Search

e-Health literacy has become more important in promoting healthy lifestyles in recent years. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of undergraduate nursing students' e-Health literacy on healthy lifestyle behaviours. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2016-2017 academic year at a Nursing Department in the Faculty of Health Sciences in Istanbul. The study population consisted of 232 undergraduate nursing students. The study sample was 205 students who volunteered to participate in the research. The data were collected using the Structured Questionnaire Form, the e-Health Literacy Scale in Adolescent and the Adolescent Lifestyle Profile Scale. The mean score of the e-Health Literacy Scale in Adolescent was 29.50 ± 5.02. The mean total score of the Adolescent Lifestyle Profile was 112.11 ± 14.66. There was a positive correlation between students' Internet attitudes and general health-promoting lifestyle ( r  = 0.273; p  < 0.01), indicating the higher the students' e-Health literacy, the higher their levels of healthy lifestyle behaviours. The result showed that e-Health literacy is an important parameter in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours of nursing students.

Background: Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has several negative effects on mental health, given its rapid transmission, hygiene and isolation measures and associated social and financial difficulties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mental health burden of the Turkish population and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially exploring the effects of social support., Subjects and Methods: We assessed depression, anxiety, stress symptoms and perceived social support among 894 people all over Turkey, using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) two months after the declaration of the first COVID-19 case in Turkey., Results: According to DASS-21 subscale scores, the findings showed that the prevalence of moderate to severe depression, anxiety and stress-related symptoms was 24.8%, 21.9% and 12.6%, respectively. Female gender, being single, having a lifetime psychiatric disorder, lower education level and financial concerns were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 scores. Also, there was a negative correlation between all subgroups of perceived social support, especially from the family, and the total DASS-21 score., Conclusions: Vulnerable groups should be identified and protected to reduce adverse psychiatric outcomes of COVID-19. Besides, further strategies should be provided to maintain protective factors, such as social support, under stressful conditions.

Aim: This research was designed to determine the relationship between empathy and burnout levels of nursing students., Method: The population of this descriptive and cross-sectional research consisted of 1294 students studying at a Nursing Faculty in the 2016-2017 academic year and the sampling consisted of 290 nursing students who were selected by the stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the "Structured Question Form", the "Empathic Skill Scale B-Form" and the "Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form". Written permission and ethical approval were obtained from the faculty where the research would be conducted. Data analysis was performed using the descriptive and significance analysis in the SPSS 21.00 program., Results: 84.1% of the students were female, and the average age was 20.28±1.47. It was determined that the mean score of the Empathic Skill Scale B-Form was 143.86±23.93, and that the mean scores of the sub-dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form were 15.11±4,69 in burnout, 9.34±3.62 in depersonalization, and 12.78±2.67 in competency. There is a statistically significant relationship between the Empathic Skill Scale score of nursing students and the Depersonalization sub-dimension score of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (p<0.05)., Conclusion: It was determined that the burnout and empathy skills of nursing students were at a moderate level and that some socio-demographic characteristics affected their empathy and burnout levels., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2019 Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing.)

Technological equipment is an indispensable part of many people's lives. In parallel with this development, the role of innovation is critical to nurses' ability to provide patient care. Today, nursing students have grown up with technology. Therefore, the field is expected to be more open to innovation in nursing care. It is thought that the use of technological equipment influences the level of innovation. The purpose of this study was to determine nursing students' technological equipment usage, individual innovation levels, and the relationship between them. This descriptive study employed a correlational design during the 2015-2016 academic year at a Nursing Department in the Faculty of Health Sciences in Istanbul. The study population comprised 199 nursing students. The study sample included 165 students who volunteered to participate and were chosen at random. Most (93.3%) of the students were women, and the mean age was 20.92 ± 1.63 years. Data were collected using a devised structured-question form, the Technological Device Use Habits Scale, and the Individual Innovation Scale. Participants' mean scores on the Technological Equipment Usage (a subscale of the Technological Device Use Habits Scale) and on the Individual Innovation Scale were 135.15 ± 27.09 and 61.02 ± 8.89, respectively. Students' technological equipment usage subscale was higher than the other subscales; furthermore, their individual innovation levels revealed that they were "questioners." Several factors affected students' technological equipment usage and individual innovation levels including their age, income, work status, usage of social networking sites, Internet connection type, and if they considered themselves as innovative. The role of technological innovation is critical to nurses' ability to provide patient care.

