Evaluation of the Efficiency of the Nursing Care Plan Applied Using NANDA, NOC, and NIC Linkages to Elderly Women with Incontinence Living in a Nursing Home: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the efficiency of the nursing care plan, applied with the use of NANDA-I, NOC, and NIC (NNN) linkages, for elderly women with incontinence who live in nursing homes. METHODS: A randomized controlled experimental design was applied. NNN linkages were prepared and applied for 12 weeks in an experimental group. NOC scales were evaluated again for two groups. RESULTS: A 0.5 NOC point change targeted in all elderly in the experimental group were provided between pretest-posttest scores. The experimental group had higher life quality and lower incontinence severity/symptoms than the control group. CONCLUSION: It is important that NNN linkages effective for solving the problems are used in different groups and with larger samples to create further evidence linking NNN.

[Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Pirlak sheep in the Afyonkarahisar Province of Turkey]. / Afyonkarahisar ilinde Pirlak irki koyunlarda Toxoplasma gondii'nin seroprevalansi.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out between June-December 2008 to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Pirlak sheep in the Suhut district of Afyonkarahisar. METHODS: Blood samples technically collected from 123 sheep older than one year old and 63 sheep younger than one year old were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using the Sabin- Feldman dye test. RESULTS: Out of the 186 sera examined, 184 (98.92%) were seropositive at different dilutions (84 samples at 1/16, 79 at 1/64 and 21 at 1/256). The seroprevalence was 99.19% for sheep above 1 year old and 98.41% for sheep under 1 year old. CONCLUSION: We believe that this study carried out on Pirlak sheep would be useful for other studies on the effect of parasitism on the economy.

Effect of nail polish and henna on oxygen saturation determined by pulse oximetry in healthy young adult females.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different colour nail polishes and henna on the measurement of oxygen saturation and the differences among the measurements of three pulse oximetry devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 33 healthy females with a mean age of 19±1.0 years and no complaints or known disease were included into the study. All the participants applied henna to one of their fingers a day before the study. Just before the study, one finger was left empty as control and the other fingers were dyed using various colours of nail polish (red, blue, beige, purple, brown, white, pink, green, colourless polish, light blue, light green and yellow). There were more than eight colour nail polishes and some fingers were used for the other colours after being completely cleaned. The same brand nail polishes were used for the study. Oxygen saturation measurements were done using three different pulse oximetry devices (device I, II, III) from the control, different colour nail polished and henna applied fingers. The measurements of different devices, different colour nail polishes, henna and control were statistically compared. RESULTS: The mean saturations obtained from blue, beige, purple and white nail polished fingers were significantly lower than those of control and the other coloured fingers. In addition, the mean measurement of device II was significantly lower than those of other devices. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that blue, beige, purple and white nail polished fingers might cause pulse oximetry devices to make incorrect measurements.

Prevalence and economic significance of bovine hypodermosis in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey.

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and economic losses due to in cattle of hypodermosis between May 2008 and April 2009 in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey. A total of 6,598 cattle-3,498 in pasture and 3,100 in slaughterhouse-were examined for hypodermosis. One hundred ninety-five out of 6,598 cattle (2.96%) were found positive. Concerning this infestation rate, the prevalence of hypodermosis in field was 5.3%, whereas the prevalence was 0.3% in slaughter house. Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum were recorded in slaughter house. First-stage Hypoderma spp. larvae weren't found in cattle organs in slaughterhouse. The annual economic loss on skins is estimated to be about 18,288 TL (currency exchange rate is 1 USD:1.499 TL).

Patient and nurse perceptions of stressors in the intensive care unit.

The objective of the study was to determine the perceptions of a group of patients on intensive care units' (ICUs) stressors and the perceptions of nurses on ICU patients' stressors in Turkey, and compare the differences in patients' and nurses' perception of the stressors in ICUs. In this descriptive study, 155 patients who were admitted to medical or surgical ICUs and 152 nurses who are employed in the same units of two training and research hospitals in Turkey were enrolled in this study. The ICU Environmental Stressor Scale (ICUESS) was used to determine intensive care stressors. According to total ICUESS mean scores, patients (91.41 ± 34.91) perceived significantly less stress than the ICU nurses (133.23 ± 32.20) perceived them to have. Both patients and nurses ranked 'fear of death' as the greatest stressor. Physiological stressors were identified as the most important stressors by both patients and nurses. Patients and nurses in medical ICUs were more affected by stressors than their counterparts in surgical ICUs. Patients with unplanned or emergency admissions perceived higher stress than that of patients with planned admissions. Several factors could help reduce these stressors, such as having familiar arrangements, humane ICU environment, individual patient assessments and appropriate nursing interventions.

