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Purpose: This paper aims to investigate associations between early childhood and current indicators of socioeconomic inequality and the onset (incident), persistence and progression (increase in severity) of psychotic experiences (PEs) in a longitudinal follow-up of a community-based population. Methods: Households in the metropolitan area of Izmir, Turkey were contacted in a multistage clustered probability sampling frame, at baseline (T1, n = 4011) and at 6-year follow-up (T2, n = 2185). Both at baseline and follow-up, PEs were assessed using Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1. The associations between baseline socioeconomic features and follow-up PEs were analysed using logistic regression models. Indicators of social inequality included income, educational level, current socioeconomic status (SES), social insurance, the area resided, ethnicity, parental educational level, and SES at birth. Results: The risk of onset of PEs was significantly higher in lower education, lower SES, and slum-semi-urban areas. The persistence of PEs was significantly associated with the lowest levels of education and current SES, and rural residency. Persistent PEs were significantly and negatively associated with paternal SES at birth. Progression of PEs was significantly higher among respondents with educational achievements lower than university level and lower levels of SES, who have no social insurance and who reside in slum-semi-urban areas. Parental education and paternal SES at birth were not associated with the persistence of PEs. Conclusion: Indicators of social inequality (low education, low SES, low income, and poverty in the neighbourhood) were associated with the onset and persistence of PEs and progression along the extended psychosis phenotype. The early indicators seem to have a modest life-long impact on the psychosis phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to perform the validity and reliability study of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) on the frequency of foods rich in antioxidant nutrients and used in Age-Related Eye Diseases (AREDs). In the first interview of the study, the first application of FFQ was carried out, and blank forms of Dietary Records (DRs) were given. For the validity of the FFQ, a total of 12 d (3 days * 4 weeks) of DR were taken. For the reliability of the FFQ, a test–retest application was made with an interval of 4 weeks. The daily intake means of antioxidant nutrients, omega 3 and total antioxidant capacity data obtained from both the FFQ and DR were calculated, and the concordance between the two methods was evaluated with the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) and Bland–Altman graphs. The present study was carried out at Ege University İzmir/Turkey, Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Unit. The study was conducted with individuals aged ≥50 years who suffered from Age-Related Macular Degeneration (n 100, 72⋅0±8⋅03 years). The values obtained from the test–retest applications for FFQ reliability were the same. The nutrient intake means obtained from the FFQ were similar or significantly higher than DR (P < 0⋅05). In the Bland–Altman graphical approach, the nutrient data were within the limits of agreement, and the PCCs between the two methods were moderately related. Considered together, this FFQ is a suitable tool for determining the dietary intakes of antioxidant nutrients in the Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Obesity is a serious public health issue. Investigating the eating behaviour of individuals plays an important role in preventing obesity. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to adapt the long and first version of the 'Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire' (TFEQ), a scale that examines the eating behaviour of individuals, to Turkish culture and to carry out its validity and reliability study.Design: The data were collected using data collection forms, and anthropometric measurements of the individuals were made by the researchers. The data collection form included several parameters: socio-demographic characteristics, the TFEQ scale, whose validity and reliability analysis is conducted here, and the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) which was used as a parallel form.Setting: The Obesity Clinic at Ege University in Izmir.Participants: The study group consisted of obese adult individuals (n 257).Results: It was seen that constructing the questionnaire with twenty-seven items and four sub-dimensions provides better information about Turkish obese individuals. Factor loadings ranged from 0·421 to 0·846, and item total score correlations ranged from 0·214 to 0·558. Cronbach's α coefficient was found to be 0·639 for the whole scale. A positive, strong and statistically significant correlation was detected between TFEQ and DEBQ, which was used as a parallel form (r = 0·519, P < 0·001).Conclusion: In Turkey, the long version of the TFEQ scale was found valid and reliable for obese adult individuals. TFEQ can be used by clinicians or researchers to study the eating behaviour of obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is no report on various patterns of alcohol drinking and related impairment, help-seeking in Turkey. We investigated the 12-month prevalence and correlates of drinking patterns and alcohol use disorders in the general population of Izmir-Turkey, with further analyses on role impairment and help-seeking.Method: A multi-stage clustered area probability sample of adult household residents in the Izmir Metropolitan Area was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 (n  = 4011). Estimation focused on prevalence and correlates of 12-month drinking pattern and DSM-IV alcohol use disorders. The 12-month drinking pattern included groups of non-regular users, regular non-heavy drinkers, regular heavy drinkers, and alcohol abuse disorder and alcohol dependence. All respondents were questioned about receiving 12-month treatment for any psychological complaints, the route of help-seeking, and were assessed with Short Form-36 for functional impairments. Multinomial logistic regression was used for underlying associations between the covariates and the drinking patterns.Results: The rate of lifetime alcohol abstinence was 52.3% while the prevalence of past-year users was 14.8%. The 12-month prevalence estimates of regular heavy drinkers, and alcohol abuse disorder and dependence were 2.5%, 3.2 and 1.6%, respectively. Any of the drinking patterns and alcohol use disorders was associated with male gender, and higher levels of education, monthly income and socioeconomic status. Alcohol dependence was associated with mental health impairment but not with physical impairment. The 12-month rates of help-seeking in alcohol abuse and dependence were 11.6 and 16.5%.Conclusion: Although alcohol use disorders are lower than estimates of Western countries, alcohol use constitute a major reason of disability with prominent treatment gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the lifetime prevalence of 12 DSM-IV disorders with psychotic symptoms in a general population survey. Method: Addresses were contacted in a multistage clustered area probability sampling frame of administrative neighbourhoods and households, covering 9 districts and 302 neighbourhoods