Systematic review: Predictors of students’ success in baccalaureate nursing programs

Nursing schools strive to select a diverse student population who are likely to succeed by ensuring timely student progression through the program and effective use of educational sources. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to explore the preadmission variables and selection criteria that predict student success in 4-year baccalaureate nursing programs in the U.S. Sixteen articles met the eligibility criteria, and six measures were used to define student success: (a) early academic success, particularly during the first and second year; (b) attrition; (c) timely completion of the program; (d) graduation; (e) performance in nursing courses; and (f) academic performance in other science courses. Typically, the core set of cognitive predictors used in the admission process in nursing schools were pre-nursing GPA, pre-nursing collegiate science GPA, and scores on standardized aptitude exams. This review suggests that it is challenging to isolate one single variable as the best predictor of student success; however, using a combination of variables can offer a reliable prediction method. More researchers should consider using a theoretical basis to guide their inquiry on this topic. Additionally, researchers should examine admission variables that are most relevant across programs.     

Factors associated with mortality and functional disability after hip fracture: an inception cohort study

Hip fracture results in excess mortality and functional disability. This study sought to identify predictors of mortality and limited functional ability 1 year after hip fracture. We conducted a 1-year follow-up of a prospective population-based inception cohort of 218 hip fracture patients who had been consecutively admitted and discharged from hospital during the previous year. Mortality was observed to be independently associated with poor mental status (relative risk [RR]=6.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.73–28.00), prefracture limited functional ability (RR=4.35; 95% CI, 1.32–14.36), institutionalized disposition at discharge (RR=2.92; 95% CI, 1.02–8.38), and male gender (RR=2.44; 95% CI, 1.01–5.93). Independent predictors of limited functional ability were prefracture functional disability (RR=34.14; 95% CI, 3.13–372.33), poor mental status (RR=9.71; 95% CI, 1.57–59.82), age >80 years (RR=4.03; 95% CI, 1.48–11.00), and female gender (RR=3.57; 95% CI, 0.08–0.98). On discharge, special attention and care should thus be given to all patients displaying any of the above predictive factors.     

Predictors of employment in substance-using male and female welfare recipients

This study examined predictors of employment among substance-using men and women enrolled in welfare-to-work programs. Participants were 394 welfare applicants assigned to either coordinated care management or usual care for treatment services and job training and followed up for 1 year to track employment outcomes. Common barriers to work were assessed at baseline in four key domains: disabilities, situational barriers, labor capital, and motivation. Results indicated substantial gender differences in the number and profile of work barriers. Among men, work experience and job motivation were the only significant predictors of employment; among women, multiple factors from each barrier domain predicted job acquisition even when controlling for all other significant predictors. Findings suggest that welfare-to-work programs should emphasize job training and job seeking during the early stages of welfare interventions for men and for many women.     

大学生寻求专业性心理帮助态度的预测因素研究

目的:探讨大学生寻求专业性心理帮助态度的预测因素。方法:选取700名不同年级、不同专业的大学生作样本,进行问卷调查。结果:以寻求专业性心理帮助态度为因变量,进行性别(2)×专业(2)的方差分析。结果发现,性别的主效应显著,F(1,615)=3.294,P=0.050。专业的主效应显著,F(1,615)=20.896,P=0.001。性别和专业的交互效应没达到显著性水平,F(1,615)=1.890,P=0.170。以寻求专业性心理帮助态度为因变量,回归分析结果得出R=0.636,R2=0.405,F=29.641,P=0.001,说明建立的回归方程是有意义的。结论:①对寻求专业性心理帮助态度有显著预测作用的变量按预测作用大小排序依次是:是否求助过、依赖的自我结构、自我隐藏度、专业、内控性和性别。②女生的寻求专业性心理帮助的态度比男生积极。③文体艺术类学生的寻求专业性心理帮助的态度比非文体艺术类学生积极。④自我结构是相互依赖的人寻求专业性心理帮助的态度积极。⑤自我隐藏度高的人寻求专业性心理帮助的态度消极。⑥内控者寻求专业性心理帮助的态度消极。     

Predicting Home and Work Blood Pressure Measurements from Resting Baselines and Laboratory Reactivity in Black and White Americans

The relationship between blood pressure in the laboratory (both at rest and in response to laboratory tasks) and ambulatory blood pressure at home and at work was evaluated. One hundred nineteen normotensive and unmedicated mild-moderate hypertensive black and white females and males participated in laboratory blood pressure monitoring at rest and during four challenging tasks (structured interview, video game, bicycle exercise, and cold pressor test) as well as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring while at home and at work. Baseline blood pressure taken while subjects were at rest was the strongest predictor of ambulatory systolic blood pressure (r = .64) and diastolic blood pressure (r = .77) at work. Among reactivity tasks the strongest predictors of ambulatory blood pressure in the total population were the structured interview and the video game (both psychological tasks) followed by the cold pressor test. Racial comparisons, however, determined that the cold pressor test predicted diastolic blood pressure significantly better for blacks (r = .73) than for whites (r = .40), suggesting a possible difference in blood pressure regulation.     

