Effects of foot-massage in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum on severity of nausea-vomiting and anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of foot massage performed on pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum on the severity of nausea and vomiting and pregnancy-related anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This randomised controlled study was conducted between February and November 2020 with 104 pregnant women hospitalised in the pregnant women follow-up service ward of a public hospital in eastern Turkey with the diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum. Data were obtained from the pregnant women who were given a 'Personal Information Form' and before and after each application by using the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea (PUQE) Test and the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale-Revision 2 (PRAQ-R2). RESULTS: Before foot massage, the pre-test mean PUQE total, PRAQR-2 total, and PRAQR2 fear of childbirth and concerns about physical appearance dimension scores of the participants in the experimental and control groups were similar (p > 0.05), It was determined that the PRAQR2 fear of having a disabled child control group had significantly higher pre-test scores compared to the massage group (p < 0.05). After foot massage, the severity of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the participants in the experimental group compared to those in the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the mean PRAQR2 total and dimension scores of the participants in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings support the use of the foot massage is an effective intervention in reducing the severity of nausea and vomiting and pregnancy-related anxiety.

The effect of hypnofertility on fertility preparedness, stress, and coping with stress in women having in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In vitro fertilisation is a stressful process for women. Hypnofertility is a method that can be used to relieve stress during in vitro fertilisation. It is based on an effective and strong body-mind interaction, as well as balancing the brain and body via positive words and thoughts. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of hypnofertility on fertility preparedness, stress, and coping with stress in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation. METHODS: This study was conducted with a randomised controlled trial design. Hypnofertility-based relaxation, visualisation, imagination, and affirmation techniques were applied to the intervention group at four stages, and no initiative was applied to the women in the control group. The Clinical Trial Registration number of the study is NCT04755270. RESULTS: After the hypnofertility method, the mean score of the intervention group in the positive feelings and thoughts subscale of the Fertility Preparedness Scale was higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). The hypnofertility method caused a significant decrease in the level of infertility stress in the intervention group, and the intervention group used the active-confronting and passive-avoidance methods more than control group did (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The hypnofertility method increased the levels of preparedness for fertility, reduced stress levels and provided effective strategies to cope with stress.

Investigating the relationship between the depression levels of midwives and nurses and their emotional labor and secondary traumatic stress levels in the COVID-19 pandemic period with structural equation modelling.

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between depression levels in midwives and nurses and their emotional labor and secondary traumatic stress levels in the COVID-19 pandemic process structural equation modelling. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 313 midwives and nurses. According to the model formed based on the presence of depression, as the Emotional Labor scores of the participants increased, their Beck Depression scores decreased 0.947-fold, while as their Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale scores increased, their Beck Depression scores increased 1.116-fold. It was determined that the scores of the participants in the Emotional Labor and Secondary Traumatic Stress Scales explained 42.8% of their Beck Depression Inventory scores. It was concluded that the depression statuses of the participants were affected by their emotional labor and secondary traumatic stress statuses.

Effects of tele-education given based on the health belief model on mode of delivery tendencies in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean sections, which have a high risk of maternal and neonatal complications and increase health expenditures, have become a global problem. Hence, it is extremely important to encourage women to have normal deliveries. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of tele-education given to nulliparous pregnant women based on the health belief model (HBM) on their normal delivery beliefs and tendencies. METHODS: This randomized-controlled study was conducted with 149 nulliparous pregnant women. Participants in the experimental group received a tele-education programme in 8 sessions prepared in line with the health belief model regarding normal delivery for 15 days. The data was collected by using the "Pregnancy Information Form" and "Belief Scale for Normal Delivery (BSND)". RESULTS: After the tele-education programme, the post-test BSND mean score was 89.90±14.10 in the experimental group and 78.80±12.65 in the control group, where the difference between them was significant (p < 0.01). Additionally, the post-test mean scores of participants in the experimental group in all BSND's subdimensions were significantly higher than those of the women in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The tele-education given in line with the HBM increased the belief and tendency levels of the nulliparous pregnant women towards normal delivery.

Integration of technology to clinical teaching:The impact of mobile and web-based software automation designed for midwifery students on motivation, time management and anxiety levels.

