The Development and Testing of a Perinatal Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors Survey

Background and Purpose: Accurate assessment of tobacco use in pregnant smokers is key to effective nursing intervention. There is a lack of valid and reliable tools easily integrated into prenatal care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and test a perinatal survey, guided by the Health Promotion Model (HPM). Methods: The survey was tested with 107 pregnant women via iPad. Urine cotinine assays and a process evaluation were conducted. Results: Reliability yielded a Cronbach's alpha of .873 for the ever-smoker sample and .835 for the total sample. Factors dovetailed with HPM constructs. Conclusions: Perinatal Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors Survey (PTABS) exhibits high reliability and validity and is easily utilized. Updates need to include questions on all nicotine products and to be streamlined. With accurate identification of nicotine users nurses can provide targeted interventions early in pregnancy.

A Concept Analysis of Dependence Using Rodgers' Evolutionary Method

The concept of dependence covers a broad range of experiences. Many health-related professions, including nursing, use the concept in the context of substance use and addiction; however, the use of the concept is often confusing and lacks distinct boundaries. Researchers and theorists in nursing require conceptual clarification and definition because it helps ensure effective theory development and operationalization of the concept as a research variable. A concept analysis using Rodgers' Evolutionary Method is presented, resulting in a revised definition of dependence, as it relates to substance use disorders and addiction. This analysis and resultant definition are timely to the nation's opioid use disorder epidemic. Surrogate terms, related concepts, attributes, assumptions, consequences, and a model case of dependence support the assertion for a change in terminology and culminate with clarification of a new definition for use in nursing.