Evaluation of Surgical Clinic Nurses' Knowledge Levels About Palliative Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Currently, palliative care plays an important role in increasingly aging populations and their long-term care needs. Surgical palliative care is important for improving quality of life. This study aimed to determine the knowledge level of nurses working in surgical clinics about palliative surgery. METHOD: This research was conducted as a descriptive study. We included 182 nurses working in surgical clinics who agreed to participate and met the inclusion criteria for participation in the study. The Personal Information and Palliative Surgery Information Forms were used to collect data. Data were collected between November 30, and December 15, 2022. The analysis of the data obtained was performed using the Statistical Program in Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 25. The level of significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Nurses referred to palliative care as end-of-life care, 73.1% did not care for palliative care patients, and 84.6% did not receive training in palliative care. Surgical clinic nurses were found to have "moderate knowledge about palliative surgery. A statistically significant difference was found between the average palliative surgery knowledge of surgical clinic nurses and those trained in education and palliative care (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that surgical clinic nurses had moderate knowledge about palliative surgery. Moreover, the nurses who have received training in palliative care and had high level of education exhibited a higher level of knowledge.

Assessment of Paediatric Forensic Cases Under the Age of 18 Who Presented to the Emergency Clinic: The Case of Kilis, a Border City with Syria.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the paediatric forensic cases under the age of 18 from of the year of the outbreak of war. DESING AND METHODS: The population of the study included 16,970 people under the age of 18, who were accepted as forensic cases among 88,052 cases, who presented to the emergency department of Kilis State Hospital between January 2011 and November 2019. The application time of the patients, their nationality, age, gender, their types of application to the emergency department, the event causing the forensic case, and the follow-up and treatment methods in the emergency department were recorded on the standard data entry form. RESULTS: Among all the paediatric forensic cases, it was determined that 52.0% were Syrian, 70.8% were boys, 30.0% were in the age range of 11 and 15 years and 20.5% had an outpatient treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, although juvenile forensic rates are consistent with the literature, the higher forensic cases of Syrian nationality was determined as a striking result. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Today, considering extraordinary situations such as wars and armed conflicts, more refugees may benefit from Turkish healthcare services in the in the forthcoming periods and it is important for community health to conduct studies in this field.

Perceptions of vaccine trust and conspiracy among those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Individuals' beliefs in conspiracy theories and anti-vaccination defense play a role in the rates of COVID-19 spread. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the perception of trust in, and the perception of conspiracy theories regarding vaccines among those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in a province in Turkey. METHODS: This study was conducted with 1244 individuals who agreed to participate in the study in the province with the lowest vaccination rate in Turkey. The 'Personal Information Form' and the 'COVID-19 Vaccine Perception and Attitude Scale' were used to collect data. FINDINGS: Those who were resistant to vaccines had a low mean score on the Perception of Trust and a high mean score on the Perception of Conspiracy. The variable of conspiracy perception had a significantly negative and high effect on the perception of trust. CONCLUSION: The participants were highly resistant to COVID-19 vaccines. Their perception level of trust in COVID-19 vaccines was moderate and their perception level of conspiracy was high.

The Relationship Between Solution-Focused Communication Skills and Perceived Social Support: A Descriptive Levels of Study of the Perceptions of Turkish Parents with of Children with Developmental Disabilities.

PURPOSE: This descriptive, correlational study examined the relationship between solution-focused communication skills and perceived level of social support for parents of children with developmental disabilities. METHOD: One hundred and sixty one parents of children with developmental disabilities completed a researcher developed personal information form, the Solution Focality in Communication Scale, and the Revised Parental Social Support Scale. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, in independent groups, t tests, and correlation tests. RESULTS: Findings included a positive correlation between the Solution Focality in Communication Scale and the perceived level of social support of the Revised Parental Social Support Scale and the perceived social support satisfaction level sub-dimensions (p < .001). CONCLUSION: This descriptive study found a correlation between the level of solution-focused communication skills reported by parents of children with developmental disabilities, and the parent's improved perceptions of social support. In addition, parents reported increased satisfaction with the social support they had received as their solution-focused communication skills improved.

The effect of health promotion training provided to elderly individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic on healthy lifestyle behaviors.

BACKGROUND: One of the areas most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is health promotion. In order to improve the quality of life of elderly individuals, it is important to develop and implement effective intervention strategies that can prevent negative health outcomes. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of health promotion training provided to elderly individuals on healthy lifestyle behaviors. METHODS: This study was conducted as a randomized-controlled experimental study. The study was completed with 140 elderly individuals over 65 years of age, including 70 participants in intervention group and 70 participants in control group. The data were collected using the Information Form and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I. Training was provided to the intervention group as one session a week for three weeks. Percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation as well as chi-square, dependent samples t-test, and independent samples t-test were used to assess the data. FINDINGS: While the pretest mean score of the intervention group for the overall Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I was 103.90 ± 16.96, their posttest mean score was 136.17 ± 19.60 and it was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the results (p = 0.000). While the pretest mean score of the control group for the overall Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I was 107.22 ± 21.09, their posttest mean score was 106.57 ± 21.49 and it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the results (p = 0.609). CONCLUSION: It was observed that healthy lifestyle behaviors of elderly individuals in the intervention group improved positively.

