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Background: Crime imposes significant costs and negative consequences to people and society globally. Understanding the cost of crime is important to conduct economic evaluations of existing crime prevention interventions and to allocate resources by prioritizing crime prevention efforts relative to the severity of the crime category. Aim: The aim of this review is to systematically search the literature to select and review all existing and relevant studies that have estimated the cost of crime. Methods: In December 2013, fifteen databases were systematically searched for published studies and grey literature. We included studies that estimated the costs of crime of adult offenders. Due to high heterogeneity, results were synthesised descriptively. Results: 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, of these 14 studies estimated the societal cost of crime, six studies focused on victim costs, and one study calculated the costs imposed by ‘career’ offenders. There was considerable variance in the estimated total costs of crime and studies from the United States consistently reported the highest total costs. Different crime categories were used to estimate the total cost of crime but all the studies consistently included robbery and burglary in the total cost estimate. Homicide was ranked as the most costly offence, followed by drug offence, fraud, sexual assault, assault, and serious traffic offence. Crime categories that involved any violence to a person were consistently associated with large intangible costs. Conclusions: This systematic review found several studies that estimated the cost of crime spread across different developed countries. However, we found large variance in the total cost estimate between studies. While it is difficult to precisely determine what caused this variance, we think that it could be due to changes in unit costs, underreporting of crime, changes in crime trends, inconsistent definitions of crime categories, and variations in the methods used to estimate costs. The findings from this systematic review highlight the need for more up-to-date studies with better reporting standards.

Background Incorporating faith (religious or spiritual) perspectives into psychological treatments has attracted significant interest in recent years. However, previous suggestion that good psychiatric care should include spiritual components has provoked controversy. To try to address ongoing uncertainty in this field we present a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of faith-based adaptations of bona fide psychological therapies for depression or anxiety. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials were performed. Results The literature search yielded 2274 citations of which 16 studies were eligible for inclusion. All studies used cognitive or cognitive behavioural models as the basis for their faith-adapted treatment (F-CBT). We identified statistically significant benefits of using F-CBT. However, quality assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias tool revealed methodological limitations that reduce the apparent strength of these findings. Limitations Whilst the effect sizes identified here were statistically significant, there were relatively a few relevant RCTs available, and those included were typically small and susceptible to significant biases. Biases associated with researcher or therapist allegiance were identified as a particular concern. Conclusions Despite some suggestion that faith-adapted CBT may out-perform both standard CBT and control conditions (waiting list or “treatment as usual”), the effect sizes identified in this meta-analysis must be considered in the light of the substantial methodological limitations that affect the primary research data. Before firm recommendations about the value of faith-adapted treatments can be made, further large-scale, rigorously performed trials are required.

Objective To determine the optimal databases to search for studies of faith-sensitive interventions for treating depression. Study Design and Setting We examined 23 health, social science, religious, and grey literature databases searched for an evidence synthesis. Databases were prioritized by yield of (1) search results, (2) potentially relevant references identified during screening, (3) included references contained in the synthesis, and (4) included references that were available in the database. We assessed the impact of databases beyond MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO by their ability to supply studies identifying new themes and issues. We identified pragmatic workload factors that influence database selection. Results PsycINFO was the best performing database within all priority lists. ArabPsyNet, CINAHL, Dissertations and Theses, EMBASE, Global Health, Health Management Information Consortium, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts were essential for our searches to retrieve the included references. Citation tracking activities and the personal library of one of the research teams made significant contributions of unique, relevant references. Religion studies databases (Am Theo Lib Assoc, FRANCIS) did not provide unique, relevant references. Conclusion Literature searches for reviews and evidence syntheses of religion and health studies should include social science, grey literature, non-Western databases, personal libraries, and citation tracking activities.

Smallpox is viewed as the most likely agent to be used as a biological weapon. Smallpox is very infectious; it is spread by droplet infection, causes a painful and disabling febrile disease, has no specific therapy, has a high incidence of complications, has a high fatality rate, and the population is at high risk since it has been over 30 years since routine vaccination was discontinued. The reinstitution of smallpox vaccination requires a change in the education of health care workers educated in the postvaccination era. Infant and child care-providers must be knowledgeable about smallpox and the potential complications from smallpox vaccination. This article will review the etiology, history, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, public health containment concerns, smallpox prevention, current vaccination policies, and complications of vaccination.

Skin is the most accessible body organ system; much information about a newborn or infant comes directly or indirectly through measurement of changes in various skin properties. Little time is devoted to the study and understanding of the skin in nursing education. Since the nurse is primarily responsible for care of the newborn or infant’s skin, increased knowledge of the skin can lead to improved methods to care for and prevent injury of the skin and to suggest areas in which further study of the skin is necessary. Skin perfusion is dynamic, influenced by many factors, such as temperature, activity, and metabolic changes. Skin perfusion is easy to measure through noninvasive techniques and could be used by nurses as a clinical assessment tool and basis for nursing research. To use this technique, nurses must first have a broad understanding of normal skin microcirculation and its responses to changes in environment.

