Life satisfaction level of elderly people: a field study in Sivas, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the life satisfaction levels among elderly individuals--age 65 or over--who live with their families and those who dwell in rest house. METHODS: The field-based descriptive study was conducted in the Sivas city of Turkey between May and June 2009, and included 71 elderly people. To form sampling group, random sampling technique was used. Using the Socio-Demographic Information Form and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, data was collected by interviewing the aged individually. The data was analysed using SPSS Version 130. RESULTS: Of the study population, 21 individuals lived in rest houses, while 50 lived with their families. Of the subjects 70.4 % were men, 52.1% were between 65-74 years of age, 46.2% suffered from unhappiness due to solitude, while 62.0 % preferred to live with their families. It is determined that considerable number (36.6 %) of the subjects were not satisfied with their lives. CONCLUSION: Interventions need to be planned to improve life satisfaction among elderly people. Proper old age policies containing decisive solutions to the problems of the old people are essential to make them feel part of society.

Evalution of Femicide Cases Committed Between the Years 1996-2005 in Antalya.

Criminal death incidence of women varies between developed and developing countries, and it has become a common public problem in almost every country. We do not have any data about femicide cases published in Turkey until today. In our study, we tried to call attention to femicide cases. In our study, we evaluated 141 cases of female homicides with an interval of 10 years between January 1996 and May 2005, retrospectively. Data retrieved were statistically evaluated using chi-square test. Most of the cases were between 21 and 35 years of age. Spouse murders are usually witnessed during the process of divorce. Establishment of institutions which will ensure the security of women during this period is of paramount importance. If we protect women during divorce and separation proceedings, we can prevent femicide cases. We also think that laws may be strengthened for protecting women who are vulnerable at such times.

Establishment of interdisciplinary child protection teams in Turkey 2002-2006: identifying the strongest link can make a difference!

OBJECTIVES: The University of Iowa Child Protection Program collaborated with Turkish professionals to develop a training program on child abuse and neglect during 2002-2006 with the goals of increasing professional awareness and number of multidisciplinary teams (MDT), regional collaborations, and assessed cases. This paper summarizes the 5-year outcome. METHODS: A team of instructors evaluated needs and held training activities in Turkey annually, and provided consultation when needed. Descriptive analysis was done via Excel and SPSS software. RESULTS: Eighteen training activities were held with 3,570 attendees. Over the study period, the number of MDTs increased from 4 to 14. The MDTs got involved in organizing training activities in their institutions and communities. The number of medical curriculum lectures taught by MDTs to medical students/residents, conferences organized by the MDTs, and lectures to non-medical professional audiences increased significantly (R(2)=91.4%, 83.8%, and 69.2%, respectively). The number of abuse cases assessed by the MDTs increased by five times compared to pre-training period. CONCLUSIONS: A culturally competent training program had a positive impact on professional attitudes and behaviors toward recognition and management of child abuse and neglect in Turkey. The need to partner with policy makers to revise current law in favor of a greater human services orientation became clear. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pioneers in developing countries may benefit from collaborating with culturally competent instructors from countries with more developed child protection systems to develop training programs so that professional development can improve recognition and management of child abuse and neglect.

[Evaluation of traffic accident cases admitted to the emergency department of the Cumhuriyet University Hospital in 1998]. / 1998 yilinda cumhuriyet üniversitesi hastanesi acil birimine basvuran trafik kazasi olgularinin degerlendirilmesi.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to analyze traffic accident cases applying to the emergency department of the hospital of the Cumhuriyet University according to their age, sex, their position during crash, the place and time of the accident, the time to reach hospital, the type of vehicle and their lesion forms. METHODS: The hospital files of cases applying to the emergency department of the hospital of the Cumhuriyet University for traffic accidents, between 01 January 31 December 1998, were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the cases, most (44.52%) were in the 1-25 age group, 41% was pedestrian. Of the accidents, 81.29% was at the inner part of the city, 44.03% occurred in the summer and 39.83% occurred at 12-18 hours, 44.52% reached to hospital in the first hour. The vehicle type in 60.80% of the cases was automobile, 14.28% of the cases involved in alcohol. The blunt injuries were seen usually, 47.50% of which was present in the head-neck region. 257 cases (41.45%) were hospitalized. 23 cases (3.71%) died because of traffic accidents. CONCLUSIONS: The similar studies in literature were examined. The factors causing the traffic accident and the problems resulting from traffic accident were pointed out. The treatment manner in the traffic accident cases was suggested.