Evaluation of the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and mental status of female employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the physical, mental, and social well-being of humans worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and mental state of female employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 726 participants. Data was collected using the Personal Information Form, fear of COVID-19 scale, and brief symptom inventory. RESULTS: The fear experienced by women during the social isolation and quarantine period was associated with depression, anxiety, somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety and paranoid experiences. CONCLUSION: Women, young people, the elderly and single individuals were most likely affected psychologically during the pandemic. Thus, interventions and psychological evaluations are recommended at an early stage to minimize this effect. Such interventions must be implemented considering the strategic planning and coordination of risk groups.

The development of pressure scale toward marriage and fertility in social structure.

In some cultures, giving birth and marriage adds value to women, while being single can cause women to be exposed to social and individual pressures. There are currently no instruments available in the literature for assessing how pressure women feel to be married and have children. This study aimed to develop the Marriage and Fertility Pressure Scale (PSMF) by measuring the marriage and fertility pressure on single women. The study contacted 360 single women via women's health and social groups on social networking sites. Cronbach's alpha values of the marriage pressure and fertility pressure were 0.94 and 0.82, respectively. The factor analysis of the marriage and fertility pressure subscales revealed a six-dimensional structure explaining 59.26 percent and 60.54 percent of the total variance, respectively. In conclusion, this study was important in developing a highly reliable and valid PSMF measurement tool to measure the pressure on women in terms of marriage and fertility. The widespread use of the scale in public health research will increase the sensitivity and awareness of the people about the pressure on single women. Moreover, this scale will contribute to the evaluation of the social and individual pressure differences in the research to be carried out on marriage and childbirth between societies.

Effects of Surgical and Natural Menopause on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Dyadic Adjustment: A Descriptive and Comparative Study.

This study aimed to assess body image, self-esteem, and dyadic adjustment in surgically menopausal, naturally menopausal, and perimenopausal women. This descriptive and comparative study was conducted in the clinics and polyclinic of a university hospital with a total of 274 women: 91 in the surgical menopause, 91 in the natural menopause, and 92 in the perimenopause groups. An Individual Introduction Form, the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) were used for data collection. The women in the surgical menopause group had significantly higher mean scores for RSES and BCS and lower mean scores for DAS than the women in the natural menopause and perimenopause groups, with the higher BCS and RSES scores indicating lower self-esteem and body satisfaction. A weak negative correlation was found among dyadic adjustment, self-esteem, and body image of women in the surgical menopause group. Results showed that body image, self-esteem, and dyadic adjustment in menopausal women were impaired. This impairment was greater in the surgical menopause group than in the natural menopause group. Additionally, the presence of comorbid chronic diseases, less education, and being overweight negatively affected dyadic adjustment in women. Clinicians' awareness of the importance of the psychological aspects of menopause and the difference in the effects of menopause transition on mental well-being (body image, self-esteem, and marital harmony) according to the occurrence of menopause will enable them to help patients cope more easily with this process.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy and labour pain: a cross-sectional study from turkey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by and attitudes towards CAM of Turkish women during pregnancy and birth. METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study that included 260 women who gave birth in a university hospital. The Personal Information Form and Complementary, Alternative and Conventional Medicine Attitudes Scale (CACMAS) were used as data collection tools. RESULTS: A total of 71.5% of the pregnant women received CAM. Phytotherapy, spiritual meditation and therapeutic touch techniques were the most frequently used techniques. A total of 42.7% women used herbal products. The mean score of the women on the CACMAS scale was 108.37 ± 7.71; this result indicates that pregnant women had a positive attitude. There were significant differences in attitudes according to marital status, education level and place of residence. It was determined that there was a significant difference in the CACMAS scores of the women according to the symptoms experienced during pregnancy, CAM use during pregnancy and the concerns about triggering preterm birth by using CAM methods (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the women commonly used CAM methods during pregnancy, the rate of using these methods during birth considerably decreased. Despite such widespread use, pregnant women have concerns about CAM methods. Therefore, health professionals must actively provide counselling on CAM methods for the protection of maternal and infant health.

Psychological and social impact and lifestyle changes among pregnant women of COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the challenges faced by pregnant women and their daily life activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, to assess the psychological impacts of the pandemic and their expectations to improve women's mental health, thereby increasing the awareness of healthcare professionals of the subject. METHODS: The research was conducted with the participation of 30 pregnant women, who were selected by purposive sampling using the phenomenological approach, between 15 June 2020 and 15 August 2020. Telephone interviews were conducted with pregnant women due to social isolation measures during the Coronavirus pandemic. RESULTS: In the study, the following four themes were determined: (a) measures taken against the pandemic, (b) problems regarding the antenatal period during the pandemic, (c) gestation period and change in social life, (d) psychological effects of the pandemic and methods for coping with them. Also, 14 sub-themes were determined regarding these themes. CONCLUSION: The results of the study revealed that the pandemic had multidimensional impacts on pregnant women, including their social life and physical health. Psychologically, it caused many negative emotional states, particularly concerns and fears. During the pandemic, healthcare professionals should be aware of the needs of pregnant women and plan protective and informative interventions for both their physiological and psychological health.