Nurses' perceptions of the barriers to and the facilitators of research utilization in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine nurses' perceptions of the barriers to and facilitators of research utilization in Turkey. Barriers Scale was utilized in the research, and the population was 631 nurses. According to the research results, the first three important barriers were inadequate authority (63.6%), lack of time (54.0%), and insufficient facilities (52.8%). Nurses have perceived the organizational management support as the most important easing factor in their applications (n = 156). It is highly recommended that nurses be trained in research methods and evidence-based practice, that research articles be written more clearly, and that Research and Development centers where nurses could get consultation services be established.

Current status of ruminant theileriosis and its economical impact in Turkey.

The diagnosis of ruminant theileriosis in Turkey is based on microscopical examination of thin blood and lymph smears, serology, traditional staining methods of the salivary glands of ticks and molecular techniques. Although some investigators reported that T. mutans was found in cattle with microscopic examination (7.4%-36.7%) and experimental study, they did not detect this parasite using molecular techniques. On the other hand, the prevalence of T. buffeli/orientalis was found to differ between 0.9% and 13.6% using molecular techniques in different regions of Turkey. Tropical theileriosis caused by T. annulata is widespread, and constitutes a major health and management problem in cattle in Turkey. The economic losses resulting from the tropical theileriosis were estimated to be US $598,000, $133,000 and $130,000 in the endemic stable zones of Turkey. Microscopic prevalence of T. annulata has been reported to be between 0% and 60.5% in different parts of Turkey. The serologic prevalence of T. annulata was found to differ between 1.8% and 91.4% by IFAT. In subsequent studies, the prevalence of this parasite was found to differ between 15.4% and 61.2% by molecular techniques. Clinical cases of ovine theileriosis have not been documented in Turkey. The prevalence of T. ovis/recondita was found to differ between 0% and 41.3% by microscopic examination of thin blood smears and its seroprevalence was found to be between 8.2% and 63.2% by IFAT. This parasite has also been reported to be present between 41.8% and 67.7% by molecular techniques.

[Genital myiasis in a cat]. / Bir Kedide Genital Myiasis Olgusu.

Genital myiasis was diagnosed in a cat which was brought to the clinic for therapy six days after giving birth. Ten dead larvae were collected from its genital organs. During the microscopic examination, the larvae were identified as the third stage larva of Lucilia sericata.

[Use of geographical information systems in parasitic diseases and the importance of animal health economics]. / Paraziter Hastaliklarin Kontrolünde Cografi Bilgi Sistemlerinin Kullanim Olanaklari ve Hayvan Sagligi Ekonomisi Açisindan Onemi.

In the world, economical losses due to the parasitic diseases reach enormous ratios in animal production. Both developed and developing countries set aside a considerable budget to control these parasitic diseases. This situation aids in the improvement of control methods of parasitic diseases. Also, it causes new ways of investigation that includes observation, evaluation and prevention of parasitic diseases. The Geographical Information System (GIS) has recently become one of the most common methods utilized to provide disease information technology with computer supported technology in many countries. The most important qualities of GIS are the formation of a powerful database, continual updating and rapid provision of coordination related to units. Many factors are evaluated at the same time by the system and also, results from analysis of data related to disease and their causes could reduce or prevent economical losses due to parasitic disease. In this study, possible uses of Geographical Information Systems against parasitic diseases and an approach in terms of animal health economics were presented.

Gamasine mite (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) infestations of small mammals (Mammalia: Rodentia, Insectivora) in Turkey.

The present study was conducted on small mammals from different locations in Turkey. One hundred twenty- three individuals representing 11 species of rodents and insectivora were investigated for mite ectoparasites. A total of 126 gamasine mites were collected from 96 individuals (78.1%) of 6 species of small mammals. Five gamasine families were recorded: Laelapidae, Hirstionyssidae, Haemogamasidae, Macronyssidae and Macrochelidae. Laelaps jettmari Vitzthum (72 species) was predominant and found mainly on Mus musculus (Linnaeus) and Cricetulus migratorius (Pallas). New species of gamasine mites and host records for Turkey are given.