AIM: This study was performed to assess the impact of a mobile and web-based software system named Midwifery Clinical Automation (EBEKO) and designed by researchers to be used in clinical practices on motivation, time management and anxiety level. METHOD: The sample of this randomized controlled trial consisted of 60 midwifery students who were randomly and equally assigned to the experimental and control groups. Data were collected between February and May 2019 using "Student Introduction Form", "Motivation Resources and Problems Scale (MRPS)", "Time Management Inventory (TMI)" and "Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI I-II). EBEKO application was designed as a software system ensuring mutual interaction between students and instructors. Students in the experimental group and all instructors of the department of midwifery were trained in terms of using the system. Students were asked to upload the data regarding midwifery care, monitoring and trainings utilized within the clinical practices to the EBEKO. Data uploaded to the system were transferred to the screen designed for the instructors who were in charge. Instructors assessed these forms (for pregnant women/puerperal women/newborns etc.), demanded revisions, approved or returned. Approved forms corresponded to the number of forms needed by the students in the study to graduate. All students in the experimental group used EBEKO system throughout their education period (14 weeks). No interventions were made on the students in the control group. Data were analyzed through the descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, min-max values), and t-test in the dependent and independent groups. RESULTS: Students in the experimental and control groups were found to have similar motivation, time management and anxiety level prior to the use of EBEKO. However, after the use of the application, the mean post-test motivation and time management scores of the students in the experimental group significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.001, p<0.05), but no significant difference regarding the anxiety levels was present between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: EBEKO was found to positively affect the motivation and time management of midwifery students.

The effect of relaxation exercises training on pregnancy-related anxiety after perinatal loss: A pilot randomized control trial✰.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related anxiety is quite frequent during pregnancy after perinatal loss, and it is likely to cause negative effects on the mother and the foetus. amongst independent nursing practices, progressive muscle relaxation exercises are considered to be one of alternative treatment methods to relax pregnant women physically and psychologically. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the pregnancy-related anxiety levels of pregnant women who have experienced a perinatal loss. METHODS: One hundred and four pregnant women who had experienced a perinatal loss were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 31) or a control group (n = 33) and participated in a 12-week trial. The intervention group received training on progressive muscle relaxation exercises, while the control group was provided only with routine healthcare services. The Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-R2 was used to evaluate the level of pregnancy-related anxiety. RESULTS: The intervention group showed improvement in comparison to the control group at the end of the intervention. After the intervention, the measured levels of "pregnancy related anxiety", "fear of giving birth", and "worries about bearing a handicapped child" significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the pre-intervention levels and the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of concern about own appearance between the groups after the intervention (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the study, progressive muscle relaxation led to a decrease in the pregnancy-related anxiety levels of the pregnant women who had experienced a perinatal loss.

Determining the Cultural Care Needs of Infertile Couples in Turkey: A Qualitative Study Guided by the Cultural Competence Model.

The cultural competence model is an ethnographic model created to improve the cultural understanding of people's status in the context of health, health promotion and illness. This study aimed to use the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence for determining the cultural care needs of couples undergoing infertility treatment. This study with a qualitative design was conducted at a private in vitro fertilization center in eastern Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of 10 infertile couples with unexplained infertility problems (n = 20). The 12 cultural domains were used as a basis in determining the cultural care needs of the infertile couples, and these domains formed the themes. Data were collected using the method of interpretative phenomenological analysis. The emotions defined in the "spirituality" theme were "seeing it as destiny or seeing it as a test to be passed in terms of religion" and "visiting holy tombs, applying to faith healers and making vows." The first three emotions that came to the fore in the "pregnancy and childbearing" theme were "feelings of deficiency/illness/stigmatization," "deterioration in body image" and "unsatisfactory inability to feel love for own child." In the "healthcare practitioners" theme, it was determined that compliance with treatment was partially sufficient, but the religious-cultural influence was high.

