Globally, in low and middle-income countries 4 out of every 10 pregnancies is reported to be unintended. Having an unintended pregnancy increases the risk of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight, and decreases rates of breast-feeding. The United States (U.S.) consistently has some of the highest rates of preterm birth, infant and maternal mortality of all high-income countries and 45% of all pregnancies in the U.S. are reported to be unintended. The etiology of these outcomes and their relationship to pregnancy intention are complex and multifactorial, but we know this disproportionately effects women living in poverty both in the U.S. and globally. When couples have the knowledge, access, and power to decide when and whether to become pregnant they are more likely to seek preconception care, thus increasing the likelihood of planned pregnancies leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes. Primary prevention strategies to improve maternal/child health outcomes in the U.S. include sexual and reproductive health considerations such as increasing access to birth control. Globally, strategies include expanding access, as well as focusing on the empowerment of women and improving gender social norms. Focusing on community level norms and individual empowerment can lead to greater reproductive autonomy, which in turn leads to an increase in the uptake of birth control and family planning. This broader consideration of multiple levels of power or autonomy is often lacking in approaches taken in the U.S. More information is needed about the social context and determinants of pregnancy intention in our communities, particularly of women living in poverty. The purposes of this dissertation were to 1) to describe reproductive autonomy and family planning challenges in a population of marginalized Ecuadorian women; 2) develop a conceptual framework of reproductive autonomy from the global literature; 3) to validate a shortened form of an interpersonal violence scale used in a study of low-income pregnant women in Kentucky; and finally 4) to investigate the association between pregnancy intention and individual, interpersonal and community factors of impoverished women living in Kentucky. The qualitative study of women in Ecuador identified barriers and facilitators to family planning in a low-resource community. The major themes that emerged were that women’s autonomy was limited by men, shame was ‘keeping women quiet’, systems failed women, and as women aged they were able to build resilience in spite of these challenges. Many reported reproductive coercion, gender-based violence, and regret. Those who could leave unsupportive partners and found social support were more effective at planning their pregnancies. Evidence supports these themes are relatively common in the global literature, particularly of women living in poverty. The comprehensive review of these findings was used to develop a conceptual framework of reproductive autonomy. The Socio-Ecological Model was used to organize the data based on individual, interpersonal or community level determinants of pregnancy intention and reproductive autonomy. This new conceptual model, called the Power and Reproductive Autonomy (PARA) model, was used as a guide to analyze multiple levels of data in a secondary analysis of pregnant women living in poverty in Kentucky. Prior to this secondary analysis study, a measure used in the parent study needed to be validated. A short form of the Women’s Experience with Battering (WEB) scale was found to be psychometrically valid to measure of the impact of intimate partner violence for this population. Findings from the secondary analysis included high rates of unintended pregnancy (66%), and women with unintended pregnancy were more likely to report exposure to interpersonal violence, poor social support, and anxiety at the bivariate level. At the community (county) level those with an unintended pregnancy were more likely to live in counties with fewer social associations, and in rural communities. None of the access, gender equity, income inequality, or violence variables were correlated to pregnancy intention. In the final multilevel model, controlling for demographic variables, only being unmarried and answering the question in English were significant predictors of unintended pregnancy. The rate of social associations in a county was marginally significant with pregnancy intention, in that the presence of social associations appeared to decrease the likelihood of unintended pregnancy. Operationalizing the PARA framework to examine predictors of unintended pregnancy in Kentucky proved to not yield expected results; county level variables related to access, gender equity, and violence were not found to be significantly correlated. Women answering the question in Spanish had significantly higher rates of planned pregnancy, which is a new finding. Having opportunities for social engagement also seemed to be a protective factor in preventing unintended pregnancies. Limitations of cross-sectional data also make it a challenge to capture cumulative life stressors which could contribute to poor reproductive autonomy. Future studies may yield a greater understanding of the social context of pregnancy intention if more interpersonal data related specifically to reproductive autonomy are in the model, such as reproductive coercion, relationship power, communication, and contraceptive decision making. Additionally, further examination of structures or systems that provide economic opportunities in the community is a promising area of reproductive autonomy and pregnancy intention research.

