How did adult women's fear of COVID-19 affect their attitudes toward cervical cancer screening? An example of Turkey.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between May and December 2021 in Turkey to examine the effect of adult women's fear of COVID-19 on their attitudes toward Cervical Cancer (CC) screening. The study population consisted of 334 women between the ages of 30 and 65 years according to the criteria of the national standards for the CC screening program in Turkey. A socio-demographic data form (21 questions) and the fear of COVID-19 Scale (7 questions) were used for data collection. The mean score of women for the level of knowledge about cervical cancer screening was 6.16 ± 3.05 out of a total score of 10. The mean score of the Fear of COVID-19 scale was 19.20 ± 6.12 out of a total score of 35. Cause of the risk of COVID-19 contamination 25.4 % of women postponed their CC screening. Women's knowledge about cervical cancer screening was found to be moderate, and their fear of coronavirus was found to be close to moderate. It was determined that women with a high fear of coronavirus postponed their CC screening tests.

The Relationship Between Spiritual Care Levels of Turkish Nurses with the Spiritual Well-Being of Their Patients: An Exploratory Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between spiritual well-being of patients with the spiritual care levels of nurses. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2019. The sample was composed of 63 nurses from one university hospital and 142 patients receiving care at the department of internal medicine of the hospital. For data collection, the information form and "Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale" were applied to the nurses, personel information form and "FACIT Spiritual Well-Being Scale" were used for the patients. For data analysis, the descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. The mean age of the nurses was 37.44 ± 6.95 years, and 88.9% were female. The mean age of the patients was 55.04 ± 15.86 years, and 57.7% were female. 89.4% of the patients stated that nurses provided spiritual care. A positive correlation was found between item scores on two scales (r = 0.264, p < 0.001). As the level of spirituality and spiritual care of nurses increases, the level of spiritual well-being of patients increases as well.

Effects of Creating Awareness Through Photographs and Posters on Skin Self-Examination in Nursing Students.

Nurses can have an influence on primary and secondary prevention of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to help them acquire knowledge and skills necessary to modify behavior in relation to skin cancers. The aim of this study was to examine effects of creating awareness through photographs and posters on knowledge and skills of skin self-examination in nursing students. The study had a quasi-experimental design with a pretest and a posttest in a single group. The study population included 249 last-year nursing students in Turkey. Non-probability sampling was used to reach the population. The study sample was composed of 201 students volunteering to participate in the study, and the response rate was 81 %. Of the students, 85.1 % (n = 171) were female and the mean age of the students was 22.18 ± 0.78 years. Of the students, 94.5 % did not know the asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution (ABCDE) criteria on the pretest, but this rate decreased to 20.9 % on the posttest. The mean score for knowledge of symptoms of skin cancer was 10.95 ± 1.37 on the pretest and 11.48 ± 0.90 on the posttest. There was a significant linear increase in the scores for knowledge of the symptoms (F = 7.874, p < 0.001) after the intervention with photographs and posters. The students were observed to learn the ABCDE criteria and had increased knowledge of skin cancer symptoms after the intervention using photographs and posters. Photographs and posters are effective tools which can be used to increase awareness of skin self-examination.

The opinions of private and public school teachers regarding school nurses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the opinions of teachers in private and public schools about school nurses. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at 10 randomly selected private and public schools in Izmir in western Turkey during April-May 2016, and comprised teachers who consented to participate. A questionnaire was used to collect the data about socio-demographic information of the subjects (six questions), problems frequently encountered in school and the teachers' opinions about school health nurses (seven questions). Two open-ended questions on the roles of school nurses and the most important health education topics were asked. SPSS 22 was used to analyse data. RESULTS: Of the 720 subjects, 517(72%) were females and 203(18%) were men. There were 360(50%) teachers from private schools and an equal number were from the public schools. The mean ages of the teachers from the private and public schools were 36.22±8.69 and 43.12±7.78 years, respectively. Besides, 337(93.6%) teachers of the private schools and 338(93.9%) teachers of the public school believed that school nurses were needed, while 19(5.3%) private school teachers and 162(45%) public school teachers said they had "no idea" about the roles of the school nurse. The most important role of the school nurse was promoting good health habits according to the public school teachers and health education according to the private school teachers. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the public school teachers said they had no idea about the role of a school nurse.

