Nurses' self-efficiency levels in safe blood and blood component transfusion: The case of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine nurses' self-efficacy levels for safe transfusion of blood and blood components. METHOD: The design of this study is descriptive and cross-sectional. Before starting the study, ethics committee approval and institution approval was obtained. The participants were informed about the purpose of the study, and their written consent was obtained. The research was conducted between the dates 01 March 2022 and 01 May 2022, a private hospital in Turkey. The study sample consisted of 482 nurses. Data were collected using descriptive characteristics form and the Safe Blood and Blood Products Transfusion Self-Efficacy Scale (SBT-SES). RESULTS: The total SBT-SES scores of the nurses were high (202.7 ± 50.1), and the behavioral sub-factor self-efficacy scores were moderate (48.2 ± 19.5). When the SBT-SES scores were analyzed based on demographic characteristics, it was found that those who had received previous safe blood transfusion training scored higher than those who had not, and women scored higher than men (p < 0.05). In addition, no relationship was found between age, working time, number of weekly blood transfusions, and self-efficacy levels. DISCUSSION: As a result, nurses' self-efficacy levels towards blood transfusion are high. However, the behavioral sub-factor self-efficacy level is not sufficient. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, in order to increase the behavioral self-efficacy levels of nurses, our recommendations are as follows: investigating appropriate training methods, considering the sex factor when choosing training methods and techniques, investigating the barriers to safe transfusion behaviors, and measuring self-efficacy levels at regular intervals.

The Effect of Video-Assisted Training and Visual Feedback With UV Germ Technology on Nursing Students' Hand Hygiene Beliefs, Practices, and Compliance: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is the most effective way to prevent health care-associated infections; however, HH compliance rates continue to be suboptimal. PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of video-assisted training and visual feedback with ultraviolet (UV) germ technology on nursing students' HH beliefs, practices, and compliance. METHODS: This study used a double-blind, posttest randomized controlled design. The experimental group received training, visual feedback with UV germ technology, and instructional videos. RESULTS: A total of 46 students were included in the study (experimental 21 and control 25). The mean score of the HH skills checklist of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P = .0001). The HH compliance rate was also higher in the experimental group (52.62%) compared with the control group (39.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The training, visual feedback with UV germ technology, and instructional videos increased HH compliance rates in nursing students.

Investigation of serum beta-defensin-1 levels in bovine trichophytosis cases.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Antimicrobial peptides are polypeptides that are a component of innate immunity and exhibit antifungal activity. This study aimed to investigate serum beta-defensin-1 levels in cattle diagnosed with trichophytosis, which is a zoonotic skin disease that affects several animal species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 23 young cattle, aged 2-4 months, of different breeds and sexes were selected. Of these, 16 cattle were clinically diagnosed with trichophytosis and seven were healthy. RESULTS: The mean serum beta-defensin-1 levels of the infected animals were lower than those of control animals, yet the difference between the two groups was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant alterations occurred in serum beta-defensin-1 levels of cattle with trichophytosis.

Investigation of Feline calicivirus infection in cats with upper respiratory tract disease in Diyarbakir, Turkey / Investigação de infecção por calicivírus felino em gatos com doença do trato respiratório superior na região de Diyarbakir, Turquia

Feline calicivirus is among the most common pathogenic microorganisms in upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and oral lesions of cats. It leads to stomatitis, oral ulceration, ocular and nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, fever, lameness, anorexia, hypersalivation, pneumonia, respiratory distress, coughing, and depression in infected cats. This study aimed to determine the role of Feline calicivirus (FCV) in cats with the upper respiratory tract disease in the Diyarbakir region, Turkey, to provide treatment for infected cats and contribute to the disease prophylaxis. The study material consisted of 10 cats (control group) considered to be healthy according to the clinical examination and 20 cats with URTD that were not vaccinated against Feline calicivirus infection of different breeds, ages, and genders brought to Dicle University Veterinary Faculty Prof. Dr. Servet SEKIN Polyclinic with URTD. After routine clinical examinations of the animals, oral and conjunctival swabs and blood samples were taken. Hematological and biochemical analyzes of blood samples were performed. Swab samples were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the diagnosis of the agent. Oral lesions, hypersalivation, ocular and nasal discharge, coughing, and breathing difficulties were seen in clinical examinations of cats with URTD. Feline calicivirus was detected in only one cat's conjunctival swab sample in PCR analyses. As a result, we found that Feline calicivirus infection was present in cats with URTD in the Diyarbakir region, and 5% positivity was found in cats with clinical symptoms according to PCR analysis.(AU)

O calicivírus felino está entre os microrganismos patogênicos mais comuns nas doenças do trato respiratório superior de gatos, determinando estomatites, ulcerações orais, descarga ocular e nasal, conjuntivite, febre, manqueira, anorexia, hipersalivação, pneumonia, distúrbios respiratórios, tosse e depressão. O presente trabalho foi delineado para determinar o papel do calicivírus felino (CVF) em gatos com doenças do trato respiratório superior na região de Diyarbakir, Turquia. Com o objetivo de orientar a prescrição do tratamento para os gatos infectados e contribuir com a profilaxia da doença. O material de estudo consistiu em 10 gatos saudáveis sem qualquer problema de saúde e 20 gatos acometidos por doenças do trato respiratório superior que não haviam sido vacinados contra a infecção pelo calicivírus felino. Os animais de diferentes raças, idades e gêneros foram encaminhados para a Universidade de Dicle, na Faculdade de Veterinária, na policlínica Professor Dr. Servet Sekin. Após o exame clínico de rotina dos animais, foram colhidos swabs orais e da conjuntiva e amostras de sangue. Análises hematológicas e bioquímicas das amostras de sangue foram realizadas e os swabs foram analisados pelo método da reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) para diagnóstico do agente. Nos gatos infectados foram constatadas: lesões orais, hipersalivação, descargas oculares e nasais, tosse e dificuldade respiratória. O calicivírus felino foi detectado pela técnica de PCR no swab conjuntival de apenas um gato. A conclusão obtida foi que a infecção pelo calicivírus felino foi detectada pela técnica de PCR na região de Diyarbakir, Turquia, em gatos com doença do trato respiratório superior com a frequência de 5%.(AU)

[Seroprevalance of toxoplasmosis, leishmaiosis and listeriosis in shelter dogs of Diyarbakir, Turkey]. / Diyarbakir Bölgesindeki Sahipsiz Köpeklerde Toxoplasmosis, Leishmaniasis ve Listeriozisin Seroprevalansi.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis, listeriosis and leishmaniasis in dogs in Diyarbakir region, Turkey. A total of 100 sera were collected from healthy dogs and tested for toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis and listeriosis by the Sabin-Feldman Dye Test (SFDT), Indirekt Florescence Antikor Test (IFAT) and, Osebold Agglutination Test (OAT), respectively. Among these 100 dogs, 94 (94%) were seropositive for toxoplasmosis and and 17 (17%), for listeriosis. All of them were found to be seronegative for leishmaniasis. No statistically significant differences were observed between male and female dogs in the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and listeriosis. As a result, the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and Listeria monocytogenesis specific antibodies in dogs in the region of Diyarbakir was determined.