Mental well-being and social support perceptions of nurses working in a Covid-19 pandemic hospital.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the mental well-being and social support perceptions of nurses working in a Covid-19 pandemic hospital. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used a cross sectional design. The sample included 333 volunteer nurses. FINDINGS: Based on the marital and income statuses of the nurses, there was a significant difference between the multidimensional scale of perceived social support family subscale (p < 0.05). There was a positive, weakly significant relationship between the nurses' mental well-being and their perception of social support (r = 0.381; p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In conclusion, protective measures must be increased and social networks must be promoted to increase the mental well-being and social support levels of nurses.

Examination of exercise benefit/barrier perceptions of individuals with diabetes and affecting factors.

Background: Exercise, which is one of the health promotion behaviors, is extremely important in healthy life. This study was conducted to examine exercise benefit/barrier perceptions of individuals with diabetes and influencing factors. Method: This descriptive study was conducted in the Endocrine Polyclinics of a University Hospital with 285 individuals with Type 2 Diabetes between January and June 2020. Results: In this study, the average score of the exercise benefits subscale was 61.69 +14.79, the barriers subscale was 35.83 + 5.99, and the total score of the exercise benefits/barriers scale was 99.79 + 12.58. The total self-efficacy scale score was reported to be 59.74 + 9.46. A significant relationship was reported between the total mean score of the exercise benefits/barriers scale and having the opportunity to exercise, exercising regularly, and having a disease that prevents exercising. A significant difference was reported between the total mean score of the self-efficacy scale and the regular exercise status. Conclusion: Because of this study, the number of individuals who regularly exercised is insufficient, the mean exercise benefits/barriers scale score is not at the desired level, and exercise benefit/barrier perceptions are positively affected by the self-efficacy level.

The effects of ethnocentrism and some features on intercultural sensitivity in nursing students: A comparative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses should provide culturally sensitive care by being aware of the cultural characteristics, values and beliefs of the individuals for whom they are responsible. Nursing education must provide a foundation for the development of intercultural sensitivity. AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ethnocentric attitudes and some characteristics of nursing students on their intercultural sensitivities. METHODS: A comparative descriptive design was used to collect data from nursing students in two universities located in the west and the east of Turkey (N = 535; students from the east: n = 202; students from west: n = 333) Data were collected using the socio-demographic characteristics form, the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) and the Ethnocentrism Scale. RESULTS: When both students from east and west in Turkey were compared in terms of ISS total scores, a statistically significant difference was found between the students in terms of pervious place of residence, taking the intercultural nursing course, acquaintance with people of other cultures, having experience abroad and speaking another language (p < .05). When both students from east and west were compared in terms of the ethnocentrism scale total scores, a statistically significant difference was found between the students in terms of the gender, the year of the education, previous place of residence, taking the intercultural nursing course, acquaintance with people of other cultures, having experience abroad and having friends from different countries (p < .05). According to the linear regression analysis, the intercultural sensitivity of students was found to be significantly affected by ethnocentrism. CONCLUSIONS: Intercultural nursing courses and concepts such as intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism should be given a more comprehensive place in the curriculum to increase intercultural sensitivities and reduce ethnocentrism.

Healthcare students' vaccination status, knowledge, and protective behaviors regarding hepatitis B: a cross-sectional study in Turkey.

AIM: We aimed to determine the vaccination status, knowledge, and protective behaviors of healthcare students related to hepatitis B and to examine the related factors. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven universities from seven geographical regions of Turkey. The study group included 5451 healthcare students. Data were collected with a questionnaire including items on sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination status, knowledge and protective behaviors related to hepatitis B. Data were analyzed with Pearson's chi-square and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: 86.0% of the students had hepatitis B vaccine while 7.6% did not. Vaccination was higher in nursing and midwifery students (aOR = 1.87, CI 95%: 1.26-2.77; aOR = 3.87, CI 95%: 2.14-7.02, respectively). Vaccination was 1.28 times higher in females (CI 95% 1.03-1.60). The ≥23 age group had 1.79 times higher vaccination rate than those in the ≤19 (CI 95%: 1.26-2.53). Vaccination was higher in students whose family's economic status is middle and high (aOR = 1.53, CI 95%: 1.07-2.19; aOR = 1.47, CI 95%: 1.03-2.19, respectively). Vaccination was higher in those living in towns and cities during childhood (aOR = 1.36, CI 95%: 1.06-1.74; aOR = 1.79, CI 95%: 1.34-2.38, respectively). Females had more knowledge of hepatitis B and protective behaviors. Both knowledge and protective behavior scores of vaccinated participants were significantly higher (p < .05). CONCLUSION: We found that the vaccination rate in healthcare students was high, but lower than the country's targets. The students were sensitive about the protective behaviors from hepatitis B infection and had sufficient knowledge of HBV contamination.

