Central Anatolia Region Research Articles

The effects of illness perception on death anxiety and satisfaction with life in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of illness perception on death anxiety and satisfaction with life in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 125 patients with cancer who were admitted to the oncology clinic of a university hospital in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey between March and December 2022 and who met the research criteria and accepted to participate in the study. The data were collected with "Patient descriptive information form," "Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ)," "Scale of Death Anxiety (SDA)," and "Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)." It was found that mean BIPQ score of the patients was 39.54±12.82, the mean SDA score was 8.02±3.16, and the mean SWLS score was 14.74±5.19. BIPQ total score was found to affect SDA total score positively (β=.751) and SWLS total score negatively (β=-.591). SDA total score was found to affect SWLS total score negatively (β=-.216) (p<.05). It was found that patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer had moderate level of illness perception and life satisfaction, and high death anxiety. It was found that as illness perception of the patients increased, their death anxiety increased and satisfaction with life decreased. In addition, it was found that as the death anxiety of patients increased, their satisfaction with life decreased.

The effects of planned education given to parents on smoking in the home environment and passive exposure of children aged 0–5: A quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study from Turkey

PurposeThis study was carried out to determine the effects of planned education given to parents on smoking status at home and on children's passive smoking exposure. Design and methodsThis quasi-experimental study was conducted with the inclusion of 40 parents with at least one child between the ages of 0 and 5 and smoking in their homes, who were registered at a Family Health Center in a city center in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, from 1 September 2019 to 30 June 2020. The data of the study were collected using Participant Screening Form, a Personal Information Form, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, a Smoking Behaviors and Precautions at Home Form, and a Measurement and Follow-up Form. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 package software. ResultsIn the follow-ups after the planned smoking cessation training given to the parents, the carbon monoxide measurements at their homes decreased significantly throughout the four follow-ups, the number of parents who presented to the smoking cessation outpatient clinic increased, and the number of smoking parents decreased (p < 0.05). ConclusionsIt was concluded that the planned education that was given to smoker parents reduced the smoking rates of the parents, lowered the carbon monoxide values measured in their home environments, and thus, it was effective in reducing the passive exposure of their children at the ages of 0 to 5 years to cigarette smoke. Practice implicationsParents who are addicted to cigarettes should be encouraged not to smoke at home, and homes should be included in closed environments where smoking is prohibited.

Epistemological beliefs and values as predictors of preservice science teachers' environmental moral reasoning

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to test predictability of environmental moral reasoning patterns of preservice science teachers (PSTs) by their epistemological beliefs and values. Four environmental moral dilemma scenarios that reflect different environmental moral dilemma situations taking place in four outdoor recreation contexts (i.e., hiking, picnicking, fishing, camping) were used to trigger and examine environmental moral reasoning of PSTs. Centers of moral concerns (i.e., ecocentric, anthropocentric, egocentric) and underlying reasons of environmental moral considerations (e.g., aesthetical concerns, justice issues) were used to investigate PSTs' environmental moral reasoning patterns. Data were collected from 1524 PSTs enrolled in six universities located in Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. A path model was proposed to test relationships of PSTs' epistemological beliefs and values to their environmental moral reasoning for each environmental moral dilemma scenario. Results indicated good‐fit between study data and the path model tested for each environmental moral reasoning scenario. Variances in environmental moral reasoning scores that were explained by the path models had small to medium effect size values of 0.06 to 0.26. Statistical significance and direction of the tested relationships showed changes depending on the moral dilemma scenario context and focus of environmental moral reasoning. Nevertheless, path analyses consistently revealed positively significant relationships between environmental moral reasoning categories and epistemological beliefs in omniscient authority and self‐transcendence and tradition values. Implications for science education policy and practice are discussed.

