Hypoglycaemia fear, treatment adherence, and the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and its determinants.

AIM: This work aims to evaluate the relationship between the fear of hypoglycaemia, treatment adherence, and the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its determinants. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study sample recruited 1060 T2DM outpatients in a health centre between January and July 2022. The Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS), Type 2 DM Treatment Patient Compliance Scale, and the 5-Level EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) were used for data collection. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between age, duration of T2DM, and the scores obtained from the HFS and its subscales (p < 0.001). There was a positive, moderate correlation between the total HFS score and the TCS (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between the scores obtained from the HFS and the EQ-5D-5L (p < 0.001). The multiple regression analysis showed that the quality of life scores of the patients were significantly predicted by hypoglycaemia fear, duration of T2DM diagnosis, and age. (F = 91.691, p < 0.001). Hypoglycaemia fear, duration of T2DM diagnosis, and age explained 38.1% of the quality of life of patients. CONCLUSION: We determined that the increase in hypoglycaemia fear resulted in a decrease in treatment adherence. Besides, hypoglycaemia fear increased with increasing age and duration of T2DM diagnosis.

Development of ethical conflict scale for nurses in extraordinary circumstances and psychometric testing.

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop and psychometrically test the Ethical Conflict Scale for Nurses in Extraordinary Circumstances (ECSNEC). DESIGN: This study is designed to develop and validate an instrument. METHODS: There are four basic steps in the development process of ECSNEC: (1) establishment of the conceptual framework, (2) creation of the item pool, (3) preliminary evaluation and (4) psychometric evaluation. The data were gathered from 519 nurses who worked in two different hospitals operating in Istanbul between June 2022 and October 2022. RESULTS: The scale had good content validity. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor construct which explained 47.31% of the total variance in the measured variable. The corresponding construct was confirmed by the confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were greater than .60 for all dimensions. The test-retest reliability coefficient value of the scale was 0.90. CONCLUSION: ECSNEC is a valid and reliable tool to determine the ethical conflict experienced by nurses in extraordinary circumstances. IMPACT: The established scale allows the identification of factors influencing the ethical challenges nurses face in extraordinary circumstances. Thus, policies can be developed to prevent such ethical conflicts. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

The prevalence of smoking and the levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy among adolescents in Turkey: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of smoking and the levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy in adolescents and to examine the risk factors affecting smoking. DESIGN AND METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. This study was conducted with a total of 2566 adolescents (13-19 years of age). In order to collect research data, Personal Information Form, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Self-Efficacy Scale for Children were used. RESULTS: In the current study, the mean age of adolescents was 15.88 ± 1.20 years and the prevalence of smoking was 11.3%. Variables such as age, gender, family type, parental employment status, presence of smokers in the immediate circle, and self-efficacy levels were determined as risk factors that had an impact on smoking. It was found that the total score of the self-efficacy scale increased the probability of smoking by 3.413 times, the academic self-efficacy subscale by 5.064 times, and the emotional self-efficacy subscale by 2.045 times. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that certain adolescents are in the risk group. The adolescents in the risk of smoking are those who have low levels of self-efficacy, who are older, male, have a nuclear family, whose mothers do not work, whose fathers work, and who have smokers in their immediate circle. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: School nurses can identify students at risk of smoking at an early stage. In addition, training sessions and intervention programs aimed at improving social skills can be developed to boost their self-efficacy.

Musculoskeletal system problems in office workers: relationship of physical activity levels and quality of life.

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the relationship between musculoskeletal problems in office workers and their physical activity levels and quality of life. Methods. A questionnaire form, the quality of life scale (SF-36) and the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) were used. Group differences were compared post hoc (Bonferroni) and non-parametrically (Mann-Whitney U test, etc.). Results. Among the participants, 81.7% experienced pain in at least one body area. Back pain was experienced most frequently at a rate of 54.8%, followed by neck and shoulder pain, respectively. According to the participants' physical activity levels, 58.5% (n = 141) were active, 37.3% (n = 90) were less active and 4.1% (n = 10) were very active. There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the participants and the participants' age, educational status, income status, regular exercise status, duration of computer use, eye complaints, complaints in the wrists and ergonomic chair use. Conclusion. The prevalence of MSDs was determined to be high in the office workers, while their levels of physical activity were found low. Training and exercises are needed to prevent MSDs in office workers and improve their levels of physical activity and quality of life.

