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Biomedical subjects

M K Libbus

Publications and source records attributed to M K Libbus.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Congruence of decisions between patients and their potential surrogates about life-sustaining therapies.

Decisions concerning life-sustaining treatments and the congruence in decision-making between patients and potential surrogates were examined. The ability of a patient-chosen surrogate to make decisions reflecting the wishes of that patient was estimated. Thirty patient-surrogate pairs independently responded to vignettes of five treatments. Patients and surrogates made similar decisions on all treatments except cancer chemotherapy, for which surrogates were significantly more likely to choose treatment when patients would have them refuse. The findings can assist patients and clinicians in choosing a surrogate whose decision-making corresponds with patient choices.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Sexual harassment of female registered nurses in hospitals.

Sexual harassment of nurses seriously affects nursing performance and productivity. In this survey, sexual harassment by male patients and coworkers was reported by greater than 70% of the female staff nurses surveyed. The most common manifestations of harassment were sexual remarks; however, behaviors involving touch were frequent. Nurses noted that they often confronted patients when these behaviors occurred, but were less likely to confront male co-workers. Findings suggest that nursing managers and executives must discover and eliminate sexual harassment in hospital work settings and create work cultures that discourage manifestation of sexually harassing behaviors.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Case-management of AIDS clients as a predictor of total inpatient hospital days.

AIDS has shifted from an acute short-term terminal illness to a progressive, chronic disorder. Evaluation of AIDS case-management is imperative due to both the increasing numbers of cases and the lengthened survival of those with the disease. In 1988 the Missouri Department of Health (MDOH) initiated the first statewide system of AIDS case-management in the United States. This study was done to determine if deceased AIDS clients who received MDOH case-management services had fewer inpatient hospital days than clients who did not receive these services, during the last six months of life. Death certificates and Medicaid records were merged for 100 case-managed and 99 control, non-case-managed AIDS clients. No significant difference between groups was found in number of inpatient hospital days. Further, neither age, ethnicity, gender, cause of death, nor specific AIDS risk factors were associated with total number of inpatient hospital days. The client-centered philosophy of the program may have encouraged case managers to utilize all available service, including hospitalization, without considering cost-containment issues. Future evaluation efforts will investigate both cost-containment and quality-of-life indicators, such as satisfaction with care, of case-managed AIDS clients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Perceptions of breastfeeding and infant feeding choice in a group of low-income mid-Missouri women.

This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated attitudes regarding breastfeeding in 69 low-income women presenting for prenatal care at a teaching facility in a small midwest United States community. Women were interviewed for demographic data, reproductive history, and experience with infant feeding. The sample was predominantly white and rural. Almost half stated an intent to breastfeed. Breastfeeding by the maternal grandmother and endorsement by a male partner were associated positively with intent to breastfeed. Subjects were asked to estimate ease, convenience, and freedom associated with breastfeeding. Intenders viewed breastfeeding as significantly easier (p < .01), more convenient (p < .0001), and more conducive to freedom (p < .0001) than women who did not intend to breastfeed. Subjects also completed an investigator-designed tool, the Breastfeeding Behavior Questionnaire. Results indicated relatively neutral attitudes regarding breastfeeding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Lactation education practice and procedure: information and support offered to economically disadvantaged women.

Seventy-five agencies providing services to a large percentage of economically disadvantaged pregnant women returned mailed survey questionnaires. These surveys described the timing and nature of lactation education available to clients of the respondent agencies. Lactation education was most frequently introduced at 16-week gestation. Fifty-seven (76%) of the respondents stated that lactation education was offered to all clients at least once during pregnancy, and 23 (31%) stated that all prenatal clients were expected to attend breastfeeding classes, regardless of stated feeding choice. Respondents generally agreed that breastfeeding should be encouraged if a woman is undecided about feeding issues, but they were less definite concerning active encouragement of breastfeeding to women who had made another feeding choice. These findings may facilitate the effort to increase initiation of breastfeeding by examining education practices and provider attitudes that may foster or hinder breastfeeding adoption in this client population.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1992

Perspectives of common breastfeeding situations: a known group comparison.

Infant feeding choice is influenced by social and cultural factors, as reflected in sociodemographic correlates of breastfeeding, which show consistently low breastfeeding rates among women from low-income populations. This study examines attitudes and beliefs that are thought to affect feeding choice and breastfeeding behavior among diverse social and cultural groups. A breastfeeding behavior questionnaire asking women to respond to a variety of breastfeeding situations presented as narratives was administered to members of a La Leche League group and to a group of WIC participants. Results support the idea that different social groups of women display divergent attitudes toward and perceptions of breastfeeding. Although small sample size prohibits generalization of results, the findings reinforce the necessity of designing breastfeeding education programs within specific cultural contexts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Prenatal education in a high-risk population: the effect on birth outcomes.

This case-control investigation examined the relationship between absence of specific educational content during prenatal care and risk of adverse birth outcomes. A total of 1484 women from three regions with high rates of low birthweight and infant mortality participated in structured postpartum interviews. Analyses were performed for both the full sample and three regional subsamples. For the full sample an adjusted risk ratio of 2.87 (95% CI = 1.75, 4.71) was noted between risk of preterm low birthweight and lack of advice to call the health provider if preterm labor were suspected. For one subsample an adjusted risk ratio of 2.50 (95% CI = 1.11, 5.60) was noted between the risk of preterm low birthweight and lack of education on the signs and symptoms of preterm labor. This study reinforces a body of literature that stresses the importance of appropriate prenatal care in preventing preterm low birthweight. It further suggests that adequacy measures of prenatal care should reflect quality and content as well as timing and number of prenatal visits.

Female↗
PubMed1983

Enterobiasis.

Enterobiasis or pinworm infestation is an ubiquitous infection often seen in primary care settings. Incidence and prevalence are difficult to identify as it is believed that many cases go undiagnosed. Diagnosis, most commonly made in the school-aged child after complaints of nocturnal pruritus ani, can be made either by a cellulose tape test or by parental or self-report. A number of effective antihelminthics are available for treatment. It is thought that all close family members should be treated when a confirmed case exists and that retreatment should be given after a two-week interval to ensure eradication of the parasite. The nurse practitioner can be instrumental in providing treatment, education, support and reassurance to families with pinworms.

Antinematodal Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Women's beliefs regarding persistent fatigue.

Investigation of women's perceptions of possible etiologies for, and solutions to, persistent fatigue was the purpose of this study. Although factors associated with fatigue have been explored in specific patient populations, little study has addressed the presence of fatigue among women generally thought to be well. A convenience sample of 76 community women participated in audiotaped interviews regarding their perceptions of personal fatigue. Transcribed interview data were content-analyzed for recurrent themes. Results suggest that long-term fatigue is ubiquitous in the lives of many women and that many perceive role burden and stress to be important contributing factors. Many women apply self-care measures to prevent and decrease fatigue, but others are unable to employ helpful strategies. Some respondents were able to identify specific ways in which family and important others could help them to decrease or prevent their fatigue. However, many expressed the belief that significant others were unconcerned and unwilling to assist them in any substantive way.

Adaptation, Psychological↗