Effect of online health training/counseling and progressive muscle relaxation exercise on postpartum depression and maternal attachment: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of online health training/counseling and a progressive muscle relaxation exercise (PMRE) program on postpartum depression and maternal attachment. METHODS: The present study was a randomized, controlled, experimental trial. Participants were asked to complete the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at 35 weeks of pregnancy. Group assignment was done by stratified block randomization according to EPDS score (0-9, 10-30) and parity. Women in the experimental group received training in progressive muscle relaxation, postpartum depression, and maternal attachment via online video calls twice a week starting at 36-37 weeks of pregnancy. They were asked to complete the PMRE program from 36 weeks of pregnancy until 6 months postpartum, and online counseling was provided throughout this period. Participants completed the Maternal Postpartum Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the EPDS at 6 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Mean PAI score was 64.24 ± 9.61 in the experimental group before the intervention and 62.14 ± 10.13 in the control group. The mean EPDS score of the experimental group was 9.12 ± 5.05 and the mean score of the control group was 9.77 ± 6.30 (P > 0.05). The mean MPAS score after the intervention was 13.92 ± 5.54 in the experimental group and 17.51 ± 6.12 in the control group. The mean EPDS score of the experimental group was 3.40 ± 3.00 and the mean score of the control group was 11.40 ± 5.91 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Online health training/counseling and PMRE reduce the risk of postpartum depression and increase maternal attachment.

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on the intensity of symptoms and quality of sleep and quality of life in pregnant women with restless leg syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study, accordingly, was conducted with the purpose of investigating the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on the intensity of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and RLS-related quality of life and sleep in pregnant women with RLS. METHODS: This one-centered, parallel randomized controlled study was conducted with 52 pregnant women. 27-28th of pregnancy, progressive muscle relaxation exercises training was shown and they were asked to practice them 3 times a week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: It was found that the RLS Intensity Scale and PSQI posttest mean scores of the women in experiment group are lower on a statically significant level than the mean scores of the women in control group (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001). It was detected that the RLS-Qol posttest mean scores of the women in the experiment group are higher than the mean scores in the control group on a statistically significant level (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: It was seen that progressive muscle relaxation exercises alleviate RLS intensity and symptoms and improve RLS-related quality of life and sleep in pregnant women. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: Progressive muscle relaxation exercises are beneficial for pregnant women and can be easily integrated into practice.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mobile Health Application Based on Roy's Adaptation Model on Postpartum Adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Mobile apps are used worldwide in nursing care, including during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a mobile health application developed for pregnant women according to the Roy adaptation model on postpartum adaptation. METHODS: This was a single-center, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted from March 2021 to August 2021. A mobile application was developed and offered to women in the experimental group from the 32nd-34th gestational weeks to the sixth week postpartum. The Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire was administered to both experimental and control groups on the 10th day postpartum and in the sixth week postpartum. The generalized linear mixed-effects model and the least significant difference test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 62 pregnant women. The mean scores from the total Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire and the subscales decreased statistically significantly in the 10th day postpartum and the sixth week postpartum in the experimental group compared to the control group ( p < .05). The mean scores from the confidence in the ability to cope with tasks of motherhood and satisfaction with motherhood and infant care subscales indicated a statistically significant difference in group-time interaction. DISCUSSION: The results indicated that the mobile health application increased postpartum adaptation in women and effectively maintained adaptation until the sixth week postpartum. Use of mobile health applications may help provide practical, accessible, and quality prenatal and postpartum care.

Effects of intermittent kangaroo care on maternal attachment, postpartum depression of mothers with preterm infants.

PURPOSE: To reveal the effect of intermittent kangaroo care on maternal attachment, postpartum depression of mothers with preterm infants. METHODS: The study was conducted as a single centre randomised controlled study with sixty mothers whose newborns were hospitalised in the NICU due to prematurity. The data were collected by the questionnaire form, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI). 'Intermittent kangaroo care' was applied for 30 minutes once a day for 10 days to the experimental group. Women were completed the EPDS and the MAI in postpartum 30-40th days. RESULTS: The median of the total score of EPDS in the experimental group was 7, and in the control group was 9 (p > 0.05). The median of the total score of MAI in the experimental group was 99, and in the control group was 97 (p <0.05) and it was determined that the effect size of the difference between the groups was medium (1-ß: 0.65, Cohen's d: 0.532). CONCLUSION: It was determined that mothers who received intermittent kangaroo care had higher scores that can be interpreted as higher maternal attachment than others and the postpartum depression scores did not differ between experimental and control group.

