A barrier to participation in cervical cancer screenings: fatalism.

Cervical cancer is a significant disease affecting women's health in terms of its incidence and is one of the most preventable cancers. However, participation in early cervical cancer-screening programs has been unsatisfactory for various reasons. In this descriptive, relationship-seeking study, we examined the relationship between fatalism tendency, an individual barrier to participation in early cancer screening programs, and women's attitudes toward the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and undergoing the Pap smear test. Research data were collected between August 1, 2019 and December 1, 2019, in a city in northern Turkey from 602 women using a participant information form, the Attitudes Toward Early Diagnosis in Cervical Cancer Scale, and the Fatalism Tendency Scale. We found that fatalistic tendencies in women were a predictor of their attitudes toward the early diagnosis of cervical cancer (odds ratio [OR] = -0.64, ß = .47, p < .001) and undergoing the Pap smear test (OR = 1.01, ß = -.15, p < .001). Women with high fatalism tendencies had a more negative attitude toward the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and their participation rate in Pap smear screening programs was low. Therefore, nurses must consider women's fatalistic tendencies and attitudes toward cancer when organizing educational and informational programs that encourage participation in cervical cancer screening.

Determination of the use of complementary and alternative medicine by women in the climacteric period in the Turkish city of Samsun.

This quantitative descriptive study was carried out in order to determine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for management of menopausal symptoms in women in Samsun, Turkey. Data on general demographic characteristics, menopause-related symptoms, and the use of CAM and herbal therapy were collected from 281 women undergoing the process of the climacteric period, admitted to the gynaecology polyclinic of a hospital in Samsun province. To evaluate the data, descriptive statistics, Student t-tests, and logistic regression analysis were used. In this study the most common CAM methods were identified as herbal therapy (29.9%), dieting (29.5%), exercise (29.2%), and massage (27.8%). Approximately one-third of the women identified as benefitting from CAM methods. More than half identified as not having informed a health care professional about their use of these methods of achieving symptom relief.

Symptoms experienced by women who enter into natural and surgical menopause and their relation to sexual functions.

We carried out this study to determine which symptoms women experienced according to menopause type and the relation of these symptoms to sexual functions. The patricipants of the study were 250 women who underwent natural menopause and 200 women who underwent surgical menopause. A questionnaire, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) provided data. According to the MRS, hot flushes and sweating problems were the most common experiences, and, according to the GRISS, sexual infrequency problems rated highest in both groups. There was a positive relationship between multiple sexual functioning problems and the perceived level of menopausal symptom intensity, especially in surgical menopause women.

The relationship between support systems and anxiety in couples admitted to the emergency department with vaginal bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: First-trimester vaginal bleeding largely occurs due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic diseases. Pregnant women diagnosed with threatened abortion experience and their spouses severe anxiety and stress due to the probability of the pregnancy ending. Couples having difficulty coping with the see motions need support systems. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the anxiety levels experienced by couples who present at the emergency department with a complaint of vaginal bleeding and are diagnosed with threatened abortion, as well as their support systems. METHODS: The study was conducted with 276 participants (138 pregnant women and their spouses) admitted to the obstetrics emergency department of an obstetrics and paediatrics hospital in Turkey between December 2014 and March 2015. Data were collected through a demographic information form developed by the researcher, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS: There were significant negative associations between mean the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support scores of the pregnant women and their spouses (p < 0.05). The couples' anxiety levels did not significantly differ according to whether they received support from each other and from emergency nurses (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was found that both state and trait anxiety levels of the couples decreased as perceived social support increased. However, it was determined that the support couples received from each other and from emergency nurses was not sufficient in terms of reducing anxiety.

