DETERMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH TECHNICIAN STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY WITH DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STRESS LEVELS.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the relationship between the attitudes of health technician students towards COVID-19 and their intolerance to uncertainty with depression, anxiety, and stress. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with health technician students at two public universities in western Turkey. Data were collected from January 29 to April 5, 2021. In this study, The Descriptive Data Form; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21; The Health Education Students' Attitude Scale towards the COVID-19 outbreak, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 were used. The electronic versions of the questionnaires were shared with students in WhatsApp groups. RESULTS: A total of 1132 students participated in the study and 23.2% of the students had mild, 21.6% moderate, and 2.8% severe depression. Additionally, 9.4% of the students had mild, 16.3% moderate, and 5.1% severe anxiety. Furthermore, 12.5% of the participants had mild and 5.5% had moderate stress. Smoking, prospective and inhibitory anxiety, negative perception of the state's efforts to prevent the outbreak, anxiety about the virus, and belief of intentional spread significantly affected depression, anxiety, and stress levels (p<0.05). Furthermore, the place of residence and the presence of acquaintances infected with COVID-19 significantly affected anxiety levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It may be beneficial to develop online psychoeducation and psychotherapy programs and to direct young people to these platforms during the social isolation process of COVID-19. Training in virus protection is also strongly recommended.

Effect of antenatal class attendance on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of attending antenatal classes on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress in nulliparous pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 133 nulliparous pregnant women participated in the study, which had a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected by a descriptive data form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, and the Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory (APSI). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between antenatal class attendance and having a high schooling level and an intended pregnancy (p < 0.05). The mean fear of childbirth score of pregnant women was 85.50 ± 19.41 before the training and 76.32 ± 20.52 after the training, and the difference between these scores was significant (p < 0.01). Fear of childbirth score were not significantly different between the intervention group and the control group. The mean APSI score of pregnant women in the intervention group was 22.32 ± 6.12 before the training and 21.79 ± 5.97 after the training. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION: The fear of childbirth score decreased significantly in the intervention group after the training.

Effect of antenatal class attendance on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of attending antenatal classes on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress in nulliparous pregnant women. METHODS A total of 133 nulliparous pregnant women participated in the study, which had a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected by a descriptive data form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, and the Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory (APSI). RESULTS A significant correlation was found between antenatal class attendance and having a high schooling level and an intended pregnancy (p < 0.05). The mean fear of childbirth score of pregnant women was 85.50 ± 19.41 before the training and 76.32 ± 20.52 after the training, and the difference between these scores was significant (p < 0.01). Fear of childbirth score were not significantly different between the intervention group and the control group. The mean APSI score of pregnant women in the intervention group was 22.32 ± 6.12 before the training and 21.79 ± 5.97 after the training. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION The fear of childbirth score decreased significantly in the intervention group after the training.

Evaluating the Relationship between Diabetes and Cancer in a Cohort.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Epidemiological studies indicate that the risk of several types of cancer is high in diabetic patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between diabetes and diabetes related cancers in a cohort design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The baseline survey was conducted as a community screening programme from 2007 to 2009 in a population over 30 years of age. Diabetes definition was based on fasting blood glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dl and self-reported diabetes history. Data on incident cancer cases and pathological types were obtained from the Izmir Cancer Registry between 2007-2013. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated for the relationship between diabetes and diabetes-related cancer types for men and women separately and adjusted for BMI and age. Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression models in IBM SPSS Statistics 24.0. RESULTS: Data from 10,375 women (65.4%) and 5,494 men (34.6%) who did not declare any cancer in 2007 were evaluated. The cumulative incidence of diabetes related cancers was 2,293 per 100,000 in men and 1,455 per 100,000 in women. Total diabetes related cancer incidence was higher in diabetics (3,770 per 100,000) than nondiabetics (2,109 per 100,000) in men. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant association between diabetes and cancers. The analyses can be repeated in the future when the cohort gets older and more incident cases of cancers occur.
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The predictors of secondary traumatic stress and psychological resilience in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Turkey.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between predictive factors of secondary traumatic stress (STS), that is, sociodemographic and work characteristics, and the psychological resilience of healthcare professionals working in different regions of Turkey. This cross-sectional study included 1416 healthcare workers (HCWs). An independent sample t-test and hierarchical regression analysis were performed to analyse the data. The predictor variables for STS included perception of health, fear of contagion, anxiety about infecting family members, psychological resilience, type of work, having a COVID-19 diagnosis in the family, and experiencing a loss due to COVID-19 (p < 0.05). The variables that predicted psychological resilience included socioeconomic status, health status, age, marital status, work experience, and type of work (p < 0.05). A low number of resilient HCWs experienced secondary traumatic stress.

