The effect of the Watson model-based psycho-educational intervention on preventing postpartum depression.

RATIONALE: Psycho-education application is effective in reducing the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) and increasing the level of social support. The quality of care increases with the implementation of Watson's Theory of Human Caring Model (WTHCM)-based care programs to reduce the risk of PPD. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a psycho-educational intervention based on the Watson model on pregnant women in preventing PPD. Additionally, the effect of the psycho-educational intervention on women's perceptions of social support in relation to PPD was evaluated. METHODS: A randomized-controlled pretest-posttest control group intervention study design was used. The sample consisted of 91 women (intervention:45, control:46) in their 20th to 32nd gestational week. While all women received routine care at the family health centre the intervention group was additionally applied a psycho-educational intervention based on the WTHCM. Chi-square and t-test analysis methods were performed to determine the homogeneity of the intervention and control groups. The t-test method was used to compare group scores. Multiple regression analysis was employed to compare multiple variables. RESULTS: Following the psycho-educational intervention, the total Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale of the intervention group was found significantly lower than that of the control group, but the total and friend subscale scores on the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were higher (p < 0.05). The regression analysis results indicate that friend and family support, which are sub-dimensions of the MSPSS, exhibited a significant decrease in both groups. Furthermore, this decline had a greater impact on reducing the PPD level in the intervention group compared to the control group. It was found that while the support of the significant other sub-dimension reduced the PPD level in the intervention group, it did not make a significant difference in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The Watson's Theory of Human Caring Model-based psycho-educational intervention program decreased women's risk of PPD and increased their social support levels. It is recommended to use approaches that include psycho-educational intervention in postpartum midwifery care.

Pelvic floor muscle training patient reported Outcome Measures (PROM) (PFMT-P): Turkish adaptation and its validity and relibiality.

OBJECTIVE: Although there are several patient reported outcome measures (PROM) regarding knowledge, source of knowledge and practice about pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), there is a lack of a valid and reliable PROM that includes the practice component of PFMT along with knowledge and source of knowledge. There is no valid and reliable measurement tool in Turkish used for this purpose. In this context, the aim of our study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) (PFMT-P) and to test whether it is a valid and reliable measurement tool for Turkish women. STUDY DESIGN: This study has been carried out psychometric testing (validity and reliability) of a new assessment tool concerning PFMT-P. A total of 170 female healthcare professionals (midwives, nurses, doctors, physiotherapists) who were between the ages of 23 and 49 and who volunteered to participate were included in the study. SPSS 25.0 and LISREL 8.80 statistical programs were used for the analysis of data. Descriptive statistics were evaluated with numbers, percentages and means. Content validity index and confirmatory factor analysis were used for validity. Cronbach Alpha value and test-retest were used for reliability. Level of significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Content validity index (CVI) was found to be 0.96 for the overall scale. Model fit indices were found as perfect and good matched. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found as 0.813 for the overall scale. Test-retest correlation was found as 0.658, it was 0.998 for practice component and 0.997 for source of knowledge component and a positive, significant and high correlation was found. CONCLUSIONS: It has been determined that PFMT-P is a valid and reliable measurement tool suitable for Turkish culture. With this, it is a short, comprehensive and useful tool that can be used in both pregnancy and the postpartum period for women of reproductive age or menopause.

Workplace breastfeeding support for working women: A scale development study.

Objective: In this study, authors aimed to develop a scale to evaluate workplace breastfeeding support. Methods: The study was carried out with 490 working women who applied to the women's and children's outpatient clinics of a hospital in Turkey. The study data were collected by using a 'Personal Information Form' and the 'Workplace Breastfeeding Support for Working Women Draft Scale'. The data were analyzed on SPSS 25 and AMOS 21 software packages. In the development process of the scale; Content validity, exploratory factor analysis, item-total score correlation methods and Cronbach's Alpha coefficient were used. Results: The content validity index of the scale was 0.90, and the Cronbach's alpha value was 0.93. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of the scale was 0.91, Bartlett test values were χ2 = 11,573.924 and p < 0.000. According to the results of the exploratory factor analysis for the construct validity of the scale, the scale consisted of 31 items and 6 factors. Conclusions: The developed scale can be used to evaluate workplace breastfeeding support for working women as a valid and reliable measurement tool.

