Eastern Provinces Of Turkey Research Articles

The relationship between nurses' work stress levels and work-family conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic and the affecting factors: A study from Turkey

PurposeHigh work-family conflict affects nurses' physical, mental and psychological health and reduces their job satisfaction and performance. This study was conducted to determine the effect of work stress experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic on family life and the factors affecting work stress and work-family conflict. MethodThis descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 820 nurses who agreed to participate in the research working in a hospital serving only patients with confirmed COVID-19 in a province in eastern Turkey. ResultsIt was found that the average PJSS score of the nurses included in the study was 3.26 ± 0.56; the average WAFCS score was 3.00 ± 0.81. It was found that there was a moderately positive, statistically significant relationship between the PJSS and WAFCS average scores for the nurses, and the impact of work stress on the levels of work-family conflict was 28 % (p < 0.001). ConclusionIt was determined that the work stress levels of the nurses included in the study were at a level that could threaten their health, the conflict levels in work-family life were high, and the conflict levels in work and family life increased as the levels of work stress increased.

24 January 2020 Sivrice-Elazığ Earthquake: Assessment of Seismic Characteristics of Earthquake, Earthquake Territory and Structural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Structures

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 (Mw) has occurred in Sivrice district of Elazığ province in Eastern Turkey, on January 24, 2020. The main shock and long-term aftershocks felt fairly by near vicinities. Many structures have been damaged severely or demolished at this moderate earthquake that occurred on East Anatolia Fault (EAF) zone. Also resulted in sum 41 casualties, including 37 people in Elazığ and 4 people in Malatya. The purpose of this paper is to give information of the tectonic characteristics of the EAF zone, the seismic characteristics of the earthquake territory, the general characteristics of the main shock and after-shocks. In addition, another purpose of this article is to reveal the damages caused by the earthquake in the reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in Elazığ, with the post-earthquake field observations. The main reasons of damages have presented and discussed. The most important reason for damages of structures is the lack of engineering services, in other words, not being constructed properly with respect to the available building codes.

Broken Wings: Evaluation Of Distance Education Activities In Rural Areas In The Shadow Of The Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study

This study investigates the distance learning experiences of rural teachers during Covid-19 pandemic. The study employed phenomenological qualitative research design. In the study, 8 classroom teachers working in rural areas of Malatya province in eastern Turkey participated in the 2020-2021 academic year. Research data was collected through semi-structured interviews using ZOOM videoconferencing. The research results show that teachers pleaded for more positive experiences, even though negative experiences were more dominant. It further reveals that they did everything they could to boost the disadvantaged students’ motivation. Positive experiences are classified under three sub-headings. First of all, students have borderless access to information on virtual platforms. Secondly, they learn to express themselves and follow the rules in online environments. Thirdly, they improve research skills and expose to repeating experiences. Negative experiences, on the other hand, are grouped under two categories, i.e., the problems caused by ”individual and family“ and ”physical conditions". These findings suggest several courses of action for future researches.

Cyberchondria, Covid-19 phobia, and well-being: a relational study on teachers.

This study aims at investigating level and contributor factors of Cyberchondria, Covid-19-related Phobia, and Well-Being in a sample of teachers in Turkey. The study was conducted on teachers (n=1000) working in a province in eastern Turkey. Data for the study were collected using a form that included participants' descriptive characteristics, the Covid-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-SE), the Cyberchondria Severity Scale, and the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Spearman correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. As participant's cyberchondria levels rose, C19P-SE scores increased (r=0.271, p<0.001), and WHO-5 scores decreased (r=-0.224, p<0.05). Corona-phobia was higher in those who used social media than in those who did not (p<0.05). Cyberchondria scale scores were higher among those who had taken medications without a physician's recommendation during the pandemic. Participants who had a disabled person or a person in need of care in their household had higher scores for distrust of the physician and C19P-SE than for the cyberchondria severity scale sub-dimension, and the WHO-5 mean scores were lower (p<0.001, P=0.016, and P=0.020, respectively). The study results show that increasing levels of cyberchondria trigger Covid-19 phobias in teachers during the Covid-19 pandemic and negatively affect their well-being. This descriptive study can help understand the risk group for cyberchondria, the influencing factors, and the health and economic consequences, and identify strategies for effective combating with cyberchondria.

