Factors Influencing Self-Efficacy, Grit, Symptom Clusters on Self-Care Agency in Brain Neoplasms Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of self-efficacy, grit (consistency of interest-CI, perseverance of effort-PE), symptom clusters and self-care agency in brain neoplasm patients and to identify factors influencing their self-care agency. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used, and the participants were a convenience sample of 152 brain neoplasm patients from C national university hospital in Hwasun. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from October 1, 2017 to February 15, 2018. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, factor analysis, Pearson correlations and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS 22 program. RESULTS: The most frequently reported symptoms included sadness (57.9%), numbness (50.7%), lack of energy (49.3%), nervousness (45.4%), worry (40.8%). There were significant positive correlations between self-care agency and self-efficacy (r=.54, p < .001), CI (r=.58, p < .001), and PE (r=.50, p < .001). There were significant negative correlations between self-care agency and cluster I (r=−.56, p < .001), cluster II (r=−.31, p < .001), cluster III (r=−.49, p < .001) cluster IV (r=−.30, p < .001). The significant factors influencing self-care agency were self-efficacy, grit, cluster I and cluster IV. These variables explained 55.4% of the variance in self-care agency. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that intervention programs to increase the level of self-efficacy and grit, to reduce the level of symptoms among patients would improve the self-care agency of brain neoplasms patients.

Effects of Dietary Program based on Self-efficacy Theory on Dietary Adherence, Physical Indices and Quality of Life for Hemodialysis Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine effects of a dietary program based on self-efficacy theory on dietary adherence, physical status and quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. The intervention group received the dietary program for 8 weeks from August 4 to September 26, 2014. The control group received only usual care. RESULTS: ANCOVA showed that dietary adherence (F=64.75, p<.001) was significantly different between the two groups. Serum albumin (F=12.13, p =.001), interdialytic weight gain (F=56.97, p<.001), calories (F=15.80, p<.001) as physical status indices were significantly different, but serum potassium (F=2.69, p=.106) and serum phosphorus (F=1.08, p=.303) showed no significant difference between the two groups. In terms of health-related QoL, the physical component scale (F=10.05, p=.002) and the mental component scale (F=16.66, p<.001) were significantly different between the two groups. In addition, in terms of diet related QoL, diet level (F=35.33, p<.001) and satisfaction level (F=15.57, p<.001) were significantly different between the two groups, but dietary impact level (F=1.23, p =.271) was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Findings show that the dietary program based on self-efficacy theory is an effective nursing intervention program to improve adherence to diet, and to maintain physical status and QoL for hemodialysis patients.

Association of Waist Circumference with Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Diseases in Women Patients with Chest Pain / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with coronary artery diseases (CAD) in women patients with chest pain. METHOD: BMI, WC, and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were measured for 162 women patients with chest pain whose mean age was 54.9+/-9.2 years. CAD was diagnosed by coronary angiography. RESULTS: In comparing BMI and WC, WC was found to be more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors. For example, correlations with the high density lipoprotein cholesterol were r=-.266, p=.001 (WC) vs. r=-.131, p=.104 (BMI), and for homocystein, r=.378, p<.001 (WC) vs. r=.150, p=.068 (BMI). Obstructive CAD develops more frequently in women patients with abdominal obesity than in patients without abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that WC is a better index of adiposity than BMI.