An investigation of smoking habits and mental well-being in healthcare personnel during COVID-19.

AIM: This study aimed to the smoking levels of the healthcare personnel (n = 761) in Turkey, the changes in their smoking levels, and their mental well-being levels. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected via social networks from various cities in Turkey using a personal information form, the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence, the Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale. FINDINGS: Their mean nicotine dependence score was 3.50 ± 2.57 and mental well-being score was 25.01 ± 5.44. The frequency of smoking during the pandemic was increased in 22.4% of the participants and was the same as that before the pandemic in 57.4% of the smokers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is an introductory study of the current situation for healthcare professionals and researchers. It suggests protecting mental well-being and reducing smoking.

Association between Religious Attitudes and Aggression Levels in Turkish University Students.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between university students' religious attitudes and aggression levels. Stratified sampling method was used for sample selection, and the study was completed with 1594 students. The students' religious attitudes and aggression scores were examined and correlation analysis was performed. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between the students' mean religious attitudes and aggression scores (r = - 0.170; p < 0.001). It was observed that, irrespective of the religion in which the students believed, those with positive attitudes toward religion were less aggressive. Training programs should be provided on spiritual values to reduce students' aggression levels.

Determination of Hopelessness and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Disease: An Example from Eastern Turkey.

This descriptive study was undertaken in order to determine hopelessness and quality of life among the patients with heart disease. No sampling was made, and 200 patients who were voluntary and were able to communicate were included in the study. The data of the study were collected using a personal information form that involved questions about patients' descriptive information and their diseases, Beck Hopelessness Scale and SF-36 Quality of Life Scale with a face-to-face interview technique. For the analyses of the data, percentages, means, t test, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's correlation analyses were used. It was identified 54% of them was male patients. It was seen that there were significant between income status and general health perceptions, hopelessness; and between health perceptions and vitality, general health perceptions, global quality of life, hopelessness (p < .05). It was also explored that there was a negative correlation between hopelessness levels of the cardiac patients and functioning status, general health perceptions and global quality of life. It was determined that the desperation levels of the patients were above the middle level, and the quality of life was low.

The effect of activities of daily living on the self-care agency of patients in a cardiovascular surgery clinic.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, and nurses have a crucial role in informing cardiovascular disease patients about their diseases. The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of activities of daily living on the self-care agency of patients in a cardiovascular surgery clinic. This descriptive study was conducted between June 2014 and January 2015 with 180 patients hospitalized in the cardiovascular surgery clinic of a university hospital in the province of Erzincan in the Eastern region of Turkey. The data of the study were gathered using a descriptive form designed by the authors, Katz index of activities of daily living scale (ADLS), Lawton-Brody instrumental activities of daily living scale (IADLS), and self-care agency scale (SCAS). The data were processed using computer software and assessed using percentages, means, t test for independent groups, one-way analysis of variance, and correlation analysis tests. It was found that 50.6% of the patients were ≥65 years, 66.1% were male, 46.1% perceived their health status as moderate, and 35.6% had previously had heart attacks. The patients' mean ADLS score was 16.39 ± 2.30, their mean IADLS score was 19.23 ± 4.16, and their mean SCAS score was 92.11 ± 18.81. The patients' education level and perceived health were found to affect their mean SCAS scores. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the patients' ADLS and IADLS scores and their SCAS score. It was also noted that patients were more independent on the ADL and IADL, and that their self-care agency was higher.

Frequency, Awareness, Treatment and Control of Hypertension in the over 40 Population of Erzincan.

To determine distribution of blood pressure (BP) and prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in 5 primary health care centers of Erzincan. A population-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in January - May 2009. A two-stage sampling method was used to select a sample of adult population 40 and over years of age. The total number of participants was 1570. Data were collected by face-to-face interview technique in the primary health care setting. Main outcome measures; mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, distribution of blood pressure, prevalence of hypertension (mean systolic BP≥140 mmHg or mean diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or previously diagnosed and/or taking antihypertensive drugs) awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were assessed. The overall hypertension prevalence was 67.0% in the study sample and 77.4% of them were aware of their hypertension and received a pharmacologic treatment. Of the patients who were aware of the disease, 51.8% use drug treatment. Of the patients who had a drug treatment, 33.9 % were under control in terms of blood pressure. Our data indicate that hypertension is a highly prevalent but inadequately managed health problem in Erzincan. There is an urgent need for population-based strategies to improve prevention, early detection, and control of hypertension.

