How Can the Empowerment Role of Public Health Nurses (PHNs) Be Fostered? A Review of an Exploratory Research Study Conducted in Ireland and Current Evidence

This study describes shelter operations by public health nurses (PHNs) in Kesennuma City, located near the epicenter of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011. The data were semi-structured interviews with 10 PHNs, 2 nutritionists, and 2 general administrators conducted from July 2013 to January 2014. All transcripts were analyzed using the constructivist grounded theory approach. We identified two operating methods for shelters: shelters stationed by PHNs in the Old City, and shelters patrolled by PHNs in the merged district. These methods were compared using four themes. In emergency situations, “operational periods,” a predetermined short term for a leader to perform his/her duties responsibly, could be adopted for relatively small organizations on the frontline. PHNs must not only attempt to operate shelters on their own but also encourage residents to manage the shelters as well. Moreover, human resource allocation should be managed independently of personal factors, as strong relationships between shelter residents would sometimes disturb the flexibility of the response. Even when a situation requires PHNs to stay in shelters, frequent collecting of information and updating the plan according to response progress will help to maintain effective shelter operations.

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Vitamin D testing and treatment: a narrative review of current evidence

Endocrine Connections ◽

10.1530/ec-18-0432 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. R27-R43 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Stefan Pilz ◽

Armin Zittermann ◽

Christian Trummer ◽

Verena Theiler-Schwetz ◽

Elisabeth Lerchbaum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Human Health ◽

Mineral Metabolism ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Scientific Debate ◽

Hydroxyvitamin D

Vitamin D testing and treatment is a subject of controversial scientific discussions, and it is challenging to navigate through the expanding vitamin D literature with heterogeneous and partially opposed opinions and recommendations. In this narrative review, we aim to provide an update on vitamin D guidelines and the current evidence on the role of vitamin D for human health with its subsequent implications for patient care and public health issues. Vitamin D is critical for bone and mineral metabolism, and it is established that vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets and osteomalacia. While many guidelines recommend target serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations of ≥50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL), the minimum consensus in the scientific community is that serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 25–30 nmol/L (10–12 ng/mL) must be prevented and treated. Using this latter threshold of serum 25(OH)D concentrations, it has been documented that there is a high worldwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency that may require public health actions such as vitamin D food fortification. On the other hand, there is also reason for concern that an exploding rate of vitamin D testing and supplementation increases costs and might potentially be harmful. In the scientific debate on vitamin D, we should consider that nutrient trials differ from drug trials and that apart from the opposed positions regarding indications for vitamin D treatment we still have to better characterize the precise role of vitamin D for human health.

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IMPROVING PUBLIC AWARENESS ON PERITONEAL DIALYSIS THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES: A DOCUMENT REVIEW

Jurnal Mitra Kesehatan ◽

10.47522/jmk.v1iiahsc.109 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (IAHSC) ◽

pp. 25-32

Author(s):

Ridha Afzal ◽

Syaifoel Hardy ◽

Isak Jurun Hans Tukayo ◽

Tri Yudha Sasmita

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Swot Analysis ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Public Health Nurses ◽

Public Health Services ◽

The Public ◽

Study Selection ◽

Document Review

Introduction: Lack of understanding of peritoneal dialysis could be the main cause of the low number of its users in Aceh. To increase its awareness, public health nurses have a crucial role in public health services. This article aims to analyze the factors that cause the community's lack of understanding of peritoneal dialysis and offer solutions by refining the role of public health nurses. Method: The study used a Document Review by SWOT Analysis with 2x2 matrix. The documents were extracted from Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Pubmed, and Semantic Scholar. The indicators and the inclusion criteria were respondent (public health nurses), research method (quantitative), year (from 2015 to 2020) and language (English and Indonesian). The keywords in the search were the roles of nurses in public health centers (Puskesmas), Aceh nurses, and peritoneal dialysis. Results: The study screened 28 documents in which 23 documents met the eligibility and 16 documents that met the study selection were reviewed. Conclusion: The study suggested that the Acehnese have the potential to develop the CAPD program through the Public Health Center (Puskesmas) nurses approach.

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