Turkish validity and reliability study of midwifery student evaluation of practice (MidSTEP) tool.

BACKGROUND: In midwifery education, clinical learning environments have a significant impact on students' acquisition of clinical competence and professional self-identity. The Turkish version of the MidSTEP can be used a measurement tool to assess midwifery students' perceptions of their clinical learning environment experiences and the positive effects of preceptor on the professional development of midwifery students. AIM: This research was conducted to determine the Turkish validity-reliability of MidSTEP. METHOD: This research, which was designed as a methodological study, was conducted with volunteer students studying in the first, second, and third years of midwifery at a university in Turkey. The MidSTEP consists of the Clinical Learning Environment Scale and Impact of the Midwifery Preceptor Scale, each with two subscales. The validity and reliability of the MidSTEP were assessed using Exploratory Factor Analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. PARTICIPANTS: In this study, 205 students were included in the research sample, considering that it may not be sufficient to reveal the factor structure when the number of scale items and the sample size is less than 200. RESULTS: As a result of the factor analysis a 26 item measurement tool of two scales and each with two sub-dimensions was achieved. The Turkish version of the MidSTEP Tool matched the original scale in terms of the number of items and factor structure. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Turkish version of the MidSTEP is a valid and reliable instrument. The measurement tool can confidently be used in undergraduate midwifery clinical education.

Midwifery students' perceptions of clinical learning experiences and midwifery preceptors in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The clinical education environment presents a valuable opportunity for students to learn, acquire and develop the clinical skills essential for professional midwifery practice. The presence of competent and relevant preceptors plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of midwifery students and fostering positive clinical experiences. AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical practice experiences of midwifery students and their perceptions of midwifery preceptors. DESIGN: A descriptive and cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted with 205 students enrolled in the midwifery department of the Faculty of Health Sciences of a state university in Turkey. Data collection used a participant information form and the Clinical Learning Environment and Midwifery Preceptor Scales designed to assess factors affecting midwifery students' clinical learning. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 22.0 program, employing methods such as the Independent Sample T-Test, One-Way Analysis of Variance and Tukey test. RESULTS: The average total score on the Clinical Learning Environment scale was 31.08±2.16 out of a possible 32, while the average total score on the Midwifery Preceptors scale was 17.60 (SD 1.27) out of a possible 18. The mean total score of the Midwifery Preceptor Scale and the mean scores of the sub-dimensions of Skill Development and Midwifery Practice Philosophy were found to be statistically significantly higher in those aged 21 years and older than aged 20 years and younger (P < 0.05). The Midwifery Preceptor Scale total score, the Clinical Learning Environment Scale total score and Skill Development sub-dimensions mean scores of the second-year students were found to be statistically significantly higher than the first and third-year students (P <0.05). Furthermore, students who received education in larger groups and willingly chose and had a passion for the midwifery profession demonstrated significant positive perceptions regarding their clinical learning environment experiences and the impact of their preceptors on their professional growth. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the perspectives of midwifery students regarding the clinical education environment, preceptors and the teaching and learning process holds great importance for enhancing the quality of the clinical education environment and fostering the development of clinical competencies among midwifery preceptors.

Effects of Cold Therapy on Pain and Anxiety During Needle Removal From Implanted Ports.

This study was conducted as a quasiexperimental, single-blind study to examine the effect of cold therapy on pain and anxiety during port needle removal. Patients in the experimental group received cold therapy 10 minutes before port needle removal. Patients in the control group received no intervention before port needle removal. Data were collected using the visual analog scale (VAS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). After cold therapy was applied to the patients in the experimental group, the second and third VAS scores were found to be statistically significant and lower than those in the control group ( P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference between the anxiety levels of the experimental group and the control group before cold therapy ( P > .005). However, the STAI scores of the experimental group were found to be statistically and significantly lower than those of the control group after cold therapy ( P < .05). This study determined that cold therapy before port needle removal reduces pain and anxiety. Cold therapy may be recommended as an effective nonpharmacological pain control method with ease of application to prevent pain induced by port needle removal.

