Associate Professor| University of Health Sciences | Turkey
Dr. Handan Özcan, Associate Professor at the University of Health Sciences, is a distinguished scholar in women’s health, midwifery, and psychosocial interventions, with research spanning perinatal mental health, reproductive and sexual health, menopause, complementary therapies, and patient-centered care. Her multidisciplinary projects integrate clinical practice, education, and evidence-based strategies to address critical challenges in maternal and reproductive health, empowering women through innovative approaches that improve quality of life and health outcomes. She has conducted influential studies on stigma in HPV-positive women, perinatal grief, postpartum mental health, endometriosis, and the use of non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness, music, and complementary therapies. In addition to her extensive teaching and curriculum development experience, she has edited key academic books, authored numerous book chapters, and served as reviewer and editorial board member for leading journals. Dr. Özcan is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Association, Turkish Nurses Association, and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, contributing to global collaborations in advancing women’s health. She has authored over 85 peer-reviewed journal articles, with notable publications in 2025 addressing chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, postpartum depression, sleep quality, and women’s health challenges in conflict zones. Her work has been widely recognized, accumulating 76 citations, with an h-index of 5 and i10-index of 25, reflecting both the academic impact and global relevance of her research contributions. Through innovation, mentorship, and impactful scholarship, Dr. Özcan exemplifies excellence in advancing maternal and women’s health worldwide.
Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID
Featured Publications
1. Karakaş, S., Uzun, S., & Özcan, H. (2025). The effect of omega-3 fatty acid use on women’s mental health in postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis study. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, 71(1), e20241389. Cited by: 1
2. Elkoca, A., Özcan, H., & Kahraman, B. Y. (2025). Complementary and alternative medicine therapies used by women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 12(1), 75–80. Cited by: 3
3. Çuvadar, A., & Özcan, H. (2025). Effects of civil war on young women in Somalia: Exploring the relationships between death anxiety, meaning in life and self‐esteem. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 31(1), e70035. Cited by: 1
4. Özcan, H., Oral, S., Kuruay, Ş., & Yilmaz, B. M. (2025). The effect of music on pain, anxiety and satisfaction during nonstress testing. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 31(1), e14106. Cited by: 2
5. Özcan, H., & Güngör, T. (2024). Breastfeeding experience and anxiety in mothers with COVID-19 in the postnatal period: A qualitative study. Archives of Public Health, 82(1), 62. Cited by: 2