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

Abstract: Highlights how women challenged the concept of 'medicalised mothering' during the period 1945-2000, and how these views affected the development of the Well Child/Tamariki Ora Health book, or Plunket book. Analyses how the language of the book reflects tensions between competing discourses and knowledge sources among mothers and health professionals.

Abstract: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of horizontal violence, or bullying, experienced by nurses in their first year of practice; to describe the characteristics of the most distressing incidents experienced; to determine the consequences, and measure the psychological impact, of such events; and to determine the adequacy of training received to manage horizontal violence. An anonymous survey was mailed to 1169 nurses in New Zealand who had registered in the year prior to November 2000 with a response rate of 47%. Many new graduates experienced horizontal violence across all clinical settings. Absenteeism from work, the high number of respondents who considered leaving nursing, and scores on the Impact of Event Scale all indicated the serious impact of interpersonal conflict. Nearly half of the events described were not reported, only 12% of those who described a distressing incident received formal debriefing, and the majority of respondents had no training to manage the behaviour.

Abstract: The Primary Health Care Strategy (PHCS) has a stated commitment to defined populations who suffer disproportionately from ill health. This thesis examines whether some prevailing discourses actually decrease the focus on health inequalities. A study of the nursing and medical media found that it focused predominantly on professional and industrial issues, leaving health workers focused mainly on their own professional interests, rather than considering the effects on health inequalities. She goes on to suggest that current Ministry of Health discourse values decentralised community health decision making. This may gloss over factors in community health which are affected by Government policy such as employment policy, and thus should be dealt with centrally by legislation. These factors have been found to be the most pertinent in health inequalities. So while models of community partnerships may seem to place communities as agents in their own health, this downplays the determinants of health which are beyond their control. Having shown that discourse can decrease the focus on health inequalities due to other professional and political drivers, the author then looked at health initiative concepts which are effective, efficient and equitable given the current set up of PHOs and nursing innovations.

Abstract: Describes an exploratory study of Registered Nurses (RNs) within a local District Health Board which pursued the question of 'if' and 'how' professional practice frameworks assisted nurses in their individual professional practice, specifically self-assessment and performance appraisal. Utilises a qualitative descriptive framework to explore the experiences of RNs in inpatient settings, via questionnaire. Identifies 8 themes related to self-assessment, performance appraisal, and professional practice.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate what attitudes do District Nurses have towards people with AIDS and what knowledge do they have of AIDS. It is hoped that the results will help indicate the direction of future inservice education.102 District Nurses were given a questionnaire that examined knowledge and attitudes, using both Yes/No responses, and a five point likert scale.The results show that there is a relationship between knowledge and attitudes (p=3.8%). Attitudes were generally more positive than knowledge. The study indicated that attitudes deteriorated with increasing age whereas they improved with increasing experience. For those who claimed to have had little or no education the study showed a relationship between lower knowledge and poorer attitudes. The study showed that further education is needed in areas such as: transmission of HIV, care involved for people with AIDS, resources available and the issues surrounding this disease

Abstract: Changes within the New Zealand health system have led to an emphasis on primary health care. The New Zealand government and the Southland District Health Board have identified that nurses can make significant contribution to improving the primary health outcomes for New Zealanders. However, within Southland there exist barriers to nurses influencing health outcomes. A Southland draft Primary Health Care Nursing Strategic Plan 2005 recommended that the employment of a primary health care nursing leader would reduce these barriers and lead to a comprehensive primary health care nursing service. This dissertation argues, using literature, that the employment of a transformative nursing leader, using a facilitative style, would implement changes that would develop a community responsive nursing service, establish a primary health care educational structure and ensure quality nursing care. Successful implementation would occur as the leader facilitates experiential learning within groups and with individuals to review current experiences and implement transformative primary health care nursing changes that improves health for all. The dissertation introduces the background to the changing primary health care environment in New Zealand and to the Southland current situation in chapter one. Chapter two describes the unique features of transformative leadership style and how it is applies to nursing and specifically to Southland's changing primary health care environment. The chapter specifically emphasises the role of and the art of facilitation which is a critical transformative leadership process. Chapter three describes the process of the experiential learning cycle, which the author argues will improve health outcomes, when used by the transformative leader to enable nurses to learn from their experiences and make nursing changes that improve health care. Chapter four addresses the dissertation question by describing how transformative leadership will facilitate the experiential learning process to Southlanders and improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and increase accessibility through a comprehensive primary health care nursing service.

Abstract: Notes the lack of evidence-based guidance for use of humour by nurses. Uses a qualitative descriptive methodology to explore how surgical nurses determine when and how to employ humour with patients. Enrols 9 RNs working in a surgical ward within a tertiary hospital in semi-strutured interviews to discuss how they assess patient receptiveness, build connections with patients and protect their vulnerability.