The effect of the COVID-19 social distancing measures on Turkish women's mental well-being and burnout levels: A cross-sectional study.

Lockdown and social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic increase women's responsibilities and influence their mental health. This study aimed to assess the effect of COVID-19 social distancing measures on mental well-being and burnout levels of women using an online cross-sectional survey in Turkey. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, The Burnout Measure, and Sociodemographic form were used in this study. All analyses were performed on a sample of 438 women aged between 18 and 65. The mean score of mental well-being was 47.86 (SD = 10.04) and the mean score of burnout was 3.86 (SD = 1.16). Being younger than 30 years old (t = 2.14, P = 0.033), having undergraduate education or above (F = 5.09, P = 0.007), part-time working (F = 5.39, P = 0.005), attending to school (t = 2.68, P = 0.008), having COVID-19 symptoms (t = 6.01, P < 0.001), and perceiving spousal emotional support (F = 3.47, P = 0.016) were the factors associated with high burnout. Being older than 30 years old (z = -3.11, P = 0.002), full time working (H = 11.96, P = 0.003), not attending to school (z = -2.09, P = 0.036), perceiving spousal emotional (H = 13.22, P = 0.004), or social (H = 13.11, P = 0.004) support were the factors associated with higher mental well-being. Age (ß = -0.03, P = 0.001), having two or more children (ß = 0.42, P = 0.015), and perceiving COVID-19 symptoms (ß = -0.73, P < 0.001) were the predictors of women's burnout. This study shows that mental well-being and burnout levels of women in Turkey have been considerably affected as a result of social distancing measures taken with the first wave of the pandemic. Findings signal the immediate need for targeted mental health nursing interventions. Therefore, technology-based mental health support programmes are recommended to be designed and utilized by mental health nurses.

Investigation of Medication Adherence and Factors Affecting It in Patients With Stroke.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is important in reducing the rate of secondary stroke in patients previously given a diagnosis of stroke. Therefore, there is a need to examine medication adherence and the factors affecting it in these patients. This study aimed to examine medication adherence in patients with stroke and the factors affecting it. METHODS: This study adopted a descriptive and cross-sectional design carried carried out on 183 stroke patients. Data were obtained between January and December 2019 using a sociodemographic and clinical characteristics form, the Morisky's Questions - Self-Reported Measure of Medication Adherence, the Turkish translation of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the revised Turkish version of Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with high medication adherence was 33.9%. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with stroke were found as not effective factors in medication adherence. Specific concerns and general overuse in the Turkish translation of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire were found as factors affecting medication adherence. The Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale and its subscales were found to be not effective factors in medication adherence. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the proportion of patients with high medication adherence was low. Patients' concerns about the possible side effects of their prescribed medications and beliefs about the overuse of medications negatively affected their medication adherence. It is recommended that nurses evaluate patients' medication adherence and beliefs about medications during hospitalization, discharge, or home visits. Structured nurse-led intervention programs are needed to enhance patients' medication adherence and beliefs about their medications.

The effects of ethnocentrism and some features on intercultural sensitivity in nursing students: A comparative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses should provide culturally sensitive care by being aware of the cultural characteristics, values and beliefs of the individuals for whom they are responsible. Nursing education must provide a foundation for the development of intercultural sensitivity. AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ethnocentric attitudes and some characteristics of nursing students on their intercultural sensitivities. METHODS: A comparative descriptive design was used to collect data from nursing students in two universities located in the west and the east of Turkey (N = 535; students from the east: n = 202; students from west: n = 333) Data were collected using the socio-demographic characteristics form, the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) and the Ethnocentrism Scale. RESULTS: When both students from east and west in Turkey were compared in terms of ISS total scores, a statistically significant difference was found between the students in terms of pervious place of residence, taking the intercultural nursing course, acquaintance with people of other cultures, having experience abroad and speaking another language (p < .05). When both students from east and west were compared in terms of the ethnocentrism scale total scores, a statistically significant difference was found between the students in terms of the gender, the year of the education, previous place of residence, taking the intercultural nursing course, acquaintance with people of other cultures, having experience abroad and having friends from different countries (p < .05). According to the linear regression analysis, the intercultural sensitivity of students was found to be significantly affected by ethnocentrism. CONCLUSIONS: Intercultural nursing courses and concepts such as intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism should be given a more comprehensive place in the curriculum to increase intercultural sensitivities and reduce ethnocentrism.

