Earthquake Experiences of Nursing Students Residing in Earthquake Zone, the Disaster of the Century: A Qualitative Study.

This study was carried out to examine the experiences of nursing department students regarding earthquakes with a phenomenological approach. The type of research is phenomenological research, one of the qualitative research methods. The research was carried out with 22 nursing students who experienced the earthquake in the Turkey earthquake on February 6, 2023. The data were collected using the "Semi-Structured Interview Form". In this study, "earthquake experience" was discussed as a phenomenon, and the data obtained from the phenomenon after content analysis were evaluated in five themes as follows: Experiences during the earthquake, experiences after the earthquake, search-rescue operations, social support and daily life after the earthquake. It was seen that they acted with the instinct of protection during the earthquake and then tried to shelter and communicate. The study reveal that the disaster preparedness and competencies of nursing students should be increased.

The effectiveness of sexual health and development education given to children with intellectual disabilities: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of an educational program implemented to support the sexual health and development of children with intellectual disabilities, using the Mastery Learning Model, on their knowledge of sexual health and development, as well as on their mothers' awareness of their children's sexual development. METHOD: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with 48 children who have intellectual disabilities, divided into two groups: an education group (n = 24) and a control group (n = 24). The program implemented was a sexual health and development education program based on the Mastery Learning Model. The data collection tools used were 'The Sexual Development Characteristics of Children with Adolescent Intellectual Disability Scale' for mothers and 'The Sexual Development Knowledge Assessment Scale for Children with Intellectual Disabilities' for children. RESULTS: Following the educational program, the children in the education group demonstrated an increase in knowledge regarding their sexual development and health. Additionally, the mothers in the education group showed an increased awareness of their children's sexual health and development. One month after implementing the education program, which utilized mastery learning, the children in the education group exhibited a greater level of knowledge compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study utilized the Mastery Learning Model to achieve effective and comprehensive sexual health and development education for children with intellectual disabilities. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pediatric and school nurses are recommended to use the Mastery Learning Model for sexual health education in clinics and school health practices.

The effect of baby-led weaning and traditional complementary feeding trainings on baby development.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risks of self-feeding, transition to early solid food and family meals, choking risk, anemia risk and obesity risk in 6-12-month-old infants who were introduced to complementary feeding using the traditional complementary feeding (TCF) and baby-led weaning (BLW) methods/training. DESIGN AND METHODS: Mothers of infants who had not yet transitioned to complementary feeding were included in this randomized study. The mothers of 62 infants included in the study were randomized into the intervention groups as TCF and BLW, classified according to the number of children and education level. The research was carried out according to the CONSORT-2010 guidelines after randomization and was concluded with 52 infants and their mothers. RESULTS: It was found in the study that self-feeding and transition to solid foods in infants fed with the BLW method was higher than the infants fed with the TCF method (p < 0.05). A significant increase was observed in the hemoglobin level of infants fed with the BLW method over time (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the BLW method did not lead to risks of obesity, anemia and iron deficiency in transition to complementary feeding. Secondary results indicated that feeding with the BLW method promoted self-feeding and early transition to solid foods and did not lead to the risk of choking. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Complementary feeding with the BLW method can be safely used by both mothers, healthcare professionals and researchers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: register. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Identifier: NCT05771324.

The relationship between the nutritional literacy level and heart health attitudes of adolescents.

PURPOSE: It was aimed to evaluate the effect of adolescents' nutritional literacy level on their heart health attitudes. METHODS: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Data from 416 adolescents were obtained in the study. The Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) and the Cardiovascular Health Behavior Scale for Children (CHBSC) were completed by participants. The adolescents' demographic information, lifestyle, and diet habits were collected. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression. RESULTS: The participants' mean scores of the ANLS and the CHBSC were as 68.30 ± 8.68 and 67.55 ± 8.45, respectively. It was determined that 88.7% of the adolescents had moderate attitudes towards heart health and that there was a weak and negative correlation between the ANLS and CHBSC scores (r = -0,207; p < 0.001). It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in ANLS and CHBSC scores in terms of gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), fast food consumption frequency, what they primarily pay attention to in food, weekly exercise frequency, the amount of daily water consumption, general health status and reading the label of packaged products (p < 0.05). It was determined that exercising, general state of health, BMI, consumption of fast food, and reading the label of packaged products were key predictors of CHBSC scores. Additionally, exercising, consumption of fast food, and reading the label of packaged products were identified as key predictors of ANLS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that higher levels of nutritional literacy are related to more positive attitudes towards heart health in adolescents. Additionally, our analysis identifies key predictors of both nutrition literacy and heart health behaviors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: School health nurses should consider the variables influencing these parameters to improve attitudes towards nutritional literacy and heart health in adolescents.

