Eastern Turkey Research Articles

Psychosocial dimension of adolescent pregnancy: a phenomenological study on life experiences

ABSTRACT Aim This study aimed to assess the lived experiences of adolescent pregnant young women, with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspect of adolescent pregnancy, using a phenomenological approach. Design Employing the phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between 3 August and 18 August 2023 with 15 young women (mean age = 21.86 years; SD = 1.06) living in a province in eastern Turkey who had undergone adolescent pregnancy 3–5 years before. Methods The criterion sampling method, a form of purposive sampling, was used to form the sample group. Interviews were carried out until data saturation was reached. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting. Results Through data analysis, three main categories (reflections on adolescent pregnancy, challenges due to adolescent pregnancy, and effects of adolescent pregnancy) and nine sub-themes (emotions, roles and responsibilities, perception of social support, cognitive, emotional, behavioural, mental, physical, and social) emerged. Conclusion Our study highlights the adverse psychosocial impact of adolescent pregnancy on young women. Young women who got married at an early age before attaining full physical, social, and psychological maturity grappled with the substantial burdens of adolescent pregnancy and adjusting to their new roles. The study’s implications are significant, emphasising the necessity of addressing the psychosocial facets of adolescent marriage and pregnancy, and gaining valuable insights for the future.

Comparison of Neotectonic Intermontane Basins of Northern Armenia and Eastern Turkey

Comparison of Neotectonic Intermontane Basins of Northern Armenia and Eastern Turkey

Comparing Personal Risk Communication with Generic Information on Breast Cancer Screening Attendance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This study sought to discern the differential impacts of communicating individualized breast cancer risk versus disseminating generic breast cancer information on women's proclivity towards breast cancer screenings. Method: A structured experimental design was used, including 300 female volunteers aged between 40-69, who had not previously been diagnosed with breast cancer, in Erzincan. Data collection entailed a face-to-face administration of a 22-item questionnaire complemented by the ASSISTS scale. Participants were randomized into two conditions: one receiving a standardized briefing on breast cancer screening modalities, and the other being apprised of their lifetime risk of breast cancer development based on the modified Gail model. Results: Post-intervention, 55.8% (n=72) of the risk-informed cohort and 40.5% (n=41) of the generic information cohort expressed a willingness to undergo screening (p=0.022). Notably, the group informed of their personalized risk exhibited a more pronounced uptick in requests for breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography screening compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: The communication of personalized breast cancer risk proves to be a more efficacious and time-efficient strategy than generic information dissemination in bolstering screening participation rates.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the circadian rhythm of cesarean section deliveries.

Circadian rhythms synchronize all biological functions, enabling humans to foresee and respond better to periodic environmental changes. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown regulations significantly changed the lighting conditions in pregnant women, leading to chronological disruption. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 on the circadian rhythm of cesarean deliveries. We investigated whether the circadian rhythm of cesarean section deliveries changed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital in Van Province, eastern Turkey. We analyzed the distribution of birth times for 1476 cesarean deliveries performed between March 01, 2020 and January 20, 2021 (1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic) and compared this information with data from 1194 cesarean deliveries performed during a similar period in the previous year. The primary outcome was the change in the circadian rhythm of cesarean deliveries. Secondary outcomes included cesarean section (CS) delivery rates, indications for CS, 1st and 5th minutes Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration scores, and anesthesia technique use rates. Regarding the time distribution of CS deliveries in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the maximum number of cesarean deliveries (n = 234, 16%) occurred between 14:00 and 16:00 (P = .112). Cesarean deliveries in pre-COVID-19 group were most frequently performed between 10:00 and 12:00, at a rate of 18% (n = 216) (P = .001). In both groups, the time point at which CS deliveries were the least performed was 04:00 to 06:00, and the rates were different (n = 35, 2% and n = 14, 1%, respectively) (P = .022). A 4-hour phase shift was detected at the peak of the birth time in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous year. These results suggest that the circadian rhythm of cesarean deliveries is affected by the pandemic.

Assessment of stigmatization and self-esteem in patients with epilepsy

AimThis study was conducted to examine the relationship between stigmatization and self-esteem of patients with epilepsy. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 216 patients at a university hospital in Van, a province in eastern Turkey. The researcher prepared the data collection tools, including a personal information form, Jacoby Stigma Scale and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, in line with the literature. The Jacoby stigma scale was applied to assess stigma. Data analysis was performed using t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey, LSD coefficient. ResultsThe mean total stigmatization score of patients with epilepsy was 21.11 ± 10.00, while the mean total self-esteem score was 20.26 ± 5.16. The study found a significant negative correlation between stigmatization and self-esteem scores (r = -0.411; p < 0.05). ConclusionThe research study revealed that patient with epilepsy have a high perception of stigma and low selfesteem levels.

