Introduction
Pregnancy rates among Latina girls of adolescent age are high, indicating risky sexual behavior for this population group. According to Keogh (2016), the decline in early teen pregnancy is made difficult by the racial disparity indicating that adolescent Latinas have high teen pregnancy compared to non-Latina adolescents. The earliest research on this area showed that 53% of Latinas in America became pregnant before age 20, and the number almost doubled in 2006 (Rocca et al., 2010). A recent CDC (2019) study shows that the rate of early teen pregnancy among Latinas is 25.3%, higher than the non-Hispanic White teens’ record of 11.4%. Latina teens’ high risk for early pregnancy is associated with social determinants of low education, low-income levels, and attitude toward pregnancy, which favorably contributes to this group’s high birth rate. In Suffolk County, the high birth rates among Latina teens persist, proving the racial persistence of this problem within the locale. A culturally tailored preventive program should be implemented within this county to reduce teen pregnancy among Latina adolescents in Suffolk County effectively.
Theory/Model
The models that explain the prevalent problem of early teen pregnancy among Latinas include a person-oriented approach, cultural adaptation, and theory of reaction action. The person-oriented approach identifies various patterns of adolescents based on the attitude they develop toward teen pregnancy. Also, it identifies multiple indicators of these teens’ cultural orientation. The person-oriented approach and cultural adaptation model suggest that Latina adolescents have a within-group cultural orientation that varies (Killoren et al., 2015). The models show that acculturated Latinas were at greater risk for adolescent pregnancy than less acculturated Latinas. Also, foreign-born Latinas perceived more positive consequences of teenage pregnancy.
The theory of reasoned action accounts for teenagers’ decision to engage in unprotected sex. According to Dippel et al. (2017), the model explains the decision-making for teenagers to engage in early sexual intercourse resulting in early pregnancy. These modes will be used to develop a community-based teen pregnancy prevention program in Suffolk County.
Program Description
This program will prevent early teen pregnancy among adolescent Latinas in Suffolk County. The program will focus on closing the knowledge gaps around anatomy and puberty by focusing on the negative effect of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and target social determinants of teenage pregnancy related to cultural perception and individual attitudes towards pregnancy.
Goals and Objectives
Grant Goal: Decrease Teenage Pregnancy among Adolescent Latinas
Community Goal: Decrease Teenage Pregnancy among Adolescent Latinas in Suffolk County, New York
| Objectives | Strategies | Evaluation |
| Over the next six months at Suffolk County, increase basic knowledge about anatomy and puberty. | Conduct a comprehensive sex education approach. | Grant personnel will survey the county to determine the knowledge base of Latina adolescents concerning anatomy and puberty. |
| For the next six months, increase them by 30% the number of teenagers attending an after-school program focused on facilitating parent-children communication about teenage pregnancy and its effects on the community. | Use media promotion and community sensitization. | Interviews will be done among the target population before and after the program to determine the number of Latina adolescents attending the after-school program. |
| In 12 months, increase by 50% the consistent use of effective contraception among sexually active adolescent Latinas in the county by. | Community-based approach | Latina teens in Suffolk County will be given a Likertt scale to determine their change in attitude toward using contraceptive |
| in 12 months, reduce teen pregnancy among Latinas in Suffolk County by 50%. | A survey will be conducted in the county to determine the change in the rate of Latina adolescent pregnancy. |
Summary
The program is focused on addressing changes in the attitude of Latina changes and addressing the social determinants of teenage pregnancy, thereby reducing the birth rate among Latina teens in Suffolk County. For this program to be effective, the targeted population must be approached with cultural sensitivity in mind, and the program must be undertaken with long-term goals.
References
CDC, (2019). About Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved 12th April 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/index.htm
Dippel, E., Hanson, J., McMahon, T., Griese, E., & Kenyon, D. (2017). Applying the Theory of Reasoned Action to Understanding Teen Pregnancy with American Indian Communities. Maternal And Child Health Journal, 21(7), 1449–1456. doi: 10.1007/s10995-017-2262-7
Keogh, K. E. (2016). Teen pregnancy among Latinas: A literature review. 21st Century Social Justice, 3(1), 5.
