Investigation of the effect of COVID-19 on attitudes of university students towards family violence.

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attitudes of university students towards domestic violence. Subject and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between 15 June and 15 July 2021 in Turkey. The study sample consists of 426 students studying in the health departments of two universities (faculty of medicine, dentistry, midwifery, nursing) in the 2020-2021 academic year. Data were collected from university students using a university student descriptive form and the Attitudes Towards Violence Scale in university students. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.20±2.29 years; 86.4% were women and 40.4% were educated in the midwifery department. It was observed that 39.2% of the students had financial difficulties during the pandemic and 15.3% wanted to leave their school in order not to be a financial burden on their families. It was shown that 4.9% of the students were working for economic reasons during the pandemic period. Psychological and verbal violence was found to increase after the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant difference between the students' maternal employment status and the sub-dimension of violence against women (p < 0.05). A significant relationship was found between the educational status of the father and the sub-dimensions of normalizing violence and different dimensions of violence (p < 0.05). Conclusion: An important finding of our study is that domestic violence, which is a serious problem in our country, has increased even more during the pandemic period. It is recommended that training on domestic violence be given to university students, as training given in schools on this subject can help to increase awareness regarding the prevention of domestic violence.

Quality of Life and Depression Conditions of Women with Gestational Diabetes during Pregnancy and Postpartum Period.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to determine the quality of life and depression of women with gestational diabetes during pregnancy and the postpartum period. METHODS: 100 pregnant women with gestational diabetes and 100 healthy pregnant women were included in the present study. Data were obtained from pregnant women in their third trimester who agreed to take part in the study. The data was collected during the third trimester and six to eight weeks after the baby was born. The data were obtained by socio-demographic characteristics form, postpartum data collection form, the MOS 36 Item Short Form Health Survey and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD). RESULTS: The mean age of pregnant women with gestational diabetes in the study was the same as the average age of healthy pregnant women. The CESD score of pregnant women with gestational diabetes was 26,77 ± 4,85 while the corresponding score was 25,19 ± 4,43 for healthy women. Additionally, the score in the postpartum period was 32.47 ± 5.94 for pregnant women with gestational diabetes and 35.47 ± 8.33 for healthy pregnant women. CESD scores were found to be higher than the cut-off score of 16 in both groups, and the mean scores increased during the postpartum period. CONCLUSION: During the postpartum period, the quality of life of pregnant women with gestational diabetes was affected more negatively than healthy pregnant women. Depressive symptoms of women with both gestational diabetes and healthy pregnancy were found to be high in pregnancy and postpartum periods.

OBJETIVO: O estudo foi realizado para determinar a qualidade de vida e depressão de mulheres com diabetes gestacional durante a gravidez e período pós-parto. MéTODOS: 100 gestantes com diabetes gestacional e 100 gestantes saudáveis incluídas no presente estudo. Os dados foram obtidos de mulheres grávidas no terceiro trimestre que concordaram em participar do estudo. Os dados foram coletados durante o terceiro trimestre e seis a oito semanas após o nascimento do bebê. Os dados foram obtidos por meio do formulário de características sociodemográficas formulário de coleta de dados pós-parto MOS 36 Item Short Form Health Survey e Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD). RESULTADOS: A idade média das gestantes com diabetes gestacional no estudo foi igual à idade média das gestantes saudáveis. O escore CESD de gestantes com diabetes gestacional foi de 26 77 ± 4 85 enquanto o escore correspondente foi de 25 19 ± 4 43 para mulheres saudáveis. Além disso o escore no pós-parto foi de 32 47 ± 5 94 para gestantes com diabetes gestacional e 35 47 ± 8 33 para gestantes saudáveis. Os escores do CESD foram maiores do que o ponto de corte de 16 em ambos os grupos e os escores médios aumentaram durante o período pós-parto. CONCLUSãO: Durante o período pós-parto a qualidade de vida de gestantes com diabetes gestacional foi mais afetada negativamente do que gestantes saudáveis. Os sintomas depressivos de mulheres com diabetes gestacional e gravidez saudável foram elevados na gravidez e nos períodos pós-parto.