EVALUATION OF RESORTING TO TRADITIONAL PRACTICES BY ELDERLY PEOPLE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background: The coronavirus pandemic has been affected all age groups, especially the elderly people. Individual measures are taken by elderly people to protect aganist to the disease.&#x0D; Objective: This study aims to determine the status of resorting to traditional practices by elderly people during the COVID-19 pandemic.&#x0D; Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 453 elderly individuals residing in a province in eastern Turkey, between May and October 2021. The research data were collected online using a survey form through Google forms. The data obtained were analyzed by numbers and percentiles in the SPSS 24 package program.&#x0D; Results: Of the elderly individuals with an average age of 72.84±7.76 years, 64.9% had one or more chronic diseases. Of the elderly, 43.0% had health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, 24.9% was on a diet for protection against COVID-19, 82.7% had life changes, and 63.1% was resorting to herbal methods.&#x0D; Conclusion: The elderly individuals were observed to resort to traditional practices for protection against the COVID-19.

The Relationship of Females with Sexual Dysfunctions to Different Sex Positions

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between different sex positions and female sexual dysfunction. This comparative and descriptive study was conducted at a hospital in a province in Eastern Turkey between March 2019 – June 2019. The data were collected using the “Personal Data Form” and “Female Sexual Function Index/FSFI” via the closed envelope technique to protect the participants’ privacy. The study was conducted with 184 women. Number, mean, percentage distribution, and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate the data. The total mean score of the FSFI was determined to be 18.03 ± 4.17. When examining the mean scores of the sexual function index in terms of sex position, a statistically significant difference was found between both the FSFI total score and its subscales and all positions (p = 0.00). It was observed that based on the scores of the FSFI, the women had a form of sexual dysfunction and had higher mean scores in Desire, Arousal, Lubrication, Orgasm, and Satisfaction in the overall scale of female-on-top positions, and their mean scores for pain subscale were lower.

The effects of socio-scientific STEM activities on 21st century skills of middle school students

In this study, the effects of the STEM activities integrated with socio-scientific issues on students' 21st century skills were investigated. In this research, nested mixed design was used. The study group of this research consisted of 16 middle school students who studied in the seventh grade of a public school in an eastern province of Turkey. Socio-scientific STEM activities were applied to the study group for 24 weeks in the first and second semesters. Students followed the engineering design stages for STEM activities. In the research, 21st Century Skills Scale, Interview Form, Perception of 21st Century Skills Form, Field Notes, and Informal Interview Notes were used as data collection tools. SPSS was used to analyze the quantitative data of the research, and content and descriptive analysis methods were used to analyze the qualitative data. The study results showed that STEM activities integrated with socio-scientific issues had a positive effect on students' 21st century skills. Also, as a result of the examination of the opinions of the students, it was determined that the application developed the “creativity and innovation” skills of the students the most. Furthermore, students’ social and intercultural entrepreneurship, self-management, leadership and responsibility, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and cooperation, creativity and innovation skills were enhanced/developed at the end of the study.

Determining job satisfaction and job stress levels of nurses during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: A cross-sectional survey

This study aims to determine the job satisfaction and job stress experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive study was conducted with 129 nurses working in a pandemic hospital in a province in eastern Turkey. This study was carried out between June 2021 and January 2022, after obtaining ethical committee approval. "Nurse Information Form", "Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ)", and "Perceived Job Stress Scale (PJSS)" was used to collect the data. The data were collected by the researchers using the online data collection method. Besides descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency), Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal Wallis-H Test, and Spearman’s Correlation Analysis were used in the data assessment, and significance was evaluated at the level of p &lt;0.05. It was found that the mean scores of the nurses were 3.07±0.82 for overall MSQ, 2.17±0.35 for the subscale of Intrinsic Satisfaction and 2.10±0.46 for the subscale of Extrinsic Satisfaction. They obtained a total mean score of 3.27±0.82 from the Perceived Job Stress Scale. A significant negative correlation was found between job satisfaction and job stress experienced by the nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that during the pandemic, the nurses had a high level of job stress and a moderate level of job satisfaction. As their job stress increased, their job satisfaction decreased. In line with these results, attention should be paid to the mental status of nurses, and job stress management training should be given to obtain job satisfaction and reduce job stress.

