Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic halted everyday life in higher education along with social and psychological impacts. The objective of our study was to explore the factors related to sense of coherence (SoC) from a gender perspective among university students in Turkey. This is a cross-sectional survey conducted online with a convenience sampling method as part of the international COVID-Health Literacy (COVID-HL) Consortium. SoC was measured by a nine-item questionnaire that was adapted to the Turkish language, including socio-demographic information and health status, including psychological well-being, psychosomatic complaints, and future anxiety (FA). 1595 students from four universities, of whom 72% were female, participated in the study. Cronbach's alpha for the SoC scale was 0.75. Based on the median split of the individual scores, levels of SoC showed no statistically significant difference according to gender. Logistic regression analysis indicated that higher SoC was associated with medium and high subjective social status, studying in private universities, high psychological well-being, low FA, and none/one psychosomatic complaint. While results were similar among female students, type of university and psychological well-being showed no statistically significant association with SoC among males. Our results indicate that structural (subjective social status) and contextual (type of university) factors, along with gender-based variations, are associated with SoC among university students in Turkey.
COVID-19 , Sense of Coherence , Male , Humans , Female , COVID-19/epidemiology , Universities , Cross-Sectional Studies , Turkey/epidemiology , Pandemics , Sex Factors , Students/psychology
This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of homologous (only CoronaVac or only Pfizer-BioNTech) and heterologous (CoronaVac and Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines during the period when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant was dominant in Türkiye. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-2019) infection was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and data on vaccination status against COVID-19 were evaluated during the period of 15 January 2022-1 May 2022 when the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was dominant among 1854 employees followed in the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Cohort of Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBU) Hospital Health Workers. Two separate reference groups were used in the evaluation of vaccine efficacy: those who were never vaccinated and those who received only two doses of CoronaVac. The efficacy of homologous and heterologous vaccine models was evaluated with relative risks and attributable risk percentages. MS Excel, SPSS 23.0 and STATA 14.1 package programs were used for statistical analysis. The mean age of the participants was 36.6 ± 10.0. During the period from January 15th to May 1st 2022, 372 hospital workers were infected with COVID-19. Taking the never vaccinated as the reference group, the most effective model was found to be only the three or more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccination model (85.8%, 95% CI= 40.7-96.6). Models consisting of a single dose of CoronaVac (6.5%, 95% CI= -56.3-44.2) or a single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (17.7%, 95% CI= -30.2-48.0) booster dose administered after two doses of primary CoronaVac vaccination was not found to be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. When only two doses of primary CoronaVac vaccination model was taken as the reference group, the model consisting of two doses CoronaVac followed by two Pfizer-BioNTech booster doses was effective as 38.4% (95% CI= 15.4-55.3), whereas three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech booster model was effective as 56.4% (95% CI= 33.9-71.3). To conclude, none of the models other than the homologous or heterologous vaccine models containing at least three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were effective compared to those unvaccinated. Compared with those who received only two doses of primary Coronavac, models with at least three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech reminder doses were more effective against the Omicron variant than other models.
COVID-19 , Vaccines , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Universities , COVID-19/prevention & control , Personnel, Hospital
In this study, it was aimed to evaluate one-year follow-up of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific antibodies formed against the virus binding site, in a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) positive case cohort (n= 413) between the period March 2020 to December 2020 in Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital, until July 2021. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were determined by the chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLIA) method. Values of 1.0 and above were considered positive. Chi-square tests and Joinpoint regression analysis (version 4.7.0) were used in the statistical analyses. The mean age of the participants was 34.9 ± 9.3 and 60.2% of them were women. Between 21-30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19, total antibody level was above the threshold value in 72.2% (n= 126) of the participants, while this rate increased to 79.1% (n= 240) in 31-60 day interval. In the following period, this rate decreased to 38.8% (n= 108) in days 211st to 240th. Antibody response could not be detected in 76 (20.7%) of 367 employees who have initially been followed up. The percentage of total antibody positivity prevalence ranged from 98.9% to 96.1% in the 31-210th day after diagnosis, in the follow-up of 291 employees whose total antibody positivity was detected after diagnosis. According to the results of the Joinpoint regression analysis, after the diagnosis of COVID-19, the curve showing the percentage of antibody positivity was broken at two points: The first breaking point was observed in 181-210th days (6-7 months) (p= 0.069), and the second breaking point was in 271-300th days (9-10 months) (p< 0.001). As a result, the highest antibody positivity rates were detected after the 30th day of the disease onset and antibody positivity was maintained in the first seven months after diagnosis; the antibody positivity rate decreased to 25% at the end of the first year.
