The effect of interventions in vaginal birth on fear of childbirth: A multicentre study.

AIM: This cross-sectional multicentre study aimed to determine the effect of interventions during vaginal birth for fear of childbirth. METHODS: In this cross-sectional and analytical study, 852 women who had a vaginal birth between 2019 and 2020 were enrolled. Data were collected using the Descriptive Questionnaire and Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale Version B. RESULTS: The mean total Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale Version B score of the women was 97.00 ± 24.24, indicating severe and clinical levels of fear of childbirth. Moreover, 69.4% of the women had clinical, 18.6% had severe and 12% had moderate levels of fear of childbirth. During birth, women who had close supporters, who were allowed to move and who did not undergo amniotomy, enema, perineal shaving and electronic foetal monitoring had a low level of fear of childbirth. As the number of pregnant women in the labour room, frequency of vaginal examinations, duration of delivery/hour, severity of labour pain and negative perception of the approach of health professionals increased, the women's fear of childbirth increased. Fear of childbirth decreased as the frequency of antenatal follow-ups, number of births and satisfaction levels of the women increased (p < 0.05). Low income perception, irregular prenatal follow-up, severe labour pain and a long duration of labour were strong predictors of increased fear of childbirth. Increasing number of births, high birth satisfaction level and positive perception of the approach of health professionals were strong predictors of reduced fear of childbirth. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of interventions in vaginal delivery and support from health care providers during delivery can be effective in reducing fear of childbirth.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Pregnant, Lactating, and Nonpregnant Women of Reproductive Age in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance, the reasons for receiving and not receiving the vaccine, and the associated factors among pregnant, lactating, and nonpregnant women of reproductive age. METHODS: This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted online in Turkey, at the end of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, between February and May 2022. A total of 658 women (230; 35% pregnant) (187; 28.4% lactating) (241; 36.6% nonpregnant) women of reproductive age participated in the study. RESULTS: Vaccine acceptance rates were found to be 91.7% in nonpregnant women of reproductive age, 77% in lactating women, and 59% in pregnant women (P < 0.05). The highest rate of vaccine hesitancy was observed in pregnant women (31.3%), and vaccine rejection rate was the highest in lactating women (10.2%). Pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] = 3.98; confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-14.10), and the breastfeeding period (OR = 3.84; CI = 1.15-12.78), increased vaccine hesitancy approximately four times. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of knowledge about and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine is still one of the barriers to vaccine acceptance today. Health-care providers (HCPs) should provide effective counseling to pregnant, lactating, and nonpregnant reproductive-aged women based on current information and guidelines.

Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Aging Anxiety Scale for Middle-Aged Women.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to perform a validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Aging Anxiety Scale for Middle-Aged Women. DESIGN AND METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 262 women aged between 40 and 59 years. FINDINGS: While language, content and construct validity analyses were performed at the validity phase of the scale, internal consistency and stability over time analyses were performed at the reliability stage. Factor analyses were performed for the construct validity, and it was determined that the items of the scale were classified under four factors; this was consistent with the original form. The Cronbach's α reliability was 0.962 for the overall scale and ranged between 0.836 and 0.949 for the four subdimensions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study determined that the Turkish adaptation of the scale is a valid and reliable measuring instrument.

Premenstrual disorders among young Turkish women: According to DSM-IV and DSM-V criteria using the premenstrual symptoms screening tool.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) according to the DSM-IV and DSM-V criteria using the premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST) in young Turkish women aged 15-24 years. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study included 760 Turkish female students in Izmir. FINDINGS: The prevalence of PMS was 61.1% and 26.1 and that of PMDD was 20.4% and 10.0%, based on the DSM-IV and DSM-V criteria using PSST, respectively. In the PMDD category, the most common symptoms were anger/irritability (97.4%). PMS/PMDD prevalence is common in young women, especially in adolescents, and PMDD prevalence was alarmingly high. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health professionals take an active role in the diagnosis and management of PMS/PMDD.

Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms and risk factors at the first year of postpartum women: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms experienced the first year of postpartum and obstetric risk factors. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted with 408 women between 3 and 12 months postpartum, in Izmir. Results: It was found that urinary incontinence had been experienced by 33.3% of the women during pregnancy and 25.2% postpartum and 2.9% had experienced fecal incontinence. Other frequently experienced symptoms of PFD were in the order of frequency, perineal pain (53.4%), constipation (40.7%), flatulence (34.1%), dyspareunia (27.7%) and fecal incontinence (2.9%). Conclusion: PFD symptoms are common in postpartum women. Early diagnosis, treatment and preventive approaches should be made by healthcare professionals for perinatal pelvic floor health. Impact statement: Healthcare professionals should acknowledge the importance of PFD after birth and identify the problems early period. Our study emphasizes the size of the problem and improvement for PFD.