Lifestyle physical activity behavior of Korean American dry cleaner couples.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to: (1) describe and compare lifestyle physical activity (leisure-time physical activity [LTPA], household physical activity [HPA], and occupational physical activity [OPA]), using both self-report and an objective measure of step counts, in self-employed Korean American married couples working together at dry cleaners, and (2) examine the relationship between self-report and objective measures of physical activity. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: 70 couples participated in this cross-sectional, descriptive, face-to-face interview survey. MEASURES: 2 self-reports (28-item Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors Physical Activity Questionnaire and Tecumseh Occupational Physical Activity Questionnaire) and 1 objective measure (New Lifestyles-800 pedometer) were used. RESULTS: The husbands spent significantly more time than their wives in moderate- to vigorous-intensity LTPA (207 vs. 122 min/week) and OPA (2,585 vs. 1,065 min/week). Most couples (91%) met recommended levels of physical activity based on their OPA. Pedometer steps correlated significantly only with LTPA. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that to increase physical activity in Korean American couples who work in a small business, moderate-intensity lifestyle physical activity interventions across LTPA, HPA, and OPA will be more successful than traditional leisure-time interventions. In addition, results suggest that there is a need for interventions that target both members of the married couple.

Outcomes of a home-based walking program for African-American women.

PURPOSE: As compared with minimal treatment (MT), to determine the effectiveness of a home-based walking intervention enhanced by behavioral strategies targeted and tailored to African-American women (enhanced treatment [ET]) on adherence, physical activity, fitness, and body composition at 24 and 48 weeks. DESIGN: Using a quasi-experimental design, treatments were randomly assigned to one of two community health centers. SETTING: The centers were in predominately African-American communities. PARTICIPANTS: Sedentary women (156 ET, 125 MT) 40 to 65 years were recruited within a 3-mile radius of each center. INTERVENTION: Both treatments had the same orientation. The ET group had four targeted workshops followed by weekly tailored telephone calls over 24 weeks. METHODS: Generalized linear mixed models were used to test effects of treatments on adherence, physical activity, aerobic fitness, and body composition. RESULTS: Adherence was significantly higher in the ET than the MT group and was related to the number of workshops attended (r = .58) and tailored calls (r = .25) received. On-treatment analysis showed significant postintervention improvement in waist circumference and fitness in the ET group; however, these improvements were not statistically different between the two groups. Intent to treat analysis showed a significant increase in fitness, decrease in waist circumference, and no change in body mass index in both treatments. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the potential impact of workshop group support on adherence in African-American women.

[The development of certificates criteria and curriculum in home healthcare nurse specialist program].

PURPOSE: To make a contribution to raising the quality of nursing and home healthcare services through reviewing the present state of home healthcare nurse specialist training institutions and education programs and creating concrete measures to establish high-quality education courses. METHOD: International comparative study of accreditation criteria and curriculum in home healthcare nurse specialist program. RESULT: The Authorization Standards of home healthcare nurse training institutions consists of 8 items, 23 evaluation criteria and 72 evaluation indexes. Proposal to develop a specialist training program: Curriculum. Modify and complement a present homecare nurse education program. Curriculum 1. Designate two forms of certification. The first certification has been granted the authority to serve as a manager and open a home healthcare agency to nurses having masters degrees and clinical experience for five years. The second certification is allowed to perform general home healthcare after having completed a short term training course. Currculum 2. To meet increasing demands, granting a certification to perform home healthcare to registered nurses having clinical experience of more than three years. CONCLUSION: These results can be utilized in the home healthcare educational program for raising the quality of nurses and home healthcare services.

Neighborhood characteristics, adherence to walking, and depressive symptoms in midlife African American women.

BACKGROUND: African American women have more symptoms of depressed mood than white women. Adverse neighborhood conditions may contribute to these symptoms. Although reductions in depressive symptoms with physical activity have been demonstrated in white adults, little research has examined the mental health benefits of physical activity in African American women. Further, it is unknown whether physical activity can offset the effects of living in disadvantaged neighborhoods on depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among neighborhood characteristics, adherence to a physical activity intervention, and change over time in depressive symptoms in midlife African American women. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-eight women participated in a home-based, 24-week moderate-intensity walking intervention. Either a minimal treatment (MT) or enhanced treatment (ET) version of the intervention was randomly assigned to one of the two community health centers. Walking adherence was measured as the percentage of prescribed walks completed. Objective and perceived measures of neighborhood deterioration and crime were included. RESULTS: Adjusting for demographics, body mass index (BMI), and depressive symptoms at baseline, walking adherence and objective neighborhood deterioration were associated with significantly lower depressive symptoms, whereas perceived neighborhood deterioration was associated with significantly higher depressive symptoms at 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to walking as well as aspects of the environment may influence depressive symptoms in African American women. In addition to supporting active lifestyles, improving neighborhood conditions may also promote mental health among African American women.