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This study aims at determining students' attitudes towards distance education/online learning through a scale developed by the authors and determine the relationship between these attitudes and e-learning styles. The study carried out on students of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Medicine using the online system of the university, the sample group consists 815 students from different classes, the participation rate was 89.46%. Following the explanatory factor and confirmatory factor analysis resulting structure of the scale was confirmed. Construct validity, criterion validity and internal consistency of the scale were high. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictive strength of the students' learning styles which were determined using the e-Learning Styles Scale for Electronic Environments for the attitudes towards online learning. Presented Medical School Students' Attitudes Towards Online Learning Scale was valid and reliable instrument to measure medical school students' attitudes towards distance/online learning. Although students' attitudes toward online/distant education were divided, it was negative on the average. The regression modeling showed that the learning styles are significant predictors for attitudes towards online education and the audio-visual learning style was determined as has the highest predictive strength for attitudes towards online education. The developed tool can be used to monitor medical school students' attitudes towards distance/online learning and will contribute to preparing medical education for a change towards distance learning.

Copyright of Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School 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 Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School 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: The aim of this study is to profile the complaints in the disease application using a symptom survey in patients presenting with the suspicion of COVID-19 disease and to determine the disease-specific and descriptive characteristics of the initial symptoms in those who were diagnosed with the disease. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, symptoms at first admission were questioned in adult patients who applied to the Covid Outpatient Clinic between 21 December 2020 - 22 January 2021. A total of 43 complaints were analyzed in PCR test positive and negative patients. Results: 273 (62.0%) first application and 167 (38.0%) control applications were included in the study. The PCR test was positive in 16.5% of the first admissions. The most common complaints in the first admissions with positive PCR test were fatigue (73.0%), headache (64.9%), pain (32.2%), cough (56.8%), sore throat (51.4%), loss of appetite (45.9%) while 15.9% of them were asymptomatic. Odd's rates of significant complaints for PCR positivity were calculated as 2.607 for fever, 2.724 for anorexia, 2.051 for cough, 2.594 for loss of smell, and 2.243 for loss of strength. Conclusions: COVID-19 is a disease that affects many organs and systems. Comparing the admission symptoms with the PCR test results will contribute to the recognition of the disease at the initial stage. Fever, anorexia, cough, loss of smell and loss of strength were found to be the distinguishing complaints of PCR positivity in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School 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 Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School 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: Somatization is a psychiatric condition characterized by recurring somatic symptoms that cannot be fully explained by the general medical condition of the individual and are not attributable to another mental disorder. There are physical, psychological and social factors that affect somatic symptoms of individuals. The aim of this study is to screen somatic symptoms of patients admitted to our clinic and to investigate the relationship between scanning results and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 414 participants aged 18-65 years who admitted to the Family Medicine Clinic of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Medical Faculty between February 2018 and November 2018. Sociodemographic data form and SCL90-R (Symptom Checklist 90-Revised) psychological symptom screening test was applied to the participants through face to face interview method. Results: Of all the participants, 256 (61.8%) were female and 158 (38.2%) were male and the mean age was 33.7±13.6 years. Of all the participants, 47.3% were university graduates or had a higher educational background. The mean score of the somatization subscale of the SCL90-R screening test was 1.0±0.6. The factors increasing the somatic symptoms were female gender, increasing number of children, being an immigrant, decreasing education level, increasing amount of drug use, increasing number of applications to health institutions, and implementation of alternative medicine techniques, presence of mental illness in families and their relatives. Conclusions: In the present study, the prevalence of somatic symptoms was found to be high and clinically significant. In particular, the social position of women in Turkey, their lifestyles, and their specific characteristics such as using body language more are associated with high somatic symptoms. Emotional disability caused by migrations makes individuals be at greater risk in terms of somatization. The personality development that increases with the education level and increased communication skills reduce the risk of somatization. Symptoms of patients who frequently use health care and treatment options and apply