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This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors affecting the use of electronic cigarettes among university students. This cross-sectional study included 987 participants. The prevalence of electronic cigarette use among students was 5.4%, and the prevalence of trying electronic cigarettes at least once was 26.3%. Nicotine dependence levels of students who smoked electronic cigarettes were significantly high. Everyday electronic cigarette smokers commonly perceive traditional cigarettes to be more harmful. The rates of electronic cigarette use were significantly higher in males, those with high household income, those with a family history of traditional or electronic cigarette smoking, those who had smoked traditional cigarettes at least once in their lives, and those who were everyday cigarette smokers. Male sex and family history of electronic cigarette use were direct and effective predictors of everyday electronic cigarette use. The risk of everyday electronic cigarette use increased 7.91 times in the presence of electronic or traditional cigarette smokers in the family and 4.66 times in the presence of e-cigarette users in the family. The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempted electronic cigarette use were found to be high among university students. Awareness training and increased inspections and sanctions on the places where electronic cigarettes were purchased might prevent the growth of this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the modern age, the pursuit of food is now a means of pleasure and of satisfying hunger. This study examined the role of hedonic hunger and eating behaviors on obesity in older adults. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 older adults. The nutrition information system (BeBiS), bioelectrical impedance analysis, power of food scale-Turkish version (PFS-Tr), and Dutch eating behaviour questionnaire (DEBQ) were used to evaluate the subjects. Results: The mean age of 400 people included in the study was 67.82±2.77 years. It was found that the moderator effect of the interaction of daily energy intake and hedonic hunger behaviour (PFS-Tr) on the waist-to-hip ratio was significant. In particular, the regulatory effect of low hedonic hunger scores (PFS-Tr) was significant (p=0.019) and the waist-to-hip ratio decreased as the scores obtained from the scale decreased. The mediator effect of the restrained eating (ResE) sub-dimension (DEBQ) between the average daily energy intake and body fat mass was significant (estimate =0.221, p=0.021), and an increase in ResE behavior scores resulted in an increase in body fat mass. It was found that 89.4% of the effect of ResE behaviour on body fat mass was direct and large. There was a weak positive correlation between the average daily energy intake and food available subscale of PFS-Tr (r=0.157) and food present subscale (r=0.017). Total daily energy intake had a direct effect on body fat mass (estimate =0.008, p=0.005). Conclusion: The results of our study support a positive relationship between hedonic hunger and abdominal obesity in older adults. Decreased ResE behaviour increases the whole-body fat mass. Evaluation of hunger and implementation of programmes that support ResE behaviour may be useful in controlling obesity and its negative consequences in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disasters can lead to decreased functionality in medical practice. This study aimed to quantitatively measure presenteeism and to determine the role of coping strategies among disaster‐victim doctors living in a city affected by the 2023‐Turkey earthquakes. This cross‐sectional study included 220 doctors reached through social media groups using the convenience sampling method. A weak negative relationship was found between presenteeism and positive re‐evaluation, one of the coping strategies with earthquake stress. A weak negative correlation was found between the Positive Reappraisal sub‐dimension score of the Coping with Earthquake Stress Scale (CESS) and presenteeism (r = −0.299, p < 0.001). In the linear regression analysis, the sub‐dimensions that contributed significantly to the model were found to be the Positive Reappraisal sub‐dimensions of CESS, whose increase resulted in a decrease in presenteeism and Seeking Social Support sub‐dimension, whose increase caused an increase in presenteeism. Presenteeism was higher in those who lost their loved ones, had damage in their workplace/home, and thought they were helpless or in danger. Both material and emotional factors decreased functionality at work after an earthquake. We recommend developing material and psychological support strategies to reduce presenteeism in post‐disaster periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Dementia is increasing worldwide. This study aimed to examine the impact of comorbidity burden and frailty on dementia prognosis in patients with dementia. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted with 47 patients with dementia who were followed for up to two years. The Modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (MCCI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-E), and Edmonton Fragility Scale were used besides laboratory and clinical findings. Results: The mean age of the 47 patients was 78.77 ± 12.44 years. During the follow-up period, MMSE-E scores were observed to improve in 50% of the patients. Initial MMSE-E scores were found to be lowest in men and patients with coronary artery disease or depression, while final MMSE-E scores were observed to be lowest in patients with depression and low vitamin B12 or vitamin D levels. The rates of decrease in MMSE-E scores in non-, moderately and severely frail patients were 21.4%, 55.6%, and 70.6%, respectively. There was a moderate negative correlation between MMSE-E scores and both comorbidity burden and frailty scores. The mediation analysis revealed that frailty was a complete mediator, and that comorbidity burden led to an increase in frailty and a