Postoperative recovery in children: Turkish cross-cultural adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative recovery is an individual process involving subjective experiences. The fact that children still experience high rates of complications associated with surgery requires the discovery of new evaluation methods. No studies in Turkey have reported a measurement instrument evaluating postoperative recovery in children. The purpose of this methodological study is to cross-culturally adapt the Postoperative Recovery in Children (PRiC) instrument into the Turkish language and test the validity and reliability of its Turkish version. METHODS: One hundred children (81% male) aged 4 to 12 years undergoing tonsillectomy at a hospital were included. The self-administered PRiC and Parents' Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM) instruments were used to collect data on the 1st, 4th, and 10th days after surgery. Internal consistency, parallel-forms reliability, content validity, and construct validity of the instruments were determined. RESULTS: PRiC had a three-factor structure, and these factors explained 68% of the total variance in the variable it measured. It showed a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.842). The item-total score correlation coefficients for 23 of the items were ≥0.30. PRiC was moderately correlated with PPPM on the 1st day after surgery (r = 0.64, p < .01), on the 4th day after surgery (r = 0.69, p < .01), and on the 10th day after surgery (r = 0.51, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of PRiC has good reliability and validity. A validity and reliability study of PRiC to assess children's postoperative recovery in the context of different surgical operations should be conducted.

The Experiences of COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Units: A Qualitative Study.

This exploratory qualitative study explores the experiences of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units and after discharge. Semi- structured telephone interviews were conducted with 18 COVID-19 patients admitted to and discharged from intensive care units between March and September in 2020. The themes of this study were determined as "feelings about the illness and intensive care," "psychological and physical damages," "nurses' efforts and the importance of care.", and "protecting health and life". COVID-19 patients in intensive care units may experience permanent physical and psychological damages. The findings suggest that the first step in carrying out interventions in the intensive care units is to ensure that continuous communication with patients is maintained so that their orientation to the new circumstances can be achieved. Nursing interventions to patients missing their families can have compensated for the loss of family support and care during their critical illness.

Schoolchildren's Attitudes Toward Covid-19 Measures Scale: A Scale Development Study.

For schools and academic studies to continue, children as well must adhere to the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The aim of this study was to develop a scale to assess schoolchildren's attitudes toward Covid-19 measures. The sample of this study, which was designed in a methodological type, consisted of 205 children. This study was conducted at primary schools in Zonguldak, Turkey. The validity of content and construct was examined to evaluate the validity of the Schoolchildren's Attitudes toward Covid-19 Measures Scale. This scale is a valid and reliable measure for assessing the attitudes of schoolchildren toward Covid-19 measures. The results of the factor analysis indicated a scale with 28 items and six factors. Cronbach's alpha value for the overall scale is 0.928. According to the results of the analysis, the developed scale was found to have excellent content and construct validity and reliability for schoolchildren.

Perceptions of Nurses in the Drawings and Comments of Hospitalized Children: A Qualitative Study.

A qualitative study evaluated perceptions of nurses in the drawings of 18 children ages 6-12 years hospitalized in pediatric units, and their expectations of nurses. The children made drawings of nurses and talked about the drawings with the researchers. The children's perceptions of nurses were categorized as 55.6% positive and 44.4% negative. Content analysis of the interviews generated themes of children's expectations of nurses: Health, compassion and support, and doing no harm. Analyzing pictures drawn by children is a useful method for health-care professionals to learn about children's thoughts and feelings.

