Sibel Erkal

Animal-related injuries: A population-based study of a five-state region in the upper midwest: Regional rural injury study II

PROBLEM While agricultural injury has been identified among the major causes of occupational injury mortality and morbidity, data have been limited pertinent to the magnitude, consequences, and potential risk factors for animal-related injuries -- a major source of morbidity among agricultural operations. METHODS Demographics, exposure, and injury data were collected for 1999 and 2001 among agricultural households in a five-state region. Causal models facilitated survey design, data analyses, and interpretation of results; directed acyclic graphs guided multivariate modeling. RESULTS From 7,420 households (84% response of eligible), a total of 5,045 injury events were reported; 1,016 (20.1%) were animal-related. Multivariate analyses revealed increased risks for those <20 years; residents of all states compared to Minnesota; all age groups compared to 0-4 years; >0 hours worked; and prior agricultural injury history. For those 20+ years, increased risks were identified for: South Dakota residents; males; >0 hours worked; and prior agricultural injury history. For those cases <20 and 20+ years of age, 58% and 46%, respectively, resulted in lost work time on their agricultural operations (31% and 50%, one week or more). CONCLUSIONS Animal-related injury has a major impact on the agricultural industry. Results serve as a basis for interventions and further research. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY The impact of animal-related injuries on the agricultural industry appears significant; among age groups <20 and 20+, 85% and 82%, respectively, had some resulting restriction. For all events combined, 29% and 30%, respectively, involved restriction from one week to 3+ months; 12% and 15% involved restriction for one month or more. Among those <20 and 20+ years of age, 58% and 46%, respectively, lost work time on their own agricultural operation as a result of injuries associated with their own operation; 22% and 15% lost one week or more. Moreover, of the non-agriculture-related injuries, 31% and 50% resulted in lost work time on their own operation; 15% and 28%, respectively, lost one week or more. Restrictions such as these can affect the productivity of the operation, resulting in financial impacts, especially on small operations that have few people to manage the required tasks.

Horse-related injuries among agricultural household members: regional rural injury study II (RRIS-II).

PURPOSE To determine the incidence, associated consequences, and potential risk factors for horse-related injuries among youth and adults residing in Midwestern agricultural households. METHODS Demographic, injury, and exposure data were collected for 1999 and 2001 among randomly selected agricultural households within a 5-state region. A causal model facilitated survey design, data analysis, and interpretation of results; directed acyclic graphs guided multivariate modeling. FINDINGS From 7,420 households (84% response of eligible), involving 32,601 persons, 5,045 total injury events were reported; 1,016 were animal-related injuries, of which 215 (21%) were horse-related (rate, 6.7 events per 1,000 persons per year). Seventy-seven percent (77%) required health care; comparing those under age 20 and those 20 and older, 49% and 54%, respectively, lost work time on their operation (28% and 26%, one week or more), as a result of injuries largely associated with horse riding activities (70% and 56%). Multivariate analysis for youths under age 20 indicated: increased risks in North and South Dakota, for >0 hours worked, and for having a history of prior agriculture-related injury; and decreased risks for males. For those 20 and older, increased risks were identified for a prior injury history and less than high school education. CONCLUSIONS Horse-related injuries, primarily associated with riding activities, are a significant problem among agricultural communities, and greatly impact their operations.

Risk of physical assault against school educators with histories of occupational and other violence: a case-control study.

A case-control study design was used to investigate risks of work-related physical assault (PA) associated with a history of violent victimization among educators. A total of 6,469 state-licensed educators (Kindergarten - Grade 12) worked in the previous 12~months and were eligible to participate. Exposure data were collected from cases (reporting a PA event in previous 12 months, n=290) for the month before PA, and from controls (no work-related PA in previous 12 months; n=867) for a randomly selected working month. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals identified increased risks for educators with any prior history of work-related (17.3, 11.4-26.3) or non-work-related PA (2.0, 1.2-3.5). In addition, PA risk in the previous twelve months increased with the number of previous victimizations, and risk also increased for educators with histories of non-physical violence (work- and non work-related). The results present a compelling case for targeted interventions and further research.

