Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Vaccine Knowledge Levels, Attitudes, Beliefs in University Students: Turkey and Ghana Comparison

Purpose: Studies reported that early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer are influenced by knowledge, beliefs, and attitude toward screening. This descriptive-comparative study aimed to assess human papilloma virus (HPV) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in university students and the affecting factors and to compare between Turkish and Ghanaian students. Methods: The sample consists of 933 university students studying in 4 different faculties in 2 universities from Turkey and Ghana. The data were collected between November 2019 and February 2020. The study's data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, Pearson Correlation test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The findings of the study showed that none of the students in both countries had HPV vaccination. It was found that students have low level of knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine (3.28 ± 2.14) and positive attitudes (16.57 ± 3.28) and beliefs (36.74 ± 6.55) toward vaccine. The attitude score of the Ghanaian students (17.54 ± 3.23) was found to be significantly higher than the Turkish students (15.74 ± 3.09). The knowledge score of the Ghanaian students who had sexual intercourse was found to be significantly higher than others. The findings of the study revealed that the students of both countries had low level of knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine and positive attitudes and beliefs toward the vaccine. Conclusions: It is recommended to increase effective interventions to increase the knowledge level of university students about HPV infection and vaccine. In addition, the vaccine should be included in the immunization program in both countries.

Serum pNF-H levels in the first six hours after experimental mild traumatic brain injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) cases with a normal CT scanning account for the vast majority of all TBI patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the course of serum Phosphorylated Neurofilament Heavy Chain (pNF-H) levels in the first six hours after trauma in rats in experimental mTBI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental animal study, 32 female Sprague-Dawley rats were enrolled equally (n=8) into 3 experimental groups and 1 control group. In experimental groups, animals were exposed to a mTBI with a free fall of 50-gram metal disc from a height of 80 cm. We compared serum pNF-H levels at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th hours after traumatic brain injury in the experimental groups with the control group.

RESULTS

Serum pNF-H levels at the 2nd and 4th hours after traumatic brain injury were statistically significantly higher than the control group. Serum pNF-H levels gradually decreased at the 4th and 6th hours compared to the 2nd hour and decreased to a similar level to the control group at the 6th hour after injury.

CONCLUSIONS

A high serum pNF-H value, could be used in the diagnosis and management of mTBI patients.

Nursing care management based on the Omaha system for inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19: An electronic health record study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and the existing nursing problems based on the Omaha System, and to establish a comprehensive nursing care management plan by determining the nursing interventions and care outcomes.

DESIGN

This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a training and research hospital with 25 non-intubated COVID-19 inpatients between 6 April and 13 May 2020 in Turkey. Data were collected using a Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, the COVID-19 Response Separate Guidelines and the Omaha System and Nightingale Notes software. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical tests and the chi-square method.

RESULTS

Using the Omaha System, it was shown that the patients' most common problems were communicable/infectious condition, respiration, circulation, pain, nutrition, personal care and substance use respectively. The most common signs and symptoms were signs of infection, fever, cough, respiratory distress and pain. The interventions that were performed most frequently to the patients included infection precautions, medication action/side effects, signs/symptoms-physical, dietary management and nursing care targets for intervention. These interventions were applied using the category of teaching, guidance and counselling. A significant improvement was observed in the patients' pre- and post-intervention knowledge, behaviour and status scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the Omaha System provided effective guidelines for diagnosing the problems, planning and implementing appropriate interventions for the COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Omaha System in nursing care of COVID-19 patients.

IMPACT

This is the first study to identify the nursing problems of COVID-19 patients and to evaluate the outcomes of nursing interventions and care using an international taxonomy along with electronic health record software. The findings of this study can provide evidence-based guidelines addressing the nursing problems, interventions and outcomes of COVID-19 patients.

Problematic Internet Use and Digital Gaming in Adolescents: Problems, Nursing Interventions, and Outcomes

The aim of the current study was to determine problems of adolescents with problematic internet use and digital gaming using the Omaha System and to evaluate the results by applying nursing interventions. Data were collected using the Internet Addiction Test, Digital Game Addiction Scale, and Nightingale Notes software. The sample comprised 30 adolescents selected from a total of 125 adolescents with problematic internet use and digital gaming from a high school. Results showed that problematic internet use and digital gaming rates were higher in males compared to females. Seven problems identified most frequently among adolescents were: mental health, vision, pain, sleep and rest patterns, nutrition, social contact, and physical activity. The Omaha System can be used by psychiatric-mental health nurses and school nurses to determine the problems of adolescents with problematic internet use and digital gaming, apply interventions, and evaluate health outcomes. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(12), 51-59.].