The aim of this study was to determine the risk of eating disorders and associated risk factors in individuals with psychiatric disorders. Patients who were hospitalized in a psychiatry clinic of the university hospital between the dates of February 2014 and July 2014 constitute sample for the study. The study sample consisted of a total of 216 patients. Data were collected using a questionnaire form and the Eating Attitude Test. The mean age of the patients was 37±0.5, and 56.9% of the patients were female. Problems in eating behavior were observed in 11.6% of the patients, and a statistically significant relationship was found between the risk of eating disorders and diagnosis, gender, exercise and self-perception of weight. The risk of eating disorders was more frequently observed in patients diagnosed with depression, in female patients with a self-perceived weight problem and do not exercise., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the diagnostic efficacy and agreement of the traditional tuberculin skin test with QuantiFERON-Tuberculosis Gold In-Tube test for latent tuberculosis infection in healthcare workers., Methods: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between March 1 and 31, 2008, at a specialist tuberculosis hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, and comprised healthcare workers who had been employed for at least one year at the hospital and volunteered to take part. Tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-Tuberculosis Gold In-Tube test were both performed simultaneously and their results were compared Using SPSS 12., Results: Out of 34 subjects, 20(58.8%) had a positive tuberculin skin test, and 7(20.6%) had a positive QuantiFERON-Tuberculosis Gold In-Tube test. The two tests agreed in only 15(44.1%) cases and disagreed in 19(55.9%). In 16(47.1%) subjects, the QuantiFERON-Tuberculosis Gold In-Tube test was negative and tuberculin skin testwas positive, while in 3(8.8%) participants QuantiFERON-Tuberculosis Gold In-Tube test was positive and tuberculin skin test was negative. Kappa test revealed discordance between the two tests (k=-0.13; p=0.92)., Conclusions: Latent tuberculosis infection prevalence was higher based on tuberculin skin test than QuantiFERON-Tuberculosis Gold In-Tube test. The results of the two tests were discordant.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical features and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and to evaluate the correlation between these parameters and the culture results., Methods: We retrospectively studied 78 active smear-negative PTB patients. They were divided into two groups according to their culture results. The HRCT findings and clinical features at the beginning of the antituberculosis treatment were reviewed., Results: The mean age was 22.48±3.18 years. Micronodules (87%), large nodules (63%) and centrilobular nodules (62%) were the most common HRCT findings. HRCT findings were observed in the right upper (72%), left upper (56%), right lower (32%), and left lower lobes (29%). Cough (37%) and chest pain (32%) were the most frequent symptoms at presentation., Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the HRCT findings and clinical features between the two groups. Thus, in cases of smear-negative and culture-negative PTB, the patient with compatible clinical and radiological features should be considered for tuberculosis treatment.

Concomitant tubercular and fungal cerebellar abscess is rare and we report the first concomitant recurrent multi-lobulated tubercular and fungal cerebellar abscess in an immunocompromised girl with Histiocytosis-X. She presented with cerebellar abscess history diagnosed during the ongoing treatment for tuberculous meningitis. The abscess was drained. Upon the detection of cerebellar abscess recurrence and pulmonary infection, she was referred to our clinic five weeks after the first surgical intervention. Patient was conscious, co-operating but confused. She had severe cachexia, stiff neck and fever. Fundus examination showed bilateral papilledema. Cranial MR images revealed multiple lobulated lesions. Suboccipital craniectomy was performed and abscess was evacuated in toto. Lesion was multi-lobulated. Thick, yellow-gray purulent material was drained. Histopathological examinations yielded Langhans giant cells,budding and branching fungal structures. Fungal infection was identified. We emphasize that posterior decompression and total resection should be considered first in the management of lesions with mass effect in the posterior fossa. Also the presence of concomitant fatal fungal abscess highlights that although the clinic and former diagnoses of the patient may direct the clinician to a certain pathogen, unusual resistant organisms should not be.

