RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Domestic violence is accepted worldwide as an important health problem. Besides diagnosis and treatment process, there are difficulties when considering of medico-legal evaluation of pregnant women subjected to domestic violence. As a signatory of the ''Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)'' Turkey has certain commitments regarding domestic violence and made regulations on national law. The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy among the women who applied to obstetrics clinics and evaluating of the participants' knowledge level about the legal legislation concerning domestic violence. FINDINGS: Pregnant women attending for antenatal care to department of Gynecology and Obstetrics were interviewed using an anonymous and confidential questionnaire. The questionnaire used was a version of Abuse Assessment Screen with guidance of references. 28 (13.4%) women stated that they had been subjected to violence before pregnancy. Only 10 (4.67%) women had stated experience of violence during pregnancy. 148 (69.2%) of them had stated that they had no knowledge about any legislation concerning domestic violence in our country. CONCLUSION: We believe that society awareness should be increased and the health workers should be informed about their ethical and legal responsibilities concerning domestic violence during pregnancy. The knowledge and sensitivity of health care personnel in Prenatal Clinics and Family Planning Services should be increased and examination protocols should be provided about domestic violence against pregnant women.
Asunto(s)
Violencia Doméstica/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/epidemiología , Instituciones de Atención Ambulatoria , Escolaridad , Femenino , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Embarazo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TurquíaRESUMEN
The laboratory personnel in hospitals are at risk in terms of transmission of various infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, behavior and attitude of the health personnel who work in one university and two state hospitals in Izmir, Turkey, about biosafety. The study is an observational-sectional study. Participants were selected via random sampling method. The hospitals were visited on workdays determined by the random selection method and all of the personnel (doctor, technician, cleaning-staff) were included to the study. The data were analyzed statistically using Chi square test. Of the 183 participants included in the study, 106 were from Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine Central Laboratory and 77 were from state hospitals. 62.8% of the participants were female, 37.2% were male and mean age of all was 32.8 +/- 6.9 years. 23.5% of the participants stated that they had previously taken education about biosafety (p= 0.002). It was determined that 91.3% of the participants were wearing gloves and 87.4% of them were wearing lab-coat during laboratory studies. A significant difference was observed between the hospitals in terms of use of gloves (p= 0.004). All the participants stated that they wash their hands and 43% of them indicated that their daily hand wash rate was > or = 10 times. It was determined that 38.3% of the participants consumed food or drinks in the laboratory, however, this rate was statistically significantly less in the university hospital laboratory (p= 0.000). The rate of participants who had been subjected to a microorganism in the last six months was 6.6%. Obedience to the biosafety rules in laboratory will not only provide a safer environment but also improve the quality of work. We believe that the results of this study will serve as a guide for future studies on laboratory biosafety.
Asunto(s)
Hospitales de Enseñanza , Control de Infecciones/normas , Laboratorios de Hospital/normas , Infección de Laboratorio/prevención & control , Personal de Laboratorio Clínico , Adulto , Femenino , Guantes Protectores/estadística & datos numéricos , Desinfección de las Manos/normas , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Hospitales Provinciales , Hospitales Universitarios , Humanos , Control de Infecciones/métodos , Masculino , Ropa de Protección/estadística & datos numéricos , Seguridad/normas , TurquíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Considered as a reflection of human rights in our modern day, patient rights have been gaining increasing importance. This particular subject has been discussed from various perspectives in different countries and legal sanctions imposed. "Patient Rights Directives" in Turkey came into effect in 1988. The present study was carried out in order to determine how well the physicians working in Izmir, the third largest city of Turkey, are aware and informed of these directives. METHODS: Our study is an observational-cross sectional descriptive one. The research was conducted among the physicians working in nine training hospitals in Izmir province using a random sampling method. 1,500 questionnaires with 19 multiple-choice questions were distributed in the study. 567 of the forms were returned. Statistical assessment of the data obtained was carried out using the x(2) test on SPSS 10.0 Windows Program. RESULTS: Of the physicians participating in the study, 43% were female and 57% male. The average age was 32 +/- 7.76 years. 40% of the participating physicians were not aware of the legal arrangements (directive). 63% of the participants stated that they had not read any kind of legislation related to patients' rights. Only 34% of the participants knew that the legal sanctions were put into effect in the form of "directive." CONCLUSION: Legal arrangements related to patient rights in the world are being put into effect within the framework of human rights. Turkey is one of the first countries to have completed the legal procedures in this field. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: We believe it is necessary that this particular issue be included both in the training programs of the medical faculties and supported by all parts of the society including physicians if these legal procedures are to work effectively.
