Handan Boztepe

Individual and familial factors associated with metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes

The aim of this study was to determine the individual and familial factors associated with metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

Difficulties experienced during preparation and administration of oral drugs.

AIM It was aimed to determine the difficulties experienced by pediatric nurses working in the wards of a university hospital during preparation and administration of drugs and to determine solution recommendations. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and eight nurses who accepted to participate in the study constituted the sample of the study. Open-ended questions were asked in order to obtain detailed information about the attitudes and views of the participants and face to face interview was used. The problems experienced during preparation and administration of drugs were collected using the data collection form prepared by the investigators. Institution approval, ethics committee approval (HEK12/193) and written informed consent from the nurses who wished to participate in the study were obtained to conduct the study. The data obtained were expressed as figures and percentages. RESULTS The most commonly reported problems in preparation of drugs included incomplete dissolution of tablets or non-homogeneous distribution in fluids (54.6%) and difficulty in breaking tablets in appropriate doses (45.3%). The most commonly reported problem experienced during administration of drugs was rejection of drugs which tasted bad by babies/children or spitting out the drug (75.9%). In our study, the nurses also mentioned the problems related with drug administration equipment. These problems included fear of injectors (25.9%), escape of the drugs into the respiratory way (15.7%) and lack of appropriate equipment for administering the drugs (7.4%). CONCLUSIONS In our study, it was found that all nurses experienced difficulty in preparing and administering drugs. The problems experienced by the nurses and solution recommendations for these problems were reported to the hospital administration.

Does the visibility of a congenital anomaly affect maternal–infant attachment levels?

PURPOSE To determine whether congenital anomaly visibility affects maternal-infant attachment levels. DESIGN AND METHODS The study population consisted of mothers who had infants with cleft lip/palate or congenital heart anomalies who were receiving treatment in a university hospital. The data were collected using the Structured Questionnaire Form and the Maternal Attachment Inventory. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in maternal-infant attachment levels were observed between infants with cleft lips/palates and healthy infants and between infants with congenital heart anomalies and healthy infants. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS It is important to apply appropriate nursing interventions for these mothers during the postpartum period.

School-age children’s perception of the hospital experience

In order to determine the perception of hospital experiences among school-age children’s (6–12 years), a descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in 130 children hospitalized in a pediatric hospital with different diagnoses. Data were collected using a pediatric information form, questionnaire form, scale for attitudes towards hospital and healthcare personnel, and sources of anxiety generating thoughts scale (SAGTS). Children’s expectations of the nurses were to be well treated (62%), to perform painless procedures (20%), to play games together (12%), to be capable of their job (10%), and to be cheerful (10%). Children’s expectation of the hospital facilities was the availability of playgrounds and toys (19.2%), large and single rooms (15.4%), rooms with private bathroom (9.2%), and rooms with a television and Internet access (7.7%). A statistically significant, negative, and moderate linear relationship was found between the scale for attitudes towards hospital and healthcare personnel and SAGTS (p < 0.05, r: −0.296). The present study was performed to define the children’s hospital experiences, keeping in mind that the best opinion on this matter is the child’s own opinion. The foundation of this understanding depends on admitting that the children can express their own opinions about the care they receive.

Posttraumatic growth in mothers after infant admission to neonatal intensive care unit

Hospitalization in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is stressful and traumatic for mothers (1), even in the absence of clinical or pathological concerns (2). Several studies involving mothers of infants hospitalized in NICU identifi ed diff erent sources of parental stress, defi ned as the physical and psychological aspects of a situation that impose demands on individuals (1, 3, 4). High stress is an important risk factor for poor parent-infant relationships during early childhood and has long-term negative outcomes (5). Research indicates that parents whose infants have been admitted to NICU experience emotional reactions such as guilt, depression, fear, anxiety, acute stress disorder, etc. (6-9).