Purpose This study investigated the associations of awareness of blood pressure or blood sugar levels and subjective body weight perception with weight loss attempts in overweight and obese adults.
Methods For this cross-sectional, descriptive, survey-based study, data were obtained from the 2021 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The participants (N=6,571) were adult residents (≥19 years old) of northern Gyeonggi Province in Korea with body mass indexes of 23 kg/m2 or greater.
Results The average age of the participants was 53.11±16.56 years, with a range of 19 to 100 years. Among the participants, 73.2% responded that they had tried to maintain or lose weight in the past year. The prevalence of weight loss attempts was higher among participants with certain demographic characteristics-women (who comprised 39.2% of the study sample), younger individuals, and those with higher education levels-than among their counterparts.
Conclusion Participants who were aware of their blood pressure or blood sugar levels and those with a perception of normal or obese body weight were more likely to attempt weight control than participants without these characteristics. Therefore, encouraging individuals to become aware of their blood pressure or blood sugar levels and to maintain an accurate perception of body weight may motivate them to attempt weight management.
Purpose This study was conducted to investigate the moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between perceived stress and depression in patients newly diagnosed with ischemic heart disease.
Methods: This study had a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using a structured self-report questionnaire, which covered demographic characteristics, perceived stress, depression, and physical activity. Multiple linear regression was used to determine whether perceived stress and physical activity influenced depression, after controlling for demographic characteristics. The moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between perceived stress and depression was analyzed using model 1 of the PROCESS macro (bootstrap sample size=5,000).
Results: The findings revealed that the level of depression was higher in women (p=.003), individuals without a spouse (p=.004), and those with an average monthly income of less than 3 million won (p=.045). The regression results showed that perceived stress was associated with a significant increase in the level of depression (β=.53, p<.001), and low physical activity was also a significant predictor of depression (β=.16, p=.013). The moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between perceived stress and depression was confirmed, indicating that when physical activity was high, the impact of perceived stress on depression was weaker than when physical activity was low (B=-0.37, p=.038).
Conclusion: The findings suggest the need to implement a nursing program that can enhance physical activity and early screening for stress and depression in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Purpose COVID-19 is both a national crisis and a cause of individual trauma. This trauma is experienced during the period of acute illness and for an unpredictable duration after recovery. This study explored experiences of COVID-19 patients in hospital isolation, providing a detailed account of their experiences to furnish basic data necessary for establishing strategies to address the psychosocial problems that may arise from the hospital isolation process and recovery period.
Methods: We conducted comprehensive interviews and qualitative content analysis.
We held in-depth interviews with five COVID-19 patients from May 16 to August 22, 2021, and also analyzed data from interviews with five patients conducted as part of another study on COVID-19 patients' perceptions. Thus, 10 participants' interviews were analyzed in this study.
Results: From the qualitative data, 34 codes, 9 subcategories, and 4 categories were identified. The categories included "Prioritization of epidemic prevention over treatment," "Victims who have been labeled as perpetrators," "Gratitude felt in difficult moments," and "Demand for respect from the system and society." After analyzing these categories, we derived the overarching theme of "It's okay, but it's not okay." Conclusion: During isolation treatment, it is crucial to uphold human rights as much as possible by prioritizing patient care, providing a comfortable environment, and offering clear guidance on their progress. Communication between patients and caregivers should be facilitated to provide psychological support.
Furthermore, national policies such as economic compensation and strategies for post-traumatic growth should be implemented to address grievances and facilitate recovery.
Purpose Cancer survivors face a high risk of developing secondary cancers; thus, they should consider their primary cancer experiences as signals to adopt secondary cancer-preventive behaviors. This study examined the mediating effect of perceived threat in the relationship between cue to action and such behaviors and identified the gender effect as a moderator in breast and colorectal cancer survivors.
Methods: A total of 505 cancer survivors (253 with breast cancer and 252 with colorectal cancer) participated in this study. These participants were involved in cancer-related physical activities at the outpatient oncology clinic of a tertiary teaching hospital in Korea. Participants completed structured, self-administered questionnaires, and a PROCESS macro was utilized to analyze the mediating effect of perceived threat.
Results: Cue to action positively affected perceived threat (B=0.38, p <.001). Additionally, both cue to action (B=0.20, p=.047) and perceived threat (B=1.28, p<.001) positively influenced secondary cancer-preventive behaviors. In the relationship between cue to action and these behaviors, perceived threat explained 30.0% of the variance. Gender was supported as a moderator in the relationship between cue to action and perceived threat. A bootstrap analysis confirmed the mediating effect of perceived threat.
Conclusion: Perceived threat can help cancer survivors understand the risk and seriousness of secondary cancer, thereby strengthening the relationship between cue to action and secondary cancer-preventive behaviors. Healthcare providers should provide accurate information as a cue to cancer survivors, enabling them to recognize the risk of secondary cancer.
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Purpose This study aimed to explore the differences between patient and nurse perceptions of nursing needs and performance in integrated nursing care service wards within small to medium-sized hospitals.
Methods: The participants of the study were 116 patients and 116 nurses in the integrated nursing care service wards of small and medium-sized hospitals in U and Y cities. Data collection was conducted between July 18 and August 12, 2022.
The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the paired t-test, the independent t-test, and the importance-performance analysis.
Results: Only the difference between nurse-perceived nursing needs and nursing performance (gap 2) was statistically significant (t=4.18, p<.001). Patients' physical needs were higher than what nurses perceived, and patients' financial were higher than nursing performance as perceived by both nurses and patients. In addition, nurses' performance was lower than the perceived nursing needs in all domains.
According to the importance-performance analysis, the "concentrate here" areas included infection control, respect for patients' rights, and education of patients and families about diseases and treatment plans. Additionally, financial issues in nursing were identified as a "low priority" area requiring long-term intervention.