The Effect of Religious Attitudes on Anxiety and Psychological Well-being in Risky Pregnancies: A Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine how religious attitudes of risky pregnant women affect their anxiety and psychological well-being. This is a cross-sectional study. It was carried out on 137 women diagnosed with risky pregnancy between December 2021 and February 2022 in a state hospital in Osmaniye, located in the southern Turkey. The findings of the study revealed that the participants' religious attitudes affected their trait anxiety and psychological well-being. Being religious in fact, boosted psychological well-being of the participants and lowered their trait anxiety level. They had a moderate religious attitude and a moderate psychological well-being but they also suffered from high trait anxiety levels.

The effects of nurses' use of personal protective equipment on their vital signs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In order for nurses to provide the desired/expected care during the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal protective equipment (PPE) they use should not cause additional damage. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the effect of nurses' use of PPE on their vital signs during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The present study was executed in a public hospital located in Turkey between October 2020 and December 2020 with a total of 112 nurses, 54 of them were serving in COVID-19 clinics, and 58 of them were working in other clinics. The data of the study was collected by using the introductory information form, the vital signs measurement, and the Visual Analogue Scale. The numbers, percentages, means, standard deviation, Chi-square, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The mean scores of SpO2, respiratory rate, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure measurements of the nurses in the experimental group were compared before and after putting on the PPE. It was found that the difference between the two averages was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was found that the use of PPE for a long time causes a decrease in SpO2, increase in respiratory rate, pulse and blood pressure, as well as the aches in face, ear, nose and head.

Effect of sleep hygiene training given to elderly individuals on daytime sleepiness and fatigue: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of sleep hygiene training given to elderly individuals on daytime sleepiness and fatigue. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample size was calculated by G. Power and determined as 134 elderly individuals. The experimental group was trained in sleep, two sessions a week for a total of 2 weeks. FINDINGS: The difference between Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Fatigue Severity Scale posttest mean scores of the elderly individuals in the experimental and control groups were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Sleep hygiene training reduced daytime sleepiness and fatigue in older adults.

Evaluating the relationship between family role performance levels and health perceptions of individuals: a cross-sectional study in primary care

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between family role performance levels and health perceptions of individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 participants who appliedto four Family Health Centers between 18 July 2020 and 18 November 2020. The data were collected using Personal Information Form, Family Role Performance Scale, and Perception of Health Scale. ANOVA, independent samples t test and regression test were used for statistics calculations. Ethics Committee approval and institutional permissions were obtained to conduct the study. Scale mean scores of the participants were 30.92 ± 6.41 for Family RolePerformance Scaleand 48.35 ± 7.73 for Perception of Health Scale. As a result of simple linear regression analysis, a significant correlation was found between Family Role Performance and Perception of Health Scale. According to regression analysis, it was determined that family role performance affected health perception at the rate of 15.1%. In this study, it was determined that as family role performance increased, the level of health perception also increased, and there was a correlation between family role performance and health perception. Family role performances and health perception for all participants were at a moderate level.

The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers' anxiety levels.

Aim: This study aims to examine the effect of COVID-19 on the anxiety levels of healthcare employees. Methods: This descriptive study used the snowball sampling method to recruit participants. The study was conducted between 18 and 25 April 2020 with a total of 710 participants. The data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Ethics committee approval was obtained to conduct the study, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 statistical package program using descriptive statistics, t tests and ANOVA. Results: In the study, 46.8% of the participants were in the 26-35 age group, 60.7% were female, 19.9% worked at clinics with COVID-19 patients (service, intensive care and emergency clinics), and 17.6% had a chronic disease. The state and trait anxiety mean scores of the participants were 60.29 ± 6.13 and 44.18 ± 7.69, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in the participants' state and trait anxiety levels with respect to their age, gender, unit of work, marital status, status of having children and presence of a chronic disease (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The state and trait anxiety levels of the healthcare workers in the study were found to be "severe" and "moderate," respectively.

The determination of intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism levels among nurses and nursing students: A border of city, Turkey.

