Risk Factors on Suicidal Ideation and Suicidal Attempt among Community dwelling Older Adults: Based on 2014 Community Health Survey / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts of older adults aged 65 years and older. METHODS: A part of the 2014 Community Health Survey data were used for analysis. Responses of 3,287 older adults living in Chungbuk province were analyzed using complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The percentages of older people who experienced suicidal ideation and attempt during the past year were 21.7% and 0.8%, respectively. Limitation of daily living activities, pain/discomfort, stress and depression were significant risk factors of older adults' suicidal ideation. The significant risk factor of suicidal attempt was suicidal ideation, followed by depression and limitation of daily activities. The frequencies of elderly people using professional counseling related to the stress, depression or suicidal ideation were very low showing 2.1%, 1.8%, and 1.4% respectively. The protective impact of counselling on suicidal ideation and attempt were not able to be identified because of the low rate of participation of counselling program in this study. CONCLUSION: The common risk factors of suicidal ideation and attempt were depression and the limitation of daily activity; therefore, community services for them should be emphasized. In addition, there should be an effort to increase the utilization rate of professional counselling and to identify the effects of counselling on the prevention of suicidal behaviors.

The Effects of P6 Acupressure and Guided Imagery on Nausea, Vomiting, Retching and Anorexia of the Patients with Thyroid Cancer Undergoing Radioactive Iodine Therapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of P6 acupressure and guided imagery on nausea, vomiting, retching, and anorexia of the patient with thyroid cancer who were undergoing high dose radio-active iodine therapy (HD-RAIT). METHODS: Using a randomized control group pretest-posttest study design, the participants were randomly assigned into the control group (C), the experimental group I (E1, P6 acupressure only) and the experimental group II (E2, P6 acupressure and a guided imagery). The patients were recruited from December 2011 to June 2012 in a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. A total of 82 patients completed the study. The Korean version of the Rhodes INVR and the anorexia scale by Grant (1987) were used. RESULTS: The levels of nausea, vomiting, retching, and anorexia were significantly different among the groups. The levels of nausea and retching especially showed significant group differences over time. Synergic effects of P6 acupressure with guided imagery had significant effects over separate P6 acupressure intervention. CONCLUSION: Non-pharmacological and nurse-provided P6 acupressure and guided imagery appeared to be effective and safe in reducing nausea, vomiting, retching, and anorexia of the patients with thyroid cancer underwent HD-RAIT.