In the covid 19 pandemic of female employees at a university hospital attitudes and affecting factors in nutrition of 9 months-6 years old children

AIM: The COVID 19 pandemic, which has deeply affected our country as well as the whole world, has had many effects, especially on mothers working in hospitals, and it can be said that this will have an impact on the nutrition of their children. In this study, it is aimed to determine the attitudes and influencing factors of female employees in the hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic, in the nutrition of 9 months-6 years old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with female staff who worked at Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty Hospital between 02.05.2021 and 27.09.2021 and had children between 9 months and 6 years old. In the online survey created by Google-survey, the first 22 questions include questions about the age, occupation, marital status, etc., demographic characteristics of the participants, as well as the problems they experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic (Annex-6: Survey Questions-1). The next 29 questions are NPMAS (Nutrition Process Maternal Attitudes Scale) questions (Annex-7: Survey Questions-2). Normality test, descriptive statistical data and correlation analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. In addition, Student T-Test, Mann Whitney U-Test, Anova T-Test, Kruskal-Wallis H-Test were used to compare the distribution of numerical values of parameters among certain categorical groups. RESULTS: A total of 144 female staff answered all questions and filled out the online questionnaire. Obtained results were evaluated at 95%(p<0.05) significance level. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed for the normality assumption of the Perceived Nutrition Process Maternal Attitudes Scale (PNPMAS). Skewness and Kurtosis coefficients were examined. It was determined that the Skewness value was 0,272 and the Kurtosis value was 0,522. In the light of these data, the scale showed a normal distribution. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed for the normality assumption of the Perceived Nutrition Process Maternal Attitudes Scale and it was found to be p>0.05. It was determined that the scale had a normal distribution. Frequency and percentage distribution of the answers given to 49 questions were examined. A statistically significant relationship was found between the sub-dimensions of the Perceived Nutrition Process Maternal Attitudes Scale (PNPMAS). A significant relationship was found between attitudes towards inadequate/unbalanced nutrition and educational status, and between the sub-dimension of reaction to the opinions of others and age groups. We made various comparisons with the "Nutrition Process Mother Attitudes Scale". A significant relationship was found with the frequency of worrying about their child getting sick during the COVID 19 process. A significant difference was found when we compared it with the decrease in the child's appetite during the COVID 19 process. Again, the change in the child's eating pattern during the COVID 19 process was compared and a significant relationship was found. In the comparisons, a significant difference was found in the situation of his relations with his close environment during the COVID 19 process and in the child's sleep levels compared to before the COVID 19 process. CONCLUSION: The effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on the attitudes of female employees working in the hospital who have children aged 9 months to 6 years, on the nutrition of their children with Perceived Nutrition Process Maternal Attitudes Scale was seen the mutual effect between the sub-dimensions. In addition, there was a significant relationship between sub-dimensions and situations related to the COVID 19 process.