Factors related to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding cervical cancer among Yemeni women.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CxCa), although preventable, is still among the most prevalent cancers in women. Mortality from this cancer is high, especially in low-income countries where preventive strategies are often lacking. We studied the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CxCa among Yemeni women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 among 399 women in five major hospitals in Sanaa, the capital city of Yemen. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. We used logistic regression models to analyze the likelihood of hearing about CxCa, believing that CxCa is treatable and preventable, awareness of the Pap smear test, and ever having this test, in relation to participant's age, education level, working outside the household, and family history of CxCa. RESULTS: Only 66.7% of the women had heard of CxCa. Women with higher education, working outside the household, and with a family history of CxCa were more likely to be aware of CxCa. Working outside the household was the only variable related to a higher likelihood of knowing that CxCa is a treatable and preventable. Furthermore, women with a family history of CxCa were more likely to have knowledge about Pap smear test and were more likely to have Pap smear test in the past. CONCLUSION: This study identified a low awareness of CxCa and its prevention among Yemeni women. In order to reduce the burden of CxCa in Yemen and save women's lives, it is necessary to raise women's awareness of this disease, especially among those with lower education and those not involved in work outside their homes.

The prevalence of Hymenoptera venom allergy in adults: the results of a very crowded city in Euroasia.

BACKGROUND: There are scarce data about the prevalence of Hymenoptera venom allergy in the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hymenoptera venom allergy in the general adult population of Istanbul. METHODS: A total of 17,064 randomly selected telephone numbers were contacted and 11,816 (69.25%) individuals who agreed to participate completed a questionnaire. Those who disclosed hypersensitivity reactions due to Hymenoptera stings in this initial survey were called again and given another questionnaire. Those who were suspected of experiencing hypersensitivity reactions to Hymenoptera stings were invited for a clinical investigation with in vivo and in vitro diagnostic tests. RESULTS: According to the first questionnaire, a total of 1171 (9.9%; 95% CI: 9.38-10.47%) were suspected of having a hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera stings. 51.75% (n: 606) answered the second questionnaire and 21% (n: 128) of these were still suspected of having a hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera stings (1.1%; 95% CI: 0.9-1.29%). The confirmed prevalence of hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera stings according to skin tests and in vitro sIgE levels was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.14-0.30%). Nearly all of the participants with systemic reactions were admitted to the emergency department, although only one tenth of them received adrenaline in the emergency room. 2.3% carried an adrenaline injector, whereas none of the patients received venom immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Hymenoptera sting reactions in our geographical region is comparable with other European studies. There is a need to increase the awareness of adrenaline in the emergency management of insect sting anaphylaxis and venom immunotherapy in the prophylaxis.

Evaluation of DNA damage in construction-site workers occupationally exposed to welding fumes and solvent-based paints in Turkey.

In this study, the comet assay was used to evaluate whether welding fume and solvent base paint exposure led to DNA damage in construction-site workers in Turkey. The workers (n = 52) were selected according to their exposure in the construction site and controls (n = 26) from the general population, with no history of occupational exposure. The alkaline comet assay, a standard method for assessing genotoxicity, has been applied in peripheral lymphocytes of all subjects. The mean percentages of DNA in tail (%DNA(T)) of each group were evaluated, including the comparisons between smokers in each different group and the duration of exposure. Significant increase in the mean %DNA(T) (p < 0.01) was observed in all exposed subjects (12.34 ± 2.05) when compared with controls (6.64 ± 1.43). Also %DNA(T) was significantly high (p < 0.01) in welders (13.59 ± 1.89) compared with painters (11.10 ± 1.35). There was a statistical meaningful difference in % DNA(T) between control and exposed smokers. Our findings indicate that exposure to welding fumes and paints induce genotoxic effect in peripheral lymphocytes, indicating a potential health risk for workers. Therefore, to ensure maximum occupational safety, biomonitoring is of great value for assessing the risk for construction workers.

Relationship between plasma Cystatin C and creatinine in chronic renal diseases and Tx-transplant patients.

OBJECTIVES: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best overall index of renal function in health and disease. Recently, Cystatin C (Cyst C), a low molecular weight protein freely filtered through the glomerulus, and almost completely reabsorbed and catabolized by tubular cells, has been proposed as a new and very sensitive serum marker of change in GFR. This study investigated the relationship between Cyst C and creatinine (CR) in renal disease patients. METHODS: Serum Cyst C was determined by particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetry using the Cyst C PET-kit. The results could be obtained within 1 h. Cuvettes were washed before the Cyst C assay as recommended. Serum CR, BUN and albumin were determined by auto-analyzer. RESULTS: A strong correlation was observed between Cyst C and CR (P = 0.001, r = 0.764 and P = 0.0001, r = 0.888, respectively) in prehemodialysis (pre-HD) and kidney transplantation (Tx-kidney), whereas there was a weak correlation in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) (P = 0.05, r = 0.535). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that serum Cyst C may be considered as a sensitive predictive parameter for reduced GFR. It is of value for the laboratory diagnosis of chronic renal failure and should be preferentially used for CR clearance.

Respiratory health symptoms among students exposed to different levels of air pollution in a Turkish city.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of respiratory health symptoms among high school students attending schools at industrial, urban and rural areas in a Turkish city. Three schools located in different zones of the city having different pollution characteristics were chosen based on the pollutant distribution maps using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software. A cross-sectional survey was performed among 667 high school students in the schools. Outdoor and indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and ozone (O(3)) concentrations were also measured by passive samplers in the same schools to investigate possible routes of exposure. Chronic pulmonary disease (OR = 1.49; 95%CI: 1.11-1.99; p = 0.008), tightness in the chest (OR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.22-2.02; p = 0.001), morning cough (OR = 1.81 95%CI: 1.19-2.75; p = 0.006) were higher among students in the industrial zone where nitrogen dioxide and ozone levels were also highest. There were no indoor sources of nitrogen dioxide and ozone exists in the schools except for the dining hall. As a conclusion, this study has noticed that air pollution and respiratory health problems among high school students are high in industrial zones and the use of passive samplers combined with GIS is an effective tool that may be used by public health researchers to identify pollutant zones and persons at risk.

Nonprescription medication purchases and the role of pharmacists as healthcare workers in self-medication in Istanbul.

BACKGROUND: In Turkey, some drugs can be purchased from pharmacists without a prescription and there is no legal classification corresponding to the international term "over-the-counter drugs". The purpose of this study was to identify these non-prescribed drugs and to define the role of pharmacists in their sale and their use in primary healthcare. MATERIAL/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Istanbul between December 1, 2003, and August 31, 2004. Seventy-three of the 901 pharmacies in two districts of Istanbul were chosen with systematic sampling, and information concerning drug sales and pharmacists' behavior regarding primary healthcare services was collected by observations as well as by interviews with the pharmacists. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that 41% of the drugs sold were non-prescribed. In pharmacies remote from healthcare institutions, remote from district centers, and in the summer seasons, the rates of non-prescribed drug sales were higher than those of prescribed drugs (Chi(2)=10.5, d.f.=1, p=0.001; Chi(2)=62.8, d.f.=1, p=0.0001; Chi(2)=23.4, d.f.=1, p=0.0001). The pharmacists stated that aside from drug sales, consumers visited them to consult about drugs, to get information on their health status, and to learn about family planning (78.1%, 72.1%, and 72.6% of the pharmacists, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive sale of non-prescribed drugs as a response to public demand, including those used for serious illnesses, has been observed in private pharmacies in Istanbul. The role of pharmacies and pharmacists in primary healthcare should be discussed more thoroughly and redefined on a legal basis.