Notes on the distribution, food plants and morphology of Chlorophanus C. R. Sahlberg, 1823 species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Turkey

Chlorophanus vittatus Schoenherr, 1832, known from the Caucasus and northern Iran, is here newly reported from eastern Turkey. Salix L., Populus L., Tamarix L. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. are revealed as host plants of adults in Turkey. Feeding and mating behavior of adults were observed on leaves of G. glabra during the summer period in the Aras River valley. The lectotype of Ch. vittatus is designated, description and digital photographs of the genitalia are presented based on newly collected material. Distributional data for Ch. vittatus, Ch. excisus (Fabricius, 1801) and Ch. pollinosus (Fabricius, 1792) in Turkey are reported, the latter species is also recorded from Turkey for the first time. Chlorophanus flavescens (Fabricius, 1787) is deleted from the list of the Iranian fauna, and Ch. excisus, from the list of the Russian fauna. Characteristic ecological and distributional features of the genus Chlorophanus C. R. Sahlberg, 1823 are discussed, and notes on the riparian habitats in Turkey are given to attract attention to the necessity of their preservation. As a fragile member of the riparian insect species complex, a weevil, Corimalia aliena (Faust, 1890), formerly known only from Central Palaearctic, is reported for the first time from Turkey where it was found on Myricaria sp. in Erzurum Province. Chlorophanus excisus co-occurs with Ch. vittatus in eastern Turkey and western Iran, or at least their ranges overlap there. These two species contribute to the maximum local Chlorophanus diversity in Erzincan and Erzurum provinces. Chlorophanus micans is recorded in Crimean Mountains and Southern Bug River valley indicating a potential current contact between Ch. micans and Ch. pollinosus in Podolian Upland.

Hydrogeological characterization of low permeability medium for conceptualization of a mine site in Eastern Turkey

The mining site in Eastern Anatolia of Turkey were encounter a significant risk of slope instability within the operational area. One of the processes that govern slope stability is the pore water pressure distribution. The conceptualization and characterization of porous media serve as fundamental prerequisites for the implementation of numerical methods aimed at predicting pore water distribution. This study aims to characterize the hydrogeological properties of water bearing rocks in the active mining site in Eastern Anatolia of Turkey. A total of 21 wells and drill holes were drilled in the study area to conduct in-situ tests, monitoring, and sampling. The large diameter wells drilled in surrounding the carbonate rocks were to determine the groundwater flow and boundary conditions and also wells tapped metasediments and diorite unit for hydraulic testing. The lugeon tests and installation of vibrating wire piezometers were carried out at small diameter drill holes to obtain localized hydraulic conductivity of metasediments and diorite at different depths and monitoring pore water pressure distribution along some critical cross-sections. The results obtained from these tests are used for developing hydrogeological conceptual model for groundwater flow. The results of in-situ tests show that the metasediment and diorite units act as a single hydrostratigraphic unit. The metasediments and diorite have high total porosity and low specific yield indicating that the pore water is retained by electrostatic forces in the medium and it resists flow due to low hydraulic conductivity. The vertical variation in hydraulic conductivity values indicates that the medium is highly heterogeneous.

Thoughts of the February 20, 2023 Defne aftershock

On February 6 2023, two large earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw 7.8 (Pazarcık) and Mw 7.6 (Elbistan) occurred consecutively along the East Anatolian Fault Zone in eastern Turkey, causing enormous casualties and heavy damage. This devastating sequence of earthquakes was followed by the Defne aftershock on February 20 near Antakya province, which increased the damage and loss of life. Here, the teleseismic broadband P velocity waveforms are inverted to obtain the coseismic finite-fault slip distribution of the February 20, 2023 Defne aftershock. It was found that the rupture was controlled by the failure of a single asperity with the largest displacement of approximately 0.75 m, which occurred between 6 and 20 km depth. The source mechanism indicated a dominant left-lateral faulting with a significant normal component and released a total seismic moment of 5.85x1018 Nt.m. Coseismic Coulomb stress changes modelling showed that the Defne aftershock rupture was triggered by the earthquake sequence and that the February 6 Pazarcık earthquake had a dominant effect. In the stress modelling carried out on the Dead Sea Fault, the northern segment of the fault remained in the region of significant positive stress loading. Considering the positive stress load over 1 bar created by the earthquake sequence and the Defne aftershock ruptures, as well as the fact that no major earthquake has occurred for more than 600 years, it is clear that the probability of rupture in the northern part has increased significantly and the seismic hazard is high.

