Hamdi Aytekin

Blood lead levels of traffic policemen in Bursa, Turkey

This study was conducted in January 2001, in Bursa, Turkey. Of the 99 traffic policemen who were included in the study, 21 were office workers. Blood lead levels were determined by using an electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ET-AAS). Average blood lead levels were 9.4 +/- 1.6 micrograms/l and 8.7 +/- 1.7 micrograms/l for policemen working outdoors and indoors, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). When policemen less than 15 years on duty were taken into account (n = 48) the difference between the outdoors and indoors working groups was significant (9.3 +/- 1.3 and 8.2 +/- 1.8 micrograms/l, P < 0.05). In order to prevent the negative effects of tetraethyl lead on humans and the environment the use of lead in petrol must be prohibited.

Family planning choices and some characteristics of coitus interruptus users in Gemlik, Turkey

The objectives of this study were to gain information about some fertility issues, contraceptive method choices, and the reasons for coitus interruptus (CI) use among married women aged 15-49, in Gemlik, Turkey. One thousand nine hundred ten women were interviewed for this cross-sectional study. The pregnancy rate per woman was 2.9. 716 women (37.5%) had at least one unwanted pregnancy. Of the study population, 79.6% were using a contraceptive method (45.1% were using a modern method, 34.5% a traditional method). CI was the most preferred method (33.7%). Fertility measures of women who had used CI continuously were compared with other women. It was found that most CI users were content with the method.

Evaluation of Respiratory Functions of Residents Around the Orhaneli Thermal Power Plant in Turkey

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the health and respiratory function of residents around the Orhaneli thermal power plant in Turkey. The study was conducted using face-to-face interviews, and respiratory functions were measured with a spirometer. The respiratory functions of 2350 residents, 15 years and older, living in communities near the coal-fired Orhaneli thermal power plant in Turkey were measured. The control group consisted of 469 persons from similar communities without a nearby power plant. The FEV1 (forced expiratory volume after 1 s) and FVC (forced vital capacity) values of the study participants were significantly lower than those of the control group, and residents directly downwind of the plant’s smokestack showed greater impairment of respiratory functions compared with residents upwind.

The comparison of reproductive health data in a rural district in Turkey (1981–2001)

Objectives: The main objective was to compare new reproductive and family planning data with data from the 1981 survey. Methods: All 15-49-year-old married women living in seven villages of Gemlik were interviewed and the data were compared with the 1981 data of the same villages. Results: In 1981, 66.8% used a family planning method, 6.8% used an intrauterine device, 10.2% used oral contraceptives and 10.0% used condoms. In 2001, these values were 93.0%, 36.5%, 6.0% and 14.8%, respectively. In 1981, 51.5% and in 2001 35.5% used coitus interruptus. Conclusion: In 20 years, users of both current family planning methods and modern methods have increased; users of traditional methods have decreased.