Killoren, S., Zeiders, K., Updegraff, K., & Umaña-Taylor, A. (2015). The Sociocultural Context of Mexican-Origin Pregnant Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Teen Pregnancy and Links to Future Outcomes. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence, 45(5), 887-899. doi: 10.1007/s10964-015-0387-9
Rocca, C., Doherty, I., Padian, N., Hubbard, A., & Minnis, A. (2010). Pregnancy Intentions and Teenage Pregnancy Among Latinas: A Mediation Analysis. Perspectives On Sexual And Reproductive Health, 42(3), 186–196. doi: 10.1363/4218610
Controlled Dangerous Substances Writing Sample
Challenges faced when examining controlled dangerous substance (CDS) evidence, bloodstain patterns, and DNA evidence include potential contamination of the samples due to the wrong handling and collection techniques. Additionally, laboratory analysis can be disrupted or hindered if proper protocol is not taken from start to finish to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, the chain of custody must be maintained throughout the process to hold up in court. For any evidentiary value, it has to remain intact – meaning that all persons who have had contact with the sample must sign off that they interacted with said sample (Stuart, 2020). Finally, one other challenge is when dealing with trace amounts or small quantities collected at a crime scene; an accurate weight measurement may not be probable enough without special equipment, which can sometimes take a long time to obtain and prove expensive should funds get tight during prosecution proceedings.
Two ways these challenges can be minimized include carefully maintaining records on training sessions regarding proper collection techniques as well as utilizing supervisory staff or professionals trained in drug analyses during sample collections at crime scenes alongside law enforcement personnel who are under direct supervision to achieve accurate measurements of suspected contraband/substances being analyzed before hand over for testing at laboratories approved by local authorities as required by state laws (Maricque et al 2020). Additionally, a committee of forensic personnel should be established at the regional level to plan, develop and enforce protocols that ensure proper evidence collection and storage during prosecutions to maintain chain of custody and prevent contamination in samples.
DNA evidence presents one of the most difficult challenges when collecting proof due to its complexity, uniqueness, sensitivity, and potential destruction; even though minor inconsistencies can prove catastrophic for convictions in court cases, using it as the significant component of their case’s collateral points or defense strategy argues against it even if accurate results are obtained from laboratory experiments with regards to testing procedures used on them compared to other types such CDS or bloodstain patterns which have much more lenient requirements for accuracy thanks to their very nature with respect time frames since crime scene was discovered Gardner,2022).
Bloodstain pattern analysis is an effective method used by forensic scientists when dealing with situations where direct physical contact between perpetrators and victims had not occurred but may still exist inside a given scenario – typically after special stains are applied to surfaces before being followed up by microscopic analyses under specialized lighting conditions that can only be found within laboratory settings complete facilities available only among serious scientific research foundations or universities/technical schools which offer courses related directly where this like this field are concerned (Joseph, 2022); additionally said stain can be analyzed with the naked eye where possible — such comparisons between patterns and size of pigments found at crime scenes can be used to circumstantially build a case against defendants who may not have been directly involved but that still possess some association with case either through direct involvement or by other associations by being present during in when incident occurred which is considered then as demonstrative evidence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, evidence collection and analysis of CDS, bloodstain patterns, and DNA pose unique challenges that should be appropriately addressed to ensure that forensic processes can produce accurate results. By carefully training personnel on proper evidence collection protocols and maintaining a chain of custody throughout any legal proceedings, as well as establishing committees tasked with creating guidelines for handling all types of forensics cases – one can minimize any potential issues that may arise during investigations or prosecutions related directly to this type of analyses performed. Finally, when differentiating between direct, circumstantial, or demonstrative evidence – it is essential to consider the nature in which each type carries its weight within a courtroom depending on the individual situation relative to an example like bloodstain pattern analysis where observed trace amounts of handled properly can provide investigators with a wealth possibility even without clear cut physical contact between perpetrator and victim is present in the given scenario.
References
Stuart, B., Borden Warrenne T., & Williams III JT (2020). Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Guidelines to Enhance the Quality of Courtroom Testimony by Forensic Scientists and Crime Scene Investigators. Journal of Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation, 6(1), 13-27
Maricque, B., Gubbay, A., Balnymaraibeo Saharudin S., et al (2020). Challenges in DNA Evidence Collection and Preservation Techniques at the Crime Scene: Legal Implications towards its Admissibility in Malaysian Courts. Asia Pacific Management Review , 25(2), 128–138
Gardner, E. A., DellaRocco, R., & Bever, R. (2022). Forensic Science in the United States. I: Historical Development and the Forensic Science Laboratory System. Forensic Science Review, 34(2), 72-82.
