The aim of the study is to determine the effect on death anxiety of loneliness in the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of this study that is descriptive and cross-sectional type consist of 354 elderly who meet the inclusion criteria from three different associations operating for charitable purposes in a city center located in north-west Turkey. The average score of Loneliness Scale of Elderly (LSE) of the elderly was determined as 11.39 ± 5.31, and the average score of Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) of the elderly was determined as 8.54 ± 4.82. According to these results, it was found that the elderly experienced acceptable levels of loneliness and moderate death anxiety. A statistically significant difference was found in the LSE and DAS scores of the elderly according to their age, marital status, education status, chronic illness status and living at home with relatives. In addition, during the COVID-19 epidemic, the scale scores of the elderly who have increased worries, who have a hobby at home, and who communicate with their relatives via social media/mobile phones were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

No abstract

Aim: With this study, it was aimed to investigate the diabetes burden in elderly people with type 2 diabetes living in Zonguldak Province. Material and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2020 and March 2020. For the study, based on the total population of Zonguldak (2019 population 596.053 people), the sample size to represent the research universe was determined as 95% confidence interval and 384 people for α = 0.05. The study was completed with 395 participants aged 65 and over, who had type 2 diabetes, had no vision and hearing problems, could communicate verbally, volunteer to participate in the study, who Investigation of Diabetes Burden in Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Individuals:Example of Zonguldak Province

Background This study aimed to evaluate the frailty, abuse, and depression experienced by community‐dwelling older adults and to raise awareness in society about the abuse of the elderly. Methods This cross‐sectional study was carried out in three family health centres in a city centre in the northwest of Turkey. The sample consisted of 429 older adults. Data were collected with Descriptive form, FRAIL Scale, Hwalek‐Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test, and the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form. In data analysis, percentage, mean ± SD, t‐test, analysis of variance, Tukey test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis were used. The significance level in the tests was taken as P < 0.05. Results In this study, 28.68% of the elderly were in the fragile group, 22.84% experienced abuse and 24.0% were depressed. The elders who participated in the study were evaluated according to the scale scores used. It was determined that they were in the fragile group with a score of 2.21 + 1.47; they were exposed to low level of abuse with 1.58 + 1.17 points and they were depressed with 5.15 + 4.82 points. There was a high and positive significant correlation between the frailty and abuse experienced by the elderly (P < 0.001; r: 0.621), there was a middle and positive significant correlation between frailty and depression (P < 0.001; r: 0.492), and high and positive correlation were found between abuse and depression in the elderly (P < 0.001; r: 0.647). Conclusions This study shows that frailty, abuse, and depression are important problems in community‐dwelling older adults and there are significant relationships between them. In order to prevent the abuse that the elderly in the fragile group are exposed to, it is recommended that especially health workers should be trained on elder abuse in in‐service training programs.

Aim: Health literacy is very important to manage a chronic disease effectively. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between health literacy and rational drug use in individuals with diabetes. Material and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 diabetic individuals/patients who met the criteria and volunteered to participate between January 24 and March 5 2020 in Zonguldak Diabetes Association located in Zonguldak. The data were collected by face-to-face interview technique through the socio-demographic and health characteristics form, Turkish Health Literacy Scale (THLS-32) and Rational Drug Use Scale.