Turkish Psychometric Properties of the Predictor Scales Affecting Adolescent Obesity

Adolescent obesity is one of the most important public health problems today. Identifying factors that affect obesity in adolescents and developing programs to prevent obesity are very important. This research aims to test Turkish psychometric properties of the scales to predict adolescent obesity (Healthy Lifestyle Choices Scale, Perceived Healthy Lifestyle Difficulty Scale, Activity Knowledge Scale, Nutrition Knowledge Scale, Healthy Lifestyle Attitude Scale, Healthy Lifestyle Belief Scale). The psychometric properties of the Scales were tested test-re-test reliability, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, the item-total correlation, and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The relationship between the Scales was measured using the Spearman's correlation analysis. The level of internal consistency of the scales to predict adolescent obesity was found good. The goodness of fit values of the Belief Scale were measured as significantly high (χ2 = 177.24, df = 0.99, χ2/df = 1.79 (p < .001), Comparative Fit Index = 0.91, Goodness of Fit Index = 0.91, Normed Fit Index = 0.92, Incremental Fit Index = 0.92, Root Mean Square Residual = 0.05, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation Residual = 0.05). The psychometric analyses of the Scales were found to be very similar to the results of the original scales. There was a positive correlation between the Choice, Attitude, Belief, Nutrition and Activity Knowledge Scale, and a negative correlation with the Perceived Difficulty scale. The scales which measure adolescent obesity were accepted as valid and reliable measuring tools. This study will be an important resource for researchers working on the adolescent health and obesity.

The effectiveness of the COPE healthy lifestyles TEEN program: a school-based intervention in middle school adolescents with 12-month follow-up

AIM

The goal of this study is to assess the applicability and long-term effectiveness of the T-COPE Healthy TEEN program on adolescent health.

BACKGROUND

Obesity and mental health disorders are major public health problems in adolescents. In this context, including long-term and multiple behavioural obesity prevention programs are becoming increasingly important.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental design with pre-test/post-test control group and repeated measurements.

METHODS

Eighty-seven (45 in intervention group, 42 in control group) adolescents were included from two different middle schools in the intervention program. The data were analysed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Student-t test, repeated measures of variance analysis and Cohen's d effect size.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups in terms of descriptive characteristics, behavioural and cognitive variables of the adolescents. Following the intervention, the adolescents in intervention groups showed improvements in nutritional behaviour, physical activity and stress management. These improvements concerned increased physical walking measured in the number of physical steps per week daily fruit and vegetable consumption and the daily quantity of water ingested. While their nutrition/physical activity knowledge significantly increased, their weight and anxiety symptoms significantly decreased. The effect of the program on body mass index, depression and health beliefs of the adolescents were not significant compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

The applicability of the T-COPE Healthy TEEN program on Turkish adolescents and its effectiveness on their health behaviours, nutrition and physical activity knowledge and stress management were revealed in this study.

Factors Associated With Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in a Sample of Turkish Adolescents: A School-Based Study

PURPOSE

This was a descriptive-correlational study designed to determine factors associated with the healthy lifestyle behaviors of high school students in Turkey.

DESIGN

The study sample consisted of 812 high school adolescents. The Adolescent Lifestyle Profile scale was used to identify the healthy lifestyle behaviors of adolescents.

RESULTS

The total Adolescent Lifestyle Profile mean score of 2.75 ± 0.33 and the mean score on the Interpersonal relations subscale were found to be the highest scores while the mean score on the Health responsibility subscale was found to be the lowest. Significant predictors of healthy lifestyle behaviors of adolescents were good relationships with family and friends, having a father who was a college graduate, and good health perception.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed similar results among adolescents of different cultures.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

These findings can be used as a guide in developing an adolescent health promotion program for school nurses.

Beliefs about cervical cancer screening among Turkish married women

Cervical cancer can be prevented by having a Pap test aiming for early screening. This study was planned to determine the beliefs of women about cervical cancer and the influencing factors. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Sarıyer, one of the most densely populated districts of Istanbul, which is the most crowded city in Turkey. This study sample included 300 women receiving training at public education centers. The data for the study were collected with "HBM-based scale" developed by Bryd et al. upon the basis of health belief model. The mean of the women's ages was determined as 33.9 ± 10.6. Considering the beliefs of the women who haven't had a Pap test about cervical cancer, it was determined that 75.7% of the women participating in the survey thought "I am not at risk for cervical cancer". Logistic regression analysis was carried out in order to find out the most decisive variable among the reasons for not having a Pap test, and it was determined that the factors stated as "I don't know where I could go if I wanted a Pap test" was a four times factor. This study demonstrated that the main determinant factor affecting CCS behaviors of married women is beliefs. It is considered that the results from this study could be basic data for cervical cancer early screening and educational programs.