Naim Nur

Breast Cancer Knowledge and Screening Behaviors of the Female Teachers

Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women. The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about risk factors for breast cancer and screening behaviors among 468 female teachers who work in Sivas, Turkey. In this cross-sectional survey, a self-administered, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Up to one-half (52.4%) of the teachers thought that they had enough knowledge about breast cancer. The sources of that information were television (59.0%), newspapers (48.9%), and health professionals (24.1%); 58.5% of the teachers had a sufficient knowledge level about breast cancer risk factors. The most frequently reported risk factor was family history of breast cancer (94.9%), followed by getting older, high fat diet and having a first child at a late age (68.6%, 51.7%, and 45.1%, respectively). No significant differences were found in knowledge by age groups, having breast-related complaints, teaching experience, or marital status. Among the teachers, 43.9% had performed breast self-examination; yet only 10.5% of them performed it monthly. Only 22.3% of the teachers reported having at least one clinical breast-examination. Among the 136 women over the age of forty years, only 37.5% had had at least one mammogram. A significant association was noted between level of knowledge about breast cancer risk factors and use of breast self-examination. Also, being married and having breast-related complaints were significantly related to practicing clinical breast-examination and mammography. This study revealed a relatively low awareness about the knowledge and practice of screening methods among teachers. The relatively low rates of breast self-examination, clinical breast-examination, and mammography practiced by this group of teachers are of concern and suggest that increased awareness of these methods, their value, and how they should be conducted is needed.

The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on Mental Health Status Among Women of Reproductive Ages A Population-Based Study in a Middle Anatolian City

Violence against women has been recognized as both a major public health problem and a human rights violation worldwide. Research has documented the association between physical/sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health, measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) among women in reproductive age. This study underlines that different types of IPV is independently associated with mental health status. Results also show effects of IPV on mental health may not only be immediate but also be long term. These findings suggest that efforts to identify women with mental health problems should include screening for the types and history of IPV victimization.

Clinical and molecular analysis of common MEFV gene mutations in familial Mediterranean fever in Sivas population.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent hereditary inflammatory disease characterized by self-limited recurrent attacks of fever and serositis. The aim of the current study is to determine the frequency of the mutations in 365 suspected FMF patients and to reveal whether there is a correlation between genotype and phenotype of these patients. All patients were clinically examined according to Tell-Hashomer FMF criteria and were screened genetically in terms of common 12 Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) mutations. Various point mutations were detected in 270 (74%) patients. The most frequent mutation was M694V (26.85% of the alleles) and was followed by E148Q (15.55%), M680I (G/C) (9.62%) and V726A (7.96%). Patients who bear M694V homozygous mutation had most severe disease phenotype and high risk for amyloidosis (P = 0.04). Our results indicate that Sivas population has a wide range of heterozygous mutated carriers of MEFV gene and there is a high frequency of E148Q allele when compared to the other Mediterranean groups.

Association Between Domestic Violence and Miscarriage: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study Among Women of Childbearing Ages, Sivas, Turkey

Violence against women is a global issue, with ramifications for the reproductive health of women. The current study examined the relation of domestic violence (DV) to miscarriage among women who were victimized during their last pregnancy. The study was conducted in Sivas city center, in Turkey. Associations between self-reported DV and miscarriage were analyzed using multiple regression modeling. Physical and/or sexual DV during the last pregnancy was reported by 10.0% and 6.2% of women, respectively. Women who experienced physical violence were 2.5 times as likely (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–4.84, p = .003) to have experienced a miscarriage than women who did not report physical violence. These findings suggest that victims who experience physical violence during the last pregnancy may be more likely to experience miscarriage. Preventing DV, especially physical violence, may, therefore, be beneficial for avoiding adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Turkish school teachers’ knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS

Aim To assess Turkish school teachers’ knowledge, attitudes, and misconceptions of HIV/AIDS. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Sivas, Middle Anatolian province of Turkey, from January to May 2009. We selected and interviewed 898 teachers using a simple systematic sampling method. Results All respondents heard about AIDS. Most knew that it could be transmitted by infected blood (98.0%) and sexual contact (93.4%) and some (33.2%) thought that it could be transmitted by mosquitoes. Although the majority of them strongly agreed or agreed with the statement that “people with AIDS should be helped, supported and treated” (98.0%), about 40% and 70% of them, respectively, agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that infected people should be quarantined. Young teachers with a higher level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS had more positive attitudes. Conclusion This study provided basic information on school teachers’ AIDS knowledge and attitudes and showed that various misconceptions of HIV transmission were a matter of concern. A considerable number of respondents with undesirable attitudes toward HIV/AIDS indicates the need for education of teachers on the subject.

Socioeconomic disparities among ever-married Turkish women who had unintended pregnancies and abortions in a middle Anatolian city.

Researchers undertook a cross-sectional study to examine socioeconomic disparities, unintended pregnancies, and decisions about induced abortions among ever-married women in the urban area of Sivas, Turkey. The data for the present study were gathered from a randomly-selected, household-based probability sample of 1,264 ever-married Turkish women. Unintended pregnancies accounted for 46.2% of total pregnancies and, of these, 30% ended in induced abortion. The proportion of induced abortion among all pregnancies was 21.7%. Multiple logistic regression analyses with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) showed that being aged less than 35 years (aOR = 2.14, p < 0.001), having less than a high school education (aOR = 2.18, p < 0.001), being unemployed (aOR = 2.77, p < 0.001), having more than three children (aOR = 1.54, p = 0.006), and having lower income (aOR = 2.11, p < 0.001) were associated with unintended pregnancies. Among women with unintended pregnancy, having more than three children (aOR = 3.06, p < 0.001), lower income (aOR = 3.39, p < 0.001), and age less than 35 years (aOR = 2.57, p < 0.001) were associated with induced abortion. These findings suggest that lower socioeconomic status was associated with induced abortion among women facing an unintended pregnancy. Women who experience unintended pregnancies, who have lower socioeconomic status and education level, should be the target group for midwives and other relevant healthcare providers for educational efforts regarding family planning and contraception.

Association of risk factors with smoking during pregnancy among women of childbearing age: an epidemiological field study in Turkey

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Smoking during pregnancy is an important risk factor for maternal and infant health that is preventable. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with smoking behavior during pregnancy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A household-based probability sample survey of 1,510 women was conducted in the center of the city of Sivas, Turkey, between September 2013 and May 2014. METHODS: The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy was estimated according to independent variables by means of regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy was 16.5%. Logistic regression showed that being at a relatively young age (odds ratio, OR = 1.92, P = 0.025 for 15-24 age group; and OR = 2.45, P = 0.001 for 25-34 age group), having a low educational level (OR = 1.76, P = 0.032), being unmarried (OR = 1.48, P = 0.002) and living in an extended family (OR = 1.98, P = 0.009) were the factors associated with the risk of smoking during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic attention should be paid to socioeconomic inequalities, to support women towards quitting smoking before or at an early stage of their pregnancies. Younger women and particularly those in lower socioeconomic groups should be targeted. This will lead to better pregnancy status, especially among young women.