The effect of therapeutic touch on sleep quality and fatigue in menopausal women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The management of well-known and common complaints such as insomnia and fatigue experienced in the menopausal period has the potential to affect many aspects of life in women during this period positively. This research was carried out to determine the effect of therapeutic touch on sleep quality and fatigue in menopausal women. METHODS: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with 48 (24 in the intervention group and 24 in the control group) women who sought treatment in the gynecological outpatient clinic of a public hospital. According to the study procedure, while the intervention group received therapeutic touch, the control group received SHAM therapeutic touch for 10 min a day for five consecutive days. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Piper Fatigue Scale. RESULTS: The median post-test total sleep quality score was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p=0.010). However, the mean total fatigue scores did not differ significantly between the groups (p=0.917). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that therapeutic touch was effective in improving sleep quality, but it did not affect fatigue in menopausal women.

Impact of trauma, support, and control perceptions during childbirth on post-traumatic stress disorder among Syrian immigrant adolescent pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The probability of experiencing mental health problems in the perinatal period is high for adolescent women. Immigration is a complicated phenomenon that increases the risk of encountering temporary or permanent psychological problems. This study aims to determine Syrian immigrant adolescent women's support and control perception levels during childbirth, birth trauma levels, and posttraumatic stress disorder incidence and affecting factors. METHODS: This study used a prospective cohort design and was conducted in a hospital in Adana, a city in southern Turkey, between February and April 2022. It included 122 Syrian adolescent immigrant women, and data were collected in two interviews. While the first interview was conducted within the first 24 hours following birth, the second interview was conducted one month after birth. Data were collected through structured interviews using standardized questionnaires, including the Personal Information Form, the City Birth Trauma Scale, the Support and Control in Birth Scale, and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5. FINDINGS: The average age of participating women was 17.40±0.94. The participants' Perceived Support and Control in Birth Scale total score was 100.55±20.12, the City Birth Trauma Scale total score was 43.11±13.29, and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist total score was 30.36±16.86. Of all the participating women, 26% were found to have post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in the postpartum period. A relationship was found between support and control perceptions during childbirth and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study found that immigrant adolescent women's support and control perceptions during childbirth were better than expected, and they had a high level of perceived trauma during childbirth. The presence of birth trauma emerged as a robust predictive factor for posttraumatic stress disorder, underscoring its critical role in maternal mental health. A positive childbirth experience, which is important for all women, has become an increasing need for immigrant women. There is a need for developing and sustaining health policies guaranteeing culturally sensitive care to prevent immigrant women from having a traumatic birth experience.

The Impact of the Human Milk Microbiota in the Prevention of Disease and Infant Health.

Background: Human milk is recognized as an ideal food for newborns and infants owing to the presence of various nutritive factors, including healthy bacteria. Aim/Objective: This review aimed to understand the effects of human milk microbiota in both the prevention of disease and the health of infants. Methods: Data were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, clinical trial registries, Dergipark, and Türk Atif Dizini up to February 2023 without language restrictions. Results: It is considered that the first human milk microbiota ingested by the newborn creates the initial microbiome of the gut system, which in turn influences the development and maturation of immunity. Bacteria present in human milk modulate the anti-inflammatory response by releasing certain cytokines, protecting the newborn against certain infections. Therefore, certain bacterial strains isolated from human milk could serve as potential probiotics for various therapeutic applications. Conclusions: In this review, the origin and significance of human milk bacteria have been highlighted along with certain factors influencing the composition of human milk microbiota. In addition, it also summarizes the health benefits of human milk as a protective agent against certain diseases and ailments.

Evaluation of the quality of sexual life and sexual function in women with grand multiparity.

The study was conducted to evaluate the sexual quality of life and sexual function in women with grand multiparity. The Personal Information Form, the Sexual Quality of Life Scale (SQOL-F) Female form, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used for data collection. In terms of the FSFI, having a difficult/interventional labor decreased the score by -3.143 units and obesity decreased the score by -2.218 units, while having an income-generating job increased it by 3.677 units. According to the results of the study, age, spouse education, social security body mass index and oral contraceptive use affect sexual life in grand multiparous.

