The level of cancer-related concerns and affecting factors in Turkish cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To examine and compare the level of cancer-related concerns and affecting factors between cancer survivors who completed their treatment and those still receiving treatment. DESIGN: The study has a cross-sectional comparative design. METHODS: Convenience sampling was used and the study included 350 Turkish cancer survivors. Data were collected between March and June 2022 online with a descriptive characteristics form and the Assessment of Survivor Concerns. Obtained data were analysed with numbers, percentages, mean values, t-test and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The cancer survivors who completed their treatment had a significantly higher level of concerns than those who were still on treatment. Female cancer survivors, cancer survivors with less than 5-year time elapsing after diagnosis and gynaecological cancer survivors with completed cancer treatment can also have a higher level of cancer-related concerns. CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors who have completed their treatment have a higher level of concerns than those who still receive treatment. Gender, time elapsing after diagnosis and type of cancer affect the level of concerns. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nurses should evaluate psychosocial care and needs of cancer survivors in addition to their physical care. Raising awareness about the concerns of the cancer survivors with completed treatment in addition to those still receiving treatment and providing holistic care to them can reduce their concerns. IMPACT: It is of great importance to be aware of the factors likely to increase cancer-related concerns during and after cancer treatment. This study identifies cancer-related concerns in cancer survivors who completed or were still receiving treatment and provides a comparison with other studies in the literature. REPORTING METHOD: We have adhered to STROBE statement using STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement.

Is decision-making based on the internet during pregnancy a predictive factor for vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women during the pandemic?

Pregnant women frequently use the Internet to get information, and the information they receive is effective in their decision-making. It is known that pregnant women get information about COVID-19 vaccines from the Internet. This study aims to determine whether decision-making based on Internet sources during pregnancy is a predictive factor for vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women during the pandemic. A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used. The data were collected by using an online survey instrument. There was a positive, moderate, and significant relationship between the self-efficacy perception sub-dimension of the internet decision-making during pregnancy scale and the risk sub-dimension of the vaccine hesitancy in pandemics scale (r: .584, p < .05) and between the self-control sub-dimension of the internet decision-making during pregnancy scale and the risk sub-dimension of the vaccine hesitancy in pandemics scale (r: .546, p < .05). The perception of self-control (ß: .291) affected the lack of confidence, and the perception of self-efficacy (ß: .481) affected the risk perception more than other variables. There was a relationship between internet decision-making and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women. Health professionals, information specialists, and librarians should orient people to reliable sources about vaccines.

The prevalence and associated factors of fear of childbirth among Turkish pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of fear of childbirth and affecting factors in pregnant women in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study and included a total of 2025.    Pregnant Women Assessment, some variables related to previous and current perinatal processes and Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (version A) were used for data collection. FINDINGS: In this sample, 42.4% of the women reported fear of childbirth. What the women were afraid of most was the development of unwanted conditions at childbirth, obscurity/uncertainty, and negative attitudes of health professionals. The factors causing fear of childbirth were the low education level, unemployment status, low financial status, stillbirth, unplanned pregnancy, indecisiveness about the type of delivery, not attending prenatal education programs, negative effects of other people, insufficient social support, confiding in the healthcare centre and health professional, negative, and indecisive birth perceptions, prior negative birth experiences and not feeling ready for childbirth (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of fear of childbirth in this Turkish sample, especially in the multipara is higher than in Western countries. Causes of fear of childbirth can vary with countries and even with each region of a country.

Finding useful cancer information may reduce cancer information overload for Internet users.

BACKGROUND: An excessive overload of information causes an ineffective management of information, stress and indefiniteness. Furthermore, this situation can prevent persons from learning and making conscious decisions. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the cancer information overload (CIO) and the factors related to it in adults who are Internet users. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 482 Internet users was conducted. The data were collected by using an Introductory Information Form and the Cancer Information Overload Scale. RESULTS: It was found that the Internet was the most used information source (62.2%). The CIO of those with a university level education was found to be high (P = 0.012). It was found that the CIO of individuals who used the Internet (P = 0.031) and newspapers/magazines (P = 0.004) as sources of information was high compared with those who did not use these sources. It was determined from the information obtained that those who found the information to be beneficial and enough had a low CIO (P = 0.004, P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Health literacy around cancer information is challenging for frequent Internet users. Health professionals, information specialists and librarians should orient people to reliable sources.

