Attitudes towards vaccination among parents of children aged 0-5 years: A scale development study.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is the most important public health practice for preventing infectious diseases and maintaining health. However, some parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children. DESIGN: This study was designed as an instrument development study. METHODS: This study aimed to develop a scale to measure the attitudes of parents with children aged 0-5 years towards vaccination and to evaluate the validity and reliability of this scale. The data were collected from 691 participants between November 2020 and January 2021. During the development of the scale, experts provided feedback on its technical, content and language dimensions. The data were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses for conceptual validity and Cronbach's α and item-level test-retest analyses for reliability. RESULTS: The developed scale is a reliable and valid tool for measuring attitudes towards vaccination among parents (Cronbach's α = 0.97, variance explained by these 28-item two factors = 62.47%). CONCLUSION: This scale can be used as a guide in measuring the attitudes of parents towards vaccination and determining the direction of primary health-care services based on the results of the measurement.

The effect of Otago exercises on fear of falling, balance, empowerment and functional mobility in the older people: Randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study aimed to test the effect of Otago exercises on fear of falling, balance, empowerment and functional mobility in older people living in nursing homes. METHODS: This study is a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. In total, 56 individuals were stratified randomized according to age-gender. Participants were recruited from September 2021 to August 2022. Data were collected at baseline, in the 8th and 12th weeks. The researcher gave Otago exercise training to the intervention group three times per week for the first 4 weeks and applied it to the individuals, and in the next 8 weeks, the researcher visited the institution to ensure the continuity of the exercises and contacted the individuals by phone. Friedman test and generalized linear model were used in the analysis of data. RESULTS: In the study, group and time interaction were found to be significant in terms of the Berg balance scale, 30-second sit-and-stand test, elderly empowerment scale and timed up-and-go test. It was determined that the intervention did not improve fear of falling, upper extremity strength and 6-min walk test results. CONCLUSION: Health personnel and administrators should have increased awareness about Otago exercises and can recommend implementation of the programme.

Validity and reliability of the Very Short form of the Physical Self-Inventory among Turkish adolescents.

The study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Very Short form of the Physical Self-Inventory (PSI-VS) among a sample of 635 Turkish adolescents. These adolescents have completed the 12 original items of the PSI-VS, plus a positively worded reformulation of the single reverse-keyed item of the physical attractiveness subscale. A series of confirmatory factor analyses was used to examine the psychometric properties of the original and modified versions of the PSI-VS. Findings revealed superior psychometric properties with the modified version than with the original set of items. The modified version was thus subsequently used to examine its factor structure invariance across sexes, age groups and sport practice involvement. Results not only report that this version was fully invariant across, but also that latent means were significantly different across sexes and sport practice involvement. In sum, the Turkish modified version of the PSI-VS presents acceptable psychometric properties and may be used to repeatedly and/or intensively assess participants' physical self-perceptions in the context of sport and exercise interventions.

Assessment of health perceptions, use of health services and traditional health practices of Afghan immigrants in Türkiye.

Immigration, as a social determinant of health, encompasses several social and economic transformations. Neglecting to adequately address this issue could potentially worsen pre-existing challenges within health systems and in the management of migration. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the health perceptions, traditional health practices and use of health services of Afghan immigrants. We enrolled 1597 Afghan immigrants over 18 years old in the descriptive cross-sectional research. The mean age of the immigrants was 49.19 ± 1.6 years. The smallest number of points that can be achieved on the health perception scale is 15, while the greatest number is 75. We found that the health perception scale average score is 37.61 ± 7.32. Some factors, such as age 65 and over, female gender, postgraduate education level, good social insurance and economic status, being a public officer, not having any infectious diseases, and having a good Turkish level, have positively affected the health perception levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, we observed that cultural differences, expensive health care, a lack of social insurance, fear and anxiety, lack of language skills, waiting times and traditional health practices were the most common barriers to accessing healthcare services. Considering these issues in the health system, identifying the factors that negatively affect the perception of health and related to the use of health services can help immigrants increase their use of health services and improve their health.

Turkish Adaptation of the Frailty Index for Elders: A Methodologic Study.

Background and Purpose: Frailty is an important problem in the aging process and can be prevented or delayed when detected at an early stage. Therefore, appropriate measurement tools are needed to determine frailty. The study aimed to adapt the Frailty Index for Elders (FIFE) into Turkish.Methods: Data were collected from 300 older individuals between January and April 2023. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate the construct validity. The KR-20 reliability coefficient of the factor items was evaluated and interpreted for internal consistency.Results: The reliability coefficient of the scale was .98, item separation (item separation index) was 7.62, and item reliability was .98. The content validity, based on the opinions of seven experts, was found as .85. In general, the relationship between the total scores of the individuals in the first application and the scores of the individuals in the second application was .92.Conclusions: It was concluded that the seven-item single-factor FIFE was a valid and reliable tool to measure the frailty of older individuals living in Turkey.

