The impact of herbal treatments on cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of herbal treatments on cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library until December 2023, following Cochrane guidelines. Data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program (Version 5.4.1). RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials involving a total sample size of 662 women were included in the study. The pooled odds ratio for individuals testing negative for human papillomavirus after herbal intervention among human papillomavirus-positive patients was 1.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64-5.43), according to the fixed-effects model. Three out of the five studies indicated a significant relationship. The relationship between positive human papillomavirus infection and herbal treatments, measured by the fixed-effects model, resulted in a pooled odds ratio of 0.41 (95%CI 0.17-1.01), reporting a significant association (p=0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in the relationship between herbal treatment and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (OR 0.16, 95%CI 0.03-0.88, p=0.04) but no significant impact on the relationship between herbal treatment and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (OR 0.33, 95%CI 0.01-8.77, p=0.51). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis suggests that herbal treatments reduce human papillomavirus infections. While herbal treatments show a significant reduction in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, they do not significantly impact the regression of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

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.

The Effect of Carob (Ceratonia Siliqua) on Sperm Parameters of Infertile Men: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) supplements can increase sperm quality. This study aimed to summarize the available evidence about the effects of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) supplements on sperm quality and reproductive hormones in infertile men. Systematic searches of five databases were conducted from inception to October 20, with the last update on November 20, 2023. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that compared carob (Ceratonia siliqua) supplements with nonintervention control groups on infertile man. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2. Summary effect size measures were calculated using a random-effects model estimation and are reported as standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Reporting followed the PRISMA guidelines. The analysis included four studies involving 236 infertile men. It was found that sperm motility of infertile men improved after carob intervention (MD:11.30, 95% CI:5.97 to 16.64, Z = 4.15, p < 0.00001), and there was a significant difference compared to control groups. The effect size of carob on semen quantity in infertile men was positive, and the relationship was statistically significant (MD:5.42, 95% CI:1.58 to 9.42, Z = 2.77, p = 0.006). When hormone parameters of infertile men were analyzed, the MDA (malondialdehyde) value decreased compared to the control group (MD = -4.81, 95% CI: -10.18 to 0.56, Z = 1.76, p = 0.08), and there was a significant difference between them. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) supplements was associated with improvement in sperm quality compared with nonintervention control groups in infertile man. However, high-quality, larger RCTs are required to draw more definitive conclusions.

The impact of herbal treatments on cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of herbal treatments on cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library until December 2023, following Cochrane guidelines. Data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program (Version 5.4.1). RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials involving a total sample size of 662 women were included in the study. The pooled odds ratio for individuals testing negative for human papillomavirus after herbal intervention among human papillomavirus-positive patients was 1.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64-5.43), according to the fixed-effects model. Three out of the five studies indicated a significant relationship. The relationship between positive human papillomavirus infection and herbal treatments, measured by the fixed-effects model, resulted in a pooled odds ratio of 0.41 (95%CI 0.17-1.01), reporting a significant association (p=0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in the relationship between herbal treatment and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (OR 0.16, 95%CI 0.03-0.88, p=0.04) but no significant impact on the relationship between herbal treatment and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (OR 0.33, 95%CI 0.01-8.77, p=0.51). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis suggests that herbal treatments reduce human papillomavirus infections. While herbal treatments show a significant reduction in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, they do not significantly impact the regression of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Determination of the effectiveness of beeswax in preventing nipple pain and cracks in primiparous breastfeeding mothers: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Beeswax is a natural ingredient used effectively for wound healing. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of beeswax and breast milk in preventing nipple pain and cracks in the early postpartum period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This non-blinded, randomized controlled trial was carried out between November 15, 2019, and April 1, 2020, in the postpartum clinic of a state university hospital and at mothers' homes. Ninety primiparous mothers meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into beeswax (n=30), breast milk (n=30), and control (n=30) groups using simple randomization. Mothers in the beeswax, breast milk, and control groups were assessed for nipple pain and cracks on postpartum days 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th. RESULTS: On postpartum day 10, nipple pain and cracks occurred highest in the control group (%53.3), whereas nipple pain and cracks were encountered least in the beeswax group (%20,0) on postpartum observation days. The differences between the groups in terms of nipple cracks and pain severity were statistically significant (p < 0.05, p=0.004, and p=0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: Beeswax is more effective than breast milk in preventing nipple pain and crack formation. A beeswax barrier can be used to prevent nipple pain and cracks.

Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among midwifery students: a prospective online survey.

Limited information on vaccines' reliability and lack of sufficient scientific data may cause suspicion among individuals concerning the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of midwifery students to an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. This prospective online survey was conducted between 01 March and 01 May 2021 with 172 midwifery students. An anonymous online survey was developed by the researchers, taking into account the studies in the literature examining the attitudes of individuals towards the vaccine. The online survey included a total of 19 questions, covering five main topics. The study revealed that 118 (68%) of 172 midwifery students were hesitant to get vaccinated. There was a significant difference between the vaccine-hesitant and -accepting groups regarding the general attitude towards the vaccine (respectively; <0.001, 0.001). It was determined that 48.1% of the vaccine-accepting participants strongly agreed that this vaccination should be mandatory for all midwifery students working in a clinical practice internship. Higher vaccination willingness levels are expected in students who attend health curricula due to the high literacy level in health-related issues. In conclusion, healthcare professionals who are in contact with patients should be informed more accurately about newly developed vaccines.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Limited information on vaccines' reliability and lack of sufficient scientific data caused suspicion about the COVID-19 vaccines among many people .What do the results of this study add? Almost half of the participants in both groups agreed that the vaccine could be ineffective if the virus is mutated. Nearly half of the hesitant group thought that the COVID-19 vaccine might not be effective and were concerned about serious side effects.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study reveals that healthcare professionals who are in contact with patients should be informed more accurately about newly developed vaccines.

