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Biomedical subjects

A K Carruth

Publications and source records attributed to A K Carruth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Women in agriculture: risks for occupational injury within the context of gendered role.

Women continue to make significant contributions to farming. Not only do women participate in the traditional roles of homemaker, caregiver, and wife, they also work side-by-side with their spouses in keeping the farm viable. More daughters are entering the farming business, either as partners with other family members or as independent operators. Each year since the United States Department of Agriculture began including gender in the Census of Agriculture, the percentage of women engaged in agriculture has increased, and women's participation in agriculture is increasing faster than in other business segments. This article examines the role of women in agriculture and how sociocultural, economic, and physical factors may affect women's exposure to injury-producing events and their knowledge and beliefs about injury prevention. To date, few studies have examined work-related unintentional injuries among farm women. Even less is known about the extent to which occupational risks are recognized when women seek medical care. Differences in size and stature, increased physical strain, and low maximal oxygen uptake may predispose women to ergonomic-related injuries. Limitations of current research and recommendations for future analyses are discussed.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

Women in agriculture: risk and injury experiences on family farms.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the one-year incidence of nonfatal farm injuries among women actively engaged in farm work; to determine the distribution of these injuries by external cause, severity, and other characteristics; and to determine the potential risk factors for injuries among farm women. METHODS: A population-based study of the occurrence of agricultural injuries during the previous year was conducted in a stratified, random sample of 1096 actively working farm women in Texas and Louisiana. Sampling pools were generated from county plat listings in Texas and maintained mailing lists in Louisiana; counties were selected based on geographical and agricultural diversity. Eligible women were interviewed by phone about injury occurrences and patterns. RESULTS: The cumulative one-year incidence of farm injuries for women in this area was 5% (95% CI = 3.7-6.3), based on the number of farm women injured. Lower extremities were the most frequently injured body parts. The leading external causes were contact with foreign object/substance, falls, and overdoing/lifting/hauling. Most injuries occurred in the summer or spring. Factors predictive of increased injury risk in adjusted logistic regression included working on large-animal farms, more time spent in farm work, persistent back pain or weakness during the previous 12 months, driving a tractor, and hauling farm goods to market. Most women consulted physicians as a result of their injuries. CONCLUSION: Physicians are in a unique position to institute interventions to prevent risky behaviors.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Exposure risks and tetanus immunization in women of family owned farms. Implications for occupational and environmental health nursing.

A sampling pool of 4,808 farms in 10 parishes across southeast Louisiana was used to examine the risk factors of farm women who engage in activities putting them at risk for tetanus and to examine the circumstances related to vaccination. Data were collected, via stratified random sampling, in summer 1998 resulting in 657 completed interviews. Only 53.6% of women were current with a tetanus booster, having received their immunization within the past 10 years. Just as many women received tetanus vaccination following an injury or accident as for prevention. As women aged, they were less likely to be compliant. In the South, a number of environmental factors contribute to the risk for tetanus exposure and infection. These risk factors were examined in light of compliance with tetanus booster compliance. Increasing awareness of risk is essential because although tetanus is uncommon, the death rate from tetanus is greater than 30%.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Violations of the nurse practice act: implications for nurse managers.

Violations of nurse practice acts and disciplinary actions against RNs continue to increase. This study profiles the disciplined nurse, describes the prevalence of violations, and qualitatively examines the nurses' experiences with disciplinary action, as well as initiatives that guide nurse managers in addressing the ethical/legal dilemmas nurses face each day.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Environmental health hazards: the impact on a southern community.