Screen time of adolescents in an economically developing country: the case of Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Most studies of screen time of adolescents have been carried out in well-developed countries. There is little information concerning screen time of adolescents in developing countries such as Turkey. AIM: This study examined the screen time of adolescents with regard to gender, school type and sport participation in Turkey, selected as an example of an economically developing country. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 916 high school students participated in this study. The household activities and sport indexes of the Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire were administered to the participants. RESULTS: Male students had higher screen time (hours/day) than female students and the screen time of the adolescents was longer at the weekends than on weekdays (p < 0.01). The students attending private schools spent more screen time on both weekdays and weekends than those attending public schools (p < 0.01). The results did not reveal significant screen time differences with regard to participation duration in sport activities (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Male adolescents and students attending private schools had a higher screen time rate than their counterparts, both on weekdays and at the weekend. Participating in sport for different durations did not make any difference to the screen time of these adolescents.

The psychological characteristics and health related behavior of adolescents: the possible of social physique anxiety and gender.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not the social physique anxiety level and gender have an influence on psychological characteristics and health related behavior of adolescents. Five hundred and ninety eight female (M(age) = 14.95, SD = .70 years) and three hundred and eighty four male (M(age) = 15.08, SD = .76 years) adolescents voluntarily participated in this study. The Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), three subscales of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale as indicators of psychological characteristics were administered to all participants. The Eating Attitude Test and Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire were used to determine health related behavior. It was found that adolescents with high levels of SPA (HSPA) had more unfavourable eating attitudes, higher scores in socially-prescribed perfectionism, negative global physical self-worth and negative body related perceptions than those with low levels of SPA (LSPA). Physical activity levels of adolescents did not differ in the two SPA groups (high/low level). In addition, male adolescents in the present study were more physically active and had favorable eating attitudes and more positive self-perceptions of body fat and general physical self-worth than their female counterparts.

Transcultural Nursing Care in Turkey.

AIM: For quality and adequate nursing care, nurses should evaluate the cultural factors that patients have, respect these factors, and consider their impact on the patient's health. This review aimed to examine studies conducted in the field of transcultural nursing in Turkey. METHOD: Studies published between 2000 and 2018 were searched from the electronic databases of ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Academic using the keywords care, culture, nursing, transcultural, transcultural nursing, and Turkey. RESULTS: As a result of the search, 150 studies were obtained, and 31 studies that fit the inclusion criteria were evaluated. These studies attempted to determine the factors that cover different dimensions of transcultural nursing, nursing education and training process, clinical and hospital applications, and several scales and guides and have been adapted and used in the Turkish population. CONCLUSION: Studies conducted in the field of transcultural nursing in Turkey have gained momentum recently and have a more basic descriptive level.

Factors affecting nursing students' intention to work as a geriatric nurse with older adults in Turkey: A cross-sectional study.

The need for nurses specialized in geriatrics continues to increase with the aging world population. However, nurses and nursing students mostly do not consider geriatric nursing as a possible career in nursing. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence such a career preference is crucial to encourage geriatric nursing. The current study is cross-sectional and aims to investigate nursing students' intention to work as a geriatric nurse with older adults and the factors influencing those intentions. A total of 688 nursing students enrolled in the second, third, and fourth-years of the Bachelor of Nursing program in two universities were recruited. Data were collected using a questionnaire form developed by the researchers and the Kogan Attitude toward Old People Scale. Results indicated correlations between the fourth year in the program, living with older adults, taking a separate course on geriatric health, experience in providing care for older adults, and evaluating geriatric nursing as a possible career in nursing (P < 0.05). Additionally, the study demonstrated that students avert from a career in geriatric nursing due to the lack of knowledge and skills and negative experiences during internships and practice. In conclusion, nursing programs should include courses designed to focus on gerontology to improve nurse students' willingness to work with older adults.

