AIM:To explore the impact of fecal incontinence (FI) on quality of life (QOL) of patients attending urogynecology and colorectal clinics (CCs).METHODS:Cross-sectional study of 154 patients (27 male) with FI,who attend...AIM:To explore the impact of fecal incontinence (FI) on quality of life (QOL) of patients attending urogynecology and colorectal clinics (CCs).METHODS:Cross-sectional study of 154 patients (27 male) with FI,who attended the clinics at a regional hospital in North Queensland,Australia in 2003 and 2004,and completed the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL:1=very affected;4=not affected).RESULTS:More than 22% of patients had their QOL affected severely by FI.Patients reported that they had not previously been asked about FI by a medical practitioner nor did they voluntarily disclose its presence.The median FIQL scores for all participants were:lifestyle=3.24;coping=2.23;depression=2.42;and embarrassment=2.33.Increasing frequency of soiling had a negative effect on all four FIQL scales (P < 0.001) as did the quantity of soiling (P < 0.01).Female CC patients had poorer FIQL scores than urogynecology clinic patients for lifestyle (P=0.015),coping (P=0.004) and embarrassment (P=0.009),but not depression (P=0.062),despite having experienced FI for a shorter period.CONCLUSION:Failure to seek treatment for FI degrades the quality of patients' lives over time.FI assessment tools should incorporate the quantity of fecal loss.展开更多
Background: Previous studies have demonstrated inappropriate advice from health profes- sionals advocating therapeutic sun exposure during infancy and the post-partum period. This study examines the proportion of Aust...Background: Previous studies have demonstrated inappropriate advice from health profes- sionals advocating therapeutic sun exposure during infancy and the post-partum period. This study examines the proportion of Australian midwives and related hospital nursing staff who recommend therapeutic sun exposure during this period. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 363 Australian nurses (57.2% response) responsible for nursing post-partum women in 11 maternity hospitals in Queensland (QLD) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Results: Many nurses believed sun exposure was beneficial in treating: cracked nipples (QLD 41.3%, ACT 65.8%;p specified exposure time limits. Nursing staff from public hospitals in QLD, but not the ACT, were more likely than nurses from private hospitals to hold one or more such beliefs (p = 0.008). Approximately 40% of respondents thought people generally looked healthier with a suntan;79% of this group also held one or more risky beliefs about therapeutic sun exposure (p = 0.043). Conclusion: A high proportion of these nurses held risky beliefs about the beneficial uses of sunlight for post-partum women and their infants and made recommendations consistent with their beliefs. Professional education is needed to change the beliefs and practices of nursing staff about intentional sun exposure of women and their babies to reduce their long- term skin cancer risk, particularly as Australia has such a high prevalence of skin cancer.展开更多
基金Supported by A James Cook University Program Grant (2003) and A Cancer Council Queensland scholarship
文摘AIM:To explore the impact of fecal incontinence (FI) on quality of life (QOL) of patients attending urogynecology and colorectal clinics (CCs).METHODS:Cross-sectional study of 154 patients (27 male) with FI,who attended the clinics at a regional hospital in North Queensland,Australia in 2003 and 2004,and completed the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL:1=very affected;4=not affected).RESULTS:More than 22% of patients had their QOL affected severely by FI.Patients reported that they had not previously been asked about FI by a medical practitioner nor did they voluntarily disclose its presence.The median FIQL scores for all participants were:lifestyle=3.24;coping=2.23;depression=2.42;and embarrassment=2.33.Increasing frequency of soiling had a negative effect on all four FIQL scales (P < 0.001) as did the quantity of soiling (P < 0.01).Female CC patients had poorer FIQL scores than urogynecology clinic patients for lifestyle (P=0.015),coping (P=0.004) and embarrassment (P=0.009),but not depression (P=0.062),despite having experienced FI for a shorter period.CONCLUSION:Failure to seek treatment for FI degrades the quality of patients' lives over time.FI assessment tools should incorporate the quantity of fecal loss.
文摘Background: Previous studies have demonstrated inappropriate advice from health profes- sionals advocating therapeutic sun exposure during infancy and the post-partum period. This study examines the proportion of Australian midwives and related hospital nursing staff who recommend therapeutic sun exposure during this period. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 363 Australian nurses (57.2% response) responsible for nursing post-partum women in 11 maternity hospitals in Queensland (QLD) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Results: Many nurses believed sun exposure was beneficial in treating: cracked nipples (QLD 41.3%, ACT 65.8%;p specified exposure time limits. Nursing staff from public hospitals in QLD, but not the ACT, were more likely than nurses from private hospitals to hold one or more such beliefs (p = 0.008). Approximately 40% of respondents thought people generally looked healthier with a suntan;79% of this group also held one or more risky beliefs about therapeutic sun exposure (p = 0.043). Conclusion: A high proportion of these nurses held risky beliefs about the beneficial uses of sunlight for post-partum women and their infants and made recommendations consistent with their beliefs. Professional education is needed to change the beliefs and practices of nursing staff about intentional sun exposure of women and their babies to reduce their long- term skin cancer risk, particularly as Australia has such a high prevalence of skin cancer.