The Relationship Between Sexual Satisfaction and Marital Satisfaction in Women With Ovarian Cancer and Their Spouses.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer can have long-term physical and psychosexual effects on survivors. The post-ovarian cancer sexuality concerns of women can cause sadness and anxiety and negatively impact sexual and marital satisfaction in these women and their spouses. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction of women with ovarian cancer and their spouses. METHODS: This study was designed retrospectively. This study was conducted with 172 participants: 86 women with ovarian cancer and 86 spouses. Data were collected over 6 months from July 2019 to December 2019. Sexual satisfaction levels were assessed using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction. Marital satisfaction levels were assessed using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State. RESULTS: Spouses' sexual satisfaction (mean, 8.10) was worse than that of the women (mean, 5.60). The women's marital satisfaction (mean, 47.39) was worse than that of their spouses (mean, 40.75). CONCLUSIONS: As the sexual satisfaction of the women increased, the marital satisfaction of the women (r = 0.346, P = .001) and spouses (r = 0.308, P = .001) increased. As the sexual satisfaction of the spouses increased, the marital satisfaction of the women (r = 0.512, P = .001) and spouses (r = 0.409, P = .001) increased. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses and healthcare teams need to be aware of post-ovarian cancer sexual and marital satisfaction problems of women and their spouses and organize activities at education and couple counseling on these problems.

The relationship between levels of Alexithymia and communication skills of nursing students.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Effective communication in the nursing profession is not just a personal skill but is accepted as a learned and gained technique in the instructional process. It is possible for nurses to professionally provide effective and quality service with the establishment, development, and transfer to emotion of effective communication with people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of alexithymia and communication skills of nursing students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students attending the School of Nursing in a university in Turkey in the 2017-2018 Spring semester. A total of 634 nursing students participated in the study. The data in the study were collected with the "Student Introduction Form", the "Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)" and the "Communication Skills Scale (CSS)". Means, standard deviations, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The mean TAS scores of the nursing students were found to be 56.31±8.82, and the students had "moderate alexithymia" based on the average scores of the scale. The mean CSS scores of the nursing students in the study was found to be 91.16±12.99, and the students had "Good level of communication" based on the average scores of the scale. In our study, a negative and moderate correlation between the levels of alexithymia of nursing students and their communication skills was detected (p: 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was found that as the levels of alexithymia of nursing student increased, their communication skills decreased.

Effect of a Special Examination Gown and Nature-Based Sounds on Anxiety in Women Undergoing a Gynecological Examination.

Many women feel anxiety about gynecological examination. The purpose of this semi-experimental study was to investigate the effect of a special examination gown and nature-based sounds on anxiety in women undergoing a gynecological examination. This study was conducted with three experimental groups and one control group. The randomized sampling method was used. The sample size was determined as 30 women for each group. Data were collected over 4 months from February 2015 to May 2015. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Status Anxiety Inventory Form (STAI, A-State). The STAI (A-State) score after the gynecological examination was quite low in the women in the experimental groups in comparison with the women in the control group ( F = 3.672, p = .001). It is remarkable that the anxiety levels of the women in the special examination gown + nature-based sounds group were especially lower than the women in the control group.

Attitudes of University Students Towards Domestic Violence Against Women.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of university students towards domestic violence against women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on students attending the School of Nursing and School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at a university in Turkey. The study was conducted between February 2015 and May 2015. The study was conducted on 415 volunteer students without resorting to the sampling selection method. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and The Scale of Attitude Toward Domestic Violence. The data were analysed using frequencies, means, standard deviations, independent t-tests and ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean of attitude scores of university students toward domestic violence were 23.13 ± 6.66 and were affected by variables such as gender, and whether the questions should be asked to women who experienced domestic violence such as: "Does your partner have justified reasons for applying domestic violence against women?" and "Should domestic violence against women be shared by others?" and "Does domestic violence against women bother you?" (p.