Urinary incontinence in the postpartum 1-year period: Its prevalence and effect on psychosocial status of women.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence and effect of urinary incontinence in the postpartum 1 year period on psychosocial status of women. METHODS: This study with a cross-sectional and descriptive design was conducted between 01.10.2021 and 01.04.2022. There were 406 women in the postpartum 8 weeks to 1 year period who participated in the study. The data were collected through Identifying Information Form, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Nottingham Health Profile. RESULTS: In the study, it was determined that 21.9% of the women in the postpartum period experienced urinary incontinence problems, and that the most common type of incontinence experienced was stress incontinence (62.9%). Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale mean score of the women who experienced urinary incontinence problems in the postpartum period was found to be significantly higher compared to those who did not experience this problem (P < .05), but no significant difference was found between the rates of those with depression risk according to the cutoff point of the scale (≥13 points). As a result of the regression analysis, it was determined that the increase in depression risk resulted not from urinary incontinence but from age and parity. It was also determined that the mean scores of the women who experienced incontinence problems from the subscales of Nottingham Health profile was significantly high (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, urinary incontinence in the postpartum period is a prevalent problem affecting approximately one-fifth of women. In addition, this problem negatively affects the psychological and social dimensions of women's health.

Effect of teach-back method on breastfeeding success: A single blind randomized controlled study.

In this study, authors aimed to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding education on breastfeeding success by using teach back method described in the information. The study was conducted with randomized controlled experimental research design and performed with 80 primiparous women as intervention (n: 40) and control (n: 40) groups. Independent t-test, multivariate and one-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni-matched paired t-test were used to evaluate the data. There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of both LATCH and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale mean scores, group, time and group * time interaction (p < 0.05). It has been concluded by the authors that breastfeeding education provided with teach-back method can be used as an effective method for breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding performance.

The Effect of Bright White Light on Fatigue Levels in Patients with Gynecological Cancer: A Randomized Control Trial.

Objectives: Bright white light (BWL) therapy is one of the non-pharmacological methods in the management of fatigue. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of BWL on fatigue levels in patients with gynecological cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. Methods: This randomized controlled study were made with 72 women (intervention (n:36) and control (n:36) groups) at gynecologic oncology clinic. Standard BWL at the intensity of 10,000lux was applied to the patients in the intervention group at the same time every day between the second and the eighth days of the chemotherapy cycle. Fatigue levels of all patients (n: 72) were evaluated on the first,ninth and 21st days. Results: The first, ninth, and 21st days general fatigue scores of intervention and control groups was 4.876 ± 0.000;4.384 ± 0.270;4.387 ± 0.258 and 4.876 ± 0.000;5.033 ± 0.270;4.984 ± 0.258, respectively (p = 0.100). Interference of fatigue with daily life scores was found statistically different between the intervention and control groups in the first, ninth, and 21st day, respectively 4.55 ± 0.26; 3.53 ± 0.23; 3.57 ± 0.22 and 4.95 ± 0.26;4.79 ± 0.23;4.82 ± 0.22 (p = 0.029). Conclusions: BWL therapy was effective in reducing interference of fatigue with daily life in patients receiving chemotherapy, but did not affect the general fatigue level of the patients. Based on the available data, it is possible that the application of BWL may have a positive effect on general fatigue when the number of samples and the application time are increased. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05009693.

Sexual dysfunction in the third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum period: a prospective longitudinal study.

