GEVHER NESIBE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Investigation of Stigma and Self-Confidence in Adolescents with Epilepsy

2024-11-11T10:25:04+03:00

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between percieved stigma and self-confidence of adolescents with epilepsy.

Methods: The research is a descriptive study conducted with 60 adolescents with epilepsy and 60 healthy adolescents aged 10-19 years who applied to Mardin Training and Research Hospital in Mardin between September 2022 and March 2023. The data were collected by applying a face-to-face survey method through a personal information form measuring the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, the Self-Confidence Scale (SCS) and the Child Perceptions Scale (CPS). Permission to participate was obtained from the participants and their parents with a consent form. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 26 program.

Results: The mean score of epileptic adolescents on the Self-Confidence Scale was 3.36±0.8, while the mean score of healthy adolescents was 3.81±0.71; the relationship between these scores was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean score of adolescents with epilepsy on the Child Perception Scale was found to be 2.84±1.1.

Conclusion: The level of self-confidence of epileptic adolescents was lower than that of healthy adolescents, and the level of stigma of adolescents with epilepsy was found to be moderate. It is recommended to aim to reduce discrimination by raising awareness of epilepsy in the society and to take initiatives to increase the self-confidence of epileptic adolescents.

Retrospective Examination of Hospital Admission Complaints in Patients for Who Underwent Colonoscopy

2024-11-06T20:50:41+03:00

Aim: This study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study to examine the complaints of patients who were scheduled to undergo colonoscopy at the time of admission to the hospital.

Method: The research sample was collected at the teaching and research hospital between November and December 2023. He created the files of 80 outpatient patients who applied to the colonoscopy unit in a training and research hospital in İstanbul. Data in the study were obtained from patient records who underwent colonoscopy between November and December 2023. Ethics committee permission was obtained before the research and the study was conducted in accordance with the Principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Results: The patient records were examined, and researchers found that 51.2% of the patient group was male and most of them were primary school graduates (60%). The mean age of the sample was 54.18 (SD: 13.25). According to patient records, three quarters of individuals who apply to the gastroenterology unit for colonoscopy use medication to facilitate bowel movements. The frequency of defecation was mostly recorded as 1-5 times a day. Patients’ complaints of admission to the gastroenterology unit before colonoscopy were as follows; a change in bowel habits (52.5%), abdominal pain (43.8%), abdominal bloating (42.5%), and rectal bleeding (36.3%). It is written in the patient records that the decision to undergo colonoscopy was made for 40% of the group due to suspicion of malignancy. Colonoscopy was performed for diagnostic purposes in 76.2% and for screening purposes in 23.8%. Twenty-two percent of patients had polyps in previous colonoscopy procedures.

Conclusion: Health professionals have important roles and responsibilities in maintaining regular screenings with colonoscopy in risk groups and informing the public.

Assessment of the Quality of Life amongst 0-3 Year-Old Children Followed with a Diagnosis of Food Allergy

2024-11-06T21:01:45+03:00

Objective: Food allergy can adversely affect children’s quality of life. This descriptive study was conducted with the aim of determining the quality of life of children aged 0-3 who were diagnosed with food allergy.

Methods: A total of 105 parents with children aged 0-3 and diagnosed with food allergy participated in the study. The data were collected using a ‘Descriptive Information Form’ and the ‘The Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF)’. Number, percentage, mean, and standard deviation values, as well as the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test, were used for data analysis.

Results: Among the participating parents, 76.2% were mothers, and 23.8% were fathers. The mean age of the children was 21.82±8.64 months, with 53.3% being male. 73.3% of the children were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. The average score of the FAQLQ-PF was 2.40±0.73, indicating a moderate level of quality of life of children. There was a statistically significant difference in FAQLQ-PF scores based on the child’s age and diagnosis (p<0.05).

Conclusions: According to mothers, the quality of life related to food allergy for children aged 0-3 years is at a moderate level in this study. It was observed that as the child’s age increases, there is a decrease in the quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly assess the quality of life of children with food allergies.

