DQ#5 : Discussion Question – What Diversity in the Workplace Means to You Over the past several weeks, you have studied numerous perspectives on the current issues involved in understanding cultural diversity in the workplace. In this final module, you wi

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DQ#5
: Discussion Question – What Diversity in the Workplace Means to You

Over the past several weeks, you have studied numerous perspectives on the current issues involved in understanding cultural diversity in the workplace. In this final module, you will have the opportunity to present your final thoughts on what cultural diversity in the workplace means to you.

Present your final thoughts on leading and managing workplace diversity and what you learned about these concepts throughout this course. What does integrating cultural diversity in the workplace mean to you?

 

DQ#5- class 2

: Discussion—Compensation Issues:

Organizations should constantly review its compensation package to ensure it is competitive with the current market conditions.  Many companies attempt to offset salaries with benefits such as premium medical plans, 401k matching, and stock options.  Yet, some employees still feel as though they are under compensated for their talents and contributions to the company. 

Think about your current yearly compensation plan at your organization, a previous organization, or if you don’t have options other than a salary, you can research plans online (please be sure to reference the company used).  Compensation extends beyond just the paycheck provided to you.  It includes medical coverage, tuition reimbursement, flex spending account options, etc.  

 Analyze the compensation plan and address the following questions:

  • Is the compensation plan attractive enough to retain current employees and recruit new talent?  Identify the key elements that serve as a positive draw of this talent to your organization.
  •  Recommend areas for improvement.  For example, if the compensation plan does not include 401k investing, why should your company consider including that as part of the compensation package.

Write your responses in about 300 words. Use scholarly, peer-reviewed sources as necessary to support your position from the Argosy University online library resources. Be sure to follow proper APA format.

Help with HCA/375 Assignment

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Adverse Event Reporting

Read Chapters 5, 6, and 7 in our textbook. After reviewing this week’s required reading, consider the following scenario: You are the lead of the risk management team that has been assigned to evaluate an incident that has occurred. You will be preparing a report for the CEO of the hospital that includes all system failures that contributed to the adverse event as well as utilizing a CQI tool. You will be using the Adverse Event template to complete the three parts to the assignment. Note: If you have responded substantively to each of the content items within the three parts of the assignment, the paper should be between six and seven pages.

Part One: Description of Adverse Event (Complete Part One of the Adverse Event template)

  • Choose an adverse event from the following list:
    • Medication error
    • Patient falls
    • Post-operative hemorrhage
      • Data – Patient Safety Event For XYZ Hospital for 20XX through 20YY
                    # of Discharges         # of Surgical Cases            # of Medication Errors            # of Patient Falls            # of Post Operative Hemorrhage           
   20XX  20YY  20XX  20YY  20XX  20YY  20XX  20YY  20XX  20YY
Jan 
  1200 1400  200   240  300  350 38  35  1  3 
 Feb  1278  1450  213  250  289  370  42  40  1  2
 Mar  1389  1540  250  300  300  385  37  45  3  2
 Apr  1199  1800  200  245  289  412  36  65  2  3
 May  900  1768  159  289  215  404  40  70  1  3
 Jun  1000  1690  173  285  215  398  46  65  1  2
 Jul  1200  1100  215  200  278  246  50  45  2  1
 Aug  1239  978  240  158  301  241  53  40  2  3
 Sep  1000  1089  198  200  275  215  48  51  3  2
 Oct  789  978  150  248  241  251  38  52  2  1
 Nov  980  1000  175  209  230  231  42  47  2  1
 Dec  700  980  145  215  200  235  25  43  3  1

 

  • Note: The number of beds and operating rooms increased effective 1/1/20YY.
  • Describe the adverse event, including who was involved in the event.
  • For your selected adverse event, graph the data for the two years. Analyze the data by determining if the frequency is increasing or decreasing. What factors could be attributed to the change?
  • Discuss the communication techniques/methods utilized to inform the staff of the adverse event.
  • Describe at least two operational or safety processes that might not have been followed that contributed or caused this event to take place. For instance, describe any regulations or procedures that the professional organization and/or accrediting agency measures compliance with the standard.
  • Graph two years of data for your selected adverse event and analyze the data by determining if the frequency is increasing or decreasing.
  • What factors could attribute to the change in data over two years?
  • Summarize the historical and contemporary issues and legal implications related to patient safety in your chosen adverse event.
  • Describe how processes of continuous quality monitoring could impact the adverse event you chose.