Awareness about Gynecologic Cancers and Related Factors among Healthy Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The risk of cancer-related mortality and morbidity decreases when women are aware of the risk factors for gynecologic cancers and implement strategies such as attending relevant early screening programs. This cross-sectional study conducted between August 2017 and August 2018 at a public hospital in Turkey aimed to determine the awareness about gynecologic cancers among healthy women by utilized the Krieger's ecosocial theory as a framework for the study. The study included 554 Turkish women aged 18-65 years. Data were collected using the Gynecological Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS) and a questionnaire designed in this study. Significant differences were noted between the average GCAS score and variables such as the amount of menstrual bleeding, entering menopause, a history of reproductive system disease, regular gynecological examination (including Pap test), regular vaginal self-examination, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), genital hygiene behavior, the fear of having cancer, having knowledge about cancer, and requiring information about cancer (p < .05). Despite the high level of awareness about gynecologic cancer among these women, the lack of proper knowledge and preventive measures was high. Having knowledge about gynecologic cancers results in increased awareness; however, the level of knowledge is not sufficient to prevent gynecologic cancers, which shows the need for sufficient and effective cancer screening and education programs.

The impact of violence against women courses on the attitudes of nursing students toward violence against women and their professional roles.

This study determines whether the inclusion of violence against women (VAW) education in nursing curricula would improve attitudes and professional help toward victims of violence. Research was carried out as cross-sectional and comparative quasi-experimental study. The research included 524 students; 262 students were trained and 262 were untrained. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic and Personal Charaterics Form, Attitude toward Violence Scale (AVS), and Attitude toward Occupational Roles in Violence Scale (AORVS). The overall average AVS score of students was 30.81 ± 8.68 and overall average AORVS score was 25.50 ± 6.86. There were significant differences in AVS scores and AORVS scores between the experimental and control groups. The scale and sub-dimension mean scores of the students who received the course were significantly lower; it was determined that obtaining low scores reflected divergence from traditionalism and increase in modern opinions in the evaluation of the scales. It is clear that undergraduate courses are an ideal opportunity to initiate changes in attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV) and equip graduates with comprehensive knowledge of IPV. This study demonstrates that meeting professional and information needs about VAW by revising nursing curricula is important.

Investigating Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Women of Reproductive Age and Factors Affecting It.

This descriptive study was designed to investigate the pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) of women aged 18 to 49 years and to examine the factors that may have an effect on PFMS. The study was conducted on 258 women who visited a gynecology outpatient clinic between January 2019 and January 2020, who met the research criteria, and who agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Information Form. The Modified Oxford Scale (MOS) and a perineometer were used to evaluate the PFMS of the women. The mean PFMS value measured using the perineometer was 31.56 ± 12.17 cmH2O (moderate pressure). The PFMS values were 20.00 to 29.9 cmH2O (weak pressure) and 30.00 to 39.9 cmH2O (moderate pressure) in 23.6% of the women, respectively. The PFMS values measured with MOS were of grade 3 strength (moderate pressure) in 23.6% of the women and grade 2 strength (weak pressure) in 23.3%. A statistically significant strong correlation was found between the perineometer measurement and the women's MOS values. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the PFMS values measured with the perineometer, MOS scores, and women's age groups, educational status, marital status, employment status, income status, persistent cough, use of nicotine, alcohol and coffee consumptions, chronic constipation, history of frequent urinary tract infections, regular exercise, body mass index, history of pregnancy, mode of delivery, use of episiotomy at birth, perineal rupture at birth, use of forceps vacuum at birth, multiple pregnancies, delivery of a baby weighing ≥4,000 g, treatment during pregnancy, hysterectomy, menopause, frequency of sexual intercourse, and pain during sexual intercourse (p < .05). We conclude that most of the women in the study had weak to moderate PFMS, that the evaluation of PFMS with the MOS positively overlapped with the perineometric measurements, and that a number of sociodemographic and obstetric variables act as risk factors that affect PFMS. The PFMS of all women should be assessed as part of their routine gynecological examinations.

"The worst time of my life": Treatment-related stress and unmet needs of women living with infertility.

