Unal Ayranci

Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its effect on quality of life among a group of female university students

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and determine its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among a group of female university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 March and 15 April 2009 at Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, Health High School, Western Turkey. The study group included 623 female students. The severity of dysmenorrhea was determined with a 10-point visual analog scale. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) form was used to determinate HRQoL. Chi-square test, Students t test, and logistic regression and variance analyses (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses. The average age of the study group was 20.8 ± 1.8 years (range 17–30). Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was found to be 72.7% and was significantly higher in coffee consumers, females with menstrual bleeding duration ≥7 days, and those who had a positive family history of dysmenorrhea when compared to the others (P < 0.05, for each one). By multivariate analysis, coffee consumption (OR 2.084), menstrual bleeding duration ≥7 days (OR 1.590), and positive family history of dysmenorrhea (OR 3.043) were important risk factors for dysmenorrhea. Except for social functioning, role–emotional, and mental health domains, the SF-36 points received from the other domains were higher in females with dysmenorrhea (for each one P < 0.05). With the exception of the scores received from physical functioning and role–emotional domains, the scores received from the other domains of the SF-36 scale showed a decrease with increasing severity of dysmenorrhea (P < 0.05, for each one). Dysmenorrhea is a common health problem, having negative effects on the HRQoL among university female students.

Identification of Violence in Turkish Health Care Settings

This study sought to investigate the contributing factors to and frequency of violence against health care workers (HCWs) working in western Turkey. The population is composed of a random sample of 1,209 HCWs from 34 health care workplaces. Written questionnaires were given to HCWs at all sites, where staff were instructed to register all types of violence they had experienced. In all, 49.5% of HCWs reported having experienced verbal, physical, or verbal and physical violence, with this total being made up of 39.6% men and 60.4% women. A larger percentage (69.6%) of general practitioners reported experiencing verbal abuse and physical violence by patients and patients’ family members or friends. Younger workers, inexperienced staff, and those in emergency services were more likely to report violence. Violence directed toward HCWs is a common occupational hazard. Public health authorities should plan preventive interventions based on the findings of this study.

Prevalence and predictors of dysmenorrhea among students at a university in Turkey.

To determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among Turkish university students and to evaluate the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on the condition.

Prevalence of depression, its correlates among students, and its effect on health-related quality of life in a Turkish university

Objective.The aims were to investigate the prevalence of depression among university students, and to determine some of the risk factors connected to depression, and also to evaluate its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods.This cross-sectional survey was conducted between 1 December 2007 and 31 January 2008 at Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, in western Turkey. The study group consisted of 822 students. The questionnaire included the students’ socio-demographic characteristics, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36). The data were analyzed by using chi-square, Students t test, percent (%) ratios, and backward logistic regression analysis with a significant value of P<0.05. Results. Of the students, 377 (45.9%) were males and 445 (54.1%) females. Overall, the prevalence of depression was 21.8% (n=179/822). Family history of depression, acne on face, any physical defect on body, smoking, alcohol consumption, and future-related occupational preoccupation were all deemed important risk factors for depression (P <0.05, for each one). It was found that, in those with depression, all the mean domain scores of SF-36 scale were lower than those without depression (P <0.05, for each one). Conclusions.The prevalence of depression among the university students in this region of Turkey was wide-spread, affecting negatively the HRQoL of the students. For prevention and control of depression, depression information and knowledge need to be addressed by health education programs.

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence among Women and Its Impact on Quality of Life in a Semirural Area of Western Turkey

Background/Aims: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a very common and bothersome condition among women, affecting up to 50% of women during their lifetime. Older women are disproportionately affected and often view UI as a normal part of aging, thus precluding contact with medical professionals. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors of UI in women aged 20 years or older, as well as to examine its effects on women’s quality of life (QOL). Methods: The study was conducted on 1,585 women aged 20 years and over between January and March 2007. Data were obtained by a face-to-face interview, using a questionnaire consisting of questions pertaining to the women’s demographic characteristics, medical and obstetric history and UI. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) scale was used to assess the QOL of the women. Results: The prevalence of UI in this group of women was 49.5%. UI was significantly associated with advanced age (p < 0.05), lower education level (p ≤ 0.001), recurrent urinary tract infection (p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p ≤ 0.001), a history of nocturnal enuresis in childhood (p < 0.001), taking diuretics (p < 0.05) and body mass index (p < 0.001). When the QOL of the women with and without UI were evaluated, the scores for women without UI were higher than those with mild, moderate or severe UI (p < 0.001 for each). Women with UI of varying severity had lower mean domain scores on the SF-36 than women without UI (p < 0.001 for each). As the severity of UI increased, it was seen that the mean domain scores according to the scale showed a decrease (p < 0.001). Conclusion: It is concluded that UI is a common disorder among women in this region of Turkey and that it also negatively affects these women’s QOL, suggesting the need for more social and medical study in this area.