The use of herbal supplements by individuals with diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the use of herbal supplements by individuals with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the endocrinology clinics of two hospitals in Izmir, Turkey, between June and August 2016. The sample consisted of diabetic patients. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews guided by a questionnaire. SPSS 17 was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: There were 455 subjects with a mean age of 47.02±16.6 years. Of the total, 373(82%) were female, and 352(77.4%) were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Overall, 262(57.6%) subjects used herbal supplements like cinnamon, sage, thyme, turmeric and ginseng. Significant differences in the use of herbal supplements were found according to gender, marital status, and duration of diabetes (p<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: About half of the diabetic patients used herbal supplements.

Knowledge and practices of primary care providers on skin cancer and skin self-examination.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and practices related to skin cancer and skin self-examination of primary care providers. METHOD: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Turkey. The study was carried out in primary health centers such as family health centers, community health centers, early cancer detection centers and family planning centers in 2016-2017. Participants' socio-demographic characteristics, their knowledge and practices related to skin cancer, skin cancer risk factors and skin self-examination were determined. RESULTS: The study population included 94 primary care providers. The symptoms of which the participants were most aware were changes in the color of moles or skin spots (95.71%), and of which participants were the least aware was the itching of a mole (71.43%). Among participants, the most recognized risk factor was having fair skin (97.14%), whereas the least known was the presence of birthmarks (24.29%). The mean scores the participants obtained from the questionnaire were as follows: 5.39±1.61 for skin cancer risk factors and 10.47±2.73 for skin cancer symptoms. Of the participants, 14.29% received training on skin self-examination, 38.57% knew how to perform skin self-examination, and 67.14% did not perform skin self-examination. Of the participants, 61.7% did not perform skin self-examination because they did not know what to look for. Of the participants, 85.71% did not have continuing education/workshop about skin self-examination after graduation. CONCLUSION: Although the primary care providers' knowledge of skin cancer symptoms was adequate, their knowledge of skin cancer risk factors was not sufficient. Primary care providers' knowledge of skin self-examination was good, but they did not perform skin self-examination adequately.

Nursing students' attitudes toward research and development within nursing: Does writing a bachelor thesis make a difference?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of writing a bachelor's thesis on nursing students' attitudes towards research and development in nursing. The study sample consisted of 91 nursing students who were required to complete a bachelor's thesis and 89 nursing students who were not required to complete a bachelor's thesis. Data were collected via self-report questionnaire that was distributed in May and June 2012. The questionnaire comprised 3 parts: (1) demographic items; (2) questions about "scientific activities," and (3) the nursing students' attitudes towards and awareness of research and development within nursing scale (version 2). The mean age of the students was 23 (1.3) years. The students who wrote a bachelor's thesis achieved a median score of 110.0, whereas the students in the other group had a median score of 105.0 on the scale. All the items were assigned a 3 or higher. A statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups in their attitudes towards and awareness of research (U = 3265.5; P = .025). The results of this study suggest that writing a thesis in nursing education has a positive influence on nursing students' attitudes towards and awareness of research and development in nursing.

A Nurse-Led School-Based Sun Protection Programme in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a nurse-led school-based sun protection programme in Turkey. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed at two public schools between February and October 2014. Children with written consent from their parents were screened by nurses for skin type, and 80 children at moderate to high risk for skin cancer were included in the study. The sample was randomized by age, gender and skin type. Stratified and block randomizations were used. The participants were separated into an intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=40). Data were collected using a personal information form and two scales for sun protection behaviour and self-efficacy. RESULTS: In the intervention group, the pretest mean score for sun protection behaviour was 19.25±5.44 and increased significantly in the posttest assessment (33.05±4.23, p<0.001). Self-efficacy scores also increased significantly after the intervention (pretest 20.50±6.68, post-test 35.85±4.70, p<0.001). However, there were no significant increases in mean sun protection behaviour or self-efficacy scores in the control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A nurse-led school-based sun protection programme effectively promoted children's self-efficacy and sun protection behaviour.

