Postpartum nurses' perceptions of barriers to screening for intimate partner violence: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a human rights violation that is pervasive worldwide, and is particularly critical for women during the reproductive period. IPV includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Nurses on in-patient postpartum units are well-positioned to screen women for IPV, yet low screening rates suggest that barriers to screening exist. The purpose of this study was to (a) identify the frequency of screening for IPV, (b) the most important barriers to screening, (c) the relationship between the barriers to screening and the frequency of screening for types of abuse, and (d) to identify other factors that contribute to the frequency of screening for IPV. METHODS: In 2008, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 96 nurses from postpartum inpatient units in three Canadian urban hospitals. The survey included the Barriers to Abuse Assessment Tool (BAAT), adapted for postpartum nurses (PPN). Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were used to predict barriers to screening for each type of IPV. RESULTS: The frequency of screening varied by the type of abuse with highest screening rates found for physical and emotional abuse. According to the BAAT-PPN, lack of knowledge was the most important barrier to screening. The BAAT-PPN total score was negatively correlated with screening for physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Using OLS regression models and after controlling for demographic characteristics, the BAAT-PPN explained 14%, 12%, and 11% of the variance in screening for physical, sexual and emotional abuse, respectively. Fluency in the language of the patient was negatively correlated with screening for each type of abuse. When added as Step 3 to OLS regression models, language fluency was associated with an additional decrease in the likelihood of screening for physical (beta coefficient = -.38, P < .001), sexual (beta coefficient = -.24, P = .05), and emotional abuse (beta coefficient = -.48, P < .001) and increased the variance explained by the model to 25%, 17%, and 31%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support an inverse relationship between rates of screening for IPV and nurses' perceptions of barriers. Barriers to screening for IPV, particularly related to knowledge and language fluency, need to be addressed to increase rates of screening on postpartum units.

Factors associated with involvement of four or more axillary nodes for sentinel lymph node-positive patients.

PURPOSE: Sentinel lymph node-positive (SLN+) patients who are unlikely to have 4 or more involved axillary nodes might be treated with less extensive regional nodal radiation. The purpose of this study was to define possible predictors of having 4 or more involved axillary nodes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The records of 224 patients with breast cancer and 1 to 3 involved SLNs, who underwent completion axillary dissection without neoadjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy were reviewed. Factors associated with the presence of 4 or more involved axillary nodes (SLNs plus non-SLNs) were evaluated by Pearson chi-square test of association and by simple and multiple logistic-regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 224 patients, 42 had involvement of 4 or more axillary nodes. On univariate analysis, the presence of 4 or more involved axillary nodes was positively associated with increased tumor size, lobular histology, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), increased number of involved SLNs, decreased number of uninvolved SLNs, and increased size of SLN metastasis. On multivariate analysis, the presence of 4 or more involved axillary nodes was associated with LVSI, increased number of involved SLNs, increased size of SLN metastasis, and lobular histology. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with 1 or more involved SLN, LVSI, or SLN macrometastasis should be treated to the supraclavicular fossa/axillary apex if they do not undergo completion axillary dissection. Other SLN+ patients might be adequately treated with less extensive radiation fields.

Sentinel lymph node positivity of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ or microinvasive breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity in patients with a final diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or microinvasive breast cancer (MIC). METHODS: One hundred thirty patients underwent SLN mapping from 1998 to 2003 for DCIS or MIC. RESULTS: One hundred nine patients with DCIS and 21 with MIC underwent SLN mapping. One patient with bilateral DCIS underwent 2 SLN procedures; therefore, the results of 131 SLN procedures are included. On hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, 4 of 110 patients (3.6%) with DCIS had positive SLNs. Four additional patients had positive SLNs by IHC staining only (3.6%). Two of 8 patients underwent completion axillary dissection, and neither had additional involved nodes on completion axillary dissection. One of the 21 patients with MIC had positive SLNs by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) (4.8%), and another had an involved SLN by IHC staining (4.8%). The patient with the positive SLN by H&E had 1 additional node on completion axillary dissection. CONCLUSION: Rates of SLN positivity for patients with DCIS are modest, even in a high-risk population, and there is continuing uncertainty about its clinical importance.

Teen sexuality. Reaching out in the malls.

BACKGROUND: Existing sexual health programs have not significantly reduced teen pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases. A more creative approach is needed. METHODS: An assessment of 539 teens in one Ontario city was conducted to identify knowledge about and use of birth control, comfort in discussing sexual health, and preferred sites, providers and methods of service delivery. RESULTS: Knowledge of, and comfort discussing, birth control was not associated with frequency of use but was associated with grade. Adolescents were less comfortable discussing sexual health with teachers than health professionals. Over time, comfort increased with health professionals, but not teachers. Sexually active teens reported willingness to attend mall-based clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Using birth control appears to be maturational given its association with grade. Since teens were consistently less comfortable with teachers, providing sexual health services in schools is likely ineffective. Teens may respond to clinics in creative settings such as malls.

Can axillary dissection be avoided in patients with sentinel lymph node metastasis?

BACKGROUND: Who should undergo a completion dissection following identification of a +sentinel lymph node (SLN) is controversial. METHODS: The records of 1,133 patients who underwent SLN mapping were reviewed. The association between patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics and the presence of +SLNs and +nonSLNs was analyzed using two-way tables of frequency counts and Pearson chi2 test. Possible predictors of +SLNs and +nonSLNs were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred forty-eight SLN procedures were performed. 367 procedures (32%) yielded +SLNs. For patients with a +SLN, on multiple logistic regression analysis LVSI, increasing numbers of +SLNs, decreasing numbers of negative SLNs, and increasing size of the largest SLN metastasis were statistically significantly associated with increased likelihood of nonSLN involvement. No subgroup was identified that did not have a significant rate of nonSLN involvement on completion axillary dissection, except those who had a large number of negative SLNs (> or =3) and small size of the largest SLN metastasis (<10 mm). CONCLUSIONS: A definitive answer to the question of who needs a completion axillary dissection awaits the results of ongoing trials. In the interim, our data does not support eliminating dissection for any subgroup of patients with +SLNs.