decrease in MMSE-E scores. During the follow-up period, patients with moderate frailty, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, alcohol and tobacco use, low B12 levels, or hypothyroidism showed an increased risk of decrease in cognitive functions. Conclusions: There was a significant association between dementia prognosis and both frailty and biological deficits. We recommend the adoption of a syndemic approach in the follow-up of dementia, as we believe that the prevention of frailty and associated biological deficits will contribute to slowing dementia's clinical course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal is the property of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To investigate the perception of antibiotics, the frequency of inappropriate antibiotic use, and the factors that lead to inappropriate antibiotic use by parents who apply to primary healthcare organizations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 973 parents who applied to primary healthcare centers. We analyzed basic concepts related to antibiotics prescribed for their children, antibiotic administration, and antibiotic resistance, as well as parents' knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use, and their experiences, practices, and perceptions related to purchasing antibiotics without prescription. Results: In the past one year, 78.9% of the parents gave antibiotics to their children at least once, and 39.1% gave antibiotics three or more times. Some of the participants (7.1%) reported having forced the physician to prescribe antibiotics and purchased antibiotics without a prescription (13.2%). The knowledge about antibiotics and awareness about antibiotic resistance were found to be more frequent; among parents who had university degrees, higher income levels, two or fewer children, social insurance and negative behaviours were lower in those who received information about antibiotics from healthcare professionals. The probability of taking antibiotics without prescription was lower in that of with higher income level (OR 0.460; 95% CI 0.219-0.965), and the probability of forcing antibiotic prescription was higher in those with 3 or more children (OR 6.94; 95% CI 2.37-20.26). The score obtained from the awareness of antibiotic resistance sub-dimension was found to negatively affect the behavior of forcing antibiotic prescription (OR 0.852; 95% CI 0.732-0.993) but the score obtained from the behaviour sub-dimension was positively affect this behaviour (OR 1.136; 95% CI 1.011-1.276). Conclusions: Inappropriate antibiotic use appears to be a problem with negative perception, lack of knowledge and socioeconomic dimension. Studies should be conducted to increase antibiotic knowledge in parents and to expand the scope of social insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) clinical decision rules can provide successful results in the differential diagnosis of non-traumatic headache. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate whether a laboratory parameter that can be added to clinical decision-making rules can better predict subarachnoid haemorrhages in patients presenting to the emergency department with headache. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study between March 2017 and March 2019. Patients over the age of 18 who admitted to the emergency department with non-traumatic, acute headache last 14 days before admission and evaluated by imaging and laboratory studies were included in the study. Results: A total of 867 patients were included and 141 of them had SAH. In detecting the SAH, Ottawa SAH rule sensitivity (85.1%), specificity (47.1%), positive predictive value (PPV) (23.8%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (94.2%), and for EMERALD SAH, rule sensitivity (96.4%), specificity (43.2%), PPV (24.8%) and NPV (98.4%). In the regression analysis, statistically significant result was obtained to exclude the diagnosis of SAH with the decrease in the eosinophil value (cutoff < 0.085 10^3/µL, OR: 0.011, 95% CI: 0.001–0.213, p = 0.003). When eosinophil value was added to EMERALD SAH rule, it provided a 100% of sensitivity, a 38.4% of specificity, a 24% of PPV and a 100% of NPV in detecting the SAH. Conclusions: EMERALD SAH rule plus eosinophil, which offers 100% sensitivity and NPV for predicting SAH in adult non-traumatic headaches, may be recommended as a successful and practical decision rule for clinical use according to the Ottawa and EMERALD SAH rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Various COVID-19 vaccines are being developed around the world. Important questions to be answered regarding vaccines are efficacy, safety, and whether antibodies are protective when used in different communities. This study aimed to determine seroconversion rates of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in healthcare workers in a hospital and short-term adverse events due to the vaccine. Materials and methods: The study carried out in Çukurova University, Turkey, comprised of 282 healthcare workers who received two doses of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administered in two 3 µg doses, 28 days apart. On day 28, after the second dose, antiS-RBD IgG and total anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected by using in vitro chemiluminescence immunoassay method. Results: The mean age of participants was 39.06±10.65 (min=21, max=65) with 43.6% males and 56.4% females. On day 28, after the second dose, the seroconversion rates were found to be 92.9% for total anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid IgG and 15.2% for IgM and 98.2% for anti-S-RBD IgG antibodies and having natural COVID-19 prior to vaccination, age and comorbidity were found to be significant factors for immunogenicity. The incidence of at least one adverse event was found as 29.8% after the first dose and 24.1% after the second dose, with the most common adverse events of having pain at the injection site, weakness, fatigue, and headache. Conclusion: On day 28, after the second dose of 3 μg of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration, a high rate of seroconversion was observed with no serious adverse event. Natural COVID-19 history, age, and comorbidity were significant contributors to the formation of a strong immune response. It can be concluded that a third dose may be considered in people aged 50 years and older and those with comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Public Health is the property of Turkish Journal of Public Health and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal is the property of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

After the COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks are widely used and it seems that they will be still with us for a longer time all over the world. There is an ongoing discussion about whether facemasks can be harmful to human health. Therefore, a series of quasi-experimental studies were planned to investigate the effect of masks both on breathing air quality and on physiological outcomes. This second step of the series aimed to investigate the effect of three mask types, commonly used in the community and by healthcare professionals, on breathing air quality, peripheral blood oxygen saturation and heart rate. This study included 30 healthy health workers and compared three types of facemasks: surgical face-masks, FFP2 facepiece respirators with and without exhalation valves. The measurements were made at rest and in room conditions. Oxygen, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds concentrations, humidity and temperature were measured in the room area, in the mouth-nose area before the mask was worn and in the same area inside the mask after the mask was worn, while simultaneous blood oxygen concentrations and heart rates were recorded. Significant alterations were observed in in-mask oxygen, volatile organic compounds, humidity and temperature parameters, but never causing inhaled oxygen concentrations to fall below 19.5%, which is the hazardous atmospheric environment oxygen level. The most prominent differences between atmospheric and in-mask values were observed in humidity and temperature (p<0.001). Measured blood oxygen saturations and heart rates were found not to be significantly different between three types of masks, being minimum and maximum values of both within physiological limits. It can be concluded that wearing surgical facemasks, FFP2 facepiece respirators with and without exhalation valves were found not to differ significantly by their physiological effect at rest, but the humidity and temperature in inhaled in-mask air to be above tolerable levels. Working to increase mask comfort can be recommended in order to increase the tolerance to wearing a mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of surgical masks (SM), which are widely used in the community in the fight against COVID-19, on breathing air quality and blood oxygen saturation among healthy people. This study included 45 healthy individuals. At rest and indoor conditions; blood oxygen concentrations and heart rates were recorded, while simultaneous oxygen (OO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SOO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), VOC (volatile organic compounds) concentrations, and humidity and temperature were measured both in the mouthnose area (MNA) in the indoor area before the mask was worn, and in MNA inside the mask (in-mask) after the mask was worn. The mean age of 45 healthy participants was 36.06 with a male to female ratio of 53.3% to 46.7%. When the indoor room air values in MNA without SM were compared with in-mask MNA values; inmask O2 saturation was observed to decrease, CO to increase in smokers, and VOC, humidity and temperature to significantly increase in all participants. SM wearing was observed not to significantly alter simultaneously measured peripheral blood O2 saturation and resting heart rate. The (measured) effect of SM wearing on O2 saturation and heart rate was found to be very small. Wearing a surgical mask was found not to impair blood O2 saturation in healthy individuals at rest. Further studies can be recommended to support the results in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives Medical Review Journal / Arsiv Kaynak Tarama Dergisi is the property of Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Domestic accidents (DA) are an important, but still neglected public health problem in Turkey. We aimed to determine the prevalence of DA, their physical and residential characteristics, including affecting factors, in the centre of semi-rural Mediterranean District Karataş of Turkey. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study, performed between October 2011 and April 2012 with face-to-face interviews by the researcher physician, collected DA data about 569 people living in 141 houses, selected by simple random sampling method, among 2726 houses. Results: DA frequency was 45.4% and 30.2% in terms of houses included in the study and the whole population resident in those houses, respectively. DA most frequently occurred in kitchen (38.9%), affecting mostly upper extremities (45.9%). Most of the injured, i.e.124(72.1%) people didn't apply to any health institution; 43(25.0%) people were treated at outpatient departments. Only 5(2.9%) required hospitalization. None of the accidents resulted in death. The season with the highest frequency of accidents was found to be the summer. DA frequency was positively proportional to the house-hold size (p<0.05), higher in children (younger than 15 years of age) and in the elders (older than 64 years of age) (p<0.001) and among women (p<0.001). Financial status, social security coverage or number of rooms at home did not have any statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of DA (p>0.05). Conclusion: Primary health service providing institutions can be suggested for the determination of risk factors for DA in addition to the establi shment of a national accidents surveillance system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]