Lived Experiences of Patients After Colorectal Cancer and Permanent Colostomy: A Parallel-Design Mixed-Methods Study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the lived experiences, quality of life (QoL), and level of ostomy adjustment (OA) in patients after colorectal cancer with a permanent colostomy (PC). METHODS: In this parallel-design mixed-methods study, the researchers interviewed 14 patients after colorectal cancer whose PC was created more than 1 year prior. Qualitative data were interpreted using hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological design. Quantitative data were collected with the Stoma QoL Scale and OA Inventory-23. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 61.5 (SD, 10.0) years, and the mean PC duration was 7.7 (SD, 5.0) years. Mean QoL and OA scores were just above the median. Three superordinate themes consisting of nine themes emerged from the analysis: (1) early experiences (acceptance, medical problems, and emotional changes); (2) long-term experiences (physiologic experiences, psychosocial experiences, economic experiences, and coping strategies); (3) feelings and expectations about the future (worries and expectations). CONCLUSIONS: Even individuals who have been living with a PC for a long time may not be fully adapted to the process and may not have internalized lifestyle changes. Nurses should provide support to individuals with a PC through routine follow-ups, social support, and facilitative healthcare strategies regardless of the length of time since PC creation.

Nonpharmacological Nursing Interventions in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the impact of nonpharmacological nursing interventions on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). DESIGN: This is a systematic review. METHODS: MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Tübitak-ULAKBIM, and TRDizin databases were searched for the following search terms, including "Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting," "Nurse," "Nursing," and "Nonpharmacological Interventions" to identify nonpharmacological nursing interventions for PONV. A systematic review of English and Turkish articles published in the period between January 1, 2012 and June 1, 2023 was conducted. The PICOT-SD method was used to determine the compatibility of the pieces with the eligibility criteria. FINDINGS: Fifty-eight of 3,874 articles obtained from databases fulfilled the eligibility criteria. This study demonstrated that acupuncture, aromatherapy, the oral intake of ginger, listening to music, education, and visits to patients decreased the incidence of nausea and vomiting and increased the quality of life. Additionally, it was found that patients' quality of life tended to improve along with reductions in postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support previous findings in the literature and demonstrate that nonpharmacological nursing interventions help reduce and prevent PONV. Based on our results, we suggest that nonpharmacological nursing interventions can be employed for the management of PONV in patients undergoing surgery.

Structural and psychological empowerment among newly graduated nurses and related factors: A mixed methods study.

AIMS: To discuss the levels of structural empowerment (SE) and psychological empowerment (PE) and the factors that influence perceptions of empowerment among newly graduated nurses (NGNs). DESIGN: Mixed methods study. METHODS: The quantitative part of the study was conducted with 220 NGNs with <1 year of job experience. The study was conducted between February and May 2023. Focus group discussions were conducted with 30 NGNs. Data were collected by using the Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire (CWEQ-II), the Psychological Empowerment Scale (PES) and a Semi-Structured Interview Form. Quantitative data were analysed using stepwise regression analysis. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. RESULTS: CWEQ-II and PES were moderate. The regression analysis showed that NGNs' SE scores increased in association with the following factors, including an increase in the total score on the PES, being married/having a partner, working a day shift, having career planning, increased satisfaction with the orientation programmes of the institution and increased satisfaction with the employing institution. As a result of the descriptive analysis of the focus group interviews conducted to determine the empowerment perceptions of NGNs, we identified three contexts along with the associated themes and subthemes. These three contexts were the 'concept of power', 'professional impression' and 'empowerment process'. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the SE and PE levels of NGNs are moderate, and their empowerment perceptions are influenced by many factors that can be individual, organizational and work environment relevant. IMPACT: This study's findings will guide policymakers, educators, researchers and administrators in empowering NGNs essential to the healthcare workforce. REPORTING METHOD: The paper adheres to the COREQ checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Pressure Injury Prevalence and Risk Factors: A National Multicenter Analytical Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the point prevalence (PP) of general pressure injuries (PIs), hospital-acquired PIs, PI-related risk factors, and PI preventive interventions performed by nurses. DESIGN: Descriptive, multicenter, prospective, analytical study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 5088 patients cared for in 13 hospitals in 12 geographic regions of Turkey. Data were collected between November 5, 2018, and July 17, 2019. METHODS: The study was carried out in 2 stages. First, nurses who collected data were trained in the diagnosis of PI, risk assessment, staging, and prevalence studies, and informed about the purpose and methods of the study, including data collection. Second, nurses and researchers who had received training related to data collection for this study conducted a PP study for PIs in their inpatient clinics using the ASSIST II method. The PI Prevalence Study Tool and the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk were also used during data collection. RESULTS: The PP of general PIs was 9.5%; the prevalence of PIs with hospitalization in intensive care units was 43.2%; medical device-related pressure injuries prevalence was 10.7%. We found that 65.1% of the PIs were acquired after hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities exist between PI prevalence in Turkey and reported PI prevalence rates worldwide. However, the prevalence of nosocomial PIs related to intensive care units and the prevalence of all nosocomial injuries were higher than rates previously reported. Based on results, there is a need to develop strategies to reduce the prevalence of nosocomial PIs.

