Kamile Kukulu

The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) with pregnant women.

This methodological study was planned to translate the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) into Turkish and to investigate its reliability for both nulliparous and parous women in Turkish population. A total of 660 healthy women with normal pregnancies at gestational ages of between 28 and 40 weeks were recruited. The internal consistency reliability (Cronbachs α) was used for determining the reliability of the W-DEQ. Construct validity was also determined utilizing the known-groups method. In this study, independent sample t-tests were used to compare the nulliparous and parous groups differing in known fear status. In order to test the construct of the W-DEQ, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale and Brief Measure of Worry Severity scales were chosen as these scales are expected to correlate with the W-DEQ. Analysis of the construct validity of the W-DEQ version A using Pearsons correlation coefficients was performed for both nulliparous and parous women separately. All the scales in both groups showed a statistically significant correlation with the W-DEQ. The alpha coefficient (0.89) is well above the 0.70 criterion for internal consistency reliability. Turkish form of Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A was fixed as reliable and valid means to measure the level of fear of childbirth among Turkish pregnants.

The relationship between depression and sexual function in menopause period.

OBJECTIVES Menopause is a physiological process that is lived universally by every middle age woman. This study has been made with the aim of determining the relation between depression situation and sexual function of women in menopause period. METHODS This study was made with 300 women in menopause who applied to Akdeniz University Research and Application Hospital on January 2007. Study used socio-demographic data descriptive survey form, Beck Depression Inventory and sexual function scale as data collection tool. Data were collected by researchers in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS In the study it was found that age and marriage duration of women could reduce sexual function. Depression was determined in 29.3% of women and sexual dysfunction in 65% of women. Significant negative relation was found between sub-dimension of sexual function scale of women vaginal slickness, orgasm, pain, total sexual dysfunction and depression point. CONCLUSION In the study it was determined that while depression points increased with menopause, sexual function reduced and with the increase of depression point, sexual dysfunction increased too. Qualitative studies must be made that will examine emotional situations and sexual life of women.

Effects of epidural anesthesia on labor progress.

Although delivery is a normal physiologic process, it causes a certain level of pain in women. Today, the most frequently preferred and the most used method is epidural anesthesia. The objective of the present study was to review the reasons, effects, and risks associated with epidural analgesia for pain relief. The study was conducted at Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Turkey, between October 2004 and July 2005. Epidural analgesia was administered to 51 pregnant women in the experimental group, and 51 pregnant women in the control group did not receive analgesia. Data were collected by questionnaire and observation forms. Epidural anesthesia was chosen by 76.5% of the participants because they wanted to experience a pain-free childbirth, 66.7% because they were afraid of the process of delivery, 25.5% because they had had a previous bad labor experience, 35.3% because they had people around them with positive experiences, 29.4% because they wanted to have a normal delivery, and 31.4% because they wanted first to see their baby. The overwhelming majority of the participants (94.1%) experienced nervousness before the administration of epidural analgesia. It was determined that epidural analgesia extended the time of labor and increased oxygen and oxytocin requirement but did not increase the risk for interventional delivery and cesarean. To give better obstetric care and control of labor pain, it is of clinical importance to know obstetric anesthesia and analgesics.

The Perception of Menopause Among Turkish Women

The perception of menopause, menopausal attitudes, and problems faced during this period vary from one society to another. This study was conducted in order to determine the symptoms and perception of menopause, as well as factors affecting and influencing this perception. This study was made with the help of 300 women in menopause who applied to Akdeniz University Research and Application Hospital in January 2007. The study used sociodemographic data from a descriptive survey form. The data were collected by researchers in face-to-face interviews. The mean menopause age of participating women was x = 45.75 ± 4.7. A total of 41.3% of the women had primary education, and 62% of the women also had one or two children. There was a significant relationship between attitudes toward menopause and a womans age, educational status, number of children, duration of living with spouse, satisfaction with marriage, menopausal age, menopause duration, and sexual intercourse after the menopausal period. The most important aspect of polyclinic services related to menopause is to increase and maintain womens quality of life. In this context, education modules should be developed to help couples perceive menopause in a more positive way.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version B

Examining the fear of delivery after childbirth is important. The authors’ aim is to examine the overall psychometric quality of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version B. Reliability and validity of the instrument were evaluated via reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and multidimensional subscore estimation. A six-factor model was proposed to explain instrument results. Factors included concerns about labor pain, lack of positive behaviors, loneliness, lack of positive feelings, concerns about childbirth, and concerns about the baby. Researchers provide psychometric evidence about the quality of the questionnaire to measure fear of delivery after childbirth.

