Practices and Processes Used in the Return to Work of Injured New South Wales nurses: Are These Consistent With RTW Best Practice Principles?

Purpose Workplace injury and illness rates are high within the nursing profession, and in conjunction with current nursing shortages, low retention rates, and the high cost of workplace injury, the need for effective return to work (RTW) for injured nurses is highlighted. This study aimed to identify current practices and processes used in the RTW of injured nurses, and determine if these are consistent with the seven principles for successful RTW as described by the Canadian Institute for Work & Health. Method As part of a larger cross-sectional study, survey data were collected from New South Wales nurses who had sustained a major workplace injury or illness. Survey questions were coded and matched to the seven principles for successful RTW. Results Of the 484 surveys eligible for analysis, most were from Registered Nurses (52%) in the Public Hospital Sector (48%). Responses indicated four main areas of concern: a commitment to health and safety by the workplace; early and considerate employer contact; provision of modified work; and individual knowledge of and involvement in the RTW process. Positive participant responses to co-worker and supervisor involvement were identified as areas consistent with best practice principles. Conclusions These findings suggest the practices and processes involved in the RTW of injured nurses are inconsistent with best practice principles for RTW, highlighting the need for interventions such as targeted employer education and training for improved industry RTW outcomes.     

Maternal Depressive Symptoms Mediate the Association between Socio-economic Status and Adolescent Weight Outcomes: A Longitudinal Analysis

Introduction The prevalence of pediatric obesity is an issue in the United States, in which approximately one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Youth living in low socioeconomic (SES) households are at an increased risk for developing obesity; yet, research is needed to understand the mechanisms that might better explain the relationship between SES and obesity risk. Maternal depression presents a potential mechanism by which SES might predict a later risk for obesity in pediatric populations. Methods The present study used a national dataset from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development—Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (NICHD-SECCYD) to examine whether maternal depressive symptoms (at an age of 9 years) mediated the association between early SES (the income-to-needs ratio measured at an age of 1 month) and adolescent weight outcomes [Body Mass Index z-scores (zBMI) for age and sex, at an age of 15 years]. Results The results suggested that greater maternal depressive symptoms helped to explain a significant amount of the variance of lower SES predicting poorer weight outcomes in adolescents. Discussion These findings illustrate the role of maternal depressive symptoms in explaining how SES predicts adolescent weight outcomes. Implications are discussed, and future research is needed to identify women from lower SES households who are experiencing depressive symptoms to provide support and initiate points of early intervention to address relevant health outcomes in youths.     

Exploring Lactation Consultant Views on Infant Safe Sleep

Objectives The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the infant safe sleep beliefs and occupational practices of lactation consultants and to determine if lactation consultants give advice to clients that is consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations on this topic. Methods Focus groups were conducted with certified lactation consultants in two cities in Ohio. Participants discussed the role of lactation consultants, the infant sleep advice they provide to women, their views on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ infant safe sleep recommendations and related policies, and perceived benefits and barriers associated with providing infant safe sleep education as part of their work. A member-checking session was held to ensure the credibility of the findings. Results Four focus groups were conducted with 22 certified lactation consultants between September and November 2015. Major themes that emerged included: lactation consultants’ beliefs regarding the importance of bedsharing for supporting breastfeeding success; their disagreement with the infant safe sleep recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics; their frustration with policies that restrict consultants’ ability to discuss bedsharing; and the impact of infant safe sleep policies on their work and the advice they provide. Conclusions for Practice Lactation consultants interact with mothers of newborns at a critical time for infant safe sleep decision-making and may influence a woman’s choices related to this topic. Women may not be receiving messages from lactation consultants that are consistent with the infant safe sleep recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.     

Evaluation of Training Program for the Maternal and Child Health Workforce at Tulane University

Objectives Despite significant investments in Maternal and Child Health (MCH), the United States still lags behind other countries in key MCH indicators. A well-trained workforce is needed to improve MCH. The Division of MCH Workforce Development of HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau provides funding to schools of Public Health to support Centers of Excellence in MCH, which is focused on preparing the next generation of MCH leaders through specialized training and mentorship. One such center, the Tulane Center of Excellence in MCH (CEMCH), is housed at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. This study evaluated the perceived effectiveness and acceptability of the CEMCH leadership training program. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used, consisting of semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys which were analyzed through inductive methods based in grounded theory and non-parametric methods respectively. Results Results indicated an overall high level of program satisfaction by all stakeholders. Mentorship and personal attention emerged as an important benefit for both former and current Scholars. The opportunity to gain real-world understanding of MCH work through program activities was an added benefit, although these activities also presented the most challenges. Community stakeholders generally did not view the program as providing immediate organizational benefit, but recognized the distal benefit of contributing to a well-trained MCH workforce. Conclusions for Practice These results will be used to inform other MCH training programs and strengthen Tulane’s CEMCH. A well-trained MCH workforce is essential to improving MCH, and high-quality training its foundation.     

Physical Activity Patterns and Correlates of 9-Month-Old Chinese Infants in the Macau Population

Objectives Many obesity-related chronic diseases originate from unhealthy childhood habits. The aim of this study was to describe 9-month-old infants’ physical activity levels and patterns and to examine the correlates. Understanding these factors is necessary for improving the effectiveness of physical activity intervention programs for infants. Methods In total, 143 infant–mother dyads from Macau, SAR China, participated in this study. Physical activity (PA) was assessed by using the Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer and the demographic variables were collected by questionnaires. Results The most important findings were that: (1) infants had more screen time during weekdays (p?=?.044); (2) infants and mothers were least active at 8 a.m. (both weekdays and weekends) in the morning and most active at 7 p.m. (weekdays) and 8 p.m. (weekends) in the evening; (3) infants’ PA levels significantly correlated with their mothers’ PA intensities during the weekends (r?=?.192, p?=?.036), especially the mothers’ lower intensities in the mornings and evenings; (4) maternal BMI predicted the PA levels of the 9-month-old infants’ (R²?=?.06, β?=?29.188, p?=?.009). Conclusions for Practice Physical activity promotion programs for infants should be time-specific starting from early infancy. This study was one of the first to examine 9-month-old infants’ PA levels, patterns and correlates. The results may be helpful in improving the effectiveness of future healthy lifestyle intervention programs for infants in Macau and in the region in general.     

Factor Structure and Sensitivity to Change of the Recovery Assessment Scale

The focus on recovery, not just symptom reduction, in mental health care brings a need for psychometrically sound measures of recovery. This study examined the factor structure and sensitivity to change of a common measure of mental health recovery, the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS). We conducted a secondary data analysis from a randomized clinical trial of self-management for depression (n = 302). We tested both bifactor and the previously found five-factor model. Sensitivity to change was examined three ways: (1) between the intervention and control group; (2) across time in the intervention group; and (3) in those whose depression remitted. The previous five-factor model was supported. One subscale, no domination by symptoms, was particularly sensitive to change and showed sensitivity to change whereas the subscale reliance on others did not show change in any of the comparisons. Results suggest that the subscales of the RAS should be examined separately in future studies of recovery.