Asunto(s)
Actitud del Personal de Salud , Derechos del Paciente , Adulto , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Hospitales , Humanos , Masculino , Derechos del Paciente/legislación & jurisprudencia , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TurquíaRESUMEN
Deaths which occur during the administration of anaesthetics require medicolegal investigations. The objective of this study is to form a database for future comparisons related to anaesthetic-associated malpractice claims and also to investigate the system of expertise, pertaining to such procedures. The decisions of the Supreme Health Council, whose expert opinion is requested by legal authorities (judges, prosecutors) for health workers brought to trial in a criminal court, were examined retrospectively over the period 1995-1999. In 21 (2.3%) of the 888 decision reports prepared by the council the team members (the anaesthesiologist , the anaesthetic assistant, the anaesthetic technician, the nurse) were directly interrogated. Data concerning these 21 council decisions were evaluated within the scope of this study. It was found that 57% of the 21 decisions were related to medical procedures carried out in state hospitals. Of the 21 cases, 62% were males, 38% females. General anaesthesia was applied to 19 of the cases while one received regional (local) anaesthesia and one axillary blockade. Twenty died of complications associated with anaesthesia. Autopsy was performed on 11 (55%) of the dead. Health workers were found to have different degrees of liability in the 16 (76%) of the 21 decision reports. In their medical practices, anaesthesiologists , like other specialists, are subject to legal procedures in the country where they perform their duties, to national and international principles of ethics, and to diagnostic and curative standards/procedures relevant to the scientific level of the country concerned. In anaesthetic malpractice claims, certain standards need to be followed in inquiries and approaches so as to determine the real reasons behind the disabilities and/or deaths which occur. In order that sound evaluations could be made in such cases, the experts as well as the system of expertise should be efficient and authorized.
Asunto(s)
Anestesiología/legislación & jurisprudencia , Anestesiología/estadística & datos numéricos , Mala Praxis/legislación & jurisprudencia , Mala Praxis/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Causas de Muerte , Niño , Preescolar , Bases de Datos como Asunto , Femenino , Medicina Legal , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Responsabilidad Legal , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , TurquíaRESUMEN
Pesticides are chemicals use of which has increased worldwide since the Second World War in order to improve the quality and the quantity of agricultural products. Their harmful effects on the environment and the human health have also been seen as usage increases. Although there have been studies about the harmful effects of pesticides on human health in the developing countries, there is limited data about the use of pesticides in Turkey. The aim of our study was to obtain data about the use of pesticides in greenhouse in Turkey. About 131 greenhouse workers were interviewed with within the province of Izmir: 63.8% graduated from primary school; 49.2% were living in region where the greenhouses were located; 46.2% were working in their own greenhouses; 42.3% had health insurance; 86.9% used pesticides and 59.3% did not take protective cautions during use pesticide. The application technique, location, amount, time or any other required information of the pesticides used have not been recorded by the greenhouse workers.
Asunto(s)
Agricultura , Plaguicidas , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Equipos de Seguridad/estadística & datos numéricos , Eliminación de Residuos/métodos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TurquíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Doctors can face punitive and legal consequences if patients are not satisfied with the medical treatment. The purpose of this study is to provide a database for dental malpractice cases in Turkey. METHODS: This study is based on the decisions of High Health Council (HHC) in medical malpractice cases. Between 1991 and 2000, 1548 decisions were made by the HHC. 14 (0.9%) of these decisions were related to dentistry. This study examines the 8 decisions under which the dentists are found to be at fault. RESULTS: As three of these cases are based on the same facts they are examined together. Of the dentists consulted on 11 decisions, nine were male and two were female. In four cases the HHC gave its expert opinion before the trial, in five cases during criminal trial and in two cases during compensation trial. In five cases patients received surgical treatment, in four cases prosthetic treatment and in two cases endodontic treatment. Nine of these treatments were carried out at private dental practice. In eight reported decisions negligence and inadequate treatment were identified. Most of negligence was caused during surgical intervention. In two cases, treatments resulted in death. CONCLUSIONS: Like all other medical staff dentists are under the obligation to comply with the legal rules in the country they practice. They also have to consider ethical principles as well as the acceptable standards and protocols of diagnosis and treatment.
