Relationship between the frequency and duration of masturbation and the sexual health literacy and sexual function of women in western Turkey: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although sexual life and its knowledge are still taboo in many cultures, especially for women, it can negatively affect women's sexual health. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the frequency and duration of masturbation and the sexual health literacy among young Muslim women of reproductive age between 18 and 25 years living in western Turkey. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 921 young women in western Turkey between March and December 2023. Participants were included in the study per the snowball method. The data consisted of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding masturbation, sexual life, and sexual health literacy. Data were obtained on an online platform and analyzed with SPSS (version 24; IBM). Difference, correlation, and regression analyses were performed. The significance level for statistical analyses was accepted as P < .05. OUTCOMES: The outcomes of the study are the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding masturbation, orgasm, sexual health literacy, and sexual function in women. RESULTS: The participants were young Muslim women aged 21.00 ± 1.89 years (mean ± SD). The frequency of masturbation was 5.06 ± 2.03 times per month, and the duration was 3.47 ± 1.77 minutes per day. Masturbation frequency and duration were significantly associated with sexual health literacy and sexual function (P < .001). According to regression analysis, sexual function increased and sexual health literacy increased as masturbation frequency and duration increased (P < .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study presents results on the current situation regarding the sexual health literacy and sexual lives in women from different geographies and cultures, and it serves as a source for future studies on areas that need to be improved. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The limitation of the study is that it was conducted only with Muslim and Turkish women who use smartphones and are sexually active, so it cannot be generalized to all women. The strengths of the study are that it was conducted with a sample of 921 women, it was based on self-report and addressed many dimensions related to masturbation and female sexuality, and the results were reached through exploratory analysis. CONCLUSION: The study found that the higher the duration and frequency of masturbation in young women, the better their sexual function and higher their sexual literacy.

The Effect of Psychotherapy Interventions After Stillbirth on the Grief Process and Depression: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to provide a systematic overview of existing quantitative research on the effects of psychotherapy interventions given to women with stillbirth on the grief process and depression in the postpartum period and to analyze the results. Four databases (PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane, Google Scholar, Web of Science) were searched between January-March 2024. Risk of bias and precision of evidence were assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool ROB-2 and ROBIN-1. Ten studies were included. Meta-analysis results showed that psychotherapeutic interventions significantly reduced the grief adaptations of mothers in the mourning process and there was a significant difference in the assessment of grief adaptation. Sub-group analyzes revealed mothers' depression values and stress levels compared to the control groups and there was a significant difference between the groups. Psychotherapeutic interventions given to women positively affect their grief adaptation and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.PROSPERO ID: CRD42024516195.

Gender perception and dating violence attitude of women students of health sciences: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the gender perception and attitude of dating violence of female undergraduate students studying in health sciences departments. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on the online platform between April and May 2022 with 276 midwifery and nutrition and dietetics department students studying at the health sciences faculty of a university. The data were obtained through the "Data Collection Form", "Attitude Scales Toward Dating Violence" and "Gender Perception Scale (GPS)". RESULTS: It was found that the GPS total score average of female students was 102.36 ± 10.73 and was a significant difference, and the attitude of women toward psychological violence applied by women in flirting and the attitude toward psychological and physical violence applied by men in flirting were found to be positively related to the mean of total scores. It was seen that GPS and the attitude of the woman toward psychological violence applied in flirting had a negative relationship with the mean score of the total score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was seen that the gender perceptions of the students who participated in the study were positively high. It was found that as the age of the students increased, their gender perceptions increased. It was seen that the average attitude of the participants to dating violence was low, which may be related to their inability to define violence. Gender equality can be adopted for students at every stage of education.

The relationship between mothers' body composition and anthropometric characteristics of baby and breast milk nutrient content: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The composition and amount of breast milk is affected by factors such as the duration and frequency of breastfeeding, the time between two breastfeeding sessions, the effectiveness of breastfeeding, breastfeeding technique, genetic characteristics of the mother and diet. Breast milk macronutrients are provided by milk synthesized in lactocytes, mother's diet and maternal stores. RESEARCH AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the body composition of mothers and the anthropometric characteristics of the baby and the nutritional content of breast milk. METHOD: The descriptive study was conducted between March and November 2023 in a hospital in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Turkey. The study sample consisted of 96 mothers and ibabies. Anthropometric measurements of mothers and babies and the nutrient content of breast milk were evaluated on the first postpartum day, Days 5 and 15. Breast milk macronutrient content was analyzed by Miris milk analyzer and body composition of mothers was analyzed by TANITA BC 730. RESULTS: From the weight and body composition of the mothers in the study group; a positive correlation was found between body fat, muscle and water ratio, and breast milk carnonhydrate and protein (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the gestational age of the baby and the content of breast milk (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the weight and height of the babies and the macronutrients of breast milk (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As the weight of mothers increases, breast milk protein and carbohydrate levels increase. As breast milk macronutrients increase, babies' weight and height increase.

