DETERMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH TECHNICIAN STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY WITH DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STRESS LEVELS.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the relationship between the attitudes of health technician students towards COVID-19 and their intolerance to uncertainty with depression, anxiety, and stress. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with health technician students at two public universities in western Turkey. Data were collected from January 29 to April 5, 2021. In this study, The Descriptive Data Form; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21; The Health Education Students' Attitude Scale towards the COVID-19 outbreak, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 were used. The electronic versions of the questionnaires were shared with students in WhatsApp groups. RESULTS: A total of 1132 students participated in the study and 23.2% of the students had mild, 21.6% moderate, and 2.8% severe depression. Additionally, 9.4% of the students had mild, 16.3% moderate, and 5.1% severe anxiety. Furthermore, 12.5% of the participants had mild and 5.5% had moderate stress. Smoking, prospective and inhibitory anxiety, negative perception of the state's efforts to prevent the outbreak, anxiety about the virus, and belief of intentional spread significantly affected depression, anxiety, and stress levels (p<0.05). Furthermore, the place of residence and the presence of acquaintances infected with COVID-19 significantly affected anxiety levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It may be beneficial to develop online psychoeducation and psychotherapy programs and to direct young people to these platforms during the social isolation process of COVID-19. Training in virus protection is also strongly recommended.

Effect of antenatal class attendance on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of attending antenatal classes on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress in nulliparous pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 133 nulliparous pregnant women participated in the study, which had a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected by a descriptive data form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, and the Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory (APSI). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between antenatal class attendance and having a high schooling level and an intended pregnancy (p < 0.05). The mean fear of childbirth score of pregnant women was 85.50 ± 19.41 before the training and 76.32 ± 20.52 after the training, and the difference between these scores was significant (p < 0.01). Fear of childbirth score were not significantly different between the intervention group and the control group. The mean APSI score of pregnant women in the intervention group was 22.32 ± 6.12 before the training and 21.79 ± 5.97 after the training. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION: The fear of childbirth score decreased significantly in the intervention group after the training.

Risk factors of striae gravidarum and chloasma melasma and their effects on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the risk factors associated with striae gravidarum (SG) and chloasma melasma (CM) and their effects on the quality of life. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in Turkey with 1000 pregnant women at 36 weeks of gestation and above. Personal information form, Quality of Life (SF36) Scale, Skindex-29 Scale, and MelasQoL-TR questionnaire were applied to pregnant women. Besides, skin types of pregnant women were determined using Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification. Davey's score was used to determine the severity of SG. RESULTS: In the study, the prevalence of SG was found as 67.9% (n = 679), and the prevalence of CM 23.5% (n = 235). There was a significant relationship between young age, low education level, high BMI before pregnancy, history of SG in her previous pregnancy, family history of SG, and development of SG in pregnant women (p = 0.001). There was a significant relationship between CM in her previous pregnancy and family history of CM and development of CM (p = 0.001). The quality of life of pregnant women with SG was found to be lower than without SG (p < 0.001). The quality of life of pregnant women with CM was found to be lower than without CM (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, in the study, it was determined that young age, low education level, high BMI, history of SG in previous pregnancy, and family history of SG were risk factors for SG. The risk factors of CM, on the other hand, were found as the history of CM in the previous pregnancy and the family. It was identified that SG and CM have adverse effects on the quality of life.

Effect of antenatal class attendance on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of attending antenatal classes on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress in nulliparous pregnant women. METHODS A total of 133 nulliparous pregnant women participated in the study, which had a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected by a descriptive data form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, and the Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory (APSI). RESULTS A significant correlation was found between antenatal class attendance and having a high schooling level and an intended pregnancy (p < 0.05). The mean fear of childbirth score of pregnant women was 85.50 ± 19.41 before the training and 76.32 ± 20.52 after the training, and the difference between these scores was significant (p < 0.01). Fear of childbirth score were not significantly different between the intervention group and the control group. The mean APSI score of pregnant women in the intervention group was 22.32 ± 6.12 before the training and 21.79 ± 5.97 after the training. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION The fear of childbirth score decreased significantly in the intervention group after the training.

The predictors of secondary traumatic stress and psychological resilience in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Turkey.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between predictive factors of secondary traumatic stress (STS), that is, sociodemographic and work characteristics, and the psychological resilience of healthcare professionals working in different regions of Turkey. This cross-sectional study included 1416 healthcare workers (HCWs). An independent sample t-test and hierarchical regression analysis were performed to analyse the data. The predictor variables for STS included perception of health, fear of contagion, anxiety about infecting family members, psychological resilience, type of work, having a COVID-19 diagnosis in the family, and experiencing a loss due to COVID-19 (p < 0.05). The variables that predicted psychological resilience included socioeconomic status, health status, age, marital status, work experience, and type of work (p < 0.05). A low number of resilient HCWs experienced secondary traumatic stress.