The Effect of Rosary Use at Birth on Labor Pain, Anxiety, and Comfort: A Randomized Controlled Study

2024-11-26T12:54:19+03:00

Purpose: This study was aimed to determine the effects of rosary use on labor pain, anxiety and comfort.

Method: The study, conducted between April 30 and December 30, 2022, was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Power analysis was used in the sample calculation and the sample of the study consisted of a total of 152 pregnant women (76 pregnant women for each group). Pregnant women in the experimental group were given personalized rosaries/dhikrs prepared as intervention material, and it was ensured that they were applied in the active and transitional phase of labor. No intervention was applied to the control group other than routine labor care. Data were collected using the Pregnant Identification Form, Numerical Evaluation Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire.

Results: When the total mean scores of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire were compared after the use of prayer rosary/dhikr by the pregnant women, it was determined that the difference between the groups was significant (within-group and between-groups) (p<0.05). The difference between the mean scores of the Numerical Evaluation Scale was determined to be statistically significant in the third and fourth measurements (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It was determined that the use of prayer rosary/dhikr was effective in reducing both state anxiety and pain levels and increasing comfort levels in pregnant women.

Development of Stigmatisation Scale for Infectious Diseases and Investigation of Psychometric Properties

2025-02-20T00:40:35+03:00

Objective: To current knowledge, there is no general measurement tool developed for use in emergency outbreak situations to measure the attitudes and judgements of the society regarding stigmatisation. The aim of this study was to develop a vignette-based scale that measures the stigmatisation tendency in the general population against infectious diseases and to examine its psychometric properties by adopting the dangerousness model developed to understand stigmatisation in mental health disorders as a theoretical framework.

Method: A total of 420 participants, consisting of 264 women and 156 men aged between 18 and 65, took part voluntarily in the study. Participants completed a demographic information form, the 25-question Stigma Against Infectious Diseases Scale prototype and the Fear of Contagion and Contagion Scales. A subgroup of 50 participants selected from the main sample completed the Stigma Against Infectious Diseases Scale again in the second week following the main application to test test-retest reliability.

Results: The final version of the 23-item scale had excellent internal reliability (α = .94) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .92). The exploratory factor analysis suggested three separate factors, which we can call Avoidance (α = .93), Fear (α = .90) and Dangerousness (α = .83), in line with the Dangerousness Model. In addition, the correlation coefficients with the Fear of Contagion Scale indicate that the scale has good construct validity.

Conclusion: The results show that the Stigma Against Infectious Diseases Scale has good psychometric properties for measuring stigmatising attitudes towards infectious diseases in society.

Complementary Alternative Therapy Methods and Health Literacy in Women Over 65: A Cross-Sectional Study, Türkiye

2024-12-30T11:02:34+03:00

Objective: In the complementary health approach, evaluating which product should be used in which treatment and the side effects of these products require a comprehensive health literacy. This study was conducted to determine the use of complementary and alternative treatment methods and the level of health literacy of women over the age of 65.

Method: The population of this descriptive study consists of female patients over the age of 65 who applied for any reason to the family medicine and internal medicine outpatient clinics of a state hospital located in the west of Marmara in Turkey between 17.05.2019 and 10.07.2019. The research was carried out with 343 women over the age of 65.

Results: It was determined that 68.2% of the women applied to CAM applications, and 56.7% were not informed about the CAM they used. The participants' Health Literacy (SSS) mean score was calculated as 91.75±19.36. It was determined that the health literacy scale mean scores of the women who were informed about the CAM method they used and who questioned the CAM method they used were higher.

Conclusion: It was determined that women over the age of 65 with low health literacy were more likely to use complementary and alternative treatment methods.

Analysis of Activities of Daily Living and Comfort Levels in Burn Patients

2024-12-25T17:35:49+03:00

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine dependence and comfort levels of burn patients in activities of daily living and the relationship between these two parameters.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational design. 149 burn patients who were treated in a research and training hospital constituted the sample of the study. The study data were collected by the researchers prospectively. In statistical analyses, descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's rho correlation analysis were used.

