Investigation of factors associated with stigma and social support in patients with epilepsy in Turkey: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify the stigma and multidimensional perceived social support levels of patients with epilepsy, as well as the factors affecting them. METHOD: The sample of the study consisted of 115 patients with epilepsy followed up in a university hospital in eastern Turkey. The data of the study were collected using the descriptive information form, the Jacoby Stigma Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data analysis was performed using t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The rate of exposure to stigma of the patients in the study was 62.4%. Those under 30 years of age, single, with low economic status, and living with their parents and siblings had higher stigma scale mean scores than the other groups (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.019, respectively). Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support total scores were higher in women and married people (p = 0.020, p = 0.01, respectively). A statistically significant negative moderate correlation was found between the patients' Stigma scale mean values and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale mean values (r = -0.568. p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: According to the study's findings, stigma is prevalent among patients with epilepsy. Increasing social awareness in order to augment social support in patients with epilepsy and providing the patient with positive coping strategies may be effective in reducing stigma in patients with epilepsy.

Evaluation of care burden and preparedness of caregivers who provide care to palliative care patients.

OBJECTIVE: Caregivers have a great role in palliative care. Considering the difficult process of palliative care, the caregiver undertakes an extra burden with the responsibility of the patient. This study was carried out to evaluate the care burden and preparedness of caregivers who provide care for palliative care patients. METHOD: This study was conducted in the palliative care unit of a state hospital in Turkey between January and May 2019. No sample was selected in the study, and the study was carried out with individuals who were hospitalized in the palliative care unit and who volunteered to participate in the study between the specified dates. The data were collected with Patient Relative Questionnaire Form, Burden Interview, and Preparedness for Caregiving Scale. RESULTS: The average Burden Interview score was found as 33.6, SD 13.03 in the study. Patient relatives perceived the patients they cared for as a burden at moderate levels. The Preparedness for Caregiving score average was found as 18.55, SD 6.83. It was found that patient relatives were moderately prepared to undertake the role of caregiver. It was found that care burden decreased as preparedness for caregiving increased and burden increased as preparedness for caregiving decreased (p = 0.001). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: As a result of the study, it was found that caregivers of palliative patients had the moderate levels of care burden and preparedness for caregiving. It was found that as the preparedness levels of caregivers increased, their burdens decreased. Accordingly, it is important that nurses will plan nursing interventions by considering the factors that affect the care burden and preparedness of caregivers.

Elders health empowerment scale: Turkish translation and psychometric testing.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to adapt "Elders Health Empowerment Scale" (EHES) to Turkish and to find out the validity and reliability of the scale. DESING AND METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 300 patients who agreed to participate in the study in Turkey. FINDINGS: It was found that Cronbach's α reliability coefficient of the scale was .90, item factor loads of the scale ranged between 0.30 and 0.89 and item-total correlation coefficients ranged between 0.30 and 0.84. The one-factor structure of the scale was supported as a result of the CFA and EFA conducted. Good fit index values were obtained as a result of CFA. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: EHES is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the evaluation of the empowerment states of elders in Turkish society.

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.

Coping with stress of family caregivers of cancer patients in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer is a disease that not only affects the individual's mental and physical integrity but also affects the functionality of the family system. Caregivers experience stress when patients cannot cope with the symptoms they are experiencing. The stress experienced by caregivers gives rise to psychological and physical symptoms. The purpose of this study is to determine the attitude of coping with stress of family caregivers of cancer patients. METHODS: This study was conducted as a descriptive research at the Medical Oncology Clinic. The study sample group comprised of 127 family caregivers. In the collection of the data, the Personel Information Form and Attitude of Coping with Stress Inventory were used. RESULTS: The coping attitude used most frequently by family caregivers was active planning, and the least used coping attitude was avoidance isolation (biochemical). There was no significant statistical difference between the coping attitude depending on the descriptive characteristics of the family caregivers (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results show that family caregivers of cancer patients tend to choose effective coping methods. However, there were still caregivers that displayed ineffective coping attitudes. Therefore, it is important to support the effective coping attitudes of caregivers and intervene in order to change the ineffective coping attitudes.