Comparison of sexual functions in women with and without type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate female sexual function in patients with type 1 diabetes by comparing female sexual function index scores between women with and without type 1 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 62 women with type 1 diabetes and 69 age-matched women without diabetes but with similar backgrounds were enrolled in the patient and control groups, respectively. All participants were sexually active and had no systemic diseases other than diabetes in the patient group. RESULTS: The frequency of female sexual dysfunction was significantly higher, and the mean female sexual function index score was significantly lower in women with diabetes compared to the control group (p=0.01). There was a significant relationship between sexual dysfunction and duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin test, and body mass index (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that female sexual dysfunction is more common among women with type 1 diabetes than among women without type 1 diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes should be evaluated in terms of sexual health. Health professionals should give more attention to and provide guidance regarding sexual function in women with type 1 diabetes.

Comparison of sexual functions in women with and without type 1 diabetes

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate female sexual function in patients with type 1 diabetes by comparing female sexual function index scores between women with and without type 1 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 62 women with type 1 diabetes and 69 age-matched women without diabetes but with similar backgrounds were enrolled in the patient and control groups, respectively. All participants were sexually active and had no systemic diseases other than diabetes in the patient group. RESULTS: The frequency of female sexual dysfunction was significantly higher, and the mean female sexual function index score was significantly lower in women with diabetes compared to the control group (p=0.01). There was a significant relationship between sexual dysfunction and duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin test, and body mass index (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that female sexual dysfunction is more common among women with type 1 diabetes than among women without type 1 diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes should be evaluated in terms of sexual health. Health professionals should give more attention to and provide guidance regarding sexual function in women with type 1 diabetes.

Evaluation of peer bullying, internet addiction, and psychological adaptation level of students aged 9-15.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate peer bullying, internet addiction, and psychological adaptation capabilities of students in the 9-15 age group. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was performed as cross-sectional-descriptive research with 880 students included in the research sample. FINDINGS: One-fourth of the students in the 9-15 age group suffered from psychological adaptation issues, one-fifth suffered from bullying issues, and 16.5% suffered from internet addiction. CONCLUSION: There is a need for early determination in risky age groups, a collaboration between parents and teachers in schools, and extended social studies on the prevention of peer bullying and internet addiction.

Meanings of the Feelings and Thoughts on Children's Hematology and Oncology Service Nurses' Experience: A Qualitative Study.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the feelings and thoughts related to working in the pediatric hematology-oncology unit of the nurses who have worked in this unit in the past, related and the meanings they attribute to it. METHOD: In this qualitative study, 15 nurses between the age of 29 and 53 years, who had previously worked in the pediatric hematology-oncology unit and left the unit, were interviewed in depth. The interviews were held using a semi-structured interview form. Each interview lasted for 35 to 45 minutes. RESULTS: In the study, 5 main themes and sub-themes related to these were identified from the perspective of the nurses with working experience in the pediatric hematology-oncology unit in the past with regard to their feelings and thoughts about this experience. These included 1) feelings: (a) fear and anxiety, (b) desperation, mercy, and guilt, (c) exhaustion, and (d) longing; 2) coping; 3) professional attributions; 4) meanings related to life; and 5) unmet requirements and suggestions. CONCLUSION: Working in the pediatric hematology-oncology unit should be considered as a multi-dimensional condition that causes nurses to experience a wide variety of feelings and affects their perspectives on the profession and life. These findings can be used to strengthen the nurses working in hematology-oncology unit.

The Effect of External Thermomechanical Stimulation and Distraction on Reducing Pain Experienced by Children During Blood Drawing.

This study aimed to investigate the sole and combined effects of external thermomechanical stimulation and distraction in pain relief of children during blood drawing.This is a randomized clinical trial. The sample consisted of 218 children aged 6 to 12 years who were randomly assigned to 4 groups: group 1 received no intervention, group 2 received external thermomechanical stimulation using Buzzy, group 3 received distraction via DistrACTION Cards, and group 4 received a combination of both external thermomechanical stimulation and distraction. Preprocedural anxiety was assessed through observers' observations using the Children's Anxiety and Pain Scale. Children's pain levels were assessed by themselves, observers, and parents, as reported using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised. Preprocedural anxiety did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). When the 3 study groups were compared with the control group, all 3 groups had significantly lower pain levels than the control group (P < 0.001). The lowest pain level was measured in the combined condition (Buzzy and DistrACTION Cards). The mean score of the device group was lower than the distraction group.