Objective: To evaluate the levels of anxiety and ways of coping of family members of patients hospitalized in the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (NICU)., Methods: The descriptive study was carried out with the families of 120 patients hospitalized in the NICU of a University Hospital in Turkey, between November 2005 and July 2006. Data were collected using a questionnaire for demographical information, The State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Ways of Coping Inventory. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out with SPSS software, using arithmetic mean and standard deviation, percentage, t test, Kruskall Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and correlation analyses., Results: Of the family members evaluated, 56.7% were males and the mean age of the family members was 34.7+/-11.13. The average score for the State Anxiety was 47.03+/-9.55, and Trait Anxiety was 44.11+/-7.62. Financial problems were the main source of anxiety, being experienced by 56.7% of the participants due to hospitalization of the patient in the intensive care unit. Submissive and helpless coping styles were observed more frequently, as the level of anxiety increased., Conclusion: In light of these findings, it has been found that members of the families of the patients hospitalized in the NICU experienced a significant amount of anxiety, and that they faced difficulties in coping with anxiety, indicating that they require help and support.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of sleep and effecting factors in hospitalized patients in a neurosurgery clinic., Methods: This research was conducted as a descriptive study in a neurosurgery clinic of a University Hospital, in Turkey, between November 2005 and June 2006. The study sample consisted of 102 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the "Questionnaire Form," which included socio-demographic, illness, sleep, and hospital characteristics, and the "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index" (PSQI). The data obtained were assessed by SPSS 10.00 Program, using number, percentage, arithmetic mean, t-test, variance, and correlation analysis., Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.22+/-16.72 years, 54.9% were females, and 72.5% were married. Hospitalization duration of the patients was 14.31+/-8.97 days on average, 84.3% had previous hospital experience, and 72.5% had knowledge about their illnesses. Of them, 51% expressed a sleep problem. Pain (41.2%) and noise (31.4%) was found to affect the sleep quality of hospitalized patients. Of the patients hospitalized in the neurosurgery ward, 64.7% were found to have poor quality of sleep prior to admission, while poor quality of sleep was determined for 49% before being discharged from the hospital. However, a better sleep quality was noted prior to discharge, compared to that at their admission to the hospital., Conclusion: Varied degrees of quality of sleep have been reported by the patients and influences of personal and environmental factors on sleep quality have been noted. Strategies to enhance physical and mental comfort, and to minimize disruptions should positively enhance sleep quality.

Nicotine dependence is pointed out as the first reason of smoking behavior continuity and treatment failure. We investigated the nicotine dependence level (NDL) of health workers and the factors which affect it. We carried out the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and a questionnaire composed of 24 questions that evaluate demographic characters and the smoker ideas about smoking on health workers who staff at the a training hospital in Istanbul. NDL was not related with sex, age, education, marital status, child number and working time in health area (p> 0.05). There was correlation between NDL and daily smoked cigarette number (r= 0.71, p< 0.001). There was an opposite relationship among initiation age, regular use age and NDL (in order r= -0.16 and p= 0.013, r= -0.25 and p< or =0.001). 30% of the cases who had high NDL were smoking in everywhere of their home (p< 0.001). They also had high smoking ratios near surroundings of nonsmoker people (p= 0.003). The cases who had high NDL did not want to quit smoking (p= 0.028). Working in a hospital increased smoking ratio in 41.77% cases and did not affect the NDL (p= 0.3). It was thought that the cases that had high NDL did not take into consideration their surroundings and did not want to quit smoking. Health workers should be considered as a target population during antismoking campaigns, in order to make them willing in the struggle against tobacco.

Background: A T-to-G polymorphism (SNP309) at the promoter region of MDM2 has been recently reported to extend the Sp1 binding site that positively regulates the MDM2 transcription level and consequently, its expression level. MDM2 is the negative regulator of p53 tumor suppressor protein and elevated levels of MDM2 hamper the stress response driven by the p53 pathway. Whether MDM2-SNP309 was associated with breast cancer as a predisposing factor was investigated., Patients and Methods: A case-control study of 223 females diagnosed with breast cancer and 149 female controls sampled from the Turkish population was carried out and the T/G MDM2-SNP309 genotype of participants was determined., Results: There was no significant association of the G/G or G/T genotypes with breast cancer risk (odds ratio (OR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-2.22, and OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.67-2.12, respectively). Stratification of the data for onset age or for menopausal status at the time of diagnosis also revealed no association for either group.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-dose dopamine on markers of the renal functions in a rat model of hypotension., Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into control, hypotension, dopamine, and hypotension+dopamine groups. Hypotension was achieved by sodium-nitroprusside infusion. Samples were drawn for analysis during the two-hour study period., Results: Blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly increased in hypotension group during the early phase but this difference disappeared at the end of the second hour. Dopamine infusion had no effect on creatinine and potassium clearance. Despite the significance of improved sodium clearance in the hypotensive rats treated with dopamine, natriuresis did not occurred in the dopamine-only group., Conclusion: It can be stated that low dose dopamine infusion at a rate of 0.5 microg kg(-1) min(-1) has a short-term preventive action against the increase of blood urea nitrogen during the early phase of pharmacologically induced hypotension.