Grief and ruminative thought after perinatal loss among Turkish women: one-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Among women who have suffered loss of pregnancy, the level of grief decreases gradually. Age, mental health status and childlessness are the factors known to mostly affect women's levels of grief. OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of grief among women who experienced perinatal loss and the changes in their ruminative thought styles over the first year after their loss. DESIGN AND SETTING: One-year follow-up study carried out in a university hospital in Turkey. METHODS: The study population included 70 women who experienced loss of pregnancy in the hospital. The sample size was calculated using G*Power V3.1. Data were collected at 48 hours, at the third month, at the sixth month and at one year after pregnancy loss, between June 2018 and June 2019. A personal information form, the Perinatal Grief Scale and the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire were used for data collection. RESULTS: The women's highest levels of grief and ruminative thought style were in the first 48 hours. Their tendency towards grief and ruminative thought styles decreased over the repeated measurements during the follow-up. Women aged 20-29 years had the highest levels of grief at the third month after perinatal loss. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing assessments regarding grief and ruminative thought style over the first 48 hours after perinatal loss should be integrated into nursing care for these women. Grief follow-up programs for these women can be developed through nursing research.

Evaluation of women's sexual quality of life, depression, and sexual functions in the pregnancy and postpartum periods: A multi-centered study.

AIM: This multi-centered, longitudinal, and prospective study aims to identify women's sexual functions, sexual quality of life, and depression and their relationships with each other in the pregnancy and postpartum periods. METHODS: The participating pregnant women (n = 113) were interviewed six times: once in each trimester, and once in the eighth week third month, and sixth month postpartum. This study was conducted in three regions of Turkey including Marmara, Mediterranean, and Central Anatolia regions. Data were collected through the "Socio-demographic Form," "Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)," Sexual Quality of Life-Female Questionnaire (SQLQ-F), and "Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D)." While the first interviews were administered face to face, successive ones were administered via phone. RESULTS: The sexual dysfunction rates of the participants were found to be high in the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and their sexual quality of life, which decreased as the pregnancy months progressed, was found to increase significantly with the progress in the postpartum period. The sexual dysfunction increased and sexual quality of life decreased significantly with the increase in depression symptoms in the pregnancy and postpartum periods. When the depressive symptoms decreased especially in the sixth month postpartum, sexual quality of life was also found to increase. CONCLUSIONS: As a result, in the pregnancy and postpartum periods, it is highly important to provide women with diagnosis through a holistic approach by creating available environments to assess their psychological health and sexual functions and refer them to the related physicians when necessary.

Grief and ruminative thought after perinatal loss among Turkish women: one-year cohort study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Among women who have suffered loss of pregnancy, the level of grief decreases gradually. Age, mental health status and childlessness are the factors known to mostly affect women's levels of grief. OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of grief among women who experienced perinatal loss and the changes in their ruminative thought styles over the first year after their loss. DESIGN AND SETTING: One-year follow-up study carried out in a university hospital in Turkey. METHODS: The study population included 70 women who experienced loss of pregnancy in the hospital. The sample size was calculated using G*Power V3.1. Data were collected at 48 hours, at the third month, at the sixth month and at one year after pregnancy loss, between June 2018 and June 2019. A personal information form, the Perinatal Grief Scale and the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire were used for data collection. RESULTS: The women's highest levels of grief and ruminative thought style were in the first 48 hours. Their tendency towards grief and ruminative thought styles decreased over the repeated measurements during the follow-up. Women aged 20-29 years had the highest levels of grief at the third month after perinatal loss. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing assessments regarding grief and ruminative thought style over the first 48 hours after perinatal loss should be integrated into nursing care for these women. Grief follow-up programs for these women can be developed through nursing research.

Women's health anxiety and psychological wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has led to extraordinary measures taken worldwide and has led to serious psychological disorders. With the measures taken, the difficulties in women's daily lives are increasing exponentially. This situation has caused women to experience more mental health problems. OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between women's health anxiety and psychological wellbeing and the factors affecting these situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study conducted online among women living in Adana, Turkey. METHOD: This descriptive study was conducted among 623 married women between April 1 and April 20, 2020, using a SurveyMonkey online questionnaire. Data were collected using the link that was established. The questions comprised personal information, perceptions regarding the pandemic, the Health Anxiety Inventory (Short Form) and the Psychological Wellbeing Scale. RESULTS: The women who participated were found to have a high level of anxiety and a moderate level of psychological wellbeing. A positive, moderate-level relationship was found between the scales. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on both physical and psychological health. Support for women, to be provided within their holistic understanding of care, is of great importance for maintaining the psychological health of society.

