Health behaviors, knowledge, screening, and attitudes toward colorectal cancer among Iraqi adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the Iraqi population's health behaviors, knowledge, screening, attitudes toward colorectal cancer (CRC), and possible predictors that may affect their knowledge level. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE: One thousand three hundred sixty-one Iraqi adults from Sulaymaniyah/Iraq. MEASUREMENTS: The odds ratio (OR) was used to find the association between knowledge of CRC and associated factors. RESULTS: Among participants, 6.1% had a colonoscopy, 4.0% had a sigmoidoscopy, and 60.8% heard CRC screening. Participants had low knowledge level of CRC risk factors (5.52 ± 1.39), and symptoms (3.73 ± 1.16) and had a medium knowledge of screening (4.35 ± 1.02). Respondents who retired (OR = 1.30; p = .00) and who had graduated from university (OR = 0.86; p = .01) had a high knowledge of CRC, while those who were aged 70 and above (OR = -1.08; p = .00) had a low knowledge of CRC. Furthermore, it was found that Iraqi adults who answered "no idea" to questions related to attitude and who answered incorrectly questions related to risk factors were likely to have low knowledge (p = .00). CONCLUSIONS: We found a lack of knowledge, screening, and misconceptions about CRC and screening among Iraqi adults. Thus, health training and screening programs should target Iraqi populations.

Evaluation of Breast Self-examination Training in Turkish Women Living in Northwestern Turkey.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most significant health problems among the women. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an examination method which is used by women to detect breast cancer as much early as possible. Training of women about BSE is crucial. Methods: The current study was semi-experimentally single-group pretest-posttest designed in order to evaluate breast self-examination (BSE) training efficacy on Turkish women's knowledge and skills. The study was performed on 119 Turkish women. The data were collected with a three questionnaires and BSE Training Skills Evaluation Form in three phases. Results: 81.5% of the women did not perform BSE regularly. Rate of correct responses about knowledge on BC, risk factors and screening increased after posttest. Significant improvements were observed in the post-test (after training, after one month and three months training) scores for knowledge of Turkish women' towards BC, risk factors and screening, steps of BSE after the intervention (p < 0.001). To quantify the efficiency of training, effect size (Cohen's d) was derived. For knowledge and ability to do BSE scores, Cohen's d was 1,01 ≤ with large effect size indicating highly effective impact of the training. Conclusions: It seems that BSE training is beneficial in women. However, women should receive regular BSE training to renew their knowledge and skills. Long follow-up is required.

The Effect of an Operating Room Nurse Visit on Surgical Patient Anxiety.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an operating room nurse visit on the anxiety levels of surgical patients. DESIGN: A prospective, interventional, quasi-experimental design. METHODS: 80 patients were divided into the control group (n = 40) and the intervention group (n = 40). The control group was given routine care, and the intervention group was visited preoperatively by the operating room nurse in addition to routine care. FINDINGS: The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI TX-1) mean score of the control patients who had information about anesthesia was low, while the STAI TX-1 mean score of the patients who had concerns about surgery was high. The STAI-TX-1 mean score of the control group patients who had information about anesthesia was significantly lower. There was no statistically significant difference in the STAI TX-1 scores between the two groups before and after surgery (P > .05). However, the STAI TX-1 mean score of the control patients was high in the post-operative period. CONCLUSIONS: In an effort to reduce anxiety, the psychological preparation of the patient undergoing urological surgery should involve an anesthesia team member and the operating room nurse together.

