Learning Needs of Gynecologic Cancer Survivors.

To define the learning needs of patients with gynecological oncology. The study was performed as a descriptive study. A total of 92 patients were participated. Data were collected using Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS). The Pearson correlation test, independent sample t test, and analysis of one-way of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's-B post hoc tests were used for statistical analyses by the SPSS 15.0 software package. The mean age of women's was 50.37 ± 12.20 years. The women's diagnoses were cervical (45.7 %), ovarian (27.2 %), and endometrial (19.6 %) cancers. The most frequently stated learning needs topics were coping with pain (47.8 %), daily living activities (46.2 %), and psychological support (44.6 %). The mean PLNS score of women was 212.56 ± 35.83. The mean subscales scores of PLNS were 34.06 ± 7.29 for medicines, 38.34 ± 6.74 for daily living activities, and 24.68 ± 5.41 for community subscales. Women who graduated from elementary school needed more education than the women with higher education (p < 0.001). Learning needs level of the women are high and related to increase quality of life, medicine usage, complications of treatment, skin problems, pain management, and supportive care. As a healthcare professional, we should plan and develop educational programs in order to adequately inform patients about their learning needs.

Functional status in Turkish women with gynecological cancer.

BACKGROUND: Functional status is the ability to perform daily activities. Little is known about quality of life and health status of gynaecological cancer patients. The present study therefore aimed to evaluate the functional status of women receiving treatment for gynecological oncological disease while not hospitalised. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study covered 42 patients monitored by the Gynecological Oncology Unit in 2011. Data were collected using the Functional Living Index-Cancer and analysed with the chi square test, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. RESULTS: Of the 42 cases, 66.7% had been diagnosed within the previous year and 90.5% were undergoing chemotherapy. The most severe symptoms experienced were pain (35.7%), fatigue-weakness (40.5%) and nausea and vomiting (56.5%). Daily activities where the most difficulty was experienced were housework (28.6%), average pace walking (31.0%), carrying more than 5 kg (28.6%). The mean Functional Living Index score was quite high (103.5 ± 24.1). FLIC-C scale scores did not vary with the educational status, diagnosis duration, and family history of cancer (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the functional status of gynecological cancer patients and how they cope with problems should indicate to healthcare professionals what help can be given to maintain quality of life.

Sexual functions of Turkish women with gynecologic cancer during the chemotherapy process.

BACKGROUND: The negative effects of gynecologic cancer on women's health is multidimensional. Sexual problems arising after chemotherapy are decreased interest and vaginal lubrication, lack of orgasm and dyspareunia and sense of reduction in sexual attractiveness in general. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes that patients who receive chemotherapy for a gynecologic oncology disorder experience in their sexual functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive/cross-sectional and qualitative study was performed. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used in order to collect data on sexual capacity. The quantitative data obtained were evaluated with frequency and percentage calculations while content analysis was performed for the qualitative data. RESULTS: All of the information related to sexuality was provided by the physician. Chemotherapy treatment affected sexuality negatively in 55.9%. Since receiving the diagnosis, 52.9% of women had experienced no sexual intercourse at all. Those who had an FSFI score of 30 and below made up 75% of the women. After the content analysis of data obtained during in in-depth interviewing, we focused on three main themes: desire for sexual intercourse, problems experienced during sexual intercourse, and coping with problems. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated system where sexual problems can be handled professionally should be present during gynecological cancer treatment.

Quality of life of women undergoing chemotherapy for a gynaecological oncological disease in Turkey.

AIM: Studies have shown effects of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy on quality of life in cases of gynaecological cancer. Very few studies are available examining the quality of life of individuals in Turkey who have been diagnosed with gynaecological cancer and undergoing treatment. METHOD: This study was performed to evaluate the quality of life of such patients using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 Quality of Life Index. Chi-square Yates, Mann-Whitney-U tests and variance analysis used for statistical analizing. RESULTS: The EORTC-QLQ-C30 Quality of Life Index mean points for "general well-being and quality of life" of the patients were found to be 60.5 ± 25.0. In the sub-groups of the Quality of Life Index determined fatigue (60.1 ± 24.8), economic difficulties (46.9 ± 33.3), pain and loss of appetite (42.9 ± 27.8; 42.9 ± 34.0) and insomnia (40.1 ± 34.0) were the symptoms most reported to have a negative effect on quality of life. Statistical significance was noted for marital status and income status (p<0.05) but not educational level. CONCLUSION: Determination of quality of life of women with a diagnosis of gynaecological oncological disease who are undergoing chemotherapy enables provision of a more comprehensive and higher quality of care.

Testicular cancer awareness and testicular self-examination among university students.

