Scholarship & Research
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Item Breast and cervical health awareness project : dissemination of information to older rural women(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 1997) Grossman, Linda Lee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Kathleen ChafeyItem A study of the factors that may affect the leisure time of rural homemakers in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 1930) Kuschke, Blanche MetheneyItem Health perceptions, needs, and behaviors of remote rural women of childbearing and childrearing age(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2002) Bales, Ronda LynnItem Relationship of health belief model, knowledge of breast cancer, and sociodemographic variables to breast self-examination in rural women(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 1988) Gray, Mary EllenItem Coronary heart disease knowledge, health promoting behaviors and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise and healthy eating in Montana females(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2014) Baldwin, Sadie Ann Schwenk; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dale MayerThe purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of rural women's knowledge of coronary heart disease risk factors, current health promoting behaviors, and perceived barriers and benefits to health promoting behaviors. The research questions posed were: What is the coronary heart disease knowldge of women living in rural areas; are women in a rural western state engaged in health promoting behaviors; and what benefits and barriers to health promoting behaviors do rural women perceive related to diet and exercise? The Health Promotion Model served as the guiding framework for this study. This descriptive study utilized a non-random convenience sample of women living in non-metropolitan or non-core counties in Northwest Montana seeking healthcare at one of four designated clinics. Inclusion criteria included female gender, age 21-55 years olds, premenopausal status, ability to read and write English, and residence within a designated non-metropolitan county. The following instruments were used to collect data: Coronary Heart Disease Knowledge Tool for Women, Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale, and Healthy Eating Benefits and Barriers Scale. The sample (n = 25) population was predominantly white and non-Hispanic. The average Coronary Heart Disease Knowledge Test for Women score was 71% with a range of scores from 40%-80%. Health promoting behaviors were ranked in the following order from most to least practiced: interpersonal relations, spiritual growth, nutrition, stress management, physical activity, and health responsibility. The sample perceived moderately high benefits to exercise and healthy eating and moderately low barriers to exercise and healthy eating. Findings from this study support a need for healthcare providers to discuss heart disease risk factors with their premenopausal clients and to encourage participation in health promoting behaviors, especially those ranked lowest, physical activity and health responsibility. Research is needed with a larger population to better understand the relationship between heart disease knowledge, health promoting behaviors, and perceived barriers and benefits to healthy eating and exercise in rural dwelling women.Item Midwives in Montana : historically informed political activism(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2013) Hill, Jennifer Janna; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mary MurphyStates contiguous to Montana legalized direct-entry midwifery only in the 21st century, while the Montana legislature exempted lay midwives from the Medical Practice Act during the 1989 legislative session and approved a licensing protocol for Certified Professional Midwives in 1991. Midwives in Montana examines the historical context of the legalization of midwifery in Montana and identifies significant individuals, groups, and events in the confrontation over home birth in the state. Based on oral histories of legislative participants and drawn from primary and secondary source materials held by individuals and institutions throughout the state, this research compiles scattered documentary evidence to present the history of Montana midwives from territorial days through the legislative events of 1989 and 1991. The efforts of midwifery supporters in the Montana legislature prevailed over organized and well-funded opposition from individual physicians, medical organizations, and hospitals, and resulted in statutory changes that enabled the licensing of homebirth midwives. With a strong rural representation, the 1989 legislative body supported the availability of midwifery care for constituents unable to access urban medical centers. The lobbying strategy employed by midwifery advocates embodied a sophisticated understanding of the conflict between midwives and institutionalized medicine and utilized beliefs about gender and Montana identity to enable legislative success. Additionally, the individuals most closely involved in the lobbying process remained committed to a clearly defined agenda. As a result of their efforts, Montana became the ninth state in the nation to legalize and license homebirth midwives and remains a national leader in homebirth midwifery care.Item Loneliness as experienced by women living with chronic illness in rural areas(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2008) Marcille, Lisa Ann; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Clarann Weinert; Elizabeth S. Kinion (co-chair)Chronic illness is often accompanied by multiple life altering challenges for individuals especially those living in rural locations. Rural dwellers generally do not have readily accessible healthcare resources; as a result, there is a risk for poor heath related outcomes. Loneliness is one such outcome. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the existing body of knowledge related to loneliness as experienced by women living with chronic illnesses in rural areas. This was accomplished by identifying and exploring factors related to loneliness. The aims of this study were to: (a) to describe the levels of loneliness, depression, stress, and social support for a group of rural women with a chronic illness; (b) identify the factors associated with loneliness; and (c) explore participants' shared conversations to gain further insight into the rural chronically-ill woman's experience of loneliness. This study was conducted as a secondary analysis of data previously collected by the Women to Women (WTW) research team at Montana State University. The WTW study provided rural women with chronic illnesses computer training and support through an online forum. The data for the secondary analysis were generated by 57 women. The key concepts were: loneliness, depression, stress, and social support. Age, education, degree of rurality, employment status, and length of chronic illness were the demographic characteristics of interest. Degree of rurality was assigned using the MSU Rurality Index. These characteristics and the key concepts were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analytic techniques. Content analysis was the method used to analyze the women's conversations in the online forum. The data were obtained from 12 women who were identified as the most vulnerable to loneliness. Three categories were defined using this method: longing for loved ones, "listening" from the background, and changing relationships. Results of this study supported previous researchers' findings of correlations between loneliness and depression, social support and stress. There was no significant relationship between loneliness and degree of rurality; however, length of chronic illness was significant. Level of education was identified as an area of interest for further nursing research.Item A descriptive study of rural women's health literacy about vitamin D(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2011) Larson, Jennifer Lynn Doores; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: M. Jean Shreffler-GrantThe purpose of this study was to determine women's health literacy about vitamin D. Few studies address rural women's health literacy. As major health decision makers for their families, rural women have influence over the health of rural populations. Vitamin D deficiency is suggested to be associated with chronic diseases such as rickets, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis. Therefore, this study was designed to highlight the unique rural women's circumstance surrounding health literacy about vitamin D. Nola Pender's revised Health Promotion Model (HPM) framed this descriptive survey. The survey included a quiz about vitamin D facts, as well as information about vitamin D practices and selected factors outlined by the HPM. In this study, relationships were explored between vitamin D health literacy and rural women's perceived access to health care services, as well as, the HPM selected factors. A sample of 400 women was randomly selected for the mailed survey, yielding a response rate of 41.2% (n = 126). The results showed that the majority of the participants had (a) marginal health literacy about vitamin D, (b) took widely varying amounts of vitamin D, (c) and got their information about vitamin D from their primary care provider, their most trusted source, and (d) reported access to health care services as easy. No significant relationship between access to services and vitamin D health literacy was found. The relationship between vitamin D health literacy and self-efficacy for health promotion was the only factor that showed significance. The study has implications for additional research about the relationship between self-efficacy for health promotion and health literacy of rural women. Additionally, research into rural women's relationships with their primary health care providers, may, in turn, improve rural women's health literacy. Implications for nurses include the importance of (a) obtaining histories about vitamin supplement dosages, (b) providing education about vitamin D; (c) addressing vitamin D and cardiovascular health, (d) and addressing rural women's health literacy needs verbally and through appropriately written material.Item Perceived health status of farm/ranch women(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2011) Todorovich, Nicole Lynn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Clarann WeinertFarming and ranching can be a very rewarding lifestyle but can also be detrimental to the health of those who work in the industry. A wealth of research exists on the risks of agricultural work, yet there is little on the actual health status of farmers and ranchers, especially women. This study was a secondary analysis of data generated from a post-intervention survey of rural women with chronic illnesses who participated in the Women to Women (WTW) computer-based project at Montana State University during the past decade. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the body of research about the health status of farm/ranch women living with chronic illness. The aims were to: (a) critically examine the literature regarding farm/ranch women's health; (b) describe the self-reported health of a group of farm/ranch women living with chronic illness; and (c) compare the health status of farm/ranch women with the health status of non-farm/ranch women. Data were collected using a paper and pencil questionnaire, developed to assess perceived general health status, health as it relates to chronic illness, and health problems related to farm/ranch living and work. All participants answered questions related to perceived health status, and from those questions, two scales were developed. The farm/ranch women also completed questions specifically related to illness or injury more common among farmers and ranchers. Results of this study were similar to previous research findings that farm/ranch women have a positive perception about their health status and, in addition to their chronic illness, some had illnesses or injuries related to living and or working on a farm or ranch. Few of these women however, attributed their health problems to the farm or ranch life. Little difference was found in the results of the health status of farm/ranch women when compared with that of non-farm/ranch women.Item Fish eating behavior and stages of change in rural, low income, women of childbearing age(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2009) Heineman, Sara Christine; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Wade G. Hill; Laura S. Larsson (co-chair)Methyl Mercury (MeHg) is a known neurotoxin associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. The primary route of exposure of MeHg in humans is from consumption of contaminated fish. Although some disparities in exposure patterns have been identified, little is known about rural, low income, women of childbearing age and their fish eating behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between stages of behavioral change in fish eating behavior and self-reported consumption of fish among 106 rural low-income women of childbearing age. Results of the one-way ANOVA do not show a statistically significant difference in fish consumption within the sample based on stage of change. However, many of the participants of this study may be at risk for significant exposures to MeHg based on total fish consumption regardless of their decision to limit fish consumption. Further investigation is needed to determine types and sources of fish being consumed and fully understand exposure risks. Once risks are established, opportunities for prevention can be utilized to reduce impacts from MeHg exposures.