Results: In this study, 57.7% of the burn patients were in the age range between 18-35 years, and 66.4% had second-degree burns. 51.7% had undergone surgical treatment. As the age, burn ratio and degree of the patients increased, their dependence in activities of daily living increased as well. It was determined that sociodemographic variables did not have any effects on comfort level. Also, a positive, strong, and statistically significant relationship was found between the burn patients’ activities of daily living and their comfort levels.

Conclusion: In the study, activities of daily living and comfort levels of burn patients were found to be low. It is recommended to take initiatives that will improve burn patients’ daily life activities and increase their comfort level.

Do Core Stabilization Exercises Have an Impact on Pain, Posture, and Disability in Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

2024-11-07T13:15:30+03:00

The objective of this retrospective study was look into the effects of core stabilization exercises applied in conjunction conservative treatment on pain, muscle strength, disability, and posture in shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). 92 patients diagnosed with SIS enrolled in the study. The study was completed with 50 patients who met the inclusion criteria and whose analyzes were fully completed. There were two groups in our study (Group 1: conservative treatment, Group 2: core stabilization in addition to conservative treatment, n=25 each groups, 3 days per week for 6 weeks). Pain, joint range of motion, muscle and core strength, core endurance, posture and disability were assessed pre and post treatment in both groups. Both groups showed that there were significant improvements in pain, shoulder and neck joint range of motion, core endurance, disability (all p<0.001), upper body region muscle strength (p<0.001 for Group 1, p=0.011-<0.001 for Group 2) and core strength (p=0.043-0.045 for Group 1, p<0.001 for Group 2) after treatment. Posture score compared with the pre-treatment there was no difference in the Group 1 (p=0,953), while there was a significant increase in the Group 2 (p<0.001). The Group 2 also showed a significant increase in the core strength and endurance score compared with the Group 1, (p<0.001). We observed both groups showed improvement in on pain level, range of motion, upper body region muscle strength, disability, core strength and endurance. It was found that the Group 2 provided superiority in core muscle strength and endurance compared to the Group 1 and posture improved significantly. These findings suggest that core stabilization exercises should be integrated into treatment plans, particularly for SIS patients with postural deficiencies.

The Anxiety, Stress, Depression, and Insomnia Status of Healthcare Professionals during the Covid-19 Pandemic

2024-11-21T11:35:03+03:00

Objective: The coronavirus pandemic has caused differences in the general health status of all individuals, especially healthcare workers. The most important affected parameters are nutrition, sleep, and mental situations, which are integral factors of the immune system and thus health. The purpose of the study; is to determine how healthcare professionals' insomnia, and mental health conditions are affected during the COVID-19 process.

Methods: A questionnaire including 109 questions related to the demographic properties of participants and also, insomnia severity, depression, anxiety, and stress scales, applies to 363 volunteer healthcare workers aged between 18 and 65 in the province of Istanbul.

Results: While 55.1% of the participants were women, 44.9% of them were men. According to the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores, it was reported that 52.9% of them had an insomnia sub-threshold and moderate and severe insomnia. It was determined that females’ ISI scores were higher than males’ (p<0.05). According to the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) scores, 39.9% of the participants had moderate, severe, and very severe depression and 56.5% had moderate, severe, and very severe anxiety, whereas 82.4% had normal stress levels. There was a statistically significant, positive, and moderate correlation between ISI scores and DASS-21 scores (p<0.05). Also, a negative and moderate correlation has been found between DASS-21, ISI, and the degree of feeling healthy.

Conclusion: The findings are limited because the COVID-19 pandemic process is variable and, most of the participants are non-frontline healthcare workers. More research is required on healthcare workers to determine the relationship between their nutrition, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

A Study on Midwifery Students’ Perceptions of Their Roles in Facilitating Transformative Learning during Pregnancy and the Development of a Scale

2024-09-03T11:36:28+03:00

Objective: This paper aims to identify midwifery students’ perceptions of the role of facilitators in transformative learning that is likely to take place during pregnancy and to develop a scale.

