The effect of online training and counseling on women's attitudes and anxiety toward gynecological examination: A randomized controlled study.

Gynecological examination has an very place among to maintain women's health. Negative attitudes and anxiety about gynecological examination may affect coming to the examination. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of online training and counseling on women's attitudes and anxiety toward the gynecological examination. We randomized 100 women participating in the study into experimental and control groups. We concluded that online training and counseling had a positive effect on the attitudes of women in the experimental group toward gynecological examination. Also we determined that online training and counseling reduced women's state anxiety toward gynecological examinations.

In this study, we determined that online training and counseling positively improved women's attitudes toward gynecological examination.We also found that online training and counseling reduced women's state anxiety about gynecological examinations.In the literature, most of the studies on gynecological examination have a descriptive design. This study is important since it contributes to scientific knowledge in determining the attitudes and anxiety levels of women that may affect their status of undergoing gynecological examination.

Effect of Hypnobirthing Training on Fear, Pain, Satisfaction Related to Birth, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

We aimed to determine the effect of Hypnobirthing training on fear of childbirth (FOC), birth pain, birth satisfaction and birth outcomes. This randomized controlled trial study was conducted with 80 nulliparous pregnant who were divided into two groups (experimental group n = 40 and control n = 40) in a maternity hospital. The couples received the training in groups(4 weeks, once a week, 3-hour, group session). The mean score of hypnobirthing group for the whole Wijma Birth Expectancy/Experience Scale was significantly lower than that of the routine care group (p < .001).In the latent, active, and transitional phases of labor, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)scores of the experimental groups were found to be significantly lower than those of the control group (p < .001).The experimental group's rates of birth intervention were significantly lower and their deliveries period were shorter, than those that of the routine control group (p < .001).In addition, the vaginal delivery rates (p = .037)and the scores for the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) were also found to be higher than those of the control group (p < .001).

Knowledge and Opinions of Postpartum Mothers About the Lactational Amenorrhea Method: The Turkish Experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate mothers' opinions and knowledge about the contraceptive feature of breastfeeding. BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is quite beneficial in terms of mother, baby, and public health. Although it has long been known to have a contraceptive effect and although it is common in many countries, women usually do not use it as a contraceptive method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive study and included 400 mothers in their early postpartum period. Data were collected with a questionnaire at face-to-face interviews within 3 days of giving birth. Obtained data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: One third of the mothers were primiparous and 66.5% of the mothers had breastfeeding experience. Of these, 38.9% of the mothers said that they received knowledge about the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding and 68.9% of these mothers received this knowledge from a nurse. Seventeen percent of the mothers receiving this knowledge reported that breastfeeding was a contraceptive and 1.8% of the mothers reported that it was sometimes contraceptive. Around 41.3% of the mothers thought that they would be able to use breastfeeding as a contraceptive method. Almost all the mothers wanted to get information about the contraceptive feature of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: As our research shows, four of every five mothers in their early postpartum period turned out to believe that breastfeeding was not contraceptive, although the mothers are very eager and ready for this information. Therefore, it is important that health professionals providing antenatal and postnatal counseling about breastfeeding and contraception should offer women accurate information about this method.

Misconceptions about the side effects of combined oral contraceptive pills.

OBJECTIVE: Although combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) are one of the most commonly used methods of contraception in western countries, they are taken by only a minority of sexually active women in Turkey. The purpose of this research has been to define women's specific misconceptions with regard to the side effects of COCPs. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional research was conducted on 418 reproductive aged women who agreed to participate. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a questionnaire which assessed socio-demographic characteristics and women's beliefs about the side effects of COCPs. RESULTS: It is observed that 45.2% believed that the pills cause weight gain. Another 7.9% of the cases held the belief that COCPs cause cancer. A group of 13.4% of the subjects thought that COCPs lead to infertility, 28.7% believed that they cause headache, 41.1% believed that they cause acne and/or an increase in body hair, and 11.7% were afraid that they cause a decrease in libido. CONCLUSION: The present study has shown that misconceptions about the side effects of COCPs were considerably prevalent among this cohort group of Turkish women. Healthcare professionals have the potential of playing an important role in dispersing these misconceptions.

Influence of employment status on menopausal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the variation of climacteric symptoms among working and nonworking postmenopausal Turkish women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled a random sample of 132 women (66 employed, 66 not employed). Sociodemographic data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire. Menopause symptomatology was assessed using the Climacteric Complaint Tool. RESULTS: All women had a similar sociodemographic background. A significantly greater percentage of nonworking women suffered from hot flushes, difficulty in sleeping, headache, irritability, depressive mood, muscle and joint pain, and urinary problems. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the employment status had a significant effect on the experience of climacteric symptoms even after adjustments for education status and income adequacy. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the employment status might contribute to significant variations in climacteric symptomatology.