Alexithymia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the role of anxiety, depression, and glycemic control.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with type 2 DM and the factors affecting it. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 326 patients with type 2 DM. Study data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Glycemic control was assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) results. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Pear-son's correlation, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the patients, 37.7% were determined to have alexithymia. A significant relationship was determined between alexithymia and HbA1c, depression, and anxiety. According to binary logistic regression analyses, alexithymia was 2.63 times higher among those who were in a paid employment than those who were not, 2.09 times higher among those whose HbA1c levels were ≥7.0% than those whose HbA1c levels were <7.0%, 3.77 times higher among those whose anxiety subscale scores were ≥11 than those whose anxiety subscale scores were ≤10, and 2.57 times higher among those whose depression subscale scores were ≥8 than those whose depression subscale scores were ≤7. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was determined that two out of every five patients with DM had alexithymia. Therefore, their treatment should be arranged to include mental health care services.

Childhood trauma and general cognitive ability: Roles of minimization/denial and gender.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of minimization and gender on the interaction between childhood trauma and general cognitive ability. The study included 345 students. The data were obtained via an information form, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Raven's standard progressive matrices (RSPM). The mean CTQ total score and the mean sexual abuse, physical, and emotional neglect subscale scores of the male students were significantly higher than those of the female students (p<0.05). The mean minimization score of the female students was greater than that of the male students (p<0.05). However, among the female students with minimization scores of 3, there was a moderate and significant negative correlation between the CTQ and RSPM scores (r=-0.533, p<0.05). This study found that general cognitive ability was influenced by childhood trauma among female students with higher minimization/neglect scores. The results of the current study suggest that ignoring the effects of minimization may be a misleading factor for determining the gender ratio of childhood trauma and evaluating its effect on long-term cognitive functions.

Effects of the Anger Coping Programme based on cognitive behavioural techniques on adolescents' anger, aggression and psychological symptoms.

This study aimed to determine the effects of an Anger Coping Programme based on cognitive behavioural techniques on adolescents' anger, aggression and psychological symptoms. In this randomized controlled experimental study, 385 ninth-year high school students in Turkey were administered the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, the Aggression Scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory in 2011-2012. Of the 385 students, 62 who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups by gender and the scores they obtained from the scales. The students in the experimental group met 1 day a week for 1.5 h, and the study lasted 10 weeks. The scales were administered three times: before the programme was started, immediately after the programme was completed and 6 weeks later. The Anger Coping Programme was effective at reducing students' anger and aggression levels, and a range of psychological symptoms except for somatization.

Factors associated with suicide attempts in patients with bipolar disorder type I.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors that are associated with suicide attempts in patients with bipolar disorder type I. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with inpatients and outpatients with BD type I. Patients who met the study inclusion criteria (n=91) were evaluated in terms of sociodemographic variables, history of childhood trauma, comorbidity of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, and the course of the disease. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a history of suicide attempts and those without a history of suicide attempts. The parameters of the study groups were compared with t and chi-square tests as appropriate. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of suicide attempt. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis of the study parameters suggested that the number of major depressive episodes (odds ratio: 7.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.84-28) and history of emotional neglect (odds ratio: 1.83; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-2.90) were significant predictors of suicide attempt in patients with BD. CONCLUSION: In BD type I patients with a history of suicide attempts, the number of depressive episodes and emotional neglect, a subtype of childhood traumas, were the most remarkable risk factors. Considering the frequency of depressive episodes during the course of the disease and assessing traumas including those in childhood may help predict future suicide attempts in patients with BD.

The factors associated with disease mismanagement in young patients with type 1 diabetes: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this qualitative study on young adults with type 1 diabetes was to determine the factors associated with mismanagement of diabetes. METHODS: In this qualitative study, a descriptive phenomenological and psychological method was followed. Purposeful sampling method was used in this study. 28 young adults aged 18-25 with type 1 diabetes (16 females, 12 males) with HbA1c levels >6.5% were interviewed in-depth. Each interview lasted 40-45 minutes. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, examined line-by-line and coded using open coding techniques and managed by QSR NVivo 7. During the research period, Guba ve Lincolln criteria were used to ensure the accuracy and precision of the study findings. RESULTS: The study identified seven themes which affect the diabetes management of the patients. These themes were negative emotions about the disease, difficulties arising from living condition, difficulties arising from the treatment treatment process, lack of social support, not solution oriented coping methods, concerns about the future and issues of developing knowledge and attitude regarding diabetes management. CONCLUSION: There are multiple factors affecting the management of diabetes in young adults with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes has a biopsychosocial impact on young adults' lives, developing a negative attitude toward their future and that of their family.

