Vaccination coverage and related factors among the elderly: A cross-sectional study from Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to determine the vaccination rates and related factors among the elderly. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE: This study was conducted with 984 elderly people living in a province in western Turkey. MEASUREMENTS: The single-stage cluster sampling method was used in the sample selection. The descriptive statistics, the chi-square analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test and the logistic regression analysis for the multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: It was determined that 45.6% of the elderly were vaccinated after the age of 65 and the most frequently administered vaccines were influenza (41.3%), pneumococcal (10.9%), and tetanus (5.5%) vaccines. Higher vaccination rates were determined in the following demographics, namely by 1.8-fold (95% CI, 1.4-2.4) in those living in urban areas, by 2.6-fold (95% CI, 1.8-3.9) in those with high school or higher education, by 1.5-fold (95% CI, 1.0-2.5) in those who did not work, by 1.7-fold (95% CI, 1.3-2.3) in those with chronic diseases and by 2-fold (95% CI, 1.1-3.4) in those who fulfilled their physical own needs themselves. CONCLUSION: This study showed that more than half of the elderly did not receive any vaccinations in old age. The vaccination rates of the elderly were associated with many factors.

Evaluation of Violence Against Elderly People of Different Cultures by Using The "Purnell Model for Cultural Competence".

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the violence against the elderly from different cultures by using "The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence." METHOD: The study population comprised of elderly people residing in a city in the Eastern Anatolia, the Southeastern Anatolia, and the Marmara Region. This is a qualitative study employing a purposeful sampling method. Data were gathered using questions to identify the sociodemographic characteristics, a semi-structured interview form prepared in accordance with "The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence," and the question form consisting of questions to determine the violence against the elderly. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and by means of recording, as well as recordkeeping. Permissions were obtained from the ethics committee, and written and verbal consents were obtained from the elderly to be interviewed before the study. Data were evaluated using the descriptive data analysis methods. RESULTS: The study revealed that the elderly people were commonly exposed to psychological violence, whereas there was an elderly person subjected to physical violence. Seven elderly persons in the Southeastern Anatolia and three elderly persons in the Marmara Region expressed that they were exposed to psychological violence. Nonetheless, no indications were observed of economic and sexual violence among the elderly in both groups. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that nurses should not ignore the cultural characteristics in the fight against violence against the elderly.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine and the anxiety levels of mothers of children with chronic diseases.

AIMS: This study aimed to determine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by mothers with a chronically ill child and their anxiety levels. METHODS: This study used a descriptive design. The study was conducted with 135 mothers of a chronically ill child at a general pediatric and oncology unit in Uludag University Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. A questionnaire, including sociodemographic items and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, were given to the mothers. RESULTS: In the study, 42.29% of the mothers reported using one or more CAM therapies for their child with a chronic disease, including herbal medicine, taking the child to hodja (prayers), a special diet, and a special massage. The mothers experienced anxiety and the presence of a disease within the close family circle increased the anxiety level of the mothers. CONCLUSION: Herbs and other alternative supplements were used by some children with a chronic disease in Turkey. The most commonly used CAM therapies included oral herbal medicine, taking the child to hodja, massage, and diets. Therefore, it is important to consider the implications of the popularity of complementary therapies. Most of the mothers used more than one of these therapies for their child and the anxiety level of the mothers was found to be moderate.

Subjective sleep quality in premenstrual syndrome.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a cyclical disorder observed in late luteal phase and presenting with behavioral changes that can affect interpersonal relationships and normal daily activity. Sleep disturbances are also common. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between PMS and subjective sleep quality with Pitsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in the Medical Academy students, whom have considerable information about menstruation. PMS was detected with "Premenstrual Syndrome Scale", and PSQI was used to evaluate subjective sleep quality. Chi-square test and Kendall's rank correlation analysis were used in statistical analysis. p values (p < 0.05) were considered as statistical significant. Poor sleep quality was found in the 75.6% of the participants with PMS, and 58.8% of the participants without PMS (p < 0.05). Only component 5 (sleep disorder component) of the PSQI components revealed statistically significant difference (1.7 ± 0.6 in participants with PMS, and 1.5 ± 0.6 without PMS, p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between total PSQI score and all of its' components, except component 6 (sleeping pill usage component) (p < 0.05). The strongest association was found to be in the component 5 (r = 0.528; p = 0.0001). Results of our study suggested the poor sleep quality due to sleep disorders in women with PMS.

Hand dermatitis among paediatric nurses.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Hand dermatitis is regarded as one of the most often observed dermatological disorders among nurses. This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of self-reported hand dermatitis and related factors among paediatric nurses. BACKGROUND: The most common occupational skin disease in the nursing profession is hand dermatitis. Various risk factors are known to exist including the type of soap used at work, the number of hand washes per shift and the nursing job category, among others. DESIGN: This study was conducted among a group of 158 nurses based in three paediatric hospital departments in Bursa. METHODS: Data were collected using a questionnaire prepared by the investigators. Each nursing unit was visited twice by a single investigator. All nurses working at the time of each visit were questioned and examined. RESULTS: Of the nurses, 47.5% had hand dermatitis. The damage was not correlated with age or the type of soap used at work, but was significantly correlated with the hospital, unit, number of hand washes (p < 0.05), history of allergy (p < 0.01) and type of hand protection (p < 0.001). Hand dermatitis was more common in the ICU and infectious disease units. Most of the nurses did not apply hand cream at the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Damage to hands is a common and potentially serious problem among nurses and is associated with unit, glove usage and hand-washing practices instead of with demographic factors. A high frequency of hand dermatitis was observed among paediatric nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The proper preventive programmes should be implemented for those nursing staff working in high-risk units.