The effect of internet addiction and smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Turkish adolescents.

Background: Sleep quality plays a principal role in the protection of health. There is an increasing number of studies in the literature demonstrating that internet addiction and smartphone addiction impair sleep quality. However, the number of studies on Turkish adolescents is very limited. Therefore, this study examined the effects of internet addiction and smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Turkish adolescents. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study were 910 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Data were collected with the Short Internet Addiction Test, Smartphone Addiction Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In addition, a questionnaire was used to gather information about the demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics. Pearson's Chi-square test, Chi-square test for trend, Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis, and Spearman's correlation analysis were used in the analysis. Results: The sleep quality of 58.7% of the adolescents was poor. Additionally, girls and adolescents ≥16 years old had poor sleep quality. Sleep quality deteriorated as perceived health status and perceived economic status of family deteriorated. Compared to participants with normal internet addiction scores, poor sleep quality was 1.83 (95% CI [1.22-2.74]) times higher in those with problematic internet addiction and 1.99 (95% CI [1.23-3.87]) times higher in those with pathological internet addiction. One point increase in Smartphone Addiction Scale total score increased poor sleep quality 1.01 (95% CI [1.00-1.02]) times. Sleep quality scale were positively correlated with the smartphone addiction and internet addiction. However, there was no positive correlation between habitual sleep efficiency subcomponent of sleep quality and smartphone addiction and internet addiction. Conclusions: Internet addiction and smartphone addiction were associated with poor sleep quality in adolescents. Older adolescents (≥16 years), gender (female), poor health perception, and perception of moderate economic status of the family were other factors associated with poor sleep quality.

Healthcare students' vaccination status, knowledge, and protective behaviors regarding hepatitis B: a cross-sectional study in Turkey.

AIM: We aimed to determine the vaccination status, knowledge, and protective behaviors of healthcare students related to hepatitis B and to examine the related factors. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven universities from seven geographical regions of Turkey. The study group included 5451 healthcare students. Data were collected with a questionnaire including items on sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination status, knowledge and protective behaviors related to hepatitis B. Data were analyzed with Pearson's chi-square and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: 86.0% of the students had hepatitis B vaccine while 7.6% did not. Vaccination was higher in nursing and midwifery students (aOR = 1.87, CI 95%: 1.26-2.77; aOR = 3.87, CI 95%: 2.14-7.02, respectively). Vaccination was 1.28 times higher in females (CI 95% 1.03-1.60). The ≥23 age group had 1.79 times higher vaccination rate than those in the ≤19 (CI 95%: 1.26-2.53). Vaccination was higher in students whose family's economic status is middle and high (aOR = 1.53, CI 95%: 1.07-2.19; aOR = 1.47, CI 95%: 1.03-2.19, respectively). Vaccination was higher in those living in towns and cities during childhood (aOR = 1.36, CI 95%: 1.06-1.74; aOR = 1.79, CI 95%: 1.34-2.38, respectively). Females had more knowledge of hepatitis B and protective behaviors. Both knowledge and protective behavior scores of vaccinated participants were significantly higher (p < .05). CONCLUSION: We found that the vaccination rate in healthcare students was high, but lower than the country's targets. The students were sensitive about the protective behaviors from hepatitis B infection and had sufficient knowledge of HBV contamination.

