Ümran Oskay

A study on urogenital complaints of postmenopausal women aged 50 and over

Objective.  The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of urogenital complaints in postmenopausal women aged 50 and over.

Biopsychosocial risk factors for preterm birth and postpartum emotional well-being: a case–control study on Turkish women without chronic illnesses

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The study aimed to determine bio-psycho-social risk factors for preterm birth in a sample of Turkish women without chronic illnesses and evaluate their anxiety and depression in early postpartum period. BACKGROUND Preterm birth is a devastating event with long-term health and social implications. Studies have identified several risk factors; however, the contribution of these causes differs by ethnic groups. DESIGN This case-control study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Istanbul over one year. In total, 149 preterm mothers were included in the case group and 150 term mothers who delivered in the same day with a case group woman were included in the control group. Chronic illnesses and anomalies were excluded. METHOD Data were gathered using a form that addressed risk factors for preterm birth. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Beck Depression Inventory and Spielbergers State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered within 24-72 hours after birth. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis revealed that partners lower education (≤ 8 years), history of preterm birth, antenatal hospitalisation, genitourinary infection and irregular prenatal care were significant risk factors. Perceived social support from family and friends were significantly lower in preterm group. Preterm mothers experienced significantly more anxiety and depressive symptoms in early postpartum. CONCLUSION Many of the socio-economical and obstetric causes of preterm births were similar to other countries with higher preterm birth rates. Preterm births were associated with lower social support along with more anxiety and depressive symptoms in early postpartum. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Women who have established risk factors can be targeted for more intensive antenatal care for the prevention of preterm birth. Increased maternal anxiety and depression reveal the necessity of emotional support immediately after birth.

Evaluation of Sexual Functions in Turkish Alcohol‐Dependent Males

INTRODUCTION It was reported that long-term and high amount of alcohol consumption cause sexual dysfunction in men. There is a lack of descriptive studies focusing on the sexual dysfunction of alcohol dependent men in Turkey. AIMS This study was conducted to evaluate sexual functions of alcohol dependent men. METHODS This descriptive study was performed at the Alcohol and Substance Research Treatment and Education Center (ASRTEC). The data was collected between 26 December 2007 and 26 December 2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES As research instruments, an interview form of 30 questions that questioned personal characteristics and was developed by researchers, and IIEF (International Index of Erectile Dysfunction) with 15 items that evaluated sexual dysfunction were used. RESULTS Mean age of men was 41.22 ± 8.19; 36.5% of participants were graduated from primary school, and 57.5% were unemployed. Average daily alcohol consumption was 16.41 ± 4.90 standard alcohol. We found that 47% of alcohol-dependent men had their first sexual experience before they were 18 years old, 64.4% had multiple partners, 1.7% experienced a sexually transmitted disease, 7.7% had a chronic disease, and 18.3% had pain during intercourse. Mean total IIEF scores of alcohol-dependent men was 57 ± 9.23 (mean ED scores 23.41 ± 3.91). Therefore, 70.3% of participants had a mild (17-25), and 4.4% had a moderate (11-16) erectile dysfunction. With a multivariate analysis, predictors of erectile dysfunction in chronic alcohol dependent male were determined as age of subject, age of onset for alcohol, duration of alcoholism, and cigarette use. CONCLUSION Chronic alcoholism affects sexual functions in men. Sexual dysfunction in alcohol addicted males is related with education level and unemployment and starting alcohol consumption at an early age and long-term cigarette smoking.

A psychometric validation study of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales in Turkish cancer family caregivers.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the psychometric validation of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales in Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients.MethodsThis is a descriptive study involving 100 family caregivers of cancer patients. The validity and reliability study of the scales was performed in two phases. Phase I focused on the construction of the Turkish version of the instruments and pilot testing. Phase II was the psychometric assessment of the scales.ResultsThe caregivers stated that the two questionnaires were easy to read and to understand. However, the psychometric validation performed afterwards revealed that both the ordering of the factor loadings and content of the scales were influenced by prevailing characteristics of Turkish society. Caregivers were satisfied with the care their patients received, and family concerns were the most negatively affected quality-of-life (QOL) dimensions. Factors affecting the QOL and satisfaction with care were age, co-residence, relationship to patient, gender of the patients and caregivers, stage of the disease of the patient and marital status of the caregivers.ConclusionPsychometric validation of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales demonstrates that these culturally adapted scales are valid and reliable tools to assess the QOL and satisfaction of Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients.