Evolution of Drought Climatology and Variability in the Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, for the Period 1970–2020

Evolution of Drought Climatology and Variability in the Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, for the Period 1970–2020

A Study on the Profiles of Arabic Translation-Translator Candidates in Turkish Higher Education

Translation, an ancient activity, has only been acknowledged as an independent discipline since the 1970s. Translation Studies was introduced as a program in Turkish higher education in the 1980s, with English translation and interpreting programs being the first to emerge. It was not until 2011 that the first program for training Arabic translators and interpreters was established at Kırıkkale University. Subsequently, the same program was introduced in nine other universities. In this study, we explore the profiles of prospective Arabic translators and interpreters in ten Turkish universities offering undergraduate-level programs for Arabic translation and interpreting, focusing on various aspects such as gender, geographical location, educational background, high school type, academic ranking, foreign language test scores, program preferences, and post-graduation plans. Our findings indicate that female students show a greater inclination towards the program, with one-third of the students choosing the program in their city. Arabic translator-interpreter candidates mostly originate from the Central Anatolian Region, with one-third being recent graduates and another third being experienced ones. More than half of the students who enrolled in the program graduated from Imam-Hatip High School, and top-performing students are less inclined to select this program. On average, a language test score of forty-six is required for admission to the program. Finally, we found that students who completed the program often preferred programs related to Arabic language teaching and literature.

Preschool Children’s Metaphoric Perceptions of Digital Games: A Comparison between Regions

Preschoolers now play digital games on touch screens, e-toys and electronic learning systems. Although digital games have an important place in children’s lives, there needs to be more information about the meanings they attach to games. In this context, the research aims to determine the perceptions of preschool children studying in different regions of Turkey regarding digital games with the help of metaphors. Four hundred twenty-one preschool children studying in seven regions of Turkey participated in the research. The data were collected through the “Digital Game Metaphor Form” to determine children’s perceptions of digital games and through “Drawing and Visualization”, which comprises the symbolic pictures children draw of their feelings and thoughts. Phenomenology, a qualitative research model, was used in this study. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method. When the data were evaluated, the children had produced 421 metaphors collected in the following seven categories: “Nature Images, Technology Images, Fantasy/Supernatural Images, Education Images, Affective/Motivational Images, Struggle Images, and Value Images”. When evaluated based on regions, the Black Sea Region ranked first in the “Fantasy/Supernatural Images and Affective/Motivational Images” categories. In contrast, the Central Anatolia Region ranked first in the “Technology Images and Education Images” categories, and the Marmara Region ranked first in the “Nature Images and Value Images” categories. In addition, it was determined that the Southeast Anatolia Region ranks first in the “Struggle Images” category.

Assessment of Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Turkey Between 2017-2019

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease affecting small ruminants and causes significant agricultural damage. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has classified PPR as an animal disease that must be reported immediately. In this study was aimed to understand of spatial and seasonal epidemiology of PPR in Turkey and provide information by using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Descriptive and analytical statistics were used in the study, logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the effect of season and species factors on PPR outbreaks occurring in Turkey. Data were obtained from the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) database of OIE. Between 2017-2019, 337 outbreaks, 18.467 cases and 11.526 deaths were reported 57 provinces of Turkey and the highest number of PPR outbreaks, cases and deaths were reported in The Central Anatolia Region. On time-wise examination, the PPR risk-areas revealed changes with different levels of endemicity. The Central Anatolia Region were the top outbreaks reported region during 2017-2018, whereas The Marmara Region reported more outbreaks during 2019. PPR outbreaks occurred throughout the year in all seasons, but were most frequently encountered during the winter season (December to February) and the results showed that seasonal and species factors are important in the spread of the disease. PPR has widely distributed throughout the country, and the epidemiological picture suggests that the disease has become an endemic infection in the country. The spatial and seasonal distribution of PPR in Turkey gives useful information on hotspot areas, allowing managers to make informed decisions about prevention and control in different parts of the country. In accordance with the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy, the study also outlines when and where extensive surveillance, vaccination, and biosecurity measures are required for the control and eradication of the disease in Turkey.

Bir Türk Alt Popülasyonunda Gebelerin Ağız, Diş Sağlığı Alışkanlıkları ve Diş Tedavilerine Yaklaşımları: Bir Anket Çalışması

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the oral and dental health habits of pregnant women in the Central Anatolian region and their approaches to dental treatments.&#x0D; Methodology: This study was conducted in 293 randomly selected pregnant women who applied to the obstetrics and gynaecology outpatient clinic for pregnancy control and volunteered to participate in the study. The questionnaire was administered face-to-face after obtaining informed consent form from the pregnant women. The comparison of the answers to the questions according to age, education, and income was made with the chi-square test. The significance is p