Prevalence and Factors Affecting Dysmenorrhea in Female University Students: Effect on General Comfort Level.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the affecting factors of dysmenorrhea and its effects on overall comfort among female university students. This was a cross-sectional study. The research was carried out between October and November 2013 at a university in Ankara. This study was conducted with 200 female students. The data were analyzed using frequencies, means, SD, χ(2) tests, independent t tests and analysis of variance. Data were collected using an interview questionnaire, the visual analog scale (VAS) and the General Comfort Questionnaire. The mean age of students in this study group was 20.85 ± 2.15 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in the students was 84%. The mean severity of pain was 5.78 ± 2.45 on the VAS. The present study found that 45.8% of female students experienced moderate menstrual pain and the most common co-occurring symptoms were irritability (34.6%) and fatigue (21.5%). One-fourth of the students with dysmenorrhea consulted the advice of a physician and the most commonly used methods for pain were analgesics (69%), heat application (56.5%), and rest (71.4%). Family history of dysmenorrhea, education about menstruation, and frequency of menstrual cycle were identified as important factors in the development of dysmenorrhea (p < .05). The mean general comfort score for students with dysmenorrhea (2.57 ± 0.25) was lower than that of students without the condition (2.65 ± 0.23). Also, use of the methods for management of dysmenorrhea was found to increase students' general comfort levels. Therefore, it is important for nurses to educate and advise adolescents and young women about dysmenorrhea.

Effect of home care service on the quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer.

The purpose of the research was to determine the effect of home care service on the quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer. This randomized case control study was carried out in a womans hospital between September 2011 and February 2012. Women undergoing gynecological cancer treatment were separated into intervention and control groups, of 35 patients each. The intervention group was provided with nursing care service through hospital and home visits (1st, 12th weeks) within the framework of a specifically developed nursing care plan. The control group was monitored without any intervention through the hospital routine protocols (1st, 12th weeks). Data were collected using An Interview Form, Home Visit Monitoring Form and Quality of Life Scale/Cancer Survivors. Effects of home care service on the quality of life in gynecological cancer patients were investigated using chi-square tests, McNemar's test, independent t-test and ANOVA. This study found that the intervention group receiving home care service had a moderately high quality of life (average mean: 6.01±0.64), while the control group had comparatively lower quality (average mean: 4.35±0.79) within the 12 week post- discharge period (p<0.05). This study found home care services to be efficient in improving the quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer.

Ethical sensitivity and related factors of nurses working in the hospital settings / Sensibilidad ética y factores relacionados con el trabajo de enfermera/o en hospitales / Sensibilidade ética e fatores relacionados com enfermeiros que trabalham em hospitais

The purpose of the study is to determine the level of ethical sensitivity and related factors of nurses working in the hospital settings. This descriptive study was conducted at a public hospital and a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey between April-July 2012. A total of 111 nurses participated in the study. The data were collected using a data collection tool consisting of two parts. The first part consisted of questions that determined the nurses’ personal and socio-demographic characteristics. The second part comprised of "Byrd’s Nurses Ethical Sensitivity Test". The data were evaluated by using frequency, percentage, t-test and one-way ANOVA. Of the 111 nurses, 39,7 percent had a work experience of 1-3 years, 51,4 percent was married and 38,7 percent did not have ethics education. Education levels of most of the nurses (62,2 percent) were bachelor’s degree. The mean ethical sensitivity score of nurses was 21,12+/-2,85. "It was determined that ethical sensitivity of nurses was found to be higher in those that had ethics education, older age group, and had bachelor’s degree than others (p<0,05)". The mean ethical sensitivity score of nurses was of medium level. It is concluded that ethical sensitivity was influenced by ethics education, age groups, and educational background.