The effectiveness of the using scenario and video in distance nursing education during COVID-19 pandemic.

To determine the effects of using case scenarios and skill videos in distance education as a practical teaching-learning strategy on student satisfaction, professional perception, and professional values among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a quasi-experimental study with a one-group, pretest-post-test design. The study was conducted with 166 baccalaureate nursing students who attended online classes for 13 weeks, which included 80-minute theoretical and 120-minute practical training each week. A Student Information Form, the Student Satisfaction Scale-Short Form, the Nursing Profession Perception of Scale (NPPS), and the Nurses' Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R). We found significant differences between the students' pre- and post-test scores for the scales NPPS and the NPVS-R (p < .05), who attended online classes during the pandemic. However, our findings demonstrated that distance education had no effect on the level of student satisfaction (p > .05). The using case scenarios and skill videos in distance education as a strategy to deliver nursing course during the pandemic showed positive effects on the adoption of professional values and the perception about nursing profession among nursing students.

The Effect of Holistic Birth Support Strategies on Coping With Labor Pain, Birth Satisfaction, and Fear of Childbirth: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Controlled Trial.

The current study was aimed to evaluate the effects of interventions conducted in line with the coping with labor pain algorithm (holistic birth support strategies) on women's coping with labor pain, birth satisfaction, and fear of childbirth. The study is a single-center, parallel-group randomized, three-blind, controlled trial. The study was completed with 33 women in the experimental group and 31 in the control group. The mean score of the women in the experimental group from the Birth Satisfaction Scale (128.57 ± 5.83) was statistically significantly higher than that of the women in the control group (81.80 ± 7.73). The mean score of the women in the experimental group (61.96 ± 9.78) from the Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale, Version B scale was statistically significantly lower than that of the women in the control group (148.64 ± 14.62). It was found that the women in the experimental group were able to better cope with labor pain, had higher birth satisfaction, and had less fear of childbirth.

Evaluation of the impact of humor used in contraception education on the attitudes of university students towards contraceptive methods.

OBJECTIVE: This study has been performed as a parallel randomised controlled study to evaluate the impact of humour benefitted in contraception education of university students on the attitudes of students towards contraception methods. METHODS: The study sample was composed of 88 students (44 experiments, 44 controls) studying at a public university in Turkey. The study data were collected using the Questionnaire Form and the Family Planning Attitude Scale. The students were divided into experimental and control groups as per the pre-test score of the Family Planning Attitude Scale and gender using stratified block randomisation. The students were divided into groups of 10 people, and each group received a one-time education of 45-60 min. The content of the education was the same for the experimental and control groups, but additionally, the humour method was used during the education of the experimental group. The Family Planning Attitude Scale was re-applied to the students one month after the education. Number, percentage, mean value, Student t-test Mann Whitney-U test, and Chi-square test were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: While there was no statistically significant difference between the pre-test mean scores of the students in the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05); the post-test showed a significantly higher mean score in the experimental group (p < 0.05) (1-ß: 0.921, Cohen's d: 0.658). While there was no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test total mean scores of the students in the control group (p > 0.05); the post-test mean score of the students in the experimental group was significantly higher than the pre-test mean (p < 0.05) (1-ß: 1.000, Cohen's d: 1.556). CONCLUSIONS: The method of contraception education with humour given to university students is more effective than the education given ordinarily in developing attitudes towards contraceptives.

The relationship between quality of life, perceived stress, marital satisfaction in women conceived through ART.

BACKGROUND: The stress experienced during pregnancy and the decrease in marital satisfaction affects the quality of life of the woman negatively. OBJECTIVE: This study conducted to determine the quality of life and the relationship with perceived stress and marital satisfaction in pregnant women with ART. METHODS: This study is a descriptive and corelational study. The study sample consisted of 120 pregnant women with ART. The patient descriptive form, the Married Life Scale (SWML), The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and The Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) were used for data collection in this study. RESULTS: The mean of the total score of PSS was 16.38 ± 4,721, the mean score of SWML was 23.03 ± 4.42 and the mean of the total score of FertiQoL was 81,25 ± 17,56. There was a moderate negative correlation (r = -0,551, p = 0,001) between the total score of the FertiQol and the total score of PSS and there was a moderate positive correlation (r = 0,452, p = 0,001) between FertiQol total score and SWML. CONCLUSION: This study found that the rate of perceived stress affected the quality of life negatively and marital satisfaction affected the quality of life positively in pregnant women with ART.