Effect of social support and barrier perceptions of disabled women on early detection of breast cancer.

In the study, we examine the effect of social support and disability perception of disabled women on early diagnosis behaviors of breast cancer. The research was conducted as descriptive. The sample of the study consisted of 105 participants. The breast self-examination barrier perception point average of the participants applying the breast self-examination was statistically significantly lower than those not applying and the barrier perception point average of participants having mammography was statistically significantly lower than those not having it (p < 0.05).

The determination of the perceived stress levels and health-protective behaviors of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The study was carried out to determine the perceived stress levels and health-protective behaviors of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used a descriptive design. The sample consisted of a total of 372 students. FINDINGS: The examination of the protective measures adopted by the students against COVID-19 indicated that the mean perceived stress subscale scores of the students who did not use a mask and disposable wipes when coughing/sneezing were statistically significantly higher (p < .005). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The stress levels of students should be determined at certain intervals, and interventional studies on coping methods that will reduce stress levels should be planned.

Evaluation of Illness Perception of Women with Breast Cancer in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the illness perceptions of women with breast cancer and possible relationships between these perceptions and descriptive characteristics such as sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in compliance with correlational, descriptive research principles. Three hundred eighty women with breast cancer who were treated in various hospitals in seven regions of the country were included in the study. A sociodemographic and clinical characteristics form, and The Illness Perception Questionnaire were used for data collection. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with breast cancer was 49.8±11.5, among them, 83.95% were married, 37.37% were at stage 2 breast cancer, and 67.11% experienced mastectomy. It was found that the patients perceived higher personal control over illness (20.88±4.76). The patients perceived most common risk factors as the cause of the illness (19.42±6.38). This study show that variety sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients affected their perceptions of illness. CONCLUSION: The meaning of illness from the perspective of patient with breast cancer should be assessed. The care, education and counselling programs should be planned according to the patient's illness perceptions.

The effect of women's breast cancer fear and social support perceptions on the process of participating in screening.

INTRODUCTION: Social support and fear have been shown to be important factors affecting women's participation in breast cancer screening. This study aimed to determine the effect of women's perceived breast cancer fear and social support on participating in the breast cancer screening process, and to investigate the relationship between the perception of breast cancer fear and social support. METHODS: This is a descriptive study, carried out in a state hospital on 198 women. The data were collected through a Socio-Demographic Data Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Breast Cancer Fear Scale (BCFS) by the researchers by means of face-to-face interview. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the women's perceptions of social support and breast cancer fear and screening behaviors ( p > 0.05). It was found that the mean BCFS score of those who had a family history of breast cancer was high, and the MSPSS score was lower ( p < 0.05). There was a quite weak and statistically insignificant positive relationship between the women's BCFS scores and perceived social support ( r = 0.08, p > 0.05), friend support ( r = 0.04, p > 0.05) and support from a special person ( r = 0.14, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found no statistically significant difference between breast cancer fear, social support and the women's screening behavior. However, breast cancer fear and the effect of social support on screening attitude may be important. Nurses and other health workers should particularly focus on social support and breast cancer fear in their health education programs. Formative research into the use of social support to promote positive empowering messages should be carried out and incorporated in future health promotion campaigns to improve the breast cancer screening process.

The Effect of Breast Cancer Fear Levels of Female Seasonal Agricultural Laborers on Early-Diagnosis Behaviors and Perceptions of Breast Cancer.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of breast cancer fear levels of female seasonal agricultural laborers between ages 40 and 60 on breast cancer early-diagnosis behaviors and perceptions. This is a cross-sectional study. The data of the study were collected between February and September 2014 in Sanliurfa, Turkey. A sample of the study group consisted of 350 women. The data were assessed by using SPSS 16.0 statistics package software. Descriptive statistics, t test, chi-square, and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Considering that breast cancer fear levels are effective on the breast cancer early-diagnosis behaviors and health beliefs, it can be recommended for the health care staff to carry out initiative works to reduce the fear levels.

The Reliability and Validity of Prostate Cancer Fatalism Inventory in Turkish Language.

This study aimed to conduct the reliability and validity study of the Prostate Cancer Fatalism Inventory in Turkish language. The study carried out in methodological type and consisted of 171 men. The ages of the participants ranged between 40 and 82. The content validity index was determined to be 0.80, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value 0.825, Bartlett's test X 2 = 750.779 and p = 0.000. Then the principal component analysis was applied to the 15-item inventory. The inventory consisted of one dimension, and the load factors were over 0.30 for all items. The explained variance of the inventory was found 33.3 %. The Kuder-Richardson-20 coefficient was determined to be 0.849 and the item-total correlations ranged between 0.335 and 0.627. The Prostate Cancer Fatalism Inventory was a reliable and valid measurement tool in Turkish language. Integrating psychological strategies for prostate cancer screening may be required to strengthen the positive effects of nursing education.