Evaluation of nursing students’ health fatalism, knowledge, and attitudes toward patients with epilepsy

AimThis study was conducted to determine the relationship between nursing students’ health fatalism, epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, and some sociodemographic variables. MethodsThe descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 423 nursing department students who were studying at a state university and who agreed to participate in the study in the Elazığ province in eastern Turkey during the 2020–2021 academic year. The data were collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, the Health Fatalism Scale (HFS), the Epilepsy Knowledge Scale (EKS), and the Epilepsy Attitude Scale (EAS). ResultsThe nursing students had total mean scores of 46.95 ± 12.98, 6.94 ± 3.81, and 50.19 ± 8.47 for the HFS, EKS, and EAS, respectively. A positive and significant correlation was found between the EKS and EAS scores. First-year students had lower HFS scores than students in their second and fourth years. Third- and fourth-year students, those living in rural areas, and those who had patients with epilepsy in their families or immediate environments had higher EKS scores. Female students and those who had patients with epilepsy in their families or immediate environments had higher EKS and EAS scores. A significant positive correlation was found between age and the EKS score, whereas a significant negative correlation was found between age and the EAS score. ConclusionWhile nursing students generally had low levels of epilepsy knowledge, they had positive attitudes toward epilepsy and moderate levels of health fatalism. The study found that students’ positive attitudes toward epilepsy increased as their levels of knowledge about the disorder increased. Age, gender, educational status, place of residence, the presence of a chronic disease, and knowing someone with epilepsy all affected HFS, EKS, and EAS scores.

Aflatoxin analysis by LC-MS of local and imported black tea sold in Turkey

Tea is a popular drink throughout the world with known health benefits. Although it has been accepted as safe and healthy for centuries, recent research has reported that herbal tea could be contaminated by fungi and mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 in local and imported tea sold in the southeastern and eastern provinces of Turkey. A total of 79 samples were taken from tea originating from Turkey (Mardin; 7, Şırnak; 3, Van; 15, Diyarbakır; 13, Siirt; 9, Batman; 4, Gaziantep; 14, Kilis; 4, and Şanlıurfa; 10), Iran, Sri Lanka, and India. Analysis of the content of the samples was made in respect of total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 using the Rapid Common Mass Spectrometry method (2006; 20: 2649-2659) with an LC-MS/MS device. The analyses were performed in an advanced, private, EU-accredited laboratory. According to the results obtained from the LC-MS/MS device, no total aflatoxin or aflatoxin B1 was determined. That no aflatoxins were detected in the tea samples demonstrates that the harvesting, processing, drying and packaging stages of the local and imported teas sold in the southeast Anadolu and South Anadolu regions of Turkey are applied appropriately. These types of analyses should be applied in other regions to determine the presence of aflatoxin in tea in general in Turkey.

Determination of self-efficacy of patients diagnosed with epilepsy.

This study was conducted to determine the self-efficacy of patients diagnosed with epilepsy. This descriptive-correlational study was conducted between November-December 2020 with individuals diagnosed with epilepsy and living in the eastern province of Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy (101 persons) who were living in this province and agreed to participate in the study. According to the findings obtained from the study, the Epilepsy Self-efficacy Scale Total Mean Score of the individuals was found to be 226.38 ± 45.23. The scale does not have a cut-off point, and the total score that can be obtained from the scale varies between 0 and 310. An increase in the score obtained indicates high self-efficacy. It can be said that the self-efficacy levels of the sampled individuals are also high. It was found that there was a negative correlation between the first diagnosis age and the seizure management sub-dimension, and a positive statistically significant correlation between the age of the individuals and the age of the first seizure. The Epilepsy Self-efficacy Scale Total Mean Score of the individuals was found to be statistically high in those who received information regarding the disorder and used their drug/drugs regularly. It is suggested to conduct the study in larger groups. It is recommended to carry out studies to increase epilepsy self-efficacy.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto G1 is the predominant genotype in human and livestock isolates from Turkey and Iran, based on mitochondrial nad5 gene differentiation