Traditional and modern practices in wounds and burn injuries in a population of North Western Turkey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recommended first aid approaches on burn injuries and wounds are highly effective to reduce complications and improve positive patient outcomes. However, traditional practices can be harmful for wound healing and increase infection risks. Therefore, the present study is aimed at determining Turkish people's traditional and modern first aid practices in burn injuries and wound. METHODS: This population-based descriptive study included 544 participants. Data was collected via questionnaire form. RESULTS: In this study, the most frequent cases that received first aid were cut wounds (56%) and burn injuries (22%). Most of participants (71.7% for burn injuries, 93.9% for open wound, 53% for closed wound) used modern first aid practices. However, some participants believed in the efficiency of traditional remedies in burn injuries and wounds and learned from family elders. In addition, it was found that educational status influenced belief in the effectiveness of traditional practices and that the conditions receiving first aid varied according to age and gender (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that more individuals (especially, older and female participants) should be contacted in order to provide first aid training and disseminate recommended practices on first aid. Further comprehensive studies are indicated to improve the quality of healthcare and to determine the needs and reasons to Turkish peoples choose of traditional practices.

Awareness of health sciences students about colorectal cancer risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: This descriptive study was conducted in order to determine the risk factors, symptoms and awareness of health sciences students with regards to colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: This study included 1,028 health science students from two different universities. Data for this study were collected via a questionnaire form that included questions about CRC risk factors, protective approaches and symptoms. Frequencies, percentages and averages of the data were assessed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The most frequent risk factors of the students (mean age: 21.25 years) were smoking (90.5%), excessive alcohol consumption (87.4%), family history of cancer (84.2%) and obesity (82.6%), while the most common protective approaches were smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol, regular physical activity and a low-fat diet. There was a significant difference in the CRC awareness of students in terms of gender, the department and grade level at which they were studying, and having a family history of cancer. CONCLUSION: Results of this study revealed that students had a sufficient awareness about risk factors and what they could do to diminish their risk, but their knowledge about CRC symptoms was less than expected. We believe that health sciences students should be given more education on CRC symptoms.

Knowledge and Protective Behaviors About Skin Cancer Among Nursing Students in the West Black Sea Region of Turkey.

Skin cancer is an important health problem worldwide among cancer types and results in death at a minimum level in the case of early diagnosis. Therefore, the application of prevention programs is vital. Nurses by definition take responsibility for programs in prevention, early diagnosis, and screening for cancer. This study was conducted to determine the extent of skin cancer knowledge and protective behaviors among nursing students in the West Black Sea Region of Turkey. This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted between February and May 2015. The study sample consisted of 965 nursing students. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire form. Nursing students had a moderate level of knowledge, with average scores of 24.35 ± 3.66. The knowledge levels of first-year students were lowest compared with other years. It was determined that, among nursing students, the percentage of "negative behaviors" in response to skin cancer protective behaviors was higher than for "positive behaviors." The results of this study highlight the knowledge level and skin cancer protective behaviors of nursing students. Training, seminars, and workshops that teach about risk factors, early detection, protective behaviors, and skin self-examination skills could increase the knowledge level of nursing students.

A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Survey of Turkish Nurses' Knowledge of Pressure Ulcer Risk, Prevention, and Staging.

Nurses' knowledge of pressure ulcer (PU) prevention and management is an important first step in the provision of optimal care. To evaluate PU prevention/risk, staging, and wound description knowledge, a descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses working in an acute care Turkish hospital. The survey instrument was a modified and translated version of the Pieper Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test (PUKT), and its validity and reliability were established. Nurses completed a Personal Characteristics Form, including sociodemographic information and exposure to educational presentations and information about and experience with PUs, followed by the 49-item modified PUKT which includes 33 prevention/risk items, 9 staging items, and 7 wound description items. All items are true/false questions with an I don't know option (scoring: minimum 0, maximum 49). Correct answers received 1 point and incorrect/unknown answers received 0 points. The paper-pencil questionnaires were distributed by 2 researchers to all nurses in the participating hospital and completed by those willing to be included. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pearson's correlation test was used to examine the relationship between quantitative variables, and mean scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Among the 308 participating nurses (mean age 29.5 ± 8.1 [range 19-56] years) most were women (257, 83.4%) with 7.3 ± 7.8 (range 1-36) years of experience. The mean knowledge score for the entire sample was 29.7 ± 6.7 (range 8-42). The overall percentage of correct answers was 60.6% to 61.8% for PU prevention/risk assessment, 60% for wound description, and 56.6% for PU staging. Knowledge scores were significantly (P <.05) higher for participants who attended at least 1 lecture/conference/course on PUs in the last year, read articles/books about PUs, cared for patients with PUs, or believed their patients were at risk for PU development. Most participants (180, 58.4%) scored 60% or more correct; 8 (2.6%) correctly answered 80% or more of the items. The lowest number of correct answers was for the item, "Bunny boots and gel pads relieve pressure on the heels" (22, 7.1%). The results of this study suggest education and experience caring for patients who are at risk for or have a PU affect nurses' knowledge. This study, and additional research examining nurse knowledge, will help the development of much-needed education programs.

