Papers by Berit Nordström
Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2006
The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument (SEEK) for the early detection of developm... more The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument (SEEK) for the early detection of developmental deficits and/or autistic spectrum disorders among children by the age of 8 months at eight child health care centers in southern Sweden. Health visitors, trained by the research team, screened 312 infants. SEEK captured 5 infants with several points. Twenty-one percent of the infants obtained at least one SEEK point. At the 18-month follow-up, 5 children still showed more obvious signs of developmental problems. The health visitors found SEEK to be very satisfactory and easy and quick to use and its items and questions to be easy to administer. The results have indicated a new systematic methodology to examine infants, which is to be further developed.
Nursing research and practice, 2010
In order to measure actual care needs in relation to resources required to fulfill these needs, a... more In order to measure actual care needs in relation to resources required to fulfill these needs, an instrument (Time in Care) with which to evaluate care needs and determine the time needed for various care activities has been developed with the aim of assessing nursing intensity in municipal care for older people. Interreliability (ICC = 0.854) of time measurements (n = 10'546) of 32 nursing activities in relation to evaluated care levels in two nursing homes (staff n = 81) has been determined. Nursing intensity for both periods at the two nursing homes comprised on average a direct care time of 75 (45%) and 101 (42%) minutes, respectively. Work time was measured according to actual schedule (462 hours per nursing home during two weeks). Given that the need for care was high, one must further investigate if the quality of care the recipients received was sufficiently addressed.
BMC geriatrics, 2006
Almost every country in the Western world has great difficulties allocating enough financial reso... more Almost every country in the Western world has great difficulties allocating enough financial resources to meet the needs in the care of the increasing elderly population. The main problem is common to all countries and concerns the efforts to meet elderly persons' needs on an individual level while still maintaining society's responsibility for distributing justice. The aim of this study is to elaborate an instrument for measuring the quality of individual care and staff's working time in order to allocate public resources fairly. The present study gives an account of a new classification system named TiC (Time in Care), indicating how it can be used most effectively and also investigating the validity and reliability of the system. All recipients in 13 sheltered homes for elderly care (n = 505) in a Swedish municipality were surveyed regarding the care they needed, in dimensions of General Care, Medical Care, Cognitive Dysfunction and Rehabilitation, and the time requir...
BMC psychiatry, 2005
Prolyl Endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26), a cytosolic endopeptidase, hydrolyses peptide bonds on ... more Prolyl Endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26), a cytosolic endopeptidase, hydrolyses peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of proline residue in proteins with a relatively small molecular weight. It has been shown that altered PEP activity is associated with various psychological diseases such as schizophrenia, mania and depression. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neuropsychiatric and behavioural syndromes affecting social behaviours and communication development. They are classified as developmental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that PEP activity is also associated with ASDs. Fluorometric assay was used to measure PEP activity in EDTA plasma in children with ASD (n = 18) aged 4-12 years (mean +/- SD: 7.9 +/- 2.5). These results were then compared to PEP activity in a control group of non-ASD children (n = 15) aged 2-10 years (mean +/- SD: 6.4 +/- 2.2). An alteration in PEP activity was found in the children with ASD compared to the control group. Ther...
Autism research and treatment, 2012
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental and behavioural syndromes affecting socia... more Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental and behavioural syndromes affecting social orientation, behaviour, and communication that can be classified as developmental disorders. ASD is also associated with immune system abnormality. Immune system abnormalities may be caused partly by complement system factor I deficiency. Complement factor I is a serine protease present in human plasma that is involved in the degradation of complement protein C3b, which is a major opsonin of the complement system. Deficiency in factor I activity is associated with an increased incidence of infections in humans. In this paper, we show that the mean level of factor I activity in the ASD group is significantly higher than in the control group of typically developed and healthy children, suggesting that high activity of complement factor I might have an impact on the development of ASD.
Midwifery, 2006
to illuminate the experiences of women who have given birth at home. a descriptive design with a ... more to illuminate the experiences of women who have given birth at home. a descriptive design with a qualitative approach based on interviews with 12 women. The text was analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic method. giving birth at home meant preserved authority and autonomy whereby the women themselves ruled the situation. The women's experiences of giving birth at home can be divided into three themes, with internal variations viewed as sub-themes. The main themes were as follows: 'having faith in one's own competence'; 'choosing support on one's own terms'; and 'being at home'. The experience embraced an earthly dimension, represented by reliance on inherent natural forces, and an existential, spiritual dimension, represented by faith in life itself, expressed in terms of the sacredness of giving birth, a heavenly experience, and wisdom about life itself. the experience of giving birth at home seems to differ from findings of studies focusing on the experience of giving birth in hospital. A reasonable goal for maternity care in hospital could, however, be that all women should have the opportunity to give birth on their own terms in a supportive and calm environment, surrounded by people who can assist if needed.
Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 2006
The aim of this study was to describe young (under the age of 7) children's needs as expressed by... more The aim of this study was to describe young (under the age of 7) children's needs as expressed by their behavior, body language and verbal expression through observations during their initial hospitalization after being diagnosed with cancer. Twelve children under the age of seven were followed during 26 hours with nonparticipant unstructured observations. Field notes were written after each observation and transcribed into a narrative text, which was analyzed by content analysis at both manifest and latent level. Five themes were identified, of which "need to have the parent close by" was the most prominent. The other themes were "need to play and feel joy, " "need for participation in care and treatment, " "need for a good relationship with the staff, " and "need for physical and emotional satisfaction. " The results indicate that the children needed their parents and the parents'presence helped the children to express other needs. Professionals need to support the child and his or her parents so that the parents in their turn can support and alleviate their child's hospitalization and cancer treatment.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 2008
Keywords parents early fetal demise routine ultrasound ABSTRACT Objective: To conceptualize women... more Keywords parents early fetal demise routine ultrasound ABSTRACT Objective: To conceptualize women's and their partners' experiences and ways of handling the situation before, during, and after second trimester ultrasound examination with the diagnosis of a nonviable fetus.
European Journal of Cancer Care, 2011
The aim of the study was to illuminate the families' lived experience after completing a ... more The aim of the study was to illuminate the families' lived experience after completing a child's cancer treatment. The study took place at a University Hospital in southern Sweden. Interviews were carried out with 10 mothers, eight fathers, four patients and two siblings from a total of 10 families. The interviews were analysed with a hermeneutical phenomenological approach. One essential theme emerged from their stories, 'returning to a changed ordinary life--incorporating a trying and contradictory experience'. The families felt relieved that the treatment was over yet they experienced strains in their daily life. Family members felt changed and especially the parents needed to focus on themselves in order to recover. Closeness with other people, especially their own family, was important. The previously sick children felt a loss of concern from their parents when treatment had ended, in contrast to siblings who experienced increased attention from their parents. Parents experienced being in uncharted territory and sometimes missed the security of hospital. For professionals it is important to offer the family a structured follow-up to help them in their daily life after the child's treatment is completed.
BMC Geriatrics, 2008
Aging entails not only a decrease in the ability to be active, but also a trend toward increased ... more Aging entails not only a decrease in the ability to be active, but also a trend toward increased dependence to sustain basic life functions. An important aspect for appropriately elucidating the individual's care needs is the ability to measure them both simply and reliably. Since 2006 a new version of the Time in Care needs (TIC-n) instrument (19-item version) has been explored and used in one additional municipality with the same structure as the one described in an earlier study.
Autism, 2006
Some children with autism and learning disabilities also have aberrant behaviours that are diffic... more Some children with autism and learning disabilities also have aberrant behaviours that are difficult to regulate and stressful for both the child and family members. This case study concerns experiences of 10 parents from five families before and 2 years after entrusting their 10- to 11-year-old child with autism to a group home. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of narrative interviews with the parents before the child's moving showed them experiencing grief and sorrow, total exhaustion because of inability to regulate their child's behaviours, social isolation, and negative effects on the child's siblings, but experiencing themselves as more sympathetic than previously towards other people with problems. Two years later they experienced relief for the family due to the group home arrangement and the child's improvement, but with an ethical dilemma which made them feel guilty, despite increased hope for the future. Some also felt unhappy with the staff situation at the group home.
Early Child Development and Care, 2015
Screening studies of a population in primary health care are sparsely reported. The aim was to de... more Screening studies of a population in primary health care are sparsely reported. The aim was to describe observed atypical behaviours that may be associated with autism spectrum conditions, in a population (n = 4329) of infants at eight months. Observations were performed by paediatric nurses. An observational instrument, named SEEK developed for child health care, was used focusing on social interaction, communication, motor skills, and an interview with parents. The analysis contains descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and a logistic regression model (cut-point 8 SEEK points). Infants scoring 8 points or more were observed a second time by psychologists and judged to be in the risk zone for atypical development. Delayed reaction to stimuli and preverbal language development were significant atypical behaviours together with deficits in communication skills, the latter more often among boys than girls. However, 7% scored 4 points or more indicating minor developmental problems. Catching early signs are crucial for both proactive care and intervention.
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Papers by Berit Nordström