AIM: The current study is a descriptive-comparative study and aims to determine intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism levels among nurses and nursing students. METHOD: The study was conducted with 207 nurses working at a State Hospital and 211 nursing students studying at a University between November 30, 2019, and January 20, 2020. The data were collected using a descriptive characteristics form, the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale, and the Ethnocentrism Scale. FINDINGS: It was found that both nurses and nursing students (73.4% and 60.7%, respectively) struggled to communicate with foreign patients and experienced problems with cultural differences (49.8% and 22.7%, respectively). A statistically significant negative correlation was found for the nurses and nursing students in terms of their intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism scores (p < .05). PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Nurses and student nurses should interact with people from different cultures to improve refugee health care.

Relationship between nurses' perceptions of mental support and their positive and negative effects: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between nurses' perceptions of mental support and their positive and negative effects. DESIGN AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out with 333 nurses working in various clinics. The data were collected in Turkey between 12 and 19 December 2020. The data were collected using personal information form, spiritual support perception scale and positive-negative impact program. FINDINGS: A positive relationship was found between the perceptions of mental support of nurses and their positive effects, and a negative relationship between their perceptions of spiritual support and their negative effects. EFFECTS FOR APPLICATION: As nurses' perceptions of mental support increase, their positive sensitivity increases and their negative sensitivity decreases.

The relationship between levels of solution-focused thinking and internalized stigma and social functionality in mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of the level of solution-focused thinking on internalized stigma and social functionality in mental illnesses. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with 497 patients with various mental disorders. FINDINGS: A negative and strong correlation was found between the Solution-Focused Inventory and Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale scores of the participants (r = -0.682, p = 0.001). A positive and weak correlation was found between the participants' Solution-Focused Inventory and Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale scores (r = 0.396, p = 0.001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It was determined that, as the solution-focused thinking levels of individuals with mental disorders increase, their level of internalized stigma decreases, and their social functionality increases.

The relationship of fear of happiness levels of Syrian refugees with meaning of life and health perception.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the relationship of fear of happiness levels of Syrian refugees with the meaning of life and health perception. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with 310 Syrian refugees. FINDINGS: It was found that Syrian refugees' mean scores were 27.59 ± 6.44 in the Fear of Happiness Scale, 17.08 ± 6.93 in Meaning-Life, 19.84 ± 9.26 in Search for Meaning-Life, 46.03 ± 10.18 in Perception of Health Scale. A negative correlation was found between Syrian refugees' fear of happiness levels and meaning in life and health perception. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: As the fear of happiness levels of Syrian refugees decreased, the presence of meaning in life, the search for meaning in life, and health perception levels increased.

The Effect of Nursing Care Applied to Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Their Sexual Experiences and Quality of Life.

This study was conducted for the aim of assessing the effect of nursing care applied to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on their sexual experiences and quality of life. The sample of the study was determined via power analysis, patients were assigned groups using a simple random sampling method. The data were collected between December 2019-June 2020. The researcher applied the nursing care to patients in the experimental group in their home three times. There was a statistically significant difference between posttest mean scores of the Short Form-36 Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire subscales and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale of the patients in the experimental and control groups (p < 0.05). In this study, it was determined that there was an increase in the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire mean score of patients with COPD after the nursing care; whereas, there was a slight decrease in the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale mean score.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life and depression, anxiety, and stress levels of individuals above the age of eighteen.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life and the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of individuals above the age of eighteen. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used the snowball method. Data were collected using the sociodemographic question form, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21, and the SF-12 Life Quality Scale. FINDINGS: A statistically significant relationship (p < .05) was measured between age, gender, health condition, concomitant chronic and mental disease, fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, home confinement in this particular period, and the need for psychological support as well as mean scores of Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21, and SF-12 Life Quality Scale. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Against the likelihood of facing new pandemics in the future, a guideline could be planned to protect and improve prospective the psychosocial wellness of individuals and society.

Evaluation of meaning of life and self-care agency in nursing care given to chronic obstructive pulmonary patients according to health promotion model.

The study was conducted to evaluate the meaning of life and self-care agency in nursing care given to chronic obstructive pulmonary patients according to the health promotion model. The sample of the study was determined by power analysis and 40 COPD patients were assigned to each group by simple random sampling method. Descriptive Information Form, Life Attitude Profile and Self-care Agency Scale were used to obtain the data. Nursing care was applied by the researcher 3 times in every 2 weeks according to the health promotion model in the houses of the patients in the experimental groups. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, dependent samples t-test, independent samples t-test, chi-square and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. It was determined that while posttest mean score of the patients in the Experimental group 1 for Self-care agency scale was 112.70 ±â€¯29.0; their posttest mean score for Life Attitude Profile was 156.37 ±â€¯13.5. Posttest mean score of the patients in the Control group 1 for Self-care agency scale was 81.35 ±â€¯17.7; whereas, their posttest mean score for Life Attitude Profile was 120.50 ±â€¯31.9. The difference between the posttest mean scores of the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The care applied to the patients with COPD according to health promotion model was found to increase self-care agency and meaning of life of the patients.