Does perinatal period pelvic floor muscle exercises affect sexuality and pelvic muscle strength? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review the effect of pelvic floor exercises on female sexual function and pelvic floor strength in the prenatal and postnatal periods and to conduct a meta-analysis of available evidence. METHODS: Published archives, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ULAKBIM databases, were scanned using keywords based on MeSH. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program (version 5.3). RESULTS: Pooled standardized differences in means of sexual function in both pelvic floor exercise and control group were 6.33 (95%CI 5.27-7.40, p<0.00001) during pregnancy. The pooled standardized differences in means in sexual function after postpartum intervention was 1.19 (95%CI 0.08--2.30, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Evidence has shown a little effect on the pelvic floor muscle training on sexual function in pregnancy and postpartum period in primipara women, and it is a safe strategy that can improve postpartum sexual function.

Does perinatal period pelvic floor muscle exercises affect sexuality and pelvic muscle strength? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review the effect of pelvic floor exercises on female sexual function and pelvic floor strength in the prenatal and postnatal periods and to conduct a meta-analysis of available evidence. METHODS: Published archives, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ULAKBİM databases, were scanned using keywords based on MeSH. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program (version 5.3). RESULTS: Pooled standardized differences in means of sexual function in both pelvic floor exercise and control group were 6.33 (95%CI 5.27-7.40, p<0.00001) during pregnancy. The pooled standardized differences in means in sexual function after postpartum intervention was 1.19 (95%CI 0.08--2.30, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Evidence has shown a little effect on the pelvic floor muscle training on sexual function in pregnancy and postpartum period in primipara women, and it is a safe strategy that can improve postpartum sexual function.

Health Beliefs of Midwifery Students at Istanbul University about Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination Acknowledgements.

Knowing the attitudes and beliefs of midwifery students toward breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) practice may reduce breast cancer-related deaths by increasing breast cancer awareness. This study was conducted to examine the attitudes and beliefs of midwifery students toward breast cancer and the BSE practice. The study was conducted with 160 midwifery students at Istanbul University as a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Data were collected by a part of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale and a self-administered questionnaire. The descriptive characteristics were given as frequencies and percentages. The evaluation was done with Kruskal-Wallis test, a non-parametric test. It has been observed 70.0 % among midwifery students have knowledge of breast cancer. 90.0 % of midwifery students know about BSE, however only 14.4 % among them practice BSE regularly every month. The benefit, barrier and confidence sub-dimension scores were positively associated with BSE practice regularity (p ≤ 0.05). It has been determined that more than half of midwifery students have knowledge about breast cancer and BSE, and that only a fraction of those with knowledge about BSE practice BSE regularly every month. The perceived seriousness of breast cancer and knowledge about breast cancer affect the ability of individuals to perform BSE, initiating BSE and continuing to practice BSE for early diagnosis of breast cancer. The results from the study provide the midwifery students awareness of breast cancer and BSE both for themselves and for the women for whom they take responsibility.

Early diagnosis behavior in Turkish women with and without a family history of cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study was planned as comparative and descriptive in order to measure and evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding early diagnosis of women with and without a family history of cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of the relatives of female patients (N=253) who were admitted to Istanbul University of Medicine. Women with a family history of cervical cancer formed the case group, while those without family history of cervical cancer constituted the control group. Two distinct data collection tools, a questionnaire and the Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS), were used in order to obtain data for evaluation with SPSS for Windows 20.0 statistics package program. RESULTS: It was found that 61.0% of the case group with family history of cervical cancer and 19.0% of the control group without family history of cervical cancer were using early diagnostic methods. Thus the presence of an individual with cervical cancer in the family affected the attitudes towards early diagnosis. It was further found that the level of knowledge on cervical cancer and PAP smear test was higher in the case group, which was more sensitive with regard to being informed about cervical cancer as compared to general society. However, the average MBSS scores were not significantly different compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: It was noted that, women participating this study knowledgeable, but this did not necessarily transform into better behavior.

Barriers that prevent implementation of research findings in nursing: education-research hospitals case.

Using research results in nursing practices and basing nursing practices to evidence have been viewed as an important factor in increasing care quality. The aim of this research was to identify the barriers arising from utilizing research findings perceived by nurses. The research was conducted with participation of 748 nurses. The study is descriptive in nature, and the 'Barriers Scale' and a question form developed by the researchers were used as data collection instruments. The data were gathered through face-to-face interviews after the necessary permissions were taken. A total of 54.3% of the nurses are ≤ 30 years old, and 49.6% of them are graduates of high school-foundation degree. The nurses (63.8%) indicated the most important barrier as 'there is not enough time to read about research at work'. According to the results of this study, providing the nurses with both financial and information support after graduation is an important factor in facilitating research and using research results. Depending on the results of our study, we recommend that the number of publications in nursing and the opportunities of access to these publications be increased, and there should be more management support for research, and nurses should be provided with time.