Knowledge and practices of nurses on cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine in Cankiri state hospital, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge and practices of nurses on cervical cancer, human papillomavirus and its vaccine. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at Cankiri Karatekin University, Cankiri, Turkey, from December 2015 to January 2016, and included nurses. . A survey was used to collect data about socio-demographic features and knowledge and practices on cervical cancer and screening, signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccine. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 110(61.1%) participants, 83(75.5%), 78(70.9%) and 45(40.9%) did not know risk factors of cervical cancer, signs of cervical cancer and how to protect oneself against cervical cancer, respectively. Moreover, 56(50.9%), 85(77.3%) and 60(54.5%) knew the route of transmission of human papillomavirus, risk factors of human papillomavirus and its vaccine, respectively. Besides, 2(1.8%) nurses received human papillomavirus vaccine. Also, 11(10%) nurses received a regular Pap smear test and 19(17.3%) received a regular gynaecological examination. The reasons given for not having the examinations were being sexually inactive in 28(25.5%) cases, not feeling the need for an examination 26(23.6%), shying away from gynaecological examinations 13(11.8%), and having inadequate knowledge 6(5.5%). Significantly higher rates of the nurses aged >40 years, having given birth, and having regular gynaecological examinations had a Pap smear test (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of nurses about risk factors, signs and prevention of cervical cancer were found to be below the desired level.

Health perceptions and orthorexia nervosa tendencies among academics.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the perception of academicians' health status, identify academicians' orthorexia nervosa (ON) tendencies, and identify the factors associated with academicians' ON tendencies. DESIGN AND METHODS: Personal information form (14 questions), Perception of Health status Scale, and ON (ORTO-11) Scale were used in data collection. FINDINGS: The mean age of the participants was 42.23 ± 8.18. Of the academicians, 77.6% were female and 38.8% were in health-related departments. The health perception mean score was 1.82 ± 0.64. The average score of the ORTO-11 Scale was 22.86 ± 4.00, and 84.5% were found to be at risk of ON. There was a correlation between perception of health status and ORTO-11 (r = -0.286; p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Most of the academicians had a high tendency to ON. However, it is necessary to increase their awareness by providing training. Further studies should be carried out for certain diagnosis of ON.

Sustainable development awareness and related factors in nursing students: A correlational descriptive study.

AIM: To determine the sustainable development awareness and related factors in nursing students. BACKGROUND: Sustainable Development Goals have an important place in nursing education. While the Sustainable Development Goals set out the determinants of health, they also provide guidance to nurses for their interventions. In this respect, it is important to determine the awareness of nursing students and to address this issue in nursing education. DESIGN: Correlational descriptive study. METHODS: A total of 199 Turkish nursing students were included in the study. Data were collected online through Google Forms between March and June 2021 by the demographic characteristics form and "Sustainable Development Awareness Scale". RESULTS: The mean age of the nursing students in the study was 20.18 ( ± 1.27) years. Students' mean score from the scale was 164.41 ( ± 15.13) points. While 63.8 % of the participants stated not hearing of the sustainable development concept before and 77.4 % of them did not know about Sustainable Development Goals. The social sustainability, environmental sustainability and total scale scores were determined to show significant differences between the genders and female participants got higher scores compared with males. Participants over the age of twenty were found to score significantly higher in the environmental sustainability sub-dimension. According to the status of thinking that there is a relationship between sustainable development and nursing, the environmental sustainability scores of the students were found to differ statistically. According to the status of wanting to get more information about Sustainable Development Goals, the economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and total scale scores of the students were found to show a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The sustainable development awareness levels of nursing students were found to be higher than the average. While more than half of the participants stated not hearing of the sustainable development concept before and three quarters of them did not know about Sustainable Development Goals. In this study, the scale total or sub-dimension scores were found to show significant differences according to gender, age, the status of thinking that there is a relationship between sustainable development and nursing and the status of wanting to get more information about Sustainable Development Goals. To mobilize future nurses, it can be suggested that SDGs be added to the curriculum, considering their knowledge and willingness.

The effect of moral intelligence on cultural sensitivity in nurses.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the levels of moral intelligence and intercultural sensitivity in nurses. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conduct with 200 nurses working in a research and training hospital. The data were collected using the intercultural sensitivity scale and the scale for the measurement of moral intelligence in the provision of health services. RESULTS: The mean total intercultural sensitivity score of the nurses was determined to be 89.34 ± 10.01, while their moral intelligence score was found 201.22 ± 21.99. There was a positive relationship between the nurses' mean total scores scales (p < 0.000). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The nurses' intercultural sensitivity and moral intelligence were at a moderate level. As the nurses' levels of moral intelligence increased, their intercultural sensitivity levels increased.

