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The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on disease management among individuals with type 2 diabetes and to explore their perspectives on COVID-19. This descriptive qualitative study included patients with diabetes, with a sample of 15 patients meeting the study criteria. The data were analyzed using code groups, which were then further categorized into main themes and subthemes. The main themes were: initial contact with the SARS-CoV-2 that is associated with COVID-19 illness changes in diabetes self-management behaviors; attempt at maintaining diabetes selfmanagement behaviors; and problems with accessing diabetes care. The study findings revealed several significant insights. Individuals with diabetes exhibited a fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2, which led to reduced levels of exercise and difficulties in managing blood sugar levels and insulin adjustments. Moreover, due to anxiety about COVID-19 infection, they postponed health check-ups, resulting in experiencing diabetes-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine the perceptions and experiences of older people regarding health promotion. Using a phenomenological design, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 older people. Data analysis was carried out according to the Colaizzi's method. The analysis revealed five themes (health-promoting activities, outcome expectations, triggers for activities, supporting factors, perceived obstacles). Older people emphasized healthy eating, walking, avoiding stress, and having health checkups as health-promoting behaviors. It was determined that the older people made efforts to display health-promoting behaviors, but they performed the activities insufficiently. The study findings show that interventions to be developed to improve the health of older people should aim at both cognitive and behavioral changes. Nurses should plan multidisciplinary and community-based interventions to reduce the socioeconomic and environmental factors that prevent older people from participating in health-promoting activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse physical, psychological, and mental health consequences associated with COVID-19 illness are well-documented. However, how specific symptoms change over time and how COVID-19 affects one's day-to-day activities of daily living (ADL), Quality of Life (QoL), sleep quality, and fatigue severity are not well described. This longitudinal and descriptive study examined the changes in COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity within the first 20 days. A convenience sample (n = 41) of non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were recruited and followed for 20 days. Participants completed self-report measures: COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity at days: 1, 10, and 20 following a diagnosis. Findings revealed that symptoms decreased over 20 days (p <.001). In parallel with the decrease in symptoms, QoL and ADL improved over 20 days (p <.05). However, sleep quality and fatigue severity did not improve within 20 days (p >.05). Our findings contribute to the growing evidence that COVID-19 symptoms can linger, especially fatigue and sleep quality, that affect overall day-to-day functioning for at least 20 days after diagnosis. To mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on QOL and ADL, findings underscore the need for clinicians to work collaboratively with patients to develop a symptom management plan for a variety of symptoms including fatigue and sleep quality. Beginning to repurpose existing self-management strategies for the longer term COVID-19 symptoms could be beneficial and help to optimize patient outcomes. Future work should examine these variables over a longer timeframe and among different samples of non-hospitalized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though they are conscious, patients who are unable to speak while connected to a mechanical ventilator have serious difficulties in communicating with healthcare staff. This research aimed to determine the effectiveness for patients of a computer-based communication tool (CBCT) and to compare these results with patients using a routine method. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 90 intubated patients. It was found that 20.0% of the patients using CBCT stated that they had difficulties in communicating, while this rate was 82.2% among patients not using CBCT. Compared with participants in the control group, experimental group patients reported a lower median score for the anxiety levels (23.0 [20.0–39.0], 29.0 [20.0–57.00], p <.001) and higher mean comfort levels (130.2 ± 9.0, 109.6 ± 13.3, p <.001). Positive impacts of the CBCT are its suitability for patients who are dependent upon ventilation for different reasons and their improved ability to communicate effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of care provided for the management of postoperative pain and patient outcomes are key criteria for healthcare institutions. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the quality of care provided for the alleviation of postoperative pain experienced among patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery and the patient care outcomes. The study was designed as an analytical and cross-sectional study. The rates of pain severity and sleep interference, activity interference, affective experiences, and adverse effects due to postoperative pain were higher in female patients than in male patients. A significant positive correlation was identified between the quality of postoperative pain care and the perception of care (p <.05). Implementing nursing interventions to improve pain management and increase the quality of care appears to be vital elements for reducing adverse effects caused by pain and increasing the satisfaction with postoperative pain care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to provide a closer examination of the problems experienced by individuals with pemphigus vulgaris with their eyes and experiences. This is a phenomenological study. The study population was completed with eight people with pemphigus vulgaris who applied to the dermatology clinic of a university hospital in a metropolis between September 2019 and March 2020. