Memnun Seven

Evaluating Dysmenorrhea in a Sample of Turkish Nursing Students

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and symptoms of dysmenorrhea, its relevant factors, and the rate of seeking medical help in a group of nursing students. A total of 380 students were included in the study. The demographic data questionnaire, a Daily Menstrual Symptom Rating Scale (DMSR), and the Visual Analog Scale for pain (VASP) were used as tools for data collection. The mean age of the participants was 20.31 ± 1.10 years. Most students had experienced dysmenorrhea (84.9%). Menstrual pain was frequently initiated on the first day of menstruation (77.8%). The most commonly reported menstrual problems were irregular menstrual cycles (27.2%) and oligomenorrhea (15.1%). Only 24.1% of students consulted their physicians for dysmenorrhea. The participants who had dysmenorrhea had significantly higher symptom scores than the participants who had not had dysmenorrhea, in terms of decreased activities, tension, hip and abdominal pain, backache, headache, and fatigue. Also, having a sister with dysmenorrhea increased the risk of dysmenorrhea. Although dysmenorrhea is a gynecological problem that is commonly seen in young women and that negatively affects daily activities and school life, the rate of seeking medical help is low. Adolescents should, therefore, be educated and counseled to determine the underlying cause and to increase the use of an effective treatment method. Considering that nurses should be better informed about dysmenorrhea causes and treatment options, a study of nursing students was undertaken.

Acceptance of human papillomavirus vaccine by adolescent girls and their parents in Turkey.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to identify the opinions of Turkish adolesecent girls and their parents about HPV vaccination and the consistency. METHODS This descriptive study covered 301 girls and their parents. Questionnares were developed by the researchers based on findings within the literature and applied for data collection. RESULTS The mean age was 19.4 for girls, 44.2 for mothers and 47.9 for fathers. It was found that 43.5 percent of girls and 31.9 percent of mothers wish to be vaccinated against HPV. Also, 45.5 percent of mothers and 44.9 percent of fathers wish for their daughters to be vaccinated against HPV. A moderate consistency was found between mothers and fathers; a low consistency was found between fathers and girls, and between mothers and girls. CONCLUSIONS the study indicates that an appropriate background has been partially provided about the acceptability of the vaccine between parents and their daughters in Turkey. However, the vast majority of adolescent girls and parents are indecisive or reluctant about HPV vaccination. This study also showed that the decisions of adolescents about vaccination may be affected by the opinions of the parents.

Predictors of sexual function during pregnancy

The aim of the study was to evaluate sexual functions of pregnant women and to determine the factors affecting their sexual function. The cross-sectional study recruited 286 pregnant women from a hospital. To collect data, ‘Patient Information Form’, ‘State Anxiety Inventory’ and ‘Female Sexual Function Index’ were used. The mean age of women was 29.15 ± 4.85 and 77.6% of them presented with sexual dysfunction. Having partner at advanced age, a history of miscarriage, a history of health problem during previous pregnancy and a high level of anxiety were found to be factors negatively affecting sexual function. Health professionals should be aware of a number of risk factors that may contribute to sexual dysfunction in pregnant women.

Infertility history: is it a risk factor for postpartum depression in Turkish women?

Purpose The aim of this cohort study was to assess postpartum depressive symptoms in women who had been successfully treated for primary infertility at 2 teaching hospitals in Turkey in 2008. Methods The study groups comprised 51 fertile and 105 infertile women. The number of participants lost to follow-up was 28 fertile and 8 infertile women. “Descriptive Information Questionnaire” developed by the authors, the adapted “Beck Depression Inventory,” and the adapted “Postpartum Depression Scanning Scale” were used to collect data. Results The probability of developing postpartum depression in the infertile group is 1.352 times higher than that in the fertile group. However, this result cannot be considered to be statistically meaningful. A similar correlation was present between the level of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and in the postpartum period in both the infertile and fertile groups. Additional risk factors such as health issues during pregnancy, the notion that pregnancy causes a decrease in libido and negative body image, the infants gender, pain from incision or infection, and dyspareunia were manifest in the fertile women, but not in the infertile women. Conclusion A history of infertility is not a major factor in postpartum depression. However, a history of depression may contribute to its development during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Infertile women who experience severe anxiety and stress could be more prone to depression and should therefore be monitored closely.

Educational needs of nurses to provide genetic services in prenatal care: A cross-sectional study from Turkey

The latest advances in genetics/genomics have significantly impacted prenatal screening and diagnostic tests. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in inpatient and outpatient obstetric clinics in 24 hospitals in Turkey to determine knowledge of genetics related to prenatal care and the educational needs of perinatal nurses. A total of 116 nurses working in these clinics agreed to participate. The results included the level of knowledge among nurses was not affected by sociodemographic factors. Also, there is a lack of knowledge and interest in genetics among prenatal nurses and in clinical practice to provide education and counseling related to genetics in prenatal settings as a part of prenatal care.

Urinary Incontinence in Pregnant Women: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Its Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) during pregnancy and to evaluate its effect on health-related quality of life. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample of the study comprised 287 pregnant women attending an outpatient clinic located in a research and training hospital in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Data were collected using an investigator-developed questionnaire that included 2 validated instruments, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and Incontinence Quality of Life scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of UI in the study population was 21.3% (n = 61). Cumulative scores in pregnant women who “always” experienced UI and those who expressed a “large amount” of UI were lower than women with milder UI. Logistic regression analysis found associations between UI and age in years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.833; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.763-8.332), parity (OR = 2.539; 95% CI, 1.135-5.675), third trimester versus first trimester (OR = 3.206; 95% CI, 1.178-8.725), and prior use of hormonal contraceptives (OR = 0.209; 95% CI, 0.085-0.513). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence is prevalent among pregnant women. Age, parity, and gestational week were associated with an increased likelihood of UI during pregnancy. Prior use of contraceptive hormones was associated with a reduced risk of UI during pregnancy.