Nursing as career choice: perceptions of Turkish nursing students.

Students' perceptions of nursing influence their choice of nursing as a career and whether they remain in the profession. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of entry-level male and female nursing students and the reasons for choosing nursing as a career. A qualitative approach was used by focus group interviews with 31 nursing students, and socio-demographic data were collected by questionnaire. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data, and findings were grouped into categories and themes. The first category was 'choosing', which included the themes of 'desire to help', 'satisfactory income, and guaranteed employment', 'influence of family and friends' and 'being in a health-related profession'. The second category was 'others' reactions, which included the single theme 'response'. The third category was 'the image of nursing' which included the themes of 'job description' and 'gender'. The study concluded that although a growing amount of male students are enrolling in nursing programs, stereotypical ideas persist, and nursing is considered a female-dominated profession. There is further need to track student experiences during or after clinical practice and explore whether students' perceptions change over time.

The effect of a mobile application for patients living with gynaecological cancer on their physical and psychosocial adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Education of patients with cancer and patient self-management allow better clinical outcomes using e-health or mobile health applications. AIMS: To develop a mobile application to increase the physical and psychosocial adaptation for patients with gynecological cancer who are receiving chemotherapy and to investigate the effectiveness of the mobile application. METHODS: This study was planned as a parallel, single-blind, pre-post test randomised controlled experimental study in which two groups (intervention-control) will be compared. A total of 52 gynecological cancer patients were planned to be included in the study. FINDINGS: This study is in the protocol stage. Therefore, the results of the study have not yet been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based information within JineOnkolojik Destek provides rich data on coping with chemotherapy. In addition, the visual and auditory elements, real patient stories and videos, and the ability to ask questions and receive counselling from the research team can positively affect the physical and psychosocial health of the cancer survivors.

Experiences of Muslim women living with gynaecological cancer and family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Cancer has a large impact on the life of the diagnosed person and also their caregivers, who are typically family members. The impact of cancer on a Muslim woman and her caregivers has not been well researched because of cultural and social constraits. AIMS: The aim of this study was to explorel the experiences of Muslim women with gynaecological cancers and their family caregivers. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted. A convenience sample was used in the research. FINDINGS: The study findings were grouped into four major themes: the initial reaction to a cancer diagnosis from women and their caregivers, difficulties the patient and caregiver experienced (physiological, psychological, social and sexual), coping with cancer and expectations that caregivers and patients have of the institution and the health personnel. It was determined that during this disease and treatment, both the patients and caregivers faced difficulties, which can be categorised as physiological, psychological, social and sexual. Muslim women with gynaecological cancer frequently used coping behaviours, such as worshiping and believing that illness and healing come from God during the illness process. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and their family caregivers lived through various difficulties. Healthcare professionals need to consider the expectations of patients with gynecological cancer, alongside those of their family caregivers. Nurses can help Muslim patients and their families cope with the problems they experience by being aware of the positive coping methods of Muslim cancer patients and their caregivers. Nurses should consider individuals' religious beliefs and cultural differences while giving care.

Traumatic childbirth experiences, effects and coping: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Childbirth experience and perception of birth are personal. It is important to understand how the traumatic childbirth experiences affected women and for the nursing care that would be given to them. The aim of the research was to determine the childbirth experiences perceived by women as traumatic, how they were affected by these experiences, and how they coped. METHODS: The study was a descriptive phenomenological approach study. The data were obtained through semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the data. The mothers were contacted by using the social media platforms. Sixteen women were included in the research who expressed that they had traumatic childbirth experiences. RESULTS: It was determined that women experienced severe fear and pain during childbirth, that they were in unsuitable maternity hospital environments, and that care was not taken for their privacy. At the same time, it was determined that they experienced disorders in the postpartum period connected to their traumatic birth experiences, that they postponed their pregnancy plans due to their fear of childbirth that developed connected to traumatic childbirth or that they did not want to become pregnant, and that they did not receive sufficient support from health personnel. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to provide privacy during childbirth, to take into consideration the decisions of women, and to provide for their continuous support by midwives.

