Funda Evcili

A study on the relationship between internet use, anxiety levels, and quality of life of Turkish pregnant women: EVCILI

PURPOSE In the current study, the relationship between internet use, anxiety levels, and quality of life (QOL) of Turkish pregnant women was investigated. DESIGN AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted 623 pregnant women who were able to access the internet at home, at work, or on mobile phones. FINDINGS It was determined that internet usage among Turkish pregnants is common (82.7%). Statistically significant negative correlations were determined between the pregnant womens trait anxiety levels and all the subscales of the QOL questionnaire. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Health professionals especially nurses and midwives should inform pregnant women about safe ways to access reliable sources of information.

Effect of episiotomy training with beef tongue and sponge simulators on the self-confidence building of midwifery students

This study assesses the efficacy of simulation-based episiotomy training (SBET) with beef tongue and sponge models in terms of the self confidence of midwifery students while performing episiotomy. Third-year midwifery students from Cumhuriyet University in the fall semesters of 2011 and 2012 were enrolled in the sponge and beef tongue model groups (n = 36 and n = 37, respectively). A checklist was prepared on the required skills for performing episiotomy which can be broken into three main parts, namely preparation, cutting and repairing and completion. According to the checklist, a Likert type questionnaire was developed including 5 items for preparation, 11 items for cutting and repairing, and 6 items for completion. After SBET with the sponge and beef tongue models in our laboratories of Midwifery Department, the students performed episiotomy steps in laboring women in Sivas State Hospital and then they filled in the questionnaire to indicate whether they gained self-confidence in performing episiotomy or not. Although, participants of both groups have successfully completed all the steps of episiotomy, overall, beef tongue model was found to be more successful regarding their self-confidence (p < 0.05), including the skills in performing local anesthesia; choosing needle holder, suture material and scissor for cutting; identifying apex, hymen and skin; using needle holder properly while penetrating into the skin, suturing vaginal mucosa until hymen, knotting, and suturing perineal muscles and skin. Our results suggest that while SBET with both models are applicable for episiotomy training of midwifery students in the laboratory setting, SBET with beef tongue model provides an additional increase in their self-confidence in the clinical settings.