The effects of virtual intravenous and patient simulator training compared to the traditional approach of teaching nurses: a research project on peripheral i.v. catheter insertion.

Teaching intravenous (i.v.) catheter insertion where nurses "see one, do one, and teach one" is standard protocol, yet it allows little opportunity for practice. This study assesses the effectiveness of using mannequins and simulators to train nurses. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group for training, and afterward they completed an i.v. insertion survey for each peripheral i.v. they performed. There was a significant relationship between the number of i.v. insertion attempts and the type of training, Χ (1, N = 41) = 4.19, P = .041, ϕ = 0.32, and a significant difference in the number of i.v. insertion attempts between the 2 groups, U = 143, P = .043.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to sexuality and family planning in adolescent women with and without diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Sexually active adolescents with diabetes are at high risk for unplanned pregnancies and reproductive complications. OBJECTIVE: Knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors regarding diabetes and reproductive issues, sexuality, and contraception were examined in teens with diabetes in relation to a non-diabetic group. METHODS: A multisite, case-control, theory-based structured telephone interview was conducted on adolescent women: 80 with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 37 matched controls without diabetes (non-DM). RESULTS: Teens with diabetes appeared to lack an understanding of critical information that could prevent unplanned pregnancies and pregnancy-related complications. Although they scored significantly higher than the non-DM group on diabetes-related information, the DM group had their lowest mean average of 59% for the diabetes and pregnancy score. They did not appear to have greater protective attitudes regarding reproductive health issues than the non-DM group. The DM group felt that they were only moderately susceptible to becoming pregnant and that severe complications would not happen to them. The DM group perceived greater severity to sex-related outcomes (p = 0.001). The DM group did not report safer and more effective family planning behaviors (mean age coitus = 15.7 yr), which for them could be more detrimental. Similar trends were noted between groups regarding contraceptive methods; only a single method (e.g., pill only) rather than a dual method (e.g., pill and condom) was most frequently used. CONCLUSION: Having diabetes did not appear to significantly decrease the risk-taking behavior of the teens. Early and some unsafe sexual practices may increase their risk for an unplanned pregnancy that could result in pregnancy-related complications. Enhancing awareness, knowledge, and attitudes through preconception counseling and reproductive health education may reduce these risks by empowering young women to plan healthy future pregnancies.

Condom use, pregnancy, and STDs in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this secondary analysis was to describe and compare adolescent females with and without diabetes in terms of use of condoms, pregnancy outcomes, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) outcomes. METHODS: Data from a multisite, case-controlled, telephone survey study were used in a secondary analysis to evaluate the parameters stated in the purpose. RESULTS: The 87 females with type 1 diabetes and 45 nondiabetic females who participated were 16 to 22 years old. Most were Caucasian, in high school, and lived with their parents. No demographic differences were noted between the groups. Of those sexually active, for both groups, the most common contraceptive method was male condoms. Four females with diabetes and 2 without diabetes reported an unplanned pregnancy. Three females with diabetes reported an STD infection (chlamydia or trichomonas). Five females with diabetes and 4 nondiabetic females had abnormal pap tests. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent females with and without diabetes engaged in less than optimally protected sexual activity, which increased their risk for unplanned pregnancies and STD infections. Further research is needed of the incidence, treatment, and short-term and long-term complications of STDs in adolescent females with diabetes.