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19/diagnosis , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Humans , Male
Introduction: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders are at high risk for malnutrition. We aimed to investigate the impact of nutritional interventions to children with neurodevelopmental disorders and the quality of life of caregivers.Materials/Method: This is a prospective interventional study of 91 children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The children were separated into two groups: the intervention group and control group. The intervention group was selected from among children who had not been evaluated for nutrition and feeding problems by a pediatric gastroenterologist or dietician for the past one year. Children in the intervention group were called for follow-up visits and their nutritional intervention and anthropometric measurements were initiated by a pediatric gastroenterologist and dietician, at one month, three months, six months, and one year. The WHOQoL-BREF quality of life scale was completed by the caregivers of the children at baseline and at one year.Results: The intervention group had increased malnutrition (p < 0.001) and gastrointestinal system pathologies such as dysphagia (p < 0.001), constipation (p = 0.02), gastroesophageal reflux (p = 0.03) at baseline. After the nutritional intervention, 77.7% of the intervention group gained weight and 55.5% reached the target weight. The quality of life scale scores at baseline were lower among caregivers of the intervention group; however, they reached those of the control group after the nutritional intervention.Conclusion: Close multidisciplinary nutrition monitoring enables children with neurodevelopmental disorders to thrive appropriately and improves the quality of life of caregivers.
Caregivers/psychology , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/diet therapy , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Nutritional Status , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the interpretation of the antinuclear antibody (ANA)-indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test results based on the interpreter-related subjectivity and to examine the inter-center agreement rates with the performance of each laboratory. Patients and methods: The ANA-IIF testing was carried out in a total of 600 sera and evaluated by four laboratories. The inter-center agreement rates were detected. The same results given by the four centers were accepted as gold standard and the predictive values of each center were calculated. Results: The inter-center agreement was reported for ANA-IIF test results from 392 of 600 (65.3%) sera, while 154 of 392 results were positive. Four study centers reported 213 (35.5%), 222 (37.0%), 266 (44.3%), and 361 (60.2%) positive test results, respectively. In terms of the patterns, the highest and lowest positive predictive values were 72.3% and 42.7%, respectively, while the highest and lowest negative predictive values were 99.6% and 61.5%, respectively. The agreement for semi-quantitative evaluation at three levels of fluorescence intensity stated by four centers was detected in 100 sera at 87% 3(+), while the other two levels were 6% and 7%. The highest predictive value for the highest fluorescence intensity of 3(+) was found to be 71.9%. Conclusion: Significant differences may be observed among laboratories in terms of qualitative results, patterns, and semi-quantitative determination of the fluorescence intensity in the ANA-IIF testing, particularly at low fluorescence intensity levels and in those with speckled patterns. In case of any discrepancy between ANA-IIF test and clinical prediagnosis, the test should be repeated in another laboratory, if necessary.
