The effect of COVID-19 fear on midwifery students anxiety, self-confidence.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated independently of clinical education, it has been emphasized that students experience fear, anxiety, sadness and uncertainty during the pandemic. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of fear of COVID-19 on the level of anxiety and self-confidence of midwifery students who did their clinical internship during the pandemic. METHODS: Convenience sampling yielded 181 senior midwifery students who had experienced clinical internships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two state universities conducted an online cross-sectional predictive study from February to June 2021. Data were collected by an Information Form, the COVID-19 Fear Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Self-Confidence Scale. RESULTS: The study findings were that the students' fear of COVID-19 (16.72 ± 4.89), state anxiety (52.65 ± 8.41), and trait anxiety (48.66 ± 6.80) were above average, and their self-confidence was moderate. The result indicated that midwifery students' fear of COVID-19 increased, their state anxiety increased (p < 0.01), and their self-confidence decreased (p < 0.01). Fear of COVID-19 accounted for 47% of state anxiety, 6% of trait anxiety, and 22% of self-confidence. CONCLUSION: The level of COVID-19 fear of midwifery students who did clinical internships during the pandemic negatively affected their anxiety and self-confidence levels (Tab. 4, Ref. 34). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: pandemic, midwifery, fear of COVID-19, anxiety, self-confidence.

The effect of physical and emotional partner violence exerted during pregnancy on prenatal attachment and depression levels in pregnant women.

Exposure of pregnant women to physical and emotional violence during pregnancy adversely affects the health of the mother and the fetus. This study aimed to assess the effects of emotional and physical partner violence on prenatal attachment and depression levels in pregnant women. Five-hundred and ten pregnant women in the second and third trimesters were included in the study. A personal information form, the Epidemiological Research Center Depression Scale, and the prenatal attachment inventory (PAI) were used for data collection. Although 7.5% of the pregnant women were exposed to physical partner violence during pregnancy, 24.3% were exposed to emotional partner violence. Depression was observed in 86.9% of the pregnant women, whereas the mean PAI score was 37.29 ± 10.504. There was a statistically significant relationship between the pregnant women's exposure to physical (p = .046) and emotional partner violence (p < .001) and depression. In this study, it was determined that pregnant women's exposure to emotional partner violence poses a risk for depression during pregnancy (p < .002; odds ratio = .143). As professionals working with pregnant women, obstetricians and maternity nurses should inquire about the exposure of pregnant women to partner violence during antenatal follow-ups.

Sexuality during pregnancy: attitudes, self-efficacy and self-consciousness.

The study aimed to determine the relationship between sexual self-efficacy and sexual self-consciousness levels and pregnant women's attitudes toward sexuality. The data of this descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study were collected from 318 pregnant women between September 2020 and May 2021. A personal information form and the Sexual Self-Efficacy (SSES), Sexual Self-Consciousness (SSCS) Scale, and Attitude toward Sexuality in Pregnancy Scale (AStSdP) were used to collect the data. Six out of ten pregnant women had a positive attitude toward sexuality during pregnancy, and their sexual self-efficacy (26.35 ± 6.71) and sexual self-consciousness (24.75 ± 9.10) levels were moderate. Participants' AStSdP mean score had a moderate positive correlation with the SSES mean score, a low negative low level relationship with the SSCS mean score, and a moderate negative relationship with sexual shyness (p < .05). Risk factors for attitude toward sexuality during pregnancy were SSES total score (Odds Ratio [OR] = .90, 95 percent Confidence Interval [CI] = .86-.95), sexual shyness score (OR = 1.23, 95 percent CI = .901-1.02), and partner training (OR = 3.93, 95 percent CI = 1.58-9.77). Sexual self-consciousness, sexual shyness, and education level of the partner influenced pregnant women's attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy. Attitudes toward sexuality, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual self-consciousness levels of pregnant women should be determined in prenatal follow-ups.