Older age and female gender are independent predictors of early conversion to total knee arthroplasty after high tibial osteotomy

Background

The primary aim was to assess survival of opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial compartment osteoarthritis. The secondary aim was to identify independent predictors of early conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

硝酸甘油治疗脓毒性休克患者效果的影响因素分析

目的 分析硝酸甘油治疗脓毒性休克患者效果的影响因素.方法 回顾性选取2014年至2015年在本院重症医学科住院并接受硝酸甘油治疗的脓毒性休克患者为研究对象,以乳酸清除率为因变量,以基线各参数为自变量进行多因素Logistic回归分析.结果 多因素Logistic回归分析显示,对乳酸清除率的独立影响因素有初始血乳酸(OR=1.68,95％CI:1.25-5.93,P＜0.05)、中心静脉血氧饱和度(OR=2.85,95％CI:1.67-8.42,P＜0.05)、动脉与脉搏氧饱和度差值(OR=4.65,95％CI:2.32-11.67,P＜0.05).结论 基线乳酸水平较高、中心静脉血氧饱和度异常升高、动脉与脉搏氧饱和度差值增大的脓毒性休克患者硝酸甘油治疗有效.     

Predictors of women's perceptions of the childbirth experience

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors that predict women's perceptions of the childbirth experience and to examine whether these vary with the type of birth a woman experiences. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The postpartum units of two eastern Canadian hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred fifty two women and their newborns. DATA COLLECTION: Data were collected in hospital at 12 to 48 hours postpartum using self-report questionnaires and chart review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Perception of the childbirth experience was measured for women having a vaginal and emergency cesarean birth using the Questionnaire Measuring Attitudes About Labor and Delivery and planned cesarean birth using the Modified Questionnaire Measuring Attitudes About Labor and Delivery. RESULTS: Of the 20 predictors of women's childbirth perceptions, the strongest were type of birth; degree of awareness, relaxation, and control; helpfulness of partner support; and being together with the infant following birth. CONCLUSIONS: Of the predictors of a quality birth experience, most were amenable to nursing interventions: enhancement of patient awareness, relaxation, and control; promotion of partner support; and provision of immediate opportunities for women to be with their babies.     

贫血对脑梗死患者预后的影响

目的：探讨贫血对脑梗死患者预后的影响。方法选取2014年8月至2015年9月于我院神经内科收治的脑梗死患者240例,根据入院时血红蛋白检测结果将其分为贫血组与非贫血组,其中贫血组56例,非贫血组184例。比较两组患者的相关临床特点及预后,对影响预后的相关因素进行单因素和多因素分析。结果与非贫血组相比,贫血组患者NIHSS评分更高,年龄更大,冠心病病史、慢性肾衰竭、出血性脑血管病史比例更高,而吸烟及饮酒比例更低,预后更差,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。根据单因素分析结果显示,年龄、NHISS评分、吸烟、慢性肾衰竭、出血性脑血管疾病史、贫血与脑梗死的预后密切相关(P<0.05),多因素Logistic回归分析结显示,贫血(OR=1.017,95%CI 1.005~1.029;P=0.007)、慢性肾衰竭(OR=1.788,95%CI 1.329~2.404;P=0.000)及出血性脑血管病病史(OR=4.315,95%CI 2.504~7.438;P=0.000)是脑梗死预后不良的独立预测因素。结论合并贫血的脑梗死患者预后更差;贫血、慢性肾衰竭及出血性脑血管病病史是脑梗死预后不良的独立预测因素。     

Assessment and predictors determination of indoor airborne fungal concentrations in Paris newborn babies' homes

Indoor mould growth can affect health, especially in early childhood. As part of a birth cohort follow-up, the purpose of this study was firstly to examine spectrum and levels of airborne fungi in 190 Paris newborns’ dwellings, and secondly to identify predictors of these levels. Sequential duplicate air samples were collected twice a year in the newborn's bedroom and outside the building. A single-stage multi-holed impactor (Air Ideal^®) was used with chloramphenicol/MEA agar. Housing characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire administered by a trained interviewer. Cladosporium and Penicillium were isolated in, respectively, 77% and 93% of homes in the cold season, and in 95% and 83% of homes in the hot season. Aspergillus and Alternaria were recovered from indoor air in, respectively, 60% and less than 20% of homes. Geometric means (geometric standard deviation) of indoor total airborne fungal concentrations at two different visits were, respectively, 232.4 (3.2) and 186.7 (2.7) cfu/m³. In the GEE multivariate analysis, outdoor fungal concentrations were the best predictors for variability of indoor total fungal and Cladosporium concentrations (respectively, R²=32% and 31%). Levels of total airborne fungal and Cladosporium concentrations were significantly higher during the hot season (respectively, p=0.003 and p<0.001) and were positively correlated with the duration of bedroom aeration (respectively, p=0.004 and p<0.001). Signs of dampness were associated with higher total airborne fungi (p=0.031) and Aspergillus levels (p=0.055). This study provides for the first time indoor airborne fungal spectrum and concentrations in Paris. Outdoor levels and season largely contributed to the variability of indoor total airborne fungal concentrations, which also depended on aeration and signs of dampness.