[The Prevalence and Management of Pediculosis Capitis in Turkey: A Systematic Review]. / Türkiye'de Pedikulozis Kapitis Prevalansi ve Yönetimi: Sistematik Derleme.

This study aimed to examine scientific articles performed in Turkey on the prevalence and management of PK (diagnosis, contagion, prevention, treatment) from a critical perspective. The population of the systematic review consisted of total 63 published and unpublished theses or dissertations and peer-reviewed articles published in Turkish or English in national or foreign scientific journals from studies performed in Turkey between 1982 and 2012 years. It reached 578,938 people in 63 studies. Seventy-eight percent of the studies were related to the prevalence of PK and/or associated factors. The number of the studies was limited regarding diagnosis, prevention, contagion, treatment compliance, difficulties and causes of failure. Of the studies, 90.5% had been performed in public schools, almost exclusively elementary schools. The prevalence of PK was 0.3-34.1%, 0-35.4%, and it was 0.3-34.1% in elementary school children. It increased with years of education. It was double that of the boys in the girls (p<0.05). The prevalence among the subjects with low economic status were 1.9-42.3%, and it increased with worsening economic status (p<0.05). The prevalence reached up to 44.1% among children with illiterate mother. Basic recommendations include increasing the number of studies on the diagnosis, prevention, contagion, treatment compliance and efficacy, treatment failures and difficulties; public health workers also should prioritize investigation of head lice infestation.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in kocaeli: an industrialised city in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of mortality worldwide. AIMS: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in residents who were ≥40 years old and living in a heavily industrialised city of Turkey, Kocaeli, using the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: 1035 residents ≥40 years old and living in Kocaeli were surveyed. Spirometry and the basic BOLD questionnaire was performed. RESULTS: 946 subjects entered into the analysis. The prevalence of stage I or higher COPD was 13.3% (8.7% for women and 16.5% for men), the prevalence of COPD at GOLD stage II or higher was 7.1% (4.1% for women and 9.2% for men). We also noted a high prevalence of COPD in never-smokers. CONCLUSION: Besides cigarette smoking, occupational exposure to fumes, chemicals and dusts might have also contributed to the high prevalence of COPD noted in residents who were ≥40 years old and living in Kocaeli, Turkey.

Road traffic-related injury among the 0-17 age group in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the extent of death and injuries among the 0-17 years of age group recorded in the official road traffic injury statistics. METHODS: This is a record-based study covering a 5-year-period (2003-2007) using the annual records of national road traffic injury statistics in Turkey. RESULTS: The 0-17 age group accounted for 10.9% of deaths and 20.1% of injuries over the 5-year-period that served as the scope of the study. It was found out that 53.5% of deaths and 70.7% of injuries occurred in residential areas. The occurrence of death among pedestrians in residential areas is notable. Injuries showed a similar tendency. CONCLUSION: According to the 5-year period statistics examined in this study, road traffic-related deaths and injuries are a public health problem, and necessitate the development of programs and policies aimed at their prevention.

Nutritional status of students in Kocaeli, Turkey: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of students in Kocaeli, Turkey. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among the students of secondary schools in Kocaeli. Of the students, 2491 subjects were selected using multi-stage stratified sampling. RESULTS: Of the students, 51.1% were male and 48.9% were female. Mean age was 14.35±1.87 (range 10.1-19.8) in overall subjects, 14.38±1.87 in boys and 14.31±1.85 in girls. The prevalence of obesity and of overweight was estimated as 7.3% and 11.8%, respectively. Also, 3.1% of the subjects were underweight and 2.9% were thin. The rate of obesity was 1.5 times higher in girls and that of overweight was 1.2 times higher in girls. Similarly, students aged 15 years old and younger were 1.2 times more obese and 1.7 times more overweight than older students. Students living in urban areas had a higher prevalence of obesity and of overweight. CONCLUSION: Nutritional problems in students should be dealt with by some regulations in schools; for example, providing healthy food in schools or food aid, particularly in poor regions.