The mediator role of effective communication skills on the relationship between phubbing tendencies and marriage satisfaction in married individuals

The aim of this research is to examine the mediator role of communication skills on the relationship between phubbing tendencies and marital satisfaction of married individuals. The sample of the study consisted of 712 adult married individuals from some cities in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey. 347 (48.7%) of the participants were female and 365 (51.3%) were male. The average age of the participants is 37.45. Marriage Satisfaction Scale, Phubbing Scale and Effective Communication Skills Scale were used as data collection tools. Pearson Correlation Analysis and Multiple mediation analysis (SPSS PROCESS macro (version 3.5-model 4)) techniques were used in the analysis of the data. There were significant negative correlation between the sub-dimensions of communication skills (ego-developing language, effective listening, self revelation, empathy, I-language) and phubbing; they were also found to be significantly positively correlated with marital satisfaction. Analysis results showed that phubbing significantly and negatively predicted marital satisfaction, and when effective communication skills were included in the analysis, the relationship between these two variables became nonsense. This result shows that communication skills are a full mediator on the relationship between phubbing and marital satisfaction in married individuals.

The prevalence of smoking among soldiers of the gendarmerie in a provincial center and affecting factors: A cross-sectional study from Turkey*

Determining the smoking rates and nicotine dependency levels of soldiers can be a guide in smoking cessation interventions and developing a policy for smoking prevention for soldiers serving in military units. The cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 313 soldiers stationed in gendarmerie units in a city center in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Data were collected between 01.06.2021 and 31.07.2021 by face-to-face interview technique using Personal Information Form and Fagerström Nicotine Addiction Test. It was determined that 54.6% of the participants smoked, 87.1% had low-moderate nicotine addictions, and 94.9% were smokers in their friends’ circle. It was revealed that the prevalence of smoking among the participants was high, and the nicotine addiction levels of the participants working in the “Prison” unit were higher.

The Effect of Nursing Interventions for Rational Drug Use and Raising Awareness in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study Protocol

This article presents the protocol developed for a study investigating the effect of nursing interventions applied to older adults through home visits to raise awareness about rational drug use. This study protocol describes a randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design. Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Statement 2013 checklist will be used in this study. Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) flowchart will be followed in the protocol. The research sample will consist of 74 older adults aged 65 and over and living in a rural area in the Central Anatolian Region of Türkiye. The older adults who meet the inclusion criteria will randomly be assigned to the intervention and control groups. Nursing interventions will last seven weeks and consist of individual training, counseling and reminders through home visits. The results will guide interventions to be planned to ensure and maintain rational drug use.

Detection of SNPs and benzimidazole resistance in strongyle nematode eggs of horses by allele-specific PCR.

This study was conducted to determine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the benzimidazole (BZ) resistance in strongyle nematode egg populations in horses using molecular techniques. A total of 200 fecal samples were collected from horses in 26 farms in two provinces (Kayseri and Nevşehir) of the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye between May and August 2022. The flotation method was used to detect strongyle nematode eggs in the fecal samples of the horses. Afterward, strongyle nematode eggs were collected, and the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) technique was used to detect the BZ resistance. BZ-susceptible and BZ-resistant PCR products were sequenced to determine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene. The strongyle nematode eggs were determined in 85 (42.5%) out of 200 fecal samples. AS-PCR detected 50.58% (43/85) BZ-resistant (homozygous resistant) and 36.4% (31/85) BZ-susceptible (homozygous susceptible) genes in the strongyle eggs. Both BZ-resistant and BZ-susceptible genes (heterozygous) were determined in 11 samples. BZ-resistant and BZ-susceptible allele frequencies were determined as 57.0% (48.5/85) and 43.0% (36.5/85), respectively. SNPs were detected only in codon 200 of the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene in four sequenced isolates of the two resistant and two susceptible isolates. This study is the first molecular report on BZ resistance in strongyle nematode eggs in horses in Türkiye. The widespread prevalence of BZ-resistant alleles in equine strongyle nematodes shows the requirement for the immediate usage of other anthelmintics instead of the BZ group drugs for the effective management and control of equine strongyle nematodes.

