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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine articles in ISI-ranked nursing journals and to analyse the articles and journals, using definitions of international and article content.
Growing emphasis on global health includes attention on international nursing literature. Contributions from Latin America and Africa have been reported. Attention to ranked nursing journals to support scholarship in global health is needed.
Using an ex post facto design, characteristics of 2827 articles, authors and journals of 32 ranked nursing journals for the year 2005 were analysed between June 2006 and June 2007. Using definitions of international and of article content, research questions were analysed statistically.
(a) 928 (32·8%) articles were international; (b) 2016 (71·3%) articles were empirical or scholarly; (c) 826 (89·3%) articles reflecting international content were scholarly or empirical; (d) among international articles more were empirical (66·3 % vs. 32·8 %; χ(2) ((1)) = 283·6, P < 0·001); (e) among non-international articles more were scholarly (29·2 % vs. 22·7 %; χ(2) ((1)) = 15·85, P < 0·001; 22·7 %); (f) 1004 (78·0 %) articles were international, based on author characteristics; (f) 20 (62·5 %) journals were led by an international editorial team; and (g) international journals had more international articles (3·6 % vs. 29·2 %; χ(2) ((1)) = 175·75, P < 0·001) and higher impact factors than non-international journals (t = -14·43, P < 0·001).
Articles with empirical content appear more frequently in international journals. Results indicate the need to examine the international relevance of the nursing literature.
Journal of Advanced Nursing 01/2011; 67(6):1358-69. · 1.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Nursing journal peer reviewers (N = 1,675) completed a 69-item online survey that assessed their views on manuscripts' contributions to nursing, priorities in writing reviews, use of journal impact factor, and other areas related to indicators of quality. They reported using contribution to knowledge or research evidence, topic of current interest, and newly emerging area as indicators of a manuscript's contribution to nursing. In writing their reviews, research rigor and clinical relevance of the manuscript were high priorities. Those familiar with the concept of impact factor were significantly more often not nurses; not United States residents; involved in research; and most often reviewed for journals that published only research or a scholarly mix of research, reviews, policy, and theory. When judging a paper's contribution, nursing journal peer reviewers weigh both research and clinical interests. Most reviewers do not use impact factors and place clinical considerations ahead of impact factors.
Western Journal of Nursing Research 11/2010; 33(4):506-21. · 1.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Editors of scientific literature rely heavily on peer reviewers to evaluate the integrity of research conduct and validity of findings in manuscript submissions. The purpose of this study was to describe the ethical concerns of reviewers of nursing journals. This descriptive cross-sectional study was an anonymous online survey. The findings reported here were part of a larger investigation of experiences of reviewers. Fifty-two editors of nursing journals (six outside the USA) agreed to invite their review panels to participate. A 69-item forced-choice and open-ended survey developed by the authors based on the literature was pilot tested with 18 reviewers before being entered into SurveyMonkey(TM). A total of 1675 reviewers responded with useable surveys. Six questions elicited responses about ethical issues, such as conflict of interest, protection of human research participants, plagiarism, duplicate publication, misrepresentation of data and 'other'. The reviewers indicated whether they had experienced such a concern and notified the editor, and how satisfied they were with the outcome. They provided specific examples. Approximately 20% of the reviewers had experienced various ethical dilemmas. Although the majority reported their concerns to the editor, not all did so, and not all were satisfied with the outcomes. The most commonly reported concern perceived was inadequate protection of human participants. The least common was plagiarism, but this was most often reported to the editor and least often led to a satisfactory outcome. Qualitative responses at the end of the survey indicate this lack of satisfaction was most commonly related to feedback provided on resolution by the editor. The findings from this study suggest several areas that editors should note, including follow up with reviewers when they identify ethical concerns about a manuscript.
Nursing Ethics 11/2010; 17(6):741-8. · 0.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Previous studies about the prevalence and impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were focused on urinary incontinence or overactive bladder in the general population. Little research has been focused on the role that the workplace has in employed women's experiences with LUTS or the impact of LUTS on their health-related quality of life (HRQL).
To estimate the prevalence of LUTS among employed female nurses in Taipei and to compare the HRQL for nurses with and without LUTS.
This study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire survey.