The relationship between cognition, depression, fatigue, and disability in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive, and neurodegenerative central nervous system disorder. MS usually causes disability, cognitive deficiency, fatigue, and depression symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To assess cognitive functions of people with MS (pwMS) and investigate the impact of depression, fatigue, and disability on cognitive functions. METHODS: We administered the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) battery to assess 200 pwMS. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to evaluate disability levels. Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used, respectively, for fatigue and depression levels. RESULTS: EDSS and FSS scores were significantly higher in those with a disease duration of 5 years or more. Those with the EDSS ≥ 4 were found to have lower BICAMS performances and higher FSS scores. There was a significant difference in Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) performances between the groups with and without fatigue (FSS ≥ 4 and FSS < 4, respectively). When depression and fatigue symptoms concur or in the existence of just one of them or none of them, significant differences in terms of SDMT performances have been shown. CONCLUSION: The level of disability and fatigue adversely affects the cognitive functions of pwMS; depression has no significant effect. BICAMS that is specific for MS can be beneficial to assess the cognitive state of pwMS.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of dental health training administered at a health services school.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and behaviour of health technician students to determine their oral health (OH) status, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured education administered for increasing OH awareness. METHODS: Interventional research was performed between December 2018 and March 2019 on 445 Vocational School of Health Services students in … University. Questionnaires were conducted under observation. The first questionnaire (Q1) included socio-demographic characteristics, OH knowledge level, attitudes and behaviours. One month after the OH training was given to the students, the same questions in Q1 were asked again in the second questionnaire (Q2). Dental caries and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) status were determined by a dentist via a clinical oral examination. RESULTS: Of the 445 students, 416 (93.5%) participated in the study and completed the Q1 and Q2 questionnaires. A total of 277 (66.6%) students were female and 139 (33.4%) were male, with the age range being 17-33 years (average: 19.2 ± 1.86 years). Of the 416 students who answered the Q1 and Q2 questionnaires, 385 received oral examinations. While the Q1 knowledge score was 7.06 ± 2.08, the Q2 was found to be 12.36 ± 2.90 (P < .001). It was seen that 119 (30.9%) students who had poor OHI-S and 120 (31.2%), had a mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) value of 6 and above. It was found that the females had better OH values ​​than males (P < .001) and smokers had worse OH values overall (P < .016). CONCLUSION: It was observed that the health technician students had a low level of knowledge about OH before the training but after receiving the training, their knowledge, attitude and behaviour changed positively. SO WHAT?: It was concluded that the OH education given to students caused a positive change in their behaviour, attitude and knowledge.

Determinants of prelacteal feeding practice in Uganda; a population based cross-sectional study using Uganda demographic and health survey data.

Background: Breastfeeding has well-established short-term and long-term health benefits for both the mother and infant. Initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth stimulates breast milk production. Prelacteal feeding (PLF) may result in late initiation of breastfeeding, and thus insufficient production of breast milk. This study aimed to identify the determinants of PLF among children under five years in Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using the data from the database of Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011. The data of 4,774 children/mothers were evaluated in this study. Results: The prevalence of PLF was 40.3%. The rate of PLF practice was found to be 2.15 times higher in women with moderate economic status and 2.02 times higher in women with high economic status compared to those who have low economic status. The rate of PLF practice was found to be 1.73 times higher in newborns delivered by an unskilled birth attendant and 4.35 times higher in newborns delivered with no birth attendant compared to those infants delivered by a skilled birth attendant. The ratio of PLF practice was found to be 2.49 times higher in multiple births. Mothers who initiated breastfeeding in the first 24 hours after birth had higher odds of PLF. No relationship was found between PLF practice with some sociodemographic characteristics of mother's (age, marital status, educational status, religion, residential location), maternal factors (number of children, antenatal and postnatal care attendance, place of delivery), and characteristics of the newborn infants (sex, type of delivery, birth order number) in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: All mothers should be informed about the importance of initiation of breastfeeding immediately after delivery, the risks associated with PLF, the optimal practices for breastfeeding, and the presence of a skilled birth attendant at delivery.

The Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and the Correlation of Perceived Social Support and Quality of Life with Postpartum Depression: A Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression (PPD) has negative effects on the mothers who experience it. The aims of the study described herein were to determine the prevalence of PPD and to determine the correlations between PPD and perceived social support, quality of life, and the risk factors for PPD. METHODS: Data were collected using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Scale, the Quality of Life scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and questions regarding the sociodemographic characteristics and PPD risk factors of the mother. RESULTS: The prevalences of PPD were found to be 3.9% in the 4th week postpartum and 5.9% in the 6th week postpartum. Being a primary school (and no higher) graduate, being stressed in daily life, experiencing health problems during the delivery and the postpartum period, and not thinking of oneself as a good mother were all determined to be risk factors for PPD. Although the mean score for social support was higher in women with low PPD risks, this difference was not significant. According to a linear regression model, PPD negatively affected the social and psychological qualities of life of the mothers in the 4th week postpartum. CONCLUSION: Along with a trend suggesting a correlation between high social support and low PPD risk in women, a correlation between low PPD risk and high quality of life was also found.

