The relationship between Turkish women's self-efficacy for managing work-family conflict and depression, anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed working women's workplace and family workload. The changing workplace-family workload may cause a decrease in work-family conflict management self-efficacy. The decrease in work-family conflict management self-efficacy in women may increase their depression, anxiety, and stress levels. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between Turkish women's self-efficacy for managing work-family conflict and their depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 244 Turkish women via social media (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). The data were collected online through a questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and sub-scales of the Self-Efficacy for Managing Work-Family Conflict Scale (SE-WFC): Work-to-Family Conflict (WFC) and Family-to-Work Conflict (FWC). RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 87.3% of working women experienced an increase in their family workload (100% increase in cooking and cleaning jobs). On the other hand, workplace workload of 83% of women increased. According to DASS-21, women experienced depression (55.7%), anxiety (49.6%) and stress (63.1%). A negative correlation was found between the mean scores of WFC/FWC and the mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress. (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkish women's self-efficacy for managing work-family and family-work conflict decreased, and their depression, anxiety, and stress levels increased.

The Effect of Xylitol Gum Chewing After Cesarean on Bowel Functions: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative ileus after cesarean is a common complication. The delay of bowel functions after cesarean influences early parenthood experience, increases the need for analgesic use, extends the duration of hospital stay, and causes cost increase. This study aimed to explore the effect of xylitol gum chewing after cesarean on bowel functions. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on subjects immediately after second hour of the cesarean in a ward of maternity. METHODS: A total of 69 women were randomized to the xylitol gum chewing group (n = 23), the nonxylitol gum chewing group (n = 23), or the control group (n = 23). Data were collected from the women who agreed to participate and met the inclusion criteria. Starting with the second hour after the cesarean, women in the xylitol and nonxylitol gum chewing group were asked to chew gum for 15 minutes every 2 hours. The practice of chewing gum minimum of 8 hours and a maximum of 12 hours continued (until midnight). The data regarding the first times for bowel sounds, flatulation, defecation, a feeling of hunger, and length of hospital stay were compared. FINDINGS: There is no difference in starting time of first bowel sounds (P = .070) and the first feeling of hunger (P = .098) among the groups. The first flatulation started at an earlier time in the xylitol gum chewing group than the control group (17.35 ± 6.27 vs 11.18 ± 5.39 hours, P = .003); first defecation time started earlier in the xylitol gum chewing group than nonxylitol gum chewing group (44.05 ± 9.4 vs 37.58 ± 9.96 hours, P = .022). Xylitol gum chewing group (51.77 ± 10.3 vs 46.33 ± 8.11 hours, P = .028) and nonxylitol gum chewing group (51.77 ± 10.3 vs 50.23 ± 5.72 hours, P = .024) were discharged from the hospital earlier than control group. CONCLUSIONS: In nursing care after cesarean, early period xylitol gum chewing is an efficient and user-friendly method to prompt bowel functions earlier. Xylitol gum chewing in nursing care is suggested to be involved.

Anxiety, depression, and related factors in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey: A web-based cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression and related factors in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 403 pregnant women using a web-based survey. The hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to measure anxiety and depression. FINDINGS: The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 64.5% and 56.3%, respectively. Working status, physical activity status, discomfort with hospital visits, having information about COVID-19, and being informed by healthcare workers about COVID-19 were factors related to anxiety (p < .05). Education level, physical activity status, discomfort with hospital visits, and having information about COVID-19 were factors related to depression (p < .05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The aforementioned factors should be considered for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle and abdominal training in women with stress urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training and abdominal training in women with stress urinary incontinence. The study included 64 female patients (aged 18 to 49 years) with stress urinary incontinence. Patients were randomly allocated into the pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) or pelvic floor muscle plus abdominal training (PFMT+AT) groups. Clinical data included stress test results, pelvic floor activity measurements, and Urinary Distress Inventory, and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire responses. The increase in the pelvic floor muscle activity (from the 0th to the 4th week, from the 4th to the 8th week, and from the 0th to the 8th week) was significantly greater for the PFMT+AT group than for the PFMT group (p < 0.05). The negativity rate of the stress test at the 4th week was significantly higher for the PFMT+AT group (93.7%) than for the PFMT group (53.1%) (p < 0.001). Women with stress urinary incontinence benefit more from pelvic floor muscle training plus abdominal training than from pelvic floor muscle training alone in terms of increasing their pelvic floor muscle activity and quality of life, and they also experience an earlier recovery.

Effect of aromatherapy massage on pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis investigates the effect of aromatherapy massage on pain in primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were searched by keywords in several databases (Pubmed, ISI Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar). Six randomized controlled trials that included 362 participants with primary dysmenorrhea, comparing abdominal aromatherapy massage (n = 184) with massage with placebo oils (n = 178), were analyzed in the meta-analysis. The change in the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score from the first menstruation cycle to the second cycle at the first menstruation day was used as the primary outcome. RESULTS: Aromatherapy massage with essential oils was superior to massage with placebo oils (standardized mean difference = -1.06 [95% CI: -1.55 to -0.55]). CONCLUSION: Abdominal aromatherapy massage with essential oils is an effective complementary method to relieve pain in primary dysmenorrhea.