[Determining the Prevalence of Constipation and Relating Factors in Elderly People: A Nursing Home Study]. / Yaslilarda Konstipasyon Sikligi ve Iliskili Faktörlerin Belirlenmesi: Bir Huzurevi Çalismasi.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of constipation and related factors based on the Rome II constipation criteria for diagnosis in the elderly. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was carried out at a nursing home in Ankara. The present study was conducted with the participation of 160 elderly individuals who were living in the nursing home and who met the criteria for participation in the research. Data were collected by means of face-to-face interviews with the Introductory Characteristics Data Form and the Rome II constipation diagnostic criteria form. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the elderly individuals is 78±8.1 (min: 65, max: 95). 51.9% of elderly individuals have a constipation problem according to Rome II constipation diagnosis criteria. When the criteria for the diagnosis of Roma II constipation were examined, it was found that 44.4% of the elderly individuals experienced difficulty/intense straining while defecating, 29.4% had a hard stool, 53.8% had a feeling of inadequate stooling/full emptying, 30.2% had bowel movements twice a week or less. The results of this study concluded that there are more constipation problems in elderly individuals who do not have regular physical activity, consume less than 2 liters of water per day and have lived in a nursing home for more than 11 years (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the findings of our study slightly more than half of the elderly people living in nursing homes have problems with constipation. It is important to determine constipation and risk factors at an early stage and support regular exercise in elderly individuals.

Effect of abdominal massage on constipation and quality of life in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: This study aimed to examine the effects of abdominal massage on constipation management and quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study conducted in a nursing home, 220 older adults (over 65 years old) were identified with constipation based on the Rome II Diagnostic Criteria for Constipation. This controlled trial using blocked randomization was stratified by sex and age and was conducted with 35 elderly participants, of which 17 formed the experimental group and were applied abdominal massage and 18 formed the untrained control group. The experimental group underwent abdominal massage training for eight weeks, five days, for 30 min/day after the meal under a research team member. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected from both groups by using a personal information form, the Constipation Quality of Life Scale. After the practice, each group was re-subjected to the same scales. RESULTS: Our results showed that abdominal massage is effective in constipation management (p < 0.005). Moreover, the difference between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in terms of Constipation Quality of Life Scale post-test scores. Constipation Quality of Life Scale subscales of the experiment and control group; the difference between the post-test scores of Physical Disability (p < 0.001), Psychosocial Discomfort (p < 0.001), Anxiety (p < 0.001) and Satisfaction (p < 0.001) was found statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Abdominal massage, as one of the independent nursing initiatives, may be suggested to be used in constipation management.

Attitudes of Turkish Nursing Students Related to Ageism.

BACKGROUND: The sociocultural structure of society, changes in attitude and behaviors, and individual and social perspectives on aging all affect the nature of services that are offered to elderly people. "Ageism" is one of the problems that has an impact on the level and quality of service that is provided to the older adults. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to examine the attitudes of Turkish undergraduate nursing students toward aging. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was given to 495 nursing students in four universities in Turkey. A questionnaire developed from the related literature and the Ageism Attitude Scale were used to collect data, which was analyzed using standard descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: The variables of school year, age, cohabitation with an elderly person (yes/no), prior experience with the older adults (yes/no), and willingness to work with the older adults after graduation all significantly influenced the attitudes of participants toward aging (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results from the Ageism Attitude Scale revealed that the participants held a generally positive attitude toward aging. It is of great importance to include more lessons on the older adults and the aging process and to increase activities to develop awareness of ageism, to help students develop positive attitudes and perspectives toward the care of the older adults. Because experience caring for the older adults is important in developing a positive attitude toward the older adults, arranging relevant clinical practice, especially at institutions with an elderly population, may be an effective approach to strengthening the communication and experiences of nursing students.

Quality of life of older adults in Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting the quality of life of the elderly people in Turkey. Three-hundred community-dwelling older adults (Mage=68.35, SD=5.80 years) participated in this study. The quality of life was examined through World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Older Adults Module Turkish Version (WHOQOL-OLD Turkish). Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) showed significant age differences in sensory abilities, social participation, and intimacy sub-scale scores. Post hoc Scheffe Test results indicated that elderly people aged 75 years and over differed from other age groups; although their scores in social participation and intimacy were lower; they had higher scores in sensory abilities than those aged 60-65 and 66-74 years. There were significant differences between the educational levels of these elderly people in sensory abilities, autonomy, past-present-and-future activities, social participation, and death-and-dying sub-scales. The autonomy, past-present-and-future activities, social participation, and death-and-dying scores of those with high school education were higher than that of those with secondary school or less education except in sensory abilities scores. There were differences found between the variable of with whom the elderly people lived and of QOL sub-scales of the elderly people's sensory abilities, past-today-and-future activities, death-and-dying, social participation, and intimacy. In addition, the total average score of the QOL sub-scales with the sufficiency of income of the elderly people were interconnected. In conclusion, the findings revealed that gender, age, education, marital status, childbearing, social insurance, health status, living arrangement and income variables are the determinant to improving the quality of life of elderly people.