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using phenomenological methods. Three main themes emerged and nine supporting sub-themes were identified. The main themes are (a) the physical problems they are experiencing now, (b) the psychological difficulties they are feeling now, and (c) intense future anxiety about the process and the future. This study will increase the understanding of the lived experiences of pemphigus vulgaris patients, increase the awareness of each nurse about these patients and will be able to provide better quality care to individuals with pemphigus vulgaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the emotions and experiences of fathers in Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey who applied kangaroo care in the neonatal intensive care unit. This study applied the qualitative descriptive design. The study included 12 fathers at the NICU of a university hospital. The fathers practiced kangaroo care with their babies two times a day for 15 days. Content analysis was then conducted to determine the main themes and sub-themes of the interviews. Three main themes and six sub-themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Emotions of being a father (feeling that the baby belongs to own and feeling the warmth and scent of the baby); (2) Confidence in fathering roles (self-confidence and caring for the baby); and (3) Happiness in the new parent role (seeing the baby calm down, hugging the baby and touching the baby's skin). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between dialysis adequacy and the incidence of symptoms in subjects treated with HD. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at two HD centers. The data were collected with the 'Descriptive Characteristics Form of the Participants' and the 'Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI)'. The study was reported according to the STROBE Declaration. The study was completed with 120 patients. The most common symptom reported was feeling tired or decreased energy and the least common was difficulty concentrating. No statistically significant relationship was found between DSI results and the Kt/V or urea reduction rate levels used to evaluate dialysis adequacy. Dialysis-related symptoms can also be seen in patients with adequate dialysis levels. It is therefore necessary to query the symptoms experienced by the patients at regular intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate stigmatization, sociodemographic/diabetes-related characteristics and parents-related characteristics as predictors of a negative perception of insulin treatment in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Turkey. The study was carried out using a cross-sectional correlation design. The research sample included 80 adolescents with type 1 diabetes who volunteered to take part. A positive perception of insulin treatment (β = −.38, p <.001), stigmatization (β = −.24, p =.013), informing others about one's type 1 diabetes (β =.24, p =.017) and only using insulin when alone in public places (β =.19, p =.042) were significant predictors of a negative perception of insulin treatment, and these variables explained 35% of the common variance. Diabetes' nurses should take stigmatization into account during their training and plan appropriate measures. Entrepreneurial, randomized, and controlled studies should be conducted to decrease the negative influence of stigmatization on the perception of insulin treatment in individuals with type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine differences and correlations between the blood glucose values of venous blood and the first and second drops of capillary blood samples taken in three different ways. Blood samples were (a) venous blood, (b) the first and second drops of capillary blood from the middle finger of the right hand (only washed with soap and water), and (c) the first and second drops of capillary blood from the middle finger of the left hand (washed with soap and water and cleaned with alcohol). It was concluded that the fasting capillary blood glucose values could be used in place of venous blood glucose values, that only washing the hands with neutral soap and water for 30 s could be sufficient for capillary blood glucose measurement, and that the first or second blood drop from a clean hand could be used for capillary blood glucose measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many women feel anxiety about gynecological examination. The purpose of this semi-experimental study was to investigate the effect of a special examination gown and nature-based sounds on anxiety in women undergoing a gynecological examination. This study was conducted with three experimental groups and one control group. The randomized sampling method was used. The sample size was determined as 30 women for each group. Data were collected over 4 months from February 2015 to May 2015. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Status Anxiety Inventory Form (STAI, A-State). The STAI (A-State) score after the gynecological examination was quite low in the women in the experimental groups in comparison with the women in the control group (F = 3.672, p = .001). It is remarkable that the anxiety levels of the women in the special examination gown + nature-based sounds group were especially lower than the women in the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective parenting is vital for intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of a child. This study examined the differences between the parenting dimensions of deaf children and healthy ones. The sample of the study consisted of 292 children and their parents (146 of them deaf children and 146 of them healthy ones). Dimensions of parenting (warmth, rejection, structure, chaos, autonomy, and coercion) were measured using the Parent as Social Context Questionnaire. The mean scores of the positive parenting dimensions of warmth and autonomy of deaf children were significantly lower; however, the mean scores of the negative dimensions of chaos and coercion of deaf children were significantly higher than those of healthy ones. Deaf children can become successful adults with the help of their parents. Our results regarding parenting dimensions will be a guide for future nursing interventions planned to develop the relationships between deaf children and their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]