BackgroundDifferent genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) isolated from livestock and humans have been identified based on cox1 and nad1 genomic fragments. The present study was performed to differentiate the G1/G3 genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus (s.s.) isolated from humans and livestock (sheep and cattle) from Azerbaijan in northwestern Iran, Fars Province in southern Iran, and Van province in Eastern Turkey, using the nad5 gene fragment as a suitable marker to distinguish these two genotypes.MethodsA total of 60 pathologically confirmed human hydatid cysts and 90 hydatid cyst samples from livestock were collected from Turkey and Iran. PCR was performed on all of the samples, targeting the nad5 gene. Based on PCR product quality, host type, and the geographical area where the samples were obtained, 36 of the samples were sequenced and were used in the phylogenetic analysis.ResultsOut of 36 evaluated samples, 26 (72.2%) samples belonged to G1, and 10 (27.8%) samples belonged to the G3 genotype. Out of 21 samples from Turkey, 16 (76.2%) were G1 and 5 (23.8%) were G3, while out of 15 samples from Iran, 10 (66.7%) were G1 and 5 (33.3%) were the G3 genotype. None of the samples isolated from humans in Iran or from sheep in Turkey were G3. Overall, between the two countries, 18.18% of E. granulosus isolates in cattle, 41.66% of isolates in sheep, and 23.07% of human samples were identified as G3, and the others as the G1 genotype. The G3 genotype was not detected in human samples from Iran or sheep samples from Turkey.ConclusionThe findings of the study revealed that the G1 genotype of E. granulosus s.s. is the predominant genotype in humans and livestock, both in Turkey and Iran. The ratio of the E. granulosus s.s. G1 to G3 genotype was 3.2 in Turkey and 2 in Iran. The study also further confirmed that the nad5 gene properly differentiated the G1/G3 isolates of E. granulosus from both humans and livestock.Graphical

Investigation of the Relationship Between Individuals' Knowledge Levels Regarding Coronavirus Disease and E-Health Literacy Levels

Objectives: This research investigated the relationship between individuals' knowledge levels regarding coronavirus disease and e-health literacy levels.&#x0D; Methods: This study was designed as a descriptive and correlational type, was carried out between June and July 2020 by individuals living in the eastern provinces of Turkey.&#x0D; Results: According to the findings obtained from the study, it was found that the total mean score of individuals for Coronavirus disease was 13.59 ± 2.30. E-Health Literacy Level total score mean was found to be 26.12 ± 9.35. It was found that there was a positive statistically significant relationship between the level of knowledge regarding coronavirus disease and the total score means of e-health literacy (p

Autocratization, permanent emergency rule and local politics: lessons from the Kurds in Turkey

ABSTRACT Emergency rule provides opportunities for aspiring autocrats to subvert democratic institutions while still following constitutional rules. There has been a steady rise in the use of emergency rule for this purpose in recent years, leading many scholars to speak of “permanent” emergency rule. Existing explanations of permanent emergency rule focus on national-level factors, completely neglecting the role of local political dynamics. Our goal is to trace how overlooked local conditions enable the permanency of emergency rule. We do so by looking at one particular autocratizing emergency decree in one province in Eastern Turkey that became permanent during its recent state of emergency: the removal of local elected Kurdish mayors and their replacement with state-appointed trustees. We draw on in-depth interviews, reviews of three local newspapers, and a review of parliamentary records and political statements, to argue that three local conditions were necessary for this process. First, this was not a new policy for this region, which had long been treated as exceptional; secondly, there were high levels of local polarization and zero-sum politics around the ethno-political divide; and thirdly, local politics was highly clientelistic. These reinforcing factors created weak municipal government and enabled its eclipse by an autocratizing centre.

Farklı Kuşak Hemşirelerin Mesleki Bağlılıkları

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the professional commitment of nurses belonging to different generations. Method: This study with a descriptive, comparative and cross-sectional design was conducted from May to June 2019 in a province in eastern Turkey. The research was carried out with 291 nurses working in a university hospital with usable data. “Personal Information Form and Nursing Professional Commitment Scale” were used. Results: The mean score of the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale was found to be 76.08 ± 12.94. The mean scores of the nurses in the X ( 78.65 ± 12.32), Y ( 75.35 ± 13.18) and Z ( 76.27 ± 12.92) generations were as indicated. The combination of gender and education variables had a 3% effect on the total score of the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale. Generation, gender and education variables in combination have been determined to have a significant effect of 2.2% on the total score of the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale. Conclusion: It was found that the nurses’ professional commitment was above the average level and the nurses group with the highest professional commitment belonged to the X generation. Generation, gender and education variables did not significantly affect professional commitment separately; but they were found to affect professional commitment when used in combination.

