Differentials in receiving postpartum care of infants and its determinants in Turkey.

The aim of this paper was to analyze the differentials in receiving postpartum care of infants in Turkey and the determinants of receiving postpartum care by infants in Turkey, using data from the 2008 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey and multivariate logistic analyses accounting for the complex sample design. The descriptive analyses indicated that the majority of infants receive postpartum care in Turkey, although there are disadvantaged groups. Analysis of the determinants of receiving postpartum care of infants indicated that the variables having the most explanatory power are bio-demographic or health-related variables that are directly related to health and/or birth. Following these variables, economic characteristics such as maternal health coverage and maternal educational level were observed to be effective, and additionally the demographic region.

What puts women at risk of violence from their husbands? Findings from a large, nationally representative survey in Turkey.

A large, nationally representative, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Turkey in 2008. In this survey, which used the WHO (World Health Organization) study module on violence, information about lifetime and current violence (past 12 months) was obtained using weighted, stratified, and multistage cluster sampling. This article describes factors associated with physical or sexual violence experienced by ever-married women, aged 15 to 49, from their current or most recent husbands in the 12 months before the survey. Logistic regression analysis is used to describe the risk and protective factors from a considerable range of explanatory variables. The findings confirm that many factors are similar to the experiences of other countries. The physical or sexual violence experienced by ever-married women from their husbands was 15.1%. The violence experienced by women is significantly positively associated with early childhood abuse experiences of both women and their husbands; marriages decided by families or others; husband's behaviors such as drunkenness, adultery, controlling women's behavior, and preventing contact with women's family and friends. The age of the women, their contribution to the household income, support from women's families, women's acceptance of male authority, and nonpartner violence experience as well as regional differentials also affect the risk of violence. No significant associations were found with the employment status of women and men or education difference. This study, as one of the largest surveys ever conducted on the issue of domestic violence using face-to-face interviews, demonstrated how the patriarchal family structure still affects women's lives in Turkey. This is particularly significant, given Turkey's setting between traditional and modern values.

The Turkey national maternal mortality study.

OBJECTIVE: Complications during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium are the most widespread causes of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. In most of these, reliable estimates of maternal mortality are lacking. This paper aims to report Turkey's basic maternal mortality indicators derived from the National Maternal Mortality Study (NMMS). METHODS: The data originate from NMMS which was an implementation of a Reproductive Age Mortality Study (RAMOS) data-collection strategy. Maternal mortality rates and ratios were estimated, and information was gathered for improving the existing recording and reporting systems. Burial data by age and sex were collected prospectively over a 12 month period. Interviews with household members, health care providers, and reviews of facility records were then used to classify the deaths as pregnancy-related or maternal or otherwise. RESULTS: A national pregnancy-related mortality ratio of 38 (+/- 2.8) and a maternal mortality ratio of 29 (+/- 2.5) per 100,000 live births were found. The NMMS shows that 59% of all pregnant women died from direct maternal causes, 16% from indirect causes and 23% from co-incidental causes. CONCLUSION: Maternal mortality is highest in regions with a poorer network of good roads, harsher winter conditions and longer distances to the next secondary level health facility which provides comprehensive obstetric emergency care services.