Approximately 12% of women in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term (i.e., infertility). Infertility permeates women's lives and is psychologically, socially and financially burdensome. This study aimed to describe women's experiences regarding infertility and explore factors that women find helpful to alleviate their fertility-related stressors. Using purposive sample, we conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with infertile women. Participants reported multiple infertility treatment-related stressors including (a) difficulty accessing infertility treatment due to financial issues, geographic disparities, and healthcare provider factors; (b) challenges during infertility treatment related to painful, embarrassing, confusing treatments, side effects, and healthcare providers' failures to fully address women's needs. The stories and findings add to a body of literature that elucidate significant stressors that women encounter in their fertility journey including a desire for empathetic, understandable, and effective treatment and support, and the crucial role of healthcare providers.

Stress, stigma, violence experiences and social support of US infertile women.

Objectives: Previous studies investigated the physical, psychological and sociological effects of infertility; however, stigma and violence experiences of infertile women haven't yet been studied in the US. The objective of the study is to examine the perceived stress, stigma, violence experiences, and social support of US infertile women and to compare with fertile women in order to understand the effects of infertility on stress levels, violence exposures, and support. Methods: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with fertile and infertile women who use social media for an online support group. A convenience sample of 786 women completed an online survey. Results: In the study, 41.6% of participants were fertile and 58.4% were infertile. We found infertile women experienced high levels of stigma and moderate stress. One in five infertile women has been exposed to emotional or physical violence. Compared to fertile women, infertile women had significantly higher perceived stress levels and were less likely to experience emotional or physical violence. Conclusion: These findings highlight that infertile women have experienced stigma and high levels of stress in a developed country. They are also exposed to emotional or physical violence, but surprisingly infertile women are less likely to report violence than fertile women.

Symptoms experiences and attitudes towards menstruation among adolescent girls.

The study aimed to analyse the factors affecting menstrual symptoms and attitudes among adolescent girls and the relationship between them. The sample of the cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical research was composed of 604 adolescent girls studying at a university. Individual Information Form, Menstruation Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) and Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) were used as data collection tool in the research. Average age of the students was 21.22 ± 1.71, and average menstrual cycle length was 29.3 ± 7.85 days. MSQ mean score was 69.84 ± 15.48 and MAQ mean score was 103.10 ± 9.84. These results are important for showing that students perceive menstruation as a natural phenomenon, despite significant menstrual symptoms.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The intensity of menstrual symptoms is associated with negative menstrual attitudes. But, there have been few studies on the relationship between menstruation symptoms and attitudes and their impact on menstrual problems in Turkish adolescents.What the results of this study add? Adolescents' menstrual complaints are common, but their attitudes towards menstruation are positive. The lack of a significant relationship between menstrual symptoms and attitudes were more likely to be explained by the fact that young girls perceive menstruation as a natural phenomenon even though they have so many symptoms.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Further study should be extended to various cultures and destinations to understand the effect of culture on menstruation that rural areas may be surrounded by taboos and myths which might affect the negative attitude.

Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms and risk factors at the first year of postpartum women: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms experienced the first year of postpartum and obstetric risk factors. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted with 408 women between 3 and 12 months postpartum, in Izmir. Results: It was found that urinary incontinence had been experienced by 33.3% of the women during pregnancy and 25.2% postpartum and 2.9% had experienced fecal incontinence. Other frequently experienced symptoms of PFD were in the order of frequency, perineal pain (53.4%), constipation (40.7%), flatulence (34.1%), dyspareunia (27.7%) and fecal incontinence (2.9%). Conclusion: PFD symptoms are common in postpartum women. Early diagnosis, treatment and preventive approaches should be made by healthcare professionals for perinatal pelvic floor health. Impact statement: Healthcare professionals should acknowledge the importance of PFD after birth and identify the problems early period. Our study emphasizes the size of the problem and improvement for PFD.

Knowledge and perception of female nursing students about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and attitudes toward HPV vaccination.

Objective: The researchers aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of first-year female nursing students about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer (CC), and HPV vaccination. Participants: The sample included 690 female nursing students from sampled universities between April and June 2015. Methods: Students were surveyed by using a pretested HPV and CC awareness questionnaire. Results: More than half of the students (65.1%) answered questions incorrectly with a mean HPV knowledge score of 6.085 ± 3.38. The majority of students (82.6%) did not hear HPV vaccine. Only, 2.8% of the students had been vaccinated. A statistically significant relationship was found between HPV knowledge score and hearing about HPV vaccine (U = 28280.500, p = .015), and believing HPV vaccine protectiveness (χ2 = 14.153, p = .001). Conclusions: This study highlights the lack of knowledge and low level of awareness about HPV, CC, and HPV vaccination among first-year nursing college students.