Neonatal bacterial infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality despite improved survival of premature newborns, better understanding of the pathophysiology of sepsis, advances in supportive care, and more potent antibacterial agents. Early recognition and implementation of appropriate therapy offers the best outcome, and careful assessment of the newborn is essential. Current methods to detect signs of sepsis and to identify the causative microorganism are not 100% sensitive and precise. Continued research on other indicators may yield better diagnostic methods and therapy in the future. Research is necessary to identify the most sensitive markers for diagnosis of sepsis and methods of immune enhancement that are safe and effective.

Objective To test the effectiveness of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for neonatal skin care on selected clinical outcomes for newborns in neonatal intensive-care units (NICU), special-care units (SCU), and well-baby nurseries. Design Prospective evaluation of the collaborative neonatal skin care research-based practice project of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. Setting NICU and well-baby units in 51 hospitals located throughout the United States. Participants Member site coordinators (N = 51) and the neonates (N = 2,820) observed during both the pre-and post implementation phases of the project. Method Site coordinators received specialized education in neonatal skin care and implemented an evidence-based clinical practice guideline addressing 10 aspects of neonatal skin care. Baseline observations of skin condition, care practices, and environment of newly admitted neonates were collected by site coordinators. Postimplementation observations were then completed. Main Outcome Measures Skin condition was assessed with the Neonatal Skin Condition Score (NSCS), which ranges from a score of three (best condition) to a score of nine (worst condition), based on dryness, erythema, and skin breakdown. Changes in frequency of selected skin care practices were used to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of using the practice guideline in everyday clinical practice. Aspects of the care environment with potential effect on skin integrity were monitored to determine risk factors. Results Fifty-one site coordinators made 11,468 systematic assessments of 2,464 NICU and SCU newborns and 356 well newborns. Baseline skin scores were better in well newborns compared with premature newborns. After implementation of the guideline, skin condition was improved, as reflected by less visible dryness, redness, and skin breakdown in both the NICU/SCU and well newborns. The guideline was integrated into care, as evidenced by increased use of emollients, particularly with premature infants, and decreased frequency of bathing. A relationship was shown between selected aspects of the environment and alterations in skin integrity. Conclusions Use of the AWHONN/NANN Neonatal Skin Care Research-Based Clinical Practice Guideline was successfully implemented at 51 sites, and effectiveness was demonstrated by changed care practices and improved skin condition in premature and full-term newborns. The results of this project support a wider dissemination of the project's practice guideline for neonatal skin care.

Objective: To develop and evaluate an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for assessment and routine care of neonatal skin, educate nurses about the scientific basis for practices recommended in the guideline, and design procedures that facilitate implementation of the project guideline into clinical practice. Design: Descriptive report of the collaborative neonatal skin care research-based practice project of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. Setting: Neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU) and special-care nurseries and well-baby nurseries in 51 hospitals located throughout the United States. Participants: Member site coordinators (N = 51), nurses who work at the selected sites, and the neonates observed during both the pre-and postimplementation phases of the project (N = 2,820). Method: An evidence-based clinical practice guideline was developed, sites were selected from all respondents of the call for sites, site coordinator training was provided, data collection was facilitated by project-specific data collection tools, and the project was evaluated by the science team. Main Outcome Measures: Diversity and numbers of sites represented, patient representation, site coordinator knowledge of neonatal skin care pre-and postimplementation, use of project-designed implementation tools, satisfaction with project guideline and the data collection process, changes in practices and product use, and site coordinators’ experiences during guideline implementation. Results: Fifty-one sites completed the project, representing NICU, special-care, and well-baby nurseries in both academic and community hospital settings in 27 states. Registered nurses working in these sites totaled 4,754 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) (in NICU/special-care and well-baby nurseries). Site coordinators demonstrated increased knowledge of research-based neonatal skin care and satisfaction with the implementation tools and data collection process. Product use changed, reflecting acquisition of new knowledge. Barriers to implementation of the guideline were identified. Conclusions: The AWHONN/NANN Neonatal Skin Care Research-Based Practice Project demonstrated increased knowledge among site coordinators who received training, facilitated changes in neonatal skin care as defined by the practice guideline, and thus advanced evidence-based clinical practice. JOCNN, 30, 30–40; 2001.

Human skin holds much fascination for the average person. It is the first thing that is noticed about a person. From a neonatal perspective it is a dynamic interface with the surrounding environment and provides the surface for our nursing interventions. This article will discuss this dynamic interface and why it provides a good scientific basis for neonatal nursing care.