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Objective: Genital tract infections are a common health problem in developed and developing countries This study was conducted to examine genital tract infections in women who admitted to an obstetrician outpatient clinic for genital discharge.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study involved a total of 507 volunteered female patients who admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital due to vaginal discharge. The discharge samples of the patients were analysed using the Affirm VPIII kit. Fisher Exact test and chi-square test was used.Results: 9,5% of the women included in the study were between 15-49 years old. Among these, 213 (42%) were infectious agents (Gardrenella vaginalis 31,4%, Candida albicans., 13,6%, Trichomonas vaginalis 2,0%). There was no significant difference between the infection factor according to the place where women live, education, work and marital status. The infection rate was higher in those who did not have a formal marriage and who had a genitally transmitted disease at their partner. About 67,1% described proper genital area cleaning method while 86,2% used drying after washing. Those with habit of hand washing before going to toilette had lower rate of infection (p=0,038).Conclusion: Genital tract infections were found in approximately half of the women who admitted to the hospital due to discharge. Genital tract infections are a group of diseases that can be prevented by simple methods or can be eliminated with appropriate treatment approaches on time, and priority should be given to training programs in primary and secondary health care institutions, Amaç: Genital yol enfeksiyonları, gelişmiş ve gelişmekte olan ülkelerde sık görülen önemli bir sağlık sorunudur. Bu çalışma bir kadın doğum hastanesi polikliniklerine genital akıntı nedeni ile başvuran kadınlarda sık görülen genital yol enfeksiyonlarını incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı tipte olan bu çalışma; Elazığ Sara Hatun Kadın Doğum Hastanesi polikliniklerine genital akıntı nedeni ile başvuran ve çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 507 kadın ile yapılmıştır. Hastaların akıntı örnekleri, laboratuarda Affirm VPIII kiti kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Bilgisayarda SPSS programına kaydedilmiş, istatistiksel analizler X² (ki kare) testi ve Fisher’s Exact test kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmaya alınan kadınların %92,5’i 15-49 yaş aralığındadır. Bu kadınların %42,0’sinde yapılan laboratuar çalışmasında G. vaginalis, Candida albicans ve T. vaginalis’den en az bir tanesi pozitif bulunmuştur. Birinci sırada G.vaginalis, ikinci sırada Candida albicans, üçüncü sırada ise T. Vaginalis enfeksiyon etkeni görülmüştür. Kadınların yaşadıkları yer, eğitim, çalışma ve medeni durumlarına göre enfeksiyon etkeni arasında anlamlılık bulunmamıştır. Evlilik bağında resmi nikahı olmayanlarda ve eşinde genital yol ile bulaşan bir hastalığı olanlarda enfeksiyon oran daha yüksek bulunmuştur. (p

Background To investigate the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the urban and rural areas of the Elazig Region of Turkey. Methods A questionnaire was conducted and spirometric measurements were made, based on the BOLD protocol. A total of 1270 individuals, over 18 years of age, were included in the study, comprising 610 individuals from the city center and 660 from the rural area. The questionnaire included demographics, symptoms and possible risk factors. The description and staging of COPD were in accordance with GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease). Results Of the 1270 cases, 1206 (94.9%) were able to complete the questionnaire and undergo spirometric analysis. Of these 1206 cases, 1188 (98.5%) were used in the final assessment; the remainder were excluded due to errors in the spirometric analysis. Of the cases included in the study, 43.2% (25.9% female; 56.7% male) were current smokers. The prevalence of COPD at ≥ 18 years old was 4.5% (female 2.5%; male 6%); the prevalence at ≥ 45 years old was 11.5% (female 5.9%; male 15.1%). The majority of the COPD cases were at stages I and II (22.6% and 66%, respectively). The prevalence of COPD was higher among current and former smokers (5.8%) than non-smokers (2.8%). In general, the risk factors for COPD were found to be age, male gender, smoking, living in a rural area, and low income. Conclusions The prevalence of COPD in Elazig, Turkey was highest among the elderly and smokers, and constituted primarily stages I and II of the disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and determine risk factors for its development in women living in eastern Turkey. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2275 women aged between 17 and 80 years. A questionnaire examining demographic characteristics, parity and pelvic organ prolapse was given. Presence and types of incontinence were examined using a validated form of the Turkish version of the urogenital distress inventory questionnaire-short form (UDI-6). Results: A total of 1054 (46.3%) women reported involuntary loss of urine. Stress UI was present in 46% of women, whereas urge UI was detected in 43% of them. Mean age of patients with and without UI were 44.57 + 11.04 and 35.04 + 9.51, respectively. Age, total number of pregnancies and number of deliveries were shown to be significantly different in patients with and without any type of UI. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the factors revealed that age, total delivery number, pelvic organ prolapse and difficult labor were significantly associated with the presence of UI. Conclusions: This is the first study examining the prevalence of UI in women living in eastern Turkey. By using a validated questionnaire, several risk factors for the development of UI were determined. Pelvic organ prolapse and increased number of births were found to be two most significant ones.

Objective To determine the bothersomeness and effect on quality of life (QOL) of different types of urinary incontinence (UI) in married women living in eastern Turkey. Materials and Methods A total of 1049 married women was evaluated in the present population-based, cross-sectional study. QOL was assessed using a validated form of the Turkish version of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form. The effects of UI subtype on the overall QOL score and on the individual domain scores were determined. The relationship between several demographic characteristics such as age, weight, education level, number of pregnancies, number of live deliveries, and presence of pelvic organ prolapse and the QOL changes was examined. Results The mean age of the women was 44.62 ± 11.01 years (range 17-80). Of the women with UI, 76.2% stated that the UI had a negative effect on their QOL. Women with mixed UI and severe UI had the worst QOL scores. The QOL changes for the different domains revealed that entertainment activities were affected least, and emotional health and feelings of frustration were the 2 domains that showed the most significant deterioration. Furthermore, older and unemployed women, housewives, women living in urban areas, and women with multiple births, difficult labor, and increased weight experienced significant negative effects on their QOL. Conclusion Our results have shown that, regardless of different factors, UI has significant negative effects on QOL. The presented data emphasize the importance of the high prevalence of UI in our region and its negative effects on QOL. Thus, additional policies are needed for the prevention of the negative effects of UI.

Background and Aim: Although rectal bleeding is a common gastrointestinal symptom, there are very few community-based studies, and all of these studies were conducted in the West. So far the epidemiologic characteristics of rectal bleeding have not been defined in an Asian country. We aimed to characterize self-reported rectal bleeding and its association with functional bowel disorders in Turkey. Factors affecting healthcare-seeking behavior were reviewed as well. Subjects and Methods: In this study, 760 subjects were chosen randomly. Questionnaires were completed by nurses during face-to-face interviews with each participant. Results: Of the 707 (93%) subjects included in this study, 9.5% had functional dyspepsia, 8.6% had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), 24.5% had functional constipation, and 13.8% had functional abdominal bloating. The prevalence of rectal bleeding in the previous year was 14.7%. The recent onset of rectal bleeding was 2.7%. Rectal bleeding was more common among subjects younger than 45 years. Subjects who had functional constipation or constipation-dominant IBS reported rectal bleeding more frequently than others. The rate of consultation was only 41.3% among the subjects with rectal bleeding. Subjects aged ≧45 years and who had marked bleeding or bleeding more than twice a day or fear of cancer sought healthcare more frequently than others. Conclusion: Rectal bleeding is as common a symptom in Turkey as in Western countries. Advanced age and fear of cancer were independent predictors of consultation behavior in this group.

Current healthconcept envisages an understanding of health-centredcarethatprotects,maintainsandimprovesthe health of an individual, a family and a society,based on an individual’s acquisition of behavioursthat will protect, maintain and improve his/herwell-being and enable him/her to make decisionsabout his/her own health.

Objective Presentation of a device used by three elderly women with prolapse in eastern part of Turkey. Method Information about device is obtained by face to face interview technique. Microbiologic examination of the device and vaginal cultures were performed. Results Three women with genital polapse using an ancient device were found incidentally and information about device, their knowledge about genital prolapse, and solutions were obtained. Conclusion By the help of related media and women health organizations the women especially who live in rural area should be educated about reproductive health care and if necessary health policies revisions should be considered.