Tuba Uçar

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale

AIM The objective of this study was to translate the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS) into Turkish, to adapt it to Turkish cultural conditions, and to determine its validity and reliability. METHODS This study was conducted in a state hospital in the Central Anatolia Region, Sivas, Turkey. A total of 190 pregnant women were included in the study. Data was collected by MAAS. The validity of language, content, and construct were examined to evaluate the validity of the MAAS. Cronbachs alpha was used to assess internal consistency reliability. RESULTS The consistency of specialist opinion on the scale, translated into Turkish and back-translated, was determined (Kendall W = 0.11; P > 0.05). The factor loadings resulting from the factor analysis directed at the construct validity of the scale were in the 0.33-0.71 range, and the items were grouped under two factors. Cronbachs alpha reliability coefficient overall for the entire scale was 0.79; it was calculated as being 0.76 for the first sub-dimension (11 items) and 0.65 for the second sub-dimension (eight items). CONCLUSION The Turkish version of the MAAS is a valid and reliable tool for the evaluation of the maternal-fetal attachment level in the antenatal period.

The scale for body image concerns during pregnancy: Development and validation

PURPOSE This study aimed to develop a scale that measures body image concerns during pregnancy. DESIGN AND METHODS The study administered draft of the scale for validity and reliability analysis to 320 pregnant women who visited the maternity polyclinic of a public hospital in eastern Turkey between February and May 2016. FINDINGS The Cronbachs alpha reliability coefficient of the entire scale was 0.88. Factor analysis determined that the 23 items that explained 58.578% of total variance were in four of the factors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The scale for body image concerns during pregnancy was a valid and reliable scale.

Effect of episiotomy training with beef tongue and sponge simulators on the self-confidence building of midwifery students

This study assesses the efficacy of simulation-based episiotomy training (SBET) with beef tongue and sponge models in terms of the self confidence of midwifery students while performing episiotomy. Third-year midwifery students from Cumhuriyet University in the fall semesters of 2011 and 2012 were enrolled in the sponge and beef tongue model groups (n = 36 and n = 37, respectively). A checklist was prepared on the required skills for performing episiotomy which can be broken into three main parts, namely preparation, cutting and repairing and completion. According to the checklist, a Likert type questionnaire was developed including 5 items for preparation, 11 items for cutting and repairing, and 6 items for completion. After SBET with the sponge and beef tongue models in our laboratories of Midwifery Department, the students performed episiotomy steps in laboring women in Sivas State Hospital and then they filled in the questionnaire to indicate whether they gained self-confidence in performing episiotomy or not. Although, participants of both groups have successfully completed all the steps of episiotomy, overall, beef tongue model was found to be more successful regarding their self-confidence (p < 0.05), including the skills in performing local anesthesia; choosing needle holder, suture material and scissor for cutting; identifying apex, hymen and skin; using needle holder properly while penetrating into the skin, suturing vaginal mucosa until hymen, knotting, and suturing perineal muscles and skin. Our results suggest that while SBET with both models are applicable for episiotomy training of midwifery students in the laboratory setting, SBET with beef tongue model provides an additional increase in their self-confidence in the clinical settings.

Effect of an educational program based on cognitive behavioral techniques on fear of childbirth and the birth process

Abstract Objective: This study determined the effect of an educational program based on cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) provided for pregnant women to address their fear of childbirth. Methods: This study was conducted experimentally using pretest–posttest and a control group. A total of 111 Turkish pregnant women were recruited with 52 in the intervention group and 59 in the control group. The intervention group attended the educational program on coping with childbirth fears based on CBT, which took 3 weeks over six sessions. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, version-A (W-DEQ-A) was administered to both groups as the posttest. The researchers monitored the pregnant women’s labor and delivery and the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Birth Process Evaluation Form were completed. Results: The post-education W-DEQ-A score was 63.5 in the control group and 39.4 in the intervention group (p < .001). Their labor pain was lower, the second stage of labor was shorter and birth was more satisfactory for the intervention group than for the control group (p < .05). The CBT-based educational program and pain severity during childbirth were the significant predictors of satisfaction with childbirth (β = 0.354; β = –0.324, respectively; p < .05 for all). Conclusions: The CBT-based educational program on coping with childbirth fears reduced pregnant womens fear of childbirth and positively affected their birth experience.

Effect of the fetal movement count on maternal-fetal attachment: Maternal-fetal attachment

AIM This study aimed to determine the effect of fetal movement counting on maternal-fetal attachment. METHODS This study was a randomized controlled trial, conducted with experimental and control groups, each including 55 pregnant women from six family health centers in the Malatya Province, located in the east of Turkey. The data were collected by using a Personal Information Form and the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale. Training for fetal movement counting was provided to the experimental group. The pre- and posttraining maternal-fetal attachment levels of the experimental group (fetal movements that were regularly counted for 4 weeks) and the control group (continual routine monitoring) were compared. RESULTS In the pretraining pretest, no difference was found between the maternal-fetal attachment scores of the experimental and the control groups, whereas the maternal-fetal attachment score of the experimental group was found to be higher than that of the control group in the post-test that was applied 4 weeks later. CONCLUSION This research indicated that fetal movement counting positively affected maternal-fetal attachment.

The perspective of health professionals on the factor of 3rd persons in assisted reproductive techniques

This study was planned with the aim of determining the perspective of health professionals on the factor of 3rd persons in assisted reproductive therapy techniques. The study, which is cross-sectional and descriptive, was conducted at a university hospital in the province of Malatya between the dates April and June 2016. After a power analysis, the sample size was determined as 405 health professionals. In the statistical analysis of the data, the study used means, standard deviations and percentage distributions. Among the participants with the mean age of 2.77371, 62.7% were women and 83.5% were nurses. 27.2% stated that legal permission should be provided in assisted reproduction for oocyte donation with a 3rd person, surrogacy and sperm banks. On the other hand, 50.4% of the participants stated that they may recommend their patients other countries for operations that concern 3rd persons. It was found that the reason participants did not find these techniques appropriate was morals/ethics for 69.6% and religious reasons for 77.3%. 39.7% of the participants stated that, in a case where the only choice left for having a child is assisted reproductive methods that require a 3rd person, they would accept infertility and do nothing. The ratio of people who stated they would accept treatment was 19%. Among the participants who said they would accept treatment, 83.1% would absolutely choose someone they do not know. Additionally, 52.3% stated that they would not want themselves or their spouses become donors. Consequently, only 27.2% of health professionals stated that assisted reproductive techniques with 3rd persons should be legal. On the other hand, 50.4% stated they may forward their patients to other countries for these methods. It was seen that health professionals experienced a dilemma regarding this subject especially on grounds of morals/ethics and religious concerns.