Effect of Premenstrual Syndrome on Work-Related Quality of Life in Turkish Nurses.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on work-related quality of life in nurses. We aimed to investigate the effect of PMS on work-related quality of life in Turkish nurses. METHODS: A total of 134 volunteer nurses were included in this cross-sectional study between January 2015 and March 2015. One hundred and thirty-four nurses completed a questionnaire regarding demographic data, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQoL). The nurses were classified as having or not having premenstrual syndrome according to the PMSS. RESULTS: The average age was 29.5 ± 7.1 years and the prevalence of PMS was 38.1%. The total score of PMSS was significantly negatively correlated with the overall score (r = -0.341; p < 0.001) and all subscale scores of the WRQoL and ranged from -0.207 to -0.402 (p < 0.05 for all). All of the WRQoL subscale scores except stress at work (p = 0.179) in nurses with PMS were significantly lower than those of nurses without PMS (p < 0.05). The age (ß = -0.258; p = 0.021) and PMSS total score (ß = -0.314; p < 0.001) increment negatively; however, optimistic thinking (ß = 0.228; p = 0.008) positively affected overall WRQoL score. CONCLUSION: Nurses with PMS have decreased levels of work-related quality of life in their professional lives. Methods to help cope with cyclic premenstrual symptoms may be used, and as a result, productivity and work-related quality of life may increase.

Effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise on pelvic floor muscle activity and voiding functions during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period on pelvic floor muscle activity and voiding functions. METHODS: Pregnant women (n = 60) were randomly assigned into two groups (Training [n = 30] and Control [n = 30]) using a computer-based system. Pelvic floor muscle strength was measured using a perineometry device. Urinary symptoms were measured using the Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q). Voiding functions were measured using uroflowmetry and 3-day voiding diaries. Measurements were obtained at week 28, weeks 36-38 of pregnancy, and postpartum weeks 6-8. RESULTS: Pelvic floor muscle strength significantly decreased during the pregnancy (P < 0.001). However, pelvic floor muscle strength improvement was significantly higher in the Training group compared to the Control group (P < 0.001). The UDI-6, IIQ-7, and OAB-q scores did not significantly change during weeks 36-38 of pregnancy in the Training group (P > 0.05). However, UDI-6, coping, concern, and total scores of OAB-q were significantly decreased during weeks 36-38 of pregnancy in the Control group (P < 0.05). The UDI-6 and OAB-q scores were significantly improved during postpartum weeks 6-8 (P < 0.05). Voiding functions were negatively affected in both groups, decreasing during weeks 36-38 of pregnancy and improving during the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy and delivery affect pelvic floor muscle strength, urinary symptoms, quality of life, and voiding functions. Pelvic floor muscle exercises applied during pregnancy and the postpartum period increase pelvic floor muscle strength and prevent deterioration of urinary symptoms and quality of life in pregnancy.

The Relationship of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms with Menstrual Attitude and Sleep Quality in Turkish Nursing Student.

INTRODUCTION: Symptoms induced by premenstrual syndrome (PMS) adversely affect the women in reproduction period and decrease their quality of life. In literature, it is a common opinion thought that PMS could be associated with both sleep quality and menstrual attitudes. However, there has been no sufficient number of studies to define in what ways the PMS symptoms are correlated with sleep quality and menstrual attitudes. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship of PMS symptoms with menstrual attitude and sleep quality. METHODS: The data were collected from 183 nursing students at Health School of Artvin Çoruh University by using a correlational design. Voluntary students completed a questionnaire involving socio-demographic characteristics, Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: Average age was 19.9 (1.8). The study determined a positively significant correlation between score of PMSS and mean scores of PSQI (r=0.306; P<0.001), and a negatively significant correlation between score of PMSS and total mean score of MAQ (r=-0.317; P<0.01). Similarly, multiple linear regression analysis showed that PSQI total score (ß=5.412; P<0.001) and MAQ total score (ß=-27.455; P=0.001) significantly affected total score of PMSS. CONCLUSION: The intensity of PMS symptoms is associated with poor sleep quality and negative menstrual attitudes. Determining the methods of coping with PMS and strengthening the young girls on this subject may enhance their quality of future life.

Quality of life in women with infertility via the FertiQoL and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between quality of life, anxiety, and depression in female patients with infertility. This was a cross-sectional study with 89 women with infertility. Patients completed a questionnaire that included demographic data, the FertiQoL scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The average total FertiQoL score was 66.0 ± 14.5. There were negative correlations between the treatment and core FertiQoL scores and the Hospital Anxiety-Depression subscale scores. The attempted conception duration was negatively correlated with the total and core (emotional, mind-body, and social subscales) scores of the FertiQoL. The number of in vitro fertilizations was negatively correlated with the total, core (mind-body subscale), and treatment (tolerability subscale) scores of the FertiQoL. In conclusion, infertility significantly reduces quality of life in women by increasing their anxiety and depression levels. Thus, healthcare professionals should consider quality of life with a holistic approach when examining and treating women with infertility.

Is EQ-5D a valid quality of life instrument in patients with acute coronary syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the construct validity of the Turkish version of the EQ-5D in patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study at the Trakya University Hospital between February and May 2008. All patients completed the Turkish version of the EQ-5D and MacNew heart-related quality of life scale. Construct validity of the EQ-5D was assessed according to relationships with MacNew subscales by using Spearman rank correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two patients responded to the instruments. Mean age was 62.9±9.3 years and male gender (88 or 72.1%) was dominant. Mean score of the EQ-5D index was 0.79±0.32, while the global score of MacNew was 5.01±1.16. The correlation coefficients of the EQ-5D index score with the MacNew subscales ranged from 0.557 to 0.721, with EQ-5D VAS score ranging from 0.297 to 0.484 (p<0.001 for all of them). According to the stepwise regression model MacNew global score was found to be significantly effective factor on EQ-5D index score (ß =0.188; 95% CI: 0.152-0.224; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the EQ-5D-based utility score seems to be a valid instrument in the assessment of quality of life studies in patients with acute coronary syndrome.