Investigation of the relationship between rational drug use and healthy lifestyle behaviours of university students.

AIM: the aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between rational drug use and healthy lifestyle behaviours of university students. METHOD: this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of 1115 students from a university in the Southeast-East Anatolia Region in the autumn semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. In the collection of data, 'Student Introduction Form', 'The Rational Drug Use Scale' and 'The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II' were used. Ethical approval was obtained from the Batman University Ethics Committee. In addition, necessary legal permissions were obtained from the institution where the study was conducted and from the students. Descriptive statistics, number, percentage, independent t-test, ANOVA test and Spearman's rank correlation were used in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 22.0 package software to analyse the data. RESULTS: the average age of the students was 21.31 ± 2.37 years, and their monthly drug expenditure was 142.63 ± 157.200 Turkish Lira. Some 28.1% of them were third-year students, 59% had graduated from Anatolian high school, 59.6% were living with their nuclear family, 49.1% had an equal level of income and expenditure, 7.7% had no chronic disease, and 9% had regular medication. Some 57.8% of them had health insurance. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II scale mean score of the students was 124.12 ± 21.37 and the Rational Drug Use Scale mean score was 33.65 ± 6.75. A statistically significant difference was found between the students' class, income, and the total mean scores of the health-promoting lifestyle profile II scale (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the school type, family type and income status of the students and the total mean scores of the rational drug use scale (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: a strong positive correlation was found between rational drug use scale and the health-promoting lifestyle profile II scales.

Examining the perspectives of textile workers on organ donation and related factors.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to examine the perspectives of textile workers on organ donation and related factors. METHOD: The sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of employees of a textile factory located in eastern Turkey (n = 166). The data were collected using the forms Personal Information and determining Knowledge, Awareness, and Willingness regarding Organ Donation and Transplantation. Data collection forms were prepared by researchers based on the literature and taking expert opinion. In the analysis of the study data, number-percentage, chi-square test and Cramér's phi correlation analysis were used. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 21.10 ± 2.53, and the numbers of men and women were equal. It was determined that 63.3% of the participants needed education related to organ donation, and 57.8% were willing to donate their organs. There is a correlation the high levels of knowledge, awareness, and willingness regarding organ donation and transplantation with the participant's levels of thinking about donating their organs. CONCLUSION: Our results supported the view that high levels of knowledge and awareness increased willingness about organ donation. In increasing the number of organ donors, high levels of knowledge and awareness are highly important, all parts of society should be provided with education on this issue, and it should be considered that workers of all sectors, especially textile workers, constitute a significant proportion of most societies in terms of numbers.

Examining the relationship between nurses' fear levels and insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between nurses' fear levels and their insomnia, influencing sociodemographic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study utilized cross-sectional methods and the data were collected between July 15 and August 15, 2020. In the data collection, "Socio-demographic question form," "Covid-19 Fear Scale," and "Bergen Insomnia Scale" tools were used. Descriptive statistics, numbers, percentages, independent samples t test, analysis of variance test, and correlation were used on the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 22.0 package program in evaluating the research data. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Batman University. FINDINGS: A positive correlation was found between COVID-19 Fear Scale and the Bergen Insomnia Scale (r = .392; p = .001). The relationship between COVID-19 Fear and Bergen Insomnia Scale score averages and nurses' educational status, income level, shift working status, the status of their relatives being diagnosed with COVID-19, the state of being satisfied with the management of the pandemic process by the Ministry of Health, the situation of having resources in the settings where they work, the status of being in quarantine was statistically significant (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The relationship between the nurses' fear levels of COVID-19 and their insomnia levels was moderate. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study are important in terms of understanding the nurses' fear and insomnia during the pandemic and provide data support for the proper interventions. Also, nurses working in Turkey may call for more attention and support from policymakers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigation of perceived fear of COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy in nursing students.

This study aims to investigate the perceived fear of COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy in nursing students. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study with the participation of 1167 nursing students. Personal Information Form, Vaccine Hesitancy Scale and Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used for data collection. The reasons for the vaccine hesitancy of the students were listed as follows: 57.6% of them stated that it had side effects, 17.7% stated there was no conclusive evidence that the vaccine was effective, and 12.6% stated it was not reliable. A positive correlation was found between fear of COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy.

