Is there a relationship between internalized misogyny and premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in young women? A descriptive-relational study

AIM

This study utilized a descriptive and relational design to determine the relationship between young women's experiences of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea with internalized misogyny.

METHODS

A total of 487 individuals were accessed. Data were collected through the "Personal Information Form" prepared by the researchers, the "Functional and Emotional Measure of Dysmenorrhea" the "Premenstrual Syndrome Scale," and the "Internalized Misogyny Scale."

RESULTS

The internalized misogyny scale mean score had significant effects on the functional and emotional measure of dysmenorrhea mean score (p < 0.05). The internalized misogyny scale mean score was found to have a statistically significant effect on the premenstrual syndrome scale (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that young women's internalized misogyny was highly correlated with PMS and dysmenorrhea, and increased internalized misogyny also increased the severity of PMS and dysmenorrhea in young women.

The effectiveness of the using scenario and video in distance nursing education during COVID-19 pandemic

To determine the effects of using case scenarios and skill videos in distance education as a practical teaching-learning strategy on student satisfaction, professional perception, and professional values among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a quasi-experimental study with a one-group, pretest-post-test design. The study was conducted with 166 baccalaureate nursing students who attended online classes for 13 weeks, which included 80-minute theoretical and 120-minute practical training each week. A Student Information Form, the Student Satisfaction Scale-Short Form, the Nursing Profession Perception of Scale (NPPS), and the Nurses' Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R). We found significant differences between the students' pre- and post-test scores for the scales NPPS and the NPVS-R (p < .05), who attended online classes during the pandemic. However, our findings demonstrated that distance education had no effect on the level of student satisfaction (p > .05). The using case scenarios and skill videos in distance education as a strategy to deliver nursing course during the pandemic showed positive effects on the adoption of professional values and the perception about nursing profession among nursing students.

The effect of kangaroo care practice after caesarean section on paternal-newborn interaction: A mixed-methods study in Turkey

OBJECTIVES

The first meeting of the mother with the newborn after the caesarean section is usually delayed due to some reasons in Turkey. Although there are many benefits of applying kangaroo care (KC) between mother and newborn, there are a limited number of studies on the application of KC between newborn and father after caesarean section in international literature. This study was conducted to determine the effect of kangaroo care between father and newborn after caesarean section.

METHOD

A mixed-methods study was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and video recordings. While KC was applied to a couple of the father and the newborn in the experimental group, no application was given to the control group. The study sample consisted of 30 control group participants and 30 experimental group participants, from 60 planned caesarean delivered newborns and their fathers. In this process, newborns' (heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation rate, body temperature) and fathers' (feelings and behavior) characteristics were recorded. The data collection complied with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of newborns' mean heart rate (p>0.005). On the other hand, the respiration rate, oxygen saturation, and the mean body temperature values showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.005). The differences between the two groups were significant in terms of the happiness levels of the father and newborn pair and the calmness of the newborns (p ≤ 0.005).

DISCUSSION

The finding that respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and mean body temperature values were within normal limits in the control group, despite being showed significant differences from the KC group, also supports the benefit of the father's involvement in KC. Almost all of the fathers in the study group reported that KC had a positive effect on their interaction with their newborns and that they were satisfied with the experience. KC should be disseminated and routinely applied.

Effects of health education and progressive muscle relaxation on vasomotor symptoms and insomnia in perimenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine the effects of health education (HE) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), individually or combined, on vasomotor symptoms and insomnia in perimenopausal women.

METHODS

This study is a single-center, pretest-posttest, randomized controlled trial with a factorial design. The research sample consists of 108 women who were randomly divided into three groups: HE + PMR group (n = 36), PMR group (n = 36) and control group (n = 36). 90 women completed the study. The data were collected in three steps by using instruments of Personal Information Form, Visual Analog Scale and a diary for vasomotor symptoms, Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale.