[Examination of helminth contaminated wastewaters used for agricultural purposes in Afyonkarahisar]. / Afyonkarahisar'da tarimsal amaçli kullanilan atik sularin helmint kontaminasyonu yönünden incelenmesi.

This research was performed in order to examine helminth contaminated wastewaters used in agriculture in Afyonkarahisar. Ten rural areas were selected that used water for agricultural purposes from a creek contaminated with human and animal wastes. Between September 2004 and August 2005, these areas were visited once every two weeks, and a total of 240 water samples were collected. Out of untreated water samples, 32 samples (26.70%) had helminth eggs, whereas there were neither helminths nor developmental stages of helminths (p < 0.001) in treated water samples. Cestode eggs were seen in 10.00% of untreated water samples and nematode eggs were seen in 16.70%. Out of the helminth eggs, 13 (40.60%) were hookworm eggs; 6 (18.75%), Taenia spp.; 5 (5.60%), Ascaris lumbricoides; 3 (9.40%), Hymenolepis diminuta; 3 (9.40%), H. nana; and 2 (6.25%), Toxocara spp. In conclusion; the creek was found to be contaminated by helminths originating from human and animal wastes in Afyonkarahisar. This type of water presents a risk for human and animal health and contaminated waters, therefore, should be avoided in irrigation of vegetables and fruit consumed raw.

Prevalence of coccidia in beef cattle in western Turkey.

A total of 504 bovine faecal samples collected from intensively managed beef farms in Afyon province of Turkey were examined to determine the types and prevalence of coccidian parasites present. Coccidian oocysts were found in 20.04% of all the samples examined by sucrose-flotation. The species detected and their prevalence were Eimeria bovis (34.55%), E. auburnensis (23.03%), E. canadensis (14.55%), E. brasiliensis (10.91%), E. zuernii (6.67%), E. bukidnonensis (3.03%), E. cylindrica (2.42%), E. ellipsoidalis (1.21%), E. illinoisensis (1.21%), E. alabamensis (1.21%) and Isospora sp. (1.21%). Mixed infections of two to four species were found in 43.6% of the animals. The overall prevalence of coccidial oocysts in faecal samples was 27.23% for calves, 15.65% for cows. Linear regression analysis showed that there is a significant reduction in the OPG (the number of oocysts per gram of feces) levels (P<0.05) in cows infected with Eimeria. No cases of clinical coccidiosis were observed in this survey.

[Gastrointestinal nematodes and their seasonal distribution in cattle raised in central Afyonkarahisar, Turkey]. / Afyonkarahisar il merkezinde yetistirilen sigirlarin mide bagirsak nematodlari ve mevsimsel dagilimlari.

This study was conducted during the period of September 2004-August 2005 in two villages with simple raising of cattle located in the center of the Afyonkarahisar province. Fecal samples collected from 985 cattle and the gastrointestinal tracts of 24 cattle were inspected. Strongyle types of eggs were observed in 26.39% of the fecal samples. The infection was found to be less prevalent in the spring (22%) and most prevalent in autumn (32.53%). The genus of larvae observed in fecal cultures were Haemonchus spp. 25.25%, Trichostrongylus spp. 23.71%, Nematodirus spp. 16.49%, Ostertagia spp. 10.30%, Cooperia spp. 8.76%, Bunostomum spp. 6.70%, Oesophagostomum spp. 6.18% and Chabertia ovina. 2.57%. H. contortus and Oesophagostomum venulosum (20.83%), O. radiatum (16.66%), Cooperia onchophora and Ostertagia ostertagi (8.3%), O. trifurcata, C. punctata and Chabertia ovina (4.16%) were found during inspections of the gastrointestinal tracts which were performed in order to determine the infective species. Based on these results, it was concluded that there are infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes in this province but the severity of the infection is low and the seasons with highest infection risk are late spring and autumn.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among military health professionals in Turkey.

This descriptive study investigated traumatic experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among military professionals in Turkey. The sample included 225 military health professionals who were in charge in districts in which traumatic events occurred frequently in the past decade. The Impact of Event Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Symptom Checklist were used to obtain data in the study. More than one-half of the health professionals had experienced at least one traumatic event. Those who had a history of traumatic experience and loss of relatives or friends reported more symptoms than did those who had not experienced traumatic events. As expected, health professionals who had traumatic experiences were more likely to have higher Impact of Event Scale scores than were those who had not experienced physical or psychological trauma. The findings indicate that health professionals are as affected by traumatic events as are those in other settings or occupations. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of post-traumatic stress among health professionals.