The effects of family function, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic adjustment on postpartum depression.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of family function, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic adjustment on postpartum depression DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 337 postpartum mothers. FINDINGS: Fifty-five mothers scored above the depression scale cutoff point (>13). Emotional violence from husband, poor problem solving and communication, low relationship satisfaction, dyadic adjustment, and consensus were important risk factors for postpartum depression (p < .0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Family function and partner relationships should be a key focus for midwives and nurses in the postpartum period. Providing psychological interventions aimed at improving relationship functioning can help protect mothers against postpartum depression.

Associations Between Sexual Violence and Women's Sexual Attitudes, Sexual Self-Consciousness, and Sexual Self-Efficacy.

Sexual violence, a public health problem, can be seen in all societies and among individuals from all levels of educational background. It is important to be aware of the social and individual factors associated with sexual violence to prevent and fight sexual violence. In this study, it was aimed to determine the associations between sexual violence and women's sexual attitudes, sexual self-consciousness, and sexual self-efficacy. This is a descriptive study. The data were collected from 469 women admitted to three family health centers in Turkey between May and September 2018. Data were collected using a data collection form and three scales (the Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale, the Sexual Self-efficacy Scale, and the Hendrick Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as the independent-sample t test and logistic regression analysis. It was found that 37.7% of the women were exposed to sexual violence. The most frequent response of the women against sexual violence was "crying" with 61%. The first reason why the women maintained the marriage despite sexual violence was to avoid their children growing up without a father (43.3%). There was a statistically significant difference between sexual violence and sexual embarrassment, sexual self-focus, sexual self-consciousness, and sexual self-efficacy scores of the women (p < .001). No significant difference between the means of the women's sexual attitude scores and their sexual violence experiences was observed (p = .526). There was an association between sexual violence and sexual self-efficacy (p = .036; odds ratio [OR] = 1.030, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.002, 1.059]). Health professionals may provide sexuality education programs at family health centers, especially for couples preparing for marriage to increase sexual efficacy. Moreover, education may be provided identifying sexual violence acts in marriage and informative awareness programs may be offered regarding sexual violence.

The Effect of WhatsApp-Based and Conventional Education Methods on Sexual Myths and Sexual Health Knowledge: A Comparative Intervention Study in Midwifery Students.

Objective: To investigate the effects of sexual education provided via WhatsApp on the level of sexual knowledge and sexual myths in midwifery students in Turkey. Methods: Students were randomly divided into WhatsApp education, conventional education, and control groups. Data were collected using a Questionnaire Form, the Sexual Health Knowledge Test, and the Sexual Myth Scale. Results: Post-education and one-month-follow-up the Sexual Health Knowledge Test medians in the control group (24.0 and 27.0 respectively) were significantly lower than those of the WhatsApp (31.0 and 32.5 respectively) and conventional education groups (30.5 and 32.0 respectively) and Sexual Myth Scale medians in the control group (70.0 and 67.0 respectively) were significantly higher than those of the WhatsApp (55.5 and 60.0) and conventional education groups (53.0 and 55.0, respectively) (p < .001). There was no difference between WhatsApp and conventional education groups in terms of the Sexual Health Knowledge Test and Sexual Myth Scale scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Sexual education provided by conventional methods and via WhatsApp increased sexual health knowledge and decreased sexual myths.

The Effect of Exposure to Sexual Violence on Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Distress in Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction and sexual distress are common during pregnancy, but the effects of exposure to sexual violence on sexual dysfunction and sexual distress in pregnant women is unknown. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sexual violence on female sexual dysfunction and sexual distress. METHODS: This is a descriptive study. Data were collected between December 2019 and April 2020 from 605 pregnant women. OUTCOMES: The data were collected with a Data Collection Form (The socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics and exposure to sexual violence were evaluated with questions.), Female Sexual Function Index, and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised. RESULTS: In our study, sexual dysfunction was found in 72.9% of the pregnant women, and sexual distress was found in 38.2%. It was found that 11.6% of the women were exposed to sexual violence in their then-current pregnancy. While the rate of sexual distress was found to be significantly higher in women who were exposed to sexual violence during pregnancy (P < .001), no significant difference was found between sexual violence and female sexual dysfunction (P = .572). Sexual violence during pregnancy was found to be a risk factor for sexual distress (P = .006). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study may be an opportunity for nurses and physicians to determine the effects of sexual violence experienced by pregnant women on female sexual dysfunction and sexual distress during pregnancy. STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: This is the first and only study that determines the effects of sexual violence on female sexual dysfunction and sexual distress. Our findings cannot be generalized to the entire population of Turkey. CONCLUSION: The presence of female sexual dysfunction in women during pregnancy is quite high, and the rate of sexual distress is moderate. Sexual violence from partner/spouse during pregnancy is a risk factor for sexual distress. Alan Dikmen H, Çankaya S. The Effect of Exposure to Sexual Violence on Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Distress in Pregnant Women. J Sex Med 2020;17:2394-2407.