Effect of Protective Cover on the Quality of Life of Patients With Tracheostomy-A Quasi-Experimental Study.

PURPOSE: Patients with tracheostomy experience problems such as the inability to speak, swallowing disorders, and impairment of body image. These problems adversely affect patients' quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to investigate the effect of discharge training and the use of a protective cover on the QoL of patients with tracheostomy and the problems experienced after discharge. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study. METHODS: All patients (n = 24) were followed for 3 months after the preoperative period. Patients in the control group (CG) received routine care after surgery, whereas patients in the intervention group (IG) received routine care, discharge training, and a protective stoma cover. FINDINGS: The 90th postdischarge day QoL scores between the CG and IG were statistically significant. Respiratory problems were the most common postdischarge problems in both groups. Patients in the CG significantly experienced more problems than those in the IG during the postdischarge period. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides that patients can benefit from discharge training and protective cover and that health care professionals become aware of the cover for future use.

Effects of lavender essential oil for colorectal cancer patients with permanent colostomy on elimination of odor, quality of life, and ostomy adjustment: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of the addition of lavender essential oil to the colostomy bag of the patients with permanent colostomy on the elimination of odor, quality of life, and ostomy adjustment. METHODS: As a parallel group, single-blinded randomized controlled trial with repeated measures, this study was conducted between November 2016 and February 2018. Patients with a permanent colostomy that had opened at least three months before the study were stratified according to age and sex and were randomized according to days of week. The study sample included 15 patients in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Patients in the experimental group used lavender essential oil in the ostomy bag, and patients in the control group continued their routine practices about nutrition and stoma care for 1 month. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics between the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). As compared with the control group patients, the experimental group patients who used lavender essential oil in the ostomy bag experienced statistically significant less odor, a higher quality of life, and better adjustment to ostomy (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of lavender essential oil in the ostomy bag is a simple, low-cost, easy-to-use, and natural method that is effective for increasing both ostomy adjustment and quality of life levels and for eliminating odor in permanent colostomy patients.

Experiences and views of married women about domestic violence.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the experiences and views of married women about the topic of domestic violence. METHODS: This research was planned as a mixed methods study with an in-depth interview and descriptive approach. The study was conducted between November 2011 and December 2012 with 24 married women living in Ankara, Turkey. Two main data-collection tools were used in the study: the "Personal Information Form" and the "In-depth Interview Questionnaire." Data of this study were evaluated by content analysis. RESULTS: A majority of the participants (83.3%) stated that they had been exposed to domestic violence that had been committed primarily by their husbands. The actual reasons for the violence were reported to be such factors as "financial problems and lack of education and love and respect between the couples." It was determined that as the victims became more desperate, they turned to reading of the Koran, prayer, and smoking. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence adversely affects the physical and mental health of individuals, families, and the entire community. Therefore, it will take a community effort to address the causes of domestic violence and to create viable solutions that will improve the health of everyone.

The effects of discharge training and counseling on post-discharge problems in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Advances in coronary artery surgery have reduced morbidity, mortality, and rates of graft occlusion. Discharge programs are important services for the continuity of treatment and must encompass physical, psychological, and social aspects of individual patient care. This study aimed at investigating the effect of planned discharge training and counseling on the problems experienced by patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A semi-experimental study was performed on 100 patients undergoing CABG surgery in the surgery department. During a period of 9 months from January to September 2013, the patients in the intervention group were provided with adequate discharge training and counseling with a booklet before surgery and counseling until 6 weeks after discharge, while the control group patients received only routine clinical procedures, i.e. prescribing medicine, controlling vital signs, and wound dressing. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 23. Frequency and distribution were used to describe the data, and paired sample t-test, variance analysis, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-squared tests were also used. RESULTS: The reported problems for both groups had a descending pattern during the three follow-ups. However, this pattern had a greater slope in the intervention group compared to the control one. As a result of these education programs, problems were fewer in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Discharge training and counseling given to the intervention group had a positive impact on decreasing the problems that the patients had. Therefore, the institutions may be recommended to support multidisciplinary patient training and counseling activities using the methods described in this study.