Detection of borderline and/or low positive anti-HCV results by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) leads to severe problems in routine laboratories and needs confirmation with nucleic acid amplification tests which can increase the cost. In EIA tests, if the ratio of sample to cut-off (S/Co) is ≥ 1, the sample is accepted as positive according to the manufacturers' instructions. Although over the last decade the application of S/Co values have also applied to HCV-RNA readings, the current study aims to determine whether the S/Co value is adequate and applicable for the anti-HCV EIA test, and to determine whether a correlation exists between HCV-RNA and HCV infections. A total of 658 cases (402 female, 256 male; mean age: 49.4 ± 17.0 years) who were found anti-HCV positive between January 2011-July 2013 were included in the study. Anti-HCV tests were performed by chemiluminescent EIA (Architect i2000SR, Abbott, USA and LiaisonXL Murex, DiaSorin, Italy) and HCV-RNA by real-time PCR (Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas TaqMan HCV, Roche, USA). The mean S/Co value of the cases was 7.3 ± 4.8 (range: 1.00-17.59) and mean HCV-RNA value was 2.3x105 ± 2.1x106 copies/ml. When the anti-HCV S/Co value of varying ranges was compared with HCV-RNA readings a particular trend was noted. In the anti-HCV S/Co values of 1.0-4.0; 4.1-7.0; 7.1-10.0; 10.1-13.0; 13.1-16.0 and ³16.1, HCV-RNA positivity rates were detected as 1.9%, 24.7%,37.1%, 46.7%, 56.4% and 75%, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated an intermediate positive correlation (r= 0.454) between anti-HCV ve HCV-RNA readings (p= 0.000). An adequate S/Co value was accepted as 5.0 based on the ROC analysis, and this value gave a performance confidence level of 95.6% when determining whether a patient is HCV positive. Based on the data of this study it became evident that further EIA testing is not required if the S/Co value is ≥ 5.0, however if the S/Co value is less than 5.0, then further clinical analysis and revaluation of the patient is required.
Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepacivirus/immunology , Hepatitis C Antibodies/analysis , Hepatitis C/diagnosis , RNA, Viral/analysis , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods , Luminescence , Male , Middle Aged , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
The aim of the study was to identify and quantify the reasons for the high bladder cancer rates in Turkey. We conducted a case-control study in Manisa, Turkey, in 2011. The study included 173 patients with incident, histologically confirmed bladder cancer and 282 controls who were frequency matched by age, sex and geographic area, admitted to the main hospital of Manisa for a wide range of acute diseases. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from multiple logistic regression models. Compared with never smokers, the OR was 2.9 (95% CI 1.5-5.4) for moderate (<20 cigarettes/day) and 4.0 (95% CI 1.7-9.6) for heavy smokers. The association was stronger for unfiltered black tobacco (OR=5.4) and for longer duration of smoking (≥40 years, OR=5.3). There was a strong inverse correlation with social class indicators, with ORs of 0.2 (95% CI 0.1-0.4) for more-educated compared with less-educated individuals. There was no significant association with a group of five occupations a priori defined as being of high risk (OR=1.3), nor with farming (OR=1.2). Bladder cancer risk was directly related to the history of urinary tract infections (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.1) but not to diabetes (OR=0.7) or kidney (OR=0.7) and prostate (OR=1.3) diseases. Tobacco is the major risk factor for bladder cancer in Manisa, being responsible for 56% of cases; urinary tract infections account for 19% of cases, whereas the role of occupational exposure is limited in this, predominantly rural, population.
Kidney Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Occupations , Prostatic Diseases/epidemiology , Smoking/adverse effects , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/epidemiology , Urinary Tract Infections/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Case-Control Studies , Diabetes Complications/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Turkey/epidemiology , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/etiology
OBJECTIVES: Community based breast cancer screening has decreased breast cancer mortality in women. This study examined the predictors of nonattendence for invitational breast cancer screening in relation to socioeconomic status in the city of Manisa, in western Turkey. STUDY DESIGN: For the evaluation of the reasons for refusing to participate in the study, two districts were selected. 446 women aged between 50 and 69 years were selected from the program database by systematic random sampling. METHODS: The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic variables and the adapted version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale. Univariete and multivariete logistic regression analysis were performed throughout the data analysis. RESULTS: Being from an urban district and being from the western region were the risk factors for not participating in the screening program (P = 0.014, P = 0.023). A statistical significance was found between mammography-benefit, mammography-barrier and program participation (P = 0.044, P = 0.006). Although there were many more barriers for not participating in the screening program for the women of the slum district, the attendence rate of the slum district was higher than that of the urban district. CONCLUSIONS: Increased attendance may be achieved through enhancement of breast cancer awareness and by reducing some of the modifiable barriers.