RESULTS

Hot flash and night sweats frequency and severity scores/24 h, the VAS scores for hot flashes and night sweats, and the WHIIRS scores significantly improved more in the intervention groups compared to the control group (p &lt; 0,05). Compared to the group PMR, the group PMR + HE had a greater improvement with larger effect size in all measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

PMR and HE counseling by nurses benefit perimenopausal women who suffer from insomnia and vasomotor symptoms.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

PMR combined with HE or PMR alone is effective in managing vasomotor symptoms and insomnia; therefore, they can easily be integrated into clinical practice.

Does Childbirth Preparation Education Affect Prenatal Adaptation?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of childbirth preparation education on the prenatal adaptation of pregnant women.

METHODS

This study design was a quasi-experimental; one-group pretest-posttest. This study was conducted with the participation of 42 pregnant women and their spouses. The educations were given in four sessions in a special area designed for childbirth preparation educations in a private hospital where the study was conducted. The data of the study were collected using the Pregnant Women Information Form and the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire consists of seven subscales which are the well-being of pregnant women and their infants, acceptance of pregnancy, acceptance of motherhood, fear of childbirth, relationship with her mother and relationship with her spouse. The Wilcoxon signed rank test statistics were used to analyze the difference between the pretest and posttest PSEQ scores.

RESULTS

The concerns about the well-being of pregnant women and their infants (p < .05), acceptance of pregnancy (p < .05), acceptance of motherhood (p < .05), fear of childbirth (p < .05), relationship with her mother (p < .05), relationship with her spouse (p < .05) subscale and total adaptation score (p < .05) were significantly higher before the education compared with the after the education. However, there was no significant difference between pre and post-education scores regarding readiness for birth subscale (p > .05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that childbirth preparation education improves prenatal adaptation, acceptance of pregnancy and motherhood, relationship with her mother and relationship with her partner of pregnant women. In addition, it decreased fear of childbirth of pregnant women.

Impact of kangaroo care after caesarean section on paternal-infant attachment and involvement at 12 months: A longitudinal study in Turkey

The mother's first meeting with the baby after the caesarean section is usually delayed due to the reasons arising from the mother and the baby in Turkey. Although there are many benefits of kangaroo care (KC) intervention between the mother and the newborn, there is a limited number of studies on the KC intervention between the newborn and the father after caesarean section in international literature, and there are none in Turkey. This study was carried out to determine the effect of fathers and infants who participated in KC, immediately after birth by caesarean section, on paternal-infant attachment and the fathers' involvement in infant care in the 12th month. The study was conducted as a longitudinal study with a control group. Initially, the sample consisted of 60 fathers. However, the study was completed with 48 fathers. KC intervention was practised to the couple of the father and the infant in the experimental group, while no practice was given to the control group. Fathers in the experimental group were told that they should continue to practice KC intervention at least two times a week until their baby will be 1-year-old. The data collection forms were given to fathers face-to-face in the first interview, and then through phone calls and emails after 12 months. The status of the fathers in the experimental group fathers' involvement in infant care of the baby (p = .005) was significantly higher than the control group. The mean score for the Postnatal Paternal-Infant Attachment Questionnaire (PPAQ), in fathers who participated in KC intervention, was higher than that of fathers who did not participate in the KC intervention (p < .005). The results of this study demonstrated that the paternal-infant attachment and the fathers' participation in infant care were more positive in fathers and babies who performed the KC intervention.

The impact of video-assisted education on quality of life of women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy treatment

BACKGROUND

The education given in cancer process will contribute to better cope with the problems that may be experienced and to improve self-management skills, thus to the improvement in the quality of life.

AIM/OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the effect of video-assisted education on the quality of life of women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy treatment for the first time.

DESIGN

The control group pre-test/post-test study design was used.

METHODS

The study was conducted with women who applied to Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit of a university hospital in Turkey between September 2016 and March 2017 and who received chemotherapy for the first time. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires namely EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 were used to obtain the data.

RESULTS

In the education group patients in the fourth cycle of chemotherapy; a decrease in general well-being and a significant increase in dyspnoea, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite were observed. In control group patients in the fourth cycle of chemotherapy, a decrease in general well-being, physical and role functions and a significant increase in nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Breast symptoms and arm symptoms in the educational group patients decreased from the 1st to the 4th cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been determined that the application of visual material in patients with breast cancer in the education and counselling process is effective in improving the quality of life.