Part Two: CQI Tool (Complete Part Two of the Adverse Event template)
Choose a CQI Tool that best suits your chosen Adverse Event from the following list:

  • Flowchart
  • Fishbone Diagram (Cause & Effect)
  • Pareto

Use the CQI Tool to illustrate the use of the tool with your chosen adverse event. You will be responsible for creating the CQI Tool, completing the tool, taking a screenshot, and copying/pasting the screenshot under the instructions in Part Two CQI Tool in the Adverse Event template.

Part Three: Future Prevention (Complete Part Three of the Adverse Event template) 
After describing the event in Part One and using a CQI tool in Part Two, apply the PDCA model to summarize the process and steps that your team would recommend to the CEO to prevent this adverse event from reoccurring. Make sure to include who (health care personnel) would be accountable at each step of the process. Complete the Explanation column in Part 3 of the Adverse Event template.
It is important to keep in mind that some processes require a checks and balance system. You will need to determine if one of the steps you are recommending would require a checks and balance step and why it is necessary. 

Paper Requirements: 
The Paper must be six to seven pages in length (excluding title and references pages) and should demonstrate understanding of the reading assignments, class discussions, your own research, and the application of new knowledge. Excluding your textbook and course readings include a minimum of four scholarly, peer-reviewed sources. Two of these sources must be from the Ashford University Library and must have been published within the past five years. An APA formatted reference page is required. Your responses within the document provided must be substantive, and include complete sentences in paragraph format, including citations per APA format. Refer to the Ashford Writing Center for information on APA guidelines.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

HRM546 Human Resource Law Week 6 DQ

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Health and Safety in the Workplace

Last week, you met with Jackie about her time and attendance issues. She said that she understood and would try to do better.

A few days ago, one of the female employees calls you and tells you that Jackie is passed out in the Lady’s Room. You rush over, having called the EMT’s. When you arrive there, you see that Jackie is unconscious and is lying on the floor. Next to her is a rolled up dollar bill with white powder by it.

The EMT’s take Jackie to the hospital. Several days later, she calls you and tells you that her Primary Care Physician has approved her to return to work with no restrictions.

How do you handle this situation?

If Jackie filed for Worker’s Comp, based upon your knowledge of the situation, does she have a claim and should the company oppose her request?

If so, why so? If not, why not?

Please use academic and/or professional support to sustain your analysis.

OSHA

 You are the Manager of a multi- story office building, which requires siding repair work.

One contractor gives you a proposal, that includes the usage of appropriate scaffolding, per OSHA requirements, alongside the walls in order to protect the workers. The price for the job will be an inclusive $10,000

Another contractor comes to you and makes a proposal whereby he will do the work for $5,000.00. He does not think that there is a need for scaffolding, as he has been doing this type of work for twenty years, has always relied upon ladders and has never had anyone fall.

The owner of the company is constantly facing a cash crisis and wants to go with the lower price.

How do you handle this issue? In your answer, please explain what employers should do to remain in compliance with governmental health and safety rules and regulations.

The owner has gone with the lower bid. One day the OSHA inspector comes upon the scene. It is rumored that the company who did not get the bid called the inspector to let OSHA know that work was being done without scaffolding.

How do you handle the owner’s response and the OSHA issue?

 

Ethics in the Work Place

You are the Regional Vice President of Sales for a large company. The company sponsors an annual trip to a MLB game. While there recently, you meet your colleague from another region. While talking with him, you offer to buy him a beer. He declines, stating that he is a weekly regular in AA and has been alcohol free for 8 years. He tells you that you are the first person in the company, who knows this, and that he would like to keep this matter private between the two of you.


Last week, you learn that you and he are up for promotion to Vice President of Sales for the whole company. The job requires a great deal of travelling and lots of socializing/wining/dining of current and potential customers and suppliers.


