Özgür Ersoy

Evaluation of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in smokers and Maras powder users

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in smokers, Maras powder users and non-users of tobacco products by using the Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-report Scale (ASRS). Methods: The study was performed on 446 males presenting to family health centers in Kahramanmara, Turkey. Of 446 participants, 104 were Maras powder users, 133 were smokers and 209 were volunteers not using any tobacco products. Data were collected with a questionnaire composed of questions about socio-demographic features and features of smoking and Maras powder use, and the Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Scale and the ASRS. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.94 ± 10.68 years (min = 18, max = 64). There was no significant difference in age between the study groups (P = 0.089). Thirty-one participants (7.0%) received scores higher than the cut-off value (≥ 14 points) for the short form of the ASRS. Twenty-one participants (4.7%) achieverd scores higher than the cut-off value (≥ 44 points) for the ASRS. The smokers received the highest scores of 8.42 ± 3.79 for all the subscales of the short version of the ASRS, 26.87 ± 10.46 for the ASRS, 12.57 ± 6.47 for the attention deficit subscale and 14.30 ± 5.35 for the hyperactivity and impulsivity subscale. Conclusion: Higher rates of the smokers and the Maras powder users had symptoms of ADHD. Considering nicotine may decrease symptoms of ADHD, it can be assumed that the rates of the smokers and Maras powder users with ADHD are higher.

Knowledge of and attitudes towards Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in patients presenting to family health centers in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

The aim of this study was to reveal knowledge of and attitudes towards Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in patients presenting to family health centers in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. The study was carried out on 98 patients presenting to five family health centers in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, in February 2014. The patients were informed about the study and those giving written informed consent were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 36.01±13.43 years (18-68). Out of 98 patients included in the study, 41 (41.8%) were males and 57 (58.2%) were females. None of the patients were offered education about Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic Fever. Eighteen patients (18.4%) noted that they had sufficient information about the disease, but 80 patients (80.6%) noted that they did not have sufficient information. Forty-three patients (43.9%) wanted to receive education about the disease, but 55 (56.1%) did not want to get education. Thirty-six males (87.8%) and 43 females (75.4%) noted that they heard about the disease before. Twelve points three percent of the females and 2.4% of the males found it right to kill ticks by pressing a cigarette lit on it or by lighting it. Thirtyfour females (82.9%) and 44 males (77.2%) reported that Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever could be transmitted by tick bites. The results of the study revealed that the patients presenting to family health centers did not have sufficient information and did not have desired attitudes towards Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Oral Candida carriage and prevalence of Candida species among Maras powder users and non-users

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate Candida carriage and species in Maras powder users and non-users. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 100 volunteering men in 12 cafés in the city of Kahramanmaras, Turkey. A questionnaire composed of questions about socio-demographic features and Maras powder use was filled in by the participants. Culture specimens were obtained from bilateral buccal mucosa and dorsum of the tongue with a sterile cotton-tipped swap. The specimens were inoculated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 48.0 ± 12.5 years (min = 20, max = 70). Fifty-four percent of the Maras powder users and 22% of the non-users were Candida carriers. The difference between the groups was significant (P = 0.001). The most frequently isolated species was Candida albicans at a rate of 44% in the Maras powder users and at a rate of 18% in the non-users. Other frequent species were Candida glabrata at a rate of 6% in the Maras powder users and 2% in the control group and Candida tropicalis at a rate of 4% in the Maras powder users and 2% in the nonusers. CONCLUSION We found that a significantly high rate of the Maras powder users was Candida carriers. It should be kept in mind that opportunistic infections may be caused by Candida species in Maras powder users especially with immunosuppressive conditions since Candida species are likely to lead to such infections in cases of immunosuppressive diseases.

