A survey of health information seeking by cancer patients indicates some problems over medical explanations and terminology.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients may experience stress because of insufficient information about their illness, health condition, or treatment, but some may fear what the information reveals. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine health information-seeking behaviour, the attitudes of cancer patients, the barriers they face in seeking health information and their sociodemographic and disease characteristics. METHODS: A survey was conducted with 84 cancer patients in Turkey. Descriptive statistics were performed to determine the characteristics of information seeking and barriers found. RESULTS: Cancer patients are likely to seek health information, often confident about finding resources easily. The main problems are as follows: (1) insufficient information from health care providers; (2) understanding medical terminology; and (3) lack of help from health care providers to explain information retrieved. DISCUSSION: The information-seeking behaviour of cancer patients in this sample in Turkey resembles studies elsewhere, with (overall) evidence of monitoring behaviour (wanting to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lived experience). CONCLUSIONS: The cancer patients in this survey were generally willing and confident in their information seeking to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lifestyle. The main barriers were medical terminology, insufficient explanations and information from healthcare providers.

Domestic Violence and Healthcare Utilization in Turkey.

This study aims to analyze the prevalence of domestic violence, the level, and determinants of healthcare utilization of women exposed to violence and the satisfaction from the behaviors of health personnel. The data source of this study is the 2014 Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey which was carried out with Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies and Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Turkey. The research has a nationally representative sample of 7462 women aged 15-59. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of the basic characteristics of women on receiving healthcare due to violence. In this study, the rate of women receiving healthcare was 63%. Women who were unemployed have no health insurance, live in low wealth level, in rural areas, and the Eastern region had used healthcare services at a lower level.

Distribution of child health indicators according to internal migration and various social variables in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children are among the most important child health indicators that cause concerns all over the world. Based on international literature findings, birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children may differ according to the various sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. In addition, migration status of women and their children (within urban areas, within rural areas, urban to rural and rural to urban) may influence the birth outcomes and health status of children aged less than 5 years. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of internal migration and the sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors on birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity in children aged less than 5 years in Turkey. Another purpose of this study is to investigate the course of birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity in children between 1993 and 2013 in Turkey. METHODS: The source of data for this study was the nationally representative five Turkey Demographic and Health Surveys (1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 TNSA). Surveys were conducted by Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies. Logistic regression analysis was used in order to determine the impact of migration status, sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors on birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children. RESULTS: Compared to children living in urban areas, inadequate birth weight was found to be higher in children living in rual areas and in children who had migrated from urban areas to rural areas. Stunting was found to be higher in rural areas and urban to rural areas compared to urban areas. Unlike birth weight and stunting in children, overweight/obesity was higher in children living in urban areas compared to children living in rural areas. Moreover, it was revealed that sociodemographic factors (maternal education, birth order, receiving prenatal care, age, gender) and socioeconomic factors (residential area and childhood residential area) affected the birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children in this study. CONCLUSION: There is a need for policymakers to take steps to overcome the regional disparities that create disadvantages for children aged less than 5 years in disadvantaged areas.

The Impact of Internal Migration on the Maternal and Child Health Services Utilization in Turkey.

This study aims to determine the effect of internal migration and various socio-demographic and socio-economic factors on maternal and child health services utilization in Turkey. In this context, prenatal care, giving birth at health-care facilities, and postnatal care have been examined. The data of Turkey Demographic and Health Survey were used in the study. The best conditions for maternal and child health services utilization were those who lived in urban, then, respectively, those who were rural to urban migrants, urban to rural migrants, and rural women. Rural people constituted the most disadvantaged group in terms of health-care utilization.