The relationship between domestic violence and the attitudes of women towards honor, gender roles, and wife-beating in Turkey.

PURPOSE: Violence against women (VAM) is still considered a global health problem and is highly prevalent in Turkey. This study aimed to determine the relationship between women's exposure to spousal/partner violence and their attitudes towards honor, social gender roles, and beating in Turkey. METHODS: The study was designed as descriptive and completed with 847 women in Turkey. Data were collected with a questionnaire, the Attitudes towards Honor Scale (AHS), the Attitudes towards Wife-beating Scale (ATWB), and the Gender Roles Attitudes Scale (GRA). RESULTS: The median age of the women was 34 (18-67) years. It was found that 23% of the women were exposed to physical violence, 46.8% to verbal violence, 33.6% to emotional violence, 21.1% to sexual abuse, and 13% to economic violence. There was a negative relationship between GRA score and ATWB and AHS scores. It was determined that the attitude of an individual towards social gender posed a risk for physical (p = 0.037) and sexual violence (p = 0.037), the attitude towards honor posed a risk for sexual violence (p = 0.002), and that the attitude towards wife-beating posed a risk for all types of violence including physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and economic violence (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As women's egalitarian attitudes towards social gender increased, their approving attitudes towards wife-beating, supervision of women by their family members, and their association with family honor decreased. Community-based interventions that promote egalitarian social gender roles could reduce VAM in this community.

Sexual Health/Reproductive Health-Related Problems of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Turkey and Their Health-Care Needs.

AIM: To determine sexual and reproductive health problems and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people based on their experiences and to develop solutions. METHOD: A mixed method, which includes quantitative (descriptive) and qualitative (phenomenological) methods, was used (n=106). An online questionnaire was used to collect the data. RESULTS: Of the participants, 42.5% stated that they had experienced problems receiving sexual and reproductive health-care services, and 77.8% of those who stated they had problems indicated that the attitude of the health-care professionals was discriminatory or unfavorable. In the qualitative analysis, two themes were created: "Experiences during Health-care Services" and "Recommendations for Health Services." CONCLUSION: It was determined that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have sexual problems, sexually transmitted diseases, and suffer from sexual harassment. However, it was found that they do not receive sufficient health-care due to health-care professionals' attitudes, homophobia, and disregard of privacy or confidentiality. In line with the results of the present research and the suggestions of the participants, it is suggested that training programs should be organized for health-care professionals providing services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to raise awareness and ultimately promote more effective services.

The attitudes of refugee women in Turkey towards family planning.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine refugee women's attitudes towards family planning and related factors. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Designed in descriptive and cross-sectional type, the study involved 555 voluntary Syrian refugee women in Turkey. MEASURES: A questionnaire and the Family Planning Attitude Scale (FPAS) were used. Independent Sample T test, ANOVA test, and Pearson's correlation analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A significant association was found between the average FPAS scores with educational status, income level, social security, use of FP methods, spousal support for FP, and training for FP in Syria. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that the attitudes of women towards family planning were at the medium level, nearly half of them used a kind of family planning and received its training, and that their attitudes towards family planning were affected by their and their husband's educational level, their income level, the availability of social security, the type of family planning, the utilization of family planning, and spousal support. Based on our study findings, refugee women and their partners/husbands should be informed on FP and their attitudes towards and the barriers against FP should be investigated by further studies.