One of the members of the screening committee is a personal friend. You truly want this job and believe that, if it just slips out that the other person has had a drinking problem, such would tip the scale in your favor.


Do you tell or not? Why? Why not?

Please use formal academic and/or professional support to sustain your position.

 

Drug Usage in the Work Place

 I remit a link to an article concerning drug usage in the workplace.

 http://mashable.com/2014/09/17/going-to-work-high/

 

3 page double spaced assignment

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Assignment 1: Biology Article

Due Week 5 and worth 120 points

Use the Internet and / or the Strayer Learning Resource Center to research aspects of biology.

Select an article from a magazine or newspaper that has something in it that pertains to biology. This will serve as the “target article” for this assignment. For instance, you can select an article about medicine, invasive species, nature, conservation, genetic technology, ecology, or any other topic that is related to biology. One purpose of this assignment is to help you become aware of how biology is related to your everyday life.

Write a one to three (1-3) page paper in which you:

  1. Summarize the article in one (1) or more paragraphs, using your own words. Be sure to identify the article using an in-text citation in the body of the paper, as well as a reference in the reference section. 
  2. Explain how the article relates to this course. Identify which biological concepts from the course and / or text are relevant to the topic covered in the article. Citing the course text, discuss the ways in which this course does (or doesn’t) provide background information to help you understand the article and the larger issues surrounding it. 
  3. Explain why the article caught your attention. Relate the article to your life and to issues that are important to you. Discuss how or if the scientific knowledge about the topic covered in the article affects you directly or indirectly.
  4. Discuss your opinion on how research on this topic should be funded. State whether you think taxpayer monies should support research on this topic or whether such research in this area should be funded by the private sector. Rate the importance of research on this topic, relative to other areas of research. 

In addition to the target article, you should use at least one additional resource, such as your textbook or another article. You must have a reference section which contains an APA reference to your chosen article and all other sources. Additionally, you must provide in-text citations (in APA format) to your references in the body of the text. Integrate all sources into your paper using proper techniques of quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing, along with your in-text citations.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

BUS 611 Week 6 Final Paper – 4400 words

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Ashford 7: – Week 6 – Final Paper

Selling Project Management Report

Your new knowledge of project management and experience at Roto Air has earned you a promotion to a senior project manager. Roto Air has recently purchased a smaller company that is the current supplier of electro-mechanical assemblies used in the Quick Drop 100. After your first visit to the new company you find that there is no formal project management system in use and that local management is not aware of the advantages of using project management principles. Your assignment is to educate the new management team and prepare them to welcome and integrate project management skills and tools into their operations. To do so, you will prepare a persuasive, factual report that:

  1. Defines a project and project management and differentiates routine operations.
  2. Explains the benefits to the business of using project management methodology.
  3. Describes the role and importance of a project sponsor.
  4. Examines the benefits of using project teams and methods of developing them and improving communications.
  5. Outlines the project life cycle.
  6. Examines the importance of a project charter and its role in preventing scope creep.
  7. Justifies the need for using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
  8. Explains the importance of holding a kick off meeting.
  9. Summarizes the benefits and uses of project management software.
  10. Examines the benefits of professional certification and the role of ethics in project management.
  11. Describes the importance of identifying and mitigating risk in projects.
  12. Relates and gives examples of data driven decision making.
  13. Recommends whether a PMO is needed.
  14. Discusses the role of collecting and publicizing lessons learned.
  15. Summarize your recommendations.

Your paper must be 3500 to 4500 words in length (not including title and reference pages) and must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide. Contextual (Level One) headings must be used to organize your paper and your thoughts. You must cite at least eight professional and/or scholarly sources in addition to the textbook.

 

 

Global Human Resources Power point presentation

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Students, please view the “Submit a Clickable Rubric Assignment” in the Student Center. 
Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center. 

 

Assignment 3: Recruiting
Due Week 5 and worth 200 points

 

Imagine you are presenting a new global recruiting strategy to your boss. Choose either Japan or Saudi Arabia, and research business strategies for recruiting in your chosen region. Identify the top three to five (3-5) factors that would need to be considered when recruiting in the country you chose. Close with a persuasive summary on why you believe these factors are important. Close with a persuasive summary that explains why these factors are important. Demonstrate your findings to your boss in the form of a PowerPoint presentation.

