Özlem Güner

Aim: This study aimed to determine health literacy and genital hygiene behavior levels, examine the relationship between these variables, and evaluate the factors associated with genital hygiene behaviors among women aged 18 years and older who were recruited through an online survey in Türkiye. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Türkiye between 31 March and May 2026 with 469 women aged 18 years and older who were recruited through an online survey distributed via social media. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Scale and the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used. Results: The mean Health Literacy Scale score was 109.61 ± 13.77 (possible range: 25–125), while the mean Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale score was 95.94 ± 9.91 (possible range: 23–115). A positive, statistically significant, but small correlation was found between health literacy and genital hygiene behaviors (r = 0.292, p < 0.001). In the regression analysis, health literacy was independently associated with genital hygiene behaviors (β = 0.344, p < 0.001). Receiving genital hygiene education or information (β = 0.142, p = 0.001) and consulting a physician when experiencing a health problem (β = 0.094, p = 0.019) were also independently associated with genital hygiene behaviors. Conclusions: Higher health literacy was associated with more positive genital hygiene behaviors among women recruited online in Türkiye; however, the magnitude of the association was small. Receiving genital hygiene education or information and seeking professional healthcare were also associated with more positive behaviors. These findings support further investigation of health literacy-informed educational approaches, particularly through longitudinal and intervention studies, rather than establishing that such approaches would causally improve genital hygiene behaviors.

Background: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) refers to a pattern of excessive preoccupation with healthy eating rather than an established clinical diagnosis. Interest in orthorexia-related eating attitudes has increased during pregnancy, a period characterized by heightened nutritional awareness and health-related responsibility. However, evidence regarding the psychosocial, behavioral, and contextual factors associated with such eating attitudes in pregnant women remains limited. This study aimed to examine individual and contextual psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with orthorexia-related eating attitudes during pregnancy. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between November 5, 2022 and July 5, 2023 in the obstetrics outpatient clinic and non-stress test unit of a state hospital in Türkiye. A total of 480 pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years with healthy singleton pregnancies participated. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Pregnant Woman Information Form, the Orthorexia Nervosa-11 Scale (ORTO-11), the Pregnancy Self-Perception Scale, and the Brief Psychological Resilience Scale. The ORTO-11 was analyzed as a continuous measure of eating-related attitudes rather than a diagnostic instrument, and lower scores indicate stronger orthorexia-related eating attitudes. Group comparisons were conducted using independent samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Associations between variables were evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. Variables associated with ORTO-11 scores were examined using hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.79 ± 5.02 years, and age was not associated with ORTO-11 scores. Weak correlations were observed between ORTO-11 scores and body mass index and pre-pregnancy weight. Lower ORTO-11 scores (indicating stronger orthorexia-related eating attitudes) were observed among women with higher educational level, persistent nausea and vomiting, discontinuation of dietary supplements, and avoidance of caffeine intake. More frequent pregnancy-related information seeking and discussions with family or friends were also associated with lower ORTO-11 scores. Several psychosocial variables, including pregnancy-related fear, health anxiety, maternal self-perception, partner relationship quality, partner support, and perceived social support, showed weak but statistically significant correlations with ORTO-11 scores. In hierarchical multiple regression analysis, sociodemographic and obstetric variables explained a limited proportion of variance, whereas psychological and behavioral variables contributed additional explanatory value. The final model explained 19.9% of the variance in ORTO-11 scores (adjusted R² = 0.159, p < 0.001). After adjustment, higher educational level, higher pregnancy-related fear, lower maternal self-perception, more frequent pregnancy-related information seeking, and changes in caffeine consumption remained independently associated with ORTO-11 scores. Conclusion: Orthorexia-related eating attitudes during pregnancy appear to occur within a multidimensional biopsychosocial context rather than being explained by obstetric or medical characteristics alone. Given the modest effect sizes and the limited proportion of explained variance, these findings should be interpreted as context-dependent eating-related attitudes rather than evidence of a clinical disorder. Accordingly, the ORTO-11 should not be considered a diagnostic or screening indicator in pregnant populations based on the present data.The findings describe associative patterns observed in a clinical sample, and their clinical relevance and temporal direction require confirmation in longitudinal and population-based studies before any screening or intervention implications can be considered.

