The effect of a mobile application for patients living with gynaecological cancer on their physical and psychosocial adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Education of patients with cancer and patient self-management allow better clinical outcomes using e-health or mobile health applications. AIMS: To develop a mobile application to increase the physical and psychosocial adaptation for patients with gynecological cancer who are receiving chemotherapy and to investigate the effectiveness of the mobile application. METHODS: This study was planned as a parallel, single-blind, pre-post test randomised controlled experimental study in which two groups (intervention-control) will be compared. A total of 52 gynecological cancer patients were planned to be included in the study. FINDINGS: This study is in the protocol stage. Therefore, the results of the study have not yet been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based information within JineOnkolojik Destek provides rich data on coping with chemotherapy. In addition, the visual and auditory elements, real patient stories and videos, and the ability to ask questions and receive counselling from the research team can positively affect the physical and psychosocial health of the cancer survivors.

The level of cancer-related concerns and affecting factors in Turkish cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To examine and compare the level of cancer-related concerns and affecting factors between cancer survivors who completed their treatment and those still receiving treatment. DESIGN: The study has a cross-sectional comparative design. METHODS: Convenience sampling was used and the study included 350 Turkish cancer survivors. Data were collected between March and June 2022 online with a descriptive characteristics form and the Assessment of Survivor Concerns. Obtained data were analysed with numbers, percentages, mean values, t-test and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The cancer survivors who completed their treatment had a significantly higher level of concerns than those who were still on treatment. Female cancer survivors, cancer survivors with less than 5-year time elapsing after diagnosis and gynaecological cancer survivors with completed cancer treatment can also have a higher level of cancer-related concerns. CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors who have completed their treatment have a higher level of concerns than those who still receive treatment. Gender, time elapsing after diagnosis and type of cancer affect the level of concerns. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nurses should evaluate psychosocial care and needs of cancer survivors in addition to their physical care. Raising awareness about the concerns of the cancer survivors with completed treatment in addition to those still receiving treatment and providing holistic care to them can reduce their concerns. IMPACT: It is of great importance to be aware of the factors likely to increase cancer-related concerns during and after cancer treatment. This study identifies cancer-related concerns in cancer survivors who completed or were still receiving treatment and provides a comparison with other studies in the literature. REPORTING METHOD: We have adhered to STROBE statement using STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement.

Experiences of Muslim women living with gynaecological cancer and family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Cancer has a large impact on the life of the diagnosed person and also their caregivers, who are typically family members. The impact of cancer on a Muslim woman and her caregivers has not been well researched because of cultural and social constraits. AIMS: The aim of this study was to explorel the experiences of Muslim women with gynaecological cancers and their family caregivers. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted. A convenience sample was used in the research. FINDINGS: The study findings were grouped into four major themes: the initial reaction to a cancer diagnosis from women and their caregivers, difficulties the patient and caregiver experienced (physiological, psychological, social and sexual), coping with cancer and expectations that caregivers and patients have of the institution and the health personnel. It was determined that during this disease and treatment, both the patients and caregivers faced difficulties, which can be categorised as physiological, psychological, social and sexual. Muslim women with gynaecological cancer frequently used coping behaviours, such as worshiping and believing that illness and healing come from God during the illness process. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and their family caregivers lived through various difficulties. Healthcare professionals need to consider the expectations of patients with gynecological cancer, alongside those of their family caregivers. Nurses can help Muslim patients and their families cope with the problems they experience by being aware of the positive coping methods of Muslim cancer patients and their caregivers. Nurses should consider individuals' religious beliefs and cultural differences while giving care.

Effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of covid-19 during the covid-19 pandemic: A single-blind randomised controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A single-blind randomised controlled trial comparing two groups: an antenatal education group and a control group. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 44 pregnant women. MEASUREMENTS: A demographic data form, The Oxford Worries on Labour Scale, The Fear of Birth Scale, The Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used for data collection. FINDINGS: Online antenatal education decreased worries about labour, fear of childbirth and fear of COVID-19 and improved preparedness for labour. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Online antenatal education offered during the COVID-19 pandemic is effective in preparedness for labour. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As an alternative, online antenatal education should be offered to pregnant women unable to attend face to face education programs due to fear of transmission of infection.

The effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on vaccine decisions in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is an important time for developing attitudes and beliefs about childhood vaccinations. Vaccinations are among the most effective way of preventing some infectious diseases. Discussions on vaccinations have increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic and there is an opportunity to give society correct information on vaccinations. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the opinions of pregnant women on vaccinations in pregnancy and childhood and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on these views. METHODS: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study. The sample included 152 pregnant women. Data were collected through a 25-item online questionnaire created by the researchers. RESULTS: It was found in our study that 29.6% of pregnant women using forum websites exhibited hesitant attitudes towards vaccinations. The vaccine hesitancy rate was found to be high in pregnant women who said that their economic level was low and who worried about the risks of vaccination. The Covid-19 pandemic was reported to be the cause of a decrease in vaccine hesitancy in 28.9% of the participants. CONCLUSION: The events surrounding the pandemic provided an opportunity to explain how pregnant women feel about vaccinations. Providing pregnant women with access to correct information from health workers may reduce the problem of trust, which is among the most important reasons for vaccine hesitancy.

Why are first time expectant fathers afraid of birth? : A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the fears associated with childbirth among first time expectant fathers and the reasons for these fears. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive, phenomenological approach was used. The sampling was composed of 16 men who were first time expectant fathers, who were at least primary school graduates, who were 18 years of age or older, whose partner was in her final trimester week of pregnancy, who did not have any psychiatric problems and who stated that they had a fear of childbirth. RESULTS: The data were collected under the two main themes of fears about childbirth and the reasons for the fears. It was found that the expectant fathers had fears associated with the complications that could develop during childbirth and with the health personnel. CONCLUSIONS: There were various fears associated with childbirth among expectant fathers. The reasons for the fears were mostly the negative stories heard. Health personnel have important duties in defining and decreasing the fears of expectant fathers associated with childbirth. It should not be forgotten that expectant fathers are also a part of childbirth in antenatal education.

Fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their partners in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify and compare the fear of childbirth and associated factors among pregnant women and their partners. METHODS: This was a descriptive and relational study. A total of 564 people, 282 women and their partners, were included in the study. Data were collected using two forms: the Personal Information Form and the Fear of Birth Scale. RESULTS: The study found that 82.6% of the women and 54.3% of their partners had a fear of childbirth. Economic status, parity, previous birth experience, and preferred delivery method affected the fear of childbirth among the women (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, and p = 0.030, respectively). Age, parity, education level, economic status, preferred delivery method, and previous birth experience of their partner affected the fear of childbirth among the men (p = 0.036, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.004, and p = 0.000, respectively). A positive, significant, moderate relationship was found between the fear of childbirth among the women and their partners (r = 0.602, p = 0.000). Fear of childbirth affected both the women's and their partners' preferred delivery method (p = 0.000 and p = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Partners had a fear of childbirth as well, although the rate of this fear was higher among women. Fear of childbirth caused the couples to prefer cesarean section. There was a relationship between the fear of childbirth among the women and their partners.