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Mammography/statistics & numerical data , Socioeconomic Factors , Aged , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Turkey
Background The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of exercise training on oxidative stress and markers of lung inflammation in children with asthma. Methods Thirty children aged 8-13 years diagnosed with asthma were enrolled in the study as well as 13 healthy children. One group received only pharmacological treatment and the other group was also enrolled in an exercise programme. Venous blood and 24-hour urine samples were obtained from the children enrolled in the study at the beginning and end of the study. Leukotriene E4 and creatinine levels were measured in the urine and matrix metallopeptidase (MMP-9), endothelin-1(ET-1), malnodialdehyde (MDA), IgE and specific IgE levels were measured in blood samples. Results Leukotriene E4, MDA and MMP9 levels decreased significantly with treatment in both groups (p<0.001). However, ET-1 levels decreased significant only in the exercise group (26.5±3.6 vs 21.3±2.4pg/ml respectively, p=0.001). Moreover, ET-1 levels were found to be significantly lower in the exercise group compared to the only pharmacotherapy group (24.2±3.1 vs 21.3±2.4pg/ml, p=0.007). Conclusions Positive influences of exercise training in children with asthma may be mediated by decrease in ET-1 levels(AU)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Exercise/physiology , Asthma/physiopathology , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Endothelin-1 , Leukotriene E4 , Creatinine/analysis , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/analysis
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of exercise training on oxidative stress and markers of lung inflammation in children with asthma. METHODS: Thirty children aged 8-13 years diagnosed with asthma were enrolled in the study as well as 13 healthy children. One group received only pharmacological treatment and the other group was also enrolled in an exercise programme. Venous blood and 24-hour urine samples were obtained from the children enrolled in the study at the beginning and end of the study. Leukotriene E4 and creatinine levels were measured in the urine and matrix metallopeptidase (MMP-9), endothelin-1(ET-1), malnodialdehyde (MDA), IgE and specific IgE levels were measured in blood samples. RESULTS: Leukotriene E4, MDA and MMP9 levels decreased significantly with treatment in both groups (p < 0.001). However, ET-1 levels decreased significant only in the exercise group (26.5 ± 3.6 vs 21.3 ± 2.4 pg/ml respectively, p = 0.001). Moreover, ET-1 levels were found to be significantly lower in the exercise group compared to the only pharmacotherapy group (24.2 ± 3.1 vs 21.3 ± 2.4 pg/ml, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Positive influences of exercise training in children with asthma may be mediated by decrease in ET-1 levels.
Asthma/therapy , Exercise Therapy , Lung Injury/prevention & control , Oxidative Stress , Adolescent , Asthma/metabolism , Biomarkers , Child , Endothelin-1/blood , Female , Humans , Leukotriene E4/blood , Male , Malondialdehyde/blood , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/blood
OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of an association with some genetic polymorphisms involved in venous thromboembolism (VTE) gene variations (FVL, FV H1299R, FII G20210A, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, PAI-1 4G/5G, ß-ï¬brinogen -455 G â A, FXIII Val34Leu and GpIIIa HPA-1a) in cancer patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Among 78 cancer patients, 28 who had proven first episode of VTE were selected as the patient group, with 50 control samples selected from age-, sex- and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers (healthy group). The differences in frequency of genetic polymorphisms were found to be statistically insignificant between these two groups. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age, sex, smoking and hypertension showed no difference. The screened mutations of these genes were not significantly associated with VTE risk. CONCLUSION: There is no possible benefit from genetic screening tests regarding VTE in cancer patients.
