International journal of nursing studies
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Social capital, defined as an investment in relationships that facilitates the exchange of resources, has been identified as a possible protective factor for child health in the context of risk factors such as poverty. Reliable and valid measures of social capital are needed for research and practice, particularly in non-English-speaking populations in developing countries. ⋯ The 14-item Arabic SCS was found to be reliable and valid in this sample, with four internally consistent factors. While the tool may not be appropriate for comparing social capital between cultural groups, it will enable clinicians and researchers to address an important gap in knowledge characterized by a paucity of research on childhood chronic illness in low- and middle-income countries such as Egypt.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, with a strong female predominance. When compared to the vast knowledge pertaining to adults with IBS, very little is known about IBS in the adolescent population. In Korea, the field of adolescent health with IBS is just beginning to develop, so there is still a lack of information concerning the prevalence of IBS in adolescent groups. ⋯ The prevalence of IBS in female adolescent students from this study was higher compared with those reported in the Western countries. This study provides much need information about the relatively unstudied Korean female adolescents in terms of IBS issues and aspects of psychological attributes to IBS. This study has the potential to influence the development of better promotion programs for adolescents and women's health.
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The nursing literature is replete with articles on the function of clothing in preventing and controlling infections. However, although contemporary literature demonstrates intimate connections between clothing and identity, there is a lack of studies which illuminate the meanings associated with wearing patient clothing. ⋯ The tension between patient clothing as being practical and comfortable and at the same time enabling feelings of being depersonalised and stigmatised suggests that nursing staff need to balance the practical benefits of these garments with the social and existential meanings they might have.
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Nurses have a professional duty to respect patients' dignity. There is a dearth of research about patients' dignity in acute hospital settings. ⋯ Patients are vulnerable to loss of dignity in hospital. Staff behaviour and the hospital environment can influence whether patients' dignity is lost or upheld.
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Comparative Study
Gender differences in and factors related to self-care behaviors: a cross-sectional, correlational study of patients with heart failure.
Although self-care may reduce exacerbations of heart failure, reported rates of effective self-care in patients with heart failure are low. Modifiable factors, including psychosocial status, knowledge, and physical factors, are thought to influence heart failure self-care, but little is known about their combined impact on self-care. ⋯ This study demonstrates the substantial impact of modifiable factors such as confidence in one's self-care abilities, perceived control, and knowledge on self-care behaviors. This study demonstrates that there are gender differences in factors affecting self-care, even though at baseline men and women have similar knowledge levels, physical, psychological, and behavioral status. Effective interventions focusing on modifiable factors and the unique characteristics of men and women should be provided to improve self-care behaviors in patients with heart failure.