Energy drink consumption and its relationship to alcohol use disorders and impulsiveness in health sciences students in Turkey.

PURPOSE: We aimed to examine energy drink (ED) consumption and its relationship to alcohol use disorders and impulsiveness in health sciences students. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional research was conducted with 1202 health sciences students. Data collection tools were "Energy Drink Consumption Form," "Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)," and "Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11)." FINDINGS: Of the students, 30.6% who used EDs reported doing so in the past year. AUDIT and BIS-11 scores of students with high ED consumption were higher than those with less ED consumption and who do not consume at all (p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Education of students in departments of health should include EDs and their drawbacks as part of nutrition or health coursework.

An examination of smartphone addiction and loneliness among high school students according to various variables: A sample from Turkey.

PURPOSE: It was aimed to examine smartphone addiction and loneliness among high school students. DESIGN AND METHOD: This descriptive and cross-sectional research was implemented with 1185 high school students. Data collection tools were "Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version," "UCLA Loneliness Scale," and "Parental Attitude Scale." FINDINGS: As the level of addiction to smartphones rose, the percentage of students feeling lonely dropped (p < .001). Although the students' smartphone addiction was low, the rate of using the smartphone to be relieved of loneliness and for the purpose of the communication was high. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Education programs for improving the communication skills of adolescents that may be instrumental in reducing loneliness would in fact be effective in terms of smartphone usage and feelings of loneliness.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the weight Self-stigma questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire. METHODS: The methodological, descriptive study was conducted at the Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey, from January to June, 2016, and comprised obese patients presenting at the Endocrinology and Diabetes polyclinic tied to the university. Data was collected using patient identification form and Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire. SPSS 18 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 151 subjects, 97(64.2%) were female and 54(35.8%) were male. Two-factor structure explained 58% of the total variance in the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire. The Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficient of the Turkish version was 0.876, indicating high internal consistency. The two factors found in the confirmatory factor analysis had Cronbach alpha values of 0.820 and 0.830. CONCLUSIONS: The validity and reliability of Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire was found to be high in Turkey.

The influence on group games on the relationship between children with disabilities and their healthy siblings: An experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of group game activities among children with disabilities and their siblings. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted between July and September, 2015, at a rehabilitation centre in Zonguldak province, Turkey. The experimental group comprised children having disabilities, while the control group had healthy siblings and their mothers. The children were directed to play various games with their siblings over a period of four weeks, after which the instruments were administered once again. The groups were compared using Schaeffer Sibling Behaviour Rating Scale-Sibling's Form. SPSS 21 was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: There were eight children each in the two groups with a mean age of 8.50±2.07 years in the experimental group and 8.37±2.32 years in the control group. A significant difference between the experimental (5.62±2.55) and control group (3.12±0.35) was only found in the sub-scale of physical aggression (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The group activities had a positive effect on the children.

The Effect of Art Therapy with Clay on Hopelessness Levels Among Neurology Patients.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the effect of art therapy with clay on hopelessness levels of patients under treatment in departments of neurology. DESIGN: The study was of one group, pre- and posttest design. METHODS: This study was performed on patients who were hospitalized in the neurology departments of a university and a state hospital between February and May 2012 in Turkey. The sample for the study comprised 50 neurology patients with diagnoses of epilepsy (17 patients) and stroke (33 patients). The patients in the study were asked to create objects of clay of any shape they desired. Data for the research were collected with a sociodemographic data form and by using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). FINDINGS: While BHS scores of neurology patients before clay therapy were found higher compared to the scores after therapy with clay, there was also a statistically significant difference. After clay therapy, BHS scores were lower in women, in married patients, in patients who suffered from a stroke, people who had chronic disease, people without psychological illness, and in the case of children. CONCLUSION: The study showed that clay therapy had an impact on the hopelessness levels of neurology patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Art therapy with clay may be used for rehabilitation purposes in neurology patients, both in the hospital and at home after discharge.

The Sexual Development and Education of Preschool Children: Knowledge and Opinions from Doctors and Nurses.