The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in women in the third trimester of pregnancy and at 8 week and 6 months in the postpartum period, as well as to identify the factors affecting sexual function in the postpartum period. 110 pregnant women were included in the study. The results showed significant differences in the scores between pregnancy and 6 months after delivery and between 8 weeks and 6 months after delivery. The scores in desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction subdimensions were significantly higher and the score in pain subdimension was significantly lower at 6 months than during pregnancy and at eight weeks after delivery. Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in women in the last trimester of pregnancy and at eight weeks after delivery. However, this problem substantially resolves at postpartum 6 months.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Physiological, psychological, and hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy and postpartum period, have a considerable impact on sexual function. Therefore, identifying various aspects of sexual problems during pregnancy and postpartum period and improving the body of knowledge about sexual function would contribute to the health of women and couples.What the results of this study add? Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in women in the last trimester of pregnancy and at 8 weeks after delivery. However, this problem substantially resolves at postpartum 6 months.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? A striking finding in the study is the increase of SD risk in the sixth month of postpartum with women's starting to work. This problem, which has been addressed sparsely in the current literature, can be considered a condition requiring an in-depth research.

The privacy protection scale in obstetrics and gynecology: a scale development study.

The purpose of the authors was to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool for assessing the status of privacy protection. This study was conducted methodologically. This scale was tested with 500 healthcare professionals who were employed in nine provinces in Turkey. The obtained data were used to test the scale's validity and reliability. In the level of awareness section, the variance explained 47.13% of the total variance. In the frequency of application section, the variance explained 49.12% of the total variance. The internal consistency coefficient of the scale was calculated as the level of awareness 0.95 and frequency of application sections 0.96. The time invariance of the scale indicated its high reliability, and the concurrent -application validity was determined to be supported. This study prepared measurement tool of 5-point Likert-type consisting of two sections, two sub-scales, and 30 items was developed.

Perceived Sleep Quality and Fatigue in a Population of New Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Relationships with Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding.

Introduction: This study, which used a cross-sectional design, was carried out to examine the factors associated with the way mothers fed their infants such as breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and to compare perceived sleep quality and fatigue levels. Method: The study sample consisted of a total of 100 women in the 4th to 16th week postpartum, including 50 women breastfeeding and 50 women bottle feeding their infants. The data of the study were collected in Family Health Centers (FHC) through the face-to-face interview technique using "a Personal Information Form," "the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI," and "the Checklist Individual Strength-CIS." Results: The mothers' total sleep quality (PSQI) score was found to not differ significantly according to the type of infant feeding. Similarly, total scores for fatigue assessment obtained from the CIS did not differ according to the infant feeding type variable. A significant positive correlation was found between total sleep quality and total fatigue level, and subjective fatigue level. Discussion: The sleep quality and fatigue levels of mothers are independent of the method of feeding their infants. Midwives should plan initiatives with parents to improve maternal sleep quality and reduce fatigue levels and inform parents that breastfeeding is not a factor that reduces sleep quality or increases fatigue. Clinical Trials.gov ID: 1129/5463.

Sexual dysfunction in the postpartum period: Its relationship with postpartum depression and certain other factors.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in the postpartum period and its relationship with postpartum depression and certain other factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected using an information form, the female sexual function index (FSFI), and the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS) (N = 123). FINDINGS: A negative, very high, and statistically significant relationship was found between FSFI and EPDS scores (r = -0.831; P = .000). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The frequency of sexual dysfunction may increase in women at risk of postpartum depression.

Fertility characteristics and related factors impacting on Syrian refugee women living in Istanbul.