The Relationship of Death Anxiety With Loneliness and Psychological Well-Being in the Elderly Living in a Nursing Home.

This descriptive correlational study aimed relationship of death anxiety with loneliness and psychological well-being in the elderly living in a nursing home. The study was conducted on the elderly living in a nursing home in Istanbul, Turkey, between November 2021-February 2022. The study sample included 165 nursing home residents. The Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), Loneliness Scale for the Elderly (LSE) and Psychological Well-Being Scale were used as data collection tools. The elderly participants obtained a mean score of 6.10 ± 3.50 from DAS, a mean score of 9.01 ± 4.08 from LSE, and a mean score of 38.97 ± 10.05 from Psychological Well-Being Scale. When death anxiety scale mean score of the elderly was compared with their mean scores of loneliness scale and psychological well-being scale, a weak and negative correlation was determined between psychological well-being and loneliness (p < 0.001). As the mean score of psychological well-being scale increases, loneliness scale mean score decreases.

Effect of Home Visits by Nurses on the Physical and Psychosocial Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: One of the best ways to maintain and develop physical and psychosocial health is to make regular home visits. This meta-analysis aimed to determine (by subgroups) the effects of interventions based on nurses' home visits on physical and psychological health outcomes of older people. Methods: This search was carried out using the The CINAHL, Cochrane, MEDLINE, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Turkish databases. Experimental and observational studies were included. Results: The meta-analysis included 26 (with subgroups 50) out of 13110 studies. The minimum and maximum values of the effect size (Hedges g) were g = -0.708 and g = 0.525, respectively. The average effect size was g = 0.084 (SD = 0.21). Conclusion: Home visit interventions are effective in reducing the frequency of hospitalization in the older adults, and improving physical and psychosocial health. They are negatively effective on falls and have no significant effect on the quality of life.

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Ethical Sensitivity in Turkish Nursing Students.

Providing effective care to patients and making the right decisions in difficult working environments depend on moral sensitivity. Emotional intelligence and ethical sensitivity affect nursing care. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nursing students' emotional intelligence and ethical sensitivity levels. The research employed a descriptive-correlational design, 201 nursing students studying at a university in the Central Anatolia region, Turkey, participated in the study. Students' ethical sensitivity was found to be significant. The nursing students received the highest score in the "Interpersonal Orientation" sub-dimension of the Moral Sensitivity Scale, while their lowest score was observed in the "Experiencing ethical dilemma" sub-dimension. The SSREIT and MMSQSN total scores of the students who willingly chose the nursing department and loved their field were found to be higher. It was found that the ethical sensitivity of nursing students was at a significant level and gender, family type, having sibling(s) and perception of economic status affected the level of ethical sensitivity.

A cross-sectional study of social media addiction and social and emotional loneliness in university students in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the relationships between social media addiction and social and emotional loneliness in university students. METHODS: This is a descriptive, correlational study. Data were collected from 555 university students. The study data were then collected through an online survey. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal Wallis analysis, and Spearman correlation. RESULTS: Higher and statistically significant levels of loneliness were found in males, single students, students displaying poor academic performance, and learners who perceived their economic situation as worse than the other groups (p ≤ 0.005). A positive and significant relationship association was noted between the aggregate social media scores of students and their total loneliness scores (r = 0.196 p = 0.000) (p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Social skills training should be provided to young social media users. Young people should be offered social support resources and ways to reduce loneliness, such as listening to music, exercising, and doing yoga.

