Women Health and Psychological Functioning in Different Periods of Life: Evaluation of Nursing Approach

World Health Organization describes health as the state of being completely fine corporally, socially and psychologically. The state of being completely fine which is indicated in this description of health has been criticised by many scientists and with the idea that noone shall ever realise tha state of being completely fine corporally and psychologically, it was emphasized that individuals could be evaluated to be “healthy” as long as they are productive. Starting from the intrauterine period, woman passes through different periods such as childhood, adolescence, adulthood, elderliness and she experiences some physical, psychological and social differences in each of these periods within the frame of life cycle. While these differences influence productivities and life qualities of women negatively, they also make them more inclined to psychiatric illnesses. Therefore, psychological problems are more common among women and they last longer. Considering the fact that among the medical personnel, it is the nurses who spend time with patients during the phases of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation the most, it could be said that nurses have a significant role in intervening in problems that affect the psychological health of woman. The nurse has responsibilities such as determining the problem the woman goes through, providing protective care, getting an early diagnosis, making the convenient remedial intervention and consigning, when necessary. In this article, significant woman health problems that could be experienced starting from the intrauterine life until the end of life by woman, the effects of this problem to the psychological health of the woman and nursing approaches in view of these problems are discussed

The effect of anxiety and depression scores of couples who underwent assisted reproductive techniques on the pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anxiety and depression scores of couples who underwent Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) on pregnancy outcomes. Method: This study was conducted as a prospective and comparative study with 217 couples. The study data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire and the Turkish version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The questionnaire, STAI and BDI were applied to couples who initiated ART treatment. Couples\u2019 state anxiety scores were re-evaluated after embryo transfer (ET). Results: A significant relationship was found between the depression score of women and pregnancy outcome (p < 0.05). It was determined that anxiety scores for both men and women were higher before the ART procedure, but their anxiety scores decreased after ET (p < 0.05). Spouses of women with a negative pregnancy outcome had higher trait and state anxiety mean scores (p > 0.05) and lower depression scores (p <0.05) than spouses of women with a positive pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Study results indicated that the anxiety and depression scores of couples who had achieved a positive pregnancy result were lower than for couples with a negative result. The results of this study will contribute to the health professionals especially to the nurses who spend the most time with couples in providing consulting services and supporting psychological status of couples during ART process in Turkey

Occurrence Of Depression During The Postpartum Period And Risk Factors That Affect The Development Of The Depression

Aim: To determine the occurrences of depression experienced by women during the postpartum period and the risk factors that affect the development of this depression. Materials and methods: The study involved 330 women who had recently given birth in a hospital in 2007. The women were contacted 3 times in total: on postpartum day 1 (face to face) and in weeks 2 and 6 (by phone). The Edinburgh Scale of Postpartum Depression (EPDS) was used as the form for collecting data. According to the EPDS, women who have scored 13 points or above are sensitive to depression. Results: The EPDS scores of 16.7% of women on postpartum day 1 and 19.4% of women at postpartum weeks 2 and 6 were 13 points or above. It has been determined that the difference of the average of EPDS points is statistically significant according to the factors of educational status, age, desire for the pregnancy, and having difficulty in caring for the baby with the spouse (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It is important that nurses provide consultancy services for women about depression during postpartum period.WoSScopu

Evidence-based Practices in the Prevention of Central Venous Catheter Infections: Knowledge of Intensive Care Nurses

WOS: 000540039600005Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge level of intensive care nurses regarding evidence-based practices in the prevention of infections related to the Central Venous Catheter (CVC). Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the adult intensive care units of a research and practice hospital and a private hospital in September-November 2018. the written consent of the participants and the approval of the ethics committee and necessary institutions were obtained. in data collection, a "data collection form regarding the demographic features of the participants" and "information form oriented to preventing infections regarding CVC" were used. Results: the study was completed with 126 nurses, 52.4% of whom were aged 19-28 and 50.0% had been working in intensive care units for 1-38 months. Their knowledge regarding the prevention of CVC-related infections was low. the total mean scores of nurses aged 29-43 were statistically significantly higher than those aged 19-28 (p=0.045). the total mean scores of the nurses who had worked as a nurse for 7-24 years were statistically significantly higher than those who had worked for 1-6 years (p=0.003), and the total mean scores of the nurses who had worked as intensive care unit nurses for 40-288 months were statistically significantly higher than those who had worked for 1-38 months (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study found that nurses had a low level of knowledge regarding evidence-based practices in the prevention of CVC-related infections, and as age and experience of working as a nurse in intensive care units increased, knowledge levels also increased