BACKGROUND: Women's fertility characteristics are affected by many different factors. AIM: To gain an awareness of fertility characteristics of Syrian refugee women and the influential factors. METHODS: This study was planned as a cross-sectional study to determine the efficiency and related factors of Syrian refugees living in Istanbul. The survey of 300 refugee women applying Arabs who migrated to Turkey, Kurds, Turkmen and Yezidi origin they receive. RESULT: Average age of the women studied was 34.26 ± 10.15, 34.6% of the participants had not received any education, 37% had less than two-year inter-pregnancy interval, 58.6% have not received "Safe Motherhood" service, 43.6% have conceived their last child unwillingly. Women in the study group had in average 3±2,4 children and the number of children they wanted was 3±1,59. These values were substantially affected negatively by the women's education level and positively by the income level. Yezidis had significantly more children than other ethnic groups and did not have a "religious ban" on voluntary abortion. CONCLUSION: It has been noted that fertility characteristics of refugee women who migrated to Turkey changed according to their ethnic backgrounds and were sustained in the country they migrated to. Along with harsh living conditions and insufficient access to health services the situation has been observed to pose serious risks on reproductive health.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: effects on related factors, quality of life, and self-care power.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the effects of genitourinary syndrome of menopause on related factors, quality of life, and self-care power. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case-control epidemiological study included 300 postmenopausal women aged 48-60 years who were divided into two groups: the case group (141) with genitourinary syndrome and the control group (159) without genitourinary syndrome. Data were evaluated by chi-square and t-tests in independent groups and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of genitourinary syndrome of menopause was 0.61 times higher in women with a lower educational level than in those with a high educational level, 0.44 times higher in those with chronic disease than in those without, 2.54 times higher in those who continuously used medication than in those who did not, and 2.45 times higher in those with urinary incontinence than in those without. The mean Self-Care Power Scale score was significantly higher in the control group (101.52 ±21.50) than in the case group (83.96 ±25.64). The mean Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale score was significantly higher in the case group (65.52 ±33.47) than in the control group (37.06 ±25.81). CONCLUSIONS: Low educational level, chronic disease, urinary incontinence, and continuous drug use are associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, which negatively affects the quality of life and self-care power in women.

Factors affecting breastfeeding motivation in primiparious mothers: An application of breastfeeding motivation scale based on self-determination theory.

Researchers aim to adapt the breastfeeding motivation scale and to determine the effect of socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric properties and breastfeeding status on type of breastfeeding motivation. The study sample consisted of 250 mothers those who were primiparious. We recorded the telephone numbers of mothers staying in the Postpartum Services of the hospitals and applied data collection tools by home visits at eighth week postnatal. The autonomous motivations of the mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding their babies were higher than those partially breastfeeding. In addition, advanced age, high education level, nonsmoking status and breastfeeding support were factors that positively affected breastfeeding motivation.

Turkish University seniors' knowledge of and opinions on fertility and expectations of having children.

BACKGROUND: In recent years the trend of postponement of child bearing has been increasing. AIM: To assess knowledge on fertility and expectations of having children in seniors at a Turkish University. METHODS: The cross-sectional study sample (n=485) comprised senior students of the University in the branches of medicine, social sciences, and life sciences. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire in 2015. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 23.03±1.93 and 98.1% were unmarried. 88.45% of these students wanted to have children in the future. A higher percentage of females planned parenthood in the future than males. Males desired more children than females. Most students wanted to have their first child at age 25-29. Males wanted to have their first and last child later than did females. In case of infertility, 74.4% of females and 54.2% of males stated that they can benefit from assisted reproduction techniques. Students overestimated the success rate of assisted reproduction techniques. The percentage of students who were aware of the age at which fertility begins to decline was low. CONCLUSION: The expectations of seniors at a Turkish university to have children in the future are high, with insufficient knowledge on fertility.

Evaluation of urinary incontinence and quality of life in married women aged between 20 and 49 years (Sakarya, Turkey)

Background/aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and to evaluate the relationship between urinary incontinence and quality of life in married women. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among married women aged 20-49 years living in the vicinity of the Çökekler Community Clinic (Family Health Center) in Sakarya, Turkey, from 1 November 2011 to 15 April 2012. The study group consisted of 1161 women. Results: The frequency of urinary incontinence was 71.5% (n = 830). Out of a total of 830 patients with symptoms of urinary incontinence, mixed was the most frequently determined type (60.4%), followed by urge (33.9%) and then stress urinary incontinence (5.8%). The mean scores obtained by women with urinary incontinence from the general health perceptions and social functioning domains of the SF-36 survey were lower (P < 0.05 for each domain). Conclusion: Urinary incontinence was found to be a common problem among women, and it affects quality of life adversely. Recurrent urinary tract infection and advancing age were the key risk factors in the development of urinary incontinence.

