This issue includes eight articles that focus on cultural differences in therapeutic humor in nursing education; experiences with irritable bowel syndrome among Taiwanese women; prenatal examination utilization and its determinants among immigrant women in Taiwan; differences in perceived role strain among male and female obstetric students; knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy toward hepatitis prevention among university students; menstrual attitudes and distress among post-menarcheal female students; physical fitness in community-dwelling older adults; and the effects of delayed pushing during the second stage of labor on postpartum fatigue and birth outcomes in nulliparous women.
Four articles target women's health issues in different subpopulations (adults, immigrants, postpartum, and elementary school students). Countries around the world are working to mainstream health policies for women. Although these topics did not coalesce in Taiwan until recent decades, the government now treats such goals seriously. By 2000, the Taiwan government had enacted a national women's health policy that operates on the principle of ensuring healthcare to women of all age groups-fully nurturing the physical, social, and mental well-being of the nation's women. On March 5th, 2008, the Executive Yuan further approved important new revisions to this policy. As nurse researchers, we should keep pace with national and international trends to address the special health issues of women in various ethnic and age groups.
One article in this issue, addressing cultural differences in therapeutic humor in nursing education, was authored by scholars in both the United States and Taiwan. Transnational cooperative research has taken increasing priority within Taiwan's academic community and should continue to be encouraged. This article provides a strong indication that the Journal is gaining increasing recognition from the international research community, and we hope more articles like it are to come.
Regular readers will notice a complete overhaul of the cover on this month's Journal. It is a pleasure to share with all of you the great news that the Taiwan Nurses Association signed a contract with Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) of the United States on December 26th, 2008. Beginning in 2009, the Journal is being published through LWW. This marks a new milestone for TWNA publications. Our next anticipated milestone will be the Journal's inclusion on SSCI, which we hope is not too far in the future. Blessings to all!!!
Hsiu-Hung Wang