This descriptive study was carried out in order to determine the knowledge levels and attitudes of doctors and nurses regarding children's sexual development and sex education. The study was conducted with doctors and nurses who work at various clinics of two state hospitals located in the province of Istanbul. The data collection tool consisted of 58 questions. The Statistical Program for the Social Sciences, version 18.0 (SPSS 18.0) was used for data analysis. It was determined that females comprised the majority of the respondents (61 %) and were over 36 years of age (54.1 %) (37.81 ± 8.82). Of the participants in the study, 63.5 % had bachelor's degrees and 62.1 % were medical doctors. It was determined that the number of correct responses given by the respondents regarding some behaviors observed in children aged between 3 and 6 years and children's sexual development and sex education showed significant differences according to age group (p = 0.007), marital status (p = 0.004), the status of having children (p = 0.004), educational status (p = 0.005) and occupation (p = 0.000). However, in a review of the study findings, it was observed that culture had an important impact on sex-related approaches and that embarrassment and shyness is very common.

Cancer awareness among university students in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important reasons for the high mortality rates of cancer is the low level of awareness, which can lead to a late diagnosis and treatments starting too late. Therefore, it is necessary for individuals, especially at younger age, to gain awareness and integrate taking the necessary precautions into their lifestyle in order to prevent cancer and ensure early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of awareness of factors for major cancers among students studying in two different campuses of a university in the Western Black Sea Region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive/cross-sectional study was performed between January-March 2014. Students studying in the 2013-2014 academic year in a university in the Western Black Sea Region in two separate campuses were the subjects. RESULTS: The mean age was 21.01 ± 3.63. While female students (51.2%) were the majority in the health sciences campus (74.8%), male students (48.8% ) were the majority in the social sciences campus (76.5%). Some 9.6% of the students from the health sciences campus and 12.4% of the students from the social sciences campus thought that cancer was communicable, while most of the students from both campuses knew that smoking caused cancer. It can also be seen that the rate of answering questions regarding cancer correctly was higher among students studying in the health sciences campus. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that students who do not study at the health sciences campus have insufficient information on cancer, cancer symptoms, and the possibility of breast cancer in males and approximately half of them regarded obesity as a risk factor for cancer.

Factors affecting the prevalence of obesity among primary school students in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an energy metabolism disorder which results in the excessive storage of fat and may also lead to physical and psychological problems. Since the 1980s, obesity has drastically increased across all age and socio-economic groups around the world. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate the risk factors affecting obesity in students in the age group of 6-15 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study on 868 students in Bahçelievler elementary school in Zonguldak, Turkey from March to April in 2010. Data was collected using demographic questionary forms and weight-length measurements. RESULTS: The median age was 10.3 ± 2.1; 47.6% of the children were female and 52.4% of them were male. About 70.2% of the students consumed fast food. It was identified that 67.1% of the students in the 6-10-year age group and 32.9% in 11-15-year age group were obese (P = 0.000). The obesity prevalence of children with one or two siblings was higher than the ones with more than two siblings (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that there were certain criteria related to development of obesity during a specific period of childhood and taking certain precautions could be effective in preventing it.

Knowledge of Turkish mothers with children in the 0-13 age group about cancer symptoms.

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies in Turkey on the incidence of childhood cancers. A mother's knowledge about signs and symptoms of cancer is important for early diagnosis, effective treatment, and improvement of life expectancy. This study was conducted with a group of mothers of children, aged 0-13, at a Family Health Center (FHC) in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea Region, to analyze their knowledge about cancer symptoms in childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group of this descriptive/cross-sectional research comprised 2,061 mothers, ages 19-49, at an FHC in the Eastern Black Sea Region in February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011. Before the study, permission was obtained from the local ethics board and the institutions concerned. A value of p<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the mothers, 34.9% were between the ages of 40-47, 40.5% had three children, 73.8% had no experience with children with cancer, 45.9% said they learned about cancer on television, 39.7% stated that the primary reason for childhood cancer was the mother's smoking during pregnancy, 68.8% said that early diagnosis would save a child, and 98% wanted to learn about childhood cancer. CONCLUSION: It was determined that the mothers' knowledge of cancer was deficient.