Comparison of Subjective Wellbeing and Positive Future Expectations in Between Working and Nonworking Adolescents in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Wellbeing is one's evaluation and judgment of one's life. It consists of 3 dimensions: positive affectivity, negative affectivity, and life satisfaction. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the subjective wellbeing and positive future expectations between working and nonworking adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was designed as descriptive and comparative. The study sample consisted of 420 working and 482 nonworking adolescents (n = 902) aged 15 - 20 years, who were randomly recruited from two occupational education centers in Istanbul, Turkey and two high schools (formal educations) in the same district. RESULTS: Adolescent subjective wellbeing scale (ASWS) total mean (SD) scores for working adolescents and nonworking adolescents were 48.76 (9.50) and 49.72 (8.01), respectively. In addition, positive future expectations scale (PFES) total mean (SD) scores for working adolescents and nonworking adolescents were 18.71 (4.50) and 19.06 (3.49), respectively. In this study, no significant difference was found between the general wellbeing (scale total median score) scores of the working and nonworking adolescent groups (Z = 1.01, P = 0.315). However, significant differences were found in the family relations satisfaction (Z = 3.23, P = 0.002) and relations with significant others (Z = 2.85, P = 0.004) subscales of the ASWS. CONCLUSIONS: A positive relationship was found between adolescent subjective wellbeing and positive future expectations. It was found that nonworking adolescents scored higher on the dimensions of "family relations" and "relations with significant others" of subjective wellbeing compared to those dimensions in working adolescents.

Performed Surgical Interventions After the 1999 Marmara Earthquake in Turkey, and Their Importance Regarding Nursing Practices.

Effectively dealing with earthquakes is especially important for the people who live in areas prone to earthquakes such as the country of Turkey. Trauma related to earthquakes has specific relevance to nursing practice. The purpose of this review was to describe the types of surgical interventions after the Marmara earthquake and to evaluate the implications for nursing care. English and Turkish articles about the Marmara earthquake were reviewed between May and July 2013. A total of 7 studies were evaluated. The number of patients admitted to the units, types of injuries, and surgical treatments were recorded, with a total of 2378 patients with earthquake-related injuries. The most commonly traumatized parts of the body were the extremities. Fasciotomy operations were performed on 286 patients and 75 patients underwent extremity amputations. Predetermining surgical problems and interventions may be useful in planning for possible future problems in the case of a disaster.

Anxiety and pain in surgically treated breast cancer patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of anxiety and pain in women with breast cancer. Patients who had been treated with modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery were included. Data were gathered using the state-trait anxiety inventory and the visual analog scale. The pain levels and analgesic consumption of the patients were evaluated after surgery. The study sample consisted of 150 women. The mean age of the participants was 50.54±10.02. Most of the patients (58%) received breast conserving surgery. The mean state anxiety score was 44.74±11.91, and the mean trait anxiety score was 48.78±9.48 before surgery. The mean pain level on the first day following surgery was 3.26±1.91 and analgesic consumption was 2.98±1.08. There was no correlation between patient pain and anxiety levels. There was very slightly positive correlation between trait anxiety and total analgesic consumption. Assessing the levels of anxiety in breast cancer patients before surgery may contribute to the determination of postoperative pain.