Determination of aflatoxin M1 in breast milk and related factors.

OBJECTIVE: Breastfeeding in women with aflatoxin M1 exposure may be a risk factor for the newborn. Thus, it is crucial to determine aflatoxin M1 levels in breast milk and raise mothers' awareness about nutrition in lactation and other periods. This study was carried out to determine aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk samples taken from mothers who gave birth. METHODS: The study was carried out in the postpartum department of Training and Research Hospital between December 31, 2018, and June 31, 2019, and 90 breastfeeding mothers were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 75 (83.3%) of the examined samples were found positive. The mean aflatoxin M1 ratio in positive samples was 12.16 pg/mL (5.00-23.18 pg/mL). Mothers' consumption of processed food was associated with aflatoxin M1 levels (p=0.043). It was determined that the aflatoxin M1 levels of mothers who consumed processed food products 1 or 2 times a month were 3.22 times lower than those who consumed 1-2 times a week. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasized the importance of monitoring aflatoxin M1 levels in breast milk for infant health. It is thought that nutrition education given to mothers during pregnancy will significantly impact aflatoxin M1 results. In addition, the dangers of mycotoxins in mother-infant nutrition should be emphasized regularly in health education.

Relationship between awareness of cervical cancer and HPV infection and attitudes towards HPV vaccine among women aged 15-49 years: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a type of cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between awareness of cervical cancer and HPV infection and attitudes towards HPV vaccine among women aged 15-49 years. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted at Karabük Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. METHODS: 500 women who visited the gynecology outpatient clinic of a public hospital between July 15 and December 31, 2019, were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire comprising nine questions (created by the researchers), the HPV and Cervical Cancer Awareness Questionnaire and the Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale. RESULTS: The relationship between the awareness questionnaire and the beliefs scale was explained through simple effect modeling of a structural equation. The women's knowledge score regarding cervical cancer and HPV infection was 4.69 ± 4.02 out of 15. Women were afraid of being diagnosed with cervical cancer and HPV infection, but they did not have sufficient information. They had poor information about the HPV vaccine, did not know how to obtain the vaccine and did not have enough information about its benefits and harmful effects. Women who were afraid of getting cervical cancer, and who thought that they were at risk, had more information about the HPV vaccine. CONCLUSION: Women need information about cervical cancer, HPV infection and the HPV vaccine. Midwives, nurses and physicians who provide healthcare services in gynecological follow-ups should provide information to women about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer.

Relationship between awareness of cervical cancer and HPV infection and attitudes towards HPV vaccine among women aged 15-49 years: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a type of cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between awareness of cervical cancer and HPV infection and attitudes towards HPV vaccine among women aged 15-49 years. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted at Karabük Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. METHODS: 500 women who visited the gynecology outpatient clinic of a public hospital between July 15 and December 31, 2019, were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire comprising nine questions (created by the researchers), the HPV and Cervical Cancer Awareness Questionnaire and the Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale. RESULTS: The relationship between the awareness questionnaire and the beliefs scale was explained through simple effect modeling of a structural equation. The women's knowledge score regarding cervical cancer and HPV infection was 4.69 ± 4.02 out of 15. Women were afraid of being diagnosed with cervical cancer and HPV infection, but they did not have sufficient information. They had poor information about the HPV vaccine, did not know how to obtain the vaccine and did not have enough information about its benefits and harmful effects. Women who were afraid of getting cervical cancer, and who thought that they were at risk, had more information about the HPV vaccine. CONCLUSION: Women need information about cervical cancer, HPV infection and the HPV vaccine. Midwives, nurses and physicians who provide healthcare services in gynecological follow-ups should provide information to women about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer.