Investigation of the factors affecting mother's exclusive breastfeeding for six months.

AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics and psychopathologic features of mothers living in Cukurova, Adana and to investigate the effect of these characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding status for the first six months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross sectional study. 284 randomly selected women were reached in the study, between November 2015-February 2016. A questionnaire consisting of 27 questions which determine sociodemographic characteristics and brief symptom inventory were applied. As for the statistical evaluation, SPSS 19 Package Software for Windows was used. For the statistical analysis; frequency tables, average scores from the brief symptom inventory, chi square test, Mann-Whitney U and Multiple logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: 37.0% of the mothers gave exclusive breastfeeding for first six months. Those who graduated from high school and upper school, those who were educated in breastfeeding, those who breastfed for the half hour after birth, and those who did not work had a significantly higher rate of giving only breast milk for the six months. However, the rate of breastfeeding in first six months was significantly lower for women those who lived together with their elders and smokers. The mean scores from brief symptom inventory were significantly higher in mothers who did not give breast milk only during first six months. CONCLUSION: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 37% in the first six months of our study. The postpartum period is a period in which the risk of psychiatric discomfort increases and the mother should be supported.

A study on the correlation between the nurses' and patients' postoperative pain assessments.

In this research, the correlation of assessment of postoperative pain between nurses and their clients is investigated. The aim of the research was to investigate whether or not the nurses can evaluate the pain that clients have in the postoperative process in the same sense as clients do and to examine personal factors that affect this evaluation. The descriptive and comparative research was undertaken between January 2008 and April 2008 in the clinics of Çukurova University Balcali Hospital. The study group consisted of 47 nurses and 94 patients aged 18-65 years evaluated in the 48 hours' postoperative period. After review of the literature regarding McGill-Melzack pain assessment, a questionnaire for patients and another for nurses were used. The data gathered from the surveys were analyzed by the SPSS program. For intermittent variables chi-square test, for denomination variables kappa, and for sequent variables congruity gamma factors were used. At the end of the research, the correlation between the patient scores and the nurse scores that were gathered from first, second, third, and fourth parts of the pain evaluation documents were observed: part 1, Γ = 290, p = .063; part 3/1-2, Γ = 380, p = .008, 3/1; part 3, Γ = 357, p = .007; part 3/2, Γ = 209, p = .031; part 4, Γ = 346, p < .001. The congruity points obtained from the statistical data contrast with the literature, showing that the nurses and the patients evaluated the postoperative pain in the same sense. Pain evaluation investigations are recommended to be done with the attendance of more nurses and patients, and their results should be shared with all nurses.

An Education Programme on Sickle Cell Anemia and ß-Thalassemia for the 8th Grade Students.

ß-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia (SCA) are major health problems in Çukurova. Screening studies have been carried on in this region for many years. The government started premarital screening programme and prenatal diagnosis has been done in Çukurova University Medical Faculty since 1992. In spite of all these, the prevention programme has not been successful. The purpose of this study was to start an education programme to increase the awareness of the people for these severe hereditary diseases. The target population was the 8th grade students. A visual presentation was given to students on Thalassemia and SCA after examining the curriculum in the Biology and/or the Science books. A total of 1221 students in seven Elementary Schools were informed. A questionnaire was given to five schools before the presentation and to two after the presentation. The comparison of the two group's result showed that the information given was well received. Thus, an extensive education programme encompassing doctors, health personel, civil and religious leaders and the support of the government will result in nil SCA and Thalassemia births.