BACKGROUND: This study was planned to determine the knowledge of testicular cancer (TC), risk factors and testicular self-examination (TSE) among university students. METHODS: A survey study was conducted at a university located in Ankara, Turkey with 634 male students. RESULTS: Almost half of them (44%) heard TC during their education and life but majority of participants has lack of knowledge about sign and symptoms of TC. Only 5.9 % of them (n = 38) indicated they received information on TSE and 17.7 % have performed the practice of TSE before; only one in a forth (n=21) performed monthly. The reason for not doing TSE was mostly (83.4%) 'not having knowledge' and 'not seen as important' (55.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Adding the education on TC, risk factors and TSE into their curriculum is proposed.

Evaluation by patients and caregivers of the effectiveness of a brochure developed to prevent pressure ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the opinions and recommendations of patients at moderate to high risk for pressure ulceration and their caregivers about discharge education and asked them to evaluate an educational brochure about pressure ulcer prevention. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The study group comprised 33 hospital patients and 33 caregivers. Approximately half of the subjects (54.5%) were women and 60.5% were > or = 65 years of age. Slightly more than 60% were deemed at moderate risk and 39.4% were categorized at high risk for pressure ulceration based on Braden Scale scores. Eighteen percent of patients had a history of at least 1 pressure ulcer previously, but only 6.1% had received education about pressure ulcer prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected over a 1-month period. The researchers provided a verbal educational intervention for patients and their care providers and then gave participants the educational brochure. RESULTS: Patients and care providers rated the language level and the effectiveness and usefulness of the knowledge in the pamphlet as "satisfactory" (45.5% of patients and 54.5% of caregivers). Age, sex, educational status, and history of pressure ulcer education were not related to the likelihood that participants would rank the brochure and teaching sessions as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. CONCLUSION: Both patients and families ranked an educational approach to pressure ulcer prevention that combined teaching sessions with written materials as satisfactory. Such education is especially important in countries such as Turkey, where the majority of care is provided by lay care providers (usually family members) in the home setting.

Comparison of efficacy and complications of IUD insertion in immediate postplacental/early postpartum period with interval period: 1 year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare immediate postplacental (IPP) and early postpartum (EP) intrauterine device (IUD) insertions with interval (INT) IUD insertions with respect to efficacy and complications. METHODS: The study group consisted of 268 women in whom the following TCu 380A IUD insertions were performed: 84 IPP (less than 10 min), 46 EP (10 min to 72 h) and 138 INT (more than 6 weeks). The women were followed up 8 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after insertion. Complications and pregnancies encountered at the end of 1 year following IPP, EP and INT insertions were compared. The chi-square test and Fisher's Exact Test were used for the evaluation of the data. RESULTS: Complications developed in 40.4% of the women in the IPP group, in 74.4% of the women in the EP group and in 19.2% of the women in the INT group (p<.001). Although no statistically significant difference was found between the groups for uterine perforation and infection (p>.001), there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the incidence of complete and partial expulsion according to the time of IUD insertion. The overall cumulative pregnancy rate and frequency of pregnancy were found to be higher (p>.05 for both), which are both insignificant for the EP group (2 of 43 women), as compared with the INT (4 of 130 women) and IPP groups (2 of 84 women), and pregnancy rates at 1 year for all groups was 3.1% (8 of 257 women). CONCLUSION: IPP and EP insertion of the TCu 380A IUD is an effective and convenient procedure, and expulsion rates in these groups are higher than in the INT group. Further studies are necessary to determine the cause of the higher expulsion rates and to find ways to reduce such rates.

The effect of education and counseling services on compliance to therapy of women taking hormone therapy for the first time.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this experimental research was to examine the effect of hormone therapy (HT)-related education and counseling on compliance. DESIGN: The 119 women in both the experimental and the control group were being seen in a referral maternity and women's health teaching hospital's menopause outpatient clinic. Similarity between experimental and control groups was ensured using one-to-one pairing. The data were collected using a questionnaire and a follow-up form. The experimental group was given group education and an educational booklet on the first day they began therapy and counseling in the third and sixth months of therapy. The control group was not given counseling or education. Chi-square was used in data evaluation. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups at the third month for those who were continuing HT (P > 0.05), but at the sixth month a significant difference was found (P < 0.05). The primary reason for stopping HT at the third month in the experimental group was fear of cancer and in the control group it was the side effects of HT. At 6 months, the primary reason for stopping HT in the experimental group was, again, fear of cancer but in the control group it was the woman's desire not to continue. There was no significant difference in the groups at either 3 or 6 months in experiencing benefits or side effects from HT (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Education and counseling services given by nurses or other health care personnel have an effect on long-term compliance with HT.