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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore psychological distress and examine the relationship between this distress and individual, family, and school factors among adolescents in four low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) in Asia (i.e., Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka). Methods: A total of 4,098 adolescents attending public schools in the four LAMICs were surveyed as part of the Healthy School Development Project, which aimed to develop school capacity for improving (1) health among all school members and (2) the school environment through tailored school health programs. Psychological distress, family factors (i.e., parental understanding and monitoring, and parental tobacco and alcohol use), and school factors (i.e., having close friends, not bullied, school attendance, and health education) were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Data were collected from September to November in 2012 and 2013. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, Chi-squared testing, and logistic regression. Results: Over half of the participants were women (53.2%–64.1%), and 33.7% (in Sri Lanka) to 53.8% (in Laos) were aged older than 15 years. Approximately 32.9% reported the presence of psychological distress; moreover, 7.9%–13.2% reported suicidal ideation. Parental monitoring and being bullied were associated with psychological distress in all four countries. Conclusion: One-third of adolescents experience psychological distress across these four LAMICs, which poses a substantial public health issue. Adolescents can benefit from family and school-based approaches for screening, ameliorating, and preventing psychological distress. Keywords: adolescent, developing countries, school health services, stress, psychological

Depression is not only a major global public health concern, but also a common comorbidity among patients who experience chronic diseases, such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Yet the recognition and treatment varies widely around the world. This study (1) provides an integrated review of the literature on the prevalence of depression among patients with chronic diseases in China and the United States and its relationship to poorer health outcomes and (2) compares the differences in the percentages of patients receiving treatments for depression between the United States and China. Given the current situation, we recommended that primary care and specialty providers should be knowledgeable and alert regarding the signs of depression. Efforts should be directed to further implement integrated care based interventions to manage depression and improve quality of life among patients suffering chronic diseases in both China and the United States. Keywords: Chronic disease, China, Depression, United States

Abstract Background Smartphones and their applications (apps) impact society and health care. With the growth of smartphone users and app downloads in China, patients with chronic diseases have access to a self-management strategy for physical activity. Although studies report physical activity apps improve the physical activity of patients, data is limited concerning their use of these apps. Therefore, this study investigated the current usage, willingness to use, and barriers to using physical activity apps of Chinese patients with chronic diseases. Methods We designed a questionnaire to collect data from chronic disease patients in a tertiary hospital in Beijing, which was sent to 250 patients in four departments. Results Two hundred eighteen questionnaires were returned (87.2% response rate). Most (92.7%) respondents owned a smartphone, 34.9% had used a physical activity app, and 18.8% were current users. Additionally, 53.7% were willing to use a physical activity app designed for them. Respondents more likely to use physical activity apps were younger (i.e., ≤ 44 years), more educated, current smartphone users, and previous users of physical activity apps; moreover, they believed they needed exercise, their disease required exercise instruction and support, and their physical status needed monitored when exercising (p

In Brief: Fast acquisitions processes are beneficial because they get materials into patrons’ hands quicker. This article describes one library’s experience implementing a fast acquisitions process that dramatically cut turnaround times—from the point of ordering to the shelf—to under five days, all without increasing costs. This was accomplished by focusing on three areas: small-batch ordering, […]

Background: Continuing nursing education (CNE) is an effective approach to maintain and elevate professional knowledge and skills for nurses. We sought to understand the attitudes and expectations of hospital nurses concerning current CNE in Beijing. Method: Hospital-employed nurses (N = 2,826) from 23 secondary and tertiary general hospitals in Beijing were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 72% to 88% of nurses recognized the practicality, helpfulness, importance, and support provided by the current CNE program in Beijing. Obtaining required CNE credits and improving overall comprehensive quality are the top two motivations for nurses to participate in CNE. The top two barriers to CNE are time constraints and the inability to receive timely training information. Expectations that nurses have for future CNE programs also are identified. Conclusion: The nurses surveyed have a positive attitude about the current CNE program; however, our survey revealed several barriers and needs concerning CNE that should be addressed from an organizational perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program (URMP) at the University of Pittsburgh (UPitt), School of Nursing (SoN) was envisioned and implemented in the 2008–2009 academic year to expose undergraduate students to research early in their college educational experiences. Moreover, the URMP is a method to retain current students and attract new high school applicants to the SoN. Methods: This article presents (1) the program's conceptualization, objectives, implementation, and outcomes using descriptive statistics and (2) the strengths of the URMP as well as the opportunities gained and lessons learned through conducting the program. Results: The program has shown success in attracting students to get involved in research. To date, 63.3%–75.7% of participating students reported gaining various research skills from the URMP. Additionally, URMP students have reported participating in conferences and creating close relationships with their mentors; indeed, 97% of these students are interested in pursuing a graduate education. Moreover, the majority of URMP student participants (85.7%) have reported that not only the research experience met or exceeded their expectations, but also they were very satisfied with the research experience. Conclusion: Through the URMP, unlike a traditional didactic class, students can benefit from experiential learning, incentives to participate, and a mentoring relationship without the added pressure of obtaining grades at the end of the term. Keywords: Mentorship, Research, Nursing, Undergraduate, Education

BACKGROUND: Substance use among adolescents remains a major public health concern, which is correlated with mortality. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to (1) examine risk factors predisposing adolescents to substance use and (2) identify patterns of simultaneous drug exploration among adolescents. METHOD: Data ( N = 15,624; collected in 2015) were drawn from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is a national school-based survey of 9th- to 12th-grade students to monitor health risk behaviors. Substance use was assessed using self-reported questionnaires, and latent class analysis and logistic regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Five latent patterns of substance use were identified: (1) abstinent (64%); (2) 1st-step social experimenter (25%) (i.e., used alcohol, e-cigarettes, and/or marijuana); (3) 2nd-step social experimenter (6%) (i.e., used alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and/or prescription pills); (4) pill experimenter (4%), (i.e., used prescription pills); (5) full experimenter (2%) (i.e., likely to use all assessed substances). Gender, race, grade, and depressive mood were strong predictors of membership in a particular substance use class. CONCLUSION: Adolescents presenting for care may possess symptoms associated with various substances beyond those being managed. Mental health nurses can leverage these results in reducing adolescent substance use through primary and secondary prevention. A longitudinal study of not only substance use patterns but also the progression to substance use disorders among adolescents is warranted.