Local geoid determination using a generalized regression neural network and interpolation methods: A case study in Kars, Turkey

This study aimed to determine the most suitable local geoid model based on 641 GNSS/leveling points within the borders of Kars Province in eastern Turkey using the generalized regression neural network (GRNN), weighted average (WA), multiquadric (MQ), inverse multiquadric (IMQ) function, and local polynomial (LP) method. Among these methods used in local geoid determination, the studies conducted with the GRNN method are very limited in the literature. To test the performance of the model, 169 GNSS/leveling points were selected as test data. When selecting the reference and test points, care was taken to ensure that the distribution of the points was homogeneous. The criteria of root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2) were used to assess the accuracy and error rates of the results achieved using the different methods. The analysis showed that the GRNN yielded better results than other interpolation methods (RMSE = 1.215 cm, MAE = 0.467 cm, R2 = 0.99980).

A new subspecies of Ornithogalum malatyanum (Asparagaceae: Scilloideae) from eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Ornithogalum malatyanum subsp. aricakense is a new subspecies from Elazığ province in eastern Turkey, differing from the typical subspecies in its flat, broader leaves and longer inflorescence of slightly larger flower. A description, photographs, ecology, distribution and conservation status of the new taxon are presented.

Field reconnaissance on seismic performance of RC buildings after the January 24, 2020 Elazığ-Sivrice earthquake

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude Mw of 6.8 occurred in the Sivrice district of Elazig Province in Eastern Turkey on January 24th, 2020. The mainshock and long-term aftershocks gave rise to considerable structural damage and affected the local society. Remarkable property loss took place due to building damages and collapses. The reasons for the losses and structural damages are investigated by the post-earthquake field observations. The importance of earthquake-resistant design principles and applications outlined in the current and former seismic codes is verified through the field reconnaissance. To this end, the seismic damage observed after the Elazig-Sivrice Earthquake in the non-structural and structural elements of the RC structures is reported. The conflict between the code requirements and actual conditions of construction practices is also established. The seismic vulnerability of substandard RC buildings is quantified in association with the structural weaknesses and deficiencies observed in the earthquake-affected region. The reasons behind the unexpectedly extensive damage at the local and global level under such a moderate earthquake are based on the vulnerability of substandard buildings resulting from structural deficiencies, poor material qualities, and lack of control mechanism during construction.

Armenian Ecclesiastical Sites in the Kars Province (Turkey): Current State, Preservation and Revalorization

ABSTRACT The article discusses selected Armenian ecclesiastical sites from the Kars Province in eastern Turkey, once a part of ancient Armenia, which are rapidly deteriorating. The authors focus on analyzing their present state in the context of their immediate environment, the measures taken by the local authorities to make them recognizable and accessible, as well as the possibilities of their re-evaluation and tourist potential.

Occupational Burnout Level of Preschool Teachers Working in the East and West of Turkey

The aim of this research is to examine the occupational burnout levels of preschool teachers’ work in terms of working in the eastern and western parts of Turkey, voluntariness, gender, working location and age. In accordance with the general aim of the study, “Maslach Burnout Inventory” and “Personal Information Form” (prepared by the researcher) were filled by 72 preschool teachers working in the eastern provinces of Turkey and 82 preschool teachers working in the western ones: a total of 154 preschool teachers, 133 females and 21 males. ANOVA and t-test were used in the evaluation of the data. It was determined that the part of Turkey where teachers work, east or west, did not cause any difference in their occupational burnout. However, preschool teachers who inadvertently chose their profession experienced greater emotional exhaustion and decreased sense of personal achievement compared with preschool teachers who chose their profession voluntarily. Also, preschool teachers who worked in the west at the age of 31-40 years and at over 40 years experienced higher emotional exhaustion levels than those who worked in the east at the age of 31-40 years and at over 40 years. Further studies should be conducted with more teachers from all the cities in the seven regions of the country.