Reliability and Validity of a Turkish Version of Multi-Factor Attitude Toward Condoms Scale: A Methodological Study.

ABSTRACT: This study tested the validity and reliability of the Turkish translation of the Multi-Factor Attitude toward Condoms Scale in a sample of Turkish outpatient clients ( N = 336). Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated by a Cronbach α of .82, and test-retest reliability was supported by a positive correlation between initial and retest scores ( p < .05). Construct validity was supported by results of an exploratory factor analysis that yielded a three-factor solution, explaining 71.0% of the variance. The Turkish version of the scale was found to be valid and reliable.

Perceived COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, acceptance, and drivers of vaccination decision-making among the general adult population: A global survey of 20 countries.

BACKGROUND: Mass vaccination campaigns have significantly reduced the COVID-19 burden. However, vaccine hesitancy has posed significant global concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics that influence perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, acceptability, hesitancy and decision making to take vaccine among general adult populations in a variety of socioeconomic and cultural contexts. METHODS: Using a snowball sampling approach, we conducted an online cross-sectional study in 20 countries across four continents from February to May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 10,477 participants were included in the analyses with a mean age of 36±14.3 years. The findings revealed the prevalence of perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness (78.8%), acceptance (81.8%), hesitancy (47.2%), and drivers of vaccination decision-making (convenience [73.3%], health providers' advice [81.8%], and costs [57.0%]). The county-wise distribution included effectiveness (67.8-95.9%; 67.8% in Egypt to 95.9% in Malaysia), acceptance (64.7-96.0%; 64.7% in Australia to 96.0% in Malaysia), hesitancy (31.5-86.0%; 31.5% in Egypt to 86.0% in Vietnam), convenience (49.7-95.7%; 49.7% in Austria to 95.7% in Malaysia), advice (66.1-97.3%; 66.1% in Austria to 97.3% in Malaysia), and costs (16.0-91.3%; 16.0% in Vietnam to 91.3% in Malaysia). In multivariable regression analysis, several socio-demographic characteristics were identified as associated factors of outcome variables including, i) vaccine effectiveness: younger age, male, urban residence, higher education, and higher income; ii) acceptance: younger age, male, urban residence, higher education, married, and higher income; and iii) hesitancy: male, higher education, employed, unmarried, and lower income. Likewise, the factors associated with vaccination decision-making including i) convenience: younger age, urban residence, higher education, married, and lower income; ii) advice: younger age, urban residence, higher education, unemployed/student, married, and medium income; and iii) costs: younger age, higher education, unemployed/student, and lower income. CONCLUSIONS: Most participants believed that vaccination would effectively control and prevent COVID-19, and they would take vaccinations upon availability. Determinant factors found in this study are critical and should be considered as essential elements in developing COVID-19 vaccination campaigns to boost vaccination uptake in the populations.

The effects of adjuvant hormonotherapy on tear functions in patients with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (tamoxifen) are widely used as adjuvant hormonal therapy in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. We aimed to evaluate the effects of oral adjuvant hormonotherapy on tear functions in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: In this case-control study, we enrolled eligible patients with breast cancer who were receiving regular medical selective estrogen receptor modulator (tamoxifen, n:50), aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, n:50) and gender-matched healthy controls (n:50). Tear functions were measured and compared by the Schirmer test, fluorescein breakup time, corneal staining evaluated by Oxford grading scale and Ocular Surface Disease Index scores. RESULTS: Mean age was 49.95 (± 9.2), 51.52 (± 7.2) and 51.91 (± 10.3) in tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors groups and controls (p = 0.426). Mean duration of BC diagnosis (p = 0.536) and drug use (p = 0.417) was not significant between two groups. Ocular Surface Disease Index scores were lower (p < 0.001), and fluorescein breakup time measurements were higher (p < 0.001) in controls. Schirmer test scores were higher in controls than aromatase inhibitors group (p < 0.001). According to the scores of all measurements, the differences between aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated a high difference in all parameters in patients receiving aromatase inhibitors compared to tamoxifen group and controls. Aromatase inhibitors, which reduce estrogen levels in the blood, might affect the tear functions more than tamoxifen, which affects as antiestrogenic on estrogen receptors.

The Effects of Adjuvant Tamoxifen Use on Macula Pigment Epithelium Optical Density, Visual Acuity and Retinal Thickness in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Purpose: We aimed to compare best corrected visual acuity, macular pigment optical density and macular thickness in patients with breast cancer, who received oral adjuvant hormone therapy.Materials and Methods: We enrolled consecutive eligible patients with breast cancer who were receiving regular medical tamoxifen treatment. The participants were divided into two groups as cases and controls. Best-corrected visual acuity and retinal thickness were examined. Macular pigment optical density was measured by fundus reflectometry using the one-wavelength reflection method. The output parameters included max optical density, mean optical density, volume and area of the right eye.Results: A total of 104 eyes, cases (n: 50) and controls (n: 54) were included in the study. Mean age in cases was 49.95 ± 9.2 years and 50.21 ± 9.3 years in controls (p = .151). The mean foveal optical density and the maximum optical density differed between cases (0.13 ± 0.03 density units (DU)/0.35 ± 0.07 DU) and controls (0.18 ± 0.04 DU/0.41 ± 0.06 DU) (p = .002/p = .009). Macular pigment optical density volume was 8102.84 ± 2412.67 in cases versus 8280.18 ± 2904.56 in controls (p = .034), and mean MPOD area was 59567.79 ± 11538.06 in cases versus 61748.14 ± 10591.19 in controls (p = .023). The best corrected visual acuity and retinal thickness were similar in both groups (p > .05).Conclusions: Patients in care of oral tamoxifen therapy were found to have significantly reduced macular pigment optical density. In addition, higher drug use duration correlated significantly with reduced macular pigment optical density, suggesting that the poor long-term effects may play a role in macular pigment absorption and incorporation in the retinal tissue.

Preparations for Severe Winter Conditions by Emergency Health Personnel in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency and core ambulance personnel work under all environmental conditions, including severe weather condtions. We evaluated emergency medical personnel in Çanakkale, Turkey, for their degree of preparedness. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted in Çanakkale, Turkey, within 112 emergency service units and their 17 district stations. Surveys were developed to measure the level of preparedness for serious winter conditions that individual workers made for themselves, their homes, and their cars. RESULTS: Of the 167 survey participants, the mean age was 29.8 ± 7.9 years; 52.7% were women; more than half (54.75%) were emergency medical technicians; and 53.3% were married. Only 10.4% of those who heated their homes with natural gas had carbon monoxide detectors. Scores relating to household and individual preparation for severe winter conditions increased by participants' age (P < .003), being married (P < .000) and working in the city center (P < .021); and for men whose cars were equipped with tow ropes, extra clothing, and snow tires (P < .05). Absenteeism was higher for central-city personnel than district workers because they were less prepared for harsh winter conditions (P = .016). CONCLUSION: Many of the surveyed emergency health personel demonstrated insufficient preparations for serious winter conditions. To increase the safety and efficiency of emergency medical personnel, educational training programs should be rountinely conducted. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-4).