Survivorship Care Plans: Health Actions Taken and Satisfaction After Use.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the use of and assess patient satisfaction with survivorship care plans (SCPs). SAMPLE & SETTING: 189 cancer survivors recruited from five cancer treatment center locations (Avera Cancer Institute in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, and Yankton; Sanford Cancer Center in Sioux Falls) and one auxiliary specialty center (Urology Specialists in Sioux Falls), all in South Dakota. METHODS & VARIABLES: A written survey was completed by participants before and three months after receiving an SCP. Associations between demographics and cancer-related characteristics and use of the SCP were evaluated using chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with any use of the SCP, health actions attributable to the SCP, and satisfaction with the SCP. RESULTS: The most frequently reported uses of the SCP were to share with spouse or partner, inform about symptoms, and ask physician or nurse about concerns. SCP use, health actions taken, and satisfaction with the SCP were associated with gender, marital status, and main cancer type. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses should promote SCPs because they are valued and used by survivors for follow-up care.

University students' perceived risk of and intention to use waterpipe tobacco.

Emerging tobacco product use is increasing. We evaluated factors associated with perceived risk of and intention to use waterpipe tobacco by surveying students at a large university in the southeastern U.S. (N = 667). Proportional odds modeling assessed whether demographic characteristics and social acceptability are associated with perceived risk of waterpipe tobacco use; and if these factors and perceived risk are related to intention to use waterpipe tobacco. Participants who perceived waterpipe tobacco to be more socially acceptable had lower odds of perceiving it as risky (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.68). Compared with never users, former tobacco users and current users had lower odds of perceiving waterpipe tobacco use as risky (95% CI 0.38-0.80 and 0.28-0.63, respectively). Similarly, students with greater perceived social acceptability scores had higher odds of intending to use waterpipe tobacco (95% CI 1.41-2.63), while those who perceived greater risk had lower odds of intending to use it (95% CI 0.34-0.64). Compared with never users, former users had higher odds of intending to use waterpipe tobacco (95% CI 1.42-7.21). Among those who had ever used waterpipe tobacco, 90% reported 'to socialize' as the most frequent reason for deciding to do so. Findings underscore the need for future prevention efforts.

Adolescents, gangs, and perceptions of safety, parental engagement, and peer pressure.

Adolescents are exposed to various forms of gang violence, and such exposure has led them to feel unsafe in their neighborhood and have differing interactions with their parents and peers. This qualitative study explored adolescents', parents', and community center employees' perceptions of adolescents' interaction with their neighborhood, family, and peers. Three themes emerged from the data: Most adolescents reported that the community center provided a safe environment for them; parental engagement influenced adolescents' experiences with gangs; and adolescents were subjected to peer pressure in order to belong. Exposure to gang violence can leave an impression on adolescents and affect their mental health, but neighborhood safety and relationships with parents and peers can influence adolescents' exposure to gang violence. Recommendations regarding the use of health care professionals at community centers are proposed.