The Relationship between Risk Levels of Breast Cancer and Use of Early Diagnosis and Screening Services in Healthcare Workers in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting early diagnosis and screening behaviors of healthcare workers concerning breast cancer and the breast cancer risk levels using the risk identification model and to evaluate the relationship between breast cancer risk levels and early diagnosis and screening behaviors. METHODS: Overall, 466 healthcare workers from Balikesir Province, Turkey participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected thanks to a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. Cuzick-Tyrer model was utilized to determine breast cancer risk levels. RESULTS: 78.1% of the healthcare workers regularly perform breast self-examination (BSE), 11.6% had clinical breast examination (CBE), 7.7% had breast ultrasound scan and 4.5% had mammography. BSE behavior increased, as education level got higher. Mammography screening behavior increased in those aged 40 yr and older and those with breast or ovarian cancer history in their family. There was not any relationship between breast cancer risk levels and early diagnosis and screening behaviors. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and screening behaviors of healthcare workers were low concerning breast cancer. Age, education level and family history are the most prominent factors affecting early diagnosis and screening behaviors of healthcare workers. Informing healthcare workers on breast cancer risk factors and screening can make positive contributions to them and the public through them.

Effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level on lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers: a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Published studies show that vitamin D deficiency is widespread and it has been suggested that it increases the risk of lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers. AIMS: To investigate prospectively the effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level on lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers in people aged 30+ years. METHODS: In this nested case-control study, the data and collected serum samples from a cohort study, the Balçova Heart Study, during 2007-09, were used. Additional data were collected using a questionnaire in the follow-up. We determined incident lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer cases during 2008 and 2013. Serum 25(OH)D levels of 606 persons (179 cases and 427 controls) from the Balçova Heart Study were measured. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D levels did not show a significant association with breast, colorectal and prostate cancers. There was an inverse association between 25(OH)D level and lung cancer risk, where the OR values for the first, second and third quartiles, compared with the fourth quartile (1.00), were 2.92 (CI: 0.82-10.35), 3.76 (CI: 1.14-12.37) and 3.55 (CI: 1.04- 12.08) respectively. CONCLUSION: It was seen that low 25(OH)D levels were associated with a greater than threefold increased risk of lung cancer; no association was detected for breast, colorectal and prostate cancers. Cohort studies with larger populations are needed to better understand the effect of vitamin D level on cancer risk.

Hepatitis A, B and C seropositivity among first-year healthcare students in western Turkey: a seroprevalence study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of viral hepatitis among healthcare students (HCSs) is greater than that among the general population. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of the hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among first-year HCSs at a university in Turkey and as a secondary objective, to determine the factors associated with HAV and HBV seropositivity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in first-year HCSs in Izmir, western Turkey. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including items on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and hygiene. A total of 650 HCSs were tested for the HAV, HBV and HCV markers. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. The association between independent variables and anti-HAV seropositivity and anti-HBs seropositivity was assessed by multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall frequency of total anti-HAV seropositivity was 34.9%. HBsAg, total anti-HBc and anti-HBs seropositivity were found in 0.3, 1.2 and 93.7% of samples, respectively. All of the HCSs were negative for anti-HCV. Total anti-HAV seropositivity was found to be 1.73 times higher in those ≥21 years old, and it was 1.61 times higher in those who perceived their economic status to be average and 2.75 times higher in those who perceived their economic status to be low. Total anti-HAV seropositivity was found to be 4.37 times higher in those who lived in provinces with intermediate human development index levels. Total anti-HBs seropositivity was found to be 2.48 times higher in those ≤20 years old, and it was 2.13 times higher in those who perceived their economic status to be average. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately two out of three HCSs were susceptible to HAV infection. Since HCSs are at high risk for HAV infection, they should be vaccinated before medical clerkships begin. Our results indicate that there is a high prevalence of anti-HBs seropositivity among HCSs. This result may be largely attributed to the implementation of a successful vaccination program in Turkey since 1998.