Development of an Attitude Scale toward Sexuality during Pregnancy

The beliefs and attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy, as well as anatomical, physiological, and spiritual changes that women experience, affect sexual life in this period. This study aims to develop a measurement tool to determine the attitudes of women with pregnancy and men whose partners were pregnant toward sexuality during pregnancy. As a result of the psychometric analysis, a 34-item, 3-factor scale of attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy was obtained. The Attitude Scale toward Sexuality during Pregnancy was found as a valid and reliable tool in Turkish women with pregnant and their partners. The scale is brief, easy to understand, administer and score, and demonstrates high internal consistency. Another importance of this scale is that it can be used for men. It may prove useful for researchers and clinicians interested in sexuality.

Caregiver Burden and the Level of Perceived Social Support of Caregivers Helping with Inpatient Care of Patients with Gynecologic Cancer

AIM

This study aimed to determine the caregiver burden and the level of perceived social support of caregivers helping with inpatient care of patients with gynecologic cancer.

METHOD

This was a descriptive study. The research sample included 227 caregivers. These caregivers, whose informed consent was obtained, assisted in the inpatient care in gynecologic oncology clinics of 3 hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. The research data were collected using an information form developed to define the characteristics of patients and their caregivers. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used.

RESULTS

The average caregiving duration of the caregivers was 8.63±13.06 days. Their age, educational status, income, employment status, the number of children and duration of caregiving, sharing the caregiving, the difficulties faced during the caregiving significantly affected the caregiver burden and the perceived social support. It was found that there is a moderate, negative, and significant relationship between the scores of caregiver burden and perceived social support.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of these results, the nurses should adopt an integrated approach while providing care for patients with gynecologic cancer and plan the care by including the caregivers.

Sexual Health/Reproductive Health-Related Problems of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Turkey and Their Health-Care Needs

Aim

To determine sexual and reproductive health problems and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people based on their experiences and to develop solutions.

Method

A mixed method, which includes quantitative (descriptive) and qualitative (phenomenological) methods, was used (n=106). An online questionnaire was used to collect the data.

Results

Of the participants, 42.5% stated that they had experienced problems receiving sexual and reproductive health-care services, and 77.8% of those who stated they had problems indicated that the attitude of the health-care professionals was discriminatory or unfavorable. In the qualitative analysis, two themes were created: “Experiences during Health-care Services” and “Recommendations for Health Services.”

Conclusion

It was determined that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have sexual problems, sexually transmitted diseases, and suffer from sexual harassment. However, it was found that they do not receive sufficient health-care due to health-care professionals’ attitudes, homophobia, and disregard of privacy or confidentiality. In line with the results of the present research and the suggestions of the participants, it is suggested that training programs should be organized for health-care professionals providing services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to raise awareness and ultimately promote more effective services.

Symptoms Experienced and Information Needs of Women Receiving Chemotherapy

Objective:

This study is carried out to determine the symptoms and information necessity on chemotherapy (CT) treatment of the women with breast cancer.

Methods:

A total of 170 women older than 18 years old, who receive CT with breast cancer diagnosis, are volunteered to participate in the study. Mixed method was used in the study. Data are collected using Descriptive Data Form, Interview Form and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale.

Results:

As a result of the cluster analysis, four clusters and the symptoms within have been obtained. These are: pain, lack of energy, feeling drowsy, sweat, swelling of hands, and feet in the first cluster; feeling nervous, difficulty sleeping, feeling sad, worrying in the second cluster; nausea, feeling bloating, change in the way food tastes, hair loss, constipation in the third cluster; vomiting, diarrhea, problems with sexual interest, lack of appetite, dizziness, and weight loss in the forth cluster. Women's information necessity related to the CT are follows: the effects of CT, other treatment options beyond CT, complementary methods, the effect of the CT treatment on reproductive health and sexuality, nutrition, and symptom control.

Conclusions:

The results of this study will enable determination of symptom clusters, which health professionals are easier to focus on these symptoms. An understanding information need of patients can help to ensure that individual's coping strategies and self-management.