Dietary habits, economic status, academic performance and body mass index in school children: A comparative study

The changes in dietary habits and way of life of adolescents can lead to some nutrition problems. The purpose of this study was to compare dietary habits of children living in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas regarding their physical characteristics, socio-economic milieu and educational level. A total of 737 students studying in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades of two different primary schools took part in the study. Data were collected by a questionnaire including dietary habits of participants. Furthermore, the weight and height of students were measured and their body mass index was calculated. During the study, while 4.3 percent of students living in the non-metropolitan area were found obese, this figure was 8.4 percent in the metropolitan area. A big majority of non-metropolitan students have breakfast and lunch at home. Metropolitan students not having lunch at home have their lunch at restaurants or school canteens and generally consume more snacks. The obesity risk of students participating in the study was found to be high. Intervention programs should be organized in order to inform the students about the importance of healthy nutrition and lead them to change their current consumption behavior.

Maternal punishment practices in a rural area of Turkey

OBJECTIVE We examined a number of maternal characteristics that influence punishment practices in a rural area of Turkey. METHODS Questionnaires were filled out in face-to-face interviews with 539 mothers who agreed to participate in this study. RESULTS The majority findings of this study were as follows: all of the mothers had used various forms of punishment on their children; hitting other children was the primary reason for punishment, and hitting was the most common form of punishment used by mothers. Another interesting finding of this study was that mothers did not demonstrate the same responses to their children when they were alone as when others were present. Mothers commonly felt regret in the post-punishment period. CONCLUSION These findings can be useful in establishing parental educational programming that is directed at decreasing the rates of punishment practices.

A survey on the correlation between sexual satisfaction and depressive symptoms during infertility

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study has been conducted in a descriptive, correlational design in order to determine the correlation between sexual satisfaction and depressive symptoms. In this respect, sexual satisfaction and depression scores were assessed in 102 infertile couples in a Turkish university hospital. There was a positive and meaningful correlation between Beck Depression scores and educational status and monthly income of infertile women on the one hand, and among marriage, infertility, infertility treatment durations, and the number of assisted-reproduction treatments on the other hand. It was found that there were more sexual dysfunctions in women than in men and that they were affected more deeply. As a result, it might be suggested that infertile couples receive proper guidance from health professionals in the course of treatment.

A Meta-Analysis of The Effect On Maternal Health Of Upright Positions During The Second Stage Of Labour, Without Routine Epidural Analgesia

AIM To detect the effect on maternal health of upright positions during the second stage of labour. BACKGROUND Maternal position during labour has an important effect on maternal and foetal health. DESIGN A meta-analysis was used based on the Cochrane Handbook. DATA SOURCES Randomized/non-randomized clinical trials were searched with English and Turkish key words in databases (CINAHL, Medline, Science Direct, Springer Link, Ovid, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations, Proquest, ULAKBİM (Turkish Academic Network and Information Center) and YÖK (Turkish Council of Higher Education) (1970-December 2015). REVIEW METHODS According to inclusion criteria, eligible studies were identified. Data extraction was performed and the bias risks of the studies were assessed independently by two authors. The publication bias of the main outcomes was examined. The overall effect size was calculated by risk ratio with a random effects model. Statistical heterogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS The criteria for the meta-analysis were met by 22 articles. It was detected that the ratio of instrumental labour and episiotomy was lower but the haemorrhage ratio was higher in women. There was no statistical effect of upright position on the other maternal outcomes. CONCLUSION The reductions in these ratios improved comfort. Due to methodological shortcomings of the studies, the increased ratio of postpartum haemorrhage should be interpreted with caution. Researchers are recommended to conduct studies rigorously. In addition, healthcare professionals are recommended to decide the appropriate birth position by considering the individual risk factors and preferences of the women.

The effect of the mindfulness-based transition to motherhood program in pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes

ABSTRACT The purpose of the researchers is to determine the effect of a mindfulness program on readiness for motherhood, the level of maternal attachment, and on postpartum self-evaluation. We used a quasiexperimental design. Researchers applied the mindfulness-based Transition to Motherhood program to the treatment group for 7 days. Data were collected between December 2012 and June 2014 in Turkey. At the end of the study, the treatment group showed improvement in measures of acceptance of pregnancy, level of readiness to give birth, level of maternal attachment, and level of competence in the role of motherhood.