El propósito de este estudio es determinar el nivel de sensibilidad ética y los factores relacionados con el trabajo de enfermero/a en Hospitales. Este estudio descriptivo se realizó en un Hospital público y un Hospital universitario en Ankara, Turquía entre los meses de Abril y Julio en el 2012. Participaron en el estudio un total de 111 enfermeras/os. Los datos se recolectaron usando una herramienta de recogida de datos que consiste en dos partes. La primera parte consistía de preguntas para determinar las características personales y socio-demográficas de las/os enfermeras/os. La segunda parte consistía en la Prueba de sensibilidad ética de "Byrd". Se evaluaron los datos usando porcentajes, frecuencias, t-test y ANOVA en una dirección. De las/os 111 enfermeras/os, 39,7 por ciento tenían una experiencia de trabajo de 1 a 3 años, 51,4 por ciento casados y 38,7 por ciento no tenía educación ética. El nivel de educación de la mayoría de las/os enfermeras/os (62,2 por ciento) era de licenciatura. El puntaje medio en sensibilidad ética fue de 21,12+/-2,85. "Se determinó que la sensibilidad ética de las/os enfermeras/os era mayor en los que habían recibido educación ética, tenían mayor edad y con licenciatura (p<0,05)". El puntaje medio de sensibilidad ética de los/as enfermeros/as fue de nivel medio. Se concluye que la sensibilidad ética estaba influenciada por la educación ética, la edad y la base educacional.

O objetivo do estudo é determinar o nível de sensibilidade ética e fatores relacionados com enfermeiros que trabalham em setores hospitalares. Este estudo descritivo foi realizado em um hospital público e um hospital universitário em Ancara, Turquia, entre abril e julho de 2012. No total, 111 enfermeiros participaram do estudo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um instrumento de coleta de dados que composto de duas partes. A primeira parte consistiu em perguntas sobre determinadas características pessoais e sócio-demográficas dos enfermeiros. A segunda parte composta de "Byrd’s Nurses Ethical Sensitivity Test". Os dados foram avaliados por meio de frequência, porcentagem, t-test e ANOVA one-way. Dos 111 enfermeiros, 39,7 por cento tinham uma experiência de trabalho de 1-3 anos, 51,4 por cento eram casados e 38,7 por cento não tiveram o ensino da ética. Os níveis de educação da maioria dos enfermeiros (62,2 por cento) eram do grau de bacharel. A pontuação média sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros foi de 21,12 +/- 2,85. "Determinou-se que a sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros encontrada foi maior naqueles que tiveram educação ética, no grupo de faixa etária mais velha, e que tinha o grau de bacharel em relação aos demais (p <0,05)." A pontuação média da sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros foi de nível médio. Concluiu-se que a sensibilidade ética foi influenciada pela educação ética, faixa etária, e formação educacional.

Ethical sensitivity and related factors of nurses working in the Hospital Settings / Sensibilidad ética y factores relacionados con el trabajo de enfermera/o en hospitales

The purpose of the study is to determine the level of ethical sensitivity and related factors of nurses working in the hospital settings. This descriptive study was conducted at a public hospital and a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey between April–July 2012. A total of 111 nurses participated in the study. The data were collected using a data collection tool consisting of two parts. The first part consisted of questions that determined the nurses’ personal and socio-demographic characteristics. The second part comprised of “Byrd’s Nurses Ethical Sensitivity Test”. The data were evaluated by using frequency, percentage, t-test and one-way ANOVA. Of the 111 nurses, 39,7% had a work experience of 1–3 years, 51,4% was married and 38,7% did not have ethics education. Education levels of most of the nurses (62,2%) were bachelor’s degree. The mean ethical sensitivity score of nurses was 21,12±2,85. “It was determined that ethical sensitivity of nurses was found to be higher in those that had ethics education, older age group, and had bachelor’s degree than others (p<0,05)”. The mean ethical sensitivity score of nurses was of medium level. It is concluded that ethical sensitivity was influenced by ethics education, age groups, and educational background.(AU)

El propósito de este estudio es determinar el nivel de sensibilidad ética y los factores relacionados con el trabajo de enfermero/a en Hospitales. Este estudio descriptivo se realizó en un Hospital público y un Hospital universitario en Ankara, Turquía entre los meses de Abril y Julio en el 2012. Participaron en el estudio un total de 111 enfermeras/os. Los datos se recolectaron usando una herramienta de recogida de datos que consiste en dos partes. La primera parte consistía de preguntas para determinar las características personales y socio-demográficas de las/os enfermeras/os. La segunda parte consistía en la Prueba de sensibilidad ética de “Byrd”. Se evaluaron los datos usando porcentajes, frecuencias, t-test y ANOVA en una dirección. De las/os 111 enfermeras/os, 39,7% tenían una experiencia de trabajo de 1 a 3 años, 51,4% casados y 38,7% no tenía educación ética. El nivel de educación de la mayoría de las/os enfermeras/os (62,2%) era de licenciatura. El puntaje medio en sensibilidad ética fue de 21,12±2,85. “Se determinó que la sensibilidad ética de las/os enfermeras/os era mayor en los que habían recibido educación ética, tenían mayor edad y con licenciatura (p<0,05)”. El puntaje medio de sensibilidad ética de los/as enfermeros/as fue de nivel medio. Se concluye que la sensibilidad ética estaba influenciada por la educación ética, la edad y la base educacional.(AU)