Method: This is a descriptive study. Two-hundred and eighteen midwifery students at a state university participated in the study. Data were collected using a survey which included a scale developed by the researchersfşu şe. Factor Analysis conducted revealed a total of 32 items categorized into five sub-scales. The Cronbach Alpha value for the scale as a whole was calculated to be 0.95, while the values for the sub-scales varied between 0.76 and 0.89.

Findings: The participants’ average score was found to be 111 and the attained scores were relatively lower in the sub-scales of support for critical thinking, access to learning resources, and evaluation of learning processes and contents. Their scores for the other two sub-scale, however, corresponded to the percentiles calculated for the original scale. Also, a positive correlation was found between the students’ scores from the scale and the years into their university education.

Conclusion: Important to note is that midwifery students had relatively high scores for assuming a facilitator role, and their scores increased as they progressed in their university studies. However, it appears that their inclinations are not at the conscious level. For them to facilitate and support transformative learning during pregnancy, it is essential that the transformative learning theory be incorporated into the curriculum at midwifery education institutions.

Associations between Calcium and Phosphorus Intake and Anthropometric Indices in University Students: A Study on Dairy Product Consumption

2024-11-15T19:03:41+03:00

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the association of calcium and phosphorus with anthropometric measurements in university students with consumption of dairy products.

Methods: The study was conducted with 180 students studying in health and non-health departments. Students' socio-demographic characteristics, milk and dairy product consumption habits and health information data were collected by face-to-face interview method. A significant difference was found between faculties/schools because of reasons for not drinking milk (p=0.042), with health-related students being more likely to report discomfort with the taste and smell. The preferred type of milk also varied by faculty/school (p<0.001). UHT milk was more commonly preferred among health-related students, whereas pasteurized milk was more frequently chosen by students in non-health-related fields. There was a statistically significant difference in attention to milk fat content among faculties/schools (p=0.041), with health-related students indicating a greater concern for the fat content in milk. Anthropometric measurements of the students were taken by the researchers and their body compositions were calculated. Food-frequency consumption and 24-hour period food intake forms were used to evaluate nutritional status.

Results: 73 (40.6%) male and 107 (59.4%) female students were included in the study and the mean age of the students was 21.5±2.5 years. It was determined that 43.3% of the students had a habit of drinking milk. A significant difference was found between faculty/schools in terms of the reason for not drinking milk (p=0.042). The preferred milk type varies according to faculty/schools (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was determined in terms of faculty/schools according to the attention to the fat ratio of milk (p=0.041). It was determined that body weight (p<0.001), waist circumference (p=0.008) and hip circumference (p=0.023) were statistically significantly different between departments only in female students, while waist/hip ratio and upper middle arm circumference values were found to be statistically significantly different in both male and female students (p<0.05). It was found that there was no significant difference between the amount of calcium and phosphorus that the students took from milk and dairy products according to the faculty/school and Body Mass Index average and waist/hip ratio distribution and upper middle arm circumference values (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It has been determined that the consumption of dairy products, which have an important place in our nutrition, is below the desired and recommended levels in university students. In order to increase the awareness of daily consumption of dairy products, studies involving nutrition education/activities of students should be carried out.

The Relationship between Mobbing Behavior Perceived By Nurses Working in the Hospital and Organizational Culture

2024-12-25T22:17:50+03:00

This research was conducted as a descriptive and relational study to determine the relationship between mobbing behavior perceived by nurses working in the hospital and organizational culture. The population of the research consists of all nurses (N: 523) working in a state hospital and a university hospital in a province. It was aimed to reach the entire population and no sample selection was made. The sample consisted of 377 volunteer nurses (n: 377) who agreed to participate in the research. In collecting data, an 18-question sociodemographic characteristics form, a 45-question Mobbing Perception Scale, and a 20-question Organizational Culture Inventory, prepared by examining the literature, were used. Ethics committee permission, institutional permissions and written consent from the participants were obtained. Data were collected by the researcher through face-to-face interviews. The data were statistically analyzed using the NCSS 2007 program. The total score average of the participants from the Mobbing Perception Scale was low (1.69±0.57), but they stated that they experienced mobbing from their colleagues and managers. Their mean score from the Organizational Culture Inventory was found to be poor (2.92 ±0.72). As a result of the correlation between mobbing perception and organizational culture, it was found that as mobbing perception increases, organizational culture weakens. It is recommended to provide training to nurses about mobbing in hospitals, to increase communication by creating social events, to support participation in tasks, to increase sharing by holding regular meetings, and to strengthen leaders.

