Filiz Özkan

Sexual lives of women with diabetes mellitus (type 2) and impact of culture on solution for problems related to sexual life

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine sexual lives of women with diabetes mellitus (type 2) (DM) and impact of culture on solution for problems related to sexual life. BACKGROUND DM has long been considered a risk factor for sexual dysfunction in men and women, although the evidence in women is less clear. This study was conducted to emphasise the effect of DM and culture on sexual life. DESIGN A descriptive and qualitative study. METHODS Planned as descriptive and qualitative, this study was conducted with 38 women who matched with the following inclusion criterion: living in a neighbourhood with low socio-economic status in the province of Kayseri, Turkey. The Participant Information Form, Diabetes Control Form, the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Sexual Life Definition Form and Semi-Structured Interview Form for revealing problems lived in sexual life, besides the results of laboratory tests, were used for data collection. RESULTS Mean age of the participating women was 51·34 ± 5·85 years. Total score of ASEX was found to be correlated with the type of DM treatment, duration of DM diagnosis, complications of DM, relation with her husband, level of HbA1c and systolic-diastolic blood pressure (p < 0·05). Of the participating women, 47·4% expressed that they had problems with sexual relation. CONCLUSION Most of the women with DM were determined to have problems in sexual functions besides the disease, and the impact of culture on the solution for problems lived within sexual life was effective. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE These findings can help guide to raise the health of Turkish women with diabetes and to plan appropriate nursing interventions.

Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infections and Its Risk Factors in Elementary School Students

Background: Childhood urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most important factors affecting adult health. Aim: The study was a cross-sectional investigation to identify the prevalence of UTI and its risk factors. Methods: The study included 2,511 6–8th grade elementary school students. Data were collected by questionnaire form and medical diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: 7.1% of all participating students had UTI (10.1% girls, 4.2% boys). Students with a family history of UTI had a 3.763-fold risk of developing UTI (p < 0.05) compared to those without. Students who drank <1 liter of water daily had a 1.077 times higher risk of having the infection than those who drank >1 liter of water daily (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Students drinking an inadequate amount of water and having a family history had a high prevalence of UTI.

The effect of reflexology upon spasticity and function among children with cerebral palsy who received physiotherapy: Three group randomised trial

PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness of reflexology method upon spasticity and function among children with cerebral palsy who received physiotherapy. METHODS A three group, randomised trial with blinded evaluator. Randomization was made sealed and opaque envelopes. 45 children with cerebral palsy who were trained at a Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre. In the reflexology and placebo group; a 20min reflexology was performed twice a week in a total 24 sessions. In the control group; no intervention was done. Before and after the implementation; measurements of the participants were obtained. The data were collected using Gross Motor Function Measure, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Modified Tardieu Scale, Pediatric Functional Independence Scale, Pediatric Quality of Life Scale (PedsQL) and demographic data. RESULTS A total of 45 children completed the study. The groups were homogeneous at baseline. Between right MAS Gastrocnemius muscle was a difference and right and left Soleus muscles was significant among the groups (p<0.05). Also; there was significant difference in between right and left Tardieu value in the legs; right M. Gastrocnemius V1,V3 and M. Soleus V1, V3 values; p<0.001 and left Gastrocnemius V1 and M. Soleus V1, V3 values; p<0.001. In Gross Motor Function Measure total scores and sitting position; in Pediatric Functional Independence Scale total scores, self-care and communication subscales (p<0.05). But in terms of PedsQL was no statistically significant difference among the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Reflexology with physiotherapy reduced spasticity in legs, improved gross motor functions, decreased dependency but led to no change in quality of life.