The effects of nursing students' conscientious intelligence on their cultural sensitivity levels.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the level of conscientious intelligence and cultural sensitivity among nursing students. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive design. The sample of this study consisted of 172 nursing students. The study data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, the intercultural sensitivity scale, and the conscientious intelligence scale. RESULTS: The mean intercultural sensitivity scale score was 80.07 ± 10.68, and the mean conscientious intelligence scale score was 120.89 ± 12.32. Also, a positive relationship was determined between both scales that the nursing students obtained. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The scale scores of nursing students were found to be a moderate level. As students' conscientious intelligence levels increased, their intercultural sensitivity was determined to increase, as well.

The effect of the yoga course on mindfulness and self-compassion among nursing students.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of yoga on mindfulness and self-compassion among nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS: The quasiexperimental single-group pretest-posttest design study conducted with 47 nursing students. The data were collected using a "personal data form," the "mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS)," and the "self-compassion scale (SCS)." FINDINGS: While the mean score of the students from the "MAAS" was 60.51 (±11.35) in the pretest, it increased to 63.7 (±8.75) in the posttest (p < 0.05). While the mean score of the students from the SCS was 3.22 ± 0.69 in the pretest, it increased to 3.59 (±0.53) in the posttest (p < 0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between mindfulness and SCS scores (r = 0.162). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: After the yoga course, mindfulness and self-compassion of the students were found to be higher than it was before the lessons. The higher the mindfulness level of the students is, the higher the level of self-compassion is.

Psychologic distress and sleep quality among adults in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The sudden novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a negative effect on the mental health of the public. In this study, in relation to the pandemic, psychological distress, sleep quality and affecting factors in adults were examined. METHODS: Using the convenience sampling method, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and questionnaires to determine psychological distress levels and sociodemographic characteristics were distributed online to 405 participants. RESULTS: The mean psychological distress score of the participants was 34.55 ± 8.07, while their mean sleep quality score was 6.39 ± 3.31. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 55.1%. The psychological distress scores were higher among the men than the women, married participants than single ones, those with children than those without children and those who were employed than those who were not. The sleep quality of the single participants and the participants with low education levels was poorer. The sleep quality of those who left work in the pandemic period was poorer than those who were working from home/office and those who were already not employed before the pandemic. The sleep quality of those not working in the field of health was better than healthcare professionals and those not working at all. The scores for psychological distress were positively correlated with gender and negatively correlated with sleep quality levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on the psychological distress and sleep quality of adults. It is recommended for healthcare professionals to take the necessary psychosocial precautions.

Mental status of nursing students assessed using the general health questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the mental state of nursing students when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish population reached its peak. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was remotely conducted using General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and personnel information form, for 2630 nursing students, in Turkey. Data were statistically analyzed. FINDINGS: The mean GHQ-12 score was 3.04 ± 2.13, and 71.5% of nursing students scored ≥2 on the GHQ-12, indicating risk for mental problems. We highlighted that nursing students who reported less sleep and diet during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as those who thought they were suffering from COVID-19 symptoms obtained significantly higher mean scores on the GHQ-12. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our results showed that most nursing students reported mental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-training of the frontline staff during outbreaks is needed to prepare them to deal with a global pandemic.

Secondary traumatic stress in nurses working with patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the level of secondary traumatic stress in nurses (n = 205) working with patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Turkey. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected using the personal information form and Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. FINDINGS: Of the total sample, 62% were female and 52% of nurses were in the 20- to 30-years age range. 67.8% of the nurses experienced high and severe secondary traumatic stress symptoms, the mean score was 49.66 ± 0.86. At the level of secondary traumatic stress subscales, the highest average score was avoidance symptom (20.09 ± 5.06). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: More than half of the nurses experienced high and severe secondary traumatic stress where the highest symptom "avoidance." The nurses may need psychosocial support during and after the pandemic.

