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AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the experiences and views of married women about the topic of domestic violence. METHODS: This research was planned as a mixed methods study with an in-depth interview and descriptive approach. The study was conducted between November 2011 and December 2012 with 24 married women living in Ankara, Turkey. Two main data-collection tools were used in the study: the "Personal Information Form" and the "In-depth Interview Questionnaire." Data of this study were evaluated by content analysis. RESULTS: A majority of the participants (83.3%) stated that they had been exposed to domestic violence that had been committed primarily by their husbands. The actual reasons for the violence were reported to be such factors as "financial problems and lack of education and love and respect between the couples." It was determined that as the victims became more desperate, they turned to reading of the Koran, prayer, and smoking. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence adversely affects the physical and mental health of individuals, families, and the entire community. Therefore, it will take a community effort to address the causes of domestic violence and to create viable solutions that will improve the health of everyone.

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OBJECTIVE: This research has been conducted for the purpose of determining the cancer risk levels of women living in a small village of in Saraycik village of Ankara and their knowledge and application of breast cancer early diagnose-scan methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 317 women were taken as examples for the study. Data were collected by giving survey forms to women and conducting face-to-face interviews. In determining breast cancer risk, "the form to determine the breast cancer risk" has been used. For breast cancer informational questions, one point has been given for each correct answer. In evaluating the data, number, percentage calculations, average and standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U (MU), Kruskal-Wallis (KW), One-way analysis of variance (F) independent sample T (t) tests have been used. RESULTS: It has been found that breast cancer risk is low, the knowledge level about cancer early recognition methods are medium among the women. It has been determined that 74.4% women didn't perform breast self-examination. 89.6% of women don't have mammography taken and 88.6% don't have their breast examined by health personnel. CONCLUSION: In our study, it has been found that the risk levels of women are low, their knowledge about early diagnosis and cure are at a medium level and their use of these methods are inadequate. For this reason, we suggest that responsibility of healthcare professionals have to be increased in determining breast cancer risk among women and education and advisory services for this subject to be offered.

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BACKGROUND/AIM: This study determined the effects of cotinine concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) and seminal plasma (SP) on the pregnancy outcome of couples using assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted as a case-control study. A total of 217 couples were included in the study. Among these couples, there were nonsmokers (66 women and 40 men), passive smokers (106 women and 54 men), and active smokers (45 women and 123 men). Demographic and smoking data were collected by questionnaire at the onset of treatment. FF and SP samples were obtained from the couples on the day of oocyte retrieval. RESULTS: The cotinine concentrations in the FF and SP of nonsmokers were significantly lower than they were in the other groups (P = 0.001). The difference in cotinine concentrations detected in FF between women with positive pregnancy test results and women with negative pregnancy test results was statistically insignificant. It was also determined that the percentage of clinical pregnancy was lower in nonsmoker women than in passive smoker or smoker women (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although we found there was no significant difference in the pregnancy outcome between nonsmoker and passive smoker or smoker women, smoking cessation should be an integral part of ARTs.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anxiety and depression scores of couples who underwent Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) on pregnancy outcomes. METHOD: This study was conducted as a prospective and comparative study with 217 couples. The study data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire and the Turkish version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The questionnaire, STAI and BDI were applied to couples who initiated ART treatment. Couples' state anxiety scores were re-evaluated after embryo transfer (ET). RESULTS: A significant relationship was found between the depression score of women and pregnancy outcome (p < 0.05). It was determined that anxiety scores for both men and women were higher before the ART procedure, but their anxiety scores decreased after ET (p < 0.05). Spouses of women with a negative pregnancy outcome had higher trait and state anxiety mean scores (p > 0.05) and lower depression scores (p <0.05) than spouses of women with a positive pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION: Study results indicated that the anxiety and depression scores of couples who had achieved a positive pregnancy result were lower than for couples with a negative result. The results of this study will contribute to the health professionals especially to the nurses who spend the most time with couples in providing consulting services and supporting psychological status of couples during ART process in Turkey.

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OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoke contains many toxic chemicals associated with poor reproductive outcome and reduced fertility. It also has a negative effect on sperm motility and morphology. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of male and female cigarette smoking on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). STUDY DESIGN: In this comparative prospective analysis, the effects of smoking on outcomes of IVF including semen parameters, oocyte quality, fertilization rate, transfer day embryo scores and pregnancy rates were analyzed. For this purpose, patients were grouped based on their follicular or seminal fluid cotinine (a nicotine metabolite) levels as smokers and non-smokers (non-smokers: female (n=171), male (n=118), smokers: female (n=43), male (n=96)). RESULTS: The mean age and baseline hormonal levels of all groups were found to be comparable. While the numbers of total and mature oocytes collected were higher in the smoker group (p=0.005 and p=0.006, respectively), oocyte quality index, fertilization rate, embryo development rate and pregnancy rate were not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Analysis based on the type of ovarian hyperstimulation protocol (GnRH agonist, antagonist and others) showed that within the antagonist group the mean age of smokers was significantly lower and the total number of collected oocytes was significantly higher compared with non-smokers. Cigarette smoking among men did not have a significant negative effect on outcomes of IVF whether their partners were smokers or nonsmokers. Regression analysis did not give any significant difference when male and/or female smoking status was analyzed for fertilization rates, transferred embryo qualities and clinical pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking does not have detrimental effects on outcomes of IVF.

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Although the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is commonly used for contraception, it frequently fails and pregnancy ensues. This descriptive study was conducted to determine the status of the use of breastfeeding as a method of family planning and the influential factors that may have contributed to the success or failure of LAM. The research sample was comprised of 188 women with 6-month-old infants in eastern Turkey. A semistructured interview form was used for data collection in face-to-face meetings with the women during visits in their homes. In this study, 34% of the women used LAM to prevent pregnancy after childbirth. However, it was observed that only 17.2% of women using LAM fulfilled the LAM criteria with success, and 82.8% did not fulfill one or more of the LAM criteria. The pregnancy rate of women using this method was 32.8%. Two of the three basic criteria necessary for LAM to be effective were not met by the women: having menses (43.8%) and starting supplemental feeding (70.3%). Prenatal and postnatal counseling services need to be integrated and include information and education about the criteria that are necessary for LAM to be used effectively. These services should be given to women who choose to use LAM for contraception.

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