A qualitative study of pregnant women's opinions on COVID-19 vaccines in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: to examine pregnant Turkish women's opinions on COVID-19 vaccines. DESIGN: a qualitative approach was used to gather data through semi-structured interviews. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 16 women about to receive a vaccine during their pregnancy and who did or did not experience vaccine hesitancy participated. ANALYSIS: qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: three main themes emerged regarding the pregnant women's opinions on COVID-19 vaccines: fear, security/insecurity and social support. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: pregnant women mostly recalled their babies and fears about COVID-19 vaccines. Although the fear of vaccines created vaccine hesitancy during pregnancy, the fear of contracting COVID-19 led to a positive attitude to the vaccines. It is critical to provide pregnant women with information about COVID-19 and vaccines for the disease in order to enhance vaccination rates among pregnant women.

Reasons for individuals' COVID-19 vaccine hesitations and changing decisions over time: A longitudinal qualitative study.

Objective: COVID-19 is a serious public health problem. Therefore, it is important to vaccinate the community. This study was aimed at examining the reasons for individuals' COVID-19 vaccine hesitations, and decisions that have changed over time. Material and methods: This was a prospective longitudinal qualitative study. Results: Confidence, fear, conspiracy theories, belief, and social pressure play a role in vaccine hesitancy. The most important factor in the changing decisions of individuals who are hesitant about vaccination is pressure. Confidence and fear also lead to a change of decision. However, it was remarkable that most of the participants who were vaccinated due to pressure did not want to be revaccinated. Conclusions: Governments, media, vaccine companies, health professionals, and scientists should act together to increase the vaccination rates of individuals.

Objetivo: El COVID-19 es un grave problema de salud pública. Por lo tanto, es importante vacunar a la comunidad. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar las razones de las dudas y decisiones de las personas sobre la vacuna COVID-19 que han cambiado con el tiempo. Material y métodos: Se trata de un estudio cualitativo longitudinal prospectivo. Resultados: La confianza, el miedo, las teorías de conspiración, la creencia y la opresión jugaron un papel en la vacilación de la vacuna. El factor más importante en las decisiones cambiantes de las personas que dudan acerca de la vacunación ha sido la opresión. La confianza y el miedo también llevaron a un cambio de decisión. Sin embargo, fue notable que la mayoría de los participantes que fueron vacunados debido a la opresión no querían ser revacunados. Conclusiones: Los gobiernos, los medios de comunicación, las empresas de vacunas, los profesionales de la salud y los científicos deben actuar juntos para aumentar las tasas de vacunación de las personas.

The effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on vaccine decisions in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is an important time for developing attitudes and beliefs about childhood vaccinations. Vaccinations are among the most effective way of preventing some infectious diseases. Discussions on vaccinations have increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic and there is an opportunity to give society correct information on vaccinations. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the opinions of pregnant women on vaccinations in pregnancy and childhood and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on these views. METHODS: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study. The sample included 152 pregnant women. Data were collected through a 25-item online questionnaire created by the researchers. RESULTS: It was found in our study that 29.6% of pregnant women using forum websites exhibited hesitant attitudes towards vaccinations. The vaccine hesitancy rate was found to be high in pregnant women who said that their economic level was low and who worried about the risks of vaccination. The Covid-19 pandemic was reported to be the cause of a decrease in vaccine hesitancy in 28.9% of the participants. CONCLUSION: The events surrounding the pandemic provided an opportunity to explain how pregnant women feel about vaccinations. Providing pregnant women with access to correct information from health workers may reduce the problem of trust, which is among the most important reasons for vaccine hesitancy.