The prevalence of hopelessness among adults: disability and other related factors.

BACKGROUND: Hopelessness has become an important issue in the fields of health and social care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of hopelessness and its association with the current health condition, disability, and other socio-demographic characteristics. METHOD: The cross-sectional study sampled a population of 501 adults in Bolu, Turkey. Questionnaires included the Household Questionnaire, the Health Condition Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Brief Disability Questionnaire. Data were collected through face-to-face home interviews between September 29 and October 11, 2003. RESULTS: The prevalence of hopelessness was 30.9%. It was higher among the literate (60.0%) (p < 0.05), males (35.0%) (p > 0.05), and agricultural workers and peasants (50.0%, 41.9%) (p < 0.05). Almost half of the participants were disabled, and 44.6% of the subjects with disabilities were hopeless (p < 0.05). Being without hope was statistically significant with gender, social class, perceived health, and disability (p < 0.05). The risk of hopelessness increased in subjects with perceived bad health, lowered social class, and disability, compared with the reference groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, hopelessness prevalence was high and it was also associated with the current state of health, perceived health, disability, and some socio-demographic variables. It will be important to increase the number of studies related to hopelessness and associated factors for improved mental health services planning at population level.

Traffic accidents resulting in death and injury on an international road passing through a city in Kocaeli, Turkey.

Deaths and injuries linked to traffic accidents are important public health issues. In this descriptive study, the accidents resulting in death and injury between 2000 and 2004 on the city portion of the D-100 were compared with those on the other roads within the city. The D-100 had a fatality risk approximately 2 times higher than that of the other roads within the city. The percentage of trucks of the total vehicles involved in accidents that occurred on the D-100 resulting in death and injury was 14.87% in 2002, 13.18% in 2003, and 9.88% in 2004. The main proposals of this study are to limit the use of the D-100's city portion to city traffic, and prevent heavy cargo vehicles from using the road as a transit route.

Working conditions and health status of child workers: cross-sectional study of the students at an apprenticeship school in Kocaeli.

BACKGROUND: Child labor remains a widespread phenomenon in today's world. The purpose of the present study was to describe the working conditions and health status of child workers in Kocaeli. METHODS: A cross-sectional research study has been carried out on 365 working children at the Kocaeli Occupational Training Center. Data were collected on working conditions, smoking habits, work accidents, perceived health status and psychological status using General Health Questionnaire-12. In order to evaluate the physical growth of children, their height and weight were measured. RESULTS: Most working children usually have a low level of education, low income and extended families. The mean age for children to start working was 14.8 +/- 1.5 years and their daily working periods were 11.3 +/- 1.3 h on average. Girls were found to have more psychopathology compared to boys on the GHQ-12 and the results were statistically significant. The height z score was less than -2 SD at 6.9% while the weight z score was less than -2 SD at 1.9%. According to body mass index (BMI) percentiles range, 3% of children were found to be underweight. A statistically significant and negative directional correlation was detected between body mass index z scores with age and daily working periods. Statistically significant but weak correlations were detected between height for age z scores and the starting age of work and also between weight for age z scores and chronological age. CONCLUSIONS: Both the mental and the physical health of children were found to be negatively affected, by having to work at an early age, and by long working hours. For this reason, immediate and direct intervention should be taken to eradicate child labor, and protect children from unsafe and exploitative working conditions.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schoolchildren and adolescents in Turkey: a population-based study.

AIM: To determine prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in the pediatric population. METHODS: We studied 2,491 schoolchildren randomly selected aged 10-19 years using a multistage, stratified sampling design. Obese and overweight participants were called for further investigation (n = 456). Of these, 310 participants underwent OGTT. MS was defined according to IDF, NCEP and modified WHO guidelines. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity and overweight were 6.8% and 11.5%, respectively. While MS was found in 2.3% of the total population according to IDF guidelines, its prevalence was increased among overweight and obese individuals. MS prevalence was similar by both IDF and NCEP definitions but higher according to WHO definition. Individuals with MS were consistent by both IDF and NCEP definitions (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 99%, positive predictive value = 95.2%). IDF and WHO defined different individuals as having MS (sensitivity = 67.5%, specificity = 90%, positive predictive value = 67.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Although not as high as in developed countries, MS prevalence determined in schoolchildren and adolescents in Turkey warrants preventive measures. MS diagnosis in one of every three obese children shows that MS is an important public health problem in Turkey as well.