 

Create a four to eight (4-8) slide PowerPoint in which you:

 

  1. Summarize your findings about recruiting in either Japan or Saudi Arabia.
  2. Identify the top three to five (3-5) factors that would need to be considered when recruiting in your chosen region.
  3. Develop a persuasive closing summary that describes why the factors you identified are important.
  4. Include links or references to one to three (1-3) quality resources based on your research. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as quality resources.
  5. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:

 

a. Format the PowerPoint presentation with headings on each slide and one (1) relevant graphic (photograph, graph, clip art, etc.). Ensuring that the presentation is visually appealing and readable from up to 18 feet away. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
b. Include a title slide containing the title of the assignment, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date.

 

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 

  • Analyze international business strategy to identify human resource requirements and formulate supporting HRM plans that can improve productivity and contribute to the firm’s competitiveness. 
  • Propose staffing alternatives for foreign operations and address the considerations for the use of expatriates versus localization or third-country nationals.
  • Assess recruiting and selection strategies that can be used to effectively meet organizational requirements for operating in multiple countries.
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in global HRM.
  • Write clearly and concisely about global HRM using proper writing mechanics

Chester Company

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1) The Chester Company has just purchased $40,900,000 of plant and equipment that has an estimated useful life of 15 years. The expected salvage value at the end of 15 years is $4,090,000. What will the book value of this purchase (exclude all other plant and equipment) be after its third year of use? (Use FASB GAAP)

Select: 1

[removed]

$33,538,000

[removed]

$35,446,667

[removed]

$29,448,000

[removed]

$32,720,000

 

 

 

2) What is the Quick Ratio of Chester?

Select: 1

[removed]

1.39

[removed]

1.61

[removed]

.62

[removed]

.72

 

 

 

3) Digby has a ROS of 0.09 (ROS = Net income/Sales). That means:

Select: 1

[removed]

There are sales of $9 for every dollar of profit.

[removed]

There is a 9% profit on each dollar of sales.

[removed]

There are sales of $91 for every dollar of profit.

[removed]

For every $9 of sales there is a profit of 1%.

 

 

 

4) Midyear on July 31st, the Baldwin Corporation’s balance sheet reported:

Total Liabilities of $103.453 million
Cash of $8.040 million
Total Assets of $172.520 million
Total Common Stock of $5.080 million.

What were the Baldwin Corporation’s retained earnings?

Select: 1

[removed]

$74.147 million

[removed]

$63.987 million

[removed]

$72.027 million

[removed]

$82.187 million

 

 

 

5) Review the Inquirer to determine Baldwin’s current strategy. How will they seek a competitive advantage? From the following list, select the top five sources of competitive advantage that Baldwin would be most likely to pursue.

Select: 5

[removed]

Seek high plant utilization, even if it risks occasional small stockouts

[removed]

Increase demand through TQM initiatives

[removed]

Add additional products

[removed]

Seek high automation levels

[removed]

Offer attractive credit terms

[removed]

Seek the lowest price in their target market while maintaining a competitive contribution margin

[removed]

Reduce cost of goods through TQM initiatives

[removed]

Seek excellent product designs, high awareness, and high accessibility

[removed]

Accept lower plant utilization and higher capacities to insure sufficient capacity is available to meet demand

[removed]

Reduce labor costs through training and recruitment

 

6) Rank the following companies from high to low cumulative profit, (in descending order, 1=highest, 4=lowest).

Rank in order from 1 to 4

[removed]

 Chester

[removed]

 Baldwin

[removed]

 Andrews

[removed]

 Digby

 

 

 

7) Which description best fits Chester in your industry? For clarity:

– A differentiator competes through good designs, high awareness, and easy accessibility.
– A cost leader competes on price by reducing costs and passing the savings to customers.
– A broad player competes in all parts of the market.
– A niche player competes in selected parts of the market.

Which of these four statements best describes this competitor?