Evaluation of Sexual Function of Turkish Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Systemic Treatment

471 A ccording to the research literature, about 50% of patients receiving treatment for breast cancer experience long-term sexual issues attributed to the physical and psychological impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment (Huber, ramnarace, & mccaffrey, 2006). Previous studies about the impact generally focused on the period after treatment was completed, with little or no information reported on sexual issues during treatment. Beckjord and campas (2007) recently reported that younger women who had received chemotherapy, had mastectomies, and were depressed had decreased sexual quality of life. The focus of the current study is to describe sexuality and factors affecting the sexuality of patients receiving systemic treatment for breast cancer.

An Investigation of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women Aged 40 and Over

The objective of this study was to determine lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and associated risk factors in women aged 40 years and over.

Use of Alcoholic Beverages and Other Psychoactive Substances Among Women in Turkey: Medical, Biological, and Social Consequences. A Pilot Study

This research was planned for determining the genitourinary health problems of alcohol and other psychoactive substance-dependent women. This research was conducted using a descriptive method at the Alcohol-Substance Research, Treatment and Education Center (ASRTEC). The research sample comprised 126 women who presented at ASRTEC clinic between September 15, and March 15, 2007, and were diagnosed as being alcohol/drug dependent according to DSM-IV. The data were collected using an Addicted Womens Genitourinary Health Evaluation Form and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. In this study 37.3% of the women were alcohol dependent and 62.7% were substance dependent. It was determined that alcohol and other psychoactive substance-dependent women experience a high rate of genitourinary health problems, such as unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners, irregular menstrual cycles, sexual dysfunction, unwanted pregnancies, and abortions.

The Effects of Alcohol Dependence on the Quality of Life and Sex Life of Women

Background: Alcohol dependence is a multi-dimensional and chronic disorder which affects the physical, psychological, social, sexual health and thus the quality of life of the individual. Objectives: This research was designed in order to determine the effect of alcohol dependence on the quality of life and sexual life of women. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional and comparative relation study, consisting of a case study group constituted of women who consulted Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Disorders Training and Research Hospitals Alcohol and Substance Research, Treatment, Education Center between July 2009 and July 2010 and who were diagnosed as alcohol addicted and a healthy group, constituted of women who consulted the Gynecology Clinic of the same hospital (alcohol dependent group = 71, healthy group = 183). The data were collected using ‘World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Form’ (WHOQOL-BREF TR), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed by percentage, mean, chi-square, students t-test, and multivariate analysis by use of SPSS 13.0 program. Results: It was determined that the alcohol-dependent women presented lower WHOQOL-BREF-TR sub-dimensions and lower FSFI total scores and sub-dimensions but higher scores in BDI scale in comparison to the healthy group. Conclusions: The alcohol dependence negatively affects the quality of life and sexual life in women.

Psychosocial Adaptation and Depressive Manifestations in High-Risk Pregnant Women: Implications for Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND High-risk pregnancy research has focused primarily on psychological well-being. AIMS The aim is to determine psychosocial adaptation and depression levels of pregnant women who were admitted to hospital with diagnosis of high-risk pregnancy. METHODS This study was descriptive. Sampling was composed of 122 high-risk pregnant women who were hospitalized in the perinatology service of Istanbul University Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between January 1, 2014, and May 31, 2014, and met the study criteria. The Pregnant Introduction Form, Psychosocial Adjustment of Illness Scale-Self Report, and CES Depression Scale were used. RESULTS Of high-risk pregnant women, 47% were found to have a poor level of psychosocial adaptation and 57% presented with depressive symptoms. There were statistically significant difference found between the levels of psychosocial adaptation and status of depressive manifestations. The difference between the average scores increased as the adaptation levels weaken and the pregnant women with a poor level of psychosocial adaptation showed more depressive manifestations. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that, depending on the high-risk pregnancy status, pregnant women experience difficulty in adaptation to their current status and pregnant women with a poor level of psychosocial adaptation showed more depressive manifestations. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION Nurses should deliver care in high-risk pregnancies with the awareness of physiological needs as well the psychosocial needs of pregnant women, and information meetings should be held in order to increase the psychosocial support of their families and decrease their tendency toward depression. Nursing initiatives should be developed with further studies for the psychosocial adaptation of high-risk pregnancy and reduction of the depressive manifestations.