The effectiveness of short text messages on nurses' arrhythmia interpretation skills.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care nurses play an important role in the management of critically ill patients including identification of cardiac arrhythmias. Interventions to improve arrhythmia identification can be expensive, time-consuming, and are not always successful. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of using short message service (SMS) messaging to improve intensive care nurses' cardiac arrhythmia interpretation skills. DESIGN: This study was a prospective, two-group, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest experimental design. METHODS: The study was conducted from February 2020 to February 2021 for the intervention as well as the control group, in a teaching hospital in northwest Turkey. The intervention group was sent the one-way SMS messages on cardiac arrhythmias via WhatsApp during an 8-week period, whereas the control group did not receive any intervention. The Cardiac arrhythmias assessment questionnaire (CAAQ) was used to measure outcomes. The data were analysed using ANCOVA and an independent t-test. RESULTS: A total of 66 intensive care nurses were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group. The ANCOVA analysis indicated that ICU nurses who received SMS messages about cardiac arrhythmias two times a week had significantly increased CAAQ scores (P < 0.001) with a large effect size (partial eta-squared = 0.588). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that using SMS messages as a training tool has a positive influence on cardiac arrhythmias interpretation skills among ICU nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Using SMS messages could be an alternative, effective, and innovative approach to improve nurses' clinical practice skills.

Effectiveness of a Transtheoretical Model-Based Foot Care Program in Improving Foot Care Behaviors and Self-Efficacy in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: An Assessor-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a transtheoretical model (TTM)-based foot care program on foot self-care behaviors and self-efficacy among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A prospective, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2020 and October 2020 at the endocrinology outpatient unit of a hospital in the north-west Turkey. The sample was composed of 51 adults with T2DM randomly allocated to the intervention group (n = 25) and control group (n = 26). The intervention group received the TTM-based foot care program during a 6-month period. The data were analyzed using the two-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). After intervention, the intervention group's the diabetic foot care self-efficacy scale scores increased significantly at 3 and 6 months, compared with the control group. Similarly, the intervention group's the foot self-care behavior scale scores also increased significantly at 3 months and 6 months.

The effect of nurse-led telephone support on adherence to blood pressure control and drug treatment in individuals with primary hypertension: A randomized controlled study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of telephone monitoring, in combination with texts, on medication adherence and blood pressure (BP) control in primary hypertension. METHOD: Data were collected from August to December 2016. Seventy-seven adults were randomized to the intervention and control groups. A 12-week intervention consisted of regular text messages and phone calls. The control group received usual hypertension care. The outcomes were evaluated with blood pressure measurement and medication adherence self-efficacy scale short form. RESULTS: Medication adherence in Week 12 was found to be significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Mean systolic and diastolic BP levels in Weeks 4, 8 and 12 were statistically significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using text messaging and nurse-led telephone monitoring improved adherence and BP control in adults with hypertensive in primary care.

Relation between Coping with Pain & Spiritual Wellbeing in Chronic Pain Living Individuals.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping with pain in individuals with chronic pain and their levels of spiritual wellbeing. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study. It was conducted with 148 participants who were experiencing chronic pain. Data were collected using Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Pain Coping Questionnaire (PCQ) and Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov/Shapiro-Wilk's test, skewness, kurtosis, Cronbach's α, mean, standard deviation, mean rank and binary logistic regression analysis. According to the data obtained, it was concluded that participants' levels of spiritual wellbeing were high, and spiritual wellbeing could be used as an effective mechanism for coping with pain. It is therefore recommended that training sessions and information meetings be organized to create awareness in health care and social work professionals and in those living with chronic pain and their families.

Effect of 0.12% Chlorhexidine Use for Oral Care on Ventilator-Associated Respiratory Infections: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that the effect of 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) use for oral care on the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) is lacking. Evidence-based approaches to the prevention of VAP and VAT are of paramount importance for improving patients' outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) compare the effect of 0.12% CHX use for oral care on preventing VAP and VAT with the placebo group, as well as (2) compare its effect on oral health and prevention of oral microbial colonization with the placebo group. METHODS: Prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial performed in 2 intensive care units at a hospital. The sample comprised 57 mechanically ventilated adults randomly allocated to the 0.12% CHX group and the placebo group. Barnason's oral assessment guide was used to evaluate the oral health of both groups before oral care during the first 24 hr of tracheal intubation (Day 0) and at Day 2 and Day 3. Oropharyngeal secretion, endotracheal tube aspirate, and nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected on Day 0 and Day 3. RESULTS: The rate of VAT development was not statistically different between the groups (p = .318). However, a significant difference existed in the rate of VAP development (p = .043). The frequency of oropharyngeal colonization significantly decreased in the 0.12% CHX group compared with the placebo group at Day 3 (p = .001). CONCLUSION: The use of 0.12% CHX for oral care could be effective for VAP prevention and reducing microbial colonization in mechanically ventilated patients.