Factors associated with pediatric vaccine hesitancy of parents: a cross-sectional study in Turkey.

Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors of vaccine hesitancy in females with children aged 12 months to 6 years who receive service from the antenatal class of a tertiary hospital in Turkey.Method: The study group includes 370 parents receiving service from a tertiary hospital. The data collection tools of the study were a descriptive data form and the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines survey.The data were analyzed using chi-square analysis and logistic regression analysis.Results: In our study, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was determined as 13.8% and vaccine refusal prevalence as 4.8%. In univariate analysis, vaccine hesitancy was found to be significantly higher in mothers with a university education, who got pregnant with treatment, who were not trained about pediatric vaccines in the antenatal follow-up, who followed anti-vaccine groups on social media, and who did not use vitamin D and iron supplements regularly or never used for their child. Vaccine hesitancy was significantly higher in parents who stated that their information sources of vaccines were not scientific, who were worried about vaccine ingredients (aluminum, mercury, pig gelatine) and who used alternative medicine practices (p < .05). In multivariate analysis, the risk of vaccine hesitancy increases 3.05 times in pregnancies with treatment, 3.74 times in those who did not use vitamin D or iron preparations, 3.01 times in those who followed anti-vaccine groups on social media,2.93 times in parents who were worried about the vaccine ingredients.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and risk factors should be monitored closely in the following years.

Healthcare students' vaccination status, knowledge, and protective behaviors regarding hepatitis B: a cross-sectional study in Turkey.

AIM: We aimed to determine the vaccination status, knowledge, and protective behaviors of healthcare students related to hepatitis B and to examine the related factors. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven universities from seven geographical regions of Turkey. The study group included 5451 healthcare students. Data were collected with a questionnaire including items on sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination status, knowledge and protective behaviors related to hepatitis B. Data were analyzed with Pearson's chi-square and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: 86.0% of the students had hepatitis B vaccine while 7.6% did not. Vaccination was higher in nursing and midwifery students (aOR = 1.87, CI 95%: 1.26-2.77; aOR = 3.87, CI 95%: 2.14-7.02, respectively). Vaccination was 1.28 times higher in females (CI 95% 1.03-1.60). The ≥23 age group had 1.79 times higher vaccination rate than those in the ≤19 (CI 95%: 1.26-2.53). Vaccination was higher in students whose family's economic status is middle and high (aOR = 1.53, CI 95%: 1.07-2.19; aOR = 1.47, CI 95%: 1.03-2.19, respectively). Vaccination was higher in those living in towns and cities during childhood (aOR = 1.36, CI 95%: 1.06-1.74; aOR = 1.79, CI 95%: 1.34-2.38, respectively). Females had more knowledge of hepatitis B and protective behaviors. Both knowledge and protective behavior scores of vaccinated participants were significantly higher (p < .05). CONCLUSION: We found that the vaccination rate in healthcare students was high, but lower than the country's targets. The students were sensitive about the protective behaviors from hepatitis B infection and had sufficient knowledge of HBV contamination.

Effect of Focusing on Maryam's Flower During the First Stage of the Labor on the Labor Pain, Labor Duration, and Levels of Comfort and Satisfaction.

This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with an intervention group (n = 61) and a control group (n = 63) consisting of primipara pregnant women. The pregnant women in the intervention group were asked to focus their attention on Maryam's flower opening its leaf buds and imagine the labor's progress during the course of their labor. The VAS was administered to each group at specific times (at 4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, 8-9 cm cervical dilatation) to determine their level of labor pain. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups' mean pain scores at 4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, and 8-9 cm cervical dilatation (p < .05). The labor duration of the pregnant women in the intervention group was significantly shorter than that of the pregnant women in the control group (p = .017). The physical comfort level of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group at 8-9 cm cervical dilatation (p = .039).

The relationship between psychological resilience, burnout, stress, and sociodemographic factors with depression in nurses and midwives during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the relationship between psychological resilience, burnout, stress, and sociodemographic factors with depression in nurses and midwives during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. DESIGN AND METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 377 midwives and nurses. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression in midwives and nurses in our sample was 31.8%. In the logistic regression analysis, the risk of depression in midwives was 1.92 times higher than that of nurses. A high perceived stress score increased the risk of depression by 1.16 times, and a high emotional exhaustion score increased the risk of depression by 1.11 times. A high psychological resilience score was found to be protective against depression (<0.001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results showed that one-third of midwives and nurses had symptoms of depression.

The Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and the Correlation of Perceived Social Support and Quality of Life with Postpartum Depression: A Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression (PPD) has negative effects on the mothers who experience it. The aims of the study described herein were to determine the prevalence of PPD and to determine the correlations between PPD and perceived social support, quality of life, and the risk factors for PPD. METHODS: Data were collected using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Scale, the Quality of Life scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and questions regarding the sociodemographic characteristics and PPD risk factors of the mother. RESULTS: The prevalences of PPD were found to be 3.9% in the 4th week postpartum and 5.9% in the 6th week postpartum. Being a primary school (and no higher) graduate, being stressed in daily life, experiencing health problems during the delivery and the postpartum period, and not thinking of oneself as a good mother were all determined to be risk factors for PPD. Although the mean score for social support was higher in women with low PPD risks, this difference was not significant. According to a linear regression model, PPD negatively affected the social and psychological qualities of life of the mothers in the 4th week postpartum. CONCLUSION: Along with a trend suggesting a correlation between high social support and low PPD risk in women, a correlation between low PPD risk and high quality of life was also found.

Vaccine mistrust among family healthcare professionals and vaccine hesitancy in the communities they serve in Turkey in 2019: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aims to determine the causes of vaccine mistrust among family healthcare professionals (FHP) in the unit where they serve and vaccine hesitancy of families. METHOD: The study group consisted of 682 FHPs working in a primary health care institution. The data collection tools of the study included a sociodemographic data form and a vaccine hesitancy data form. Pearson's chi-square analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. FINDINGS: To the question of "Do you trust the active ingredient in the vaccines?", only 2.1% of FHPs responded "I do not trust" and 18.9% answered "I am indecisive". 70.7% of FHPs said that at least one vaccine hesitant family was in the unit where they served. The most important reasons stated by FHPs on behalf of such families were vaccine mistrust (73.2%), the belief that they may be harmful for the child (58.7%), and the belief that vaccines cause autism (55.6%). In the univariate analysis, vaccine mistrust was significantly higher in FHPs who were measles-hesitant and responded "The decision to get vaccinated or not should belong to the family voluntarily". From logistic regression analysis, vaccine mistrust in FHPs increased 2.8-fold for those who did not think vaccination should be compulsory, 2.7-fold for those who did not think that vaccination refusal should be legally enforced, and 1.61-fold for those under age 35 years. CONCLUSION: It was observed that FHPs had high sensitivity and positive attitudes toward vaccination in general.

The Relationship between Risk Levels of Breast Cancer and Use of Early Diagnosis and Screening Services in Healthcare Workers in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting early diagnosis and screening behaviors of healthcare workers concerning breast cancer and the breast cancer risk levels using the risk identification model and to evaluate the relationship between breast cancer risk levels and early diagnosis and screening behaviors. METHODS: Overall, 466 healthcare workers from Balikesir Province, Turkey participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected thanks to a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. Cuzick-Tyrer model was utilized to determine breast cancer risk levels. RESULTS: 78.1% of the healthcare workers regularly perform breast self-examination (BSE), 11.6% had clinical breast examination (CBE), 7.7% had breast ultrasound scan and 4.5% had mammography. BSE behavior increased, as education level got higher. Mammography screening behavior increased in those aged 40 yr and older and those with breast or ovarian cancer history in their family. There was not any relationship between breast cancer risk levels and early diagnosis and screening behaviors. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and screening behaviors of healthcare workers were low concerning breast cancer. Age, education level and family history are the most prominent factors affecting early diagnosis and screening behaviors of healthcare workers. Informing healthcare workers on breast cancer risk factors and screening can make positive contributions to them and the public through them.

Factors associated with childhood vaccine hesitancy and measles vaccine hesitancy among healthcare students.

This study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of childhood vaccine and measles vaccine hesitancy and refusal among healthcare students in Turkey. The pool of this cross-sectional study, which included 718 students, was made up of healthcare students from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Balikesir University (N = 960). It was determined that 10% of students surveyed were hesitant regarding childhood vaccines, while 11.8% were hesitant with regard to the measles vaccine, specifically. Many of the participants held the belief that chronic idiopathic diseases such as multiple sclerosis and autism are related to vaccines; they also believed that vaccines should not be mandatory. More alarming than this, however, was that in response to a question regarding the measles vaccine, many of the students responded that "I would not have my child vaccinated with the vaccines administered by the Ministry of Health if I had a child." The findings revealed, overall, that the rates of childhood vaccine hesitancy and measles vaccine hesitancy are high among the healthcare students who were surveyed and that a high number of healthcare students hold negative attitudes that are related to rates of vaccine hesitancy.