Effectiveness of foot and hand massage in postcesarean pain control in a group of Turkish pregnant women

The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of foot and hand massage on reducing postoperative pain in patients who had cesarean operation. This pretest-posttest design study was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study. In the light of the results, it was reported that the reduction in pain intensity was significantly meaningful in both intervention groups when compared to the control group. It was also noted that vital findings were measured comparatively higher before the massage in the test groups, and they were found to be relatively lower in the measurements conducted right before and after the massage, which was considered to be statistically meaningful. Foot and hand massage proved useful as an effective nursing intervention in controlling postoperative pain.

Prevalence of postpartum depression in mothers and fathers and its correlates.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression and its connections in a group of mothers and their husbands. BACKGROUND Although postpartum depression in mothers during the postnatal period has been extensively studied, the courses of depression from pregnancy to postpartum and risk factors among mothers and fathers together are not known. DESIGN A cross-sectional design was used. METHODS This study included 110 couples registered at a family health centre in western Turkey. For the data collection, the Mother Introduction Form, the Father Introduction Form and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale were used. The data were analysed by Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation and logistic regression tests. RESULTS The prevalence of postpartum depression was 9·1 and 1·8% for mothers and fathers, respectively. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale average score for mothers was 4·29 ± 5·33 points and 1·12 ± 2·75 points for fathers. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale scores were significantly higher in mothers who said that their relationship with their husbands was moderate or bad, who felt partly sufficient in the baby care, who were in difficulty in the baby care, who felt anxious for their motherhood and who said that they had not received support from anybody for baby care. The logistic analysis found that those feeling anxious about motherhood were at risk 5·6 times more than the others in developing postpartum depression. CONCLUSION Both mothers and fathers should be given consulting services about baby care and how they can manage with postpartum depression during postpartum period. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study highlights the utility of screening for the risk of postpartum depression during pregnancy and also during the early postpartum period.

Prevalence of depression among postmenopausal women and related characteristics

Objective To estimate the prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women and to evaluate the relation between postmenopausal depression and some sociodemographic characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 744 postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years residing within Sivrihisar, Eskisehir, a town in western Turkey. The study was conducted between May 1 and June 30, 2009. Depression was measured with a Turkish version of the Beck Depression Inventory. Data were gathered during routine visits to the womens homes. Following the completion of the questionnaires and scales, the womens body mass indices were calculated by measuring their heights and weights. Statistical analysis used the χ2 test and the Wald backward stepwise method. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of depression was 24.7% (184/744). The average age of the women at menopause was 46 years. Significantly important risk factors for depression were primary-school education level (odds ratio (OR) 1.681), not being married (OR 1.653), having a history of psychiatric illness (OR 2.186), entering into menopause at the age of ≤39 years (OR 2.705), having irregular menstruation before menopause (OR 1.729), and having no children (OR 3.316). Conclusion Depression among postmenopausal women is an important public health problem that requires attention; furthermore, women are at risk in terms of depression after entering into menopause.

Prevalence of disordered eating and its impact on quality of life among a group of college students in a province of west Turkey

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of disordered eating (DE) among a group of college students and assess its impact on quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was conducted between December 15th, 2008 and January 15th, 2009 at a Turkish University. Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40) was used to identify DE. Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was assessed by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. RESULTS The prevalence of DE was 6.8%. Presence of any physical defect (OR: 2.657), parents living separately (OR: 3.114), mothers having an education level of secondary school and over (OR: 2.583), and families not having social health insurance (OR: 2.603) were important risk factors (f<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The HRQoL of those with DE was worse than those without it. Periodic screenings should be done to determine DE cases.

An analysis of changes in cerebral blood flood velocities in depressive pseudo-dementia and Alzheimer disease patients.

Background Patients with pseudo-dementia are at particular risk of being labeled as Alzheimer dementia. We thus need better diagnostic methods. In this study, we evaluated the cerebral reactivity of the posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) during visual stimulation by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Methods The study group consisted of 13 and 11 patients suffering from pseudo-dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD), respectively, and 10 healthy controls. Visual reactivity was defined as the differences of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) against the visual stimulus. Mini Mental State Examination and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scales were used as psychometric tests. The transcranial Doppler ultrasonography device was applied for simultaneous recording of both PCAs. Obtained data were evaluated by Student t test, and 1-way analysis of variance tests, with a priori as P<0.05. Results Subjects with AD had a lower CBFv following visual stimuli (P<0.001). Mean CBFv throughout the procedure [P<0.001; right and left sides, in AD and depressive pseudo-dementia (DPD), respectively], velocity at rest (P<0.001 in each side for both groups), and velocity at stimulation (P<0.001; each side for both groups) on both PCAs were significantly lower in patients with AD and DPD than those of the controls. Compared with the controls, the relative (r) CBFvs (%) were found to be significantly lower in AD (P<0.05, P<0.01, for the right and left side, respectively). Conclusions We have shown that CBFv decreased in patients with AD and DPD, but vasoneuronal activity was only impaired in patients with AD. On the other hand, although the results do not show significant differences between depressive and demented groups by TCD, further studies will be needed for differentiating these diseases.