Select: 1

[removed]

Chester is a niche cost leader

[removed]

Chester is a broad differentiator

[removed]

Chester is a broad cost leader

[removed]

Chester is a niche differentiator

 

 

 

8) If Baldwin issued 1000 shares of common stock at last year’s end price, the effect on the balance sheet would be:

Select: 1

[removed]

Retained earnings would increase by $4,804

[removed]

Retained earnings would increase by $48,039

[removed]

Equity would decrease by $4,804

[removed]

Equity would increase by $48,039

 

 

Assignment: In a 2–3 page paper (not including references), please answer the following questions as they apply to the supplied information: Discuss supply and demand economic theory as it applies to costs for diagnosis and treatment of obesity-relate

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Assignment:

 

In a 2–3 page paper (not including references), please answer the following questions as they apply to the supplied information:

 

  1. Discuss supply and demand economic theory as it applies to costs for diagnosis and treatment of obesity-related disease.
  2. Discuss the impact on State funds of Medicare and Medicaid expenditures. See Table 1, Estimated Adult Obesity-Attributable Percentages and Expenditures, by State (BRFSS 1998–2000).
  3. Speaking as a health care economist, what actions or initiatives would you recommend to contain or reduce costs for your particular state of residence?

Assignment Pointers:

1.    Refer to the Unit 3 Project Information link (Kim, I will send the project information following the assignment)

2.       Your paper (obviously well written in APA style) will be approximately three pages in length, one pertaining to each of the three listed questions. Do not submit your assignment as separate questions & answers.

3.       Explain the theory in Question 1 and use the topic as an example for your explanation.

4.       For Question 2, make this specific to where you live. If you need to use outside sources, by all means, do so.

5.       Most importantly, in Question 3 tell me your recommendations and why you are making these suggestions.

6.       Provide a cover page. Make all necessary citations and references.

 

 

HRM531 Human Capital Management Week 2 Knowledge Check 100% CORRECT

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·  ___________bridge the gap between organizational objectives and individual expectations and aspirations.

  • [removed]

Rewards

  • [removed]

Employment practices 

  • [removed]

Financial systems

  • [removed]

Corporate compensation systems

·  2

The Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 requires that

  • [removed]

companies can seek repayment for incentives paid that were later found to be materially inaccurate

  • [removed]

executives cannot retain bonuses or profits from selling company stock if they mislead the public about the financial health of the company

  • [removed]

the Securities and Exchange Commission meet annually to discuss bonuses

  • [removed]

the minimum wage change each year

·  3

______________cover 128 million workers in the United States.

  • [removed]

Defined-contribution programs

  • [removed]

Defined-benefit programs

  • [removed]

Workers’ compensation programs 

  • [removed]

Point-of-service programs

·  4

In the United States, salary discussions among employees are protected under

  • [removed]

Salary.com

  • [removed]

the Equal Pay Act (1963)

  • [removed]

the National Labor Relations Act (1935)

  • [removed]

the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)

·  5

Which of the following is NOT another name for gain sharing? 

  • [removed]

The Scanlon plan

  • [removed]

Control-based compensation

  • [removed]

Improshare

  • [removed]

The Rucker plan

·  6

Which of the following laws established the first national minimum wage?

  • [removed]

Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)

  • [removed]

Walsh–Healey Act (1936)

  • [removed]

Davis–Bacon Act (1931)

  • [removed]

McNamara–O’Hara Service Contract Act (1965)

·  7

The gatekeeper in a managed care health insurance plan is the

  • [removed]

the HR representative

  • [removed]

primary care physician

  • [removed]

insurance cost monitor

  • [removed]

the employee

·  8

In labor economics, __________________ theory holds that unless an employee can produce a value equal to the value received in wages, it will not be worthwhile to hire that worker.

  • [removed]

the willingness to reduce the size of the workforce

  • [removed]

the marginal productivity 

  • [removed]

the concern with pay for position

  • [removed]

the percent of company offerings

·  9

The type of private pension plan in which an employer promises to pay a retiree a stated pension is a

  • [removed]

defined-contribution plan

  • [removed]

defined-performance plan

  • [removed]

defined-benefit plan

  • [removed]

defined-retirement plan

·  10

What is driving the increasing costs of healthcare?