Risk factors and relationship between screening periodicity and risk of cervical cancer among nurses and midwives. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: If nurses and midwives undergo cervical cancer screening regularly, they can become role models for other women regarding this screening. OBJECTIVES: The aims here were (i) to determine factors associated with undergoing cervical cancer screening; and (ii) to examine the association of cervical cancer screening periodicity with cervical cancer risk levels among nurses and midwives. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a public hospital. METHODS: 466 nurses and midwives participated in this study. The relationships between undergoing Pap smear screening and sociodemographic characteristics, cervical cancer risk factors, perception of cervical cancer risk and calculated cervical cancer risk levels were examined. Cervical cancer risk levels were determined using the "Your Disease Risk" assessment tool (Washington University). RESULTS: 35% of the nurses and midwives had undergone Pap smear testing at least once in their lifetimes. The odds of having undergone Pap smear testing were higher among smokers (odds ratio, OR: 2.08; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.24-3.48) and among those who perceived their risk of cervical cancer to be high (OR: 3.60; 95% CI: 1.36-9.51). The frequency of undergoing Pap smear testing at least once in a lifetime was higher among primiparae (OR: 17.99; 95% CI: 6.36-50.84) and secundiparae (OR: 41.53; 95% CI: 15.01-114.91) than among nulliparae. No relationship was found between Pap smear test periodicity and calculated risk level. CONCLUSION: There is a need to assess motivational barriers that might lead to low levels of Pap smear screening among nurses and midwives who are role models for women regarding cervical cancer prevention.

Risk factors and relationship between screening periodicity and risk of cervical cancer among nurses and midwives. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: If nurses and midwives undergo cervical cancer screening regularly, they can become role models for other women regarding this screening. OBJECTIVES: The aims here were (i) to determine factors associated with undergoing cervical cancer screening; and (ii) to examine the association of cervical cancer screening periodicity with cervical cancer risk levels among nurses and midwives. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a public hospital. METHODS: 466 nurses and midwives participated in this study. The relationships between undergoing Pap smear screening and sociodemographic characteristics, cervical cancer risk factors, perception of cervical cancer risk and calculated cervical cancer risk levels were examined. Cervical cancer risk levels were determined using the "Your Disease Risk" assessment tool (Washington University). RESULTS: 35% of the nurses and midwives had undergone Pap smear testing at least once in their lifetimes. The odds of having undergone Pap smear testing were higher among smokers (odds ratio, OR: 2.08; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.24-3.48) and among those who perceived their risk of cervical cancer to be high (OR: 3.60; 95% CI: 1.36-9.51). The frequency of undergoing Pap smear testing at least once in a lifetime was higher among primiparae (OR: 17.99; 95% CI: 6.36-50.84) and secundiparae (OR: 41.53; 95% CI: 15.01-114.91) than among nulliparae. No relationship was found between Pap smear test periodicity and calculated risk level. CONCLUSION: There is a need to assess motivational barriers that might lead to low levels of Pap smear screening among nurses and midwives who are role models for women regarding cervical cancer prevention.

Determination of knowledge levels, attitude and behaviors of female university students concerning cervical cancer, human papiloma virus and its vaccine.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study is to investigate knowledge, attitudes and behaviours concerning cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine of female students studying at a university in a health related department and explore variables affecting taking the vaccine. METHODS: The research group consists of female students attending a health related department in Balikesir University. The data of this cross-sectional research was collected via surveys. RESULTS: The average total knowledge score of the students concerning risks, symptoms and screening methods of cervical cancer and HPV vaccines was 14.15 ± 6.7. The HPV knowledge score of the students attending the faculty of medicine was higher compared to the students attending other departments and their HPV vaccine knowledge score was higher compared to the students attending nursing and paramedics students. The HPV vaccine knowledge score of the students attending the department of midwifery was significantly higher compared to other students. Only 0.9 % of the students took the vaccine. One third of the students who did not take the vaccine did not know that the vaccine was available in our country. In terms of the department that they attended, the students with a higher total knowledge score compared to the average (OR:1.5) and students with history of cancer in their families (OR:1.6) were more likely to consider taking the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Research group's knowledge on risk factors of cervical cancer, Pap smear test, symptoms and prevention ways of cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine was low.