Three medical centers and five regional hospitals in Taipei were selected randomly.
In the selected hospitals, 1065 female nurses were selected randomly. Data analyses were based on 907 usable surveys. All participants were native Taiwanese; most of the female nurses were 26-35 years of age (mean=31.02, SD=6.32), had normal body mass index, and had never given birth. Most nurses' bladder habits were poor or very poor and their personal habits of fluid consumption at work were inadequate.
Data were collected using the Taiwan Nurse Bladder Survey and the Short Form 36 Taiwan version. Chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence rates of different LUTS for nurses in different age groups. Student's t-tests were conducted to compare the mean scores of HRQL for nurses with and without LUTS.
Based on 907 usable surveys, 590 (65.0%) experienced at least one type of LUTS. The prevalence for different LUTS ranged from 8.0% to 46.5%. Nurses who reported LUTS also reported lower HRQL, more so on physical health than mental health, than nurses who did not report LUTS.
Although most of the nurses in this study were young (< or =35 years) and nulliparous, LUTS were common among this group. The high prevalence rate of LUTS leads to concerns about nurses' possible dysfunctional voiding patterns and possible effects of working environment and poor bladder and personal habits on LUTS. Study results showed a possible negative impact of LUTS on nurses' physical health. Designing a continence-related education program for this group is essential for delivering information about LUTS prevention and management.
International journal of nursing studies 01/2009; 46(5):633-44. · 1.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper is a report of a study to assess the beliefs and preferences of reviewers for nursing journals about blinding of authors to reviewers, reviewers to authors, neither or both.
Blinding of author and reviewer names in the manuscript review process has been of interest to nursing editors, but reports that are based on data rather than simply opinion concern the editorial practices of biomedical rather than nursing journals. There has been no study of nursing journal reviewer beliefs and preferences related to blinding.
A descriptive web-based survey was conducted. The sample included 1675 anonymous reviewers, recruited through 52 editors of nursing journals from their review panels. Data were collected in 2007.
Double-blinding of reviews was the most common method reported. Ninety per cent of respondents reported that the papers they received to review did not include author names. When author names were blinded, 62% of reviewers could not identify the authors of papers; another 17% could identify authors < or =10% of the time. Double-blinding was the method preferred by 93.6% of reviewers, although some identified some advantages to an unblinded open review process.
Nursing journal reviewers are generally very satisfied with double-blinding and believe it contributes to the quality of papers published. Editors or editorial boards interested in a more open review process could consider alternatives such as offering authors and reviewers the option to unblind themselves. Simply announcing that the review process will henceforth be unblinded would probably lead to loss of reviewers.
Journal of Advanced Nursing 09/2008; 64(2):131-8. · 1.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To describe nursing journal reviewers' professional backgrounds, reviewing experience, time investment, and perceptions of their role.
Exploratory descriptive cross-sectional study.
A 69-question survey containing both fixed-option and open-ended questions and accessed via the World Wide Web was completed by 1,675 nursing journal reviewers who had been invited to participate by editors of 52 nursing journals.
Participants were from 44 countries, with 74% from the US, and 90% were nurses. The majority were doctorally prepared academics who were involved in research. They reported spending an average of 5 hours on each critique and completed an average of 7-8 reviews per year. The most common reason reported for becoming involved was personal contact with an editor. Lack of time because of competing work commitments was the most commonly cited barrier to reviewing and negative aspect of the role. The most common positive aspect was keeping up to date with the field.
Nursing journal peer reviewers express rewards and challenges similar to those reported elsewhere for biomedical journal reviewers. Based on these findings, editors might consider new approaches to recruiting and supporting reviewers, and potential reviewers might gain insight into the role. Support of these distinguished scholars in this important role is critical to sustain the quality of scholarship that informs nursing practice, education, and research.
Clinicians, researchers, and educators who rely on the quality of the articles published in nursing journals can learn from this survey about the background and experiences of those who protect that quality by providing expert feedback to authors and editors.
Journal of Nursing Scholarship 02/2008; 40(4):395-400. · 1.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To identify factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among female elementary school teachers in Taipei.
This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 520 surveys were distributed to 26 elementary schools in Taipei. Logistic regression was used to identify possible factors related to individual LUTS.