The safety and efficacy of TNF inhibitors in patients with Behçet's disease: Retrospective study from eastern Turkey

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the clinical features, disease course, and associated factors for outcome in severe/refractory BD patients receiving TNF-i treatment. Material and methodsThis retrospective study was conducted by reviewing medical records from a tertiary referral center in Van province in Eastern Turkey. Data were obtained from patients' charts followed up between June 2019 and June 2022. ResultsWe included 469 BD patients (59.3% male) whose 80 patients (17%) received TNF-i treatment in the study. The mean ± standard deviation of the patient age was 36.7 ± 10.1 years and the median (IQR) disease duration was 12 (12) years. IFX and ADAwere initiated in 67.5% (n = 54) and 32.5% (n = 26) patients, respectively. Overall and first-line retention rates of TNF-i were 84.7% and 92.6% for IFX and 83.3% and 80.8% for ADA, respectively. IFX was discontinued in 9 patients which were in 2 patients due to allergic reaction and tuberculosis, 3 patients for inefficacy, one patient for heart failure, and one patient for orbital zona. Although no serious adverse event was observed with ADA, 5 patients switched to IFX due to inefficacy. Overall, 72 patients (90%) resumed TNF-i at the end of the study; TNF-i was discontinued in 3 patients (3.8%) due to severe adverse events and in 5 patients (6.2%) with prolonged remission. ConclusionIn our study, no case of death was observed in TNF-i receiving patients. Most patients achieved attack-free and CS-free disease and retained TNF-i treatment. TNF inhibitors appear to be safe and effective in patients with severe/refractory Behçet's disease.

Intraspecific diversity of Meriones persicus (Rodentia; Gerbillinae), the main plague reservoir in Iran, and its connection to enzootic plague in Iran.

Plague, a lethal zoonotic disease, primarily circulates within rodent populations and their fleas. In Iran, the widely distributed jird, Meriones persicus, serves as the principal reservoir for plague, with a belief in the existence of five out of its six recognized subspecies within the country. However, these subspecies are classified into four mitochondrial cytochrome b sub-lineages (IA, IB, IIA, IIB). This discrepancy, combined with the presence of an unnamed sub-lineage in central Iran awaiting taxonomic clarification, has left intraspecific taxonomy unsettled and obscured the true alignment between mtDNA sub-lineages and nominal subspecies. In this study, we investigated the intraspecific variation in the cytb gene across populations sampled throughout Iran, focusing on underexplored regions between the Zagros and Alborz Mountains and central Iran. While our genetic data generally support reported subspecies validity in Iran, we raise questions about M. p. baptistae, emphasizing the need for further data from its type territory in Pakistan. Two main lineages of M. persicus (I and II) exhibit geographical isolation, with limited overlap in the central Zagros Mts., where three subspecies (M. p. ambrosius, M. p. rossicus, and M. p. persicus) coexist. Superimposing infected rodents' geographic coordinates onto updated sub-lineages' distribution revealed a potential association between sub-lineage IA (M. p. rossicus) and all enzootic plague cases from 1946 to 2023. M. persicus rossicus extends into the Caucasus (where plague infections are common), Eastern Turkey, and Iraq. Consequently, interpreting this finding in the context of plague surveillance in Iran and neighboring areas requires caution.

1092: Call for action: The need for an incident learning system in Eastern Mediterranean Region and Turkey

1092: Call for action: The need for an incident learning system in Eastern Mediterranean Region and Turkey

Combatting energy poverty in eastern Turkey: innovative debt solutions and the power-cut index

Energy poverty (EP), a pressing global concern, is uniquely manifested in regions like eastern Turkey due to intertwined socio-economic conditions and intricate energy consumption patterns. This study critically examines the electricity market dynamics, highlighting the direct impact on end-users, from households to entire communities facing challenges such as unauthorized consumption and waste. Our findings over 2 years period of 6 million customer invoices through 17 cities of 5 distribution companies underscore the limitations of traditional income-based measures in capturing the nuances of EP. In response, we introduce a novel metric—the power-cut index per consumer (PCPC)—spotlighting the prevalence of power interruptions due to non-payment as an actionable intervention metric. To address EP’s challenges, we present a mechanism encouraging consumers to reduce consumption, offering debt discounts as incentives. Our methodological approach, harnessing both the Monte Carlo simulation and optimization, promises flexible, actionable strategies tailored to diverse EP situations. Drawing parallels with the European Union’s energy transition efforts, this study proposes the adaptation of European frameworks to cater to Turkey’s unique landscape. By anchoring our insights in real stories of those affected by EP, we highlight the human dimension, emphasizing the urgency of stakeholder collaboration to ensure a future where energy facilitates prosperity rather than hindrance. The collective endeavors of infrastructure companies, governmental agencies, NGOs, and the public are pivotal in sculpting a brighter, equitable energy future.