Use of analgesics in adults with pain complaints: prevalence and associated factors, Turkey / Uso de analgésicos por adultos com queixas de dor: prevalência e fatores associados, Turquia / Uso de analgésicos em adultos que padecen dolores: prevalência y factores asociados, Turquia

OBJECTIVE: Use of analgesics has been increasingly recognized as a major public health issue with important consequences in Turkey. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of analgesics usage and associated factors in adults with pain complaints. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 cities selected from five demographic regions in Turkey. The study sample population comprised 1.909 adults 18-65 age groups suffering from pain. The sampling method was multi-step stratified weighted quota-adjusted sampling. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured survey questionnaire consisting of 28 questions. Odds ratios were produced by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of analgesic use was 73.1 percent, and it was higher in females (75.7 percent; p<0.05), in subjects 45-54 years (81.4 percent; p<0.05), in subjects in rural areas (74.6 percent; p<0.05), in subjects in northern region (84.3 percent; p<0.05), in illiterate subjects (79.1 percent; p>0.05), and in subjects of lower socioeconomic status (74.1 percent; p>0.05). One in ten of the participants used non-prescription analgesics. Non-prescription analgesics were more prevalent among the 55-65 age groups (18.1 percent; p<0.05), among female (11.6 percent; p>0.05), among the urban population (10.7 percent; p>0.05), and in subjects of lower middle socioeconomic status (13.2 percent; p<0.05). Logistic regression showed statistically significant ORs only for age groups, duration of education, socioeconomic status, and demographic regions (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the prevalence of analgesic use and prescription analgesic use is high in Turkey, and their use is related to sociodemographic characteristics.

OBJETIVO: O uso de analgésicos tem sido amplamente reconhecido com um grande problema de saúde pública com importantes conseqüências na Turquia. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a prevalência e os padrões de uso de analgésicos por adultos e os fatores associados às queixas de dores. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal conduzido em 15 cidades selecionadas de cinco regiões demográficas da Turquia. A amostra estudada incluiu grupos etários de 1.909 adultos (18-65 anos) que sofrem de dores. O método de amostragem seguiu estratificação com pesos ajustados para cada estrato amostrado. Os dados foram coletados em entrevistas face-a-face, usando um questionário de levantamento semi-estruturado, composto por 28 questões. Foram calculados os odds raios por meio de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de uso de analgésicos foi de 73,1 por cento, sendo significativamente (p<0,05) maior em mulheres (75,7 por cento; p<0,05), em sujeitos de 45-54 anos (81,4 por cento; p<0,05), naqueles residentes em área rural (74,6 por cento; p<0,05), na região norte (84,3 por cento; p<0.05), em analfabetos (79,1 por cento; p>0,05), e em sujeitos de status socioeconômico mais baixo (74,1 por cento; p>0,05). Um em cada dez participantes usou analgésico sem prescrição médica. A não-prescrição foi mais prevalente entre sujeitos do grupo etário 55-65 (18,1 por cento; p<0,05), entre mulheres (11,6 por cento; p>0,05), entre a população urbana (10,7 por cento; p>0,05), e em sujeitos de classe econômica média-baixa (13,2 por cento; p<0,05). A regressão logística mostrou OR significantes apenas para grupos etários, anos de estudo, status socioeconômico e região demográfica (p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram que a prevalência de uso de analgésico e sua prescrição de uso são altas na Turquia, e esses usos são relacionados a características sociodemográficas.