Fatigue, anxiety and depression levels, activities of daily living of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the fatigue, anxiety and depression levels, activities of daily living of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 255). It was found that there was significant difference between Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F) point averages and gender, education levels, marital status and economical status of patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among the participants in this study, 36.5% had an anxiety disorder whereas 69.0% exhibited depression. In the study, it was determined that 85.5% of those were independent in their Katz's Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and 49.4% of those were independent in their Lawton and Brody's Index of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). This study has shown that VAS-F, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, ADL and IADL instruments that measure the various aspects of health-related quality of living can contribute considerably to a more diversified understanding of the patients' situation with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Effects of a nursing intervention program on the depression and perception of family functioning of mothers with intellectually disabled children.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the effect of psychosocial education provided to mothers with intellectually disabled children on the risk of depression and perception of family functioning in those mothers. BACKGROUND: Families with intellectually disabled children need encouragement, support and training to more actively participate in their children's education and to positively affect their children's growth and development. DESIGN: Randomised controlled study. METHODS: The study included the mothers of 75 intellectually disabled children (40 intervention, 35 control). The mothers in the intervention group who participated in a routine program at private education and rehabilitation centres attended four different psychosocial educational sessions. Sessions were conducted once a week for four weeks and lasted 120 minutes. The control group attended only the routine program of the private education and rehabilitation centre. RESULTS: Our study results showed that after completion of the educational program, there was a greater decrease in the risk for depression in the intervention group when compared to the control group, and the former perceived their family functions better. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: The education given by nurses to mothers who have children with intellectual disabilities may be effective in reducing the risk for depression and in increasing the perception of healthy family functioning. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Psychosocial nursing education program can contribute to the use of evidence-based education strategies in nursing practice to improve the mental health for mothers with intellectually disabled children.

Factors affecting medication adherence in patients with hypertension.

The aim of this study descriptive study was to evaluate concordance with medication and those factors that affect the use of medicine in patients with hypertension. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by 750 patients with hypertension between December 25, 2003, and April 30, 2004, in an outpatient hypertension clinic in Erzincan, Turkey. It was found that 57.9% of the patients did not use their medicines as prescribed. Forgetfulness, aloneness, and negligence were ranked as the top three reasons for this non-concordance, accounting for almost half (49.3%) of all patients with hypertension studied; price (expensive medicines) accounted for another quarter (26.5%). A statistically significant relationship with non-concordance was found for age, education level and profession. Patients' lack of knowledge related to the complications of hypertension was also found to have a statistically significant relationship with not taking medicines as prescribed. Gender, location of residence and salary were not found to be statistically related to concordance. These results indicate the need to educate patients with hypertension on how to use their medicine regularly and indicate also the target populations for this.

The effect of education given to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on self-care.

This research was performed as a single group pretest--posttest experimental design to determine the effect of education given to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on self-care. The research was performed between October 2007 and June 2008 in the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinics located in A and B Blocks of Erzincan State Hospital. The research population included 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who attended the above mentioned units between the specified dates and met the inclusion criteria. Patients were subjected to a pretest using a patient identification form, Diabetes Self-Care Scale (DSCS) form in Turkish language and metabolic control parameters. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean values of pre-education and posteducation DSCS scores with an increase in mean posteducation scores. These results demonstrate that the education given to patients improves their self-care and metabolic control variables.

Loneliness in elderly individuals, level of dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) and influential factors.

This study has been carried out to investigate the level of loneliness, determine the level of dependence in the ADL and influential factors in the elderly people. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 Family Healthcare Centers (FHC) located in central Erzincan, Turkey between March and June 2010. The data of the research was collected using a questionnaire that determined the descriptive and UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS). Mean score of the UCLA-LS was determined as 51.59 ± 4.44. It was determined that 2% of the elderly ADL were completely dependent, 14.5% were semi-dependent. Factors such as being old, a widow/divorced, having a lower level of education and/or income, living alone, having a chronic disease, poor self-perceived health, lack of visits by relatives or acquaintances, dissatisfaction with the place of living, and being fully dependent while performing daily activities were determined as factors which increased the level of loneliness. Furthermore, factors such as being old, a female, a widow/divorced, living together with a daughter/son, having a chronic disease and poor self-perceived health were found to be influential in dependency. Elderly people who are alone and dependent in fulfilling their ADL should be monitored more closely.

Healthy lifestyle behaviour in university students and influential factors in eastern Turkey.

This research was carried out to determine the healthy lifestyle behaviour of university students receiving education in central Erzincan. The population of this descriptive and cross-sectional research included a total of 4506 students receiving education at Erzincan University in the city centre, and the sampling included 981 students selected by a simple random sampling method from these schools. Data were collected between April and May 2008 by using an identification form and the Health Promotion Life-Style Profile (HPLP) Scale. Healthy lifestyle behaviour point averages of students were detected to be at medium level (118.41±20.90). It was established that student's grade, educational level of parents, economic status of the family and the student, the place where the student stays and smoking status of the student resulted in a significant difference in HPLP Scale total score average and the mean score of the majority of subscales.