Fatma Ersin

The effect of women’s breast cancer fear and social support perceptions on the process of participating in screening

Introduction: Social support and fear have been shown to be important factors affecting women’s participation in breast cancer screening. This study aimed to determine the effect of women’s perceived breast cancer fear and social support on participating in the breast cancer screening process, and to investigate the relationship between the perception of breast cancer fear and social support. Methods: This is a descriptive study, carried out in a state hospital on 198 women. The data were collected through a Socio-Demographic Data Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Breast Cancer Fear Scale (BCFS) by the researchers by means of face-to-face interview. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the women’s perceptions of social support and breast cancer fear and screening behaviors (p > 0.05). It was found that the mean BCFS score of those who had a family history of breast cancer was high, and the MSPSS score was lower (p < 0.05). There was a quite weak and statistically insignificant positive relationship between the women’s BCFS scores and perceived social support (r = 0.08, p > 0.05), friend support (r = 0.04, p > 0.05) and support from a special person (r = 0.14, p > 0.05). Conclusion: We found no statistically significant difference between breast cancer fear, social support and the women’s screening behavior. However, breast cancer fear and the effect of social support on screening attitude may be important. Nurses and other health workers should particularly focus on social support and breast cancer fear in their health education programs. Formative research into the use of social support to promote positive empowering messages should be carried out and incorporated in future health promotion campaigns to improve the breast cancer screening process.

Nursing Interventions in the Prevention of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries: The Case of a University Hospital in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aimed to create an occupational safety program by reducing the rates of needlestick and sharps injuries in nurses. The universe of this experimental study was made up of nurses working in a university hospital and they were involved in a preliminary study before administering the sampling method. The data were collected through “Needlestick and Sharp Injuries Form” and “Clinical Observation and Evaluation Form”. As a result of this study, while the rate of needlestick and sharp injuries in nurses before the intervention was 31.2 percent, it was found to be 24.3 percent in the 9th month monitoring following the intervention, which yielded a significant difference. Needlestick and sharp injuries continued to occur. These results should be considered in the design of occupational safety programs to reduce the NSIs at the Hospital Center. It is also necessary to establish a monitoring system of needlestick and sharp injuries at a hospital level and a reporting system at the national level in Turkey.

The Effect of Breast Cancer Fear Levels of Female Seasonal Agricultural Laborers on Early-Diagnosis Behaviors and Perceptions of Breast Cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of breast cancer fear levels of female seasonal agricultural laborers between ages 40 and 60 on breast cancer early-diagnosis behaviors and perceptions. This is a cross-sectional study. The data of the study were collected between February and September 2014 in Şanlıurfa, Turkey. A sample of the study group consisted of 350 women. The data were assessed by using SPSS 16.0 statistics package software. Descriptive statistics, t test, chi-square, and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Considering that breast cancer fear levels are effective on the breast cancer early-diagnosis behaviors and health beliefs, it can be recommended for the health care staff to carry out initiative works to reduce the fear levels.

Examination of factors affecting women’s barrier perception to participate in breast cancer screenings in a region affiliated with a family health center in Turkey

BACKGROUND/AIM This study was conducted in order to determine the factors related to womens barrier perception to participate in breast cancer screenings in a region affiliated with a family health center. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was a cross-sectional study. The sample group of the study consisted of 300 women. Descriptive statistics, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were performed for the analysis of the data. RESULTS Breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography barrier perception mean score of those who were illiterate in terms of educational status, and BSE and mammography barrier perception mean score of those who were single in terms of marital status were determined to be significantly higher (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between BSE and mammography barrier perception mean scores of those who had no health insurance and lived in a district or a village (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Demographic factors as well as factors such as womens knowledge on early diagnosis of breast cancer and previous experiences in participation in early diagnosis behaviors of breast cancer could affect the barrier perception.

Development of the Seasonal Migrant Agricultural Worker Stress Scale in Sanliurfa, Southeast Turkey.

ABSTRACT Stress is one of the main causes of health problems, especially mental disorders. These health problems cause a significant amount of ability loss and increase cost. It is estimated that by 2020, mental disorders will constitute 15% of the total disease burden, and depression will rank second only after ischemic heart disease. Environmental experiences are paramount in increasing the liability of mental disorders in those who constantly face sustained high levels of stress. The objective of this study was to develop a stress scale for seasonal migrant agricultural workers aged 18 years and older. The sample consisted of 270 randomly selected seasonal migrant agricultural workers. The average age of the participants was 33.1 ± 14, and 50.7% were male. The Cronbach alpha coefficient and test-retest methods were used for reliability analyses. Although the factor analysis was performed for the structure validity of the scale, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient and Bartlett test were used to determine the convenience of the data for the factor analysis. In the reliability analyses, the Cronbach alpha coefficient of internal consistency was calculated as .96, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was .81. In the exploratory factor analysis for validity of the scale, four factors were obtained, and the factors represented workplace physical conditions (25.7% of the total variance), workplace psychosocial and economic factors (19.3% of the total variance), workplace health problems (15.2% of the total variance), and school problems (10.1% of the total variance). The four factors explained 70.3% of the total variance. As a result of the expert opinions and analyses, a stress scale with 48 items was developed. The highest score to be obtained from the scale was 144, and the lowest score was 0. The increase in the score indicates the increase in the stress levels. The findings show that the scale is a valid and reliable assessment instrument that can be used in epidemiological research and planning interventions.