Kafiye Eroğlu

Role of pelvic floor muscle exercises in the prevention of stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the role of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) in the prevention of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Methods: A total of 102 women was included in the study. Data, collected through forms, included characteristics of the women, follow-up data during the pregnancy and postpartum period and a three-day urinary diary. Both groups were evaluated in terms of SUI at the 14th–20th, 28th and 32nd weeks of gestation and at 12 weeks postpartum. Results: As shown by the pad test, SUI developed in 5.8, 17.3 and 1.9% of the subjects in the intervention group at the 28th and 32nd gestational week and the 12th postpartum week, respectively. The relevant ratios in the control group were 30, 48 and 18%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups in terms of SUI development at the 28th and 32nd weeks of gestation and the 12th postpartum week (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PFME are effective for prevention of SUI development during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Health care providers are therefore recommended to provide education and counseling to pregnant women about SUI prevention.

Factors Affecting Appropriateness of Hospital Utilization in Two Hospitals in Turkey

To determine the extent of inappropriate hospital use, to investigate factors related to variations in appropriateness, and to identify reasons for inappropriateness, the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) was applied to 2067 patient days in two hospitals between March 1997 and 1998 in Ankara, Turkey. A substantial amount of inappropriate utilization was found in both hospitals (34.2%, 24.6%). Factors affecting the appropriateness of hospital utilization and reasons for inappropriateness were varied and presented by internal medicine, general surgery, and gynecology services. In general, results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that inappropriateness was significantly associated with admission number (first admission/readmission), admission route (emergent/non-emergent), and day of the week. The most common reason for inappropriateness was diagnostic procedures and/or treatments that could have been carried out on an ambulatory basis. This study demonstrates that the AEP can be used as a tool to improve the efficiency of the Turkish hospitals.

Investigation of the sexual behavior of pregnant women residing in squatter neighborhoods in southwestern Turkey: a qualitative study.

The authors designed this study in order to understand changes in sexual behavior during pregnancy. The sample comprised 26 healthy women who were in at least their 37th week of pregnancy. The authors collected data through in-depth individual interviews. Participants reported the following most common reasons for ceasing sexual intercourse in the final stages of pregnancy: (a) physical discomfort during sex, (b) belief that it could be physically harmful to the fetus, (c) belief that it is sinful according to Islamic injunctions, (d) belief that the baby will be born “stained” because of the misperception of vernix caseosa as sperm, and (e) changes in sexual life at the recommendation of health professionals.

The effect of education and counseling services on compliance to therapy of women taking hormone therapy for the first time.

Objective:The purpose of this experimental research was to examine the effect of hormone therapy (HT)-related education and counseling on compliance. Design:The 119 women in both the experimental and the control group were being seen in a referral maternity and womens health teaching hospitals menopause outpatient clinic. Similarity between experimental and control groups was ensured using one-to-one pairing. The data were collected using a questionnaire and a follow-up form. The experimental group was given group education and an educational booklet on the first day they began therapy and counseling in the third and sixth months of therapy. The control group was not given counseling or education. Chi-square was used in data evaluation. Results:There was no difference between the groups at the third month for those who were continuing HT (P > 0.05), but at the sixth month a significant difference was found (P < 0.05). The primary reason for stopping HT at the third month in the experimental group was fear of cancer and in the control group it was the side effects of HT. At 6 months, the primary reason for stopping HT in the experimental group was, again, fear of cancer but in the control group it was the womans desire not to continue. There was no significant difference in the groups at either 3 or 6 months in experiencing benefits or side effects from HT (P > 0.05). Conclusion:Education and counseling services given by nurses or other health care personnel have an effect on long-term compliance with HT.