This study aimed to examine the association between gender perception and the acceptance of dating violence myths among health sciences students. This cros

This study aimed to determine the levels of resistance to change and artificial intelligence (AI) anxiety among nursing and midwifery students and to examine the association between these variables. This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted with 413 nursing and midwifery students enrolled at a state university during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Resistance to Change Scale, and the Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Students demonstrated moderate levels of resistance to change (Mean = 39.15 ± 7.99) and moderate levels of AI anxiety (Mean = 44.62 ± 11.04). Based on the recommended cut-off score of 48, 45.8% of participants (n = 189) were classified as experiencing high AI anxiety, while 54.2% (n = 224) had low-to-moderate levels of AI anxiety. Among AI anxiety subdimensions, the highest mean score was observed in sociotechnical blindness. Resistance to change was positively associated with AI anxiety (r = 0.296, p < 0.01). In the regression model, resistance to change showed the strongest association with AI anxiety (B = 0.47, p < 0.001), while gender and academic department were also significantly associated. The final model explained 14.1% of the variance in AI anxiety (R² = 0.141). Higher levels of resistance to change are associated with increased AI anxiety among nursing and midwifery students. These findings suggest that resistance to change represents a modifiable psychological factor that may be addressed through educational interventions, alongside technical AI skill development, within digital transformation initiatives in health professions education.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of reproductive coercion and violence on women with unplanned pregnancies in Türkiye. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2022 with women who applied to the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic. Data were collected using the “Descriptive Information Form,” the “Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST),” and the “Reproductive Coercion Scale (RCS). Results: A total of 380 women were included in the study. It was found that 18.7% of women had experienced reproductive coercion, and 17.1% had been exposed to violence. A significant difference was observed between scores on the Reproductive Coercion Scale and the Violence Scale ( X ² = 25.173, p < 0.001). Spouse’s alcohol consumption, reproductive coercion, residence, marital status, type of marriage, and pregnancy status together explained 27.8% of the variance in participants’ levels of violence. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that women in Türkiye experienced reproductive coercion during their reproductive years and that there was an association between violence against women and reproductive coercion. Notably, reproductive coercion and violence appeared to be significantly influenced by regional and cultural factors, reflecting variations observed across different countries and societies.

Introduction: Women’s reproductive years affect their personal and societal lives. Childbirth, one of the most significant events of this age, is biological, psychological, social, and cultural. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between personality traits, demographic variables, obstetric characteristics, and fear of childbirth in women of reproductive age. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted online with 394 women of reproductive age between May and November 2024. Data were collected using the "Personal Information Form", "Cervantes Personality Scale (CPS)", and "Childbirth Fear Scale (CFS)". Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation test were used to analyze the data. Results: Mean sub‑dimension scores on the Cervantes Personality Scale were 11.57 ± 3.49 for Extraversion/Introversion, 28.65 ± 7.52 for Emotional Stability/Instability, and –6.92 ± 7.66 for Consistency/Inconsistency. The overall mean score on the Childbirth Fear Scale (CFS) was 51.67 ± 8.40. Age, educational level, place of residence, marital status, employment status, income, and family type significantly influenced the subdimension scores of the Childbirth Fear Scale. Regarding obstetric variables, having children, birth preference, number of pregnancies, and number of miscarriages/curettages were found to exert significant effects on fear of childbirth. Conclusion: Pregnant women who were neurotic or exhibited inconsistent personality traits experienced higher levels of fear of childbirth. Women characterized by neurotic and inconsistent personalities should therefore be assessed more carefully with respect to fear of childbirth.

Objective: This study addresses the lack of validated tools to assess satisfaction with virtual reality (VR) applications in occupational health and safety (OHS) training. Methods: A 22-item satisfaction scale was developed through item generation, expert review, and pilot testing. Data were collected from 258 participants who completed VR-based OHS training between February and June 2024. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, along with internal consistency checks using Cronbach α. Results: The scale explained 70.657% of the total variance. Internal consistency was high, with Cronbach α values of 0.958 for Effectiveness-Learning, 0.928 for Perceived Satisfaction, 0.778 for Ease of Perception, and 0.966 overall. Conclusions: The developed scale is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating satisfaction with VR-based OHS training, supporting the improvement of training effectiveness and learner-centered design.

Objetivo: Investigar los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas (CAP) de las enfermeras sobre la COVID-19 durante su fase tardía.

Objective To investigate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 during its late phase.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the Reproductive Autonomy Scale (RES), which is a measurement tool that will determine the views of women in Turkey regarding reproductive autonomy by adapting it to the Turkish language and culture. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, methodological research study. A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit 237 women who applied to the gynecology polyclinic between February 2019 and August 2019. Results: The consistency of the scale, which was translated into Turkish and then back to English, was determined with expert opinion (Kendall W =0.101; p>0.05). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.72 for the total scale and 0.70 to 0.85 for the subscales. Factor analysis revealed three subscales that explained 58.4% of the total variance. Based on the confirmatory factor analysis, the goodness of fit index was 0.92, the comparative fit index was 0.95, and the non-normed fit index was 0.94. Conclusion: The RAS is valid and reliable for the determination of reproductive autonomy among Turkish women. These results suggested that RAS could be used in family planning programs to identify coercion or barriers against contraception, understand the limitations of reproductive autonomy, and improve women's health.