The effects of playing digital games on children's pain, fear, and anxiety levels during suturing: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the effects of digital game play on children's pain, fear, and anxiety levels during suturing. METHODS: Data were obtained from 84 children between the ages of 8 and 17 years at the pediatric emergency department between January 16 and March 19, 2020, using the Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear of Medical Procedures Scale (FMPS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH). A four-block randomization system was used. The study group (n = 42) played digital games during the suturing procedure, unlike the control group (n = 42). Ethical permissions were obtained from the ethical committee, hospital, and families. RESULTS: Before the suturing procedure, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups' mean scores. The intervention group was found to have statistically significantly lower WBFPS and VAS pain scores than the control group during the suturing procedure, and after the procedure, statistically significantly lower WBFPS, VAS, FMPS, and STAI-CH mean scores than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The digital game-playing approach applied before and during the suture procedure was found to be effective in reducing children's pain, fear, and anxiety levels.

The Effect of an Education and Counseling Program on Maternal/Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women at Risk of Preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia, the effect of an education and counseling program on healthy lifestyle behaviors, self-efficacy, and maternal/neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This study had a randomized controlled trial design and was conducted with 132 pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia and attending an antenatal clinic for routine care. The intervention group received education and counseling focused on preventing preeclampsia and were given a preeclampsia booklet; the control group received standard prenatal care. The members of the 2 groups were seen 4 times during their pregnancies, and once after giving birth. Data were gathered with the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II, the Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), pregnant woman and fetal follow-up forms, and a postpartum data collection form. Permission from the ethics committee was obtained for the study. RESULTS: Education and counseling about preeclampsia had a statistically significant effect on healthy lifestyle behaviors (P < .008). However, we found no statistically significant differences in the total SES scores (P > .0125), systolic and diastolic blood pressure averages, edema status, or feeling the baby move (P > .05). We found differences in terms of physical activity in the first and third follow-ups, and in terms of breathing exercises in the first, second, and third follow-ups (P < .05). Preeclampsia developed in 4 of the pregnant women (7.6%) in the control group but not at all in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: A preeclampsia education and counseling program could help to develop healthy lifestyle behaviors in pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia.

Abstinence-Related Motivational Engagement Scale: Validity and Reliability in Turkish People.

OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to conduct a validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the abstinence-related motivational engagement (ARME) scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 122 people and was administered in a smoking cessation clinic. The sociodemographic-smoking status characteristics questionnaire and the ARME scale were used for data collection. A psycholinguistic language adaptation was performed. In the validity, analyses, content, construct, and criterion-related validities were used. For content validity, expert evaluation was performed. For construct validity, principal component analyses (exploratory factor analyses) were performed. Orthogonal (Varimax) rotation was used to explore multiple factors. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test was used to assess the adequacy of the sample size. For criterion-related validity, we compared the ARME scale points of people who were abstinent and had relapse for smoking at the end of the sixth month. In the reliability analysis, standard deviation (SD) and item analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest methods were used. RESULTS: The four factors explain 58% of the total variance. Items have factor loading between 0.409 and 0.805. When the factor structure of the scale was assessed, the items in each factor group have a factor load of at least "0.40." Due to one-dimensional use of the original scale, it has been decided to maintain this scale in its original form. The ARME scale points of people who quit smoking were statistically higher than the points of people who had relapse at the end of the sixth month. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were between 0.846 and 0.763. Significant and positive correlation was found between the test-retest scale scores. CONCLUSION: The Turkish adaptation of the ARME scale, which was developed for adults who quitted smoking, is an adequately valid and reliable measurement instrument. It is considered that the scale might be used reliably in different cultures as well.

