The Relationship of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fear and Anxiety with Smoking and Caffeinated Beverage Consumption in Young People

Background: Young people, especially in their developmentally sensitive periods, are highly vulnerable to the impact of constant stressors, so their mental health needs special attention during and after the pandemic. Young people who experience anxiety and fear due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and who are exposed to many different stressors can resort to ineffective coping methods in the face of these problems. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship of coronavirus disease 2019 fear and anxiety with smoking and caffeinated beverage consumption in young people. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional research was conducted on 551 young people. As data collection tools, "Personal Information Form, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Anxiety Scale, and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fear Scale" were used. In the evaluation of the data obtained in the study, besides descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, mean, SD, minimum, and maximum), t-test and analysis of variance test were used in independent groups. Results: Young people smoked (8.1%) and consumed caffeinated beverages (31.8) more than normal during the pandemic period and The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale mean score was 11.50 ± 3.02 and the mean score of The Fear of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Scale was 18.32 ± 6.43 of them. It was determined that the young people who smoked had lower coronavirus anxiety and fear. It was found that the young people who stated that they smoked more before the pandemic had lower coronavirus anxiety and higher coronavirus fears. It was found that young people who smoked 16 or more cigarettes a day had lower anxiety and fears about coronavirus than young people who smoked <16 cigarettes. It was determined that the young people, who stated that there was an increase in the consumption of caffeinated beverages compared to the pre-pandemic period, had higher coronavirus anxiety and fears. Conclusion: As a result, it has been observed that the high coronavirus disease 2019 anxiety and fear of young people had a negative impact on their consumption of cigarettes and caffeine. For this reason, it is recommended to support young people with training for this anxiety and fear they experience and to carry out studies to prevent young people from smoking and caffeine addiction.

Perceptions of vaccine trust and conspiracy among those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Individuals' beliefs in conspiracy theories and anti-vaccination defense play a role in the rates of COVID-19 spread. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the perception of trust in, and the perception of conspiracy theories regarding vaccines among those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in a province in Turkey. METHODS: This study was conducted with 1244 individuals who agreed to participate in the study in the province with the lowest vaccination rate in Turkey. The 'Personal Information Form' and the 'COVID-19 Vaccine Perception and Attitude Scale' were used to collect data. FINDINGS: Those who were resistant to vaccines had a low mean score on the Perception of Trust and a high mean score on the Perception of Conspiracy. The variable of conspiracy perception had a significantly negative and high effect on the perception of trust. CONCLUSION: The participants were highly resistant to COVID-19 vaccines. Their perception level of trust in COVID-19 vaccines was moderate and their perception level of conspiracy was high.

The effect of health promotion training provided to elderly individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic on healthy lifestyle behaviors.

BACKGROUND: One of the areas most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is health promotion. In order to improve the quality of life of elderly individuals, it is important to develop and implement effective intervention strategies that can prevent negative health outcomes. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of health promotion training provided to elderly individuals on healthy lifestyle behaviors. METHODS: This study was conducted as a randomized-controlled experimental study. The study was completed with 140 elderly individuals over 65 years of age, including 70 participants in intervention group and 70 participants in control group. The data were collected using the Information Form and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I. Training was provided to the intervention group as one session a week for three weeks. Percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation as well as chi-square, dependent samples t-test, and independent samples t-test were used to assess the data. FINDINGS: While the pretest mean score of the intervention group for the overall Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I was 103.90 ± 16.96, their posttest mean score was 136.17 ± 19.60 and it was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the results (p = 0.000). While the pretest mean score of the control group for the overall Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I was 107.22 ± 21.09, their posttest mean score was 106.57 ± 21.49 and it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the results (p = 0.609). CONCLUSION: It was observed that healthy lifestyle behaviors of elderly individuals in the intervention group improved positively.

The effects of nurses' use of personal protective equipment on their vital signs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In order for nurses to provide the desired/expected care during the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal protective equipment (PPE) they use should not cause additional damage. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the effect of nurses' use of PPE on their vital signs during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The present study was executed in a public hospital located in Turkey between October 2020 and December 2020 with a total of 112 nurses, 54 of them were serving in COVID-19 clinics, and 58 of them were working in other clinics. The data of the study was collected by using the introductory information form, the vital signs measurement, and the Visual Analogue Scale. The numbers, percentages, means, standard deviation, Chi-square, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The mean scores of SpO2, respiratory rate, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure measurements of the nurses in the experimental group were compared before and after putting on the PPE. It was found that the difference between the two averages was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was found that the use of PPE for a long time causes a decrease in SpO2, increase in respiratory rate, pulse and blood pressure, as well as the aches in face, ear, nose and head.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life and depression, anxiety, and stress levels of individuals above the age of eighteen.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life and the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of individuals above the age of eighteen. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used the snowball method. Data were collected using the sociodemographic question form, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21, and the SF-12 Life Quality Scale. FINDINGS: A statistically significant relationship (p < .05) was measured between age, gender, health condition, concomitant chronic and mental disease, fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, home confinement in this particular period, and the need for psychological support as well as mean scores of Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21, and SF-12 Life Quality Scale. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Against the likelihood of facing new pandemics in the future, a guideline could be planned to protect and improve prospective the psychosocial wellness of individuals and society.

The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers' anxiety levels.

Aim: This study aims to examine the effect of COVID-19 on the anxiety levels of healthcare employees. Methods: This descriptive study used the snowball sampling method to recruit participants. The study was conducted between 18 and 25 April 2020 with a total of 710 participants. The data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Ethics committee approval was obtained to conduct the study, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 statistical package program using descriptive statistics, t tests and ANOVA. Results: In the study, 46.8% of the participants were in the 26-35 age group, 60.7% were female, 19.9% worked at clinics with COVID-19 patients (service, intensive care and emergency clinics), and 17.6% had a chronic disease. The state and trait anxiety mean scores of the participants were 60.29 ± 6.13 and 44.18 ± 7.69, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in the participants' state and trait anxiety levels with respect to their age, gender, unit of work, marital status, status of having children and presence of a chronic disease (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The state and trait anxiety levels of the healthcare workers in the study were found to be "severe" and "moderate," respectively.