Risk factors and relationship between screening periodicity and risk of cervical cancer among nurses and midwives. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: If nurses and midwives undergo cervical cancer screening regularly, they can become role models for other women regarding this screening. OBJECTIVES: The aims here were (i) to determine factors associated with undergoing cervical cancer screening; and (ii) to examine the association of cervical cancer screening periodicity with cervical cancer risk levels among nurses and midwives. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a public hospital. METHODS: 466 nurses and midwives participated in this study. The relationships between undergoing Pap smear screening and sociodemographic characteristics, cervical cancer risk factors, perception of cervical cancer risk and calculated cervical cancer risk levels were examined. Cervical cancer risk levels were determined using the "Your Disease Risk" assessment tool (Washington University). RESULTS: 35% of the nurses and midwives had undergone Pap smear testing at least once in their lifetimes. The odds of having undergone Pap smear testing were higher among smokers (odds ratio, OR: 2.08; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.24-3.48) and among those who perceived their risk of cervical cancer to be high (OR: 3.60; 95% CI: 1.36-9.51). The frequency of undergoing Pap smear testing at least once in a lifetime was higher among primiparae (OR: 17.99; 95% CI: 6.36-50.84) and secundiparae (OR: 41.53; 95% CI: 15.01-114.91) than among nulliparae. No relationship was found between Pap smear test periodicity and calculated risk level. CONCLUSION: There is a need to assess motivational barriers that might lead to low levels of Pap smear screening among nurses and midwives who are role models for women regarding cervical cancer prevention.

Risk factors and relationship between screening periodicity and risk of cervical cancer among nurses and midwives. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: If nurses and midwives undergo cervical cancer screening regularly, they can become role models for other women regarding this screening. OBJECTIVES: The aims here were (i) to determine factors associated with undergoing cervical cancer screening; and (ii) to examine the association of cervical cancer screening periodicity with cervical cancer risk levels among nurses and midwives. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a public hospital. METHODS: 466 nurses and midwives participated in this study. The relationships between undergoing Pap smear screening and sociodemographic characteristics, cervical cancer risk factors, perception of cervical cancer risk and calculated cervical cancer risk levels were examined. Cervical cancer risk levels were determined using the "Your Disease Risk" assessment tool (Washington University). RESULTS: 35% of the nurses and midwives had undergone Pap smear testing at least once in their lifetimes. The odds of having undergone Pap smear testing were higher among smokers (odds ratio, OR: 2.08; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.24-3.48) and among those who perceived their risk of cervical cancer to be high (OR: 3.60; 95% CI: 1.36-9.51). The frequency of undergoing Pap smear testing at least once in a lifetime was higher among primiparae (OR: 17.99; 95% CI: 6.36-50.84) and secundiparae (OR: 41.53; 95% CI: 15.01-114.91) than among nulliparae. No relationship was found between Pap smear test periodicity and calculated risk level. CONCLUSION: There is a need to assess motivational barriers that might lead to low levels of Pap smear screening among nurses and midwives who are role models for women regarding cervical cancer prevention.

[Seroprevalence of pertussis toxin antibody in Manisa province of Turkey, after six years implementation of acellular pertussis vaccine]. / Hücre içermeyen bogmaca asi uygulamasinin altinci yilinda Türkiye'nin Manisa ilindeki pertussis toksin antikoru seroprevalansi.

Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing pertussis disease. Turkey commenced a routine infant immunization program using whole cell (wP) pertussis vaccine in 1968. Immunization accelerated in 1985 after participation of Turkey in the Expanded Programme on Immunization initiated by the World Health Organization. Acellular vaccine (aP) replaced wP in 2008 and a booster was added to age 6 in 2010. The immunization programme was successful in reducing the morbidity rate from 20.58 per 100.000 in 1970 to the lowest level of 0.01 per 100.000 in 2009. However, reduction of vaccine-induced protection and reduced natural boosting of circulating Bordetella pertussis are likely to increase the susceptibility of the population. As a result, morbidity rate increased from 0.09 per 100.000 to 0.41 per 100.000 in 2015 compared to the previous year. The aim of this epidemiological study was to determine the seroprevalence of pertussis toxin (PT) antibodies among healthy people and its association with various social determinants in Manisa province in Turkey, 6 years after aP replaced wP vaccine. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study with a sample of 1250 people that was randomly selected from the over 2 years of age population in Manisa in 2014. Seroprevalence of PT antibody was determined as the dependent variable of the study. Independent variables of the study were; gender, age, migration in the last 5 years, occupational class, perceived income, house ownership, number of people per room, annually per capita equivalent income. The presence of anti-PT IgG was detected by quantitatively using a commercially available ELISA kit. The antibody levels were categorized into groups according to pertussis infection or vaccination immune response status. The groups consisted of undetectable (< 5 IU/ml), mid-range (5-< 62.5 IU/ml: more than one year previously), high (62.5-< 125: with in 12 months) and very high (≥ 125 IU/ml: with in 6 months) antibody levels. The test results with ≥ 5 IU/ml were defined as seropositive. Level > 100 IU/ml detected among adolescent and adult participants indicated acute or recently recovered pertussis infection. Chi-square test was used to evaluate association between social determinants and pertussis seropositivity. The seroprevalence of the whole study population was 58.1% (95% CI 55.32-60.79) and no association was found with any of the social determinants. The highest seroprevalence was found among 2-9 age group (68.3%) followed by 70-79 age group (63.5%). The lowest seroprevalence was found among 20-29 age group (50.9%) followed by 10-19 age group (51.6%). When seropositivity levels according to ages were compared, it was found that there was a decrease one year after the first vaccination at 2nd, 4th and 6th months and the booster at the 6th year, with a lowest rate (19%) in 11 year-old. The highest seropositivity (77.3%) with a level of >100 IU/ml (13.6%) were detected at age 15 among all adolescent and adult participants. Adding an adolescent booster to immunization schedule and recommendation of vaccine to elderly people should be considered to reduce the incidence of pertussis disease in Turkey.