Molecular Prevalence of Three Chicken Gastrointestinal Tract Pathogens and Phylogenetic Characterization of Tetratrichomonas gallinarum in Türkiye

Several species of parasites infect chickens and can cause economic losses. Histomonas meleagridis, its intermediate host Heterakis gallinarum, and Tetratrichomonas gallinarum are the most common parasites of poultry. The current study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic relationships of H. meleagridis, He. gallinarum, and T. gallinarum in chickens in Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. For this, a total of 100 fecal specimens from chickens were analyzed by using a PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene region of H. meleagridis and T. gallinarum and the mtDNA COI gene region of He. gallinarum. PCR analysis identified T. gallinarum in 11 (1.1%) specimens, whereas other species were not found in all the examined specimens. Positive specimens were detected only in backyard chickens. Sequence analyses identified two novel genotypes named TRTgal1 and TRTgal3, and one known genotype (TRTgal2) of T. gallinarum. The TRTgal2 genotype was found to be identical to the human genotype (AY247746) and the four avian genotypes. Phylogenetic analyses of the obtained genotypes clustered in separate monophyletic clades. Our study provides the first data on T. gallinarum in chickens in Türkiye and contributes to public health with the identified zoonotic genotype and knowledge of the epidemiology of this parasite.

Public Attitudes and Beliefs Towards Childhood Vaccinations: Urban-Rural Differences and the Other Social Determinant of Health

Objective: The study aimed to compare vaccination attitudes and behaviors of individuals living in rural and urban areas by evaluating the social determinants of health. Methods: This research was a secondary analysis study based on two projects examining vaccination attitudes of individuals, which were conducted separately in urban and rural areas. The researches were conducted in a city center and eight rural areas located in the central Anatolia region of Turkey. In total, 1,164 individuals were studied. Multiple regression analysis (enter model) was used for determinants of public attitude toward vaccination. Results: In urban areas, the rate of awareness of discussions about vaccination and the rate of consideration that vaccination should be a parental decision were higher than in rural areas. According to the public attitude toward vaccination–HBM Scale, the sub-dimensions of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and health motivation scores of participants from rural residents were higher than those from urban residents. Regarding the sub-dimension of perceived barriers, participants from urban areas had a higher score. The social determinants of health, such as lack of health insurance, unemployment or low income, difficulty accessing health facilities, conviction that vaccination is a parental decision, moderate/poor economic perception, especially the profession, are effective in vaccine attitude. Conclusion: This study showed a difference between vaccination attitudes of individuals living in urban and rural areas.

Evaluation of Stylohyoid Ligament Calcifications in the Central Anatolian Region

This study aims to determine the prevalence of the elongated styloid process (ESP) on panoramic radiographs in a Turkish subpopulation and to investigate the relationship between SP lengths and the age and gender of individuals. Digital panoramic radiographs of 1000 patients who applied to Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Dentistry, Dentomaxillofacial Radiology Clinic for the first examination between January 2020 and January 2022 were obtained from the database and examined. Individuals were evaluated by dividing them into three groups according to their age SP lengths were measured on both sides, and those greater than 30 mm were contemplated elongated. The data were evaluated in the SPSS V.21 program. In 1000 evaluated patients, ESP of &gt;30 mm was detected in 304 individuals. It was determined that SP length did not differ according to age groups, gender, and systemic disease (p&lt;0.05). Panoramic radiographs are useful, economical, and easily reachable diagnostic equipment in the diagnosis of symptomatic or asymptomatic ESP. Furthermore, it would be more useful to evaluate the prevalence of ESP with larger sample groups and advanced imaging methods.

Online learning and teaching experiences of preservice science teachers during Covid-19 pandemic

The current study was carried out to determine the opinions of pre-service science teachers on the process of teaching practice conducted online. The study employed the phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study was conducted with the participation of a total of 32 (17 female and 15 male) pre-service teachers attending a state university located in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey in the spring term of the 2020-2021 academic year. The study's data were collected through the online interviews conducted with the participants and the collected data were analyzed using the content analysis method. As a result of the research, it can be stated that they encountered various obstacles in the process of online teaching practice, they had difficulty in providing classroom management and they were anxious. On the other hand, the participants also think that online teaching practice has advantages such as accessing information at the desired place and time, saving time and giving place to different online activities. In the light of these results, suggestions were made such as increasing the knowledge level of educators about online applications, providing hardware support to stakeholders and strengthening the infrastructure.