A mixed method study on global warming, climate change and the role of public health nurses from the perspective of nursing students.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of the nursing students taking the Public Health Nursing course about global warming, climate change, the impact on health and the role of the public health nurse. DESIGN: The study is a mixed method study that includes descriptive data and focus group discussions on global warming, the effects of climate change and the role of the public health nurse. METHODS: The data were collected from the nursing faculty of a university located in the Central Anatolia region, where agricultural lands are widespread and climate change effects are most commonly observed. The data were collected from 154 undergraduate senior nursing students between February 2020 and May 2020. Firstly, the students completed the Global Warming Questionnaire that includes 26 items about global warming, climate change, their effects and the role of the public health nurse. Secondly, some students (n = 19) selected through the purposive sampling method participated in online focus group meetings. RESULTS: Our study revealed that 87.7% of the students know the main cause of climate change. The mean scale scores of the students who watch documentaries on the environment, who participate in activities related to the environment, and who know that climate change, sustainable development and health services are closely related were found to be statistically significantly higher (p ≤ 0.005). The views of the students on global warming and the environment were analyzed in focus group interviews according to five themes (global warming perception; the impact of global warming on health; methods of protection; roles of nurses; nursing education). CONCLUSION: Global warming and climate change are sensitive and important issues that cannot be evaluated considering only knowledge level. IMPACT: Global warming, climate change, their effects on health and the roles and responsibilities of nurses need to be included in the nursing curricula so that health professionals who can take measures against global warming, climate change and their health effects can be educated.

Can a pilates exercise program be effective on balance, flexibility and muscle endurance? A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This randomized controlled study aims to determine the effect of pilates mat exercises on dynamic and static balance, hamstring flexibility, abdominal muscle activity and endurance in healthy adults. METHODS: Female healthy volunteer university students randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 followed a pilates program for an hour two times a week. Group 2 continued daily activities as control group. Dynamic and static balance were evaluated by Sport Kinesthetic Ability Trainer (KAT) 4000 device. Hamstring flexibility and abdominal endurance were determined by sit-and-reach test, curl-up test respectively. Pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) was used to measure transversus abdominis and lumbar muscle activity. The physical activity of the participants was followed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. RESULTS: Twenty-three subjects in pilates group and 24 control subjects completed the study. In pilates group, statistical significant improvements were observed in curl-up, sit-and-reach test, PBU scores at sixth week (P<0.001), and KAT static and dynamic balance scores (P<0.001), waist circumference (P=0.007) at eighth week. In the comparison between two groups, there were significant improvements in pilates group for sit-and-reach test (P=0.01) and PBU scores (P<0.001) at sixth week, additionally curl-up and static KAT scores progressed in eighth week (P<0.001). No correlation was found between flexibility, endurance, trunk muscle activity and balance parameters. CONCLUSIONS: An eight-week pilates training program has been found to have beneficial effect on static balance, flexibility, abdominal muscle endurance, abdominal and lumbar muscle activity. These parameters have no effect on balance.

New Approach in Fibromyalgia Exercise Program: A Preliminary Study Regarding the Effectiveness of Balance Training.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of balance exercises on the functional level and quality of life (QOL) of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to investigate the circumstances associated with balance disorders in FMS. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=57) (age range, 18-65y) with FMS were randomly assigned into 2 groups. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 was given flexibility and balance exercises for 6 weeks, whereas group 2 received only a flexibility program as the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional balance was measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and dynamic and static balance were evaluated by a kinesthetic ability trainer (KAT) device. Fall risk was assessed with the Hendrich II fall risk model. The Nottingham Health Profile, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to determine QOL and functional and depression levels, respectively. Assessments were performed at baseline and after the 6-week program. RESULTS: In group 1, statistically significant improvements were observed in all parameters (P<.05), but no improvement was seen in group 2 (P>.05). When comparing the 2 groups, there were significant differences in group 1 concerning the KAT static balance test (P=.017) and FIQ measurements (P=.005). In the correlation analysis, the BDI was correlated with the BBS (r=-.434) and Hendrich II results (r=.357), whereas body mass index (BMI) was correlated with the KAT static balance measurements (r=.433), BBS (r=-.285), and fall frequency (r=.328). CONCLUSIONS: A 6-week balance training program had a beneficial effect on the static balance and functional levels of patients with FMS. We also observed that depression deterioration was related to balance deficit and fall risk. Higher BMI was associated with balance deficit and fall frequency.