RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Due to social and emotional changes alongside the cognitive and logical changes in adolescence, alterations occur in the adolescent's communication with family and friends in this period, and social support assumes greater importance. METHODS: From each of the two middle and high schools in the Ilkadim district of Samsun, a total 688 students were employed by a two-stage sampling method in this cross-sectional study. The data were collected from sociodemographic information, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Future Expectations Scale for Adolescents (FESA) questionnaires distributed under the supervision of guidance counselors in these schools between December 2014 and February 2015. The Mann- Whitney U test and Spearman's Rank Correlation were used for statistical analysis. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05 for all tests. RESULTS: In the study group, MSPSS Family subscale had a stronger correlational relationship with all the BSI subscales including global indices and also with total score of FESA and subscales with the exception of the Marriage and Family subscale than the other two MSPSS subscales. There were moderate negative correlation between scores of MSPSS and BSI, and a low-moderate positive correlation was observed between total MSPSS and FESA scores of adolescents. The results demonstrated that adolescents who exercise regularly and avoid smoking and alcohol have higher perceptions of social support. CONCLUSION: Perceived social support from family may be more effective than perceived social support from friends or a significant other in the development of psychological well-being and positive future expectations of Turkish adolescents.
Asunto(s)
Percepción Social , Apoyo Social , Estudiantes/psicología , Adolescente , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Psicometría , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Estudiantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TurquíaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The location of ambulance stations are of great importance, as location is a determining factor of whether ambulances are able to respond to emergency calls within the critical period. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the ambulance stations in the provincial centre of Samsun, Turkey, were able to cover their entire operational area within 10 mins of receiving an emergency call. METHODS: This study was based on emergency calls received by the emergency medical services of the study area. Detailed address data from the calls was used to produce thematic maps using the geographic information system (GIS). Buffer analysis was used to determine the adequacy of the stations' locations in relation to the time taken to respond to the emergency calls. RESULTS: In the study area, there were a total of 11,506 emergency ambulance calls made in 2009, which revealed a call density of 0.7 calls per ha and 23.8 calls per 1,000 population. A total of 75.8% of the calls were made due to medical reasons, while 11.6% were related to traffic accidents. The GIS-based investigation revealed that the 10-min coverage areas for the four ambulance stations in the provincial centre of Samsun served 76.9% of the area and 97.9% of its population. Of the 10,380 calls for which detailed address data were available, 99.2% were within the stations' 10-min coverage areas. CONCLUSION: According to the buffer analysis, the ambulance stations in the provincial centre of Samsun are able to reach 97.9% of the population within the critical 10-min response time. This study demonstrates that GIS is an indispensable tool for processing and analysing spatial data, which can in turn aid decision-making in the field of geographical epidemiology and public health.
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Ambulancias/estadística & datos numéricos , Sistemas de Comunicación entre Servicios de Urgencia , Sistemas de Información Geográfica , Servicios Médicos de Urgencia/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Factores de Riesgo , Servicios de Salud Rural , Factores de Tiempo , TurquíaRESUMEN
In this study the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the brief infant-toddler social emotional assessment (BITSEA) were investigated in a community sample. The sample consisted of 462 children (mean age: 24.60+/-7.93 [12-42] months) who had applied to Turkish health centers for immunization. Both parents completed the BITSEA; mothers completed the child behavior checklist 2/3 (CBCL). Internal consistencies of the BITSEA-problem (P) and competence (C) scales were good to excellent (Cronbach's alpha=0.82 and 0.72, respectively). Interrater reliability between parents and test-retest reliability were good. BITSEA/P scores were significantly correlated with CBCL internalizing, externalizing and total problem scores (p<0.001). Maternal BITSEA/P cutpoint scores revealed that 30.6% of male toddlers and 28.6% of females were in the subclinical range and 13.1% of males and 17.6% of females were in clinical range. Results reveal that the Turkish version of BITSEA is a reliable, valid and simply applicable instrument for screening social, emotional and behavioral problems among toddlers. Clinical validation of the BITSEA/C and BITSEA/P is warranted.
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Pruebas Neuropsicológicas , Adulto , Anciano , Envejecimiento , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Conducta del Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Padres , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Caracteres Sexuales , TurquíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of exposure to some form of violence during the previous 12 months and the State-Trait Anxiety levels of emergency medical care (EMC) and emergency service (ES) workers in Samsun. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in all EMC (5) units and ES (4) in Samsun, between April 1 and April 30, 2004. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all of the workers (n=320). RESULTS: Of the workers, 280 (87.5%) completed the survey. A total of 202 (72.1%) participants reported that they had witnessed some form of violence. ES workers (75.9%) were more often exposed to violence than EMC workers (62.3%) (c2=5.08, p<0.05). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, gender and anxiety regarding repetition of exposure to violence were related with higher state anxiety point, while anxiety regarding repetition of exposure to violence was related with higher trait anxiety point. CONCLUSION: This evidence clearly indicates that violence in ES and EMC units is a common concern. The necessary framework for the reduction and elimination of violence in the workplace should be provided.
