Evaluating the effect of donor anxiety levels and lifestyle characteristics on the activation of platelet concentrates

BACKGROUND: Smoking, alcohol use, performing regular physical exercise, dietary habits, and anxiety level may cause platelet activation. We aimed to evaluate the anxiety levels, smoking status, alcohol intake, and sportive habits of donors, and determine their impact on the quality of apheresis-platelets.METHODS: State and Transient Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to determine the level of donors' anxiety. STAI has two subscales: S-anxiety scale (STAI-I) and T-anxiety scale (STAI-II), each comprising 20 questions rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Data on smoking, alcohol consumption, and performing regular physical exercise were obtained from a questionnaire filled out before donation. Flow cytometric analysis was used to quantify activated platelets.RESULTS: The STAI-I level of 86 participants was normal, while that of 12 was higher. No significant difference was found in the active platelet absolute count [1.8×10¹¹ (2.7) and 1.4×10¹¹ (1.3), respectively; P=0.665] between donors with normal STAI-I levels and those with higher STAI-I levels. Of 98 donors, 42 had normal STAI-II levels, while 56 had higher STAI-II levels. No significant difference was found in the active platelet absolute count [2.3×10¹¹ (3.1) and 1.5×10¹¹ (2.3), respectively; P=0.224] between donors with normal STAI-II levels and those with higher STAI-II levels. Platelet counts of individuals who perform regular physical exercise were significantly higher than those of individuals who did not perform regular physical exercise (6.3±1.4×10¹¹ vs. 5.5±1.4×10¹¹).CONCLUSION: The quality of apheresis platelets is not affected by anxiety levels and lifestyle characteristics of blood donors. There is no need to organize apheresis blood donor pool considering with these subjects.

Turkish women's self-reported knowledge behavior towards oral health during pregnancy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health care knowledge and behavior of women during pregnancy. The study population consisted of 351 mothers with children under 3 months of age who presented at G_lhane Medical Academy's Department of Pediatrics for a routine child check-up. Mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire about their knowledge and behavior regarding dental care during pregnancy. All the women who participated in the study had dental insurance, and most of them had high levels of education. Of the 351 mothers, 263 [75%] had heard about possible connections between oral health and pregnancy outcome, and 165 [47%] believed tooth and periodontal problems could affect pregnancy outcome. However, 256 [73%] women still believed that calcium would be drawn out of their teeth by the developing baby, and 151 [43%] believed in the erroneous statement 'A tooth for a baby'. 241 [68.7%] women had experienced oral health problems during pregnancy; however, only 48 [13.7%] visited a dentist during their pregnancy. Turkish women, despite having knowledge that adverse pregnancy events may be related to dental and periodontal problems, did not seek oral health care during pregnancy. This suggests the need to better educate medical providers to inform pregnant women to obtain oral health care during pregnancy

Sexual perception: an overlooked psychological barrier to nursing

Patient care is one of the most important functions of nursing. Nurses are responsible legally and ethically to take care of male patient without any discrimination. Sexuality perceptions and embarrassment effect negatively on intimate care particularly between male patients and female nurses. In this study we aimed to; determine nurses' attitudes, towards male patient and evaluate some factors that can improve this situation. This cross sectional study was performed from March-June 2009, in Gulhane Military Medical Academy School of Nursing. A total of 300 female nursing students voluntarily participated out of 310 students, and responded to the questionnaires. The questionnaire comprised of 29 questions 8 questions were about socio-demographic characteristics of participants, and 21 questions were about attitude towards male patient. Results showed that [71.3%] students indicated that performing any application to a male patient was as easy as performing on a female patient 78.3% indicated that same age male patients were the most difficult age group for taking care. Calculated attitude point of Year III students about body cleaning, rectal lavage, perineal cleansing, rectal tube application, and naso-gastric tube applications are higher than other students'. Similarly; the attitude was more positive among the students that chose their school intentionally, than others as regards taking care of a male patient which was considered as easy as performing to a female patient. Many students have negative attitudes towards specific physical care needs of male patients, especially genital area related applications. Applied education methods, professionalism and providing ethical information and insight can resolve this gap

Knowledge and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine amongst Turkish nursing students

To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of the Nursing School Students on Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM]. This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Gulhane Military Medical Academy Nursing School during March/April 2010. The sociodemographic characteristics of participants and their knowledge and attitudes towards CAM were collected by using a structured questionnaire developed by researchers. Out of a total of 354 students, only 91.2% of those students [n=323] participated in the study. The sources of information were stated as television and radio 80.3% [n=265], internet69.0% [n=223], newspapers and magazines 68.1% [n=220], friends 48.6% [n=157], and books 32.5% [n=105] by participants. While the mostly known first three CAM practices were hypnosis [59.4%], prayer [58.5%], and herbal therapies [52.6%], those which were stated as most effective were massage [81.4%], herbal therapies [69.3%], and prayer [56.0%]. Almost five out of six students [82.7%, n=267] stated that CAM therapies should be included into their curriculum. The distribution of the responses for the item, "Complementary therapies are a threat to public health" had statistically significant difference between the classes [p<0.001]. The first year, second year and third year class students had more positive attitude for CAM than the fourth year class students. It is suggested that the lectures on CAM practices should be included into the curriculum of the nursing students who are enthusiastic about learning them which will have a positive impact on their education and training