Cognitive And Dynamic Effects Of Training Given To Women At Risk Of Breast Cancer

Background: Breast canceris an important public health problem. Although the disease is widespread, the prognosis is good, especially with early diagnosis. For this to occur, a consciousness of protection of breast health for all women is necessary, and risk groups need to be particularly targeted. Aim: This study was conducted to determine dynamic and cognitive effects of training given to women in a risk group. Method: This study that is planned as an intervention study has been carried out in a city that is on the eastern part of Turkey between February and June in 2009. The data weregathered through a question form aimed at diagnosing the knowledge and applications of women about breast cancer, and hospital reports of women and control lists of BSE skills. The women in the risk group were given five sessions of training split into groups of 12-13 persons. For the purpose of realizing the cognitive effects of the training, pre-test and post test measures were assessed. The data were evaluated using number percentages and the McNemar test. Results: At the end of the training program, compared to previous training period, women's knowledge, at the cognitive level, related with the risk factors, symptoms and the early diagnosis methods of the breast cancer was seen to have been expressively increased. As for effects at the dynamic level, one month after the training program had been completed, women re-evaluated and 77.5% had conducted breast self-examination ( BSE) at least one time, and 65.0% of them have passed through medical breast diagnosis and scanning tests by applying to hospital. Conclusion: In a study aimed to increase the conscious level and awareness related with breast health in women, variation at both cognitive and dynamic levels were evident at the end of the training program.Wo

The Effect of Cotinine Concentrations in Seminal Plasma and Follicular Fluid on the Pregnancy Outcomes of Couples Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Background/aim:This study determined the effects of cotinine concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) and seminal plasma (SP) on the pregnancy outcome of couples using assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Materials and methods: This study was conducted as a case-control study. A total of 217 couples were included in the study. Among these couples, there were nonsmokers (66 women and 40 men), passive smokers (106 women and 54 men), and active smokers (45 women and 123 men). Demographic and smoking data were collected by questionnaire at the onset of treatment. FF and SP samples were obtained from the couples on the day of oocyte retrieval. Results: The cotinine concentrations in the FF and SP of nonsmokers were significantly lower than they were in the other groups (P = 0.001). The difference in cotinine concentrations detected in FF between women with positive pregnancy test results and women with negative pregnancy test results was statistically insignificant. It was also determined that the percentage of clinical pregnancy was lower in nonsmoker women than in passive smoker or smoker women (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Although we found there was no significant difference in the pregnancy outcome between nonsmoker and passive smoker or smoker women, smoking cessation should be an integral part of ARTs.WoSScopu

Premenstrual syndrome in university students: its correlation with their attitudes toward gender roles

Introduction: Psychosocial factors causing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are closely correlated with gender. Thus, this study’s aim was to identify correlations between gender role attitudes (GRA) and PMS status of university students. Methods: The participants of this descriptive study were 1515 female students from 13 departments of Hacettepe University using stratified sampling method. Data were collected between February and May 2014 using a semi-structured questionnaire, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and the Gender Roles Attitude Scale (GRAS). Correlations between PMSS and GRAS scores were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The difference between PMSS and GRAS scores in terms of sociodemographic characteristics was analyzed using the t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean total PMSS score was 117.96 ± 34.41, indicating moderate PMS levels. The total mean GRAS score was 162.71 ± 17.50, indicating an egalitarian GRA. As the gender roles in marriage of the participants became traditional, depressive thoughts and swelling became more common (rs= −0.620, p < .05; rs= −0.560, p < .05). The educational level of the mothers and perceived economic status were sociodemographic factors affecting both GRA and PMS. Discussion: GRA and sociodemographic characteristics should be considered in healthcare services for PMS