in the Izmir metropolitan area between November 2007 and October 2008. One household member aged between 15 and 64 years and available to complete the interview was randomly selected using a within-household sampling method. The primary screening instrument was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1. A systematic screening procedure was implemented to detect probable cases with any psychotic disorder. Those selected by the screens were re-interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Diagnoses of individuals who were not available for re-interview were made by combining screening information with case register diagnoses and/or the telephone interviews with relatives or spouse. Results: A total of 4011 individuals were screened for disorders with psychotic symptoms. After screening, 499 respondents were selected as a probable case. 277 of screen positive respondents were available for clinical reappraisal. Initial screening interviews and additional material were used for best estimate diagnoses of the remaining 172 respondents. Total lifetime prevalence of 12 DSM-IV disorders with psychotic symptoms was 2.62%. Lifetime prevalence of each disorder separately were as follows: 0.74% for schizophrenia, 0.20% for schizoaffective disorder, 0.05% for schizophreniform disorder, 0.10% for delusional disorder, 0.12% for brief psychotic disorder, 0.55% for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, 0.37% for bipolar I disorder, 0.20% for substance induced psychotic disorder, and 0.07% for psychotic disorders due to a general medical condition. Conclusion: Total lifetime prevalence of disorders with psychotic symptoms is higher than any previously reported estimates in Turkey; with a prevalence of approximately 2.5%, these disorders can be considered a major public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the objectives and design of a multistage study on the prevalence and risk factors of mental health problems, in particular psychotic disorders and psychotic symptoms, by assessing a probabilistic sample of household residents in the Izmir Metropolitan Area, aged 15-64 years. Method: The study included three different observation frames. In the first stage, of which methodology is in the focus of this paper, the primary screening instrument was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1, which assesses lifetime and/or last one-year occurrence of several DSM-IV disorders. Second, a parallel survey of social capital of administrative wards was conducted in the same neighbourhoods. Third, a nested-case control study was performed to study effects of genetic and environmental risk factors on wide psychosis phenotype. Results: A total of 4011 males and females were contacted through a multistage clustered area probability sample of administrative neighbourhoods and households, covering 9 districts and 302 neighbourhoods. The response rate for the first stage was 76.5% in 5242 eligible households. Respondents were interviewed at home in 2008 for the screening of included mental health problems. The screened disorders were mood disorders (last 1 year), schizophrenia and other non-affective psychotic disorders (lifetime), and dependence and abuse of psychoactive substances (lifetime). Conclusion: Although cross-sectional in nature, the TürkSch has a unique study design and yields data of high quality. This enables study of the prevalence, risk and higher-order interactions underlying ill-health in the Turkish population, with a specific focus on psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Subclinical and clinical depression is common, widely distributed in the general population, and usually associated with role impairment and help-seeking. Reliable information at the population level is needed to estimate the disease burden of depression and associated care needs in Turkey. Method The cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of subthreshold (SubD) and clinical major depressive disorder (MDD) in Izmir, Turkey. In the 5242 eligible households, a total of 4011 individuals were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 76.5%. Prevalence estimates of MDD and SubD depression were formed by using the responses to the questions of the CIDI section E. Short Form 36 (SF-36) to assess health status and functional impairments in eight scaled scores during the last four weeks. All respondents were questioned about receiving 12-month treatment for any psychological complaints, the route of help-seeking, as well as prescribed medicines and any hospitalization. Results The one year prevalence estimate for CIDI/DSM IV MDD was 8.2% (95% CI, 7.4–9.1). Less educated, low income, uninsured, low SES, unemployed/disabled and housewives, slum area residents had higher one year MDD prevalence. Determined prevalence of help seeking from mental health services of SubD and MDD cases were 23.6%, 30.6% respectively. Only 24.8% of clinically depressive patients received minimally adequate treatment. Limitations Cross sectional design. Conclusion Higher MDD prevalence correlates with younger ages, female gender, unemployment, less education, lower monthly income, lower SES and uninsurance. Help seeking from mental health services were low. There are treatment gap and impairment in depressive group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the unique soil and morphological conditions prevailing in Izmir Bay basin, structural damage has been governed by site effects. Consistently, during October 30, 2020 M7.0 Samos Earthquake, which took place offshore of Samos Island, structural damage and life losses were observed to be concentrated in Bayrakli region of Izmir Bay, despite the fact that the fault rupture was at a distance of 65–75 km from the city of Izmir. Additionally, strong ground motions recorded in Izmir Bay showed unique site amplifications that were observed surprisingly at both rock and soil sites. Soil amplifications and duration elongations were mostly due to site effects governed by the response of very deep alluvial deposits of low plasticity. Similarly, due to very extensive faulting-induced fracturing and unusually stratified nature of rock sub-layers, unexpected long period amplifications were also observed at rock sites. These earthquake and site resonance effects were more pronounced in the period range of 0.5–1.5 s. When they were superposed with relatively coinciding natural period of 7–9 story residential buildings of Izmir City, it was concluded that the triple resonance effects among incoming rock ground motions, soil deposits, and the damaged buildings, amplified and prolonged the overall system response. Within the confines of this manuscript, the governing role of site effects leading to increased seismic demand was assessed, through a series of 1D equivalent linear, total stress-based site response assessments, the results of which clearly highlighted the variation of seismic demand in Izmir Bay. • Samos Island earthquake produced rich long period rock spectral accelerations. • Deep soil sites in Izmir Bay, amplified these long period rich rock motions. • Due to resonance effects, 7-9 story buildings were subjected to larger shakings. • Site effects increased seismic demand and prolonged shaking duration. • These, along with poor design-construction practices caused structural damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]