Conclusion: It is crucial to prioritize nursing care that addresses patients' needs for infection control, respect for rights, and education.
Nurses should also meet the physical and economic support needs of patients. Furthermore, it is recommended to adjust the nurse staffing ratio and foster systematic collaboration among hospitals, taking into account the circumstances of small to medium-sized hospitals.
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Purpose This study was conducted to provide fundamental data for improving the quality of care by investigating the relationships of critical reflection competency, nursing practice environment, job crafting, and person-centered care among tertiary hospital nurses. Additionally, the study sought to identify the factors influencing person-centered care.
Methods: Data were collected from 132 tertiary hospital nurses with at least 1 year of work experience via an online survey conducted in January 2023.
Results: Person-centered care varied significantly according to age, clinical experience, and department. Significant correlations of person-centered care with critical reflection competency (r=.77, p<.001), nursing practice environment (r=.46, p<.001), and job crafting (r=.71, p<.001) were observed. Factors contributing to person-centered care among tertiary hospital nurses included critical reflection competency (β=.46, p<.001) and job crafting (β=.40, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 70.2%.
Conclusion: To provide ethically enhanced person-centered care in tertiary hospitals, various training programs must be developed to strengthen nurses' critical reflection competency and job crafting skills.
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Purpose The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with stress among Korean cancer survivors who are employed.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive methodology was applied, and secondary analysis was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2018. A total of 245 employed cancer survivors were included, and data were analyzed using either the χ2 test or the independent t-test, as well as multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results: Four factors were found to be associated with stress among employed cancer survivors: age (Odds Ratio [OR]=0.96, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=0.94~0.98), gender (with men less likely to be stressed; OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.23~0.91), self-rated health status (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.03~2.02), and having planned suicide in the previous year (OR=22.98, 95% CI=2.10~251.83).
Conclusion: To facilitate a successful return to work for cancer survivors, it is necessary to develop a stress intervention and/or rehabilitation program that comprehensively considers sociodemographic characteristics, current health status, health behaviors, and mental health.
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A national estimate of mental disorders and mortality outcomes in cancer survivors Thi Xuan Mai Tran, Min Sung Chung, Chihwan Cha, Boyoung Park Cancer.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Purpose This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of undernutrition among older adults living in nonsubsidized Residential Care Homes (RCHs).
Methods: Face-to-face interviews and assessments were conducted in a convenience sample of 298 older adults (aged 65 years or older) residing in nonsubsidized RCHs in Hong Kong in January 2015. Subjects who ate by mouth (with or without assistance) and who had no communication barriers were included. We employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design according to the STROBE reporting guidelines. Data were collected on participants' demographics, history of chronic illness, physical function (assessed by the 10-item Simplified Barthel Index with the self-care ability and mobility subscales), cognitive function (assessed by the 10-item Abbreviated Mental Test), and nutritional status (assessed by the 18-item Mini Nutritional Assessment). After identifying the variables associated with undernutrition, hierarchical multivariate logistic regression was used to identify salient predictors.
Results: In total, 40.9% of participants had undernutrition, which was associated with a longer length of stay in RCHs and poorer physical and cognitive functions compared to adequate nutrition or being at risk of undernutrition. Hierarchical multivariate logistic regression showed that residents with better cognitive function (adjusted Odds Ratio [OR]=0.88) and self-care ability (adjusted OR=0.75) were at a lower risk of undernutrition.
Conclusion: Undernutrition is prevalent among residents in RCHs in Hong Kong and poses a significant risk of cognitive impairment and poor self-care skills. To lessen the likelihood and the consequences of undernutrition, RCHs must give special consideration to residents with these risk factors.
Purpose This study identified the experiences of self-reflection of a general ward nurses on the experience of end-of-life care for a patient who decided to suspend life-sustaining treatment and these experiences’ nature and meaning.
Methods: van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenology research method was used to qualitatively analyze the data. The study participants were 20 nurses with more than three years of working in general wards of tertiary general hospitals. Data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews and direct observation by the researchers. Social distancing was practiced in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing policy.
Results: Four existences were identified from which 5 main and 14 sub-themes were derived. Five essential themes emerged from the analysis: 1) Hoping to return to an undamaged body and knowing the preciousness of the body, 2) Realize that the ability to care for the dying patient becomes more mature with the increase in career, 3) The death in the treatment room like a death on street makes regrettable the absence of end-of-life rooms, 4) Seeing the preciousness of my life in accompaniment with death, and 5) Become aware of growing up as a professional nurse.
Conclusion: The results of this study provided an in-depth understanding of the end-of-life experiences of patients who decided to suspend life-sustaining treatment in general ward nurses. It can be used to develop end-of-life nursing education for nurses and students and develop nursing interventions for end-of-life patients.
Purpose The purpose of the study was to describe andropause-related difficulties experienced by men.
Methods: Two focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data from 10 Participants with andropause-related difficulties experienced. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using content analysis.
Results: We organized the responses concerning andropause symptoms into five essential categories: 1) uncontrollable physical changes, 2) intellectual decline, 3) changes in sexual function, 4) difficulties in controlling emotions, and 5) separation from society. The attempts to alleviate andropause were classified into seven distinct categories: 1) dietary modifications, 2) engaging in physical activities, 3) pursuing leisure and hobbies, 4) enhancing self-esteem and self-perception, 5) seeking support and comprehension from one's social circle, 6) utilizing informational resources concerning andropause, and 7) embracing and accepting andropause reality.
Conclusion: We analyzed the issues arising from andropause and the corresponding efforts to address them. A comprehensive understanding of andropause's causes, mechanisms, effective nursing interventions, and essential development of management programs, including education, is imperative.
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