Women's health anxiety and psychological wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has led to extraordinary measures taken worldwide and has led to serious psychological disorders. With the measures taken, the difficulties in women's daily lives are increasing exponentially. This situation has caused women to experience more mental health problems. OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between women's health anxiety and psychological wellbeing and the factors affecting these situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study conducted online among women living in Adana, Turkey. METHOD: This descriptive study was conducted among 623 married women between April 1 and April 20, 2020, using a SurveyMonkey online questionnaire. Data were collected using the link that was established. The questions comprised personal information, perceptions regarding the pandemic, the Health Anxiety Inventory (Short Form) and the Psychological Wellbeing Scale. RESULTS: The women who participated were found to have a high level of anxiety and a moderate level of psychological wellbeing. A positive, moderate-level relationship was found between the scales. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on both physical and psychological health. Support for women, to be provided within their holistic understanding of care, is of great importance for maintaining the psychological health of society.

The Effects of the Parenting Education Performed through Whatsapp on the Level of Maternal-Paternal and Infant Attachment in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the effects of parenting education with online WhatsApp messages on the level of maternal-paternal and infant attachment. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study adopted a randomized-controlled experimental design. The sample of the study was 32 couples. The experimental group was provided with online parenting education in the WhatsApp groups. Data were collected through the Socio-Demographic Form, the Maternal Attachment Inventory, and the Paternal Postnatal Attachment Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Wilcoxon test, Paired t-test, Independent sample t-test, Mann Whitney U test, and Wald type statistics test. RESULTS: Intra-group comparisons showed that there was a statistical significance between the Maternal Attachment Inventory total scores (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between group time interactions (p < 0.001), and these differences had a high effect size. When the intra-group comparisons were performed in terms of the Paternal Postnatal Attachment Questionnaire, there were significant differences between the total score differences (p = 0.001). An analysis of the group time interactions indicated no statistically significant differences (p = 0.653). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the parenting education intervention increased maternal attachment levels in a significant way.

An evaluation of the factors that affect the sexual satisfaction of people with spinal cord injuries.

Objective: To evaluate the relationships between the variables that affect the sexual satisfaction of patients with spinal cord injuries.Design: Descriptive and cross-sectional survey.Setting: The physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Turkey.Participants: This study was performed from July to December2018. It included 103 patients with spinal cord injuries.Outcome Measures: The data were collected using an introductory information form, the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale and the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction. Data were evaluated using the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and linear regression.Results: The total mean scores on the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction were 40.2 ± 21.6 for males and 44.9 ± 18.1 for females. According to the linear regression analysis, model VII presented the best results of the relationship between physiological and psychological determinants that affect the sexual satisfaction of patients with spinal cord injuries. Model VII consisted of the variables of ASIA A and B scores, age, injury due to falling from height, being a housewife, and thinking of being unable to reach future goals. These explained 75.4% of the variation in sexual satisfaction scores.Conclusion: The participants' mean scores on the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction were found to be affected by various variables. A significant relationship between their mean scores on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale and the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction was determined.

Prenatal distress levels of pregnant women in Turkey and affecting factors: a multicentre study.

This study was conducted to determine prenatal distress levels of pregnant women from seven provinces of Turkey and factors affecting prenatal distress levels. The multicentre descriptive study included 2365 pregnant women who were in the twentieth gestational week and above. The data were collected using the pregnancy information form, prenatal distress questionnaire and spousal support scale. Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, ANOVA and logistic regression were used to evaluate the data. The results of this study demonstrated that pregnant women's prenatal distress levels are affected by such factors as the region lived in, lack of spousal support and being a primary school graduate. Nurses should develop intervention strategies that involve the pregnant woman's spouse to reduce prenatal distress and the factors affecting prenatal distress.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Prenatal distress can have significant effects on pregnancy, maternal health and human development across the lifespan.What the results of this study add? Spousal support could also have an effect on the psychological health of mothers.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Nurses and midwives monitor the pregnant women, and therefore, they should evaluate the prenatal distress levels in the prenatal period, plan intervention strategies for pregnant women with high stress levels and include the pregnant women's spouses in these intervention strategies.

