Abstract: Discourse about women assuming greater control over their childbirth experience has received much attention in contemporary childbirth and womens' studies publications. Research in the domain of childbirth has shown that a sense of control over one's birth experience is related to childbirth satisfaction. More specifically, studies have used Locus of Control measures and have found a significant relationship exists between expectations for control and choice of birth place. Choice of birth place features in some articles as a factor that determines the degree to which control can be exercised. Home, as a place of birth, is considered a setting in which a woman can have optimum control over her experience. Many women are discouraged from taking up this option, based on fears about safety. Reflection on why women continue to pursue a home birth against the wishes of their care giver rekindled and interest in Locus of Control. This study was undertaken to explore the relationship between urban women's choice of birth place setting and their scores on two different measures of Locus of Control (LOC). The aims of the study were: to test whether LOC scores predict choice of birth place for women who chose hospital, home or a birthing centre as their place of birth; to test which of the two LOC scales (Levenson's generalised measure or Wallston et al's more specific scale) is the most useful in predicting the influence of LOC and choice of birth place and to explore the relationship between choice of birth place LOC, demographic and contextual factors surrounding pregnancy. The method used in the study was a descriptive correlational design. One hundred and ninety four pregnant urban women who accessed a range of maternity care providers in the greater Auckland , Wellington , Christchurch and Dunedin cities responded to a “Birth Choice Survey” between April and June 1996. Tests of significance found significant differences for powerful others and chance Locus of Control among the three groups of women who chose hospital, home or a birthing center as a place of birth. Differences were significant at p = 0.05. No significant differences were ffound in the scores for internal Locus of Control for women in the three groups. Limitations in the sample sixe prevented linear discrimination being successful in predicting the influence and choice of LOC variables and choice of birth place for both scales. A classification tree was employed to identify key variables which might affect choice of birth place and indicated that women who were extremely happy with their birth place choice were more likely to be those who chose home birth. Locus of Control measures are interesting, and if used specifically, may be helpful in relation to understanding a women's choice of birth place. However general assessment of the contextual factors appears just as relevant. Implications of this study are the while women may differ in how they perceive their outcomes are determined, an overwhelming majority of women who participated in this study value their ability to make choices about their birth location. Identifying consumer perceptions about control and the contextual factors that influence women's choice of their birth place has the potential to clarify women's preferences for responsibility in their birth experience. Limitations of the study were addressed and included suggestions to improve response rates and thus generalizability of findings. Implications for further research were also considered

Abstract: Otago women who had been treated for breast cancer were asked by questionnaire about patterns of arm swelling post treatment. Almost one third indicated they had had swelling at some time. Few had received preventive advice or what to do should arm swelling occur

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to research the reasons for the dissatisfaction experienced by ten professional nurse-practitioners who chose to leave nursing to join the professions of law or medicine. The mnotivation for professional nurses to chose entry to these particular professions may in some way throw light upon the difficulties being experienced in attempts to bring about changes of an emancipatory nature in the nursing profession (Habermas, 1974). The approach for the study is hermeneutic phenomenology (Gadamer, 1975 – ; Heidegger, 1962)

Abstract: The study reconceptualises the process of nursing practice where health is expanding consciousness. The praxis methodology and design derive from the findings of the previous study (Litchfield, 1993) through which a framework for personal practice was articulated. The philosophical premises were hermeneutic and dialogic reflecting a narrative orientation within a participatory paradigm. Ontology and epistemology merge and language is fundamental. The findings from this subsequent study depict the process of modeling practice as a tetrahedron to show inter-relatedness of four facets, each defined completely by the others: partnership, dialogue, pattern recognition and health as dialectic. Five young families with complex health circumstances were preferred by Plunket Nurses and visited at hole to talk about health and the family. Th e process of health patterning ended with indication of insight as the potential for action; the partnership ended as the closure of the initial contract to provide a summary text to the family. Transformative change in family living was identified. The continuous analysis of the scripts of the evolving conversations and summary text showed the relational, dialogic processes were identified as vision – finding purpose to act in the here-and-now against the backdrop of past and potential of the future; and community – a sense of being connected, participant and relevant in society. This process of research, as if practice, presented health and caring as synonymous and core of the discipline of nursing

Abstract: This action research study explores the experiences of 'patient education' from the perspective of a group comprising two nurses, two people with asthma, and the researcher who is a nurse who has asthma. The method used is emancipatory action research (Grundy, 1990) with critical social theory and feminism as theoretical underpinnings.The focus moves from patient education to a broader view of living and working with asthma. The story of the group is presented in the format of a play. A play within the play tells of living and working with asthma.An action research spiral is formed which reflects the way the group moves through the three modes of action research described by Grundy (1990). The acts of the play represent each of the stages of the action research process. The emphasis moves from power and control through to practice wisdom.The main issues explored are: the nature of patient education by nurses; the implications this has for relationships with patients and nursing education; power and control in the secondary setting; the lived experience of chronic illness and the practice wisdom of nurses and people with asthma. The work concludes with recommendations for change in each of these areas based on the work of the group

Abstract: This paper outlines a phenomenological study carried out to explore the experience of nausea, vomiting and retching associated with pregnancy. These phenomena lack Nursing research and are debilitating symptoms which effect the quality of life for 50-75% of all pregnant women. Madjar ( 1991) indicates that the communication of such experiences can deepen our understanding of human life and coping. It is importance for Nurses to develop an understanding of lived experiences so that they can make more effective interventions. This study explores the essential humanness of life experiences as they are for those who live them. It involved collecting data from those experiencing the phenomena and analysing it. It focuses on the study of phenomena not as separate entities in themselves but as they are perceived as they are experienced. A 'purposeful sample' was required for this study. The aim was to include women who had direct knowledge of the phenomena of nausea, vomiting and retching associated with pregnancy. The study involved in depth interviewing of six women, the interviews were taped and independently transcribed, the transcripts were analysed to determine the meaning of the experience and to identify common themes. The experiences of the women are discussed in relation to what van Manen (1990) describes as four main life world existentials; the lived body, the lived other, lived space and lived time

Abstract: This research aims to illuminate the reality of health and health maintenance as four postmenopausal women understand and experience it. The research employs feminist methodology, informed by postmodern feminist writers, in order to allow maximum flexibility and to be congruent with supporting the exploratory nature of the research. The women in the study self-nominated as postmenopausal, and functioned equally as co-researchers with the researcher in a focus group which met twice for one-hour audiotaped interviews. The resultant combined statement on health was produced after thematic analysis of the data and individual reflection, and represents the values these women hold, that health is largely attitudinal.“Health is not what happens to you physically, emotionally or mentally, but how you deal with it.”It is notable that the women did not mention nurses as having a role in their health maintenance, nor were other health professionals considered to be essential. As well, hormone replacement therapy – a common theme in women's conversation and lay women's literature – was not mentioned as being an integral to the women's health maintenance. The methodological approach means that the research in non-generalisable. However the findings may add to existing knowledge about prevailing health concerns of postmenopausal women, may enhance the discourse, and may identify the need for further research

Abstract: This study investigated the degree of compliance and reasons for non-compliance with chemoprophylactic Rifampicin medication among 103 close contacts of memingococcal disease in the greater Auckland region during the period July to September 1996. The study showed a high degree of compliance among close contacts, with 96.1% taking Rifampicin as prescribed. Reasons for compliance were related to the contacts ' perceptions of susceptibility to the illness, the severity of the disease, and the benefits of medical intervention. The contacts found the service provided by the public health staff ws sufficient, and the information provided was valuable