Determination of Caregiver Burden and Social Support Levels among Caregivers Providing Care for Patients Hospitalized in Palliative Care Clinics

Providing care to someone with a chronic disease requires being physically, emotionally, and mentally energetic. In particular, the presence of a patient with a disease that requires palliative care changes daily activities and routines, increases responsibilities of those who take the responsibility for patient’s care and changes the roles in the family. The objective of this study was to determine the care burden and social support levels among the caregivers providing care for patients hospitalized in palliative care clinics. Materials and Methods: The population of this descriptive and correlational study consisted of caregivers taking care of patients treated at the Palliative Care Clinic of Training and Research Hospital between May and October 2018; the sample consisted of 73 caregivers who volunteered to join the study and were open to communication. Data were collected by questioning patients and their caregivers about their sociodemographic characteristics, using the Caregiver Burden Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data analysis included percentages, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient. Results: The average caregivers’ age was 45.44±13.76 years; 75.3% of caregivers were females, 30.1% of caregivers were literate or had primary school degrees. Caregiver’s gender and educational levels were found not to affect caregiving and social support levels; however, the economic status affected caregiving and social support levels. There was a reverse correlation between the caregiver burden and their social support levels. Conclusions: With increased caregiver burden, their social support level decreased. Nurses caring for patients in palliative care clinics will benefit from educating and supporting caregivers about clinic and home care; it will result in a positive level of social support for both caregivers and patients receiving care

The correlation between spousal support and postpartum depression in fathers

Purpose This study was conducted using a descriptive design to examine the correlation between spousal support and postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers. Design and Methods The participants of the study were the fathers of infants born in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a state hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health in a province in Turkey. Findings It was determined that while the possibility of paternal PPD was lower in the early postpartum period (p < 0.001), it increased in the late postpartum period (p < 0.001). A negative statistically significant correlation was identified between the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores and the Spouse Support Scale (SSS) scores of the participants in the early postpartum period (p = 0.031). There was a highly negative significant correlation between late postpartum EPDS scores and the early (p < 0.001) and late period (p < 0.001) SSS scores. A highly negative significant correlation was observed between the mean score of the early spousal support period and the mean score of the late spousal support period (p < 0.001). In this study, spousal support decreased PPD in fathers. Practice Implications This study indicated the necessity of routinely screening men for PPD symptoms. Early diagnosis and spousal support would contribute to reducing early and late paternal PPD, thus protecting the family's integrity

An evaluation of the quality of life and sexual status functions of females with urinary incontinence

*Çetinkaya, Funda ( Aksaray, Yazar )Objectives: This research was carried out as a descriptive study in order to determine the quality of life and sexual status functions of women with urinary incontinence (UI) in Turkey. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 92 women who were admitted with a urinary incontinence complaint to the urology policlinic of a state hospital. The data was collected by the researcher using the Introductory Information Form, Wagner’s Quality of Life Scale (QOL) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Analysis of the data was performed using percentage, mean, Kruskal–Wallis and MW-U test. Results: The mean score of women on Wagner’s QOL scale was 41.69 ± 22.97, and the Female Sexual Function Index total score average was 50.26 ± 11.37. In this study of women, a significant statistical difference was found between Wagner’s QOL scale point average and the age, education level, and place of residence (p < 0.05). The women’s mean score on the FSFI scale was 50.26 ± 11.37. Conclusions: The results of the study show that urinary incontinence negatively affects the quality of life and sexual function of females..

The Relationship between the Fear of Childbirth and Anxiety during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Introduction. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, has affected the whole world. Pregnant women who are expected to give birth during this period are one of the most important groups affected by these processes. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between the fear of childbirth and anxiety among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted on 181 pregnant women in a city in the eastern region of Turkey between July and November 2020. Results. Mid-level fear of childbirth was experienced by 44.8% of pregnant women. A positive correlation was found between the average anxiety score of pregnant women and childbirth fear. Conclusions. The findings of the study will guide healthcare professionals in finding applicable solutions to the problems experienced by pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Prenatal distress levels of pregnant women in Turkey and affecting factors: a multicentre study

This study was conducted to determine prenatal distress levels of pregnant women from seven provinces of Turkey and factors affecting prenatal distress levels. The multicentre descriptive study included 2365 pregnant women who were in the twentieth gestational week and above. The data were collected using the pregnancy information form, prenatal distress questionnaire and spousal support scale. Descriptive statistics, Student'st-test, ANOVA and logistic regression were used to evaluate the data. The results of this study demonstrated that pregnant women's prenatal distress levels are affected by such factors as the region lived in, lack of spousal support and being a primary school graduate. Nurses should develop intervention strategies that involve the pregnant woman's spouse to reduce prenatal distress and the factors affecting prenatal distress.Impact statement What is already known on this subject?Prenatal distress can have significant effects on pregnancy, maternal health and human development across the lifespan. What the results of this study add?Spousal support could also have an effect on the psychological health of mothers. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?Nurses and midwives monitor the pregnant women, and therefore, they should evaluate the prenatal distress levels in the prenatal period, plan intervention strategies for pregnant women with high stress levels and include the pregnant women's spouses in these intervention strategies