alternative medicine are more significant in terms of somatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychiatric co-morbidity and attachment issues are prevalent in obese patients. A possible relationship between insecure attachment styles and eating disorder risk has been proposed. The aim of this study is to determine the psychiatric co-morbidity, attachment styles and related risk factors in obese patients. Method: Obese patients with body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher and non-obese controls matched for age, sex and education were included with a total sample of 173 participants. Diagnostic assessment using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and the Adult Attachment Scale, Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety scales were carried out. Attachment styles were classified as-anxious/ambivalent, avoidant and secure. The anxious/ambivalant and avoidant groups were combined and compared with the secure group. Results: Fifty three (40.8%) obese patients had psychiatric disorders including major depression (n=44; 33.8%). Anxiety was found to be a risk factor with obesity and BMI in both patients with or without any psychiatric co-morbidity. Psychiatric co-morbidity was significantly higher in obese patients (40.8%) than controls (18.6%). 55.4% of the participants had insecure attachment styles, it was significantly higher in obese patients. Insecure attachment styles were higher with psychiatric co-morbidity. Discussion: Psychiatric co-morbidity and insecure attachment styles were prevalent in obese patients, and the symptom of anxiety was found to be a predictor of obesity and body mass index. Psychiatric examinations including attachment styles and anxiety will help to advance better treatment strategies for obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate short-term effects of problem-based learning on students' scientific thinking, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. Methods The study was conducted in two medical schools, Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun and Trakya University in Edirne, Turkey. The two schools used different instructional approaches in educational methods: Ondokuz Mayıs University followed a problem-based learning curriculum and Trakya University a traditional didactic curriculum. Three groups of students were included as follows: (a) 83 first-year from Ondokuz Mayıs University, who passed an English language proficiency exam; (b) 146 students who failed English language proficiency exam and had to spend a year attending preparatory English language classes before starting their first year at Ondokuz Mayıs University (first control group); and (c) 124 students first-year students from Trakya University (second control group). All participants completed the Problem Solving Inventory, Scientific Thinking Skills Questionnaire, and Conflict Resolution Scale at the beginning of the 2003/2004 academic year. The tests were re-administered to same students at the end of the academic year, ie, 10 months later. Results Analysis of covariance revealed no differences in pre-test scores among the problem-based learning, first, and second control groups in their scientific thinking (9.0 ± 71.2, 8.9 ± 3.2, and 8.7 ± 1.3, respectively; P = 0.124), problem solving (132.2 ± 15.4, 131.2 ± 16.2, and 132.1 ± 17.4, respectively; P = 0.454), and conflict resolution skills (112.3 ± 14.6, 109.7 ± 12.8, and 110.2 ± 11.4, respectively; P = 0.07). The study group in comparison with first and second control group had significantly better post-test results in scientific thinking (13.9 ± 3.5, 9.5 ± 2.2, and 9.1 ± 2.7, respectively), problem solving (125.5 ± 12.6, 130.1 ± 11.2, and 131.1 ± 15.4, respectively), and conflict resolution skills (125.4 ± 12.7, 110.9 ± 23.7, and 111.6 ± 23.6, respectively) (P<0.001 for all). The skills of the two control groups did not improve in this time period and their post-test scores were not significantly different. Conclusion Problem-based learning curricula may positively affect some of the self-directed skills, such as scientific thinking, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills of students, even in a short period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain is a common complaint in COVID-19 disease. Neurotrophic features of the COVID virus are reported. Neuropathic pain is seen during many viral infections and observed during the COVID-19 pandemic part of the clinical presentations., Objective: The aim of this is to evaluate neuroptic pain as presenting symptom in COVID-19 patients., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, adult patients (18 years and older) who applied to the COVID Outpatient Clinic completed the demographic data form and the neuropathic pain questionnaire. The patients were divided into positive and negative according to the PCR test results and the presence of neuropathic pain was compared., Results: In total, 440 participants included in the study. Among 301 who stated to had any complaints, 197 (65.4%) had pain. The intensity of their pain was 5.8 ± 2.4 (0 - no pain and 10 - the most severe pain of life). Neuropathic pain component was present in 29.2% of the patients. Among the first admissions, neuropathic pain component was observed significantly higher in those with positive PCR test (55.0%) than negative ones (23.8%), and the Odd's ratio was calculated as 3.911., Conclusions: COVID-19 virus is thought to have neuroinvasion and neurotropic effects. In this study, neuropathic pain specifically was evaluated in COVID-19 patients, and the frequency of neuropathic pain was significantly higher in PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients at the onset of the disease., Competing Interests: None

