Handan Zincir

Social support and symptoms of postpartum depression among new mothers in Eastern Turkey

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between symptoms of postpartum depression and social support in new mothers in a semi‐rural province (Malatya) of Eastern Turkey.

Women's douching practices and related attitudes in eastern Turkey.

Aim:  Vaginal douching is a common hygiene practice for many women all over the world, but it is associated with several health risks. Little is known about the beliefs and attitudes that promote and maintain douching practices. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the status of vaginal douching practices of women in the Malatya province of eastern Turkey.

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.

Sexual Dysfunction in Married Women With Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE This study was conducted in descriptive and cross-sectional design in order to determine prevalence of urinary incontinence severity in women with urinary incontinence (UI), correlation between UI and sexual dysfunctionMaterials and Methods: The study had descriptive and cross-sectional design. In sample selection, four Family Health Centers areas were determined by lot and totally 384 women with UI were reached by making home visits in these regions. As data collection tool, severity index in female urinary incontinence determining UI condition and Female Sexual Function index determining sexual functioning were used. RESULTS Average age of the women participating in the study was 37.3 ± 1.02. Mean body mass index of the women was 26.3 ± 5.41. It was determined that 22.1% of the women participating in the study had UI for 3-5 years and 15.1% had UI for six years and a longer time. It was determined that 53.9% of the women participating in study had mild incontinence, 40.6% had moderate incontinence, 3.6% had severe incontinence, and 1.8% had very severe incontinence. A significant correlation was found between severity index in female urinary incontinence (ISI) score and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score (p < 0.05). There was a positive and weak correlation between ISI scores and age, duration of marriage, and number of pregnancy of the women who participating in the study; and a positive and very weak correlation between ISI scores and body mass index and spontaneous abortion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Almost half of women with UI were determined to have moderate and more severe urinary incontinence. A significant correlation was found between ISI and FSFI score.

How intensive care nurses perceive good death

ABSTRACT This study was to determine the attitude of nurses regarding the concept of a good death and terminal phase was conducted to determine the effect on patient care. This is a descriptive and analytical study. The study was conducted with 102 nurses who worked at an intensive care unit and were willing to participate to the study. The mean Good Death Scale total score was 56.75 ± 8.90 and the Frommelt Scale score was 95.10 ± 8.53. In conclusion, our study results suggest that the attitudes of the nurses during care to moribund patients are moderate and, when appropriate care is given, they perceive the death as a positive experience.

Tip 2 Diabetes Mellitus’ta Sağlık Davranış Değişiminde Transteoretik Model Temelli Motivasyonel Görüşme Tekniği

Precautions taken in early stages of diabetes mellitus are more beneficial in terms of quality of life. The risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been shown to be reduced at rates up to 58% or its emergence may be delayed with healthy lifestyle changes in different studies. Transtheoretical model and motivational interview method are especially used to increase the adaptation of individuals to disease management and to change behaviours about diabetes mellitus for decreasing or preventing the harmful effects of diabetes mellitus in studies conducted with individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Interventions using motivational interview method based on transtheoretical model demonstrated that a general improvement in glycaemic control and in physical activity level can be achieved and significant progress has been made during the stage of change. Motivational interview method based on trans-theoretical model is an easy and efficient counselling method to reach behavioural change.