Being overweight or obese during pregnancy: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The objectice of this study was to reveal difficulties, coping and expectations of overweight/obese women during pregnancy. METHODS: A descriptive, phenomenological approach was used. Fourteen pregnant women having a body mass index of 25 or over 25. RESULTS: The findings were presented under three themes: difficulties experienced, coping and expectations. The women had physical difficulties and their daily life was affected negatively. They experienced stigmatization, humiliation and uncertainty about how much they had to eat during pregnancy. Therefore, they were upset and unhappy. Some women denied that they were overweight and some women considered being overweight as normal due to pregnancy. Social support plays an important part in coping with difficulties; however, some women could not get sufficient social support. The women also expected to be treated tolerantly. CONCLUSION: Overweight/obese women try to overcome many physical and psychological problems due to their weight during pregnancy, but they do not receive adequate support.

Effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of covid-19 during the covid-19 pandemic: A single-blind randomised controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A single-blind randomised controlled trial comparing two groups: an antenatal education group and a control group. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 44 pregnant women. MEASUREMENTS: A demographic data form, The Oxford Worries on Labour Scale, The Fear of Birth Scale, The Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used for data collection. FINDINGS: Online antenatal education decreased worries about labour, fear of childbirth and fear of COVID-19 and improved preparedness for labour. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Online antenatal education offered during the COVID-19 pandemic is effective in preparedness for labour. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As an alternative, online antenatal education should be offered to pregnant women unable to attend face to face education programs due to fear of transmission of infection.

Internet use by pregnant women seeking childbirth information.

BACKGROUND: During pregnancy period, women's information needs increases. Receiving information during this period affects the birth and postpartum period. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the use of the internet to receiving childbirth information by pregnant women. METHODS: The study was a descriptive study. Data were collected using an Information Form. The sample consisted of 162 pregnant women. RESULTS: The 92.4% of women used the internet as a source of information about childbirth. Blogs or web pages were the most frequently used internet sources with 85.8% usage, followed by mobile applications with 75.6%, and social media with 58.1%. Most of the women found the information they received from the internet partially useful and reliable. 24.3% of the women stated that receiving information on internet decreased their fears and 14.8% that it increased their fears. CONCLUSIONS: Most women used the internet as primary information source. Health professionals should orient people to reliable sources.

Experiences and coping strategies of women receiving treatment for breast and gynecological cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine experiences and coping strategies of women receiving treatment for breast and gynecological cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A descriptive, phenomenological approach was adopted. The study included 15 women receiving treatment for breast and gynecological cancers in the chemotherapy center of a university hospital. Data was collected with a descriptive characteristic form and semi-structured in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed three main themes: Problems, protection and coping. The main theme of 'problems' was grouped into four categories: living with anxiety and fear, social isolation, physical difficulties, and financial difficulties. 'Protection' was grouped into four categories: decreased stigmatization, increased preventive measures, increased communication between family members, and keeping distance. Coping was grouped into four categories: religious practices, social support, positive thinking, and hobbies. CONCLUSIONS: The participants were found to experience psychosocial, financial and physical difficulties. However, they also mentioned positive aspects of the pandemic: elimination of stigmatization due to the obligation for everyone to wear a mask, lack of visits due to the lockdown and enhanced communication with family members due to increased time spent at home. Religious practices, social support, positive thinking and spending time on hobbies were helpful to cope with the problems experienced during the pandemic. The results of this study can guide nurses in offering high-quality nursing care and counseling to women treated for breast and gynecological cancers during the pandemic.

Effects of antenatal education on maternal prenatal and postpartum adaptation.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study of the effects of antenatal education on prenatal and postpartum adaptation in a Turkish context. BACKGROUND: Although there have been a number of studies on the effects of antenatal education on pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood, the evidence of its effectiveness is limited and equivocal. There is insufficient evidence regarding the effects of antenatal education on prenatal and postpartum adaptation and whether individual or group education is more beneficial. METHODS: A Roy Adaptation Model-based quasi-experimental study with 120 nulliparous women was conducted between 2006 and 2008. Two experimental groups received either group education or individual education; the control group received standard care. Data were collected using a demographical data form and Lederman's prenatal and postpartum self-evaluation questionnaires. FINDINGS: While there were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of prenatal adaptation, no difference was found in postpartum adaptation. Post hoc analysis showed that women in the experimental groups (individual and group education) were better adapted in the prenatal period compared with those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Roy's adaptation model may be useful as a guide in prenatal adaptation programmes. Group antenatal education might be preferred over individual education because it is less costly.