OBJETIVO: El uso de analgésicos ha sido reconocido como el mayor problema de salud pública con importantes consecuencias en Turquía. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia y patrones de uso de analgésicos y factores asociados en adultos que padecen de dolores. MÉTODOS: Se condujo un estudio transversal en 15 ciudades seleccionadas de cinco regiones demográficas en Turquía. La muestra poblacional comprendió 1.909 adultos agrupados en edades entre 18-65 años que sufrían de dolor. Se realizó un muestreo multi-etapa estratificado ajustado. Los datos fueron colectados en entrevistas cara a cara usando un cuestionario semi-estructurado que consistía de 28 preguntas. Los Odds ratio fueron obtenidos por análisis de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia en el uso de analgésicos fue de 73,1 por ciento y fue superior en mujeres (75,7 por ciento; p<0,05), en individuos con edades entre 45-54 años (81,4 por ciento; p<0,05), en individuos de áreas rurales (74,6 por ciento; p<0,05), en individuos de la región norte (84,3 por ciento; p<0,05), en analfabetas (79,1 por ciento; p<0,05) y en individuos de clase social baja (74,1 por ciento; p<0,05). Uno de cada diez de los participantes usa analgésicos sin prescripción médica. La no prescripción médica fue más prevalente en los grupos entre 55-65 años (18,1 por ciento; p<0,05), entre mujeres (11,6 por ciento; p<0,05), entre la población urbana (10,7 por ciento; p<0,05) y en individuos de clase media y baja (13,2 por ciento; p<0,05). La regresión logística mostró ORs significativos estadísticamente sólo para grupos etarios, duración de la educación, status socioeconómico, y regiones demográficas (p<0,05). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados mostraron que la prevalencia del uso de analgésico y prescripción para el uso de analgésicos es alta en Turquía, y su uso esta relacionado con características sociodemográficas.

Use of analgesics in adults with pain complaints: prevalence and associated factors, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Use of analgesics has been increasingly recognized as a major public health issue with important consequences in Turkey. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of analgesics usage and associated factors in adults with pain complaints. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 cities selected from five demographic regions in Turkey. The study sample population comprised 1.909 adults 18-65 age groups suffering from pain. The sampling method was multi-step stratified weighted quota-adjusted sampling. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured survey questionnaire consisting of 28 questions. Odds ratios were produced by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of analgesic use was 73.1%, and it was higher in females (75.7%; p<0.05), in subjects 45-54 years (81.4%; p<0.05), in subjects in rural areas (74.6%; p<0.05), in subjects in northern region (84.3%; p<0.05), in illiterate subjects (79.1%; p>0.05), and in subjects of lower socioeconomic status (74.1%; p>0.05). One in ten of the participants used non-prescription analgesics. Non-prescription analgesics were more prevalent among the 55-65 age groups (18.1%; p<0.05), among female (11.6%; p>0.05), among the urban population (10.7%; p>0.05), and in subjects of lower middle socioeconomic status (13.2%; p<0.05). Logistic regression showed statistically significant ORs only for age groups, duration of education, socioeconomic status, and demographic regions (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the prevalence of analgesic use and prescription analgesic use is high in Turkey, and their use is related to sociodemographic characteristics.

Hypovitaminosis D in obese and overweight schoolchildren.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D hypovitaminosis among obese and overweight schoolchildren. DESIGN: A cross-sectional population based sample. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 301 students (177 girls and 124 boys) aged 11-19 years were selected by multistage stratified sampling design. Subjects were classified according to their body mass index as obese, overweight and normal. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in late winter months. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25-OHD 20 ng/ml. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was found as 65% in all students. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 12% and insufficiency in 53% of all students. Vitamin D deficiency in female students was about two times more common than in males. In obese and overweight schoolchildren with hypovitaminosis D, serum 25-OHD levels decreased as BMI increased. There were no correlations between serum 25-OHD and ALP and iPTH levels. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common in obese and overweight schoolchildren, especially in girls. Obesity could be a risk factor in terms of hypovitaminosis D in adolescents. Vitamin D supplementation should be administered particularly to adolescent girls.