Cystic Fibrosis, a life threatening autosomal recessive genetic disease, is characterized by a defective gene resulting in the production of thick mucus that obstructs the lungs and pancreas. CF requires intensive management performed at the home. An initial pilot study was performed to describe knowledge of CF related diabetes (CFRD) in adults with CF. The findings of this study, which demonstrated that adults with CF lacked sufficient knowledge about CFRD confirmed the need to explore additional factors of self-management guided by a theoretical framework. The second study presented in this dissertation used the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory (IFSMT) to describe context (condition-specific and individual and family factors) and process (self-efficacy and knowledge) and outcome (family self-management) variables for caregivers of children with CF. It also compared differences in context, process, and outcomes in caregivers based on socioeconomic status (Medicaid vs. private insurance), and explored correlations among context, process, and outcomes. Participants for this cross-sectional descriptive study were caregivers of individuals with CF who were under the age of 18 and diagnosed with CF for at least 9 months. Participants completed a demographic survey and questionnaires that included measures of perceived disease severity (VAS), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), self-efficacy (Perceived Health Competence Scale, Mountain West Cystic Fibrosis Consortium Questionnaire), knowledge (CF Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire), and self management behaviors (Self-Management Behaviors Questionnaire) Additional information was collected on the children with CF and included demographic information as well as height/weight/BMI, pulmonary function test results, medication profile, and insurance status. Participants in this study were primarily female caregivers with high self-efficacy, and average knowledge. The children with CF in this study had moderate treatment complexity and normal/mild impairment in lung function. Deficits were noted in the areas of caregivers’ reproductive and genetic knowledge. This study found differences between Medicaid and private insurance groups related to knowledge. There were significant relationships between disease severity and CF specific self-efficacy and nutritional surveillance as well as general self-efficacy and respiratory surveillance. These findings confirmed that the IFMST would provide a consistent framework to guide future studies aimed at identifying factors that influence self-management behaviors of CF in patients and their caregivers.

Background: The Theory of Cultural Distress offers a framework for understanding the potential outcomes in patients who do not receive care that incorporates their cultural beliefs (DeWilde & Burton, 2017).This study represents initial steps in researching the theory byexploring the layering of stressors that place the patient at risk for Cultural Distress. Methods: Utilized aCross-sectional descriptive correlational analysis of intersecting identities (Structural Stressors), ethnicity-related stressors (Otherness) and ethnic-identity (Otherness) to develop understanding of the potential effects of these variables on psychological stress. Independent variables included intersecting identities, perceived ethnic discrimination, concern for stereotype confirmation, own group conformity pressure, and group membership. The dependent variable was perceived stress. Participants were also asked to define the word culture. Results: Stereotype confirmation concern, perceived ethnic discrimination, group membership, and own group conformity pressure were significantly associated with perceived stress. Intersectionality was not significantly associated with perceived stress but was significantly associated with perceived ethnic discrimination. Regression analysis revealed stereotype confirmation concern, own group conformity pressure, and group membership as significant predictors of perceived stress. Participant definitions of culture primarily fell under two themes, Collectiveness and Individualness, indicating that the way we live is highly influenced by our shared experiences, and also a product of individual choices. Discussion: Results indicated that structural stressors had no influence on psychological stress but were associated with perceptions of discrimination. The experience of otherness significantly influenced psychological stress. Additional research and tool development is needed to better understand how structural stressors may influence psychological stress.

The United States is ranked 27th in the world for maternal mortality, yet spends twice as much on maternity care services as countries with better maternal health indicators. Stuck in a technocratic and physician-dominated maternity care system, the U.S. depends on expensive technologies to control birth out of fear of pain and litigation, costing Americans billions of dollars and depriving women of the opportunity to have a transformative birth experience. Through an analysis of the medicalization of birth and the current biomedical model in birth, in conjunction with open-ended interviews with 5 hospital midwives and 3 homebirth midwives, the benefits and challenges of incorporating a midwifery model of care into our maternity services are explored. The midwifery model emphasizes that birth is not pathology and that psychosocial factors play a large role in birth outcomes. Basing their practice on collaboration, education, and support, midwives empower women, avoid unnecessary interventions, and offer a lower cost and higher quality care alternative. The current monopoly of women’s health services by physicians is unsustainable. Incorporating midwives into the maternity care team could provide a sustainable alternative with the caliber of maternity care services that U.S. women and families deserve.

Adolescent athletes with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) face unique challenges when compared to peers with and without diabetes. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) provides a method of insulin delivery that can enhance flexibility in insulin regimens and lifestyle that may be especially appealing to the adolescent athlete. No studies have explored the impact of athletics in this population. This descriptive qualitative study explored and described the experiences of adolescent athletes using CSII as their primary insulin delivery method, with a focus on athletic participation and performance. The purposeful sample consisted of four adolescent athletes, ages 13 to 15 years with T1DM, using CSII, in excellent diabetes control, and recently participated in organized sports activities. After written informed consent, data were collected through a semi-structured interview with the adolescent and parent. Results were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for emerging themes. Four themes emerged from the transcripts along with multiple subcategories. The main themes included: protecting the pump and infusion site; dealing with highs and lows; maximizing participation and performance; and keeping watch. Information gathered from this study will prepare healthcare professionals to anticipate the needs of adolescent athletes using CSII when prescribing a diabetes management regimen.

