An evaluation of the effectiveness of dental health training administered at a health services school.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and behaviour of health technician students to determine their oral health (OH) status, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured education administered for increasing OH awareness. METHODS: Interventional research was performed between December 2018 and March 2019 on 445 Vocational School of Health Services students in … University. Questionnaires were conducted under observation. The first questionnaire (Q1) included socio-demographic characteristics, OH knowledge level, attitudes and behaviours. One month after the OH training was given to the students, the same questions in Q1 were asked again in the second questionnaire (Q2). Dental caries and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) status were determined by a dentist via a clinical oral examination. RESULTS: Of the 445 students, 416 (93.5%) participated in the study and completed the Q1 and Q2 questionnaires. A total of 277 (66.6%) students were female and 139 (33.4%) were male, with the age range being 17-33 years (average: 19.2 ± 1.86 years). Of the 416 students who answered the Q1 and Q2 questionnaires, 385 received oral examinations. While the Q1 knowledge score was 7.06 ± 2.08, the Q2 was found to be 12.36 ± 2.90 (P < .001). It was seen that 119 (30.9%) students who had poor OHI-S and 120 (31.2%), had a mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) value of 6 and above. It was found that the females had better OH values ​​than males (P < .001) and smokers had worse OH values overall (P < .016). CONCLUSION: It was observed that the health technician students had a low level of knowledge about OH before the training but after receiving the training, their knowledge, attitude and behaviour changed positively. SO WHAT?: It was concluded that the OH education given to students caused a positive change in their behaviour, attitude and knowledge.

The relationship between adolescents' nutrition literacy and food habits, and affecting factors.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutrition literacy (NL) and food habits (FH) in adolescents, and the factors affecting the relationship. DESIGN: The study used a cross-sectional design. The data were collected using socio-demographic information forms, the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) and the Adolescent Food Habit Checklist (AFHC). The socio-demographic characteristics of adolescents were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the factors affecting NL and FH were determined using the t test, Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA. The correlation between ANLS and AFHC scores was tested with correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis was employed to predict the change in the NL of adolescents at the level of FH. SETTING: The study was conducted in the city of Izmir in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: The study consisted of a total of 467 adolescents. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between NL of adolescents and their gender, education level of the father, grade, BMI values and daily lifestyle behaviours (DLB), as well as between their FH and DLB. There was a positive and significant relationship between ANLS and AFHC. The ANLS and its subscales were found to have a statistically significant effect on AFHC. According to the linear regression analysis, the nutritional habits of adolescents were found to be significantly affected by NL (ß = 0·357). CONCLUSIONS: As ANLS scores increased, AFHC scores were determined to increase as well. This finding shows that the FH of adolescents have changed positively with increase in their NL.

The effect of the disaster management training program among nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of the Jennings Disaster Nursing Management Model-based and learning management system-assisted six-module training programme on nursing students' disaster preparedness perceptions and response self-efficacy. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This randomized controlled trial used a two group comparison design, experimental group (n = 127), and control group (n = 108), carried out with third-year nursing students in a city in the west of Turkey. MEASURES: Data included a socio-demographic form, the Disaster Preparedness Perception Scale in Nurses (DPPSN) and the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES). RESULTS: After the training, disaster preparedness perceptions and the response self-efficacy of the EG increased significantly (p < .05). This study had a moderate effect on participants' knowledge and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Public health nurses are health professionals with important roles and responsibilities in the stages of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery that is all stages of disaster management. This theoretical-based program can be considered for both students and nursing professionals.

Determining the sensitivity of university students to violence toward children.

PURPOSE: This study was planned to determine the sensitivity of university students to violence toward children. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of students from nursing, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and midwifery departments, health technician programs, and medical faculty. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form and the scale of sensitivity to violence toward children. FINDINGS: The difference between the scores of the university students from the scale was found statistically significant according to their departments, gender, and years (P > 0.05). The sociodemographic variables of the students were determined to affect the scores that they got from the scale of sensitivity to violence toward children by 4.6% (P < 0.05). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: More child-related content should be added to the educational curriculum.