Study results were based on the information provided by 445 participants. Of the 445 teachers, 293 (65.8%) experienced at least one type of LUTS. Factors associated with urinary incontinence were body mass index (BMI), vaginal delivery, obstetric and/or gynecological surgery, bladder habits, and job control. Increased daytime urinary frequency was associated with chronic cough and chronic constipation. Bladder habits, straining to lift heavy objects at work and chronic constipation were associated with urgency. Nocturia was associated with age and caffeine consumption while intermittent stream was associated with the presence of a family history of LUTS and chronic constipation. Bladder habits and regular exercise were associated with weak urinary stream. Incomplete emptying was more likely to occur in teachers with chronic constipation and in those who did not exercise regularly.
All the LUTS under logistic regression analyses were associated with 1-3 modifiable factors. Identification of these modifiable contributing factors may be useful to health care providers. Education of women may include the importance of maintaining normal body weight, good bladder/bowel habits, and regular exercise, treating chronic cough, decreasing daily caffeine consumption, and implementing feasible environmental modifications in employment settings.
Neurourology and Urodynamics 02/2008; 27(1):52-9. · 2.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among female elementary school teachers in Taipei. A total of 520 self-administered surveys were distributed to 26 elementary schools in Taipei City. Data analyses were based on 445 usable surveys. The prevalence rates for different types of LUTS ranged from 9.9 to 44.5%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI; 26.7%) and nocturia (16.0%) fell within the prevalence estimates of these LUTS in North American and European women. Employed women in this study were more likely to experience LUTS than women in previous epidemiological or community studies. This study extended research on UI into other LUTS among employed women in Asia. Study results suggest that the working environment may affect LUTS in female elementary school teachers. This preliminary study is important for developing future behavioral interventions for female LUTS in the workplace.
International Urogynecology Journal 11/2007; 18(10):1151-61. · 1.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most prevalent and costly health problems in the United States. Women participating in two clinical trials had experienced UI for a mean of 7.2 +/- 7.6 SD years. Hormone status, gynecologic surgery, alcohol intake, age, and educational attainment were significantly related to amount of urine loss. Amount of urine loss was also related to episodes of urine loss, caffeine and fluid intake, and quality of life.
Urologic nursing: official journal of the American Urological Association Allied 09/2007; 27(4):307-17.
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ABSTRACT: To assess the efficacy of self-monitoring techniques to reduce urine loss and increase quality of life for women with urinary incontinence.
The design was a two arm, randomized, clinical trial with a wait list control group and 3-week intervention. Participants were 224 community-dwelling women 18 and older with UI. Self-monitoring was individualized counseling about fluid and caffeine intake, quick pelvic floor muscle contraction, voiding frequency, and management of constipation. The primary outcome measure was grams of urine loss. Secondary outcomes included episodes of urine loss, quality of life, and caffeine and fluid consumption.
The main effect of self-monitoring on grams of urine loss was significant. After adjusting for baseline urine loss, time in the intervention or in wait list group, age, hormone status, and race the self- monitoring group lost an average of 13.3 g less urine and had improved 26.1 points in quality of life compared to the wait list group. The effect of self-monitoring on episodes of urine loss was not significant in the total sample but was more effective for women who had 9 or more episodes of urine loss, were 65 years or older, and were premenopausal or taking hormone replacement therapy. Participants in the self-monitoring group reduced their caffeine intake, but did not increase their fluid intake compared to the wait list control group.
Since self-monitoring techniques are simple, safe, inexpensive, and within the scope of practice for most health professionals, they should be considered as first steps to treat women with UI.
Neurourology and Urodynamics 02/2007; 26(4):507-11. · 2.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study of Taiwanese women investigated effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on urinary incontinence (UI) severity and on participants' knowledge and attitudes regarding UI and PFMT. Of 114 participants in a 4-h PFMT program, 55 suffering from UI completed 2 questionnaires, 1 before and 1 after the program. Among them, 78% reported experiencing UI under increased abdominal pressure, and 82% had suffered the condition for more than 1 year. Participants achieved reductions in UI severity after PFMT; and the program produced a significant difference in their knowledge about, though not in their attitudes toward, both UI and PFMT.