Mindful eating, obesity, and risk of type 2 diabetes in university students: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding gender differences in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity risk among university students is critical for the development of health promotion interventions. Mindful eating focuses on how and why eating behavior occurs rather than what is eaten. Current research on this topic is limited in the university-aged population. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to (1) assess gender differences in risk of developing T2DM and elevated body mass index (BMI)/obesity; (2) explore the mindful eating levels according to the gender perspective; and (3) evaluate the relationship between mindful eating, BMI, and the risk of T2DM among young Turkish adults. METHOD: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in Karabuk University University, Turkey, during the 2017-2018 university calendar year. Eight hundred young adults were selected by the convenience sampling method. Data analyses used were the independent t test and Pearson correlational statistics. RESULTS: BMI values of males were significantly higher than those of females (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between males and females regarding the risk of developing T2DM (p > 0.05). Mindful eating was significantly associated with BMI and the risk of developing T2DM in the young adult populations (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings can provide a basic reference for developing interventions that improve healthy eating habits and weight-loss strategies.

Reliability and validity of a Turkish version of the hypertension self-care profile.

The purpose of the study was to develop a Turkish version of the Hypertension Self-care Profile and to examine its reliability and validity. The sample consisted of 200 adults with hypertension. Internal consistency was estimated by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficient and item-total score correlation regarding item reliability. The test-retest reliability for estimating the stability was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficient. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used for the factor construct validity. Internal consistency reliability coefficients ranged from 0.937 to 0.942. The test-retest reliability was between 0.730 and 0.766. Item-total correlations had a range of 0.491 to 0.758. Single factor with an eigenvalue >1 was extracted for each scale. The Turkish version of the Hypertension Self-care Profile has been successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted to Turkish population.

The relationship of religious coping strategies and family harmony with caregiver burden for family members of patients with stroke.

AIM: Patients with stroke experience various challenges such as motor and cognitive and sensory problems, which can increase the caregiver burden of family members in long-term care. Understanding the factors related to caregiver burden is important to develop strategies to support informal caregivers. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship of religious coping strategies and family harmony to caregiver burden for family members of patients with stroke. METHOD: The sample of this descriptive, cross-sectional study consisted of 181 family caregivers who completed the Religious Coping Scale, Burden Interview Scale, and Family Harmony Scale - Short Form. Multiple linear regression and Pearson's correlation were performed. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between caregiver burden and negative religious coping. A significant negative relationship was found of caregiver burden and family harmony with positive religious coping. Multiple regression analysis indicated that family harmony, amount of time spent on caregiving, and negative and positive religious coping were predictors of caregiver burden.Given the significant relationship of caregiver burden and family harmony to positive religious coping, future research should integrate religious coping strategies into multidisciplinary caregiver intervention programs to reduce caregiver burden.

The Relation between Levels of Media Literacy and Attitudes and Beliefs Concerning Obesity in University Students.

The prevalence of obesity in young people around the world. The written and visual media have an important role to play in increasing student awareness in the prevention of obesity. This study was planned with the aim of determining the effect on attitudes and beliefs concerning obesity of the levels of media literacy of university students. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 300 obese students. The Media Literacy Scale, and the Obesity Health Belief Model Scale were used in the collection of data for the study. The Student t test and the one-way ANOVA test were used in the analysis of the data. A weak, positive statistically significant correlation was found between media literacy and the subscales of perceived severity, perceived barriers, and perceived benefit (p < .05). A weak positive correlation was found between the subscales of possessing knowledge, the ability to analyze and form a response, and the ability to judge and see hidden messages, and the sub-scales of perceived severity, perceived barriers, and perceived benefit (p < .05). It was found in this study that the media literacy of obese students was at a medium level, and that media literacy affected their attitudes and beliefs regarding obesity. It is recommended that the visual media should broadcast short audiovisual educational films at regular intervals on the prevention of obesity.

Level and Factors Associated with Participation in Population-Based Cancer Screening in Safranbolu District of Karabuk, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Cervix, breast and colorectal cancers are included in the national population-based screening (PBS) program in Turkey. This study aimed to assess participation in PBSs for these cancers and to identify factors associated with participation in screenings in Safranbolu district of Karabuk, Turkey in 2016-2017. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, separate studying groups for cervix, breast and colorectal cancers were identified, taking into account the target age range specified in the national screening standards. The sample size was determined to be 374 for cervical cancer, 371 for breast cancer and 373 for colorectal cancer in the Epi-Info StatCalc program with a prevalence of 50%, a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and a 5% error margin. The results of the data collected through face-to-face interview using questionnaires were evaluated with Chi-square tests (P<0.05) and included in the binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: Participation in PBS at least once between 2011 and 2016 years was 26.2% for cervical cancer, 27.6% for breast cancer and 31.6% for colorectal cancer, whereas the level of PBS or opportunistic screening at least once was 51.1%, 42.7% and 32.2%, respectively. A 2.9-fold increase in participation for the cervical cancer screening was associated with informing women about cervical cancer by the family physicians. Being married and living in the district center showed associations with a higher rate of participation for colorectal cancer screening. CONCLUSION: Participation in PBS was low for the 5.5-year period. More effort is needed to increase the effectiveness of the program.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to create a Turkish version of the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS-7) and to examine its validity and reliability. METHODS: The sample of this methodological type study consisted of 100 Turkish patients with chronic disease. In the evaluation of data, the content validity index, Cronbach α, test-retest, item total score correlation, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and adherence statistics were used. RESULTS: The scale's content validity index was 0.94, its Kendal W goodness-of-fit test was 0.188 (P = .246), its Cronbach α coefficient was 0.75, and its item total score correlation was between 0.32 and 0.59 (P < .001). The test-retest reliability was also satisfactory with interclass correlation coefficients higher than 0.75. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the ARMS-7 is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used in the evaluation of attitudes to adherence to medications and refills based on self-reporting by the chronically ill.