Genetic Testing , Neoplasms/complications , Polymorphism, Genetic , Venous Thromboembolism/genetics , Disease Susceptibility , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Venous Thromboembolism/complications
Background: The pathogenesis of asthma involves both airway inflammation and an oxidant / antioxidant imbalance. It is demonstrated in asthmatic adults that exercise programmes improve lung function, a mechanism yet to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of physical exercise on antioxidant status in asthmatic children which may lead to a meliorated lung function. Methods: The study enrolled thirteen control and thirty asthmatic children. The asthmatic group was subdivided into two: the first group receiving only pharmacological treatment (n = 15) and the second receiving pharmacological treatment with exercise programme (n = 15) for 8 weeks. Blood samples were drawn from the subjects before and after treatment periods. As oxidant stress markers blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total nitric oxide (NO), and as antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities were assessed. Results: Before any treatment was initiated, MDA and NO levels in the asthmatic group were significantly higher than the controls (3.40 ± 0.96 nmol / ml vs 2.46 ± 0.58 nmol / ml, and 12.53 ± 2.10 vs 9.40 ± 1.39 micromol/L, respectively). Both SOD (p = 0.0001) and GSH-Px (p = 0.023) activities were significantly lower in the asthmatic group. Pharmacological treatment and exercise programme together significantly improved lung performance and decreased the levels of oxidant stress markers, in concordance with a significantly increase in antioxidant enzyme activity measures when compared to the pharmacological treatment. Conclusion: Structured exercise programme in asthmatic children resulted in better lung function, which may be attributed to its effect on antioxidant status (AU)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Asthma/drug therapy , Asthma/physiopathology , Asthma/therapy , Antioxidants/metabolism , Antioxidants/physiology , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Exercise/physiology , Malondialdehyde/blood , Nitric Oxide/blood , Glutathione Peroxidase/blood , Superoxide Dismutase/blood , Forced Expiratory Volume/physiology
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of asthma involves both airway inflammation and an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. It is demonstrated in asthmatic adults that exercise programmes improve lung function, a mechanism yet to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of physical exercise on antioxidant status in asthmatic children which may lead to ameliorated lung function. METHODS: The study enrolled thirteen control and thirty asthmatic children. The asthmatic group was subdivided into two: the first group receiving only pharmacological treatment (n=15) and the second receiving pharmacological treatment with exercise programme (n=15) for 8 weeks. Blood samples were drawn from the subjects before and after treatment periods. As oxidant stress markers blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total nitric oxide (NO), and as antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities were assessed. RESULTS: Before any treatment was initiated, MDA and NO levels in the asthmatic group were significantly higher than the controls (3.40±0.96 nmol/ml vs 2.46±0.58 nmol/ml, and 12.53±2.10 vs 9.40±1.39 micromol/L, respectively). Both SOD (p=0.0001) and GSH-Px (p=0.023) activities were significantly lower in the asthmatic group. Pharmacological treatment and exercise programme together significantly improved lung performance and decreased the levels of oxidant stress markers, in concordance with a significantly increase in antioxidant enzyme activity measures when compared to the pharmacological treatment. CONCLUSION: Structured exercise programme in asthmatic children resulted in better lung function, which may be attributed to its effect on antioxidant status.
Asthma/therapy , Exercise Therapy , Exercise , Oxidative Stress , Adolescent , Asthma/blood , Asthma/physiopathology , Biomarkers/blood , Child , Female , Glutathione Peroxidase/blood , Humans , Male , Malondialdehyde/blood , Nitric Oxide/blood , Oxidative Stress/immunology , Respiratory Function Tests , Superoxide Dismutase/blood
BACKGROUND: Opinion surveys about potential causes of violence against women (VAW) are uncommon. This study explores academic women's opinions about VAW and the ways of reducing violence. METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in this descriptive study. One hundred-and-fifteen academicians participated in the study from two universities. A questionnaire was used regarding the definition and the causes of VAW, the risk groups and opinions about the solutions. Additionally, two authors interviewed 8 academicians from universities other than that of the interviewing author. RESULTS: Academicians discussed the problem from the perspective of "gender-based violence" rather than "family violence". The majority of the participants stated that nonworking women of low socioeconomic status are most at risk for VAW. They indicated that psychological violence is more prevalent against educated women, whilst physical violence is more likely to occur against uneducated and nonworking women. Perpetrator related factors were the most frequently stated causes of VAW. Thirty-five percent of the academicians defined themselves as at risk of some act of VAW. Recommendations for actions against violence were empowerment of women, increasing the educational levels in the society, and legal measures. CONCLUSIONS: Academic women introduced an ecological approach for the explanation of VAW by stressing the importance of taking into account the global context of the occurrence of VAW. Similar studies with various community members -including men- will help to define targeted interventions.