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of decreased visual acuity, strabismus, and spectacle wear in children aged 5 to 13 years., Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in primary education schools. A total of 1938 participants, including 940 females (48.5%) and 998 males (51.5%) with a mean age 8.96 ± 2.31 (5-13 years old), were screened. The comparisons were performed with gender, age, and age groups. The children attended to vision screening were assigned to three age groups as 5-6 years, 7-9 years, and 10-13 years., Results: The prevalence of the parameters was detected as decreased visual acuity 12.4%, strabismus 2.2%, and spectacle wear 6.9%. The prevalence of decreased visual acuity was significantly higher in girls and in children aged 7-9 years old (p = 0.013, p < 0.001). The prevalence of spectacle wear was significantly higher in girls and in children aged 7-9 years old (p = 0.019, p < 0.001). There was a visual acuity decrease in 33 of 106 (31.1%) children despite wearing own spectacle. There was no significant difference among three age groups for strabismus., Conclusion: Increased prevalence of decreased visual acuity, as well as the higher frequency of spectacle wear in children at ages of 7-9 years old may point out a threshold for visual impairment.

Otitis media (OM) is a common health problem. Nasal airways play an important role in etiopathogenesis of OM. The aim of this study is to evaluate nasal airways by objective methods in chronic otitis media (COM) cases. The relationship between the course of the disease and nasal parameters is also investigated. Fifty-six patients who had chosen an operation for chronic otitis media were included in the study. The control group was composed of 30 healthy patients. Patients were subjected to acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. Nasal airway resistance and cross-sectional area measurements were taken. The results of the COM group and the control group were compared. Cases were classified by the course of the disease such as suppurative/progressive/active and non-suppurative/inactive and the nasal parameters of these sub-groups were compared. In cases with unilateral COM, nasal cavity results from both sides were compared. The nasal airway resistance of the COM group was statistically significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in cross-sectional area measurements. There was no significant difference between the suppurative/progressive/active and non-suppurative/inactive groups. However, the suppurative group had higher nasal resistance (p > 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the measurements of each side in unilateral COM cases. This study found that COM cases have greater nasal airway resistance. No significant difference was found in cross-sectional area measurements so the increase in resistance may be linked to mucosal rather than structural changes. There was no evidence for a relationship between the course of the OM and nasal airway parameters.

The aim of this study was to identify the frequency and causative factors of physical child abuse and any correlations with other domestic violence types. In a representative sample of 15-49-year-old married women living in Edirne chosen with stratified cluster sampling, 275 women were interviewed face-to-face in their residence or places of employment. The questionnaire used included any violent behavior of the women or their husbands toward their children as well as demographic features, habits, Marriage Relation Scales, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, history of partner abuse, and childhood violence exposition. The physical child abuse rate was 61.1% among the women and 20.7% among the husbands according to the women's declarations. Social support was not associated with child abuse rates. Child abuse rate among the women was increased 2.7 times in the presence of the partner's child abuse, 1.6 times with each additional child, 3.1 times in the presence of a history of physical childhood abuse, and 1.9 times in the presence of a history of partner abuse. Child abuse by the husbands was increased 2.9 times in the presence of physical childhood abuse history and 2.3 times in case of partner abuse. Child abuse is widely seen although morally unacceptable in contemporary society. Violent behaviors spread out horizontally among family members and vertically through generations, although at decreasing rates. Healthcare professionals should behave in a sensitive manner and take responsibility together with those from other related fields to prevent this condition, which can result in several social complications.

Quality circles in the classroom setting are composed of students who meet regularly to identify, analyse and solve problems related to a course, and implement solutions. We recently instituted quality circles (QCs) among preclinical medical students and evaluated their impact on quality of learning and student satisfaction. Included in the study were all 135 first-year medical students of Trakya University School of Medicine in the 2000-2001 academic year. Six students were selected randomly out of 26 volunteers as circle members. Circle participants met once a week for 14 45-minute sessions to discuss educational issues, propose solutions and prepare a report for submission to the dean. A questionnaire was administered to all first-year students and the replies provided the problem pool from which the QC chose the problem to be addressed. A total of 22 problems concerned education and 28 were identified in the fields of accommodation, social activities and other issues. To evaluate the change in the perceived quality of learning, circle members prepared a questionnaire designed to compare satisfaction at the beginning and end of the study period. This questionnaire was composed of 26 items and evaluated various aspects of education. There was a significant increase in student satisfaction after the one-year study period (p = 0.001). In addition to enhancing quality of learning, quality circles improved student satisfaction as well. More studies should be conducted to test the impact of QCs on education in different settings and different classes. Our results show that the use of quality circles in first-year medical students improves quality of learning and student satisfaction.