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Biomedical subjects

W C Chenitz

Publications and source records attributed to W C Chenitz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Clinical features and psychosocial factors in young adults with genital herpes.

Clinical features of genital herpes, perceived causes, stress symptoms, treatments, and psychosocial factors in 70 young adults as compared to normative data for non-patient controls are described. The clinical features of the disease were congruent with those of other groups studied. Stress was viewed as the major cause of recurrence, headaches the major stress symptom, and acyclovir (an antiviral drug), was the major treatment. Statistically significant differences were found between scores obtained from the sample of young adults with genital herpes on three of four standardized psychological instruments when compared with normative data for non patient controls. Young adults with genital herpes had a lower self concept, more psychopathology, a greater frequency of daily hassles, and less intensity of uplifts. No differences were found, however, between the two groups in scores on depression.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Predictors of nurses' involvement in research activities.

Practicing nurses who have special expertise concerning clinical problems generally have minimal involvement in clinical nursing research. As a step toward increasing their research participation and, therefore, the relevancy of clinical studies, this study surveyed 1,217 nurses employed at nine health care agencies concerning their research attitudes, work environment, and research involvement. Descriptive statistics indicated that nurses value nursing research and want more time for research-related activities. Discriminant function analysis revealed that prior research instruction, awareness of support for research, and positive attitudes toward research were predictive of nurses' participation in research activities.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Illicit drug use among young adults with genital herpes.

Although an association exists between illicit drug use and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in known high-risk populations such as prostitutes, gay men, and intravenous drug users, little is known with respect to middle-class, heterosexual populations thought to be at less risk. We examined findings related to illicit drug use among young adults with genital herpes from a larger study of young adults' adaptation to chronic disease. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, 70 subjects age 18 to 35 years were interviewed and asked to fill out questionnaires. The sample was predominantly white, heterosexual, employed, and college educated. Responses to open-ended questions related to illicit drug use were coded and compared with findings from two other surveys: a national household survey, Pacific region, metropolitan areas; and a household survey of a San Francisco Bay area county. All but eight subjects (88.6%) reported that they had used an illicit drug at some time in the past. The median number of drugs used was 4; the maximum number was 11. Only six drug-using subjects reported that they had restricted their use to marijuana. Those with genital herpes were more likely to report ever using an illicit drug at some time in the past, and, more specifically, in the past year, than subjects in the two comparison surveys. Such findings suggest that programs screen for illicit drug use as a risk factor in middle-class young adults with genital herpes and other STDs, and for STDs in persons referred for drug abuse treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Developing collaborative research between clinical agencies: a consortium approach.

Collaborative research is receiving increased attention because it maximizes scarce resources and can increase research productivity. One form of collaboration, the consortium approach, was used by six hospitals in northern California and Nevada to increase research activity among the agencies. Our experience with this consortium approach is described. Advantages and disadvantages of this approach to facilitate collaborative research are presented. This approach is recommended for clinical agencies in geographic proximity with similar clinical concerns and administrators supportive of research activity.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Psychosocial aspects of genital herpes: a review of the literature.

Understanding the psychosocial aspects of genital herpes will enable community health nurses to be aware of the range of responses by young adults to the disease and of interventions suggested by research. Reviewed are the epidemiology of genital herpes infection; the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to it; the psychosocial consequences of and techniques for coping and adaptation to living with the disease; responses to treatment; and implications for community health nursing.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Drug misuse and abuse in the elderly.

The elderly are at particular risk for drug misuse and abuse, yet this problem is underdiagnosed. Drug misuse is the underuse, overuse, or erratic use of a drug. Drug abuse is the use of a drug for other than its intended purpose. A thorough nursing assessment is essential to detect and correct drug misuse and to diagnose drug abuse. In this paper methods to prevent and correct drug misuse and abuse are discussed. Case studies are used to illustrate the complexity of the problem.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Managing vulnerability: nursing treatment for heroin addicts.

Grounded theory methodology was used to study nursing interventions in a methadone maintenance clinic. Participant-observation as a clinic staff nurse over four months was the principal method of data collection. A substantive theory called "managing vulnerability" was developed to describe nursing treatment of heroin addicts during methadone maintenance. Managing vulnerability has three parallel stages for the client and nurse. These stages are (a) learning to be vulnerable, (b) living with vulnerability and (c) beyond vulnerability. Basic conditions for this process are dispensing (giving) medication; therapeutic neutrality, which is the attitude assumed by the nurse; effective staff communication and clear clinic policy. Managing vulnerability illustrates the complexity of a therapeutic psychological nursing process.

Heroin Dependence↗
PubMed1989

The prevention and management of genital herpes: a community health approach.

The incidence of genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) of epidemic proportions in the community, is increasing. Meeting the health needs of clients and the public concerning genital herpes is a challenge to community health nurses (CHNs). Little information is available concerning both the physical and psychosocial responses of young adults to genital herpes. This article reviews the changing epidemiology of genital herpes and the psychosocial consequences experienced by those living with the disease--emotional distress, stress associated with recurrences, sexual responses, alterations in interpersonal relationships, and coping and adaptation. The Permission-Limited Information-Specific Suggestion-Intensive Therapy (P-LI-SS-IT) model, a model for intervention and referral, can be used with clients who have the disease to prevent the disabling consequences of the disease. Educating the public is necessary to prevent transmission of this silent epidemic among the population.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed1989

Counseling clients with genital herpes.

The epidemic of genital herpes requires nurses to diagnose and treat human responses to this health problem (American Nurses' Association, 1980). It also creates many opportunities for nurses, particularly in the realm of counseling and education. Given the changing epidemiology of genital herpes and the psychosocial consequences, nurses need to keep abreast of new information so that they may assist people to live with the disease and teach the prevention of transmission of the disease. Recent information about mild and asymptomatic cases of herpes infections has serious implications for counseling and education of persons with genital herpes. The emergence of this "silent" dimension of herpes infections means more difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. All persons with genital herpes should be assessed for their physical and psychological responses to the disease and information should be given to combat misconceptions, to alleviate fear, and aid in preventing transmission. The most significant implication of mild or asymptomatic herpes is the greater risk of transmission. The public needs to be informed about the practice of "safer sex" as a routine measure to prevent herpes, as well as AIDS and other STDs. Given the widespread and epidemic proportions of herpes, persons should be counseled to use condoms whenever they engage in sexual activity with a partner. In addition, correct use of condoms must be taught. Nurses have an important role to play in counseling clients with genital herpes and in preventing the disease.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1984

Surfacing nursing process: a method for generating nursing theory from practice.

The process dimension in nursing is far more complex than currently recognized. Lack of knowledge about process in nursing has consequences for professional development and nursing theory. A method for generating theory from systemic observation, description, identification and analysis of nursing practice is presented.

Humans↗