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Biomedical subjects

Hila J Spear

Publications and source records attributed to Hila J Spear.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Baccalaureate nursing students' breastfeeding knowledge: a descriptive survey.

This descriptive survey study assessed the breastfeeding knowledge of junior and senior baccalaureate nursing students (N=80) who had successfully completed their obstetric nursing course. With a possible perfect knowledge score of 100, participants' scores ranged from 35 to 85 with a sample mean score of 60. Surprisingly, most (85%) did not know that breastfeeding is recommended for the first year of an infant's life, and only five participants knew the proper management of mastitis. Well over one third (41.3%) of the participants opposed breastfeeding in public. Findings reveal the need to strengthen both the didactic and clinical components of the obstetric course curriculum. The acquisition of breastfeeding knowledge at the student level will better equip novice nurses to provide more effective breastfeeding counsel and support for childbearing women and to promote the achievement of the breastfeeding objectives of both the United States and the World Health Organization.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Breastfeeding.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2005

Bereavement & grief related to the loss of a parent.

The death of my mother taught me valuable lessons about life and death (Spear, 2002), and the years since have provided me with a first-hand understanding of the grieving process. These personal experiences have allowed me to develop insight about and sensitivity to the experiences of others who are faced with death and dying, and the resultant psychoemotional feelings associated with permanent loss. It is important for nurses and others to be responsive to the complex and individualized grieving process of those who live through the death of a loved one.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Nurses' attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs related to the promotion of breastfeeding among women who bear children during adolescence.

This descriptive study examined the attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs of maternal child nurses related to the promotion of breastfeeding among adolescent mothers. Nurses (N = 151) employed by three nonprofit hospitals and city and county public health departments located in the southeastern part of the United States were surveyed. Overall, the findings revealed that participants were generally knowledgeable about and supportive of breastfeeding by adolescent mothers. However, some of the nurses did not know that there are nutritional differences between breast milk and infant formula, continued the practice of imposing time limits for feedings at the breast, and indicated that they were skeptical about young mothers' potential for success with breastfeeding because of immaturity and lack of commitment. Statistically significant differences were noted in mean attitude and knowledge scores based on the participant's specialty; knowledge and attitude were positively correlated with the nurse's level of education. Implications for nursing practice and future research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

On ethical peer review and publication: the importance of professional conduct and communication.

Editors and reviewers provide an invaluable service to the nursing profession and are key to the promotion of nursing scholarship, open inquiry uncensored by opinion or bias, and further development of nursing's body of knowledge. By being accessible and promoting an effective, constructive review process, editors serve not only the nurses who write for them, but also their respective journals and readership. Authors deserve and expect professional and ethical behavior from peer reviewers and those in leadership who make final judgments about the publication status of their manuscripts.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Qualitative research on adolescent pregnancy: a descriptive review and analysis.

This study examined qualitative research on adolescent pregnancy to determine designs and methods used and to discover emergent themes across studies. Most of the 22 studies reviewed were described as qualitative or phenomenological by design and included samples comprising either African-American and Caucasian participants or African-Americans exclusively. Based on analysis of the collective primary findings of the sample articles, four themes were identified: (a) factors influencing pregnancy; (a) pregnancy resolution; (c) meaning of pregnancy and life transitions; and (d) parenting and motherhood. Overall, the studies revealed that most adolescent females perceive pregnancy as a rite of passage and a challenging yet positive life event. More qualitative studies are needed involving participants from various ethnic backgrounds, on males' perceptions relative to adolescent pregnancy and fatherhood, and about decision-making relevant to pregnancy resolution, intimacy, and peer relationships.

Adaptation, Psychological↗