Attitude , Faculty , Interpersonal Relations , Violence/psychology , Women/psychology , Educational Status , Employment , Family , Female , Humans , Male , Qualitative Research , Sex Factors , Social Class , Surveys and Questionnaires , Turkey , Universities
BACKGROUND: Despite the multiple alternatives of treatment, it is well known that patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) delay seeking treatment. In this study, the aim was to determine the risk factors for delaying treatment seeking in OCD patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 132 OCD who completed the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist, and Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: In univariate analyses with risk evaluation, income level, being single or divorced, having a history of psychiatric treatment, poor insight for the symptoms, and obsessions of hoarding were the variables that were found to be significant. In the regression model, history of psychiatric treatment and duration of OCD were the 2 variables that remained statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This was the first study wherein the sample included patients who were recruited from a nonpsychiatric department: the dermatology clinic. Application to dermatology has not been determined as a risk factor for delaying treatment seeking in OCD patients.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/therapy , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/psychology , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Turkey
AIMS: To determine the type, extent and effects of workplace violence among residents during postgraduate speciality training in various departments of medical schools in Turkey. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven medical schools representing all geographical regions of Turkey. All physicians in speciality training in the selected medical schools were asked to complete a semi-structured 'violence questionnaire' addressing the type (emotional, physical and sexual) and extent of violence experienced, the perpetrators of the violence and the victim's reactions to the experience. RESULTS: A total of 1712 residents out of 2442 completed the questionnaire. In all, 68% indicated they had experienced some form of workplace violence, 67% had experienced verbal violence, 16% had experienced physical violence and 3% had experienced sexual violence. The victims' most prevalent reactions to violence included being deeply disturbed but feeling they had to cope with it for the sake of their career (39%), being distressed (26%) but considering that such events are common in all occupations and discounting it and being confused and bewildered and unsure how to respond (19%). The most frequently named perpetrators of verbal violence were relatives/friends of patients (36%) and academic staff (36%), followed by other residents/senior residents (21%), patients (20%), heads of department (13%) and non-medical hospital staff (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians in speciality training in medical schools in Turkey are subject to significant verbal, physical or sexual violence. Precautions to prevent such exposure are urgently needed.
Education, Medical, Continuing/statistics & numerical data , Internship and Residency/statistics & numerical data , Schools, Medical/statistics & numerical data , Violence/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Distribution , Surveys and Questionnaires , Turkey/epidemiology , Workplace/psychology , Workplace/statistics & numerical data
OBJECTIVES: We determined whether initial antithrombin (AT) levels help in diagnosis and prognosis of neonatal sepsis. METHODS: Sepsis was diagnosed according to clinical and laboratory findings and positive culture results in 34 of the 54 newborns who presented to the hospital with suspected sepsis. Between AT levels and hematological parameters (fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and liver function tests), these were correlated each other and with outcome of the babies. RESULTS: Initial AT and fibrinogen levels were significantly lower in newborns with sepsis compared to control (P < 0.05). Initial AT levels were lower in the ones who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) compared to those without DIC (P < 0.05). Initial AT levels were significantly lower in newborns who died as compared to survivors (P < 0.05). Sensitivity of AT was highest at 15 mg/dL for prognosis in neonatal sepsis (sensitivity:92.3%, specificity:61.9%, positive predictive value : 61.9 %; negative predictive value: 61.9%;). CONCLUSION: Lower initial AT levels in neonatal sepsis are associated with a severe disease and increased mortality. It may be useful in predicting clinical outcome in neonatal sepsis.