The impact of environment on health is a growing area of concern for nurses. The purpose of this study is to describe and characterize residents living near an abandoned hazardous waste site, assess their past and present exposure risk, and describe health concerns and psychosocial effects. Data were obtained by a door-to-door outreach effort. Networking was also used to identify residents with health concerns. Extensive field notes were taken to record the responses of residents. A preliminary windshield survey was conducted to approximate the number of residents living in the geographic area, assess the residential community, analyze drainage pathways away from the site, and observe outdoor activity patterns. Community concerns from the residential population were collected and analyzed for recurrent themes. Significant off-site activity patterns included use of drainage ditches as play areas for children. Foraging on-site activities included picking berries, crawfishing, geophagy (clay eating), and rabbit hunting. Common health problems described by residents included skin rashes, respiratory-related complaints, reproductive difficulties, and headaches. The majority of residents were concerned about the incidence of cancer in the area. Identifying the concerns of residents and indicators of health problems helps nurses begin to understand the relationship between the environment and health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A comprehensive interdisciplinary chemotherapy teaching documentation flowsheet.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and implementation of one approach to standardize and document interdisciplinary chemotherapy education for patients and families. DATA SOURCES: Cancer center interdisciplinary team. Oncology Nursing Society standards of care, clinical experience, and published literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: Because chart reviews of patient records demonstrated inconsistent chemotherapy education, a comprehensive chemotherapy curriculum pain was designed as a template for patient education. A flowsheet was developed to document use of the patient curriculum as well as other chemotherapy-related education materials. Patient chemotherapy curriculum included information regarding cancer and its treatment, adverse effects, and self-care measures and material about psychosocial and spiritual care. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized approach dramatically improved chemotherapy-related patient education as well as interdisciplinary documentation of patient education. The curriculum and the flowsheet are interdisciplinary and consistent with the patient and family education standards required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The combination of a patient chemotherapy curriculum and a documentation flowsheet saves time and standardizes content. Patient information is comprehensive and consistent, yet open to individual interpretation. Use of the flowsheet also has increased interdisciplinary collaboration, and the standardized curriculum has decreased redundancy between providers because all members of the interdisciplinary team know what is required and what information has been taught by whom.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1996

Motivating factors, exchange patterns, and reciprocity among caregivers of parents with and without dementia.

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of background characteristics, motivating factors, exchange patterns, and diagnosis of dementia on caregiver reciprocity. Adult children of parents with dementia (n = 110) and without dementia (n = 195) completed the Caregiver Reciprocity Scale, Motivating Factors Index, Exchange Patterns Index, and a demographic data sheet. ANCOVA analysis indicated adult children of parents with dementia gave more direct instrumental and supervisory care, received more negative and fewer positive exchanges, and reported significantly lower levels of warmth and regard, intrinsic rewards of giving, and balance within family caregiving when compared to adult children of parents without dementia. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that 64% of the variance of warmth and regard; 42% of intrinsic rewards of giving; 48% of love and affection; and 31% of balance within family caregiving was explained by antecedent demographic variables, motivating factors, exchanges given and received, and dementia. Surprisingly, the diagnosis of dementia did not contribute to explained variance in caregiver reciprocity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Bag baths: an alternative to the bed bath.

A financial analysis compares the cost of a traditional bed bath to a bag bath. The study measured labor, laundry and supply costs. Results show some predicted and unexpected advantages.

Baths↗
PubMed1993

When the CNS needs help establishing a women's support group: getting the most from the consultation process.

Support groups are an effective intervention strategy to address the unique psychosocial needs of women in transition. The task of establishing a support group can be overwhelming for the CNS who possesses expertise in women's health but not in establishing a support group. Securing the services of an external nurse consultant with experience in group process and project management skills is an invaluable resource to the CNS in charge of developing a formal proposal, setting goals and planning actions, and/or implementing and evaluating interventions. The CNS's role as a consumer of the formal consultation process is addressed.

Consultants↗
PubMed1991

Applying ethics to health care: the role of continuing education.

The study of ethics will not provide health care professionals with specific answers to specific ethical dilemmas they as individuals may face. it will not provide specific rules of conduct. The ability to examine ethical dilemmas sets forth practical wisdom that provides guidance when making decisions. The study of ethics helps to define problems and establishes basic principles to be used in solving these problems. It can help health care professionals identify appropriate goals and give them direction in achieving those goals. Health care supervisors have an obligation to provide the educational opportunity that will enable professionals to emerge with a perspective that allows them to take an ethical stand and to support that position with sound, rational thinking. In fulfilling this obligation, individuals working within health care facilities can significantly contribute to their profession and to society.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1991

Family medical leave. An employee benefit for working caregivers of elderly family members.