Discharge training and counselling increase self-care ability and reduce postdischarge problems in CABG patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine how discharge training and counselling provided to patients, who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, had effects on patients' self-care ability and on the problems encountered after discharge. The objectives were to help patients develop self-care behaviour to deal more comfortably with the problems caused by the disease and, hopefully, to reduce the number of problems they may encounter. BACKGROUND: CABG surgery patients needing to manage various aspects of their self-care at home often find these tasks very difficult to carry out effectively. Discharge training and counselling services help patients undergoing CABG to develop self-care behaviours. DESIGN: The study was prospective and quasi-experimental. METHODS: The intervention and control groups consisted of 57 patients who were given discharge training and counselling by a researcher and 52 patients who were given routines by a nurse, respectively. The intervention group began receiving discharge training and counselling on the day of hospitalization. These were provided according to their individual knowledge needs and patients were given a booklet developed for training purposes. Data were collected by researcher using the Personal Information Form, the Self-Care Agency Scale. RESULTS: It was found that the intervention group had a higher mean self-care score than the control group and experienced fewer problems following discharge compared with patients in the control group. CONCLUSION: The discharge training and counselling services given to patients in the intervention group had a positive impact on the self-care ability of these patients and on alleviating the problems they encountered. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As discharge training and counselling services had a positive impact on the self-care and alleviation of the problems that patients encounter after being discharged, we recommend application of these services and the usage of the training booklet for CABG patients.

Sexual harassment against nurses in Turkey.

PURPOSE: To identify the prevalence and sources of sexual harassment against nurses in Turkey, its consequences, and factors affecting harassment experiences. DESIGN: Descriptive survey. Participants (N=622) were selected from nurses working in eight Ministry of Health hospitals in Turkey. METHODS: Participants were surveyed with a Sexual Harassment Questionnaire, consisting of the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, types of sexual harassment, sources, feelings, ramifications, and ways to cope with sexual harassment behaviors. Frequency and percentage distributions, chi-square, and logistic regression were used for data analysis. FINDINGS: The results showed 37.1% of participants had been harassed sexually. Physicians were identified as the primary instigators of sexual harassment. The most common reactions against harassers were anger and fear; frequently reported negative effects of sexual harassment were disturbed mental health function, decline in job performance, and headache. "Did nothing" was the coping method used most commonly by the nurses. About 80% of sexually harassed nurses did not report the incident of sexual harassment to hospital administration. CONCLUSIONS: The lower working status and power of nurses in the workplace, poor working conditions in healthcare settings, and insufficient administrative mechanisms, including the present law and regulations against sexual harassers, were identified as important factors in the work environment in Turkey.

A study of nursing student abuse in Turkey.

Because abuse negatively affects victims' physiological, psychological, and social health, the main purpose of this study was to identify the abuse experiences of nursing students in Turkey. This descriptive study used a questionnaire, administered to 225 students. Participants stated they were abused verbally (100%), academically (83.1%), sexually (53.3%), and physically (5.7%). Classmates, faculty, nurses, physicians, patients, and patients' family members were identified as sources of the abuse. First-year and second-year students experienced verbal and academic abuse less often than third-year and fourth-year students. All of the participants who experienced verbal and academic abuse felt anger toward the person who abused them. "Doing nothing" was the most common coping method among participants. Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that training on abuse be available as part of nursing school curricula. In addition, policies and procedures for reporting abuse should be developed.

The level of knowledge and views of the street children/youth about AIDS in Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to discover the level of knowledge and views of the street children and youth in Turkey about AIDS. Five focus group discussions were held with 44 children. On the data collection form there were questions about their age, status of working and living status on the streets, gender, source of information about AIDS, high-risk groups, and knowledge on the ways of transmission and getting protected from AIDS. According to the study results, more than half of the participants (56.8%) did not have any knowledge about AIDS. 63.6% stated that they received their information about AIDS from public media. In addition, the participants of this study listed the main causes of transmission of AIDS as having sexual relationship with prostitutes (22.3%) and sharing razors, toothbrushes, footwear, food (27.6%). When asked the ways to protect oneself from AIDS, 28.9% stated that individual hygiene was very important while 21.0% stated not sleeping with prostitutes, single marriages, and condom use were very important ways to protect oneself from AIDS. 37 children of the total participants stated they were also at risk for AIDS. The main reasons of defining themselves at risk were being substance addicts (24.3%) and unhygienic practices (21.6%). The main conclusion of this study is that street children/youth have insufficient and incorrect knowledge about transmission and protection from AIDS and risk groups.

The effect of preoperative education on anxiety of open cardiac surgery patients.

The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative teaching method on anxiety levels of the patients. This study consisted of 100 patients having open cardiac surgery. Of 100 patients 50 were placed in the intervention group while the remaining 50 were in the control group. The patients in the intervention group were given a planned teaching according to the patient education booklet. Patients in the control group were informed about pre- and postoperative routines by a nurse by the purpose of comparing anxiety levels of the patients in the intervention and control groups. The anxiety level of the patients in control and intervention groups was measured on the 3rd day after the operation by using the Self-Evaluation Questionnaire for State and Trait Anxiety Inventory. The mean postoperative state and trait anxiety score in the control group was slightly higher than the mean of the patients in the intervention group. There was no statistically significant difference in the state and trait anxiety scores between the groups, and the patients in the intervention group had lower scores than the patients in the control group. In addition, all patients in the intervention group stated that they were satisfied with the preoperative teaching given by the researcher.