Birth Experience in Syrian Refugee Women in Turkey: A Descriptive Phenomenological Qualitative Study.

A negative birth experience affects the woman's subsequent pregnancy, and delivery processes negatively, decreases patient satisfaction, and the high anxiety/stress experienced during pregnancy/delivery is transferred to the next generations by epigenetic transmission. In this study, women's birth experiences of Syrian refugees in Turkey aimed to describe in-depth. It was designed as a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study. Fifteen refugee women included in the sample gave birth in Turkey, living in Turkey's southern city. In-depth interviews were conducted with women. Six themes were formed in the results: "quantitatively enough but unsatisfactory service," "not providing autonomy," "think that she was neglected," "no respect to privacy," "feeling loneliness/fear in the delivery room," and "prejudice." The factors that negatively affect the pregnancy and birth experiences of Syrian refugee women are language/communication barriers, the provision of care services that are incompatible with their religious and cultural values, and their prejudice regarding discrimination.

Use of Mobile Applications by Pregnant Women and Levels of Pregnancy Distress During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy and postpartum periods require continuity in care and counseling. During the pandemic process, telemedicine and telenursing applications have been used to meet the need for healthcare throughout the world, and skills in this area have been developed. This study aimed to identify the use of mobile applications by pregnant women in receiving health information, counseling, and healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and their distress levels during pregnancy. METHODS: This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was designed as an online survey administered between August 2020 and November 2020 via a questionnaire and the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale (TPDS). A total of 376 women agreed to participate in the study. Women were included if they were literate, had a gestational age of ≥ 12th weeks, and accommodated within the Republic of Turkey's boundaries. RESULTS: A total of 77.9% of participants reported using pregnancy-related mobile applications during the pandemic. The mean total Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale score was 24.09, and 37.2% of the participants were found to be at risk for high distress according to the cut-off point. There was a significant difference between the change in receiving health services and the anxiety about coronavirus transmission and the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale total score. (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study helped understand the pandemic's impact on pregnancy distress and usage of mobile health applications by pregnant women during the pandemic. Also, our results indicate that a decrease in pregnant women receiving health services during this period. Mobile health applications appear to be usable for prenatal follow-ups because mobile applications are common among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurses' exposure to violence and their professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the relationship between nurses' exposure to violence and their professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Violence against nurses is a common problem that persists worldwide. DESIGN: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. METHODS: An online questionnaire form and the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale were used to collect the data. The study was carried out online during the COVID-19 pandemic between October-December 2020. A total of 263 nurses agreed to participate in the study. The STROBE checklist was followed for observational studies. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 8.4% of the nurses stated that they were exposed to physical violence, 57.8% to verbal violence, 0.8% to sexual violence and 61.6% to mobbing. 52.1% of the nurses stated that they thought of quitting the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean total Nursing Professional Commitment Scale score was 71.33 ± 15.05. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that nurses' exposure to physical, verbal and sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased compared to before the pandemic. Nurses' exposure to mobbing during the pandemic was found to increase. A statistically significant difference was found between the status of the nurses' exposure to physical violence, verbal violence, and mobbing, working hours, number of patients given care, and their thoughts of quitting the profession. It was found that the status of exposure to physical violence, thinking of quitting the profession and working hours decreased professional commitment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: In the light of these results, it is recommended that measures to prevent violence should be addressed in a multifaceted way. In managing the pandemic process, the decisions and practices should not be left to the managers' initiative to prevent mobbing. Initiatives that will increase nurses' professional commitment during the pandemic process should be planned and implemented.

Effect of Scenario-Based Simulation Training on the Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Clinical Practicum.