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Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Personal de Hospital/psicología , Personal de Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Violencia/estadística & datos numéricos , Lugar de Trabajo/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Ansiedad/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Análisis Multivariante , Distribución por Sexo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Turquía/epidemiología , Violencia/prevención & control , Recursos HumanosRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to determine the general attitude of final year medical students towards psychiatric patients and psychiatric disorders and to reveal the influence of psychiatric study experience in changing the behavior and perception of students. The study comprised 172 final year medical students undergoing a period of placement at the Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School Department of Psychiatry who agreed to participate. They were asked to fill in the Opinions about Mental Illness Ideology Scale (OMI) the day before they commenced, on the last day of their placement and three months after completing it. The students reported the highest and lowest scores from the benevolence and social restrictiveness sub-dimensions of the OMI, respectively. The mean authoritarianism score was significantly higher in males than in females. The means of the OMI scores obtained over the three different periods were not statistically different. Medical school psychiatry departments need to develop new curricula to convey scientific information to students and play a pivotal role in developing, implementing and evaluating suitable programs leading to appropriate attitude development.
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Actitud del Personal de Salud , Trastornos Mentales/terapia , Relaciones Profesional-Paciente , Psiquiatría/educación , Estudiantes de Medicina , Enseñanza/métodos , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , TurquíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To identify the effects of temperament and character on the selection of contraceptive methods. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in June 2005 at the Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun Health College with the participation of 102 young women. The participants were asked to complete the Contraception Choice Questionnaire devised by the researchers, and the Cloninger Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 22.30 +/- 1.27 years; 39 participants (38.2%) mentioned Norplant, 30 (29.4%) condoms, 17 (16.6%) intrauterine devices (IUDs) and 16 (15.7%) oral contraceptives (OCs) as the method they would consider using in the future. The mean scores of self-directedness and self-transcendence of the groups differed significantly (p < 0.05). Students who indicated they would choose OCs had higher average scores for self-directedness than those choosing IUDs; the mean self-transcendence scores of students choosing IUDs were significantly higher than the scores of those selecting condoms (p < 0.01). Subjects choosing Norplant cited ease of use; those choosing condoms cited their eliciting fewer side effects; those choosing IUDs cited their high levels of safety; and those choosing OCs cited ease of use and high reliability as the reasons for their choices. CONCLUSIONS: We think that identifying the roles of temperament and character in the selection process of a contraceptive method will help in achieving a wider application of contraception.
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Carácter , Conducta de Elección , Anticoncepción/psicología , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Temperamento , Adolescente , Adulto , Anticoncepción/métodos , Anticonceptivos/uso terapéutico , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Pruebas Psicológicas , Estudiantes de Enfermería , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Turquía , UniversidadesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori, occurring throughout the world and causing gastroduodenal diseases, is one of the most common chronic bacterial agents in humans. The purpose of this study was to measure the general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge and practices pertaining to H. pylori infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional type questionnaire survey was conducted in all of 19 primary health care centres (PHCC) in Samsun, Turkey, between November 1 and December 31, 2003. The questionnaire was sent to 124 GPs and 109 (87.9 %) of those filled in. They were requested to answer the questions on the knowledge, sources of medical information, diagnostic tests and treatment to H. pylori. RESULTS: Medical journals were the most frequently used source of information on H. pylori, being cited by 86 (78.9%) of GPs. Ninety-two (84.4%) of the GPs reported having used one or more tests and 17 (15.6%) never used any test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Only 9.8% had used stool antigen test for diagnosis. GPs reported that they would prescribe symptomatic treatment without ordering diagnostic tests for 29 (26.6%). 54.1% of the GPs explain that they sent patients with H. pylori infection to a specialist, and most used a triple drug regimen containing a PPI. Treatment duration varies between 7 to 28 days. 80.7 of the GPs treat patients for 14 days. CONCLUSION: GPs may not have enough knowledge about the importance of stool antigen test or possibility of usage of this test. GPs have not sufficient knowledge about the difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. It is thought that GPs preferred to treat the patients with suspected ulcer empirically or to send them to a specialist because of the limited diagnostic conditions. The efforts to educate the GPs about the algorithms regarding the management of H. pylori infection during post-graduation period should be improved in PHCCs.