Joseph, C. M. (2022). Forensic Biology: A Passport for Biological Evidence. In Crime Scene Management within Forensic Science: Forensic Techniques for Criminal Investigations (pp. 121-153). Singapore: Springer Singapore.
Creating A Workplace Culture Of Quality And Safety Essay Example For College
Caring is nursing’s primary objective and is predicated on quality care provision and patient safety. However, healthcare organizations can only attain their nursing goals by creating a patient-centered, team-oriented culture emphasizing collaboration and workforce cohesion, helping nurses share vital population health insights that steer evidence-based practice (EBP). Nursing administrators play a critical role in establishing health work environments in their organizations by setting possible standards of practice in all departments. Consequently, nurses entrusted with administrative responsibilities should have practicable leadership philosophies that help develop a quality and safety culture. Further, practical leadership approaches are vital for seamless change management, while quality measures and indicators help track progress. Hence, nursing administrators should exhibit enhanced personal and professional values that facilitate their organizations’ quality and safety goals.
Leadership Philosophy
The leadership philosophy entails the values and belief systems leveraged by people in headship positions, including nursing administrators, to guide their decision-making and goal-setting. My leadership philosophy: I promote positive, caring experiences among patients by ensuring a good rapport between the nursing team and patients. Further, I champion adherence to all professional nursing guidelines and ethical values as they steer compassion and enable me to prioritize care quality and safety by respecting patient integrity and rights. Thus, my leadership philosophy is centered on patient well-being.
Strategies for Creating a Culture of a Quality and Safe Work Environment
Several processes may help nursing administrators establish a quality and safe work environment culture. Firstly, transformational leadership is crucial in creating cohesion and increasing morale in the department, following the disorder caused by subjecting nurses to a long period of transitory leaders. Anselmann & Mulder (2020) identify transformational leadership as essential in nursing administration, especially during a change process, as it facilitates information-sharing and reflection, helping harmonize beliefs, values, and goals. Consequently, the approach would steer appreciative inquiry to enable me to recognize processes that work in the department and determine areas that require change. Secondly, accentuating the organization’s code of ethics would help the unit staff reflect on the impact of their clinical actions and decisions in promoting positive, caring experiences. As a result, I would also state my leadership philosophy and explain its relevance per the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice, which emphasizes quality care. For example, ANA provides safety and quality standards that require enhanced coordination among the nursing staff to facilitate EBP through practical judgment and scientific inquiry (Brunt & Russell, 2022). The strategy would help model the existing culture to match professional nursing ethics and create a safe work environment. Training would be another viable approach to creating a quality and safety culture. I would prioritize the quality and safety standards stressed by top healthcare accreditation agencies, including The Joint Commission and Institute of Medicine. The strategies promote positive patient outcomes by emphasizing caring, where collaboration and ethical principles are leveraged to create a safe work environment.
Performance Measurement
Medical records, administrative claims, and patient surveys are the tools that would be used to assess progress within six months. According to Jedwab et al. (2019), electronic medical records offer workflow insights, where revenues and business management metrics may help determine the influence of strategic nursing environment changes, improving patient experiences. On the other hand, reducing administrative claims within six months, mainly due to medical errors committed by nurses, would reflect enhanced quality and safety in the organization. Further, patient surveys would gauge satisfaction and nursing impression with the period, helping determine the extent of improvement achieved (Banda et al., 2023). Performance evaluation is vital in establishing the impact of the strategies adopted to ensure a quality and safe work environment.
Overall, nursing administrators influence workplace culture in their organizations, which is crucial in promoting quality and safe healthcare. Leadership philosophies provide the principles that guide decision-making strategies, primarily during change processes, where personal and professional ethics should be intertwined to ensure positive patient outcomes. Training is fundamental to creating a quality and safe clinical environment. Therefore, effective leadership is vital in attaining nursing objectives.
References
Anselmann, V., & Mulder, R. H. (2020). Transformational leadership, knowledge sharing and reflection, and work teams’ performance: A structural equation modeling analysis. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(7), 1627-1634.
Banda, S., Nkungula, N., Chiumia, I. K., Rylance, J., & Limbani, F. (2023). Tools for measuring client experiences and satisfaction with healthcare in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review of measurement properties. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 133.
Brunt, B. A., & Russell, J. (2022). Nursing professional development standards. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Jedwab, R. M., Chalmers, C., Dobroff, N., & Redley, B. (2019). Measuring nursing benefits of an electronic medical record system: A scoping review. Collegian, 26(5), 562-582.