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Objective: Objective: We aimed to evaluate correct facemask usage prevalence among the general public in marketplaces in Denizli, Turkey and also aimed to determine the effects of the announcement of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and curfew decisions on compliance rates of appropriate mask use. Materials and Methods: In this population-based study, a total of 6749 observations were made in the 8 different marketplaces between 22 November – 3 December 2020. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of age, gender, observation time, and intervention type (announcement of asymptomatic COVID-19 case numbers and, announcement of nationwide curfew decisions) on correct facemask use prevalence. Results: Correct facemask usage prevalence in customers and sellers was 84.3% and 46.3%, respectively. The announcement of the number of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases had no statistically significant effect on correct facemask usage prevalence both among customers and sellers (p>0.05). After the announcement of the curfew decisions, correct facemask usage prevalence increased among customers (OR:1.24 (1.02-1.52)) and sellers (OR:1.64 (1.32-2.03)). Conclusion: The correct use of facemasks is not sufficient, especially among sellers. The announcement of curfew decisions has increased the correct use of masks although, the announcement of asymptomatic COVID-19 case numbers has no effect.

BACKGROUND: Violence and burnout are frequently seen among medical doctors; however, the relation is not clear. This study aimed to assess the violence and its possible effects on burnout in physicians working in emergency units. METHODS: This cross-sectional study targeted all physicians working in the emergency units of Pamukkale University Hospital, County and City Hospitals, 112 Emergency Services, and Private Hospitals in Denizli. Data were obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of questions on the demographics of the participants, Turkish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and of the perpetrators of violence. What was also documented on the questionnaire was whether participants had been subjected to or had witnessed any verbal or physical violence during the previous one month of emergency physicians' certification program. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and seventy-four physicians were included into the study (85% of the targeted group). Many of the participants were between 24 and 59 years of age, with a mean age of 36.8±5.8 years. Married male doctors working in the City Hospital made up the majority. There were significant associations between emotional exhaustion and total violence (p=0.0I2) and verbal violence (p=0.0I6); depersonalization and total violence (p=0.02I) and verbal violence (p=0.0I2). CONCLUSION: The results presented here indicated that there was a strong relation between burnout and violence experienced by physicians working in emergency units. Violence in the emergency department has a substantial effect on the physicians' well-being. © 2015 TJTES.

Atopic eczema (AE) is the most common childhood inflammatory skin condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AE and its relation to various risk factors. In a cross-sectional study, 9,991 children ages 13 to 14 years in 61 primary schools in 32 districts of Istanbul were evaluated. The prevalence of AE and associated symptoms was assessed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol. The relationship between risk factors and AE was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Ten thousand nine hundred eighty-four questionnaires were distributed to 13- and 14-year-old children in 61 schools in 32 districts of Istanbul, 9,991 of which were suitable for analysis, for an overall response rate of 91.7%. There were 4,746 boys (47.9%) and 5,166 girls (52.1%) (M/F ratio 0.920). The rates of itchy rash ever, 12-month itchy rash, and doctor-diagnosed AE ever were 18.2%, 12.0%, and 2.8%, respectively. The difference between rates for itchy rash ever, 12-month itchy rash and doctor-diagnosed AE was high (12.8-31.3, 5.8-24.8, and 0-17.2, respectively) between the districts of Istanbul. Female sex, AE family history, watching television more than 5 hours a day, region of the district, and tonsillectomy history were found to be significantly associated with doctor-diagnosed AE at p < 0.05 in multivariate analysis. This study found a low prevalence of doctor-diagnosed AE and related symptoms in Istanbul. Several risk factors were found to be associated with doctor-diagnosed AE. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to document imaging practices and diagnostic strategies used by emergency physicians in patients with suspected high-probability pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire investigating the diagnostic strategies used by the emergency physicians in the evaluation of venous thromboembolism was mailed electronically to all emergency department residents and specialists practicing in 62 medical institutions in Turkey. The questionnaire gathered information about the availability and frequency of use of diagnostic imaging modalities in different scenarios in patients with suspected high-probability PE. RESULTS: Echocardiography, helical computed tomography (CT), and D-dimer test were the most available tools around the clock with a frequency of use of 78%, 73%, and 67%, respectively. One hundred and nineteen of 176 respondents (68%) reported that they request D-dimer "invariably" before performing an imaging examination in patients with suspected highprobability PE (SHPPE). Before ordering advanced imaging, 136 EPs (77%) would always obtain chest radiographs. Fifty-four residents (55%) and 39 specialists (51%) indicated that CTPA would likely be the first examination for patients with SHPPE and with signs of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (P = 0.8). The most frequently selected examination for patients with SHPPE and without signs of DVT was CTPA, reported by 69 of the residents (70%) and 53 of the specialists (69%) (P = 0.9). CONCLUSION: This survey did not show significant variations either in the practices and policies used by emergency physicians, or in the methodological approaches between specialists and residents. Among the imaging modalities, CTPA was the tool most preferred by physicians for patients with suspected acute PE. © Turkish Society of Radiology 2009.

Thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary disorders in the Mediterranean region and studies have shown that the prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait is high in the southern part of Turkey. Gaziantep is a city located near this region and, therefore, the authors investigated the prevalence and hematological characteristics of the beta-thalassemia traits in primary school students in Gaziantep. Sixty primary schools were selected from a list of all primary schools using a systematic sampling method. Data were collected by a face-to-face questionnaire. Osmotic fragility testing (OFT) using single-tube 0.36% NaCl solution was used for the screening of beta-thalassemia. Students who were positive in regard to OFT went through a series of testing, including a complete blood count, serum ferritin levels, serum iron, and hemoglobin electroforesis. Chi-square test was used in statistical analysis. Of the 2439 students enrolled to the study from the selected 60 classrooms, 1353 (55.5%) were male and 1086 (44.5%) were female. The OFT was positive in 115 (4.7%) of the participants. CEA and confirmatory HPLC results of the students who were positive OFT indicated that 70 (60.8%) had normal results, 33(28.7%) showed high HbA2 levels, 7 (6.1%) showed high HbA2 and HbF levels, 5(5.2%) showed high HbA2 and Fe-deficiency anemia, and none showed increased HbF levels. The overall prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait was 1.84%. No gender differentials and highest rates among the Kahramanmaras (3.5%) and Sanliurfa (1.7%) born students were the other significant findings of this study. Implementation of a routine carrier-screening program offering genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and selective termination of affected fetuses would be a wise approach to eliminate this disease from the region.

Aim: To determine overall and subgroup prevalence of depressive symptomatology among university students in Denizli, Turkey during the 1999-2000 academic year, and to investigate whether sociodemographic factors were associated with depressive symptoms in university students. Methods: A stratified probability sample of 504 Turkish university students (296 male, 208 female) was used in a cross-sectional study. Data were obtained by self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographic characteristics and problem areas. The revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to determine depressive symptoms of the participants. BDI scores 17 or higher were categorized as depressive for logistic regression analysis. Student t-test and linear regression were used for continuous data analysis. Results: Out of all participants, 26.2% had a BDI score 17 or higher. The prevalence of depressive symptoms increased to 32.1% among older students, 34.7% among students with low socioeconomic status, 31.2% among seniors, and 62.9% among students with poor school performance. The odds ratio of depressive symptoms was 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-3.28) in students with low socioeconomic status and 7.34 (95% CI, 3.36-16.1) in students with poor school performance in the multivariate logistic model. The participants identified several problem areas: lack of social activities and shortage of facilities on the campus (69.0%), poor quality of the educational system (54.8%), economic problems (49.3%), disappointment with the university (43.2%), and friendship problems (25.9%). Conclusions: Considering the high frequency of depressive symptoms among Turkish university students, a student counseling service offering mental health assistance is necessary. This service should especially find the way to reach out to poor students and students with poor school performance.

WOS: 000324363400010, PubMed ID: 23830223, Objectives: To assess the time trends and possible risk factors associated with allergic rhinitis symptoms in schoolchildren from Denizli, Turkey. Method: Two identical cross-sectional surveys were performed in the 13- to 14-yr age group at intervals of six years using ISAAC questionnaire. Possible risk factors were also asked and the children completed questionnaires by self. Results: A total of 4078 children (response rate 75%) in the 2008 and 3004 children (response rate, 93.8%) in 2002 were included. The lifetime prevalence of rhinitis, 12-month prevalence of rhinitis, prevalence of associated itchy eye in the previous 12 months and doctor diagnosed allergic rhinitis prevalence were increased from 34.2% to 49.4% (POR = 1.87, 95% CI = 47.8-50.9 and p