Clinical evaluation and follow-up of body mass and blood pressure in pre-elementary school children: program review.

While administrators of pre-elementary school programs throughout the country recognize the importance of screening and monitoring body mass and hypertension in early childhood populations, typically, few efforts are undertaken to systematically, retrospectively, and critically review them. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of measures, reflective of body mass and blood pressure, collected from a targeted group of 10 urban pre-elementary schools in the Midwestern region of the country, was therefore undertaken. Overweight, obesity, and blood pressure readings suggestive of pre-hypertension and hypertension were found to be more prevalent among both boys and children whose school and residences were located in low-income neighborhoods. More surprising, however, was the lack of documentation of notations in their health records about their BMI status, blood pressure status, and/or need for re-assessment, referral, or follow-up.

What women in the United States Virgin Islands still want and need to know about HPV, cervical cancer, and condom use.

Cervical cancer is an infection-related cancer caused primarily by the human papilloma virus. Sexual behavior is a primary risk factor for contracting the genital type of the HPV. While studies have shown that vertical transmission, horizontal transmission, and transmission of the HPV following contact with infected secretions without sexual intercourse are possible, they are not common. The incidence of cervical cancer in the Caribbean is the third highest in the world. This report describes the outcomes of a cross-sectional, mixed methods, exploratory study undertaken to examine questions and concerns about HPV transmission, physical examination, cervical cancer screening, and HPV/cervical cancer risk management among a targeted group of single, unmarried women in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Analysis of the data revealed that the women had many questions and concerns about the origin of HPV infection and cervical cancer, HPV and cervical cancer risk factors, HPV and cervical cancer screening, and HPV and cervical cancer prevention and risk management. Results of the study are used to suggest opportunities for nurses to respond to the questions and concerns posed by the women through the University of the Virgin Islands and within community-based settings.

Expanding the scope of nursing research in low resource and middle resource countries, regions, and states focused on cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and control.

Cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. There are significant disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality globally as well as in the United States. The most significant global disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality are reported in low resource and middle resource countries, regions, and states. This report provides an overview of cervical cancer epidemiology and etiology, and identifies "gaps" in the nursing literature specific to cervical cancer prevention and control worthy of consideration by nurses within the practice setting.