Psychologic distress and sleep quality among adults in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The sudden novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a negative effect on the mental health of the public. In this study, in relation to the pandemic, psychological distress, sleep quality and affecting factors in adults were examined. METHODS: Using the convenience sampling method, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and questionnaires to determine psychological distress levels and sociodemographic characteristics were distributed online to 405 participants. RESULTS: The mean psychological distress score of the participants was 34.55 ± 8.07, while their mean sleep quality score was 6.39 ± 3.31. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 55.1%. The psychological distress scores were higher among the men than the women, married participants than single ones, those with children than those without children and those who were employed than those who were not. The sleep quality of the single participants and the participants with low education levels was poorer. The sleep quality of those who left work in the pandemic period was poorer than those who were working from home/office and those who were already not employed before the pandemic. The sleep quality of those not working in the field of health was better than healthcare professionals and those not working at all. The scores for psychological distress were positively correlated with gender and negatively correlated with sleep quality levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on the psychological distress and sleep quality of adults. It is recommended for healthcare professionals to take the necessary psychosocial precautions.

Mental status of nursing students assessed using the general health questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the mental state of nursing students when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish population reached its peak. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was remotely conducted using General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and personnel information form, for 2630 nursing students, in Turkey. Data were statistically analyzed. FINDINGS: The mean GHQ-12 score was 3.04 ± 2.13, and 71.5% of nursing students scored ≥2 on the GHQ-12, indicating risk for mental problems. We highlighted that nursing students who reported less sleep and diet during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as those who thought they were suffering from COVID-19 symptoms obtained significantly higher mean scores on the GHQ-12. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our results showed that most nursing students reported mental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-training of the frontline staff during outbreaks is needed to prepare them to deal with a global pandemic.

Secondary traumatic stress in nurses working with patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the level of secondary traumatic stress in nurses (n = 205) working with patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Turkey. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected using the personal information form and Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. FINDINGS: Of the total sample, 62% were female and 52% of nurses were in the 20- to 30-years age range. 67.8% of the nurses experienced high and severe secondary traumatic stress symptoms, the mean score was 49.66 ± 0.86. At the level of secondary traumatic stress subscales, the highest average score was avoidance symptom (20.09 ± 5.06). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: More than half of the nurses experienced high and severe secondary traumatic stress where the highest symptom "avoidance." The nurses may need psychosocial support during and after the pandemic.

In the Turkish News: Coronavirus and "Alternative & complementary" medicine methods.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECT: The object of this study is to analyze the complementary and alternative treatments for the prevention of COVID-19/Coronavirus in the Turkish news. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 160 news articles published between 11 March and 11 April 2020 on the websites of the three highest-circulating newspapers throughout the nation. A quantitative media context analysis method, consisting of 14 questions and 2 sections was employed to evaluate news on the newspapers. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 statistical package program using numbers and percentages. RESULTS: Forty percent of the news analyzed within the scope of the study were obtained from the newspaper's own news, reporter or columnist, 56.9 % were informative, 6.3 % were advisory and critical against the CAT methods. 95 % of the news included preventive or protective methods against COVID-19. 77.5 % of the complementary and alternative medicine methods mentioned in the news were biologically-based, 20.6 % were mind-body practices. It was determined that 85.0 % of the benefits, harm and side effects of the methods mentioned in the news were announced, but their impact on COVID-19 is not clarified (78.1 %), and there was insufficient information provided about the method and dosage of the method. It was seen that all news contained information on protection against COVID-19 or prevention of COVID19. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the sources and methods and the number of news items changed from one newspaper to another, the news lacked a scientific basis, and as a result, it might lead to misinterpretations among the public. There were different opinions among the experts in the proposed or criticized complementary and alternative medicine methods. It was observed that there was an increase in the number of news items related to using complementary and alternative medicine methods for the treatment of COVID19, a clear and easily understandable language was used in the news, but the content and sources of the news were insufficient in conveying the correct and scientific information. It was reported by previous literature potential interactions between herbal remedies/dietary supplements and prescribed drugs, complications of medical conditions and some adverse effects cause of CAM usage.