Effects of an Education Intervention on Nursing Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Skin Self-Examination and Skin Cancer Risks.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of skin cancers is increasing in Turkey as well as worldwide. Nurses have a potentially influential role to play in educating the public about skin cancer prevention. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to teach nursing students the risks of skin cancer and the steps involved in conducting related skin self-examinations to encourage positive attitudes toward skin cancer protection and early detection. METHODS: This research used a quasi-experimental, single-group, pretest-posttest design. The study population was composed of all the nursing students who were currently enrolled in a university in Mugla, a city in southern Turkey (n = 900). The study analysis included the 332 nursing students who had completed both the pretest and posttest assessments. An intervention to raise awareness about skin cancer risks and skin self-examination was carried out using educational materials that included posters/pictures, brochures, a PowerPoint slideshow, and a video. The posttest assessment was done 6 weeks after the pretest. RESULTS: The participants were 18-23 years old, and 67.5% were female. Furthermore, 3.6% had undergone a routine (external) screening for skin cancer, and 14.5% believed that they were at risk for skin cancer. The mean score for knowledge of skin cancer risks for those participants who had completed the program was 5.75 ± 1.20 in the pretest and 6.84 ± 1.17 in the posttest (minimum: 0, maximum: 8). The mean posttest score was higher than the pretest score in this group, F(1, 329) = 6.49, p = .011, and a significant difference was found between the mean pretest and posttest score for knowledge of the ABCDE rule (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Educating nursing students about skin self-examination increased their level of knowledge about both skin cancer risks and the ABCDE rule. We believe that this and similar educational programs are an effective way to increase the knowledge and awareness of nurses regarding skin cancer and to improve their attitudes toward performing skin self-examination.

In the Turkish News: Coronavirus and "Alternative & complementary" medicine methods.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECT: The object of this study is to analyze the complementary and alternative treatments for the prevention of COVID-19/Coronavirus in the Turkish news. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 160 news articles published between 11 March and 11 April 2020 on the websites of the three highest-circulating newspapers throughout the nation. A quantitative media context analysis method, consisting of 14 questions and 2 sections was employed to evaluate news on the newspapers. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 statistical package program using numbers and percentages. RESULTS: Forty percent of the news analyzed within the scope of the study were obtained from the newspaper's own news, reporter or columnist, 56.9 % were informative, 6.3 % were advisory and critical against the CAT methods. 95 % of the news included preventive or protective methods against COVID-19. 77.5 % of the complementary and alternative medicine methods mentioned in the news were biologically-based, 20.6 % were mind-body practices. It was determined that 85.0 % of the benefits, harm and side effects of the methods mentioned in the news were announced, but their impact on COVID-19 is not clarified (78.1 %), and there was insufficient information provided about the method and dosage of the method. It was seen that all news contained information on protection against COVID-19 or prevention of COVID19. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the sources and methods and the number of news items changed from one newspaper to another, the news lacked a scientific basis, and as a result, it might lead to misinterpretations among the public. There were different opinions among the experts in the proposed or criticized complementary and alternative medicine methods. It was observed that there was an increase in the number of news items related to using complementary and alternative medicine methods for the treatment of COVID19, a clear and easily understandable language was used in the news, but the content and sources of the news were insufficient in conveying the correct and scientific information. It was reported by previous literature potential interactions between herbal remedies/dietary supplements and prescribed drugs, complications of medical conditions and some adverse effects cause of CAM usage.

Validity and Reliability of Turkish Male Breast Self-Examination Instrument.

Objective: This study aims to measure the validity and reliability of Turkish male breast self-examination (MBSE) instrument. Materials and Methods: The methodological study was performed in 2016 at Ege University, Faculty of Nursing, Izmir, Turkey. The MBSE includes ten steps. For validity studies, face validity, content validity, and construct validity (exploratory factor analysis) were done. For reliability study, Kuder Richardson was calculated. Results: The content validity index was found to be 0.94. Kendall W coefficient was 0.80 (p=0.551). The total variance explained by the two factors was found to be 63.24%. Kuder Richardson 21 was done for reliability study and found to be 0.97 for the instrument. The final instrument included 10 steps and two stages. Conclusions: The Turkish version of MBSE is a valid and reliable instrument for early diagnose. The MBSE can be used in Turkish speaking countries and cultures with two stages and 10 steps.