The identification of the relationship between the perceived social support, fatigue levels and maternal attachment during the postpartum period.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determinate the relationship between social support perceived by women, fatigue levels and maternal attachment in postpartum period. METHODS: The sample of this descriptive study consists of 181 women who gave birth in the study period. The data was collected by the socio-demographic characteristics forms; "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support" (MSPSS); "Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale" (MAFS) and "Maternal Attachment Scale" (MAS) on the postpartum first days and 30-40th days. RESULTS: MSPSS scores of women who had university or higher education, employed, had their first pregnancy, have 12 months or less between two pregnancies, were found to be significantly higher than others. MAS scores of women at the end of the postpartum first month were significantly increased. MAFS scores of women at the end of the postpartum first month were significantly decreased. The correlation between the fatigue levels and maternal attachment levels at the end of the postpartum first month was found to be negative and significant. CONCLUSION: In the postpartum period, the care of the mother should include social support, maternal attachment and fatigue assessment. Mothers should be encouraged to use social support resources. The continuity of social support systems should be provided.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients with Gynecologic Cancer: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Research carried out with gynecologic cancer patients using CAM was reviewed to provide a source for discussing which CAM method is used for which purpose, patients' perceptions on the effects/side effects occurred during/after using CAM and their sources of information regarding CAM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This literature review was carried out for the period between January 2000 and March 2015 using Scopus, Dynamed, Med-Line, Science Direct, Ulakbim, Research Starters, Ebscohost, Cinahl Complete, Academic Onefile, Directory of Open Access Journals, BMJ Online Journals (2007-2009), Ovid, Oxford Journal, Proquest Hospital Collection, Springer-Kluwer Link, Taylor and Francis, Up To Date, Web Of Science (Citation Index), Wiley Cochrane-Evidence Base, Wiley Online Library, and Pub-Med search databases with "complementary and alternative medicine, gynecologic cancer" as keywords. After searching through these results, a total of 12 full length papers in English were included. RESULTS: CAM use in gynecologic cancer patients was discussed in 8 studies and CAM use in breast and gynecologic cancer patients in 4. It was determined that the frequency of CAM use varies between 40.3% and 94.7%. As the CAM method, herbal medicines, vitamins/minerals were used most frequently in 8 of the studies. When the reasons why gynecologic cancer patients use CAM are examined, it is determined that they generally use to strengthen the immune system, reduce the side effects of cancer treatment and for physical and psychological relaxation. In this review, most of the gynecologic cancer patients perceived use of CAM as beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: In order that the patients obtain adequate reliable information about CAM and avoid practices which may harm the efficiency of medical treatment, it is recommended that "Healthcare Professionals" develop a common language.

Effect of health education about cervical cancer and papanicolaou testing on the behavior, knowledge, and beliefs of Turkish women.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer observed among women in Turkey. The participation of women in cervical cancer screening programs is strongly affected by Turkish attitudes, beliefs, and sociocultural structure. AIM: This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of health education that aimed to raise awareness about Papanicolaou testing and to emphasize the importance of the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted as a prospective, randomized, controlled trial and was carried out in 148 women. Seventy-five women in the control group were asked to fill out questionnaire forms. A 45-minute conference-style training was given to 73 women in the study group, and all of the subjects were asked to fill out the forms after the training. The sociodemographic characteristics of the 2 groups and the mean "Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test" scores of the 2 groups were statistically analyzed by Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), version 15. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference noticed between the sociodemographic characteristics of the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The difference in test scores, which represented knowledge about cervical cancer and Papanicolaou testing, was statistically significant between the control group and the study group (t = 10.122, P < 0.05). In the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test, there were statistically significant differences in the following measures: lower levels of susceptibility to cervical cancer score (t = -2.035, P < 0.05), lower levels of perceived benefit from a Papanicolaou test score (t = 3.278, P < 0.05) and lower levels of perceived barriers to Papanicolaou test score (t = -3.182, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nurses should be involved in educating women about cervical cancer and Papanicolaou testing. By doing so, they can change the attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs of the women.

Knowledge, behavior and beliefs related to cervical cancer and screening among Turkish women.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore Turkish women's knowledge, behavior and beliefs related to cervical cancer and screening. METHODS: The study was performed in two cities in the East of Turkey between September 2009 and April 2010, with a sampling group of 387 women. Data were collected by means of an interview form with the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test - Turkish Version. RESULTS: Women in the research group were found to have poor knowledge, inadequate health behavior and low/medium level false beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening. There was relation between health beliefs and characteristics of women and particularly education (F = 10.80, p = 0.01). Similarly, it was found that Pap smear barriers were influenced by demographic characteristics and that women with low-level education (p = 0.001), divorced women (p = 0.05), women with low-income(p = 0.05), women who gave their first birth when they were 18 or younger (p = 0.05) and women not applying any contraceptive method at all (p = 0.01) were determined to have negative Pap smear barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Primarily the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of women in the target group should be evaluated to increase their participation in cervical cancer screening and to prepare effective education strategies.

