Relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and social isolation and depression in elderly individuals.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected elderly individuals and it has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between fear of COVID-19, social isolation and depression in elderly individuals. METHODS: The study is a descriptive type. The sample consisted of 362 elderly people. The study data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Nottingham Health Profile Social Isolation Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form. RESULTS: It was determined there was a positive and moderate relationship between fear of COVID-19 and depression and social isolation, and a positive and high relationship between social isolation and depression, and the results were statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Public health nurses, during epidemic periods, should help elderly individuals manage their fears about the disease. In addition, they should lead the practices that can sustain social participation and prevent depression in the elderly.

An investigation of the relationship between alexithymia and empathy tendency in university students receiving health education.

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the relationship between alexithymia and empathy tendency in university students receiving health education. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with the volunteer participation of 376 students at a university located in the eastern part of Turkey between September and October 2019. Data were collected through the Sociodemographic Form, the Empathy Tendency Scale, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. FINDINGS: The Empathy Tendency Scale was found to be significantly higher in females, in those who lived alone, who did not experience a traumatic event when they were children, whose mother was alive, and who were not subject to violence. As to the Alexithymia Scale, mean scores were significantly higher in males, in those whose mother or father was illiterate, who had a monthly family income of less than 2000₺, who graduated from a Religious Vocational High School, and whose mother was not alive (P %3C .05). A negative, significant relationship was found between the Empathy Tendency Scale mean score and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (P %3C .001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A negative, significant relationship was found between empathy tendency and alexithymia. It is recommended that similar studies should be conducted in different regions as well.

Development of the peripheral and central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection prevention knowledge and attitudes scale.

BACKGROUND: Because of the necessities of modern medicine, catheters are frequently used for patients today. Mistakes made in catheter implementation frequently cause nosocomial infections. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to be used for the evaluation of nurses' knowledge and attitudes about peripheral and central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection prevention. DESIGN AND METHODS: This methodological study was conducted between July 2016 and December 2017, with 150 nurses who worked in intensive care units and surgical, internal and paediatric clinics in hospitals located in two different cities in the eastern part of Turkey and who consented to participate in the study. RESULTS: Item total correlation values of the scale ranged between 0.515 and 0.703. Correlation coefficient between the two measurements as a result of the test-retest reliability was found to be 0.64, and there was a linear relationship between the measurements. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value was found to be0.875, which indicates the adequacy of the sample. Barlett's test results indicated a correlation between the items (P < .01). Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was found to be 0.86. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that the 5-point Likert scale was formed with 14 items and two factors, which included "general precautions" and "catheter care." Scale total score is obtained by collecting all the items. Higher scores indicate higher knowledge and attitudes. This scale could be used for assessing the knowledge and attitudes of nurses about peripheral and central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection prevention precautions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The Peripheral and Central Venous Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Prevention Knowledge and Attitudes Scale could be used for infection prevention in the assessment of the knowledge and attitudes of nurses with a view of preventing infections. The scale can be used in intensive care units and surgical, internal and paediatric clinics in order to assess nurses' knowledge and attitudes.

Males' attitudes towards violence against women and the affecting factors.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to identify the attitudes of men living in two different cities of Turkey towards violence against women and to investigate the variables affecting their attitudes towards violence. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in two factories in Agri and Kahramanmaras cities between October and November 2019. FINDINGS: Participants' ISKEBE Violence against Women Attitude Scale mean score was 98.14 ± 20.30, Attitudes towards Body subscale mean score was 64.73 ± 11.99, and Attitudes towards Identity subscale mean score was 33.41 ± 10.45. Of all the participants, 32.6% demonstrated positive attitudes towards violence against women, and 67.4% demonstrated negative attitudes towards violence against women. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Knowing males' attitudes towards violence against women can contribute to the development of violence policies towards women.

An investigation of the effect of the psychoeducation program provided to alexithymic and violent adolescents on the level of alexithymia.

PROBLEM: Alexithymia is defined as difficulties in defining and describing feelings, differentiating feelings and bodily sensations caused by emotional arousal, and a combination of constricted imaginary processes. This study aims to investigate the effect of the psychoeducation program provided to individuals with alexithymia and violent tendencies adolescents on the level of alexithymia. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted between February 2019 and April 2019. The sample was 80 volunteer adolescents (experimental group n = 40 and control group n = 40) who met the research criteria. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Form, the Tendency to Violence Scale, and the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children (AQC). The psychoeducation program was applied in the experimental group in 90-min sessions once a week throughout 9 weeks. FINDINGS: There was a statistically significant decrease in the AQC posttest mean scores after the training provided to the experimental group (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The psychoeducation provided to adolescents was found to reduce the level of alexithymia. It is recommended that similar studies should be conducted with larger groups.

Nurses' compliance with isolation precautions and the affecting factors.

PURPOSE: This study aims at identifying nurses' compliance with isolation precautions and the affecting factors. METHODS: The present study is descriptive and relational in nature. Data were collected through Descriptive Features Form and The Isolation Precautions Compliance Scale (TIPCS), which was developed in Turkey in 2010. RESULTS: Isolation Precautions Compliance Scale mean score of the 130 nurses participating in the study was found 76.55±8.48. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of nurses' gender, working unit, duration of working, type of isolation applied, and problems experienced in isolation practices (p<0.05, p<0.01). There was a positive and significant relationship between the Isolation Precautions Compliance Scale scores and age, education level, and duration of working. CONCLUSION: The nurses participating in the study were found to have generally good compliance with isolation precautions; and the scale mean scores of the nurses working in intensive care units were higher than the nurses working in clinics.