Antithrombins/metabolism , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/blood , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/blood , Sepsis/blood , Sepsis/diagnosis , Female , Fibrinogen/metabolism , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Sepsis/mortality
BACKGROUND: There is not a wide agreement upon rate of conversion disorder within Turkish population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits and related risk factors in a city. METHOD: In total, 1,086 people, aged 15-65 years old, were selected from the city of Manisa, Turkey to take part in the study. We applied sociodemographic and health information questionnaires and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) Somatization Subscales to the samples. RESULTS: The likelihood that an individual might have conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits was found to be 5.6% (n = 61). The prevalence of conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits was significantly higher among women (p < 0.0001), 15-24 year old women (p = 0.011) and 25-34 year old women (p = 0.003), people who live as squatters (p = 0.03), those with a history of psychiatric disorder (p < 0.0001) and those having a mother with a psychiatric disorder (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study has shown the conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits is inadequately frequent in the population.
Child Abuse/psychology , Conversion Disorder/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Anxiety/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Conversion Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/epidemiology , Dissociative Disorders/epidemiology , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Social Class , Syncope , Turkey/epidemiology , Urban Health
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to examine the effects of actual weight status, perceived weight status and body satisfaction on self-esteem and depression in a high school population in Turkey. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 2101 tenth-grade Turkish adolescents aged 15-18 was conducted. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using weight and height measures. The overweight and obesity were based on the age- and gender-specific BMI cut-off points of the International Obesity Task Force values. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and depression was measured using Children's Depression Inventory. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine relationships among the variables. RESULTS: Based on BMI cut-off points, 9.0% of the students were overweight and 1.1% were obese. Logistic regression analysis indicated that (1) being male and being from a higher socio-economical level were important in the prediction of overweight based on BMI; (2) being female and being from a higher socio-economical level were important in the prediction of perceived overweight; (3) being female was important in the prediction of body dissatisfaction; (4) body dissatisfaction was related to low self-esteem and depression, perceived overweight was related only to low self-esteem but actual overweight was not related to low self-esteem and depression in adolescents. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that school-based adolescents in urban Turkey have a lower risk of overweight and obesity than adolescents in developed countries. The findings of this study suggest that psychological well-being of adolescents is more related to body satisfaction than actual and perceived weight status is.
Body Image , Depression/epidemiology , Obesity/psychology , Self Concept , Adolescent , Body Mass Index , Depression/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Obesity/epidemiology , Overweight , Prevalence , Schools , Social Class , Students/psychology , Turkey/epidemiology
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer appears to be a disease of both the developing and developed worlds. Among Turkish women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to determine levels of knowledge about breast cancer and to evaluate health beliefs concerning the model that promotes breast self- examination (BSE) and mammography in a group of women aged 20-64 in a rural area of western Turkey. METHODS: 244 women were recruited by means of cluster sampling in this study. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic variables, a risk factors and signs of breast cancer form and the adapted version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Bivariate correlation analysis, Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis were performed throughout the data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 37.7 +/- 13.7. 49.2% of women were primary school graduates, 67.6% were married. Although 76.6% of the women in this study reported that they had heard or read about breast cancer, our study revealed that only 56.1% of them had sufficient knowledge of breast cancer, half of whom had acquired the information from health professionals. Level of breast cancer knowledge was the only variable significantly associated with the BSE and mammography practice (p = 0.011, p = 0.007). BSE performers among the study group were more likely to be women who exhibited higher confidence and perceived greater benefits from BSE practice, and those who perceived fewer barriers to BSE performance and possessed knowledge of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: By using the CHBMS constructs for assessment, primary health care providers can more easily understand the beliefs that influence women's BSE and mammography practice.
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Self-Examination/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mammography/psychology , Rural Health , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Demography , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Turkey , Women's Health