BACKGROUND: Simulation practices in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) nursing are used in education, practice, assessment, and the investigation of interventional and behavioral skills related to both routine and emergency conditions. PURPOSE: This study was conducted in an OB-GYN nursing course to determine the effect of simulation practices on clinical practice satisfaction, clinical stress, and self-confidence in nursing students. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled experimental trial was conducted on 122 students (experimental group, n = 58; control group, n = 64). After theoretical training, all of the students applied six scenarios in the OB-GYN nursing simulation laboratory. The students in the experimental group began clinical practice after simulation training, whereas their peers in the control group began clinical practice without prior simulation training. Data in this study were collected using a personal information form, the Pagana Clinical Stress Questionnaire, a self-confidence scale, and a satisfaction subscale from the Clinical Learning Environment Scale on, respectively, the first day and final day of clinical practice. RESULTS: At the end of the clinical practice, average clinical stress in the control group was higher than that in the experimental group (p = .001). No intergroup difference was found in self-confidence levels (p > .05). For the control group, at posttest, the average satisfaction with the clinical learning environment was higher (p = .046) and the average satisfaction with the clinical learning environment was lower (p = .05). In contrast, no mean pretest-posttest differences were found in clinical stress and self-confidence levels in the experimental group (p > .05). In the control group, no mean pretest-posttest difference was found for the clinical learning environment (p > .05), whereas mean clinical stress (p < .001) and self-confidence (p = .012) levels were higher at posttest (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this study indicate that simulation training interventions reduce clinical satisfaction and stress in students but do not influence self-confidence. Nursing educators may provide scenario-based simulation training to students taking OB-GYN courses to enhance their preparedness for clinical practice.

Harmful traditional health practices used by Syrian refugee women in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the traditional health practices used by Syrian refugee women in Turkey. METHODS: A survey was carried out among Syrian refugee women in the Turkish province of Hatay, which has experienced heavy immigration. The study sample consisted of 75 married Syrian women over the age of 18. Questionnaires were completed during face-to-face interviews and took approximately 60 min. RESULTS: All the women (100%) reported using a traditional health method in pregnancy; almost all had used a traditional health method during childbirth and the postpartum period (both 98.7%), and to treat a vaginal infection (92.0%) and induce an abortion (93.3%); most used a traditional method of contraception (85.3%). CONCLUSION: Some of the reported known and used methods are harmless or beneficial to women's health. Some, however, can negatively affect women's health in terms of infection, bleeding and toxicity. In order to eliminate potentially harmful traditional health practices, it is recommended that Syrian refugee women receive health education.

The effect of Health Belief Model-based health education programme on coping with premenstrual syndrome: a randomised controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of this randomised controlled study was to determine the effect of Health Belief Model (HBM)-based health education programme in late adolescent period on coping with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHODS: Thirty women both in the intervention and control groups were included. The HBM-based education programme was applied to cope with PMS. The intervention and control groups were followed up for three cycles in terms of PMS symptoms. The data were collected by a questionnaire and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test mean scores and the first, second and third follow-up mean scores; and between the first follow-up mean score and the second and the third follow-up mean scores in the repeated measurements of the intervention group (p <.05). The mean scores of the intervention group were found to be significantly lower than the control group in the second and third follow-ups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, HBM-based health education was effective for coping with PMS. It is recommended for dealing with PMS to use HBM-based education programmes, to motivate the students for life style changes, and to identify the obstacles and the benefits perceived about PMS.

Sexual Health/Reproductive Health-Related Problems of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Turkey and Their Health-Care Needs.

AIM: To determine sexual and reproductive health problems and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people based on their experiences and to develop solutions. METHOD: A mixed method, which includes quantitative (descriptive) and qualitative (phenomenological) methods, was used (n=106). An online questionnaire was used to collect the data. RESULTS: Of the participants, 42.5% stated that they had experienced problems receiving sexual and reproductive health-care services, and 77.8% of those who stated they had problems indicated that the attitude of the health-care professionals was discriminatory or unfavorable. In the qualitative analysis, two themes were created: "Experiences during Health-care Services" and "Recommendations for Health Services." CONCLUSION: It was determined that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have sexual problems, sexually transmitted diseases, and suffer from sexual harassment. However, it was found that they do not receive sufficient health-care due to health-care professionals' attitudes, homophobia, and disregard of privacy or confidentiality. In line with the results of the present research and the suggestions of the participants, it is suggested that training programs should be organized for health-care professionals providing services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to raise awareness and ultimately promote more effective services.

