Smoking Cessation Programs for Pregnant Women: Utilizing WhatsApp Text Messaging.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a Transtheoretical-Model-based and WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation program for pregnant women and to evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: This study is a pretest-posttest designed, randomized controlled and quasi-experimental intervention research. The study was conducted on 50 pregnant women, 25 of them in the intervention group and 25 of them in the control group. A theory-based motivational individual counseling initiative has been applied to the intervention group, and WhatsApp text messages have been sent 3 days a week, in accordance with the stages of change to support the interviews. RESULTS: In the final follow-up, 60% of pregnant women in the intervention group and 36% of pregnant women in the control group quit smoking. All participants indicated they would recommend the WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation program. Transtheoretical-Model-based and WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation programs were found to be effective in reducing nicotine dependency scores and carbon monoxide levels of pregnant women and quitting smoking. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The smoking cessation program used in the research may be applied by midwives or nurses trained on the subject to help pregnant women quit smoking.

[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.

Does hopelessness of Turkish women affect their behavior regarding cervical cancer prevention and early diagnosis?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate attitudes women of towards cervical cancer prevention applications and early diagnosis, and whether or not their hopelessness levels had any influence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out in Isparta with a descriptive design. A sample of 251 individuals was recruited from January 2011 through May 2011 in the largest tea garden (restaurant- cafe). The data collection tool consisted of two parts: a "Questionnaire Form" identifying women; and the "Beck Hopelessness Scale". Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 16.0 for Windows for the numerical and percentage distribution, average, standard deviation with the ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Some 70.2 % of the woman indicated that they had not taken the Pap test. There was a significant relationship between the hopelessness level and women believing that they could protect themselves from getting cervical cancer (F=10.11 p=0.00). There was a significant relationship between hopelessness levels and believing whether or not early diagnosis tests are deterministic (F=8.781 p=0.00). CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that the hopelessness level of women had an effect on their thoughts about cervical cancer prevention and early diagnosis.