Examination of factors affecting women's barrier perception to participate in breast cancer screenings in a region affiliated with a family health center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study was conducted in order to determine the factors related to women's barrier perception to participate in breast cancer screenings in a region affiliated with a family health center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional study. The sample group of the study consisted of 300 women. Descriptive statistics, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were performed for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: Breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography barrier perception mean score of those who were illiterate in terms of educational status, and BSE and mammography barrier perception mean score of those who were single in terms of marital status were determined to be significantly higher (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between BSE and mammography barrier perception mean scores of those who had no health insurance and lived in a district or a village (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Demographic factors as well as factors such as women's knowledge on early diagnosis of breast cancer and previous experiences in participation in early diagnosis behaviors of breast cancer could affect the barrier perception.

Prevalence of Violence: Male and Female Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Approach to Violence in Turkey.

The objective of this study is to determine the male and female seasonal agricultural workers' perception of violence, prevalence of violence, frequency of victimization, and their related factors. Quantitative and qualitative data were used, and 89.5% of women were exposed to violence that included the restriction of their human rights. The sample consisted of 1,211 women and 1,064 men. Their marital status, duration of work, and attention to their health affected the violence exposure. Arabic people who were unmarried, had a poor educational background, and poor health perception approved of the physical violence.

Development of the Seasonal Migrant Agricultural Worker Stress Scale in Sanliurfa, Southeast Turkey.

Stress is one of the main causes of health problems, especially mental disorders. These health problems cause a significant amount of ability loss and increase cost. It is estimated that by 2020, mental disorders will constitute 15% of the total disease burden, and depression will rank second only after ischemic heart disease. Environmental experiences are paramount in increasing the liability of mental disorders in those who constantly face sustained high levels of stress. The objective of this study was to develop a stress scale for seasonal migrant agricultural workers aged 18 years and older. The sample consisted of 270 randomly selected seasonal migrant agricultural workers. The average age of the participants was 33.1 ± 14, and 50.7% were male. The Cronbach alpha coefficient and test-retest methods were used for reliability analyses. Although the factor analysis was performed for the structure validity of the scale, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient and Bartlett test were used to determine the convenience of the data for the factor analysis. In the reliability analyses, the Cronbach alpha coefficient of internal consistency was calculated as .96, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was .81. In the exploratory factor analysis for validity of the scale, four factors were obtained, and the factors represented workplace physical conditions (25.7% of the total variance), workplace psychosocial and economic factors (19.3% of the total variance), workplace health problems (15.2% of the total variance), and school problems (10.1% of the total variance). The four factors explained 70.3% of the total variance. As a result of the expert opinions and analyses, a stress scale with 48 items was developed. The highest score to be obtained from the scale was 144, and the lowest score was 0. The increase in the score indicates the increase in the stress levels. The findings show that the scale is a valid and reliable assessment instrument that can be used in epidemiological research and planning interventions.

Determining the health beliefs and breast cancer fear levels of women regarding mammography.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Women's fears and health beliefs impact their participation in early breast cancer diagnosis approaches. This study was conducted to determine the health beliefs and fear levels of women older than 50 regarding mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey. The study cohort consisted of 300 women selected by cluster sampling who agreed to participate in the study. A health belief model scale and breast cancer fear scale were used in data collection. Descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, and correlation analysis were used in the data analysis. RESULTS: Participants had an age average of 59.88 ± 6.49 years, and 86.3% were illiterate. Only 34.7% of women stated that they had had a mammogram in the past. The women's average scores on the lower dimensions of the health belief model scale were determined as follows: 6.52 ± 2.81 for sensitivity perception, 18.49 ± 5.22 for seriousness perception, 16.80 ± 4.31 for health motivation perception, 15.83 ± 3.89 for mammography benefit perception, and 28.74 ± 8.35 for mammography barrier perception. The score average of the breast cancer fear scale was determined as 23.81 ± 9.71. CONCLUSION: We observed that women's health beliefs and breast cancer fear levels impacted their participation in mammography.

Barriers and facilitating factors perceived in Turkish women's behaviors towards early cervical cancer detection: a qualitative approach.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate perceived inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning cervical cancer early diagnosis behavior in Turkish women over the age of 40. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out by qualitative focus group interview with 35 participating women, in the period between April-June 2010. A semi-structured interview questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model and the Health Promotion Model was used. Content analysis was applied to the study data. RESULTS: Barriers such as lack of knowledge of women as regards to the cervical cancer and early detection, lack of sensitivity- negligence, forgetting, fear, inadequacy of health insurance and transportation, financial problems, inability to get an appointment, lack of female doctors, embarrassment, fatalist approach were frequently addressed. As for facilitating factors, these included provision of information, health professionals showing interest and tolerance, free services, provision of transportation means and reminding telephone calls. CONCLUSIONS: Focus group interviews were found to be effective in determining inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning cervical cancer early diagnosis behavior. In line with the results of the study, preparation of structured national and regional education programs and their addition to curriculum programs may be effective in realizing and maintaining positive early detection behavior.

