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The purpose of this research was to analyze characteristics associated with adults' self-care confidence to manage diabetes and heart disease. Method: Using 2015 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data, the study examined self-care confidence levels of 2,560 adults with diabetes and 1,769 adults with heart disease. Chi-square tests calculated differences for six variables: gender, age, education, recent online health information searching, self-reported health status, and physical activity limitations. Characteristics of very confident individuals were compared to those feeling less empowered to manage their health. Results: CHIS data showed a lack of full self-care confidence in over a third of surveyed individuals: 39 percent of diabetics, and 41 percent of individuals with heart disease. Better selfreported health status correlated with increased self-care confidence. Women and those with physical activity limitations were significantly less confident than men or people without disabilities. Conclusion: Individuals with diabetes or heart disease have a considerable risk of not feeling confident about their ability to manage their diseases. Implications: Health care professionals should identify individuals with an increased risk for feeling insecure about managing their health. In particular, women, individuals who consider themselves in poor or fair health, and individuals with physical activity limitations should be assessed for self-care confidence soon after diagnosis and monitored at regular intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and resistance of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from long-term care facilities (LTCF) residents and to analyze the potential risk factors for MRSA occurrence, defined as MRSA colonization and/or infection. Methods Point prevalence (PPS) and prospective incidence continuous study (CS) was carried out on a group of 193 residents in 2009-2010. Results Overall MRSA occurred (with or without infection) among 17.6% of residents. There was 16 cases of infections with SA aetiology, of which 10 (58.8%) were caused by MRSA. The MRSA prevalence in PPS was 12.9%, in CS infection incidence rate was 5.2%. Factors associated with MRSA occurrence were: general status of patients, limited physical activity, wound infections (odds ratio, OR 4.6), ulcers in PPS (OR 2.1), diabetes (OR 1.6), urinary catheterization (OR 1.6) and stool incontinence (OR 1.2). Conclusions Our data indicate a need for screening of MRSA before hospitalization or transfer to rehabilitation centres, especially in a group of residents with limitations in physical activity - i.e. with the highest risk of MRSA. Results also suggest the need for contact precautions in patients with high risk of MRSA occurrence, only. Focus on the high-risk population might be a solution for the cost-effective surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]