The Relationship Between Proactive Personality Traits and Professional Values in Final-Year Nursing Students

Aim: This descriptive, relational study investigated the relationship between final-year nursing students’ proactive personality traits and professional values. Method: The research population consisted of 101 final-year nursing students in the nursing department of a university in eastern Turkey between 10-20 December 2022. The study data were collected online using the participant introduction form, the Abbreviated Proactive Personality Scale and the Professional Nursing Values Scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent groups t-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson correlation test. Results: The final-year nursing students were found to have an average of 49.53±10.34 and 112.34±15.87 on the Abbreviated Proactive Personality Scale and Professional Nursing Values Scale, respectively, and had a proactive personality and high professional values above the medium level. The study showed that the final-year nursing students who volunteered to become nurses had higher mean scores on the Professional Nursing Values Scale total score and the Professionalism, Activism and Justice subscales, with a statistically significant difference. A moderately significant positive correlation was found between students’ Abbreviated Proactive Personality Scale and Professional Nursing Values Scale mean scores (r=0.477, p&amp;lt;0.001). The research found that as students’ proactive personality increased, so did their professional values. Conclusion: The study found that students had proactive personalities and high professional values above the moderate level, and as proactive personality traits increased, their professional values also increased. In this regard, developing students’ proactive personality traits and professional nursing values may be recommended, as increasing their awareness and conducting research with larger groups.

Experiences of women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A qualitative study

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the experiences of women with breast cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. Methods: The study was conducted with 15 women with breast cancer who were receiving chemotheraphy treatment in eastern Türkiye between December 2022 and April 2023, by using a qualitative descriptive design. Two forms were created by the researcher according to the purpose of the research and the population. The first form contains information of the participants, and the second form includes semi-structured interview questions. Inductive thematic analysis was used to evaluate the data. Ethics committee approval was obtained. Results: Mean age of the women in the study was 47.26 ± 10.21. It was found that 53% of the women were university graduates, 93% were married, 67% were unemployed, 73% had average level of income, 66% had no comorbid chronic disease and 53% had stage two cancer. As a result of the thematic analysis, five themes and sixteen sub-themes were determined: The themes were; (1) Receiving the first diagnosis (2) Emotional experiences, (3) Changes in life, (4) Symptom management, (5) Sources of information during treatment. Conclusion: It was found that receiving chemotherapy treatment created many problems, especially physical and emotional, in women with breast cancer. However, the women continued their treatment without giving up. The steps to be taken to define and understand these problems well will play an active role in women’s coping with the disease effectively.

Effect of Supportive Midwifery Care in Primiparous on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Fear of Childbirth in Labour

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine the effect of supportive midwifery care in primiparous on posttraumatic stress disorder and fear of childbirth in labour. Methods: The study was conducted in the delivery room of a maternity hospital in eastern Turkey. The data were collected between January and November 2018. This study is a quasi-experimental study, in which pregnant women were sampled from the relevant population using the non-probability random sampling method. The sample consisted of 164 women, including 82 in the experimental group and 82 in the control group. The women in both groups were asked to complete a personal information form and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) Version A. Those in the experimental group received midwifery support during labour. The women in both groups were then given the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version B and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised 6–8 hours after childbirth. Results: The mean prenatal W-DEQ version A score was 47.15±19.68 in the experimental group and 63.23±23.10 in the control group. There was a significant difference in mean scores between the groups (p

What are the thoughts of postgraduate nursing students regarding the 'Applied Scientific Research' course? A qualitative study on achievements, benefits, challenges, and suggested solutions

ObjectiveThis research aimed to examine students' emotions, opinions, and suggestions regarding the "Applied Scientific Research" course. MethodThe study was conducted in a province in eastern Turkey between June and July 2023. Data were collected from 9 postgraduate students attending the "Scientific Research" course at a university's Institute of Health Sciences using a 'Descriptive Information Form' and a 'Semi-Structured Questionnaire'. Content analysis was employed for the qualitative data evaluation. ResultsThe participants' ages ranged from 25 to 32. Six participants were female, five were academicians, and five were doctoral students. Six participants had taken a statistics or research course before the scientific research course. Additionally, seven had attended scientific conferences, five followed a scientific publication regularly, five had conducted scientific research before, and five had not published scientific research before taking the course. Through the analysis of data obtained from participant interviews, three themes, namely "Effects of Activities in the Course," "Reasons for Recommendations and Preferences," and "Outcomes of the Course," were identified. Six sub-themes and 18 codes were generated, including "Most Challenging Activity," "Least Challenging Activity," "Recommendations for the Course," "Reasons for Choosing the Course," "Contributions of the Course," and "Feelings Towards the Course." ConclusionThe research results indicate that students improved their skills in conducting scientific research, writing articles, and getting published after taking the course. Furthermore, the course evoked positive feelings in students and increased their perceived competence.