International Journal of Nursing Studies 02/2006; 43(1):29-37. · 2.18 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common chronic condition among women. Treatment of UI can involve behavioral techniques, pharmacological strategies, or surgical intervention. Clinically, treatment strategies should start with the simplest and least invasive measures. To overcome the deficiencies in previous research and provide definitive information for clinical practice, a randomized clinical trial is currently underway. This clinical trial uses a pretest-posttest design to first determine the effectiveness of self-monitoring techniques before subjects are randomized into one of two treatment groups or an attentional control group with a 1-year followup. The study design, sampling plan, and interventions used in an ongoing clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of self-monitoring and efficacy of biofeedback to treat UI in women are described. Innovative techniques to assess adherence to the pelvic muscle exercise protocol are addressed.
Urologic nursing: official journal of the American Urological Association Allied 11/2005; 25(5):353-63.
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ABSTRACT: Context: Every social group shares beliefs about health and illness. Knowledge and understanding of these health beliefs are essential for education programs to address health promotion and illness prevention. Purpose: This analysis describes the diabetes Explanatory Models of Illness (EMs) of low-income, rural, white Southerners who have not been diagnosed with diabetes. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with low-income white women (n = 19) and men (n = 20) aged 18 to 54 years who resided in a rural Southern town. The tape-recorded interviews were completed by trained interviewers and were transcribed verbatim. Computer-assisted text analysis was used, and all transcripts were coded by 2 investigators. Findings: Although all the participants had heard of diabetes, their EMs were vague and undeveloped. Women were more knowledgeable than men were. Family and heredity were widely believed to be causes, with heredity including genetic and learned behavior components. Participants disagreed about the role of diet and weight in causing diabetes; exercise was not perceived as related to causation. Participants had knowledge of those symptoms, complications, and treatments that could be observed. Conclusions: These rural, white Southerners did not share well-developed EMs for diabetes, with most having a vague and incomplete understanding of this disease. The diabetes beliefs of these rural Southerners differ significantly from current medical knowledge. To be effective, culturally appropriate primary prevention programs must recognize these lay beliefs.
The Journal of Rural Health 09/2005; 21(4):337 - 345. · 1.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Every social group shares beliefs about health and illness. Knowledge and understanding of these health beliefs are essential for education programs to address health promotion and illness prevention.
This analysis describes the diabetes Explanatory Models of Illness (EMs) of low-income, rural, white Southerners who have not been diagnosed with diabetes.
In-depth interviews were conducted with low-income white women (n = 19) and men (n = 20) aged 18 to 54 years who resided in a rural Southern town. The tape-recorded interviews were completed by trained interviewers and were transcribed verbatim. Computer-assisted text analysis was used, and all transcripts were coded by 2 investigators.
Although all the participants had heard of diabetes, their EMs were vague and undeveloped. Women were more knowledgeable than men were. Family and heredity were widely believed to be causes, with heredity including genetic and learned behavior components. Participants disagreed about the role of diet and weight in causing diabetes; exercise was not perceived as related to causation. Participants had knowledge of those symptoms, complications, and treatments that could be observed.
These rural, white Southerners did not share well-developed EMs for diabetes, with most having a vague and incomplete understanding of this disease. The diabetes beliefs of these rural Southerners differ significantly from current medical knowledge. To be effective, culturally appropriate primary prevention programs must recognize these lay beliefs.
The Journal of Rural Health 02/2005; 21(4):337-45. · 1.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in the United States, particularly among minority individuals. Primary prevention programs for diabetes must be designed to address the beliefs of the populations they target. Little research has investigated the beliefs of those who do not have diabetes. This analysis uses in-depth interviews collected from Latino immigrants, not diagnosed with diabetes, living in a rural US community. Structured by the explanatory models [EM] of Illness framework, this analysis delineates the EMs of diabetes in this community. A significant number of the participants had little knowledge and few beliefs about diabetes. The EMs of those with knowledge of diabetes were varied, but several beliefs were widely held: (a) diabetes is a serious disease that is based on heredity or is inherent in all persons, (b) diabetes can result from several factors, including strong emotions and lifestyle characteristics (an unhealthy diet, not taking care of oneself), (c) beliefs about strong emotion and the importance of blood are related to diabetes causes, symptoms and treatment, and (d) a major and undesirable outcome of diabetes is weight loss. These results provide information for the design of health programs for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Social Science [?] Medicine 01/2005; 59(11):2183-93. · 2.70 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the extent of an international perspective in publication in nursing journals.