Relationships Among Self-Care Agency, Health Perceptions, and Activities of Daily Living in Patients After Tracheostomy: A Cross-sectional Multisite Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients who have undergone tracheostomy may feel weak, perceive a change in their health status, and have difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADL) following hospital discharge. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships among self-care agency, health perception, and ADL in patients after tracheostomy. METHODS: A cross-sectional multisite descriptive study was conducted between December 31, 2019, and March 31, 2020. The sample consisted of 123 patients discharged from 3 hospitals in different regions of Turkey who agreed to participate in the study, were discharged with a tracheostomy, and received home care for at least 1 month (maximum 3 months) after discharge. The Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the Self-Care Agency Scale (SCAS), Perception of Health Scale (PHS), and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale were used and completed during face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze data; P < .05 was accepted as the level of significance. RESULTS: Sixty-three (63) of 123 patients (51.2%) were 65 years and older, 86 (69.9%) were male, and 62 (50%) did not receive regular outpatient care. Most underwent surgery < 45 days ago (69; 56%), had cancer (92; 75%), and spent between zero and 185 US dollars per month on tracheostomy care (94; 76%). Compared with patients who received regular outpatient care, SCAS, PHS, and ADL scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients who did not receive this care. Overall scores showed moderate self-care agency and health perception, and the average ADL scores (14.92 ± 3.05) were in the independent range. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between health perception and self-care agency (r = 0.628; P = .001), health perception and ADL (r = 0.238; P = .008), and self-care agency and ADL (r = 0.461; P = .001). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent tracheostomy had moderate SCAS and PHS scores, were able to perform ADL independently, and the scores were correlated. Patients with access to outpatient care had significantly higher SCAS, PHS, and ADL scores than patients who did not. Follow-up care may affect all dimensions of health and well-being.

Relationships Among Body Perception, Life Satisfaction, and Attitude Toward Seeking Psychological Help in Patients With a Tracheostomy After Discharge: A Descriptive and Cross-sectional Study.

A patient with a tracheostomy may have impaired body perception, reduced life satisfaction, and a need for psychological help after discharge. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationships among body perception, life satisfaction, and attitude toward seeking psychological help in patients with a tracheostomy after discharge. METHODS: The data were collected between November 2019 and January 2020. The sample consisted of 60 patients with a tracheostomy who agreed to participate in the study voluntarily, were discharged with a tracheostomy, and continued home care for at least 1 month (maximum 3 months) after discharge. Thirty-three (33) of these patients (55%) were older than 65 years of age, and 45 patients (75%) were female. The Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the Body Cathexis Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, and the Attitude Scale toward Seeking Psychological Help were used in data collection. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews between patients and researchers using paper-and-pencil questionnaires and were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data; P < .05 was accepted as the level of significance. RESULTS: The mean Body Cathexis Scale score of all 60 patients was 127.03 ± 29.02 (minimum 40; maximum 200), their mean score on the the Satisfaction With Life scale was 16.20 ± 6.55 (minimum 5; maximum 35), and the mean score on the Attitude Scale toward Seeking Psychological Help was 55.21 ± 12.19 (minimum 18; maximum 90). Statistically significant correlations were found between body perceptions and life satisfaction (r = 0.419, P <.001), body perceptions and attitude toward seeking psychological help (r = 0.530, P < .001), and life satisfaction and attitude toward seeking psychological help (r = 0.448, P < .001). CONCLUSION: In this study, patients with a tracheostomy who had a good body perception and higher life satisfaction had a more positive attitude toward seeking psychological help. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results and explore the effects of correlations to improve the well-being of persons with a tracheostomy.

Caring for Patients With a Tracheostomy at Home: A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study to Evaluate Health Care Practices and Caregiver Burden.