Educational Study to Increase Breast Cancer Knowledge Level and Scanning Participation among Women Working at a University.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to increase the participation level of women in screening programs by increasing the level of knowledge about early diagnosis and screening methods for breast cancer (BC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a pretest-posttest one group design study held in Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey. The sample consisted of 405 women in all departments of the University. Data were collected using socio-demographic forms and questionnaires. Training about BC was provided for participants. The questionnaire used prior to the training to measure levels of knowledge about BC was re-administered 3 weeks after the training. RESULTS: The women were most commonly aware of the breast self-examination (68.1%). The ratio of women who had had mammography in the previous year was 11.4%. The BC knowledge level significantly increased after the training (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: This study determined that the level of knowledge about BC in terms of early detection and screening was low and that the percentage of participation in screening was also low.

Effect of Work-Related Factors on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Nurses and Secretaries.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between work-related factors and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to emphasize the vicious circle between symptoms and work conditions. METHODS: The Turkish version of the Nurse Bladder Survey was used to estimate the prevalence of LUTS and to assess the relationship between individual characteristics, personal habits and work-related factors in nurses and secretaries who were working in Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospital. The Turkish version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey was used to assess the nurses' and secretaries' health-related quality of life (HRQL). RESULTS: Of the 281 women who participated in the study, 218 (77.5%) and 63 (22.5%) were nurses and secretaries, respectively. There were no significant differences in personal habits and work-related factors between the nurses and secretaries. Of the study participants, 121 (43.1%) experienced at least one type of LUTS. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of any type of LUTS between the two groups. Only the mean scores of social functioning were significantly different for nurses and secretaries on the other aspects of HRQL in the SF-36. When the nurses with LUTS and the secretaries with LUTS were compared, the secretaries had a greater score on the general health domain than nurses. CONCLUSION: There is a vicious circle between symptoms and work conditions. To prevent the working women from harmful effects of this circle, the employers should be aware of this health problem; working conditions should be improved; educational programs for LUTS should be organized and the working women should be encouraged to go to the health providers to seek treatment when the symptoms occurred.

What is the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents with Normal BMI who have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MBS) in adolescent girls with normal BMI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study group consisted of 63 pubertal girls with a BMI less than 25 kg/m(2) who were referred to our center with signs of hirsutism or oligomenorrhea. The diagnosis of PCOS was based on the recent ESHRE/ASRM proposal and required that all 3 of the Rotterdam criteria for diagnosing PCOS in adolescents be met. The control group consisted of 159 pubertal girls matched for age and BMI. Glucose, insulin, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone and all lipid parameters measured. For to diagnose the cases with MBS, modified Cook criteria were used and cases who had at least 3 of 5 criteria's were diagnosed as MBS. RESULTS: Girls with PCOS had higher blood pressure parameters (systolic/diastolic) (P < .01), fasting insulin (P = .007), low-density lipoprotein (P = .017), triglyceride (P = .045), total (P < .001) and free testosterone (P = .001) levels compared to control group. There were more cases who had at least 1 Cook criterion in girls with PCOS compared to the control group but the difference was not significant. However, there were more cases who had MBS in girls with PCOS compared to the control group (P = .02). CONCLUSION: MBS prevalence is higher in normal BMI adolescent girls with PCOS compared to age and BMI matched control group. So as clinicians, we must search for the MBS criteria's in girls with PCOS even if they have a normal BMI.

Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.

Menopause is a process in the climacteric period, characterized by a reduction in ovarian activity, a fall in the fertility rate, and a range of symptoms including irregular menstruation intervals. Most women enter menopause in their 40s, but this can vary from one individual to another. Although there are many factors affecting the age of menopause onset, there is no general agreement on them. Studies have shown many factors to affect the age of menopause, such as the mother's age at menopause, the age at menarche, gestational age, use of oral contraceptives, irregular menstrual cycle, number of pregnancies, body mass index, use of tobacco and alcohol, physical activity, unilateral oophorectomy, serum lead levels, consumption of polyunsaturated fat, socioeconomic status and educational level. During this period, hormonal and biochemical changes give rise to various symptoms in the woman's body. In menopause period, physical, psychological, social and sexual changes have a negative effect on quality of life in women. Recently, different measures have been used to assess women's quality of life in this period of change. The purpose of this review was to examine the factors affecting the onset age of menopause and the measures of quality of life related to menopause.

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.