ABSTRACT
Neural tube defects are among the most common and serious birth defects. Most of these defects are caused by multifactorial inheritance. Research over the past decade has led to advances in understanding the etiology of these congenital anomalies. Folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of first-time occurrence of neural tube defects as well as recurrent risk. Other genetic and environmental factors are under investigation. In this article, the nurse's role in the primary prevention of these birth defects is described.
Subject(s)
Folic Acid/therapeutic use , Neural Tube Defects/prevention & control , Obstetric Nursing , Primary Prevention , Female , Folic Acid/pharmacology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Neural Tube Defects/etiology , Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Patient Education as Topic , Pregnancy , Primary Prevention/organization & administration , United StatesABSTRACT
For too long, the health care of women has separated childbearing from health promotion and management of chronic health problems. A critical dimension of an integrative science of women's health is bringing together childbearing with women's health during the life span. This integration is needed in areas such as preconception care, reproductive weight management, and gestational diabetes. An integrative science enhances research promoting women's health and patterns of care aimed at disease prevention.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Women's Health Services/organization & administration , Chronic Disease/therapy , Continuity of Patient Care/organization & administration , Female , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Maternal Health Services/organization & administration , Nursing Care , Nursing ResearchABSTRACT
Public policy issues offer fertile ground for the development of research questions. At state and national levels, today's legislative arena bristles with debate on policies affecting the health of women, children, and families. Nurse researchers can contribute to meaningful social debate addressing the benefits and costs of parental leave and other such issues of public policy. This article examines how a relevant social issue can help nurses identify research questions important to the development of sound public policy.
Subject(s)
Health Policy , Nursing Research , Parental Leave , Child Welfare/legislation & jurisprudence , Family Health , Female , Health Policy/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Infant Welfare/legislation & jurisprudence , Infant, Newborn , Parental Leave/legislation & jurisprudence , Postpartum Period , United States , Women's HealthABSTRACT
For women with HIV infection, physical and psychosocial adaptation during the postpartum period is fraught with ambivalence. On the one hand, there is the joy of parenthood, but on the other, the burden of a chronic, terminal illness and the possibility of having an infected newborn. The nursing care of the HIV-positive woman and her newborn is discussed. Guidelines for hospital discharge teaching are included.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/nursing , HIV-1 , Maternal-Child Nursing/methods , Postnatal Care/methods , Puerperal Infection/nursing , Aftercare/methods , Humans , Nursing Records , Patient Care Team , Patient Discharge , Patient Education as Topic , Referral and Consultation , Sex CounselingABSTRACT
The spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease among childbearing women presents a unique nursing challenge in the delivery of specialized antepartum and intrapartum care. The nurse must be competent in the delivery of psychosocial and physical care to these women, as well as assume a pivotal role as a member of the multidisciplinary health-care team. Aspects of care, from the diagnosis of pregnancy through delivery of the neonate, that are unique to women with HIV disease are described.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/nursing , HIV-1 , Postnatal Care/methods , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/nursing , Prenatal Care/methods , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Counseling , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Infection Control , Mass Screening , Nursing Assessment , Patient Care Team , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Women constitute the fastest growing component of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. The majority of women with HIV disease are of reproductive age, and perinatally acquired HIV infection has increased proportionately. The nurse needs knowledge about the unique interactions between HIV infection and pregnancy to provide the complex care required during the perinatal period. An overview of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and natural history of HIV disease focusing on women is presented. The effects of pregnancy on the progression of HIV disease and the effects of HIV disease on pregnancy outcomes are explored.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , AIDS Serodiagnosis , Female , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/physiopathology , Humans , Incidence , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/physiopathology , Pregnancy Outcome , Racial Groups , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the genital tract are among the most common sexually transmitted viral infections in the United States. Recently, data have accumulated linking HPV with later development of genital neoplasia, particularly cervical neoplasia, causing growing concern among health-care professionals. Genital warts, or condyloma acuminata, are one of the manifestations of genital HPV infections. The clinical spectrum associated with genital HPV infections, however, is much broader than previously recognized and includes a multiplicity of disease entities in both sexes. This article summarizes the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities for genital HPV infections. Nursing implications also are discussed.
