trust toward specific persons (TS). First, subscale scores were summed up for fathers and mothers. Next, confounding factors were investigated by comparing the median subscale scores obtained for different demographic groups. Next, we performed logistic regression analysis to investigate the influence of PT, which was evaluated using the 3 subscales, on parental feelings. RESULTS: We identified the confounding factors by comparing the median scores of each subscale for different demographic groups. A group of parents whose birthplace was City A had a high ST score. Next, compared to unemployed mothers, working mothers had higher ST and TS scores. Furthermore, mothers of male children had higher ST scores than those of female children. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the psychological parental variables affected by PT calculated using each of the subscales. The results indicated the ST and TS scores affects parental feelings of fathers. However, the UT scores had no effect on parental feelings of fathers. In the case of mothers, the ST, TS, and UT scores affects parental feelings but the ST scores had no effect on parental feelings after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSION: The PT scale reflected the socializing patterns of parents with various communities. We confirmed that PT promoted parental happiness and buffered parenting-related stress. However, there was a difference between the characteristics of fathers and mothers in relationships between parental feelinfs and PT. For example, in the case of fathers, there was no significant relationship between parental feelings and UT.

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.

Knowledge and behavior relating to malaria in malaria endemic villages of Khammouane Province, Lao PDR.

In order to provide basic data for evaluation of malaria control measures, a study on the knowledge and behavior of people regarding prevention of malaria was carried out in 8 malaria endemic villages in Khammouane Province of Lao PDR from 1999 to 2000. The total valid questionnaire respondents were 932, with a mean age of 32.3 +/- 14.9. 43.7% of the respondents were illiterate. About 44% of the respondents suffered from malaria in the past. About 55% of the illiterate group slept in mosquito nets, compared to 75.4% for the educated group. About 29% of the illiterate respondents had knowledge of malaria transmission by mosquito bites, compared to 48.8% for the educated groups. Out of 167 non-impregnated mosquito nets examined in two villages, 13 were in bad condition having holes or leaks and 39 female mosquitos including Anopheles spp were collected in these nets by early morning catches. Knowledge of malaria and behavior in relation to the prevention of malaria were significantly related to educational level. Health education as well as general education must be taken into account for communities in malaria endemic areas to become more involved in malaria control strategies.

Entomological surveys of malaria in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR, in 1999 and 2000.

Anopheline mosquitos and their relation to malaria transmission were studied 3 times: in July and August, 1999; in December, 1999; and in August and September, 2000. The studies took place in the malaria endemic villages of Khammouane Province, southeast of Lao PDR. A total of 28 species were collected using human and animal bait. Human bait attracted predominantly Anopheles dirus and An. minimus, which were identified as vectors by the detection of sporozoites by dissection, PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. The vectorial capacity of An. dirus was 0.009-0.428, while that of An. minimus was 0.048-0.186. The inoculation rate of An. dirus was 0.052-0.137 (Boualapha; August, 2000). An. nivipes and its sister species, An. philippinensis, were principally zoophilic, although a considerable number of the females were also attracted to human bait in the villages of the paddy field areas. An. philippinensis infected with oocysts of P. vivax was detected in a specimen collected by animal bait. These two species were considered as vectors in Khammouane Province. Four species, An. notanandai, An. sawadwongporni, An. willmori, and An. hodgkini, had not been recored before in Lao PDR. Information is provided on host preference and the nocturnal biting activities of common species and the incidence of malaria in the study areas.

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.

Factors associated with the professional competencies of public health nurses employed by local government agencies in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to clarify some of the factors associated with the professional competencies of public health nurses (PHNs) employed by local government agencies in Japan. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SAMPLE: PHNs (N=1,614) working in local government agencies in Japan. MEASUREMENTS: Based on self-reported questionnaires, the nurses were grouped according to experience. Statistical differences between the groups were analyzed using analysis of variance. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine associated factors. RESULTS: Variables contributing to high self-evaluation of interpersonal health support competencies were length of experience as a PHN, an awareness of the role expectations of community health support and administration, marital status, and participation in off-the-job training programs. The same variables contributed to high self-evaluation of community health support and administration competencies. In addition, experience of job transfer or rotation was found to be a variable. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the importance of off-the-job training programs designed to foster exposure to a wide variety of personal and professional experiences. They also illustrate the importance of planned on-the-job training programs that promote an understanding of the nature of the field, as well as developing planning and administrative competency in career development.

Sleep health and lifestyle of elderly people in Ogimi, a village of longevity.

The study was conducted in the Prefecture of Longevity, Okinawa, on the elderly living in the village of Ogimi. It was revealed that those in the good sleep health group took short naps, a significantly fewer number fell into dozes, and a significantly greater number exercised regularly or walked. A significantly greater number of this group maintained regular eating habits over a 10-year span, and consumed more seaweed and fish. Participation in senior citizens' clubs was higher, reflecting high emotional adaptability. The study's results indicates a relationship between lifestyle and sleep health among the elderly, and suggest that deterioration of sleep health is related to physical and mental health.

Knowledge and behavior relating to malaria in malaria endemic villages of Khammouane Province, Lao PDR.

In order to provide basic data for evaluation of malaria control measures, a study on the knowledge and behavior of people regarding prevention of malaria was carried out in 8 malaria endemic villages in Khammouane Province of Lao PDR from 1999 to 2000. The total valid questionnaire respondents were 932, with a mean age of 32.3 +/- 14.9. 43.7% of the respondents were illiterate. About 44% of the respondents suffered from malaria in the past. About 55% of the illiterate group slept in mosquito nets, compared to 75.4% for the educated group. About 29% of the illiterate respondents had knowledge of malaria transmission by mosquito bites, compared to 48.8% for the educated groups. Out of 167 non-impregnated mosquito nets examined in two villages, 13 were in bad condition having holes or leaks and 39 female mosquitos including Anopheles spp were collected in these nets by early morning catches. Knowledge of malaria and behavior in relation to the prevention of malaria were significantly related to educational level. Health education as well as general education must be taken into account for communities in malaria endemic areas to become more involved in malaria control strategies.

Entomological surveys of malaria in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR, in 1999 and 2000.

Anopheline mosquitos and their relation to malaria transmission were studied 3 times: in July and August, 1999; in December, 1999; and in August and September, 2000. The studies took place in the malaria endemic villages of Khammouane Province, southeast of Lao PDR. A total of 28 species were collected using human and animal bait. Human bait attracted predominantly Anopheles dirus and An. minimus, which were identified as vectors by the detection of sporozoites by dissection, PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. The vectorial capacity of An. dirus was 0.009-0.428, while that of An. minimus was 0.048-0.186. The inoculation rate of An. dirus was 0.052-0.137 (Boualapha; August, 2000). An. nivipes and its sister species, An. philippinensis, were principally zoophilic, although a considerable number of the females were also attracted to human bait in the villages of the paddy field areas. An. philippinensis infected with oocysts of P. vivax was detected in a specimen collected by animal bait. These two species were considered as vectors in Khammouane Province. Four species, An. notanandai, An. sawadwongporni, An. willmori, and An. hodgkini, had not been recored before in Lao PDR. Information is provided on host preference and the nocturnal biting activities of common species and the incidence of malaria in the study areas.