Herbal therapies used by hypertensive patients in Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to determine herbal therapies used by the patients for regulation of blood pressure. This descriptive study was conducted in three districts of Izmir, Turkey. The study group included 193 patients with hypertension diagnosis who admitted to a primary care center and accepted to participate in the study. Data were collected through an investigator-made questionnaire including questions about socio-demographic features and herbal therapies used for regulation of blood pressure. Percentiles and chi-square statistics tests were used to evaluate the data through SPSS 11.0 program. The subjects included in the study had suffered from hypertension for 8.28 ± 7.92 years, and 95.9% of them received medication to treat their hypertension. Of all hypertensive patients, 51.3% used herbal therapies for the treatment of hypertension. The patients used herbal therapies most commonly when they felt ill. There were no statistically significant difference between the use of herbal therapies and gender, education, marital status, having health insurance and income level. Health professionals who provide primary health services, especially nurses, need to follow patients regularly and provide patient education on antihypertensive therapy. Nurses must plan the necessary training programs by evaluating the data about, whether the hypertension patients use herbal therapies that can affect their health negatively or not.

Traditional and religious death practices in Western Turkey.

PURPOSE: To investigate death-related traditional and religious practices in Narlidere, a district of Izmir province in Turkey. METHODS: A descriptive design was used (n = 181). The interview form was composed of 28 open-ended questions. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews by the researchers. Descriptive statistics and chi-square significance test were conducted. RESULTS: Of all the participants, 36.5% described death as the end of life. Praying took place first among the religious practices following death. A total of 42.0% said that relatives and friends who joined the burial ceremony shovel some soil into the pit over the corpse in order to express that they would not claim any rights from the deceased person thereafter, and 55.2% stated that they visited the deceased person's home to give social support to his or her relatives. CONCLUSION: We recommended that nurses and physicians be closely acquainted with the prevailing traditions and religious beliefs in the communities where they served.

Inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning breast cancer early diagnosis behavior in Turkish women: a qualitative study according to the health belief and health development models.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to investigate the perceived inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning breast cancer early diagnosis behavior in women over age 40. METHOD: A qualitative focus group interview method was applied with 43 participating women, in the period between March-April 2010, using a semi-structured interview questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model and the Health Development Model. Content analysis was used to analyse study data. RESULTS: Inhibiting factors such as women' s lack of knowledge regarding breast cancer and early detection behaviors, lack of health insurance and transportation facilities, financial difficulties, difficulty to make an appointment, scarcity of female doctors, feeling of embarrassment, lack of awareness-negligence, forgetting, feeling of fear, and a fatalistic approach were frequently discussed. Among facilitating factors, informed level, concerned and tolerant health care personnel, free health services, free transportation to hospital, improved appointment system, telephone reminders were included. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Focus group interviews were found to be effective in determining inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning breast cancer early diagnosis behavior. National and regional training programs configured in accordance with the data obtained in the study may be effective in the implementation and maintenance of early diagnosis.

Effect of health belief model and health promotion model on breast cancer early diagnosis behavior: a systematic review.

Breast cancer is an important public health problem on the grounds that it is frequently seen and it is a fatal disease. The objective of this systematic analysis is to indicate the effects of interventions performed by nurses by using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Health Promotion Model (HPM) on the breast cancer early diagnosis behaviors and on the components of the Health Belief Model and Health Promotion Model. The reveiw was created in line with the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guide dated 2009 (CRD) and developed by York University National Institute of Health Researches. Review was conducted by using PUBMED, OVID, EBSCO and COCHRANE databases. Six hundred seventy eight studies (PUBMED: 236, OVID: 162, EBSCO: 175, COCHRANE:105) were found in total at the end of the review. Abstracts and full texts of these six hundred seventy eight studies were evaluated in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria and 9 studies were determined to meet the criteria. Samplings of the studies varied between ninety four and one thousand six hundred fifty five. It was detected in the studies that educations provided by taking the theories as basis became effective on the breast cancer early diagnosis behaviors. When the literature is examined, it is observed that the experimental researches which compare the concepts of Health Belief Model (HBM) and Health Promotion Model (HPM) preoperatively and postoperatively and show the effect of these concepts on education and are conducted by nurses are limited in number. Randomized controlled studies which compare HBM and HPM concepts preoperatively and postoperatively and show the efficiency of the interventions can be useful in evaluating the efficiency of the interventions.