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Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Infecciones por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Helicobacter/tratamiento farmacológico , Helicobacter pylori , Médicos , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Pruebas Diagnósticas de Rutina , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Pregnancy in adolescence has been and continues to be a problem in public health. The purpose of this study was to investigate obstetric outcomes of adolescent pregnancies in Samsun, Turkey. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2004, at 3 hospitals in Samsun, Turkey. Of the 10,100 women who gave birth during this period, 357 (3.5%) were 18 years of age or younger; these patients were included in the study. Participants with a history of any chronic disease were excluded. Data were provided as median values (min- max) and percentages. In this study, the rate of birth for females 18 years or younger was found to be 35 per 1000. The median age of participants was 18 (14-18) years. The prevalence of cesarean section was calculated at 55.7%. Prevalences of low-birthweight infants, preterm delivery, and eclampsia/preeclampsia were recorded as 44 (12.3%), 34 (9.5%), and 30 (8.4%) cases, respectively. Although the stillbirth rate was determined to be 1.7%, no congenital deformity was noted in infants, and none of the mothers died. The cephalopelvic disproportion rate was 5.9%, and only 2 adolescents experienced abruptio placentae. To reduce the occurrence of adolescent childbearing, pregnancy intentions must be assessed in multiple ways. Information/education may provide benefit to those female adolescents with inconsistent pregnancy intentions.
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Resultado del Embarazo/epidemiología , Embarazo en Adolescencia , Adolescente , Estudios Transversales , Eclampsia/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido de Bajo Peso , Recién Nacido , Complicaciones del Trabajo de Parto/epidemiología , Preeclampsia/epidemiología , Embarazo , Factores Socioeconómicos , Mortinato/epidemiología , Turquía/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Infections caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are considered to be important health problems worldwide. The purpose of this study was to measure the general practitioners (GPs)' basic knowledge on HBV and HCV risk factors in determining their practice about this subject. METHODS: A cross-sectional type questionnaire survey was carried out at all of 32 primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in Samsun, Turkey, between March 1 and April 31, 2002. The questionnaires were sent to 160 GPs and 129 (80.6%) of them answered the questionnaires. Knowledge, role responsibility, self-efficacy and attitudes and beliefs regarding to viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C were asked. RESULTS: Most of the GPs had adequate knowledge about transmission of HBV and HCV and also about risk factors for transmission of viruses. Most of the GPs (83.7%) were aware of recommendations for approach to a baby, born from HBsAg positive mother. They have limited facilities in diagnosis of viral hepatitis. Of the participants, 108 (83.7%) expressed that they could not diagnose HBV infections and 126 (97.7%) of them stated that they could not make the diagnoses of HCV infection in their local healthcare centers. The knowledge about treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B (21.8%) and C patients (17.8%) with elevated ALT is not sufficient. CONCLUSION: GPs' knowledge about risks of viral hepatitis was adequate in this study. They were not able to diagnose and follow up of these infections at PHCCs because of limited knowledge about chronic viral hepatitis and diagnostic facilities. GPs should be informed about current advice in diagnosis and treatment of chronic of HBV and HCV infections.
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Competencia Clínica , Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria/normas , Hepatitis B Crónica/diagnóstico , Hepatitis C Crónica/diagnóstico , Adulto , Femenino , Encuestas de Atención de la Salud , Hepatitis B Crónica/terapia , Hepatitis B Crónica/transmisión , Hepatitis C Crónica/terapia , Hepatitis C Crónica/transmisión , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TurquíaRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to urinary tract infections (UTIs) by primary care physicians, in Samsun, Turkey. Data were obtained from the records of 2083 visits at eight primary care areas. Trained research students were stationed on site at each of the eight primary care centres between 1 June, 1999 and 1 July, 1999. Patients who had acute cystitis, recurrent UTIs, acute pyelonephritis and acute urethritis were included in the study. A total of 2083 office visits were recorded and 419 (20.1%) of the patients had UTIs and acute urethritis. Antibiotics were prescribed for 94.7% of the patients with UTIs and urethritis. Some 74% of prescriptions were consistent with current recommendation, but only 41% of the antibiotic prescriptions were rational according to dosage, dosage interval and duration of therapy. Urinary antiseptic agents were prescribed to 75% of patients with UTIs. These data indicate that polypharmacy is widespread in our region; primary care physicians need to review their knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs and acute urethritis.