Frequency of Depression and Risk Factors among Adolescent Mothers in Turkey within the First Year of the Postnatal Period.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression (PPD) emerges within the first 4 weeks of the postnatal period and might continue for as long as 1 year. The aims of this prospective study were to examine the prevalence, severity, and risk factors for PPD among adolescent mothers in Turkey. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study consisted of 84 adolescent mothers between the ages of 15 and 19 years. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The participants were questioned about PPD at 3 postnatal periods: 4 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. A 23-item question form, prepared to evaluate the risk of PPD, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used. RESULTS: The risk of adolescent PPD was 19 (22.6%). There was a statistically significant association between the risk of PPD and various factors, such as age, educational background, trouble with partner and family, problems with sexual intercourse in the postnatal term, and assertiveness in making decisions about children (P < .05). At the 6-month follow-up, the scores of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale risk group remained the same, but they were lower at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that adolescent mothers need the assistance of partners, families, midwives/nurses, and other support systems, especially during the first postnatal year, to reduce the prevalence of adolescent PPD.

The Impact of Education About Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus on Women's Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Beliefs: Using the PRECEDE Educational Model.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of cervical cancer improves the chances of successful treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of education about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus on the healthy lifestyle, behavior, and beliefs of Turkish women who were without cancer, using the PRECEDE education model. METHODS: This qualitative and quantitative study was conducted as a prospective, randomized, 2-group (intervention and control) trial at a community training center in north Turkey. A total of 156 Turkish women who were without cancer participated in this study. The semistructured interview form, the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire, the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II were used. RESULTS: The subdimension scores of the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test were found to be higher among women in the study group (cervical cancer seriousness, P = .001; health motivation, P = .001) as compared with the control group after the education program. The SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire domain scores for physical role limitations, mental role limitations, and general health perceptions increased in the study group after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The posteducation health motivation of women in the study group was improved, the women's perceptions of obstacles to Papanicolaou testing decreased, and through increased knowledge and awareness, the rate of Papanicolaou testing increased. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Educational programs aimed at motivating women to increase their awareness of cervical cancer, preventing cervical cancer, and having Papanicolaou testing are necessary and beneficial in this sample.

The Efficiency of Reproduction Health Education Given to Adolescents during the Postpartum Period.

Our research, partly experimental and partly prospective, was conducted for the purpose of evaluating the efficiency of reproductive health education given to adolescents during the postpartum period. The study comprised with 120 adolescents aged 15 to 19 (60 experimental group, 60 control group). Follow-up was conducted every 3 months for a total of 12 months, and the study concluded with 55 individuals from the experimental group and 46 individuals from the control group having participated fully, for the full 12 months. At the end of the research, it was found that the reproductive health knowledge of the experimental (103.10 ± 11.43) and control (99.15 ± 9.53) groups were similar before education. A statistically significant difference was also found between the total points for the scale determining the reproductive health of the experimental and control groups before and after education (P < .001). The socio-demographic variables affecting the total points for the scale determining the reproductive health-protective behavior of women were evaluated by multiple regression analysis; the most effective variables were found to be age and educational status. A statistically significant difference was also found between the total points for the family planning behavior scale of the experimental and control groups before and after education (P < .001). From this, it was understood that reproductive health education given during the postpartum and follow-up periods has a positive effect on adolescents' developing reproductive health behaviors and on creating knowledge and awareness related to family planning behavior. But there needs to be follow-up and supporting specific for adolescents in the current health system.

Use of and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine among midwives in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among midwives in Turkey. STUDY DESIGN: Information was requested from 129 midwives at family health centers in Samsun concerning their suggestions for the use of complementary and alternative medicine for pregnant women. RESULTS: 58.9% of the midwives in this study had suggested CAM methods to pregnant women. It was found that, among CAM methods, the midwives studied made use of herbal treatment, diets and exercises the most (32.6%, 27.9% and 28.7%, respectively) and acupuncture, relaxation techniques and fast walking the least (1.6%, 6.2%, and 7.0%, respectively). It was found that the CAM method most suggested by the midwives studied was herbal therapy, and this therapy was suggested for nausea-vomiting, anemia, gastralgic complaints, constipation, sore throat, insomnia, hypertension, sinusitis, cough, the common cold, stress, hemorrhoids and asthenia-fatigue. CONCLUSION: Complementary and alternative medicine, especially herbal therapy, is commonly suggested to pregnant women by those midwives studied in Samsun.