In numerous countries, lay (family) caregivers are the primary providers of care for community-dwelling patients with a tracheostomy. PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine health care practices and the burden on family caregivers for patients with a tracheostomy living at home. METHODS: The research population included 50 caregivers (average age 55.60 ± 1.39 years; 25 [50%] female) who provided care to 50 patients (average age 63.50 ± 1.72 years; 35 [70%] male) who were discharged from the otorhinolaryngology clinic of an education and research hospital in Turkey. Patient and caregiver characteristic data and tracheostomy care practices were collected via face-to-face interviews between caregivers and researchers using paper-and-pencil questionnaires. The 18-item Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview also was completed; responses to statements are rated on a scale of 0-4, where 0 = never, 1 = rarely, 2 = sometimes, 3 = often, and 4 = almost always. Total scale scores range from 0 to 88; higher scores indicate greater burden. Data were transferred into a statistical analysis program. RESULTS: The mean score for the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale was 42.44 ± 1.93, inferring caregivers were moderately burdened. Caregiver burden scores were significantly higher among female caregivers, caregivers without health insurance, caregivers requiring help, caregivers with chronic illness, more daily care time (hours), and duration of total care (months). Patient burden scores were significantly higher among persons requiring provision of daily nebulization and oxygen therapy, external cannula cleaning, and daily patient care. CONCLUSION: This study illuminates the burdens faced by lay/family caregivers of patients with a tracheostomy and identifies for community health clinicians the challenges, care requirements at home, and burden of family caregivers that must be addressed.

Tracheostomy care education and its effect on knowledge and burden of caregivers of elderly patients: a quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is defined as the surgical procedure for creating an opening at the 3rd or 4th cartilage ring in the anterior wall of the trachea to provide airway patency. It was known that tracheostomy is regarded as the oldest known life-saving method. Tracheostomy care involves a complex care process that requires knowledge and skills for elderly patients and their caregivers. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of tracheostomy training, provided to caregivers of patients with tracheostomy, on caregivers' burden and knowledge levels regarding the tracheostomy care. METHODS: The study population consists of caregivers who provide home care for patients with tracheostomy who were divided into two groups as the control group (n = 30) and the experimental group (n = 30) with the separation of the patients admitted to the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: In the intergroup comparison of experimental and control group post-test score averages, the difference between the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale score averages and the mean knowledge scores was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In line with these results, it may be advisable to perform repeated tests at regular intervals after the provision of education to the caregivers.

Effect of 'nursing terminologies and classifications' course on nursing students' perception of nursing diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To determine nursing students' perception of nursing diagnosis and the effect of 'nursing terminologies and classifications' course on this perception. METHODS: This study was carried out as a quasi-experimental, two group design. Data were collected through the Nursing Diagnosis Survey. FINDINGS: The overall Perceptions of Nursing Diagnosis Survey score for this study was found 2.44 ±â€¯0.44. Perceptions of Nursing Diagnosis Survey mean scores of nursing students who took 'Nursing Terminologies and Classifications' course were found more positive than the nursing students who did not take the course. CONCLUSIONS: Positive perceptions about the use of nursing diagnosis have beneficial effects on the identification of patient problems and planning of these; and improves the quality of the patient care.

Chryseobacterium indolegenes infection in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chryseobacterium indolegenes is a rare pathogen that causes a variety of infections in inviduals who are mostly hospitalized with severe underlying diseases. Here we present a case of C. indolegenes in a 69-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulonary disease (COPD) who was admitted to the chest disease outpatient clinic with symptoms like cough, fever and sputum production and followed up on a suspicion of pneumonia. Despite the fact that our patient did not have any history of hospitalization for at least one year, pneumonia cause was due to C. indolegenes. Clinicians should pay attention to the rare pathogens such as C. indologenes while managing COPD patients without prior hospitalization history.

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an inflammatory biomarker that is stored in neutrophil granules. Recent studies revealed that NGAL expression increases in tissue samples of patients with inflammatory gastrointestinal system diseases and cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive significance of plasma NGAL levels in various stages of adenoma-carcinoma sequence of colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Eighty cases were included in the study and separated into 3 groups. "Cancer Group" consisted of 27 colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative resection, whereas 24 patients with colorectal adenomatous polyps detected by colonoscopy were classified as the "Polyp Group", and 29 patients with normal colonoscopy findings were classified as the "Control Group". The serum NGAL, CEA and CA19-9 levels and histopathology findings were determined. Results: The mean plasma NGAL levels for control group, polyp group and cancer group were found to be 91.5 ng/ml, 139.6ng/ml and 184.3ng/ml, respectively. Plasma NGAL levels were found to be significantly higher in cancer group compared to the control group (p:0.006). Plasma NGAL levels were detected statistically significant and positive correlated with tumor diameter and number of metastatic lymph nodes (p:0.047, r:%38.6 and p:0.026, r:%42.8, respectively) in cancer group. Conclusions: We are of the opinion that pre-operative plasma NGAL level is a potential diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer patients. Although more comprehensive studies are needed for definitive judgments, serum NGAL levels may be used as a diagnostic and/or predictive biomarker for lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer.