An Example from the Rural Areas of Turkey: Women Breast Cancer Risk Levels and Application and Knowledge Regarding Early Diagnosis-Scan of Breast Cancer

Objective: This research has been conducted for the purpose of determining the cancer risk levels of women living in a small village of in Saraycik village of Ankara and their knowledge and application of breast cancer early diagnose-scan methods. Materials and Methods: 317 women were taken as examples for the study. Data were collected by giving survey forms to women and conducting face-to-face interviews. In determining breast cancer risk, ''the form to determine the breast cancer risk'' has been used. For breast cancer informational questions, one point has been given for each correct answer. In evaluating the data, number, percentage calculations, average and standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U (MU), Kruskal-Wallis (KW), One-way analysis of variance (F) independent sample T (t) tests have been used. Results: It has been found that breast cancer risk is low, the knowledge level about cancer early recognition methods are medium among the women. It has been determined that 74.4% women didn't perform breast self-examination. 89.6% of women don't have mammography taken and 88.6% don't have their breast examined by health personnel. Conclusion: In our study, it has been found that the risk levels of women are low, their knowledge about early diagnosis and cure are at a medium level and their use of these methods are inadequate. For this reason, we suggest that responsibility of healthcare professionals have to be increased in determining breast cancer risk among women and education and advisory services for this subject to be offered

The effectiveness of simulation-based team training in obstetrics emergencies for improving technical skills: a systematic review

STATEMENT: This review explores the effectiveness of simulation-based team training in obstetric emergencies for improving technical skills. A literature search was conducted that included all articles to January 2018. A total of 21 articles were included from a potential 1327 articles. Each included study was assessed for impact of the training program using Kirkpatrick's 4-level model. Only the performance of technical skills was evaluated.Five studies reported on acceptance of simulation as an education tool at a level 1. Level 2 outcomes were reported in 7 studies where staff demonstrated improved skills in an educational setting. Three studies reported improved performance in a clinical setting at a level 3. Ten studies were categorized as level 4 and found that simulation learning was translated into improved techniques or maneuvers in reduced time frames in emergency situations of shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage. There was evidence that neonatal outcomes were improved

Use of Simulation in Nursing Education : Initial Experiences on a European Union Lifelong Learning Programme - Leonardo da Vinci Project

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 LicenseAim: The aim of this paper is to share the initial experiences on a European Union (EU) Lifelong Learning Programme Leonardo Da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project related to the use of simulation-based learning with nursing students from Turkey. The project started at the end of the 2010 involving 7 partners from 3 different countries including Turkey, England, and Italy. Methods: This project is divided into 7 work packages (WP). In this paper, experiences from the first three WPs (WP1: Preparation and dissemination of the project. WP2: Regulation of the project management. WP3: Development of the evaluation tools used to evaluate the impact of the innovative practice within the coordinating partner's institution) are shared. Results: In the WP1 and WP2: the kick-off meeting was organized in Turkey, the coordinating partner’s country. During the meeting project-related events were planned and the steering committee of the project was formed. A strong team spirit within the partnership was established. For the dissemination of the project, a poster and flier of the project were prepared and placed on corporate boards visible to students and teaching staff and put on the partners’ institutional websites. Regular bulletins of the project were also prepared and posted on the project website. In the WP3, student data sheet, items for students’ satisfaction questionnaire and confidence scale were created based on the literature. Trauma patient scenarios (abdominal trauma, thoracic trauma, pelvic fracture and traumatic amputation) were created to test the target group's knowledge. Ethical approval was obtained from the coordinating partner institution. A pilot study to test the cases was conducted. Following the pilot study, the final version of the student data sheet and scenario cases was created. The second meeting was organized in Italy. In this meeting, the results of the pilot study, the scenario cases, and the Patient Intervention Self Confidence /Competence Scale were evaluated. Conclusion: The work on this EU project is still in progress. Considering that learning from experience is an important part of nursing education, sharing experiences on such a project related to using simulation as an innovative teaching strategy in nursing education in Turkey should provide an example to others who want to develop other EU projects in nursing education.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio