The values of biological indicators used in biological monitoring are usually determined on spot samples of urine. In order to reduce the variations due to dilution, it is common practice to correct the values according to reference parameters, such as urinary creatinine concentration and specific gravity. The aim of the present study was to verify whether creatinine possesses the necessary characteristics for adjustment. The levels of creatinine were not influenced by diuresis, but, contrary to what was expected, the values of the metabolite showed marked intra- and interindividual variations. These data raise serious doubts as to the validity of creatinine as a parameter that can be used for adjustment purposes, and suggest that it would be advisable to ascertain for each biological indicator whether in fact adjustment is of any use. Lastly, since there was only a slight correlation between creatinine levels and specific gravity values, it is concluded that these two parameters cannot be used indifferently for adjustment.

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Transition theory is appropriate for helping professionals understand and identify practices that might support parents during transition to parenthood. The study led to certain recommendations that are important for professionals to consider.

Deficiencies were found regarding the PCHNurses' working conditions and cultural competence when interacting with children and parents of foreign origin. Improvements are needed to facilitate the nurses' healthcare work and to enable high quality health care on equal terms for all children and parents visiting the PCHC services.

An urgent need to improve Swedish primary child health-care nurses' cultural competence was revealed by previous research among nurses working in, and immigrant parents visiting, primary child health-care services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which specific training affected how nurses rated their own cultural competence, difficulties, and concerns and to study how the nurses evaluated the training. Conducted as a randomized controlled trial, the effects on a study sample of 51 nurses were assessed by questionnaires in a pre- and post-study design. The findings indicated that the 3 days of training were appreciated by the nurses and had some effects on their cultural competence, difficulties, and concerns. The training might have had positive effects on the nurses' working conditions as they rated it to have an impact on their ability to cope with the demands of their work activities in the health services. These effects are presumed to contribute to an improved quality of the health services, with a reduction in the risk for health-care disparities among children of immigrant parents.