The aim of this study was to define the effects of pregnancy on sexual life. The research was carried out during January-August 2000 at the Antenatal Polyclinic of University of Istanbul, Faculty of Medicine. The sampling consisted of 150 pregnant women in the 34th week or later in pregnancy, who were not restricted in their sexual lives by their physicians, and for whom the risks of placenta previa, early rupture of membranes, and premature birth risk were not present. We gathered the data using an interview form that was developed in the direction of the phases of sexual function (desire, stimulation, plato, orgasm, resolution). The form included 63 questions covering the experiences of pregnant women in all three trimesters of pregnancy. Researchers filled out forms during face-to-face interviews with the pregnant women. Sexual intercourse frequency was noted to decrease as pregnancy progressed. Fear of sexual intercourse was prevalent particularly in the third trimester. The pregnant women experienced less stimulation during sexual intercourse as pregnancy progressed. Length of intercourse also decreased during the later phases of pregnancy compared with prepregnancy. Inability to experience orgasm increased with each trimester. We determined that pregnant women felt more pain during the coitus as the pregnancy progressed. The rate of sexual satisfaction declined as pregnancy progressed, particularly during the third trimester. We determined in our study that sexual functioning declines as pregnancy progresses compared with prepregnancy.

This study aims to describe the health-promoting lifestyle behaviours of pregnant women. The study was carried out with pregnant women who applied to the polyclinics in different maternity and children hospitals located in Adana, Turkey, between 1 March and 30 May 2009. The data collection tools used in the study were (i) a questionnaire that was used to collect sociodemographic data from the participants and (ii) the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II). The results obtained from the study showed that total HPLP II scores were moderate; the highest scores were obtained on the spiritual growth dimension and the lowest scores on the physical activity dimension. Pregnant women with older age, those with a higher educational level, those with a better socioeconomic status and those living in a nuclear family were found to be more likely to have health-promoting lifestyles. Health promotion and healthy lifestyle need to be an integral part of health services provided for pregnant women. Midwives and nurses have prominent roles in encouraging pregnant women to engage in health-promoting behaviours.

Objective: This research is a prospective study which was designed to determine the effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) therapy on the quality of life and sexual life of patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Methods: The sample consisted of an experimental group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12), in total 24 patients. The experimental group was treated with PTNS once a week (in total 12 sessions), while the control group received routine intervention. Results: The pain frequency and intensity in women who underwent PTNS decreased considerably. Women had less pain during sexual intercourse after PTNS. We determined in our study that PTNS improved the quality of life of women with CPP by decreasing the intensity of pain and contributed to a more comfortable performance of their daily activities. Conclusions: PTNS is a type of treatment which contributes to the quality of life of women with CPP by decreasing the intensity of pain.

This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of nurse/midwives regarding pharmacovigilance as well as their knowledge and experience in identifying and reporting adverse reactions of drugs. Nurse/midwives (n = 329), working in four state hospitals, were provided a questionnaire with a view of identifying their knowledge and skills pertaining to pharmacovigilance. Around 45% of the participants claimed to have knowledge of pharmacovigilance but only 23.3% of them could define it correctly. Although 24.3% of the participants acknowledged that adverse reactions should be reported to a centre, only 1.2% of them named this centre (Turkey Pharmacovigilance Centre-TUFAM). The present study indicates that nurse/midwives have insufficient knowledge of pharmacovigilance practices. Hence, it is essential to include pharmacovigilance training in their undergraduate and graduate education programs, and to promote reporting of adverse reactions.

PTNS is a minimally invasive treatment method that leads to decrease in pain severity and improvement in quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain with effects continuing at 6 months.