A retrospective analysis of early and late term complications in patients who underwent application of retention sutures for gastrointestinal tract malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: Complications associated with wound healing after abdominal tumor operations continue to be a significant problem. This study aimed to determine the significance of retention sutures in preventing these complications. For this purpose, early and late term results of patients who underwent application of polydioxanone (PDS) and additional retention sutures for abdominal closure were retrospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical files of 172 patients who were operated due to gastrointestinal tract malignancies in our clinic between January 2007 and January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in whom the fascia was repaired only with PDS (Group 1) were compared to patients in whom the fascia was repaired with PDS and retention sutures (Group 2) in terms of age, gender, postoperative evisceration-wound infection (<1 month), incisional hernia (>1 month), incision type, co-morbid factors, and operative time. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age or gender (p=0.680 and p=0.763). No significant difference was detected in terms of postoperative incisional hernia (p=0.064). Evisceration and post-operative wound infection were significantly lower in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 (p=0.008 and p=0.002). Operative time was significantly longer in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p<0.0001). Co-morbid features were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of incision type (p=0.743). CONCLUSION: In the presence of co-morbid factors that disrupt wound healing in surgical patients with gastrointestinal malignancy, retention suture can be safely used as a supplement for optimal wound care.

Amyloid goiter related with Crohn's disease: A rare association: Amyloid goiter secondary to Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Amyloid goiter (AG) is characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland as a result of extensive amyloid deposition in a bilateral and diffuse manner. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 58-year-old male patient was diagnosed of Crohn's Disease (CD). He was admitted to our clinic with complaint of respiratory distress and rapid growth swelling in the neck. Ultrasound examination revealed huge multinodular goiter on both sides of thyroid gland. We performed bilateral total thyroidectomy. Pathological evaluation revealed AG. DISCUSSION: Amyloid leads to degeneration in tissues, thereby disrupts the function of the relevant organs. It is important to distinguish AG from other reasons of goiter, particularly thyroid medullary cancer that can cause amyloid deposition in thyroid gland. Secondary amyloidosis frequently involves thyroid gland at microscopic level, but rarely causes goiter. An analysis of current literature revealed that only few cases of AG occurred secondary to CD. Herein we presented a case of AG who has rapidly growing goiter that associated with CD. CONCLUSION: AG must be kept in mind in case of rapidly growing goiter, especially in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

Prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobins in the province of Adiyaman, Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary disorders in Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the beta-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobins in the province of Adiyaman in Turkey. METHODS: The study included 3571 high school students of both sexes; aged 12-22 (mean 16.59 ± 1.34). After they received information about thalassemia, they were screened for beta-thalassemia and abnormal hemoglobin using complete blood count (CBC) and quantification of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin was fractionated using HPLC. RESULTS: The beta-thalassemia trait was found in 38 students (1.06%), and abnormal hemoglobin in seven students (0.20%). Of the latter, four carried HbD Los Angeles, two HbS, and one HbE-Saskatoon. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the beta-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobin in the province of Adiyaman is low, compared to the rest of Turkey. Our results seem to reflect the heterogeneity of beta-thalassemia in the province of Adiyaman and may be of value for genetic counseling and premarital screening.

Recurrent pneumothorax at an infant with miliary tuberculosis.

A seven-month-old girl with miliary tuberculosis (Tbc) admitted to hospital due to development of acute dyspnoea and cyanosis at the end of third month of anti-Tbc therapy. Pneumothorax was evident at right lung with the chest radiography. A chest tube placed under water seal was applied. The patient healed up and then discharged. One week later, the patient admitted to hospital again, with same complaints due to pneumothorax at the same hemithorax. Same treatment was applied to the patient. Anti-Tbc therapy was stopped at the end of 12th month. Although, pneumothorax is a rare life-threatening complication of miliary Tbc, it's not seen only on admission or soon after beginning of the therapy, but it can be seen several months later during treatment. We want to report this case. That is the first case in which pneumothorax developed during therapy of an infant with miliary Tbc.