Blood lead levels in candy sellers working near an international road in Kocaeli, Turkey.

The authors' purpose in this study was to examine the effects on health, as measured by blood lead levels (BLLs), of living and working near the D-100 international road, which passes through Kocaeli, Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, the authors examine BLLs in 3 groups to determine the health effects of exposure to motorized road transport. By comparing the 3 groups, the investigators found that the mean BLL was 4.23 +/- 1.59 microg/dL in a group of candy sellers who worked beside the road, 4.18 +/- 2.07 microg/dL in a group of city residents, and 3.82 +/- 1.71 microg/dL in a group of village residents. (The latter 2 groups were not in close proximity to the road, and the authors used their measurements for comparison.) The difference in BLLs between the candy sellers and the village residents was statistically significant (p < .05). No significant difference in BLLs was determined between city and village residents or between candy sellers and city residents (p > .05). The authors recommend limiting the use of the D-100's city section to only local traffic and preventing heavy cargo vehicles from passing through.

Undergraduate training in occupational health at Kocaeli University Medical School: a Turkish experience.

Processes and conditions of production may produce unhealthy effects. Both must therefore be included in the education of health care personnel. Vocational training in occupational health at Kocaeli University Medical School, Turkey aims to demonstrate students that occupational health is a specific and important area of work within the context of primary health care. This research is a cross-sectional study. It was planned as a three stage study: 1- reviewing literature and grouping of countries according to their occupational health curricula; 2- reviewing the occupational health programs of medical schools in Turkey, and 3- recommendations for an occupational health curriculum to include an occupational health vocational training period of one week in the two month public health education program for medical interns. During this experience, senior students would be assigned to workplace health units. Of 283 medical schools found on the web, with occupational health teaching, only 20 have a curriculum that includes training in workplace health care units. In Turkey, there is no structured practical education on occupational health. In the third part of this study, we initiated at Kocaeli University School of Medicine's curriculum, a new occupational health education model applied in the workplace health units of factories. Practical experience of occupational health in the workplace is useful in introducing the community-based approach to occupational health in undergraduate medical education and understanding the determinants of health in industry.

An investigation of the prevalence of depressive symptoms in newly recruited young adult men in Turkey.

The aim of this study is to determine prevalence of depressive symptoms among newly recruited young adult men in the Turkish army. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in this population and to identify associations between depression and socio-demographic characteristics. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), adapted for Turkey, was used to assess self-reported experiences of depression among 2910 young adult males who had been recently recruited, according to Turkish law, into the army. It was found that 29.9% (n=835) of the recruits had depressive symptoms. The relationship between the level of depressive symptoms of the recruits and the recruits' settlement type, educational level, income status, smoking and drinking status and level of interest in sports was statistically evaluated. Recruits who smoked or drank, who had low incomes and who were uninterested in sports had higher BDI scores. The prevalence of depressive symptoms (29.9%) found in this study is higher than rates found in studies of non-military populations in Turkey. The higher rate of depression may reflect problems in adapting to an environment that was significantly different from their previous lives in terms of environmental factors and life style, and that had strict disciplinary rules and a heavy physical workload.

Incidence and causes of home accidents at Ankara Cigiltepe apartments in Turkey.

This is a 3-month prospective study aimed at determining the incidence and causes of home accidents in an Ankara military staff resident with 637 households. The study also determined risk factors in the home environment and the families' need of health education. Of all families, 1.5% were exposed to home accidents and the incidence of home accidents was found to be 0.104/person/years. Among the accidents, falls were most common at 44%, whereas cuts constituted 22% and burns 19%. About one quarter of the interventions made by mothers for epistaxis and poisoning (by gasoline, acetone and bleach) were found to aggravate the problems, whereas three quarters of the adults came up with practicable solutions. Well-educated mothers acted better than mothers with less schooling.