Future trends include a decrease in the number of adult children, an increase in the number of individuals over age 65, single parent families, working women, and individuals with no health care insurance. As more women with multiple roles and responsibilities enter and continue as part of the work force, employers recognize the need for support of family issues. Currently many employers lack initiative to make these needed changes. The occupational health nurses' role in relation to future policy for working caregivers includes assessment of how employment and caregiving impact work performance, job satisfaction, and health; and participation in defining public policy issues.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

More than they bargained for. Adverse drug effects.

All individuals interviewed wanted to pursue meaningful activities regardless of their age. Use of medication may facilitate positive adaptation to chronic illness by allowing the pursuit of meaningful activities. When side effects occurred, activities were altered by means of substitution, temporary discontinuance, or modified participation, but most individuals struggled to maintain participation to feel involved. An individual's ability to cope may be interrupted due to adverse effects of medication. Also, hospitalization caused by adverse side effects disrupted meaningful activities and created a need to readapt to an illness. Medication for chronic illness increased the person's ability to seek and use social support. The physical limitations of illness were the cause of loneliness and isolation.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development and testing of the caregiver reciprocity scale.

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the dimensions of caregiver reciprocity. Social exchange and equity theory served as a conceptual framework for examining recprocal intergenerational exchanges of assistance and support. In the first phase of the study, 12 caregivers of elderly parents, including in-laws, were interviewed to provide narrative data from which items were developed. Content validity was judged by two separate panels of experts. The revised CRS was tested with 303 adult children for reliability and validity, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, exploratory factor analysis, and convergent and discriminant validity testing using structural equation modeling. Support for construct validity was demonstrated for four factors: Warmth and Regard, Intrinsic Rewards of Giving, Love and Affection, and Balance within Family Caregiving.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reciprocity, emotional well-being, and family functioning as determinants of family satisfaction in caregivers of elderly parents.

The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical model developed to explain family satisfaction among 171 caregivers of elderly parents. Using LISREL to estimate path coefficients, the findings support family satisfaction as directly and indirectly influenced by reciprocity, emotional well-being and family functioning. Explanatory variables accounted for 70% of the variance in predicting family satisfaction. Intrinsic rewards derived from giving care, positive affect, and family functioning contributed to higher levels of family satisfaction, while dysphoria contributed significantly to lower levels. Family satisfaction was also indirectly influenced by positive and negative exchanges received by the parent. Increasing caregivers awareness of the reciprocal nature of their relationships with all family members may be an effective strategy in helping them appreciate their contribution to the well-being of their parents and achieve satisfaction in the caregiving role.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Caregiver Reciprocity Scale II.

Caregiver reciprocity is the collective affective and behavioral expression of exchanges given and received between a caregiver and care receiver, and among family members. This psychometric investigation was designed to further examine the reliability and validity of the revised Caregiver Reciprocity Scale II (CRS II). Items were rewritten to reflect valued exchanges and balance among the entire family network, including spouses. An alpha of .83 for Warmth and Regard; .73 for Intrinsic Rewards of Giving; .83 for Love and Affection; and .75 for Balance Within Family Caregiving indicated acceptable internal consistency. The study, conducted with 176 spouse or adult children caregivers, provides additional support for the conceptual model of the four-factor solution. Construct validity was supported by the standardized factor loadings and goodness-of-fit indices obtained from confirmatory factor analysis. The results of the analysis of the measurement model, taken as a whole, demonstrate that the CRS II has adequate psychometric properties. Model parsimony was supported by an AGFI of .87, combined with an adjusted chi-square between 1.0 to 3.0. All but two item loadings were greater than .50. This, combined with the fact that all standardized loadings were twice the standardized errors and t-values were greater than 2.0, contributes to concluding that convergent validity was strong. Discriminant validity, evaluated by variance extracted estimates, and confidence interval (+/- two standard errors) around the correlation estimate between factors, was adequate. This study provided evidence to support the reliability and validity of the CRS II.

Adult↗