ABSTRACT
Background: In China, adults with ischemic stroke are getting younger. Additionally, following a stroke, they often neglect self-management (SM), which significantly impacts the rehabilitation process and treatment outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to describe SM behavior and examine the relationship between stroke prevention knowledge, life stress, family relationships, and SM behavior among adults with ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 125 participants were recruited between October 2022 and March 2023 based on defined inclusion criteria. Research instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the Stroke Self-management Behavior Scale for Young Adults, the Stroke Prevention Knowledge Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Brief Family Relationship Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's product-moment correlation. Results: The mean score of SM behavior was 88.1 out of 130 (SD = 16.5). Stroke prevention knowledge and family relationships showed a moderate positive significant relationship with SM behavior (r = 0.39, r = 0.34, p <0.001, respectively). Life stress had a significant negative relationship with SM behavior (r = -0.33, p <0.001). Conclusion: The findings offer insights for nurses to develop nursing interventions to promote SM behavior among adults with stroke. Furthermore, they can assist hospitals in transitioning care to the community by emphasizing holistic nursing practices that educate about stroke prevention knowledge, encourage family support, and provide stress management strategies to enhance the SM abilities of adults with stroke.
ABSTRACT
Background: One of the most prevalent psychological signs of breast cancer is uncertainty, which is more prevalent in Chinese patients during the preoperative period. Despite the numerous factors contributing to preoperative uncertainty, there is limited relevant research conducted in China. Objective: This study aimed to describe the current state of preoperative uncertainty and to investigate the relationship between anxiety, illness perception, social support, and preoperative uncertainty in patients with breast cancer in Wenzhou, China. Methods: This cross-sectional research used a simple random sampling technique to select 122 participants from a university hospital in Wenzhou, China, from July 2022 to December 2022, employing validated instruments. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient were utilized to analyze the data. Results: The average preoperative uncertainty scores of the patients fell within a moderate range (M = 61.92, SD = 7.51). Significant correlations were found between anxiety (r = 0.638, p <0.01), illness perception (r = 0.704, p <0.01), social support (r = -0.481, p <0.01), and preoperative uncertainty. Conclusions: The results can assist healthcare professionals, especially nurses, in recognizing the factors contributing to uncertainty before surgery in patients with breast cancer. This knowledge enables them to promptly address and minimize this issue, leading to improved outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Background: The rising prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China has led to a decline in the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of employed individuals with the condition. Consequently, healthcare providers play a crucial role in identifying the factors associated with HRQOL in this population. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the HRQOL of employed individuals with COPD and determine the relationships between symptom burden, functional performance, social support, and HRQOL. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational research design was employed for this study. A total of 130 employed individuals with COPD who visited the respiratory outpatient department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected between August and September 2021 using a demographic questionnaire and four scales. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used for data analysis. Results: The study findings revealed that the mean HRQOL score among the participants was in the moderate range (M = 69.46, SD = 16.82). The correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between symptom burden and HRQOL (r = -0.80, p <0.001). On the other hand, a positive relationship was observed between functional performance and HRQOL (r = 0.56, p <0.001), while social support did not show a significant relationship with HRQOL (r = 0.04, p >0.05). Conclusion: These findings serve as a foundation for healthcare service providers and policymakers in developing targeted nursing interventions and comprehensive management approaches for employed individuals with COPD. By addressing the symptom burden and promoting functional performance, nurses can strive to enhance the HRQOL of this population. Moreover, strategies to improve social support networks and facilitate access to emotional and practical assistance may further contribute to improving the overall well-being and satisfaction among employed individuals with COPD.
ABSTRACT
Background: In China, the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) continues to rise, and Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) is generally suboptimal. Thus, identifying the factors influencing DSM in adults with T2DM is crucial for healthcare providers. Objectives: This study aimed to 1) describe DSM among adults with T2DM in Wenzhou, China, 2) examine the correlations between diabetes knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, fatalism, social support, and DSM, and 3) determine how much power of the correlated independent variables could predict DSM. Methods: This study adopted the cross-sectional design and included 108 adults with T2DM who were randomly selected from the outpatient clinic of a hospital in Wenzhou, China. Data were recruited using a demographic questionnaire, and standardized tools were utilized to determine the correlation between DSM, diabetes knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, fatalism, and social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: 62% of participants had poor blood glucose control (HbA1c ≥8.0%) and suboptimal DSM. Significant factors related to DSM were diabetes knowledge (r = 0.594, p <0.001), perceived self-efficacy (r = 0.447, p <0.001), and social support (r = 0.312, p = 0.001). The regression analysis revealed that all variables significantly explained 38.2% of the variance in DSM among adults with T2DM. However, only diabetes knowledge and perceived self-efficacy significantly predicted DSM (ß = 0.468, p <0.001; ß = 0.184, p = <0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The findings indicated that increasing diabetes knowledge and perceived self-efficacy could help improve DSM in T2DM to ascertain the ultimate treatment outcomes. Nurses and healthcare providers should improve the ability of patients and their families to think critically and act autonomously.