Ongoing evaluation of current practice and incorporation of evidence based research into guidelines and protocols is a requirement for the provision of high quality, cost efficient care. Despite some literature describing observational data, midline catheters (MCs) are not an appropriate vascular access device for Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients due to insufficient high level evidence demonstrating safety and efficacy. In addition, national guidelines for MC use in neonatal and infant patients lacks sufficient information for safe and effective use of MCs. The results of this small, online survey indicate that while some neonatal nurses and Nurse Practitioners report the use of MC use in the NICU, there is a wide range of practice pertaining to MC unit-specific protocols, competencies, success with placement, and clinician agreement of appropriate use for this vascular access device (VAD). Multicenter, randomized control trials are needed to evaluate current MC practice in the NICU, and institutions must incorporates current, evidence based practice into policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Introduction: The field of implementation science provides the variables adoption and reach, which can be used to evaluate aspects to access, a primary incitement for integrated care. This study compared two integrated models: In Year 1, behavioral health consultants worked collaboratively with pediatricians to provide brief on-the-spot consultations to patients with behavioral concerns, and in Year 2, a structured, evidence-based treatment (EBT), the Family Check-Up, was developed to be delivered in conjunction with the existing collaborative model. Method: A chart review revealed the number of children who (a) attended a 4- to 5-year-old well-visit, (B) were screened, (c) were identified as having behavior problems, (d) were referred, and (e) accessed the services. Outcomes were calculated as percentages of children with behavioral concerns who were referred to (adoption) and received (reach) the services in each year. Results: Key findings were that (a) physician referrals increased when an EBT was added, but (b) patients had better first-session contact with the brief approach than the EBT, which few patients completed. Discussion: Results underscore the utility of measuring adoption and reach as partial indicators of access to services. These are accessible variables, collected in every practice that can be measured routinely in the context of quality improvement and, ideally, reported in studies as a way to disseminate knowledge about how to build behavioral health technology into primary care. Future research should strive for more rigor in measuring adoption and reach, and consider including a number of other implementation outcomes.

Abstract Introduction & Background The role of dietary fiber in breast cancer etiology remains unclear. A negative correlation may be due to fiber’s ability to stave off obesity and aid in the extraction of serum estrogen, two known risk factors for the disease. Effects may differ by source, and type, of fiber. Most of the data available is from research with non-Hispanic white women. However, fiber intake may vary significantly across cultures. Purpose Statement & Question The research sought to investigate whether an increased intake of dietary fiber was associated with a corresponding decrease in the incidence of breast cancer. The question posed was: Among post-menopausal women of various cultures, what is the effect of high dietary fiber intake compared to low intake on the risk of developing breast cancer? Literature Review The search was for specific studies examining the effect of dietary fiber on breast cancer development. The university’s scholarly search engine was utilized to find five studies using key terms such as “dietary fiber” and “breast cancer”. Findings Results showed an overall protective effect from high (> 25 grams/day) total dietary fiber intake on developing breast cancer. Findings for soluble versus insoluble fiber were inconsistent, but evidence suggests that fiber from beans, vegetables, and fruit may have a greater effect than fiber from whole grains. Conclusion High total fiber consumption may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Future research should investigate whether results hold true across more diverse populations.

Abstract Introduction and Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), “postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby which is more intense and lasts longer than those of “baby blues,” a term used to describe the worry, sadness, and tiredness many women experience after having a baby.” It also states, “1 in 8 women report symptoms of depression after giving birth, about 1 in 5 (20%) women were not asked about depression during a prenatal visit, and over half (50%) of pregnant women with depression were not treated.” Purpose Statement: The purpose of this research is to investigate the connection between preventing postpartum depression or reducing postpartum depression with exercise interventions along with incorporating nursing and other healthcare professions. Literature Review: The design of studies included two randomized control trials, one randomized control trial with a prospective pretest-posttest experimental design, one cross-sectional descriptive design, and a population-based, prospective cohort design. These five articles were found through PubMed, Google Scholar, and the ETSU library database. Findings: Exercise interventions are beneficial to reduce postpartum depression symptoms. Nurses specifically can utilize this data to assist women with postpartum depression symptoms and provide better education throughout pregnancy and early postpartum to help prevent postpartum depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Future research is suggested to focus on the mode, frequency, intensity, and duration to describe the volume of physical activity in a given time frame that is needed to affect postpartum depression. Keywords: exercise, postpartum depression, nursing

No description available.