The Effect of Creating 3D Objects with Block Codes on Spatial and Computational Thinking Skills

This study investigated the effects of 3D model building activities with block codes on students' spatial thinking and computational thinking skills. The study group consists of 5th grade students in a secondary school in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. For the study, a pretest-posttest control group was utilized within the experimental design. A total of 66 students participated, 23 in the experimental group and 43 in the control group. While the activities prepared on the Tinkercad platform were applied in the experimental group, the courses were taught using the traditional teaching method in the control group. The study covers a period of three-weeks in the course information technologies and software. The study used the computational thinking levels scale and spatial thinking test scales as data collection instruments. The data was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests. Based on the study findings, there were no significant differences observed in the levels of computational thinking skills levels and spatial thinking test scores between the experimental and control groups.

Anastomosis Grouping and Phylogenetic analysis of Rhizoctonia Isolates on Wheat in Türkiye

The aim of this study is to determine the species and to evaluate the genetic diversity of the pathogenic and nonpathogenic Rhizoctonia spp. and anastomosis groups (AG) from wheat plants and rhizosphere soils in Turkey. Rhizoctonia species were isolated from plants and rhizosphere soils in wheat fields in 5 provinces in the Central Anatolian Region of Türkiye. As a result of the isolations, a total of 88 multinucleate (MN) and binucleate (BN) Rhizoctonia isolates were obtained. Identifications of the isolates were determined by rDNA-ITS sequence analyzes. The identified isolates belonged to MN Waitea circinata var. zeae, W. circinata var. oryzae, W. circinata var. circinata, MN Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-1, 2-2, 3, 4 HGII, 4 HGIII, 5, 8, 11 and BN AG A, DI, E, G, H, I, I-like, K. The most isolated group was W. circinata var. circinata. In pathogenicity studies, the most virulent group was determined as R. solani AG 4. Among the binucleate isolates, groups other than R. cerealis AG DI were not found to be pathogenic. Neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees of isolates were constructed from rDNA-ITS sequences. As a result of this study, the regional distribution of MN and BN Rhizoctonia AG isolates in important wheat production areas in the Central Anatolia Region, Turkey was determined. In addition, this study is the first comprehensive study in which the genetic diversity of Rhizoctonia AGs isolates obtained from wheat and rhizosphere soils in the region was evaluated with a molecular approach.

Gastric cancer patient characteristics in a city in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey: A single-center descriptive study

Aims: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of patients with gastric cancer living in Eskişehir, a city located in the central Anatolian region of Turkey, together with factors affecting the recurrence and survival time. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using patients records who were admitted to Eskişehir Osmangazi University Health Practice and Research Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine between December 1998 and January 2011 with a diagnosis of gastric cancer. Missing data was obtained by calling the patients or their relatives by phone. Results: We evaluated 210 gastric cancer patients in this study.Male sex was approximately 2.5 times dominant, and most of the patients were diagnosed between the ages of 60-69. Approximately 1/5th of the patients applied to the health center 6 months after the onset of symptoms. Age, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were significantly related to recurrence (p=0.028, p=0.009, and p=0.005, respectively). Stage, area of involvement, positive surgical margin, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the number of lymph nodes removed were significantly related to survival time (p&lt;0.001 for all variables). Conclusion: In the studied population, gastric cancer diagnosis is delayed in a significant proportion of symptomatic patients. To decrease missed diagnoses, health professionals, especially those working in primary health care, should be made more sensitive towards the red flags of gastric cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective treatment options in preventing recurrences and improving survival.

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Orthopaedic Surgery: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication after surgery and can lead to additional complications and delayed discharge. This descriptive, cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of PONV and its associated factors in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. The study was conducted between November 2020 and July 2021 with 149 patients in a public hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. In the first 48 hours after surgery, 40.9% of the patients had nausea and 17.4% had vomiting. Gender, age, medical diagnosis, surgical procedure, operative time, postoperative opioid use, and anxiety were identified as significant risk factors for PONV after orthopaedic surgery (p < .05). These factors should be considered during postoperative follow-up, and patients who are older, female, and have prolonged operative time or anxiety should be monitored more closely for PONV.