Experiences of Nurses Providing Care to Individuals in Earthquake-Affected Areas of Eastern Turkey: A Phenomenological Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the experiences of nurses who provide care to individuals in earthquake-affected areas of eastern Turkey. DESIGN: A phenomenological design from qualitative research methods was utilized in this study. METHODS: The study was conducted between May 29, 2023, and August 15, 2023, with 11 nurses working in the western region of Turkey's provinces through one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted online and recorded on video. Content analysis was performed using the MAXQDA software package. FINDINGS: Themes and sub-themes were identified from the expressions of nurses in line with research findings. Accordingly, 5 themes were determined for nurses providing care to individuals in the earthquake. zone: "challenges they face,""emotions they felt,""coping methods,""knowledge and skills"and "effects of earthquake". CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study demonstrated that nurses experienced difficulties due to environmental (hygiene, cold weather, shelter) and work-related (lack of coordination, psychosocial issues) conditions during the earthquake event. While providing care to individuals in earthquake-affected areas of eastern Turkey, nurses reported feelings of sadness, inadequacy, anxiety, and fear. They employed coping methods such as talking to family/friends, attempting not to dwell on thoughts, and turning to religious practices to manage these negative emotions. Nurses emphasized the necessity of having professional knowledge and crisis management skills to care for individuals during the earthquake period. In accordance with the findings of the research, it is recommended that nurses are provided with realistic training through simulations and drills in disaster management, as well as psychological support interventions.

Intergenerational exploration of traditional practices affecting child health: A phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: All over the world, various traditional practices affect child health. The aim of our research was to explore the changes in traditional practices that affect child health between generations and to investigate the life experiences of generations in depth. METHODS: Using a phenomenological design, this study was conducted with semi-structured interviews with families of both generations (mothers and daughters). The study was written based on the COREQ checklist. FINDINGS: Four themes (traditional practices and intergenerational differences, beliefs/emotions related to traditional practices, influence factors in traditional practices, traditional methods in child care) and fourteen sub-themes (change in practices between generations, intergenerational transmission of traditional practices, beliefs in perceived benefits, skepticism and disbelief attitude, emotional reactions and perceiving as unnecessary, mother/mother in-law, traditional knowledge from mothers and grandmothers, family elders, the role of the internet and social media, spiritual practices, use of herbal products, alternative applications to medicines, relaxing applications, health consequences of traditional practices) were generated from the data. DISCUSSION: According to the findings, some harmless traditional practices are still relevant across generations, while harmful practices are mostly abandoned by new generations. The level of education and access to information has led the new generation to question traditional practices and show more interest in scientific knowledge-based methods. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: This research can contribute to advances in child health by helping us understand beliefs, feelings, and influencing factors related to traditional practices. Maternal education and community awareness-raising campaigns can be used to reduce harmful traditional practices.