Perspectives on reasons of medication nonadherence in psychiatric patients.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to evaluate factors resulting in medication nonadherence within 6 months before admission to the psychiatric service of our hospital for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, depression, and other psychiatric diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and three patients admitted to the Psychiatry Service of the Medical Faculty were included in this study. Sociodemographic parameters and clinical findings within 6 months before admission and patients' views on reasons of medication nonadherence were examined. RESULTS: Patients were classified into four groups according to their diagnosis: bipolar disorder (n=68, 33.5%), schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (n=59, 29.1%), depression (n=39, 19.2%), and others (n=37, 18.2%). The ratio of medication nonadherence was higher in the bipolar disorder group when compared to the groups with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, depression, and other disorders (12.1%, 18.2%, and 24.2% vs 45.5%); however, the ratio of medication nonadherence was similar in schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, depression, and the others group. In logistic regression analysis, irregular follow-up (odds ratio [OR]: 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.92-11.31) and diagnosis (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.07-1.95) were determined to be important risk factors for medication nonadherence. The leading factors for medication nonadherence were: "not willing to use medication", "not accepting the disease", and "being disturbed by side effects" in the bipolar disorder group, "not accepting the disease" in the schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder group, "feeling well" in the depression group, and "being disturbed by side effects" in the other diseases group. CONCLUSION: Medication nonadherence is an important problem in psychiatric patients and should be dealt with by taking into account the diagnosis, attendance to follow-up appointments, and the patient's attitude. Ensuring regular attendance to follow-up appointments, adjusting the management plan according to the diagnosis, and improving their thoughts about resistance to medication can be beneficial in terms of medication adherence.

Relief of pain during blood specimen collection in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of external cold and vibration stimulation via Buzzy on pain and anxiety levels of children during blood specimen collection. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of 120 children aged from 6 to 12 years undergoing phlebotomy. We randomly assigned subjects to a control group (no intervention) or an experimental group that received external cold and vibration via a device called Buzzy. External cold and vibration were applied just before the blood specimen collection procedure and continued until the end of the procedure. Preprocedural and procedural anxiety were assessed using the children's anxiety and pain scale along with parent and observer reports. Procedural pain was assessed via the faces pain scale-revised along with self-report of children, and parents' and observer's reports. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significantly lower pain (p < .001) and anxiety levels (p < .001) compared to the control group during the blood specimen collection procedure. Use of Buzzy did not cause a significant difference in the success of the blood specimen collection procedure. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Use of external cold and vibration via Buzzy decreased perceived pain and reduced children's anxiety during blood specimen collection.

Distracting children during blood draw: looking through distraction cards is effective in pain relief of children during blood draw.

This study aims to investigate the effects of distraction method by way of looking through distraction cards/Flippits® to reduce procedural pain and anxiety during blood draw. In this method we distract attention of the children with distraction cards/Flippits®. Flippits® consist of various eye-catching pictures and shapes. Then we asked the children questions about the cards during the blood draw procedure that he or she can only answer if he or she examines the cards carefully. This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of 123 children of ages between 6 and 12. We randomly assigned subjects into two groups. Group 1 received no intervention, whereas Group 2 received distraction in the form of looking through distraction cards/Flippits®. Pre-procedural and procedural anxiety was assessed using the anxiety scale from the Children's Anxiety and Pain Scales by parents' and observer's report. Procedural pain was assessed using Faces Pain Scale-Revised by children, parent and observer reports. Results show that pre-procedural anxiety did not differ significantly. However, the experimental group had significantly lower pain levels than the control group during the blood draw procedure. Also experimental group had significantly lower anxiety levels than the control group.