O objetivo do estudo é determinar o nível de sensibilidade ética e fatores relacionados com enfermeiros que trabalham em setores hospitalares. Este estudo descritivo foi realizado em um hospital público e um hospital universitário em Ancara, Turquia, entre abril e julho de 2012. No total, 111 enfermeiros participaram do estudo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um instrumento de coleta de dados que composto de duas partes. A primeira parte consistiu em perguntas sobre determinadas características pessoais e sócio-demográficas dos enfermeiros. A segunda parte composta de “Byrd’s Nurses Ethical Sensitivity Test”. Os dados foram avaliados por meio de frequência, porcentagem, t-test e ANOVA one-way. Dos 111 enfermeiros, 39,7% tinham uma experiência de trabalho de 1-3 anos, 51,4% eram casados e 38,7% não tiveram o ensino da ética. Os níveis de educação da maioria dos enfermeiros (62,2%) eram do grau de bacharel. A pontuação média sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros foi de 21,12 ± 2,85. “Determinou-se que a sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros encontrada foi maior naqueles que tiveram educação ética, no grupo de faixa etária mais velha, e que tinha o grau de bacharel em relação aos demais (p <0,05).” A pontuação média da sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros foi de nível médio. Concluiu-se que a sensibilidade ética foi influenciada pela educação ética, faixa etária, e formação educacional.(AU)

Elucidation of multiple-point interactions of pyranine fluoroprobe during the gelation.

We have studied the multiple-point interactions of the pyranine (8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, trisodium salt; 3sPyOH) fluoroprobe with polymer chains during the free-radical polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) by using the steady state fluorescence measurements. We observed a considerable blue shift from 515nm to 406nm in the emission spectra due to a C-O ether bond formation between the hydroxylic oxygen of 3sPyOH and a terminal C-atom of the growing AAm chain. Furthermore ionic (electrostatic) interactions occur between the three ionized sulfonic acid groups (SO(3)(-)) of 3sPyOH and protonated amide groups on the AAm chains. These electrostatic interactions also cause a gradual red shift in the maximum of the short-wavelength-peak, from 406nm to 430nm. The results showed that the pyranine can be used as a probe for real time monitoring of the polymerization process of AAm system since it monitors both the progression of the polymerization via chemical binding over OH group and the change in the local density of the polymerizing sample by means of the gradual red shift in the short-wavelength-peak via ionic interactions over SO(3)(-) groups.

Universal behaviour of gel formation from acrylamide-carrageenan mixture around the gel point: a fluorescence study.

The steady state fluorescence (SSF) technique was used to study the sol-gel transition, for the solution free radical crosslinking copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) with various carrageenan content. N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) (BIS) and ammonium persulfate (APS) are used as crosslinker and an initiator, respectively. Pyranine (8-hydroxypyrene-1, 3,6-trisulfonic acid, trisodium salt, HPTS) was added as a floroprobe for monitoring the polymerization. Pyranine molecules start to bind to acrylamide polymer chains upon the initiation of the polymerization; thus, the spectra of the bonded pyranines shift to the shorter wavelengths. Fluorescence spectra from the bonded pyranines allows one to monitor the sol-gel transition, without disturbing the system mechanically, and to test the universality of the sol-gel transition as a function of some kinetic parameters like polymer concentration. Observations around the critical point show that the gel fraction exponent beta obeyed the percolation result for low carrageenan concentrations (< 2.0%) however classical results were produced at higher carrageenan concentration (> 2.0%).