Characteristics of 2,581 articles, authors of articles, and journals (editorial purpose and editorial team) of 42 high-ranking nursing journals for the year 2000 were analyzed.
The characteristics were assessed using seven operational definitions of "international."
Major findings were: (a) 747 (28.9%) articles were identified as international, of which (b) 705 (94.3%) were placed in the scholarly or empirical categories; (c) more articles were categorized as empirical in the international articles; more articles were categorized as scholarly among the noninternational articles; (d) 763 (79.3%) articles met an international definition based on author characteristics; and (e) 20 (47.6%) journals had international editorial teams.
Nearly 30% of articles had international content. Articles with international content were more frequently databased than were noninternational articles. The study provides a baseline indication of the extent of international perspectives in published articles in nursing journals. The extent to which these international articles make substantial contributions to knowledge has yet to be discovered.
Journal of Nursing Scholarship 02/2004; 36(2):173-9. · 1.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In North Carolina there are approximately 34,000 residents in adult care homes (ACHs). Approximately 40% of these residents have urinary incontinence, and others require assistance with toileting. High prevalence of cognitive impairment, few licensed staff, and low staff-to-resident ratios in ACHs make behavioral techniques used in community-dwelling populations and toileting programs used in nursing homes inappropriate for these residents. This program was implemented using a two-level approach (facility and individual resident) and uses an education consultation approach for implementation.
Journal of Gerontological Nursing 11/2003; 29(10):30-6; quiz 54-5. · 0.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to describe interactive information about continence health promotion for women that is available on Web sites identified by popular search engines or health/medical search engines or that is available on community-based or select health organizations' Web sites.
We used a variety of search services to search the Web for sites that disseminated information about continence health for women, for example, urinary incontinence, urine loss, and bladder problems. Two reviewers initially evaluated sites to determine if an interactive feature that provided individualized feedback was present. Web sites that had an interactive-with-feedback feature were further examined to delineate the purpose of the site and other descriptive characteristics. We evaluated each site according to content pertaining to continence health information.
Most major search engines located more than 100,000 Web sites in the initial search; narrowing the search terms with the words "and women" decreased the number of sites. Only 13 sites with interactive-with-feedback features were located for further evaluation. E-mail was the most common interactive feature; none of the sites contained comprehensive information on continence health promotion.
Web sites exist and are informative in terms of continence health promotion, but they lack an emphasis on self-care and sufficient information to promote it. The functionality of computer technology and the Web has not been maximized for the purpose of delivering continence health information.
Journal of WOCN 10/2003; 30(5):280-6. · 1.14 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Urinary incontinence (UI) in women is common worldwide, but is studied more often in the West. This correlational study conducted in southern Taiwan employed two frequently used instruments, which were translated into Chinese. Incontinence impact, symptom distress, and treatment-seeking behavior were studied in 106 women with UI of whom 76 (72%) had not received UI treatment. Incontinence impact (mean=49.75; range=30-120) was significantly correlated (r=0.76, p<0.01) with symptom distress (mean=18.38; range=2-68). Women with high incontinence impact and symptom distress were more likely to seek treatment than those with lower impact and symptom distress.
International Journal of Nursing Studies 03/2003; 40(3):227-34. · 2.18 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This article introduces a new theory of geographical analysis, sociospatial knowledge networks, for examining and understanding the spatial aspects of health knowledge (i.e., exactly where health beliefs and knowledge coincide with other support in the community). We present an overview of the theory of sociospatial knowledge networks and an example of how it is being used to guide an ongoing ethnographic study of health beliefs, knowledge, and knowledge networks in a rural community of African Americans, Latinos, and European Americans at high risk for, but not diagnosed with, type 2 diabetes mellitus. We believe that the geographical approach to understanding health beliefs and knowledge and how people acquire health information presented here is one that could serve other communities and community health practitioners working to improve chronic disease outcomes in diverse local environments.
Research in Nursing & Health 05/2002; 25(2):159-70. · 1.71 Impact Factor