[The Effect of Using High Fidelity Birthing Simulator on Satisfaction and Performance of Nursing Students in Developing Obstetric Skills]. / Obstetrik Becerilerin Gelistirilmesinde Gerçeklige Yakinligi Yüksek Dogum Simülatörü Kullaniminin Hemsirelik Ögrencilerinin Memnuniyet ve Performansi Üzerine Etkisi.

AIM: Research was carried out to examine the effect of training with realizing high fidelity birthing simulator on obstetric skill applications and satisfaction levels of students with in the scope of obstetric diagnostic applications. METHOD: The sample of the research, which was conducted in semi-experimental design, consisted of 90 students. In the study, the students in experiment group with high fidelity birthing simulator (n=47) and the students in control group (n=43) using basic-level modeling, not including advanced technology were in obstetric skills training in order to perform physical examination of pregnant and postpartum women. During collection of research data following forms were used; Obstetric Diagnostic Clinical Skills Guides, Satisfaction from Education Methods Survey and Professional Skills Laboratory Feedback Form. The socio-demographic data obtained from study were evaluated with number and percentage distributions using the Statistical Package for Social Science for Windows Version 15.0 package program. Independent Sample T Test, Mann-Withney U Test and Chi-Square Test were used for comparison between groups. RESULTS: Obstetric skill mean scores of the students in the experiment group were significantly higher than the control group. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of satisfaction with the education method. The students in the experiment group responded more positively to " the suitability of the laboratory physics environment, the adequacy of the materials and adaptation with theoretical knowledge of the laboratory applications. Eighty one percent of the students in the experiment group and 58% of the students in the control group stated that "Laboratory practice" found sufficient. CONCLUSION: When using a high-fidelity birth simulator, students' laboratory skills are more adequate and their feedbacks towards laboratory studies are more positive. As a result of study it is recommended that the simulation-based education is widely used by nursing students at laboratory studies prior to clinic applications in universities providing education at the bachelor degree.

The effects of reflexology on anxiety and pain in patients after abdominal hysterectomy: A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at finding out the effects of reflexology on pain, anxiety levels after abdominal hysterectomy. DESING & METHODS: The study was performed on women hospitalized in the intensive care unit and gynecology services of Ege University Hospital in Izmir after abdominal hysterectomy between September 2013 and September 2014. This study was designed and conducted as a randomized controlled trial. The study sample consisted of 63 female patients: 32 in the experimental group and 31 in the control group. The postoperative daily monitoring sheet, Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), was employed to collect research data and "visual analog scale" to evaluate pain levels. RESULTS: The female patients' average age was found to be 47.23 ±â€¯4.71. The three-day monitoring showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of average pain levels and anxiety scores after reflexology (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Foot reflexology may serve as an effective nursing intervention to increase the well-being and decrease the pain of female patients after abdominal hysterectomy, and nurses should be aware of the benefits of reflexology.

Another face of violence against women: Infertility.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Violence against women is a widespread problem and has serious implications on women's health. Infertility, in many ways, is a very stressful condition that affect social and marital life of a couple; moreover, compared to fertile women, infertile women are twice as vulnerable against violence. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of violence and define the effect of infertility on violence on women receiving infertility treatment. METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out 301 infertile women between November 2015 and August 2016 in a state hospital, Izmir. Data were collected as "Sociodemographic Characteristics Form" and "Infertile Women's Exposure to Violence Determination Scale". RESULTS: The mean age of women was 31.77±5.46 years; the average duration of marriage was 6.93±4.53 years. About 32.5% of women stated that they have suffered from violence throughout their lives and 4.7% of women were still suffering from violence, while 5.0% of women were subjected to violence after infertility was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: It is an encouraging finding that infertile women have a low exposure to violence. However, despite a low violence rate, there is an increase in violence toward women who have been diagnosed with infertility.

Pregnant women's use of the internet in relation to their pregnancy in Izmir, Turkey.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in order to determine the extent of internet use by pregnant women to gain information about their pregnancy. The research was conducted in two hospitals in Izmir, Turkey between August and October 2009, after written permission had been obtained. The research sample consisted of 185 pregnant women in at least the 28th week of pregnancy, who accepted to take part in the study. Forty-five percent of the pregnant women had used the internet to obtain information at least once during their pregnancy, and the most researched topics were fetal development, nutrition in pregnancy and the stages of birth. There is a significant difference between the age group, educational level, work status and number of pregnancies and the usage of internet among pregnant women. The women gave the information on the internet 7.13 ± 1.54 out of 10 points for correctness and dependability. Fifty-one percent of the pregnant women stated that they shared the information which they had obtained on the internet with health professionals. About half of the women in the study had used the internet to obtain information on pregnancy, birth and the fetus under various headings.