The Effect of Health Education Given to Syrian Refugee Women in Their Own Language on Awareness of Breast and Cervical Cancer, in Turkey: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

In general, refugees have an increased cancer burden because of living in difficult conditions and having low income. Refugee women may have difficulty in accessing healthcare services because of the fear of uncertainty, security concerns, language barriers, cultural differences, and economic problems. For this reason, it is thought that health education given to Syrian refugee women by overcoming the language problem (given in their own language-Arabic) increases the awareness of breast and cervical cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of health education given to refugee women in their own language on the awareness of breast and cervical cancer. This is a randomized controlled trial with one control and one intervention group. The research sample consisted of 60 Syrian women (30 experiments, 30 controls), at least 18 years old, married, and literate women who were refugees in Hatay/Turkey. The research data were collected via the questionnaire form developed by the researchers. At the beginning of the study, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, education, economic status, gravida, and parity among the women in the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the pre-test mean scores of the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the post-test mean scores of the experimental and control groups (p < 0.005). In this study, it was determined that health education given to refugee women in their own language had a significant effect on breast and cervical cancer awareness. The attitudes and motivations are shaped, not only by personal information but also by the cultural changes within the community.

Effect of chewing gum on stress, anxiety, depression, self-focused attention, and academic success: A randomized controlled study.

Chewing gum is thought to increase focus via a reduction in stress and anxiety. Chewing gum contributes to success by improving short-term memory. This study was conducted to determine the effect of chewing gum on stress, anxiety, depression, self-focused attention, and exam success. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with a total of 100 students. In the long-term (19 days) and short-term (7 days) chewing gum groups, the pretest scores of depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly higher than the posttest scores. Although the posttest scores on the self-focused attention subscale were higher than the pretest scores in long-term chewing gum group, there was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores in this group. The academic success mean scores of the long-term experimental group students were higher than those of the other groups. Students are recommended to chew gum before exams in order to overcome exam stress and to enhance exam success. However, chewing gum is not recommended in the long term for students who have difficulty focussing their attention.

The effect of nursing internship program on burnout and professional commitment.

BACKGROUND: Professional commitment is defined as a belief in and acceptance of the values of the profession which is chosen, effort to actualize these values, desire to improve him/herself. Nurses' professional and organizational commitment are influenced by factors such as job stress, job satisfaction and burnout. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of nursing internship program on professional commitment and burnout of senior nursing students. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study with a pretest and posttest without control group design was used. METHODS: Students who were attending nursing internship program and agreed to participate were included in the study. Sample consisted of 101 students. Data were collected with a questionnaire, the burnout measure short version and nursing professional commitment scale. RESULTS: After the nursing internship, 77.2% were pleased to study nursing, 83.2% were pleased to be a senior student, 55.4% did not have any intention to change their profession, 81.2% wanted to work as nurses, and 82.2% were planning career advancement in nursing of the students, 34.7% and 43.6% were found to experience burnout, before and after the nursing internship, respectively (p < 0.05). When the students' mean pre-test and post-test scores on the nursing professional commitment scale were compared, a significant difference was found between mean scores on the total score and "maintaining membership" subscale (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that after the nursing internship, burnout and professional commitment levels of the students increased.

Use of mobile applications and blogs by pregnant women in Turkey and the impact on adaptation to pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate how the use of mobile applications and blogs impacts on a woman's pregnancy. DESIGN: This was a descriptive study. A questionnaire and the Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) were administered to collect the data. The PSEQ was developed to evaluate a woman's adaptation to pregnancy before labour and contained seven subscales: acceptance of pregnancy, identification of a motherhood role, relationship with her mother, relationship with her husband, preparation for labour, prenatal fear of helplessness and loss of control in labour and concern for the well-being of self and baby. Lower scores indicated a greater level of adaptation to pregnancy. SETTINGS: Data were collected from gynaecology and obstetrics outpatient clinics in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 230 women agreed to participate in the study. Women were included if they were literate, were 25-40 weeks pregnant, had experienced no complications during pregnancy and did not have a psychiatric illness or disorder. MEASUREMENT AND FINDINGS: A total of 43.1% of women reported using at least one mobile application during pregnancy, and 34.3% reported using at least one pregnancy-related blog. The mean total PSEQ score was 133 (mobile applications users' score: 129; blogs users' score: 130). There were no significant differences between those women using and those not using mobile applications in terms of the total PSEQ score; however, pregnant women using mobile applications had better adaptation levels to pregnancy in terms of their acceptance of pregnancy and relationship with her husband. No significant differences were found between those women using and those not using pregnancy blogs in terms of the total PSEQ score; however, pregnant women using blogs had better adaptation levels to pregnancy in terms of the relationship with her mother. KEY CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the use of mobile applications and blogs is common among pregnant women. The use of mobile applications and blogs both enhance a woman's adaptation to pregnancy but in different ways. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In accordance with these results, technology-based training materials (e.g. mobile applications, blogs etc.) should be developed and used in the health education and counselling of pregnant women.