The effects of midwifery care provided to primiparous mothers during the postpartum period on maternal attachment and post-traumatic growth.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the effects of midwifery care provided to primiparous mothers during the postpartum period on maternal attachment and post-traumatic growth. METHOD: The study was conducted based on a quasi-experimental model with a pre-test/post-test control group. The population of the study was composed of primiparous mothers who gave birth in a public hospital located in eastern Turkey, and the sample consisted of 128 postpartum women (64 women in the control group and 64 women in the experimental group); the sample size was determined via power analysis. Midwifery care was provided to the mothers in the experimental group throughout their hospitalisation in accordance with the Postpartum Care Management Guidelines (PCMG) published by the Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Health. In addition, 3 home visits were carried out between the postpartum 2nd and 5th days, 13th and 17th days and 36th and 42nd days. The mothers in the control group were not subjected to any intervention. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI) and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Statistical analyses were conducted using percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, chi-square testing, independent samples t-testing and dependent samples t-testing. RESULTS: Based on the mean MAI and PTGI pre-test scores, it was determined that the mothers in the experimental and control groups were similar in terms of maternal attachment and post-traumatic growth characteristics (p>0.05). The mean MAI post-test score was 101.85±2.85 in the experimental group and 98.68±5.91 in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). The mean PTGI post-test score was 86.21±20.39 in the experimental group and 79.54±22.32 in the control group, and the difference between the groups' mean scores was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean post-test score of the PTGI Change in Philosophy of Life subscale was 19.37±6.04 in the experimental group and 16.17±6.83 in the control group, and the difference between the mean scores was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that the midwifery care provided to primiparous mothers during the postpartum period had a positive effect on levels of post-traumatic growth and maternal attachment.

Turkish validity and reliability study for the person-centered maternity care scale.

AIM: The objective was to adapt the person-centered maternity care scale (PCMCS) developed by Afulani et al. in 2017 to Turkish and to perform the validity and reliability study of this scale. METHODS: The population of this methodological study consisted of 280 mothers who were referred to the postpartum service of a public hospital in eastern Turkey. Linguistic validity, context validity, and pilot practice studies regarding the PCMCS that could be used in the first nine postpartum weeks were performed. Explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to assess the construct validity of the form. Reliability of PCMCS was tested through the Cronbach's α internal consistency coefficient, total item correlation, and test-retest analysis. RESULTS: The Turkish version of the PCMCS a 21-item scale with three sub-dimensions was obtained. These three sub-dimensions found as a result of explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported the scale structure. Cronbach's α reliability coefficient scale was adequate for total and sub-dimensions. CONCLUSION: Turkish version of PCMCS was found to be a valid and reliable instrument to be used for assessing the person-centered maternity care for women in the postpartum period.

The Turkish validity and reliability study of the London measure of unplanned pregnancy.

AIM: This study aims to adapt the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) developed by Barrett et al. to Turkish by checking its validity and reliability. METHOD: The sample of this methodological study consisted of 596 pregnant women who were referred to the antenatal outpatient clinics of a public hospital in eastern Turkey. Data were collected from those who agreed to participate in the study, by using a personal information form and the six-item LMUP. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 24.0 statistical package programs, and statistically assessed using descriptive statistics such as number, percentage, mean and SD, language and content validity, explanatory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's α reliability coefficient, and test-retest analysis. RESULTS: The EFA revealed that the Turkish version of the LMUP consisted of five items and one factor. The items' factor loadings were above 0.30, and explained 68.89% of the total variance. The CFA supported the one-factor structure of the scale, which was revealed by the EFA. As a result of the CFA, the fit indices were found to be very good. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was determined as 0.90. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the LMUP is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate unplanned pregnancy.

Turkish validity and reliability study of Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to adapt the validity and reliability of the Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (PAAS) for Turkish fathers. METHOD: The sample of the methodological study consisted of 580 father candidates. RESULTS: In the study, as a result of the exploratory factor analysis, it was determined that the PAAS consisted of 16 items, eight items in the "quality of attachment" subdimension and eight items in the "time spent in attachment mode" subdimension. It supported the 2-factor scale structure the confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's α was found to be .82 in the total scale. In addition, item-total correlation and test-retest analysis of the scale had a high correlation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Based on the study results, the Turkish language version of the PAAS is valid and reliable.

Pregnancy and birth planning during COVID-19: The effects of tele-education offered to pregnant women on prenatal distress and pregnancy-related anxiety.