The Effect of Perceived Social Support of Syrian Mothers on Their Infant Feeding Attitudes.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of perceived social support of mothers who were Syrian refugees in Turkey on attitudes toward feeding their babies. DESIGN AND METHOD: This study used a cross-sectional design and investigated the demographic characteristics, perceived social support, and infant feeding attitudes of the mothers who migrated from Syria and came to the Health Education Center for Immigrants to receive healthcare services. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers (n = 150) who participated in the study was 24.51 + 5.84 years, and the mean duration of their stay in Turkey was 4.12 ± 1.57 years. The mean number of pregnancies of the mothers was 2.62 ± 1.4, and the mean number of children was 2.33 ± 1.28. As a result of the analysis, we have determined that thesub-dimension of perceived social support from a special person significantly affects the continuation of breastfeeding of mothers during the first six months (p < 0.05). The perceived social support of mothers and other variables in the model were found to explain 14.6% of the breastfeeding attitude. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The attitudes of Syrian mothers toward feeding their babies were affected by perceived social support from a special person. It is recommended to aidsocial support systems for immigrant women to develop positive attitudes toward breastfeeding.

The relationship between adolescents' nutrition literacy and food habits, and affecting factors.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutrition literacy (NL) and food habits (FH) in adolescents, and the factors affecting the relationship. DESIGN: The study used a cross-sectional design. The data were collected using socio-demographic information forms, the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) and the Adolescent Food Habit Checklist (AFHC). The socio-demographic characteristics of adolescents were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the factors affecting NL and FH were determined using the t test, Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA. The correlation between ANLS and AFHC scores was tested with correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis was employed to predict the change in the NL of adolescents at the level of FH. SETTING: The study was conducted in the city of Izmir in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: The study consisted of a total of 467 adolescents. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between NL of adolescents and their gender, education level of the father, grade, BMI values and daily lifestyle behaviours (DLB), as well as between their FH and DLB. There was a positive and significant relationship between ANLS and AFHC. The ANLS and its subscales were found to have a statistically significant effect on AFHC. According to the linear regression analysis, the nutritional habits of adolescents were found to be significantly affected by NL (ß = 0·357). CONCLUSIONS: As ANLS scores increased, AFHC scores were determined to increase as well. This finding shows that the FH of adolescents have changed positively with increase in their NL.

The effect of the disaster management training program among nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of the Jennings Disaster Nursing Management Model-based and learning management system-assisted six-module training programme on nursing students' disaster preparedness perceptions and response self-efficacy. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This randomized controlled trial used a two group comparison design, experimental group (n = 127), and control group (n = 108), carried out with third-year nursing students in a city in the west of Turkey. MEASURES: Data included a socio-demographic form, the Disaster Preparedness Perception Scale in Nurses (DPPSN) and the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES). RESULTS: After the training, disaster preparedness perceptions and the response self-efficacy of the EG increased significantly (p < .05). This study had a moderate effect on participants' knowledge and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Public health nurses are health professionals with important roles and responsibilities in the stages of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery that is all stages of disaster management. This theoretical-based program can be considered for both students and nursing professionals.

Psychometric Testing of the Turkish Version of the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: When stroke survivors return to their lives in society, they often face issues such as physical or cognitive impairment, dependence on others, social isolation, and reduced self-esteem, which may lead to disastrous consequences in patients' self-perceived self-efficacy and self-confidence in everyday life. Self-efficacy plays an important role in the well-being of stroke patients. Accurate assessment of the stroke patients' self-efficacy by health professionals is critical to obtaining data regarding their functioning levels. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (T-SSEQ). METHODS: A sample of 185 stroke patients (mean age = 64.78 ± 10.7) was recruited from a university hospital in Izmir, Turkey. Data were collected between April and October 2016. Translation and back-translation processes were used to translate the T-SSEQ into Turkish. Data were analyzed using the Rasch partial credit model with the Winsteps program to investigate the response scale analysis, tests of fit to the model, unidimensionality, local dependency, item and person separation reliability, separation index, and differential item functioning. RESULTS: The Rasch analysis showed goodness of fit for both the activity and self-management subscales. Moreover, both scales were identified as being unidimensional in structure. Furthermore, the participants were able to distinguish between the categories of the response options, and scale reliability was supported for both subscales using Rasch analyses. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These results indicate that the T-SSEQ is acceptable for use with Turkish stroke patients in both practice and research settings. Furthermore, the questionnaire is suitable for nurses to use in designing interventions and evaluating stroke patients' self-efficacy in clinics, home care, and rehabilitation centers.

