Dysmenorrhea among hospital nurses and its effects on work life*,**,**.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of factors affecting dysmenorrhea and its effects on work life among nurses in Turkey. In total, 574 nurses were included. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 69.9%, and 86.0% of the nurses suffered from moderate and severe dysmenorrhea. According to the severity of dysmenorrhea, work satisfaction, work performance, quality of service, communication problems with teammates and patients/patient relatives, official leave of absence and requests for sick leave significantly differed. Therefore, prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea are high in nurses, and problems experienced in the workplace differ according to its severity.

Does group education affect mothers' knowledge and attitudes towards the HPV vaccine?

In this study the authors' investigated the effect of group education on human papillomavirus (HPV) on level of knowledge and health beliefs for HPV infection and vaccine. The study was semi-experimental with a pre- and post-test education model. In total, 110 mothers of secondary school students, 55 in education group, and 55 in control group participated. The groups were educated on different content and three evaluations (pre-education, post-education, and six months following the education) were made. HPV knowledge and belief scores of the education group increased compared to pre-education and control group scores (p < 0.001). Perceived barriers to vaccination were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Group education increases awareness about HPV infection and vaccine.

The Relationship Between International Students' Health Perceptions and Their Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors.

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between international students' health perceptions and their healthy lifestyle behaviors. This descriptive and relational study was conducted with 216 international students studying at a university in Turkey. Study data were collected using the descriptive information form, the Perception of Health Scale (PHS) and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. It was determined that the health perception and healthy lifestyle behaviors of the international students involved in this study were moderately positive. The study found a weak and positive relationship between PHS and the physical activity, nutrition and stress management subdimensions of HPLP, while a moderate positive relationship was identified between PHS and the spiritual growth and interpersonal relations subdimensions of HPLP. No relationship was observed between PHS and the health responsibility subdimension of HPLP. The fact that students have a positive perception of health reflects positively on their healthy lifestyle behaviors. It is important to disseminate education programs aimed at improving the health perception and healthy lifestyle behaviors of international students within the university.

Relationship Between Fear of Childbirth and Psychological and Spiritual Well-Being in Pregnant Women.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between fear of childbirth (FOC) and psychological (PWB) and spiritual well-being (SWB) in pregnant women. Descriptive and relational study was conducted with 338 pregnant women in Turkey. Information form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire-A, Spiritual Well-Being Scale and Psychological Well-Being Scale were used for data collection. There was a negative correlation between SWB and PWB and FOC in pregnant women. SWB explained 18% of the variance related to FOC which increased to 24% with PWB. SWB was a partial mediating variable in PWB and FOC relationship. PWB and SWB of pregnant women should be evaluated in order to reduce FOC. PWB and SWB of pregnant women should be evaluated in order to reduce FOC.

Psychosocial predictors of the fear of childbirth in Turkish pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Fear of childbirth (FOC) affects women's emotional health, preparation for birth, and outcomes of birth. Identifying the predictors of FOC can aid in identifying strategies for reducing women's FOC. OBJECTIVE: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was aimed at determining the psychosocial predictors of FOC in pregnant women. METHODS: The participants were 624 nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women in their last trimester. Data were collected using a personal information form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire A, Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of FOC. RESULTS: FOC was high among this study's participants and severe for one fifth of them. The psychosocial variables predicting FOC were self-efficacy and trait anxiety level, and spousal support was found to be a mediator variable in the relationship between self-efficacy and FOC. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that psychosocial variables are key to predicting FOC.

Effect of childbirth education on the perceptions of childbirth and breastfeeding self-efficacy and the obstetric outcomes of nulliparous women*,**,**.

In this quasi-experimental and prospective study, we aimed to determine the effect of education about childbirth on the perceptions of nulliparous women regarding the experience of childbirth, obstetric outcomes (e.g., type of delivery, use of induction, and instrument-assisted delivery), and breastfeeding self-efficacy. The study population comprised 121 women, of whom 64 and 57 were classified into the education and control groups, respectively. Study data were collected using a participant identification form, the Perception of Birth Scale, Visual Analog Scale, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form. Compared to the control group, participants in the education group held significantly more positive birth-related perceptions (p = 0.000) and experienced a lower level of pain during delivery (p = 0.016). However, education did not affect the obstetric outcomes. During the first month postpartum, a higher level of breastfeeding self-efficacy was reported by mothers in the education group than by those in the control group. In conclusion, systematic childbirth education positively affected the mothers' perceptions of the childbirth experience and their breastfeeding self-efficacy, but had no effect on the type of delivery or other birth-related obstetric interventions.

Relationship between smartphone addiction of nursing department students and their communication skills.

BACKGROUND: The use of technological devices today is widespread. One of these devices is the smartphone. It can be argued that when smartphones are thought of as a means of communication, they can influence communication skills. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of nursing students' smartphone addiction on their communication skills. METHODS: A relational screening model was used for the study. The study's data were obtained from 214 students studying in the nursing department. RESULTS: Smartphone addiction levels of students are below average (86.43 ± 29.66). Students think that their communication skills are at a good level (98.81 ± 10.88). Correlation analysis results show that students have a negative, significant and very weak relationship between the smartphone addiction of students and communication skills (r = -.149). Smartphone addiction explains 2.2% of the variance in communication skills. CONCLUSIONS: Communication skills of nursing students is affected negatively by smartphone addiction.