AIM: This study aims to examine pregnancy and birth planning during COVID-19 and the effects of a tele-education offered to pregnant women for this planning process on prenatal distress and pregnancy-related anxiety. METHOD: The population of this quasi-experimental study was composed of pregnant women who applied for the antenatal education class of a public hospital in the east of Turkey during their past prenatal follow-ups and wrote their contact details in the registration book to participate in group trainings. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 96 pregnant women, including 48 in the experiment and 48 in the control groups, who were selected using power analysis and non-probability random sampling method. The data were collected between April 22 and May 13, 2020 using a "Personal Information Form", the "Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ)" and the "Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2)". An individual tele-education (interactive education and consultancy provided by phone calls, text message and digital education booklet) was provided to the pregnant women in the experiment group for one week. No intervention was administered to those in the control group. The data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, min-max values) and t-test in dependent and independent groups. RESULTS: The posttest NuPDQ total mean scores of pregnant women in the experiment and control groups were 8.75±5.10 and 11.50±4.91, respectively, whereby the difference between the groups was statistically significant (t=-2.689, p=0.008). Additionally, the difference between their mean scores on both PRAQ-R2 and its subscales of "fear of giving birth" and "worries of bearing a physically or mentally handicapped child" was statistically significant (p<0.05), where those in the experiment group had lower anxiety, fear of giving birth and worries of bearing a physically or mentally handicapped child. CONCLUSION: The tele-education offered to the pregnant women for pregnancy and birth planning during COVID-19 decreased their prenatal distress and pregnancy-related anxiety.

Effects of demographic and obstetric variables with body image on sexual dysfunction in pregnancy: A cross-sectional and comparative study.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the effects of demographic and obstetric variables with body image on sexual dysfunction in pregnant women. BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is frequent in pregnant women. To what extent body image plays a role is incompletely understood. METHODS: In the research, a cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted. A personal information form, body image scale, and female sexual function index were applied to 472 pregnant women. Descriptive statistics, the Student t-test, the χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis were employed for evaluating the data. RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction was found in 54.7%. The frequency of sexual dysfunction in the first trimester was lower. In addition, factors like the place of residence of the pregnant women and number of pregnancies were found to be related to sexual dysfunction in pregnant women. Each unit decrease in body image score resulted in women being 0.98 times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: It was determined that approximately one in two pregnant women experienced sexual dysfunction, and body image, place of residence, trimester of the pregnancy, and number of pregnancies were important factors affecting sexual function.

Turkish version of the childbirth perception scale: Reliability and validity study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to adapt the Childbirth Perception Scale (CPS) to the Turkish language and to test its validity and reliability. DESIGN AND METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 240 puerperants. FINDINGS: The confirmatory factor analysis of the index values showed a good fit. The internal consistency coefficients were 0.74 for the delivery perception, 0.65 for the first postpartum week perception and 0.70 for the total. The total correlation of the CPS items and the test-retest correlation showed high-reliability levels. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Based on the study results, the Turkish language version of the CPS is valid and reliable.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Modified Breast Cancer Worry Scale.

BACKGROUND: There are many assessment instruments used for cancer worry. Many women worry about breast cancer, but In Turkey, there is no scale that assesses the worry about developing breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish Breast Cancer Worry Scale (BCWS). This scale was created as a modified version of the Cancer Worry Scale. METHODS: The study was conducted in a Family Health Center (FHC) located in eastern Turkey using a methodological design. The study sample consisted of 610 healthy women who referred to a FHC for any reason. The data were collected using the Participant Information Form and BCWS with a face-to-face interview conducted between Jun 2015 and Jan 2016. Construct validity of the scales was tested via factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, item-total score correlation coefficient, and test-retest correlations were calculated to check for reliability. RESULTS: The factor load values of BCWS were found to be between 0.45 and 0.79. The total Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.78, and the total score correlations of items ranged between 0.32 and 0.64. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the scale was 0.81 (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the BCWS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the effect of breast cancer worry on daily activities and mental condition.

An analysis of dysmenorrhoea and depressive symptoms in university students: A case-control study.