The relationship between the self-confidence in clean urinary intermittent catheterisation and self-efficacy of home care patients.

Home care patients experience great difficulty in fulfilling their daily activities. One of these difficulties is related to urinary excretion. It is necessary for individuals to possess self-efficacy as well as self-confidence in order to be able to perform self-administered clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC). The present study aims to determine the relationship between the self-confidence and self-efficacy of home care patients in CIC. The data were collected from patients receiving home care services from a hospital in eastern Turkey between November 2022 and February 2023. The study data were collected online via google forms. No sample selection was made and the entire population was included in the study (372). The study was completed with 240 patients. A significant positive correlation was found between the scores obtained from the self-confidence and self-efficacy inventories for CIC. It was found that the self-efficacy total score had an effect size of 66% on self-confidence inventories for CIC. In addition, age, education level and working status also affect self-efficacy. In the present study, it was concluded that the level of self-confidence affects the level of self-efficacy in self-catheterisation. The success rate of catheterisation increases in parallel with self-confidence.

An Exploration of Predictors of English Scores in an Admission Examination: Research Notes from the Turkish Context

This study aimed to identify the predictors of the short answer scores in the English component of a private high school entrance exam. A purposive of 390 high school students were drawn from the student body who took the admission exam of a private co-educational high school implementing two international programs (International General Certificate of Secondary Education and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program) along with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) program. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the predictors of English scores in the school admission examination. A statistically significant and moderate relationship was found between the scores in English and Mathematics scores in this admission exam conducted in a school located in eastern Turkey. The study is significant as it was conducted in a Turkish context using an admission assessment test for the first time. The findings yield important implications for practice for educators, practitioners, and curriculum policymakers.

The effect of environmental health education on microplastic pollution awareness.

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of environmental health education given at the ninth-grade level on the microplastic pollution awareness level of students. This pretest-posttest experimental study with a randomized control group was conducted between 2022 and 2023 in three high schools in a province in eastern Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of 90 ninth-grade students (experimental group: 45, control group: 45), and the sample magnitude was determined by power analysis. Tools such as the "Personal Information Form" and "Microplastic Pollution Awareness Scale (MPAS)" were used to collect data. Training was given to the experimental group as a nursing intervention in a total of four sessions at 15-day intervals. No intervention was applied to the individuals in the control group. While no significant difference was observed in the MPAS total score in the control group according to the pretest and posttest mean scores, a significant difference was observed in the MPAS total score in the experimental group (p<0.05). When the posttest mean scores of the experimental and control groups were examined, it was observed that the posttest mean scores of the experimental group were higher than the posttest mean scores of the control group and there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). It was observed that the microplastic pollution awareness level of the experimental group students who received environmental health training increased significantly. The issue of environmental health should be integrated into the education curriculum in schools and students' awareness levels should be increased.

The association of domestic violence during pregnancy with maternal psychological well-being in the early postpartum period: A sample from women with low socioeconomic status in Eastern Turkey

AimTo examine the association of women's exposure to domestic violence during pregnancy with postpartum maternal psychological well-being (postpartum depression and anxiety) in the early postpartum period. MethodsThe sample of this descriptive correlational research study comprised 358 women. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Domestic Violence Screening Tool, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale. The one-way multivariate analysis of variance, and a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to analysis of data. ResultsThe mean scores of the HITS, the EPDS, and the PSAS were 6.00±16.00, 7.47±5.57, and 72.02±18.63 respectively. Considering the cut-off values of the scales, the women were found to be at risk for exposure to domestic violence (20.1%), postpartum depression (24%), and postpartum anxiety (11.2%). Education level and having social security was significantly associated with women's HITS and PSAS score.Women with high mean domestic violence scores had high mean postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety scores. Women's mean domestic violence and postpartum anxiety scores were significantly and positively associated with their mean postpartum depression scores (p < 0.001). ConclusionThe results of this study revealed that women were frequently exposed to DV during pregnancy, education level and social security were important predictors of exposure to DV, and that DV associated with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Exposure to DV and postpartum anxiety increased the risk of postpartum depression. It is recommended to integrate screening, guidance, and supportive counseling practices into routine antenatal care to improve the mental health of pregnant women at risk.