Obesity among Women in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of obesity among women in Turkey. METHODS: The data source was the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) in 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013, conducted by Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies. Cross-tables and binary logistic regression were used in the study. RESULTS: Obesity was a serious problem among women in Turkey. Obesity rate was 21.7% in 1998 and increased to 26.5% in 2013. Age, education level, the number of births, region, residence, and wealth status were included as potential risk factors. Age was an important variable affecting obesity and increased with age. There was an inverse relationship between obesity and education level. Women having no education or not completed primary school and those who were not working were higher at obesity risk. Obesity increased with the giving births of mothers. Obesity was mostly observed in the West and Central. As household welfare increased, obesity increased except for 2013 research. CONCLUSION: Preventive interventions should be announced particularly among urban women in Turkey. Women should be stimulated by physical activities and informed by realistic food policies.

Trends of caesarean section rates in Turkey.

The aims of this study was to determine the trends in rates of caesarean sections in Turkey. The data source for this study was the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 1993-1998-2003-2008-2013 conducted by Hacettepe University, Institute of Population Studies. Cross tables and binary logistic regression were used for analysis. It was found that the caesarean section rate, which was 14.3% in 1993, increased to 51.9% in 2013. The rate increased with maternal age and educational level at childbirth. The Caesarean section rate was higher in women who were under health insurance coverage, first time mothers, childbirth in the private health institutions, those staying in the Western region and urban areas, and having the highest level of wealth. This study aims to contribute to the literature of caesarean sections especially in developing countries, in which caesarean section has become a major healthcare issue. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject: Caesarean section is among the most widely practiced obstetric surgery worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that the rates of caesarean section were affected by the biological, genetic and medical factors. What the results of this study add: Besides the biological, genetic and medical factors, it is believed that social factors (income and social status, education, employment, etc.) play an important role on the caesarean section in developing countries. Although the laws on caesarean sections have been enforced since 2012 in Turkey, this study shows that there has been a significant increase in caesarean section between the 1993 and 2013 periods. The study also reveals that prohibiting caesarean sections, except in cases of medical necessity, is a problematic issue in the health system despite all efforts. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: This study may be of interest for authorities and researchers in terms of showing the social factors associated with the caesarean section.

Prevalence of pre-school children for overweight/obesity in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Most of the studies and interventions are targeted to address undernutrition, but childhood obesity has become a silent killer among children. Developing countries, including Turkey, could recognize the importance of the issue now and have begun to discuss the necessity of studies on this subject. Therefore, this study aims to examine the prevalence of obesity among pre-school children in Turkey. METHODS: The data source of this study is the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS)-2013. The TDHS-2013 was a sample study to gather information about the fertility levels and changes in them, infant and child mortality, family planning, and maternal and infant health at the national level. RESULTS: Overweight/obesity for height was 8.6% and 6.6% for age. Overweight/obesity problems are mostly observed in the West and are higher in urban areas. Overweight/obesity decreases with increasing age. There is a positive correlation between overweight/obesity and maternal educational level. As the household welfare level increases, overweight/obesity increases in pre-school children. Female children are at higher risk of overweight/obesity than males. As birth order increases, overweight/obesity decreases. Children living in other regions have overweight/obesity problems more than the pre-school children living in the East. CONCLUSIONS: This study speculates that obesity appears to be a major problem among pre-school children in Turkey. Based on the findings, the current situation of overweight/obesity among pre-school children is so close to many developing and developed countries, whose obesity levels are a greater concern. This finding demonstrates that effective interventions of obesity should begin as early as infancy in Turkey, as it is a developing country.

Impact of nurses' perceptions of work environment and communication satisfaction on their intention to quit.

AIM: This study examines the association of nurses' perception of their work environment and communication satisfaction with their intention to quit. METHOD: The implementation part of the study was conducted with nurses working in a public hospital in the city of Burdur, Turkey. Data were collected in January 2017 from 175 participants and then assessed. RESULTS: The analysis showed that perceptions of the work environment and communication satisfaction taken together explain the total variance of the intention to quit. While participants' perceptions of the work environment become increasingly positive, their communication satisfaction increases and their intention to quit decreases. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that making improvements to the nursing work environment and nurses' communication satisfaction will decrease their intention to quit.