Skin Cancer-Sun Knowledge and Sun Protection Behaviors of Liver Transplant Recipients in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to compare liver transplant recipients (LTRs) with the general population regarding their knowledge of skin cancer, sun health, sun protection behaviors, and affecting factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey between March 2016 and September 2016 with 104 LTRs and 100 participants from the general population group (GPG). The mean age of the LTRs was 53.2 ± 11.8 and that of the GPG was 42.7 ± 14.5. The LTRs' skin cancer and sun knowledge were significantly lower than in the GPG, but there was no difference between the two groups in terms of their sun protection behavior scores. The most commonly used sun protection behaviors of LTRs were not being outside and not sunbathing between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wearing clothing that covers the skin, and avoiding the solarium. Behaviors commonly practiced by the GPG were wearing sunglasses, wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher before going outside, wearing sunscreen at the beach, while swimming or doing physical activity outside, and reapplying it every 2 h. Results of our study will contribute to the development of education and training programs for LTRs on skin cancer. The results also demonstrated the importance of practicing adequate sun protection behaviors which will certainly impact their future health.

Effects on urinary outcome of patients and caregivers' burden of pelvic floor muscle exercises based on the health belief model done at home by post-stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) done by stroke patients at home in line with the health belief model (HBM) on patient care outcomes and caregivers' burdens. METHOD: In the study, a quasi-experimental design with a pre- and post-test control group was used. The study was conducted with 20 patients in the experimental group and 18 patients in the control group. The patients and caregivers were evaluated at baseline and after the 12-week PFME intervention performed at home. The data were analyzed with the chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed rank test and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the mean scores they obtained from the ICIQ-SF and I-QOL, the number of urinary incontinence episodes, pad test after interventions and quality of life scores (p < 0.05), while no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the mean scores for the Burden Interview (p > 0.05). An increase was determined in the self-efficacy of the patients in the experimental group after the PFMEs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Given the results of the present study, it is recommended that in the management of post-stroke urinary incontinence, post-stroke patients should be encouraged to do PFME at home in line with the HBM, and they should be monitored periodically.

Cultural attitudes of society towards tuberculosis patients: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the view on tuberculosis of individuals living in an urban setting. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted between April and May in 2015 in in the Balcova region of Izmir, Turkey, and comprised healthy adults who did not have tuberculosis. Data was collected via information form of socio-demographic features and a semi-structured questionnaire. Focus group interviews were conducted. Data collection was terminated when data reached saturation point. Data was analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis of 26 subjects in all revealed three main themes; information about tuberculosis, perceptions, attitudes and behaviour regarding tuberculosis or tuberculosis patients and stigmatisation and its causes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings showed that participants didn't have sufficient information about tuberculosis, had prejudices and fears about the disease and patients, and isolated them.

Experiences Related to Urinary Incontinence of Stroke Patients: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

INTRODUCTION: Poststroke urinary incontinence is a common problem, with a prevalence ranging from 32% to 79%. Urinary incontinence after stroke has negative physiological, psychological, and economic effects, which lead to lifestyle changes for both patients and caregivers. Nurses play an important role in preventing and improving incontinence, understanding the experiences of individuals experiencing incontinence, providing healthcare for them, and implementing behavioral therapy methods. The aim of this study was to determine the experience related to urinary incontinence of stroke patients. METHODS: In this qualitative descriptive study, using semistructured interviews, 15 participants with urinary incontinence after stroke selected through purposeful sampling were interviewed. Data were collected with a semistructured interview form prepared within the framework of the Health Belief Model. All data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: "perception of urinary incontinence," "effects of urinary incontinence," and "management of urinary incontinence." The respondents explained that urinary incontinence also adversely affected their caregivers. They experienced many daily life and psychological problems because of urinary incontinence. In addition, they made several changes to management urinary incontinence such as limiting fluid intake, changing underwear frequently, using waterproof mattress protectors, applying traditional practice, and taking medicine. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that stroke patients needed help and support for urinary incontinence management. Nurses should provide information about management and urinary incontinence after stroke.

Psychometric Testing of the Turkish Version of the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale in Nursing Students.

The present study aimed assesses the nursing students' knowledge of skin cancer and sun and their sun protection behaviors. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed from May to June 2014 with a convenience sample of 376 undergraduate nursing students from one nursing faculty located in Izmir. Mean age of the students was 21.56 ± 1.96 years. The mean score that the females obtained from the level of knowledge and protection behaviors scales was significantly higher than that of the males. Older age group (≥22 years) obtained higher scores on the knowledge and protection behaviors scales than younger group (≤21 years). Nursing students' knowledge of, and behavior regarding, skin cancer and sun health were insufficient. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and behaviors related to skin cancer and sun health by developing training programs and strategies on the issue is of utmost importance.

Industrial working conditions and the treatment of child workers in Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to determine working conditions for children working at industry descriptive study was conducted between May and June 2010 and included 249 workers 18 years at a Kahramanmaras industry site. Study data demonstrated that 33.3% of the children were 18 working in a mechanics store, 82.3% were working 9 to 12 hours a day, 68.7% were earning a Turkish Liras, and only 22 were using annual leave. These children started working under the age entered into the work force and quit school. Also, it was found that working conditions were was instituted in many workplaces.