The effect of postnatal breastfeeding education/support offered at home 3 days after delivery on breastfeeding duration and knowledge: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding education/support offered at home on day 3 postpartum on breastfeeding duration and knowledge. METHODS: The study included a total of 60 women who gave birth at Zübeyde Hanim Maternity Hospital located in Aydin, Turkey. In addition to a standard breastfeeding education in the first few hours after delivery, which was provided to all women in this "baby-friendly initiative" (BFI) hospital, the mothers in the intervention group received breastfeeding education at home on day 3 postpartum from supporters. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of maternal and neonatal characteristics. The breastfeeding education/support offered during a home visit on day 3 postpartum was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of exclusively breastfed infants both at 2 weeks and 6 weeks, and at 6 months, and was also associated with a significant increase in exclusive breastfeeding and in total breastfeeding duration. In addition, increased breastfeeding knowledge scores were observed in the intervention group at 2 weeks and at 6 weeks after delivery, when compared with the respective scores in the control group. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding education offered at home on day 3 postpartum was effective in increasing the breastfeeding duration and breastfeeding knowledge.

The effect of Turkish bath on QT dispersion.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that QT intervals might differ from each other on electrocardiogram (ECG). It is also known that diversity of QT interval between derivations is an indicator of heterogeneity of repolarization and it is a leading electrophysiological cause of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden heart death. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the Turkish bath on QT dispersion. METHODS: A total of 47 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the prospective study. The 12-lead ECG recordings were taken in all subjects before and after bath and QT dispersions were calculated. Blood pressure and the heart rate of each patient were recorded. QT dispersion was defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum QT intervals occurring in any of the 12 leads. Statistical analysis were performed using Wilcoxon rank test and paired t test. RESULTS: The mean age was 49.47+/-11.64 years; range was between 23-70 years. The mean temperature of the bath was 39.72+/-1.75 degrees C, mean humidity percent was 84.42+/-4.74%. QTc dispersion were respectively determined as 0.047+/-0.025 sec and 0.047+/-0.019 sec (p=0.981) before and after bath. We determined no correlation between duration time at bath and QTc dispersion (r=-0.069 p=0.646). CONCLUSION: In our study we found no meaningful difference in QTc dispersion in individuals who take bath. Our study is the first study in which we evaluated QTc dispersion in high temperature and humidity environment of the bath and we did not determine any effect on QTc dispersion.

Knowledge and attitudes of health care providers working in primary health care units concerning emergency contraception.

AIMS: The aim of the current study was to explore the extent of knowledge health care providers working in primary health care units in Aydin, Turkey, had about emergency contraception (EC), to determine whether they provide EC counseling, and to understand the barriers and misconceptions in this context. METHODS: A total of 120 health care professionals working in primary health care units agreed to participate, including 71 midwives (59.2%), 21 nurses (17.5%), and 28 general practitioners (23.3%). RESULTS: The study demonstrated that health care providers working in primary health care units had inadequate knowledge about EC. However, it also showed that study participants who had received education on EC were more likely to provide EC counseling during routine family planning counseling and were more knowledgeable about EC. A remarkable majority of the participants were aware of their knowledge deficit and were willing to receive education on EC. The present study also indicated that EC options were not made known to women as part of routine family planning counseling. CONCLUSION: While the educational needs of health care providers concerning EC should be met, there is a need for new interventions to improve the attitudes toward and actions of primary health care providers regarding EC.

A qualitative study of the information needs of premenopausal women with breast cancer in terms of contraception, sexuality, early menopause, and fertility.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the information needed and received by premenopausal Turkish women with breast cancer regarding contraception, early menopause, infertility, fertility preservation, and sexuality. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory methodology was used whereby an interviewer met on 2 occasions with women with breast cancer. The participants-who were recruited from the oncology clinic of Adnan Menderes University Hospital, Aydin, Turkey-were premenopausal, younger than 50 years of age, and had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past year. Raw data were sorted under themes. RESULTS: Premenopausal women with breast cancer received insufficient counseling on contraception, early menopause, infertility, fertility preservation, and sexuality, despite their willingness to receive information. CONCLUSION: In Turkey, premenopausal women with breast cancer should receive comprehensive information and counseling from oncology staff on the issues studied. The present study may guide future research on this topic.

Knowledge, practices, and barriers concerning the use of emergency contraception among women of reproductive age at a university hospital of Aydin, Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the extent of knowledge and use of emergency contraception among women of reproductive age and to identify barriers existing in Turkey in this context. There is limited research regarding the knowledge and use and barriers to emergency contraception use, since the prepackaged form of hormonal emergency contraception has been available over the counter in Turkey. METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 257 women. Data were collected through face to face interviews with a questionnaire on sociodemographic features, knowledge, use and barriers to emergency contraception. RESULTS: The rate of unintended pregnancies and abortions was noteworthy in the study, where 36.3% of the subjects revealed previous unintended pregnancies and 62.3% of them had undergone surgical termination or spontaneous loss. Remarkably, 42.1% of the respondents had never heard of emergency contraception. Common barriers to the use of emergency contraception were lack of awareness, misconceptions that the pills are abortion-inducing and unavailable without prescription, and anxiety about harming the fetus. The results indicated differences in practice, although emergency contraception is included in contraception counseling. Sixty percent of the subjects counseled by healthcare professionals stated that they were not informed about emergency contraception; a majority expressed a willingness to receive such information. CONCLUSION: Our study has revealed knowledge deficiency on the part of reproductive-aged women about the effective use, safety, mechanism of action, availability without prescription and legal status of emergency contraception. Client barriers were also found, particularly a lack of awareness. Healthcare professionals are in a key position to provide information and to overcome the barriers.