The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women: Perceived Stress, Social Support and Sleep Quality.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study aims to identify the relationship between perceived stress, social support and sleep quality and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women's perceived stress, social support and sleep quality. METHODS: The target population of the study was pregnant women who applied to the Family Health Center. After the sample calculation was performed, the study involved 166 participants. The data, which were quantitative in nature, were collected through a web-based, online questionnaire administered within a determined period. Data collection tools included the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: Of all the participating pregnant women, 88% reported to have poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. A moderate, negative relationship was found between the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and a weak, positive relationship with the Perceived Stress Scale. While statistically significant differences were found between the pregnant women's perceived stress according to their psychological perceptions and perceptions about daily life (P < 0.05), no significant differences were found between the perceived social support level and sleep quality index. CONCLUSION: It was considered that pregnant women's perceived social support levels, sleep quality, and perceived stress levels were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect of Bidet Use on Severity of Constipation and Quality of Life Among Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common problem in pregnancy. This study aims to elucidate the efficacy of using a bidet before defecation to reduce the severity of constipation and improve the quality of life in pregnancy. METHODS: The sample consisted of an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30), a total of 60 pregnant women. Randomization was performed using the pitch-and-toss method from simple probability randomization methods. The research data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Constipation Assessment Scale for Pregnancy, and the Constipation Quality of Life Scale. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the pregnant women's mean scores on the Constipation Assessment Scale for Pregnancy due to the intervention of bidet before defecation. Although the members of the intervention group had severe constipation at first, they reported only "some problems" on defecation after the intervention. In addition, statistically significant improvements were observed in the intervention group via all subscales of the Constipation Quality of Life Scale except the satisfaction subscale. CONCLUSION: Providing pregnant women with training on constipation and information about how to control constipation using a bidet is very important in terms of reducing the severity of constipation, enabling them to feel better and continue their daily activities, and thus to improve their quality of life.

The Use of Oxytocin by Healthcare Professionals During Labor.

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin is widely used in perinatal medicine, but it can cause serious side effects. Health professionals should be familiar with the pharmacokinetics, dosing regimen, and fetal effects of oxytocin. This study aims to explore the use of oxytocin by healthcare professionals during labor. METHODS: This study was conducted in one medical faculty, one training and research hospital, one maternity hospital, and one private hospital in Adana, Turkey. The sample group included 107 participants. The data were gathered using a survey prepared in line with the literature. The survey was comprised of 30 questions. These questions concern the social demographic information of the participants, the knowledge and actual oxytocin use, and the views of the participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 36.76 ± 8.70 years, the mean of working experience in the delivery room was 7.79 ± 7.73 years. 85.6% of the participants who answered the question of possible effects of oxytocin as contraction, 57.9% of the possible side effects as fetal distress. 69.2% of the participants stated that they applied oxytocin after dilution in a fluid while 47% stated that they applied it after dilution in fluid with 5% Dextrose. While 40% of the participants responded that they sometimes forgot to administer medication, 39.2% stated that they did not register medication in their survey responses. CONCLUSION: It was determined that most of the participants answered the questions about the effect of oxytocin correctly, but they could not respond to all the side effects of oxytocin. It was found that most of the participants could not answer the storage conditions that are important for the effectiveness of the drug correctly. In addition, the importance level given to the principles of drug administration by the participants was generally found to be high.

An analysis of the anxiety and hopelessness levels of women during IVF-ET treatment.

PURPOSE: This study determined the anxiety and hopelessness levels of women during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 50 infertile women. The Personal Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were used to collect data. FINDINGS: A statistically significant difference between the BHS total score before oocyte pick-up and after embryo transfer was found (P < .05). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between state anxiety in the same process (P > .05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study showed that women had high levels of hopelessness and as a woman's state anxiety level increased, her level of hope decreased.

Sexual function and quality-of-life-related problems during the menopausal period.

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the sexual functions and quality of life and the problems during menopausal period. This descriptive, cross-sectional study included a total of 317 women. The mean total Female Sexual Function Index score was 18.8 ± 8.7, while the mean total Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Female score was 72.7 ± 13.7. Sexual dysfunction was found in 82 percent. There was a positive significant correlation between the total Female Sexual Function Index scores and total Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Female scores ( p < 0.05). Our study results suggest that women do not often experience serious menopausal symptoms, but have sexual dysfunction with a moderate sexual quality of life.

The effect of foot reflexology applied to women aged between 40 and 60 on vasomotor complaints and quality of life.

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the effects of foot reflexology applied to women on their vasomotor complaints and quality of life. METHODS: A randomised controlled study was conducted with 120 women. The experimental group received foot reflexology treatment, while the control group received nonspecific foot massage. RESULTS: The mean scores for hot flashes, sweats, and night sweats, were lower in the reflexology group than the control group after the practice; and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean scores for the sub-groups of the MENQOL demonstrated improvements in both groups after the application (p < 0.001). As for the sexual domain, there was a significant improvement in the reflexology group (p < 0.05), but no improvements were found in the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results showed that reflexology might be effective in decreasing vasomotor problems and increasing quality of life in women in the menopausal period.