  • [removed]

Rising cost of childcare

  • [removed]

Increasing numbers of legal immigrants

  • [removed]

Passage of the health care exchanges

  • [removed]

Aging population and an increase in obesity

·  11

Narrowing pay ratios between jobs or pay grades in a firm’s pay structure is

  • [removed]

pay inequality

  • [removed]

pay compression

  • [removed]

pay secrecy

  • [removed]

pay security

·  12

Gain sharing plans consist of all EXCEPT which of the following elements:

  • [removed]

A philosophy of cooperation

  • [removed]

An internal equity

  • [removed]

An involvement system

  • [removed]

A financial bonus

·  13

________________ provides a supplemental, one-time payment when death is accidental, and it provides a range of benefits when employees become disabled—that is, when they cannot perform the main functions of their occupations.

  • [removed]

A point-of-service plan

  • [removed]

Disability coverage 

  • [removed]

Medical underwriting

  • [removed]

A preferred provider payment

·  14

One strategic issue that should influence the design of benefits is an organization’s

  • [removed]

plan to pay panel

  • [removed]

stage of development

  • [removed]

value to employees

  • [removed]

shareholder’s form

·  15

At a comprehensive point of view, a(n) _____ includes anything an employee values and desires that an employer is able and willing to offer in exchange for employee contributions. 

  • [removed]

competency-based pay system

  • [removed]

organizational reward system

  • [removed]

merit-pay method

  • [removed]

employee stock ownership plan

·  16

One downside of team incentives is that 

  • [removed]

it does nothing to educate employees about the factors of business success and capitalism

  • [removed]

it does not provide retirement income to employees

  • [removed]

managers do not feel that incentives motivate employees equally

  • [removed]

most employees do not feel that their jobs have a direct impact on profits

·  17

Open pay systems tend to work best when

  • [removed]

job performance can be measured objectively

  • [removed]

business strategy matches the organizational development stage

  • [removed]

effort and performance are related closely over a long time span

  • [removed]

there is a union to negotiate pay increases

·  18

__________ is not legally required, and, because of unemployment compensation, many firms do not offer it.

  • [removed]

Cost shifting

  • [removed]

Severance pay

  • [removed]

Retirement pay

  • [removed]

Short-term disability

·  19

Reviews of both laboratory and field tests of _____________ are quite consistent. Individuals tend to follow a norm of fairness and to use it as a basis for distributing rewards.

  • [removed]

equity theory

  • [removed]

the external labor market

  • [removed]

the internal labor market

  • [removed]

organizational needs

·  20

Evidence indicates that the perceived value of benefits rises when employers introduce

  • [removed]

higher salaries

  • [removed]

choice through a flexible benefits package

  • [removed]

more jobs

  • [removed]

flexible supervisors

·  21

Which act covers private-sector employees over age 21 enrolled in noncontributory (100% employer-paid) retirement plans that have 1-year service?

  • [removed]

HIPAA (1996)

  • [removed]

ADA (1990)

  • [removed]

COBRA (1985)

  • [removed]

ERISA (1974)

 

Postpartum Depression among African Women in United States Student’s Name Institution Postpartum Depression among African Women in United States Bearing a child could be the source of powerful emotions, ranging from excitement, joy, anger an

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Postpartum Depression among African Women in United States

Student’s Name

Institution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpartum Depression among African Women in United States

Bearing a child could be the source of powerful emotions, ranging from excitement, joy, anger and even anxiety. However, such feelings may result into something which is highly undesirable, depression. Most of the women experience postpartum depression after child birth. It is commonly depicted by elements of mood swings, difficulty in sleeping and crying spells (Janice, 2009). This mostly begins two to three days after delivery and lasts up to three weeks. Other mothers experience such feelings in a more extensive manner, which results into postpartum depression in general. It is simply a birth complication and cannot be attributed to any form of weakness whatsoever. Prompt treatment can therefore, help manage such symptoms and enjoy mother hood. This paper discusses postpartum depression among African women in the United States.