Sexual experience and risky sexual behaviours of Turkish university students.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the sexual experience and risky sexual behaviours of Turkish university students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out in a state university in central Turkey. The data were collected in the 2006-2007 academic year in this university. Participants were 949 convenience students from this university. The study group was determined by a stratified sampling method, with faculty and sex representing the strata. Data were collected with the questionnaire designed by researchers to determine the personal features, sexual experience and risky sexual behaviours of students. A chi-square test was applied in the statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: Of all the students in the research; 42.9% were female and 57.1% male. The percentage of students having had sexual experience was 33.8%. Of the students having had sexual experience, 17.1% were sexually active. The average age for first sexual experience was 17.47 ± 1.79. Among sexually active students, 51.9% indicated that they had unprotected sexual intercourse, 64.2% had sexual intercourse when they were intoxicated and 59.3% had more than one sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results obtained from this research, it can be said that a considerable number of the university students had sexual experience and those who are sexually active are under the risk of important health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy.

Psychiatric symptoms in adolescents with Internet use: comparison without Internet use.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychiatric symptoms of adolescents with and without Internet use. A total of 2,080 students (1,105 male, 975 female) were recruited for the study. We administered the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision and Questions Related to Internet Use. Students in 10th through 12th grades were recruited from 14 senior high schools in Sivas, Turkey. Data were collected from October to May 2008. Data were analyzed after excluding the participants who provided incomplete data. It was found that Internet use in adolescents was associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms. Attention should be devoted to adolescents with Internet use for the design of preventive strategies.

Prevalence and correlates of depression in pregnancy among Turkish women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence and correlates of depression in pregnancy among Turkish women in Sivas, a semi-urban region consisting partly of people with low or middle socioeconomic status. This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 19 primary health care centers from urban areas of Sivas in Turkey. Two hundred fifty-eight eligible pregnant women were interviewed at their home to gather the study data. A questionnaire was used to determine the socio-demographics and obstetric characteristics of the study sample. The Turkish version of the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to estimate the prevalence of depression. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to determine the social support of pregnant women. We found that with the cutoff of 13, of 258 pregnant women, 71 (27.5%) had prenatal depression. Mean EPDS score of the study population was 9.5 +/- 5.2. We found a significant positive mild-moderate correlation between the EPDS score and maternal age (r = 0.30; P = 0.000). Significant positive mild correlations were found between the EPDS score and gravidity (r = 0.26; P = 0.000) and number of living children (r = 0.15; P = 0.042). There was a significant negative moderate correlation between the EPDS score and perceived social support score (r = -0.43; P = 0.000). The EPDS score of multiparas was significantly higher than that of primiparas (P = 0.000). EPDS scores of women with unplanned pregnancy were higher than those of women with planned pregnancies (P = 0.006). EPDS scores of women with a history of stillbirth were higher than those of women with no history of stillbirth (P = 0.044). Depression is a major public concern that needs to be at the forefront of antenatal assessments in Turkey as in other countries. Health professionals, especially nurses in prenatal settings, are in a unique position to detect antenatal depression. Nurses need to monitor pregnant women for depressive symptoms, especially those who are at increased risk of developing depression.

Relationships between coping strategies, individual characteristics and job satisfaction in a sample of hospital nurses: cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe and compare the job satisfaction, coping strategies, personal and organizational characteristics among nurses working in a hospital in Turkey. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey design study, 186 nurses from Cumhuriyet University Hospital completed Personal Data Form, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and Ways of Coping Inventory. Response rate was 74.4%. RESULTS: In this study, it was found that job satisfaction score of nurses showed moderate (mean: 3.46+/-0.56) was found. While nurses mostly used to employ self-confident and optimistic approaches that had already being considered as positive coping strategies with stress, yielding and helpless approaches were employed less than that. While a statistically significant positive relation (p<0.05) was found between job satisfaction and dimensions of Ways of Coping Inventory "self-confident approach" and "optimistic approach", negative relation (p<0.01) was found between job satisfaction and dimensions of the "helpless approach". Organizational and individual nurse characteristics were not found to be associated with job satisfaction. But, job satisfaction of the nurses who is bounded by a contract was found higher than that of permanent staff nurses (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The job satisfaction of Turkish hospital nurses was at a moderate and that of the nurses who succeeded to coping with the stress was heightened. Higher levels of job satisfaction were associated with positive coping strategies. This study contributes to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the importance of coping strategies to nurses' job satisfaction.