Parents' Level of COVID-19 Fear, Anxiety and Their Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Vaccination of Their Children

The aims of this study were to investigate parents' COVID-19 fear and anxiety levels and determine the relationship between parents' COVID-19 fear and anxiety levels and their attitudes and behaviors toward having themselves and their children vaccinated. This descriptive and cross-sectional type of research was conducted with 950 parents with 12-18 years old children. Having a chronic disease, being vaccinated, intention to vaccinate their children, and the children's age and school year were found to increase parents' COVID-19 fear and anxiety (p < 0.005). A statistically significant correlation was found between the parents' perceived levels of COVID-19 fear and anxiety and their intentions to vaccinate their children (p < 0.005). According to the study's findings, the age of the child, the parents' vaccination, and the parents' intentions to vaccinate their children were predictors of COVID-19 fear and anxiety.

Effects of technology usage on the addictive behaviors of secondary school students

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between technology usage and technology addiction among secondary school students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This descriptive research was conducted in April 2018 with 840 students in Eastern Turkey.

FINDINGS

The average Internet and digital-gaming addiction scores of the participating students were found to be significantly higher among those who used computers, smartphones, and tablets daily and for long periods of time.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Using technological devices regularly and for long periods of time increases the level of Internet and digital-gaming addiction. Thus, it is important to increase students' awareness of the need to use technological devices appropriately.

Factors affecting substance use and self-efficacy status of students in eastern Turkey

This descriptive cross-sectional research sample was consisted of 613 high school students in Eastern Turkey. Data were collected by using the Questionnaire on Substance Use and its Causes and Self-Efficacy in the Prevention of Substance Abuse Scale (SEAPSAS). Data were analyzed with percentiles, Chi-Square, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, correlation and regression. Almost 40% of the students had tried smoking and 21.7% of them smoked sometimes or regularly. The mean age of students' first cigarette use was 13.5. More than 60% of the students had tried alcohol and almost 50% of them drink alcohol sometimes or regularly. The mean score of SEAPSAS was 93.61 ± 18.99. Lower self-efficacy scores were found in males, in students who perceived themselves as unsuccessful at school, in those with negative family and friendship relations, in students who smoked, drank alcohol, who had a drug user in the family and who experienced traumatic events in a lifetime.

Weaning practices of mothers in eastern Turkey

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to determine the practices used by breastfeeding mothers to wean their children from the breast.

METHOD

This qualitative-quantitative research was conducted with mothers whose children were registered the pediatric clinics of a state hospital between June and September 2016. In accordance with a purposeful sampling method, 232 mothers of children between the ages of 2 and 5 years were included in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire with demographic characteristics of mothers as well as their weaning practices. The data obtained were analyzed with a computer-assisted program using number and percentage distributions.

RESULTS

The mean breastfeeding duration was 19.00±7.11 months. It was determined that the majority of mothers (56.5%) used traditional methods for weaning their children. These included applying substances with a bad taste (58.1%) to their breasts, covering their breasts with various materials (26.2%) to make the child not want to nurse anymore, and using a pacifier or feeding bottle (9.2%) to substitute for the mother's breast.

CONCLUSIONS

It was observed that more than half of the mothers were used some traditional practices that could cause trauma in their children, instead of natural weaning.

The Effect of Therapeutic Clowning on Handwashing Technique and Microbial Colonization in Preschool Children

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the effect of therapeutic clowning on handwashing technique and microbial colonization in preschool children.

DESIGN

This randomized controlled trial was conducted using pre-test and post-test experimental and control groups.

METHODS

The study was conducted between March and June 2016 in two kindergartens in eastern Turkey. The study was completed with a total of 195 students, including 90 students in the experimental group and 105 students in the control group. A questionnaire was used for data collection. This questionnaire included sections about the subjects' descriptive characteristics and the results of the bacterial cultures of their hand swabs. For the collection of these swabs, the subjects were informed in advance, and samples were collected at predetermined times. The swabs were analyzed to determine the bacterial colonization of the subjects' hands. Clowns and video activities were used as intervention tools in the study.

FINDINGS

In the post-test, the microbial growth was ≤10³ in 68.9% and >10³ in 31.1% of the subjects in the experimental group. In contrast, the growth was ≤10³ in 34.3% and >10³ in 65.7% of the control group subjects. The difference in the post-test microbial growths of the two groups was statistically significant (p < .000).

CONCLUSIONS

The hygienic handwashing technique taught in the therapeutic clowning and videos reduced the bacterial colonization on the preschool children's hands by 50%. Moreover, this method was effective in reducing the growth rate of coliform bacteria that indicate undesirable, poor hygiene of the hands.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Considering these results, we recommend that pediatric healthcare professionals use entertaining methods such as those involving clowns to teach and guide children regarding hygienic handwashing techniques.

Effects of Role-Playing Scenarios on the Self-efficacy of Students in Resisting Against Substance Addiction: A Pilot Study

During the first phases of adolescent development, young people have little self-efficacy and resistance against substance use. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of role-playing scenarios on the self-efficacy of students in resisting substance use. A pre test and post test study design was used with a single group. The study was carried out with 245 secondary school students. The scenario-based training, developed by the researchers, was presented by the school counselors once a week for 4 weeks. For this purpose, a booklet of scenarios was prepared for the teachers. The role-playing scenarios were intended to improve adolescents’ abilities to say “no” to substance offers, to prevent them from becoming addicted to certain substances, and to call for help if needed. The data of the study were collected using the Personal Information Form and the Self-Efficacy for Adolescences Protecting Substance Abuse Scale . The obtained data were assessed using percentages, chi-square, t test, and F test in the SPSS software. Results showed that, after the training, the mean score in the Self-Efficacy for Adolescences Protecting Substance Abuse Scale increased significantly (103.20 ± 20.00) compared with before the training (92.11 ± 17.08) (P < .05). Short-term outcomes of the class-based scenario training were observed to be effective in the development of students’ self-efficacy to resist the temptations of substance use.

Examination of the Correlation Between Internet Addiction and Social Phobia in Adolescents

This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted with adolescents to examine the correlation between Internet addiction and social phobia. The population of the study consisted of 24,260 students aged between 11 and 15 years. Sampling method was used from population with known number, and 1,450 students were calculated as sample of the study. In this study, 13.7% of the adolescents had an Internet addiction, and 4.2% spent more than 5 hr on the computer every day. There was a positive correlation between Internet addiction and social phobia. The form of time spent on Internet was examined in terms of addiction and social phobia; although Internet addiction was related to games, dating sites, and web surfing, social phobia was related to homework, games, and web surfing. It was hypothesized that adolescents with social phobia were Internet addicts, and the participants used the Internet to spend time rather than socialize.