Nursing students' awareness of global climate change: A descriptive and cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine nursing students' awareness of global climate change. DESIGN: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 302 undergraduate nursing students from a foundation university in Northern Cyprus during the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. A descriptive information form and the Awareness Scale of University Students about Global Climate Change (ASUSGCC) were used for data collection. RESULTS: The mean ASUSGCC score was 3.54 ± 0.64, and the participants received the lowest and highest scores from the awareness of the causes of global climate change (3.54 ± 0.64) and awareness of the effects of global climate change on the natural and human environment (4.03 ± 0.70) subscales, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the Global Climate Change scores and the year of education, with fourth-year students obtaining significantly higher scores (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The study found that nursing students have a moderate level of awareness of global climate change. To raise the level of awareness among these undergraduates, who will be future healthcare professionals, we recommend including climate change awareness in the national nursing curricula.

Anxiety and Health Literacy Levels of Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy.

This descriptive, correlational study was conducted to determine the anxiety and health literacy levels of patients undergoing colonoscopy and the variables affecting them. The study population consisted of individuals who presented for colonoscopy to the endoscopy department of a state hospital. The sample consisted of 160 individuals who met the inclusion criteria. Three data collection tools (Identifying Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Health Literacy Scale) were used to determine anxiety and health literacy levels. Findings show that the state-trait anxiety of individuals who would undergo colonoscopy for the first time was moderate, and their health literacy scores were inadequate, problematic, and weak. There was a positive and significant relationship between patients' anxiety and health literacy levels. Variables such as age, gender, marital status, education level, employment status, disease-related symptoms, a family history of cancer, and fear of colonoscopy influenced anxiety and health literacy. Based on these findings, we recommend that individuals' anxiety and health literacy status be determined before a colonoscopy procedure to improve gastroenterology nurses' management of these patients.

Analysis of the Relationship between Physical Activity and the Factors Related to Weight Management of Bariatric Surgery Patients.

Background: We aimed to analyze the relationship between physical activity and the factors related to the weight management of bariatric surgery patients. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 87 participants, who underwent bariatric surgery in Cyprus between May and Oct 2020. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a questionnaire on socio-demographic and obesity characteristics were used to collect data. Results: Mean age of the participants was 34.7±8.43 and 65.5% were female. A statistically significant difference was found between physical activity levels and weight loss (P=0.021). Post-bariatric surgery physical activity level was low active for 65.5% of the participants. There was a statistically significant difference between the MET scores of the participants according to their gender, and the scores of men were higher than women (2256.9; 1110.9 respectively). Although most of the participants in the study were females, women lost less weight than males (45.5; 54.2 respectively). Conclusion: Being female, married, and having chronic diseases caused less weight loss after bariatric surgery. As the physical activity levels of the patients increased, their weight loss increased. In line with these results, people undergone bariatric surgery and are at risk of regaining weight should be followed closely after surgery and appropriate physical activities should be planned.

Do the Compassion and Spirituality Levels of Turkish Nursing Students Influence their Attitudes Toward Organ Donation?

This study was a descriptive-correlational design which evaluated the relationship between compassion and spirituality levels and attitudes toward organ donation among Turkish nursing students. A sample of 296 participants studying in the nursing department of a foundation university in the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year was formed. A descriptive information form, Spirituality Scale, Compassion Scale, and Organ Donation Attitude Scale were used for data collection. Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis were used to evaluate scale scores. The compassion levels of students were high, their attitudes toward organ donation were positive and strong, and their level of spirituality ([Formula: see text]= 18.71 ± 6.10) was slightly above average. Higher levels of spirituality and compassion were positively correlated with positive attitudes toward organ donation (p < 0.05). The compassion and spirituality of nurses should be high for raising public awareness of organ donation.

Patient safety competencies of nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Patient safety is an essential principle of healthcare and an indispensable element of contemporary nursing care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the patient safety competencies in nursing students. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with the participation of 191 nursing students, who received undergraduate education at the department of nursing of a private university in Northern Cyprus during the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. A Descriptive information form and patient safety competency self-evaluation tool (PSCSE) were used for data collection. RESULTS: Knowledge, skills and attitudes of nursing students on patient safety were satisfactory. Participants obtained the lowest score from the knowledge dimension of the PSCSE. Besides, PSCSE scores increased as age and year level increased. Finally, PSCSE scores of participants, who believed that their knowledge on patient safety was insufficient, were lower. CONCLUSION: Further studies may analyze the content of patient safety courses in nurse education. Besides, interdisciplinary learning environments may be developed and encouraged to improve patient safety.

Effects of care burden on the life of caregivers of the elderly: A mixed-method study model.

Determining the care burden of elderly caregivers in the early period allows for early intervention to protect them from the negative physical, social, and psychological effects of care. This mixed-method study aimed to determine the burden levels of caregivers of elderly individuals and evaluate their opinions on the difficulties they experienced while caregiving. This study was conducted with caregivers of 89 elderly people who were determined to need care by visiting the homes of elderly people aged 65 years and over living in Famagusta. While the KATZ index of independence in activities of daily living and the Zarit Burden Interview tool were used to collect quantitative data, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 28 selected participants to collect qualitative data. The mean age of the caregivers was 52 ±â€…12 years; they were mostly female spouses/children/relatives, and 29.2% had moderate-to-severe care burden perceptions. The perception of caregiver burden levels increased as the level of dependency of elderly individuals and the duration of caregiving increased. Considering that caregiving burden affects every aspect of caregivers' lives, it should be assessed regularly. To reduce care burden, it is recommended to expand home care services and short-term care facilities, use health technologies for continuous distance education and counseling in elderly care, and financially support caregivers who cannot work due to the responsibilities of providing elderly care.