AIM: Dysmenorrhoea is a significant problem frequently observed in young women; it affects their daily life. The study aims were to describe and compare the presence of depressive symptoms in female university students with and without dysmenorrhoea and to infer which factors may influence dysmenorrhoea. METHODS: This case-control study included 942 students, 471 in each group. The case group consisted of university students in a large university hospital in Eastern Turkey who applied to the adult emergency service and were diagnosed with dysmenorrhoea. The control group consisted of randomly selected students in the same university who did not report painful menstruation. The data were collected between September 2015 and May 2016 using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were observed in 61.1% of the students with dysmenorrhoea and 38.9% of the students without dysmenorrhoea (P < .05). The logistic regression analysis showed that depressive symptoms (OR: 1.87) and family history of dysmenorrhoea (OR: 2.20) were found to be higher in the students with dysmenorrhoea than in the students without dysmenorrhoea. CONCLUSION: Students with dysmenorrhoea were more likely to have depressive symptoms and a family history of dysmenorrhoea; findings alert health care professionals to the psychological as well as physiological effects.

The effects of infertility on perception of body in pregnancy: A comparative study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of infertility on perception of body in pregnancy. DESIGN AND METHODS: This comparative study was conducted with 428 pregnant women (in vitro fertilization [IVF = 214, spontaneously conceived/SC = 214]). FINDINGS: The IVF group had a higher body image scale (BIS) score. Moreover, it was observed that the IVF group had more positive views on growth in the abdominal area, gaining weight, and changes in skin. The rates of taking precautions for these changes and thinking that these changes affected sexual life negatively were lower the in the IVF group. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Infertility has a positive effect in perception of body in pregnancy.

Turkish adaptation of the pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaire-revised 2: Validity and reliability study in multiparous and primiparous pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to create a Turkish version of the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 (PRAQR2), which was revised for application to multiparous and primiparous pregnancy, and to explore its psychometric characteristics in multiparous and primiparous pregnancy. DESIGN: This study was methodologically designed to assess the reliability and validity of the PRAQ-R2. SETTING: The study was carried out in the obstetrics clinic of a training and research hospital in Malatya. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 616 healthy pregnant women (399 multiparous and 217 primiparous) constituted the sample of the study. METHODS: The cultural adaptation process of the questionnaire was conducted in three phases: language validity, content validity, and pilot application. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to test the construct validity of the questionnaire. The reliability of the PRAQ-R2 was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient, item-total correlation, test-retest analysis, and parallel forms reliability. FINDINGS: The EFA revealed that the PRAQ-R2 consists of 10 items for the multiparous group and 11 for the primiparous group after adding the item ``I am anxious about the delivery because I have never experienced one before.'' The CFA for both groups supported the three-factor questionnaire yielded by the EFA. Good fit index values were obtained in both groups. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient ranged from 0.81 to 0.93 for the multiparous group and 0.87 to 0.94 for the primiparous group for the complete PRAQ-R2 and each of its subdimensions. In addition, the item-total correlation, test-retest analysis, and parallel forms reliability of the questionnaire were highly correlated. CONCLUSION: The PRAQ-R2 is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to evaluate the level of anxiety in Turkish pregnant women irrespective of parity. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The use of the PRAQ-R2 in prenatal healthcare services will contribute to the early diagnosis, treatment, and management of pregnancy-related anxiety.

Effects of sleep hygiene training given to pregnant women with restless leg syndrome on their sleep quality.

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to determine the effects of sleep hygiene training given to pregnant women with restless leg syndrome on their sleep quality. METHODS: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test, and a control group. When the power analysis was made, a sample size with 5% two-sided significance, 95% confidence interval, and 95% ability to represent the population was calculated to have a total of 128 pregnant women. The sleeping hygiene training was given to two sessions of the experiment group. A personal identification form and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used for the collection of data. Percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and chi-square were used for statistical evaluation in addition to dependent and independent groups t tests. RESULTS: PSQI pre-test mean values revealed that sleep quality in both groups was similarly poor (p = 0.353). It was determined that the mean post-test score after sleep hygiene training was 7.23 ± 2.17 in the experiment group and 10.54 ± 2.20 in the control group, while the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.000). Accordingly, it was determined that the sleepers in the experimental group had better sleep quality than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep hygiene training given to pregnant women with restless leg syndrome increased sleep quality.