Accessible Technologies That Support and Aim to Improve Physical Activity in the Elderly

2025-02-10T23:56:46+03:00

This review aims to reveal the potential of technology-based applications to support physical activity in elderly individuals. Today, thanks to developing technologies, it facilitates individuals' access to health services, helps them become more aware, and greatly reduces hospital costs. Today, it is important to develop various technological applications in order to increase the participation rates of elderly individuals in physical activity. Mobile and web-based applications developed on physical activity and exercise are integrated with wearable health technologies and help individuals adopt healthy lifestyles and age healthily. mHealth applications play an important role in the management of diseases and reduce the workload of healthcare professionals. State-supported projects such as the Central Hospital Appointment System (MHRS) and E-Pulse can be cited as examples. Pedometers used to monitor the physical activities of elderly individuals are one of the most effective tools in this field. However, these tools have some limitations. New technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality offer fun and effective methods that encourage physical activities for elderly individuals. Tele-rehabilitation is a method that supports the rehabilitation processes of elderly individuals remotely. Promising results have been obtained especially for elderly individuals experiencing social isolation during the COVID-19 period. Wearable technologies increase individuals’ self-care and reduce hospitalization rates by allowing continuous monitoring of health status. In addition, applications that increase the social interactions of elderly individuals contribute to the prevention of problems such as loneliness and depression. These practices have the potential to improve the social support networks of elderly individuals. As a result, various technological applications that support physical activity in elderly individuals have the potential to increase the health and quality of life of individuals. In this context, it is of great importance to develop new applications for the elderly population and to increase the utilisation rate, user interaction and the effect of existing applications on targeted clinical outcomes. In this way, older individuals can be encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles and increase their physical activity levels.

Mothers with Disabilities and Their Children: An Invisible Perspective

2025-02-21T21:05:34+03:00

The challenges faced by children of parents with disabilities and their unique learning needs have profound effects on both individual and societal development. However, the limited number of studies in the literature on this important topic is far from fully addressing the needs of these children for protection and comprehensive support mechanisms. This situation requires new approaches to be developed by looking at the life experiences of these children from a different paradigm.

The main purpose of this letter to the editor is to be the voice of children with disabilities and to draw attention to the difficulties they face. Inviting the academic community to take action to overcome the lack of knowledge in this field with a multidisciplinary perspective is one of the most important motivations of this article.

Reconstruction of Alveolar Bone Defect with Dentin Graft

2025-02-20T00:37:36+03:00

Introduction: Autogenous dentin grafts are grafts obtained by various processes of teeth extracted from the same patient. They can be used as demineralized or mineralized. They have similar physical and chemical properties to bone. They are especially preferred in cases where teeth are extracted for periodontal reasons and are partially or completely impacted. They can be used in extraction sockets, sinus augmentation, and reconstruction of bone defects. The purpose of this report is to present a case reconstructed with autogenous mineralized dentin graft (MDG) and dental implants.

Case: A 47-year-old female patient applied to our clinic due to mobility and pain in her teeth. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed periodontal damage in the patient's teeth. The patient's teeth in the left mandibular region were planned to be extracted and implants were placed in the same session. After the teeth were extracted, implants were placed in the defective area and MDG obtained from the extracted teeth was applied. No resorption was observed around the implants in the control X-ray taken in the 4th month postoperatively.

Conclusion: Dentin grafts are thought to be a good alternative to bone grafts due to their advantages, such as the low cost, low immunogenic potential, and elimination of donor site morbidity.