Asunto(s)
Atención Odontológica/legislación & jurisprudencia , Mala Praxis/legislación & jurisprudencia , Mala Praxis/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Compensación y Reparación/legislación & jurisprudencia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , TurquíaRESUMEN
Violence is a significant public health problem. Thus, so as to prevent this problem, homicide, the severest form of violence depriving a human being of his right to live, deserves a detailed examination. This study is a retrospective research examining the 2951 cases of medicolegal autopsies in Adana during a period of 5 years (1997-2001). Among these cases, 620, which were determined to be homicidal, were taken into the scope of this study. The cases were examined with respect to sex, age groups, the method used during the act of homicide, the number and the localization of the wounds on the body. A total of 620 (21%) of the medicolegal autopsies conducted within this period were homicides. Of these cases, 515 (83.06%) were male and 105 (16.94%) female, and the rate of the males to females was 4.9; 72.74% of the victims were between the ages of 21 and 50. It was seen that 54.83% of the homicides involved firearms, while 35.16% of the victims were stabbed to death with a cutting object. It was also determined that the victims suffered a single wound in 47.35% of firearm-related murders and 29.35% of stabbings resulted in death. Alcohol was found in the blood of 7.58% of the homicide victims, while none had any illicit drugs.
Asunto(s)
Víctimas de Crimen/estadística & datos numéricos , Homicidio/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Depresores del Sistema Nervioso Central/sangre , Niño , Preescolar , Etanol/sangre , Femenino , Medicina Legal , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Distribución por Sexo , Turquía/epidemiología , Heridas por Arma de Fuego/epidemiología , Heridas por Arma de Fuego/patología , Heridas Punzantes/epidemiología , Heridas Punzantes/patologíaRESUMEN
The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics of and changes in the medicolegal childhood deaths that occurred in the provincial center of Adana, and to contribute to the establishment of a database for the development of national and international policies. The study is a retrospective research examining the 1,110 cases in the age group 0 to 18, which were specified as medicolegal deaths in the provincial center of Adana-Turkey between the years 2000-2004. The cases were examined according to age, sex, causes of deaths, the origins and scenes of occurrence. Among all the deaths, 523 cases (47.2%) were seen in the age group of 0-6 years. Accidents account for 900 cases (81.1%), and blunt traumas (594 cases) represent the most common cause of deaths. The share of traffic accidents in total blunt traumas was found to be 441 cases (74.2%). And 270 (24.3%) of all medicolegal deaths occurred as a result of household accidents. The present study has also indicated that the home and surroundings represent the highest-risk areas. As a conclusion, setting up childhood injury prevention committees and providing training programs for parents will be effective for the prevention of childhood injuries and deaths.
Asunto(s)
Accidentes/mortalidad , Heridas y Lesiones/mortalidad , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Homicidio , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Suicidio , Turquía , Heridas y Lesiones/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The health personnel working in the autopsy rooms and laboratories are considered among the professional groups carrying a high risk of contamination with infection. In this study, we have investigated the prevalence of Demodex, which provides a convenient environment for bacteria and acts as a vector for certain microorganisms, in the health personnel working in autopsy rooms. The study, which was cross-sectional, was conducted on 58 health personnel working in autopsy rooms. A questionnaire was administered to the individuals. Specimens were obtained from 4 different regions of the face using the standard skin-surface biopsy technique. The data obtained were then evaluated statistically. This study group consisted of 76% males and 24% females. The prevalence of Demodex was 26%. Demodex was found to occur more frequently in women. The most frequent occurrence of Demodex was seen among people with darker complexion and in cheek localizations. We believe that Demodex, which has a role in the pathogenesis of dermatologic diseases, provides a convenient environment for bacteria, and acts as a vector for some pathogenic microorganisms, poses a risk as far as individuals working in the autopsy room are concerned.
Asunto(s)
Cara/parasitología , Infestaciones por Ácaros/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Adulto , Autopsia , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Personal de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infestaciones por Ácaros/etiología , Infestaciones por Ácaros/parasitología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/parasitología , Prevalencia , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Turquía/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Demodex is an ectoparasite living in the skin as a nonpathogen or a pathogen. It is also known that demodex acts as a vector of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we have investigated the rate of occurrence and vitality of demodex in forensic autopsies that have a high risk of contamination by infected organisms. The study, which was cross-sectional, conducted on 100 autopsy cases: 77 of the bodies were male and 23 female. The average age was 41. The samples were taken from the forehead, nose, cheeks, eyelashes and the temporal areas using the standardized skin surface biopsy and hair epilation techniques that were modified for this study. The data obtained were assessed statistically. Demodex was determined in 10% of all the cases. The cases revealed that demodex increased in old age and was more frequently seen in people with fair complexion. It was most frequently found in the forehead and the cheek. The longest postmortem interval in the positive cases was 55 h. The relationship between the postmortem interval and the presence of demodex was not statistically significant. Considering the fact that demodex, which is transmitted from human to human through skin contact, acts as a vector of pathogenic organisms and can stay alive in dead bodies for a long time, we think that the personnel performing autopsies without taking the necessary precautions are under risk.