Assessment of factors and father-infant attachment levels among Turkish's fathers of preterm infants.

PURPOSE: Identify the factors affecting father-infant attachment among Turkishs fathers of preterm infants. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 63 fathers of preterm infants between the ages of 6-12 months. Data were collected using the Father-Infant Descriptive Information Form and the Paternal-Infant Attachment Scale (PIAS). Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, mann-whitney test, the kruskal wallis test, the tamhane test, spearman correlation analysis, and linear stepwise regression were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: The average PIAS scores of the fathers in the study was 62.97 ± 8.94. A statistically significant difference was found between the birth weight, clinical picture, and length of stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and PIAS total score of preterm infants (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference between the unplanned hospitalization of the baby after discharge and the father's changing the baby's clothes and the PIAS score (p < 0.05). Birth weight and unplanned hospitalization explained 31% of PIAS total score. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, father-infant attachment levels of fathers of preterm infants were low. Father's involvement in changing the baby's clothes, preterm birth weight, clinical picture, and length of stay in the NICU were found to be associated with PIAS. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: It should be remembered that babies can be attached to their fathers as much as they are to their mothers. NICU nurses should initiate father-infant interaction early and ensure fathers' involvement in infant care in the NICU.

The Investigation of Unplanned Hospital Visits and Admissions in the Children Receiving Chemotherapy.

This study aimed to determine incidence, risk factors of unplanned hospital visits children receiving chemotherapy. The study was conducted with 65 children. Data were collected using form consisting of questions regarding causes of their unplanned hospital visits. Chi-square test were used analysis of data. Three quarters of children receiving chemotherapy were determined to have unplanned hospital visits, majority of them were found to be admitted. Knowing high-risk factors for unplanned hospital visits and admissions of children receiving chemotherapy and applying appropriate interventions for discharge education and home care regarding these factors may contribute to reduce unplanned hospital visits.

Honey prevents oral mocositis in children undergoing chemotherapy: A quasi-experimental study with a control group.

BACKGROUND: There are numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options available in the treatment of oral mucositis. However, in spite of so many methods and products, medical professionals have not come to a consensus as to which of these offer the best results. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the effect of oral care with honey on children undergoing chemotherapy for the prevention and healing of oral mucositis. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on children undergoing chemotherapy. The study group consisted of 83 children who attended clinics and polyclinics for chemotherapy. All the children were included in the study period. The study was completed with a total of 76 children except for seven patients who were excluded from the study. The data were collected using a form and the World Health Organization Mucositis Assessment Index. The data were analyzed using percentage distributions, means, a chi-square test, a t-test, a variance analysis, and a Friedman test. Ethics approval of the study was obtained from the Institution Ethics Committee. RESULTS: It was found that the severity of oral mucositis in the children in the experimental group was significantly less than the control group. The mucositis recovery period in the experimental group was significantly shorter than the control group. CONCLUSION: Regular oral care with honey for children undergoing chemotherapy for hematological cancers prevents mucositis and also accelerates recovery of it when started after mucositis onset.

A different approach to breast self-examination education: daughters educating mothers creates positive results in Turkey.

Breast cancer is a common cancer among women, and early detection is important for breast cancer mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of daughters teaching their mothers about breast self-examination (BSE) and its health beliefs. In the study's first stage, 168 university students were trained by the School of Health students about BSE through group training methods. Then, these trained university students were asked to train their mothers about BSE. Data were collected before the training and then again after the training (1 month later). The study instruments included questionnaire forms and the Champion Health Belief Model Scale. The results were analyzed using paired- and unpaired-sample t test, analysis of variance, bivariate correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results show that women's knowledge level increased 2-fold after training, and the knowledge level difference between pretraining and post-training was significant (P = .000). The mothers' background information (hear-read) and BSE practice (P = .006 and .006, respectively) before the training process were found to be significant predictors of sociodemographic and other variables influencing the mothers' knowledge levels. The training increased the perceived benefit (P = .032) and confidence (P = .000) significantly. It was found that there was a negative but significant correlation between perceived barriers and BSE knowledge after the education (P = .019). It was found that mothers' knowledge level about BSE was higher after the education. Furthermore, perceived barriers decreased while other subscales increased. Education from daughter to mother can be used as a BSE training approach to increase women's knowledge about BSE.