Women's awareness of the human papilloma virus and related health problems.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study of women's awareness of the human papilloma virus and related health problems. BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is an important cause of mortality, making up approximately 12% of all cancers in women. Awareness on the part of carriers of human papilloma virus is crucial in preventing transmission of the infection and protecting against cervical cancer. METHOD: The study was performed as a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study consists of 79 human papilloma virus-positive women who had not been diagnosed with cervical cancer and 150 women who had not been diagnosed with human papilloma virus. Data were collected via questionnaires between November 2007 and April 2008. Percentages and chi-square test were used. FINDINGS: A significantly higher percentage of women with positive human papilloma virus knew the definition of human papilloma virus, the fact that it is transmitted via sexual contact and that it can lead to cervical cancer than did women with negative human papilloma virus. It was established that approximately half the women with positive human papilloma virus presented at the hospital with a genital wart. None of the women knew that a Pap smear test was a necessary tool in the prevention of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: Women with positive human papilloma virus have insufficient knowledge of human papilloma virus, sexually transmitted diseases, the health risks associated with human papilloma virus and the means of preventing these risks. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the education of health workers, and especially of nurses, on human papilloma virus and its prevention.

Women's breast cancer risk perception and attitudes toward screening tests.

This study's objective is to identify women's breast cancer risk perceptions and their attitudes and knowledge on screening tests. The cross-sectional research. Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. The population of 188 females who applied for gynecological examination. The study employed a semistructured questionnaire form. Questions such as female's demographic data, attitudes based on screening tests of breast cancer, family history, perceived risk breast cancer, and questions with regard to patients' fear of breast cancer were included in the survey. In this study, it is determined that the rates of the women, who conduct breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography at least once, are very low. The reason for not performing the BSE was declared with a rate of 50.8% as "Do not know how to perform." Of the women 20.2% were fully acknowledged about BSE. Nearly half of the women perceived 50% or more risk of developing breast cancer, and this rate increases as they get older. The risk perception and educational status increased CBE and mammography rates and BSE knowledge positively, but because of insufficient BSE application abilities BSE rate cannot increase as expected. It is recommended that nurses put forward the initiatives in training programs to increase women's BSE abilities. In planning such an education program risk perception and information of women about breast cancer should be considered.

Nurses' perceptions of the barriers to and the facilitators of research utilization in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine nurses' perceptions of the barriers to and facilitators of research utilization in Turkey. Barriers Scale was utilized in the research, and the population was 631 nurses. According to the research results, the first three important barriers were inadequate authority (63.6%), lack of time (54.0%), and insufficient facilities (52.8%). Nurses have perceived the organizational management support as the most important easing factor in their applications (n = 156). It is highly recommended that nurses be trained in research methods and evidence-based practice, that research articles be written more clearly, and that Research and Development centers where nurses could get consultation services be established.

Self-application of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with gynecologic cancer.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to determine the epidemiology and demographic data on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use along with the medical/surgical treatment modalities in patients with gynecologic cancers in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed to determine demographic data on CAM use of patients with gynecologic cancers who had medical and/or surgical treatments. Semistructured questionnaires were used for collecting data from 126 patients. RESULTS: When the CAM use ratio of patients was evaluated with respect to demographic characteristics, patients using any type of CAM were younger and more educated, and there were no significant differences between the patients who used and who did not use any type of CAM with respect to geographical region. There were no significant correlations between the use of CAM and the type of malignancy, treatment modality and time period after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: There is critical concern about the probable serious risks associated with non-educated CAM practitioners. Therefore, informed and educated healthcare professionals should inform and help in relieving patients in a more professional and multidisciplinary way.