Becoming a family caregiver of a patient living with cancer.

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient information on how the burden of caregiving is affected when the family caregiver is a health professional. Studies are needed to investigate this issue. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to reveal difficulties experienced by a nurse family caregiver offering care to a family member diagnosed with end-stage cancer and how she coped with these difficulties. METHODS: This was an autoethnographic study. FINDINGS: Findings were grouped under three headings: being both a researcher and a subject; effects of caregiving; and coping. CONCLUSIONS: Offering care to a cancer patient has many physiological and psychological effects. If a family caregiver is a health professional, his/her caregiving burden can be even higher. Cultural values affect both life and coping ways of caregivers. It should be kept in mind that family caregivers need support from health professionals whatever their occupations are. Support to caregivers plays an important role in their coping.

Fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their partners in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify and compare the fear of childbirth and associated factors among pregnant women and their partners. METHODS: This was a descriptive and relational study. A total of 564 people, 282 women and their partners, were included in the study. Data were collected using two forms: the Personal Information Form and the Fear of Birth Scale. RESULTS: The study found that 82.6% of the women and 54.3% of their partners had a fear of childbirth. Economic status, parity, previous birth experience, and preferred delivery method affected the fear of childbirth among the women (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, and p = 0.030, respectively). Age, parity, education level, economic status, preferred delivery method, and previous birth experience of their partner affected the fear of childbirth among the men (p = 0.036, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.004, and p = 0.000, respectively). A positive, significant, moderate relationship was found between the fear of childbirth among the women and their partners (r = 0.602, p = 0.000). Fear of childbirth affected both the women's and their partners' preferred delivery method (p = 0.000 and p = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Partners had a fear of childbirth as well, although the rate of this fear was higher among women. Fear of childbirth caused the couples to prefer cesarean section. There was a relationship between the fear of childbirth among the women and their partners.

Why are first time expectant fathers afraid of birth? : A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the fears associated with childbirth among first time expectant fathers and the reasons for these fears. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive, phenomenological approach was used. The sampling was composed of 16 men who were first time expectant fathers, who were at least primary school graduates, who were 18 years of age or older, whose partner was in her final trimester week of pregnancy, who did not have any psychiatric problems and who stated that they had a fear of childbirth. RESULTS: The data were collected under the two main themes of fears about childbirth and the reasons for the fears. It was found that the expectant fathers had fears associated with the complications that could develop during childbirth and with the health personnel. CONCLUSIONS: There were various fears associated with childbirth among expectant fathers. The reasons for the fears were mostly the negative stories heard. Health personnel have important duties in defining and decreasing the fears of expectant fathers associated with childbirth. It should not be forgotten that expectant fathers are also a part of childbirth in antenatal education.

The Effects of Intrapartum Supportive Care on Fear of Delivery and Labor Outcomes: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Supportive care during labor, the primary role of intrapartum nurses and midwives, provides comfort to prepartum women and helps facilitate a positive labor experience. It has been argued that supportive care during labor reduces fear and anxiety as well as the resultant side effects. However, evidence supporting this argument is insufficient. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intrapartum supportive care on fear of delivery and on the key parameters of the labor process. METHODS: This study used a single-blind randomized controlled trial approach. Randomized block assignment was used to assign 72 participants to either the intervention group (n = 36) or the control group (n = 36). Three women in the intervention group and six in the control group were later excluded from the study because they received emergency cesarean delivery. The intervention group received continuous supportive care, and the control group received routine hospital care. RESULTS: No significant differences were identified between the two groups at baseline. The intervention group reported less fear of delivery during the active and transient phases of labor, higher perceived support and control during delivery, lower pain scores during the transient phase of labor, and a shorter delivery period than the control group (p < .05). However, no significant difference in the use of oxytocin during delivery between the two groups was reported. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results of this evidence-based study suggest that continuous support during labor has clinically meaningful benefits for women and that all women should receive this support throughout their labor and delivery process.