Lise Öğrencilerinin Hepatit B Hastalığı Konusunda Bilgi Düzeyleri

Amac: Calismamizda HBV icin riskli bir grup olan lise ogrencilerinin, Hepatit B hastaligi konusundaki bilgi duzeylerinin belirlenmesi amaclanmistir. Gerec ve Yontem: Calismamiz kesitsel tipte bir calisma olup Ocak 2014‟te Kahramanmaras il merkezinde bulunan 42 lise arasindan 8 lisedeki ogrenciler calismaya alindi. Ogrenciler calisma oncesinde bilgilendirildi ve yazili onam veren 473 ogrenci calismaya dahil edildi. Ogrencilere arastirmacilar tarafindan hazirlanan anket uygulandi. Ogrencilerin Hepatit B konusunda bilgi duzeyini belirlemek uzere literatur bilgisinden hazirlanan 23 soru, her bir soru bir puan olacak sekilde degerlendirildi Istatiksel analiz SPSS 20.0 paket programi kullanilarak yapildi. Bulgular: Calismada yer alan katilimcilarin 277‟si (%58.6) kadin, 196‟si (%41.4) ise erkekti. Ogrencilerin yas ortalamasi 15.59±0.99 (min=14, max=20) olarak saptandi. Hepatit B hastaligi konusunda ogrencilerin bilgi puani ortalamasi 8.33±4.19 (min=0, max=21) olarak bulundu. Erkek ve kadin ogrencilerin bilgi puaninin benzer oldugu belirlendi (p=0.563). On ikinci sinif ogrencilerin bilgi puan ortalamasinin, daha alt sinifta yer alan ogrencilere gore daha yuksek seviyede oldugu tespit edildi (p<0.0001). Hepatit B hastaligina yonelik sorulan bilgi sorularinda en cok dogru yanit verilen onermede, ogrencilerin 333‟u (%70.4) „kan yolu ile bulasir‟, dogru yanitini verdi. Sonuc: Calismamizda lise ogrencilerinin Hepatit B konusunda bilgi seviyesinin dusuk oldugu belirlendi. Hepatit B hastaligina yonelik koruyucu saglik politikalari olusturulmasinda Saglik Bakanligi ile Milli Egitim Bakanliginin politika gelistirmesine ihtiyac duyulmaktadir.

Efficicacy of an education program on smoking and its hazards: Evaluation of a conference

Uzm. Dr. Hamit Sırrı Keten, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Aile Hekimliği Anabilim Dalı Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, Tel. 0 553 391 95 82 Email. hsketen@hotmail.com Geliş Tarihi: 16.08.2013 • Kabul Tarihi: 13.11.2013 ABSTRACT AIM: The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of civil servants, religious and health offi cials attending to a conference regarding smoking hazards, and to determine the effects of an education program about smoking hazards. METHODS: Among civil servants, religious and health offi cials (n=90) working in Kahramanmaraș, those attended to a conference regarding smoking hazards were asked to fi ll a questionnaire before and after the conference. The questionnaire comprised 20 questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics, tobacco products and related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. One point was given for each question to assess the level of knowledge about smoking hazards. Change of the level of the knowledge about the hazards of smoking was analyzed by comparing the data obtained before and after the conference. RESULTS: The age of the participants ranged between 18 and 58 years, with a mean age of 40.0±8.6 years. Out of 90 participants, 67 (74.4%) were male and 23 (25.6%) were female. Of these, 40 (44.4%) were cigarette smokers, 5 (5.6%) were Maraș Powder users, while 2 (2.2%) participants were both smokers and Maraș Powder users. Seven (53.8%) of nurses, 6 (54.5%) of midwives, 25 (73.5%) of civil servants, and 2 (6.2%) of imams were cigarette smokers. Smoking rate among women was 52.2%, while it was 41.8%in men. The average knowledge level score was 15.8±2.8 before education and 17.0±2.4 after education. After training, the level of knowledge increased signifi cantly (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Level of knowledge of participants was signifi cantly increased after the conferences. For an effi cient fi ght against smoking, periodic education of some groups of people having infl uential effect on the society seems to be benefi cial.