One among five African women in the United Statessuffers postpartum depression. According to surveys, depressive symptoms are evident among new moms and this has been on the increase for a long period of time. From findings published on the Thursday’s Morbidity and mortality, which is a weekly report, research indicates that a majority of African women in the United States suffer from this problem. This is a publication of the United Statesoverall centers aimed at disease prevention and control among women. PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) reveal that various pregnancies related issues have a role to play on the increase in postpartum stress among African women in the United States (Reuters, 2010). In collaboration with other health organization, this continues to be an issue of research for quite a long period of time in the nation.

In the year 2004 and 2005, more than 17 states in the US participated in PRAMS. Two major elements were discussed, with regard to postpartum depression in the survey and also, the issue of race and ethnicity, as well as the role this element played in the development of such a situation. Questionnaires were offered, where most women were required to state the number of times they have felt down, depressed and hopeless since the time they gave birth, and also, the number of times they have noticed the lack of interest or little interest in doing things (Sydney, 2003). In the event that answers like ‘always’ and ‘often’ are noted, this group of women were believed to have postpartum stress.

Of all the states studies in the two consecutive years, Maine was found to have the highest number of African women suffering from postpartum depression in the United States. The figures ranged between 17%-18%, while NewMexico was found to have the highest at 21%. Most African women suffer from postpartum depression in the United States due to three basic reasons. These include;

a)      The young age of new mothers

b)      Lower level of educational attainment

c)      Receipt of benefits with regards to medical care

In 13 of all the 16 states considered, white women were less likely affected by such problems. Women of other origins and ethnicities were rarely affected by postpartum depression (CDC, 2008). There are five possible risk factors which were identified according to surveys, which led to the increase in postpartum depression symptoms among African women living in the United States;

i)                    Use of tobacco during late pregnancy stages

ii)                  Physical abuse before and during pregnancy

iii)                Stress related to one’s partner before and during pregnancy

iv)                Financial stress

v)                  Exposure to trauma during pregnancy

Counseling and the use of antidepressants are the two major ways of treating postpartum stress for women after child birth. With counseling sessions, the mothers are able to open up about their lives and more so, the elements which have such negative impact on their lives as to lead to depression (Atwoli, 2011). In other words, with the embracement of counseling sessions, it becomes much easier to let go and develop new ways of dealing with situations rather than breaking into crying episodes, feelings of hopelessness and extreme anxiety. Using antidepressants cannot be relied on fully, considering the impacts in future. Counseling is therefore that most effective treatment approach for postpartum stress.

The overall purpose of this study was to describe the overall nature ofpostpartum depression, especially among African-American women. Two major methods were used in analyzing the data obtained from research, which basically involved twelve women who were victims of the same. They had been interviewed for two hours in to intervals. These methods include the Nudist-4 software and the Contact Comparative method in data analysis. Five major themes were developed and were perfect in explaining the PPD element. These include;

a)      Stressing out

b)      Feeling down

c)      Losing it

d)     Seeking help

e)      Feeling better

The last theme, which is ‘; dealing with it’ is the most emphasized especially among African American women. It has fora long time, represented the basic cultural ways in which African American mothers have been able to tackle their depression. The major belief is that there is need to keep the faith, by trying to be a strong black American woman, living with myths and sticking to secrets. Basically, depressive status of white American women is not known (APA, 2004). The most evident form of depression is in the case of African mothers, living in the United States. This research has therefore, managed to estimate and present the prevalence of postpartum depression of African American women, and at the same time, critically determines the involvement of racial and ethnic disparities on the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Reuters Health. (2010). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 10.Retrieved from            http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/04/10/us-postpartum-depression-idUSCOL06967420080410

Atwoli, L. (2011). Postpartum Depression. London: Cengage learning

Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2008). Mental Health among Women of           Reproductive Age. London: Routledge publishers

American Psychological Association (APA). (2004). Postpartum Depression. Retrieved from:            http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/depression/postpartum.aspx

Sidney, W. (2003). Mental Health and Racial Involvement. New York: Cambridge press

Janice, L. (2009). Postpartum Depression, Treatment and Symptoms. New York: John Wiley and sons