[Frequency and affecting factors of metabolic syndrome in women older than 20 years of age]. / Yirmi yas ve üzeri kadinlarda metabolik sendrom sikligi ve bunu etkileyen faktörler.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality affecting increasing number of people. This was a cross-sectional study aiming to identify the prevalence of MS and risk factors in women aged 20 years and older. METHODS: Study's universe consisted of women aged 20 years and older living in Gölbasi Ali Soydan Health Centre's territory. Eight hundred fifty women were accessed among them. Data were collected by a questionnaire. Measurements were done in the health centre following fasting 12 hours. One way ANOVA, correlation and logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 39.4 years, 62% have primary school education. Prevalence of MetS was found 39.1%; low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and abdominal obesity were the most common MetS components. On the contrary, education and age had negative correlation with HDL and positive correlation with other MetS components. Age (OR=1.091; 95%CI = 1.071-1.110; p=0.0001), and education lower than middle school (literate OR=2.491; 95%CI = 1.334-2.855; p=0.007; primary school OR=1.841; 95%CI 1.281-2.855; p=0.006) were found to increase MetS risk. CONCLUSION: Even more than half of our study group who has urban life style has two or more MetS components. Because of older age, accelerant factor for MetS, improving of healthy lifestyle behaviors in study group with genetic and environmental risk factors should be primary goal in terms of prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Reproductive history, socioeconomic status and disability in the women aged 65 years or older in Turkey.

Pregnancy and childbirth are an important physiological and emotional phenomenon in their lives for most women and studies have shown that this process may have a significant impact on their health at later ages. The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between functional disabilities in women over the age of 65 and their reproductive history and socioeconomic status. This is a cross-sectional study. The study group consisted of 543 women aged 65 or over. A general questionnaire and the Brief Disability Questionnaire (BDQ) were used to collect data with face-to-face interview in home visits. Of the women 79.2% have disability. First childbirth was experienced at the average age of 19.6+/-3.3 and the average age at which the women experienced their last delivery was 32.5+/-6.3. Parity was 4.1+/-1.7. Advanced age, being widowed and illiterate, less income, being outside of the middle class and having more than four children are important determinants for later life disability. The study highlights the importance of focusing not just on the short-term effects of childbearing and socioeconomic factors, but also of taking into account the possibility of long-term effects on disability in older women.

The psychological characteristics and health related behavior of adolescents: the possible roles of social physique anxiety and gender

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not the social physique anxiety level and gender have an influence on psychological characteristics and health related behavior of adolescents. Five hundred and ninety eight female (Mage = 14.95, SD = .70 years) and three hundred and eighty four male (Mage = 15.08, SD = .76 years) adolescents voluntarily participated in this study. The Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), three subscales of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale as indicators of psychological characteristics were administered to all participants. The Eating Attitude Test and Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire were used to determine health related behavior. It was found that adolescents with high levels of SPA (HSPA) had more unfavourable eating attitudes, higher scores in socially-prescribed perfectionism, negative global physical self-worth and negative body related perceptions than those with low levels of SPA (LSPA). Physical activity levels of adolescents did not differ in the two SPA groups (high/low level). In addition, male adolescents in the present study were more physically active and had favorable eating attitudes and more positive self-perceptions of body fat and general physical self-worth than their female counterparts (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar si el nivel de ansiedad física social y el género tienen o no, influencia sobre las características psicológicas y la conducta saludable de los adolescentes. En esta investigación participaron voluntariamente 598 chicas (Mage = 14.95, SD = 0.70 años) y 384 chicos (Mage = 15.08, SD = 0.76 años) en edad adolescente. Como indicadores de las características psicológicas, a todos los participantes se les aplicó la Escala de Ansiedad Física y Social (SPAS), tres subescalas del Cuestionario de Auto-percepción Física, y la Escala Multidimensional de Perfeccionismo. El Test de Actitudes Alimentarias y el Cuestionario de Valoración de Actividad Física fueron utilizados para determinar la conducta saludable. Se descubrió que los adolescentes con altos niveles de ansiedad física social (HSPA) poseían más actitudes alimentarias desfavorables, mayores puntuaciones en perfeccionismo socialmente prescrito, menor autoestima física y percepciones negativas en relación con su cuerpo, que aquellos con bajos niveles de ansiedad física social (LSPA). Los niveles de actividad física de los adolescentes no se diferenciaban en los dos grupos (alto y bajo nivel de ansiedad física social). Además, en el presente estudio, los varones adolescentes eran físicamente más activos, tenían buenas actitudes alimentarias, una más positiva auto-percepción de la grasa corporal y una mejor autoestima física general, que sus homólogas femeninas (AU)