The effect of soy isoflavones given to women in the climacteric period on menopausal symptoms and quality of life: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of soy isoflavones on menopausal symptoms and quality of life in climacteric women. METHOD: The literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Science Citation Index (Web of Science) until September 2023. This study is based on the recommendations of the Cochrane guidelines. The data were analysed using the Review Manager computer software (Version 5.4). The methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the RoB-2 tool. RESULTS: This analysis was completed with five studies and 425 climacteric women. According to the results of the analysis, menopausal symptoms (SMD: -0.49, 95 % CI: -1.13 to 0.16, Z = 1.47, p = 0.14), physical component (MD: -1.10, 95 % CI: -4.22 to 2.01, Z = 0.70, p = 0. 49) and mental component (MD: 0.81, 95 % CI: -6.73 to 8.35, Z = 0.21, p = 0.83), but there was a significant difference in depression level (SMD: -0.41, 95 % CI: -0.73 to -0.09, Z = 2.53, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the analysis, soy isoflavones had no effect on menopausal symptoms (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, sexual, and urogenital complaints) and quality of life in climacteric women but did reduce the level of depression. There was a high risk of conflict of interest in the included studies. PROSPERO DATABASE: Registration: CRD420234479700.

Colic and sleep outcomes of nonpharmacological intervention in infants with infantile colic: systematic review and metaanalysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review the colic and sleep outcomes of nonpharmacological intervention in infants with infantile colic and perform a meta-analysis of the available evidence. METHODS: The literature review for this systematic review was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023 using five electronic databases, namely PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and ULAKBIM. Published articles were scanned using MeSH-based keywords. Only randomized controlled trials conducted in the past 5 years were included. The data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included three studies involving a total of 386 infantile colic infants. After nonpharmacological treatment, it was found that infants with infantile colic reduced crying time (standardized mean difference: 0.61; 95%CI 0.29-0.92; Z=3.79; p=0.00002), improved sleep duration (standardized mean difference: 0.22; 95%CI -0.04 to 0.48; Z=1.64; p=0.10), and decreased crying intensity (mean difference: -17.24; 95%CI -20.11 to 14.37; Z=11.77; p<0.000001). CONCLUSION: According to the meta-analysis findings, it was determined that the risk of bias was low in the studies included and that nonpharmacological chiropractic, craniosacral, and acupuncture treatments applied to infantile colic infants in the three included studies reduced crying time and intensity and increased sleep duration.

Breastfeeding success in the first 6 months of online breastfeeding counseling after cesarean delivery and its effect on anthropometric measurements of the baby: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of online breastfeeding counseling after cesarean section on breastfeeding success and anthropometric measurements of the baby in the first 6 months. METHODS: The study was conducted with single-blind randomized controlled experimental research design and performed with 151 primiparous women as intervention (n=76) and control (n=75) groups. The mothers were given training in the first 24 h postpartum by applying the "Data Collection Form," "Breastfeeding and Infant Follow-up Form," and "Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale - Short Form," who followed up at the first and sixth months, and further again for 6 months. RESULTS: Although there was no difference and homogeneity at the beginning of study among the participants in the intervention group compared with the control group, it was observed that the breastfeeding rates at the first and sixth months were higher and significant. When the anthropometric measurements of the participants in both the groups were compared, it was found that there was a significant difference between the measurements of height and weight at discharge, first, and sixth months. Breastfeeding self-efficacy scores in the intervention group were significantly higher at discharge, 4 weeks postpartum, and 6 months postpartum than those in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding training and online counseling given to mothers who give birth by cesarean section during the early postpartum period increased breastfeeding rates and self-sufficiency, and the anthropometric measurements of babies were found to be higher at healthy limits.

Attitudes and beliefs regarding sexuality in pregnancy affect sexuality Turkey example: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: It was aimed to examine the effects of attitudes and beliefs regarding sexuality on sexual function during pregnancy. STUDY DESING: Descriptive cross-sectional type research was conducted throughout Turkey between December 2021 and April 2022. The sample was made up of 718 pregnant women across Turkey. The data were obtained through "Data Collection Form", "Attitudes and Beliefs Scale about Sexuality during Pregnancy (ABSSP)" and "Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI)" using online questionnaires using snowball sampling method. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 27.48 ± 4.26 and the gestational weeks were 26.65 ± 6.87. A negative relationship was found between the ABSSP total score average and age, marriage age, gestational week and living child. It was determined that the women's ABSSP total score average and all sub-dimensions were positively related to each other. It was determined that there was a positive relationship between the lower dimension of anxiety and sexual desire, arousal, satisfaction, orgasm and pain and negative. Gender/Attraction sub-dimension was found to be positively related to sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction and FSFI total score average. Concern about pregnancy was found to be negatively related to sexual desire, arousal and satisfaction positive, orgasm and pain with lower size. CONCLUSION: The study findings show that sexual beliefs and sexual desire situations during pregnancy are negatively affected. Sexuality can be negatively affected in societies where counseling on sexuality is inadequate during pregnancy and superstition and behaviors are common.

COVID-19: the unmet need for family planning and its effects on sexuality: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the effect of women's unmet family planning needs on their sexual functions during the COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 319 women of childbearing age across Turkey between April and May 2021. Data were obtained through online questionnaires using the "Survey Form" and the Female Sexual Function Index. RESULTS: It was observed that 46.77% of the participants had difficulty in accessing the family planning method, the most used family planning method during the pandemic period was the withdrawal method with 52.35%, and there was a significant difference between them and the pre-pandemic method (p<0.05). In the regression analysis, it was shown that a one-unit increase in the difficulty of accessing the family planning method and the place reached parameter would lead to an increase of 0.33 points in the sexual function probability of women. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that women of childbearing age living in Turkey had limited access to family planning services during the pandemic, those who used modern methods before the pandemic had to prefer the traditional method, and the sexual functions of women who had fear of becoming pregnant were adversely affected.