Seroprevalence and social determinants of varicella in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In Turkey, varicella vaccine was introduced into routine childhood immunization in 2013, with a single dose administered to children aged 12 months. However, there is limited information on the morbidity (incidence and seroprevalence), mortality and burden of disease of varicella in the overall Turkish population. AIM: To determine varicella seroprevalence and its social determinants in Manisa Province, Turkey in children aged > 2 years before single-dose varicella vaccination was introduced in 2013. METHODS: The presence of anti varicella-zoster virus IgG antibodies was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples collected from 1250 participants. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence was 92.8% and the seroprevalence was > 90% among all age groups except 2-9 years (55.7%). Seroprevalence was significantly associated with family size, annual per capita equivalent income, number of people per room and education level. After adjusting by age, only education level remained significantly associated with seroprevalence, reflecting the early age effect. CONCLUSION: High seroprevalance depends on natural exposure to the infectious agent itself and is not associated with social determinants. High vaccine coverage should be maintained for effective varicella control and switching to a 2-dose schedule may also be considered to reduce the number and size of outbreaks in the Turkish population.

Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship to depressive symptoms in first-year university students.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of and factors influencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in first-year students at a university health campus and to evaluate the relationship between depression and PMS. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of 618 university students from March to June 2016 at Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), Beck Depression Inventory and Student Identification Form. The data were analyzed with Version 20.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Science. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, and Chi-square test for trend, and independent samples t test and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The prevalence of PMS in the university students was 58.1%. Premenstrual syndrome was significantly higher in students who smoked, drink alcohol, and consumed a large amount of fatty and high-calorie foods, in students who had a bad to very bad perception of their economic situation, and those who had any chronic disease or anemia (p less than 0.05). Premenstrual syndrome was significantly higher in students who had a risk of depression (p less than 0.01). A statistically significant relationship was determined between the risk of depression and PMSS total score and all PMSS subscale scores except for appetite changes (p less than 0.01). Conclusion: Premenstrual syndrome was found in more than half of the students who participated in the study. Premenstrual syndrome was higher in students who had a chronic disease and/or an unhealthy lifestyle. There was a statistically significant relationship between PMS and risk of depression. Students who have PMS symptoms should be evaluated for the risk of depression.

Determination of Factors Affecting Physical Activity Status of University Students on a Health Sciences Campus.

Upon graduation, students studying in departments related to health will work in the health sector and will guide and enlighten people with their knowledge and behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the physical activity (PA) conditions of university students on a health sciences campus. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 706 students in a Turkish university. The data was obtained from a survey prepared by the researchers. The 26-question survey aimed to discover the students' socio-demographic characteristics and their awareness and practices concerning PA. We found that 30% of the students engage in some type of PA during their university education. A relationship was observed concerning their current PA and their family inactivity levels, as well as between inactivity before entering the university and inactivity during their education. The presence of a chronic disease in family members does not affect student PA. A majority of the students believe PA is beneficial (98.7%), 93.9% believe it relieves stress, and 94.5% believe it helps control body weight. Although students of medicine and related disciplines are aware of the importance of proper diet and adequate levels of PA in health, they did not implement theory into practice. Thus, it is questionable how young health professionals will promote the positive effects and necessity of regular physical activity if they do not apply these activities to their own lifestyle.