Home Safety, Safe Behaviors of Elderly People, and Fall Accidents at Home

The present study analyzed home safety and safe behaviors against fall accidents of elderly people living at home. The study group comprised 121 people aged 65+ living in the catchment area of Ankara Mamak Halil Ulgen Health Center. Data were collected via a personal information form and Home-Screen Scale. Statistical analysis used an independent samples t test and one-way ANOVA; the Tukey test was also applied. According to the average score of the issues of Home Screen Scale of elderly people, the issue of “sufficient illumination of rooms and corridors at nights” ( = 7.47) had the highest average in the Home-Safe subscale. The highest-scoring issue in the Safe-Behaviors subscale was “the individual puts on his/her shoes/slippers properly” ( = 7.49). It was found that the opinions of elderly people regarding the Home-Safe subscale and the Safe-Behaviors subscale differed significantly according to age and health security (p < .05). Recommendations are to eliminate the situations that result in falling risks in the houses in which old people live, to improve the overall environmental conditions in such houses, and to inform elderly people of relevant safety risks in a way that will help them develop safer behaviors.

Behavioral Approach to Financial Distress and Health

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between financial distress and health and financial behaviors among families in Ankara, controlling for socioeconomic characteristics, financial discussion with parents, negative financial events, and risk tolerance. Data was collected through a systematic sample in the neighborhood of Dr. Halil Ulgen Health Center (Mamak-Ankara, N = 600) in summer 2009. Bivariate results showed significant differences in financial distress levels by socioeconomic factors and financial behaviors. In addition, regression analysis showed that saving and self-reported health status was significantly related to financial distress when controlling for other factors.

Determination of University Student Attitudes Toward Violence

This study was aimed at determination of university student attitudes toward violence and examine it according to some individual characteristics. The questionnaire form and the 9-item attitudes toward violence scale were employed in the collection of the data. The study was conducted with 152 students attending the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Hacettepe University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences who were selected by random sampling method and who agreed to participate in the study. The data collected were analyzed with various statistical methods such as frequency and percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, t test and variance analysis. The results showed that the university students were, in general, against violence ( =1.45) and had a favorable attitude. The most unfavorable attitude was observed for the “sometimes people deserve a beating” item ( =2.08). Furthermore, a more unfavorable attitude was indicated in the male students, the students who were victims of domestic violence and those whose fathers perpetrated violence against their mothers, in comparison to the other groups.

An Investigation of University Students’ Attitudes Toward Environmental Sustainability

The adoption of pro-environmental behavior is critical to reduce negative environmental impacts and move toward a more sustainable future. The role of higher education in training professionals to protect the environment for the future is important. The aim of the study was to investigate university students’ attitudes toward environmental sustainability. In this descriptive study, 212 students studying child development and social work at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Kirikkale University completed a questionnaire on demographic characteristics and the sustainable environmental attitude scale. Descriptive statistics (e.g., frequency and percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, etc.) and t-tests and an analysis of variance were employed to analyze the differences between groups. The mean for university students’ attitudes toward environmental sustainability was ± SD = 3.28 ± 0.26. The results revealed that the students studying child development ( ± SD = 3.31 ± 0.23) were more environmentally conscious than those studying social work ( ± SD = 3.2 ± 0.30) and that knowledge and the level of awareness affected environmental consciousness. It appears that the greatest challenges faced are the rapid changes in knowledge about environmental issues. These changes need to be included in the curricula of universities. Keywords: Environment, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Sustainability, University Students

KADINLARIN EVLE İLGİLİ FAALİYETLERDE SORUMLULUK DAĞILIMI KONUSUNDAKİ DAVRANIŞ VE GÖRÜŞLERİ

Bu pilot calisma Ankara da yasayan kadinlarin evle ilgili faaliyetlerde sorumluluk dagilimi konusundaki davranis ve goruslerini belirlemek amaciyla planlanmis ve yurutulmustur. Arastirma farkli sosyoekonomik duzeydeki katilimcilari temsil edecegi dusunulen Ankara-Eryaman bolgesinde 2005 yilinda yapilmistir. Evreni temsil edebilecek orneklem sayisi istatistiksel yontemlerle belirlenmis ve toplam 600 kadin arastirma kapsamina alinmistir. Arastirma tanimlayici nitelikte bir calismadir. Hazirlanan anket formuna bagli olarak, veriler ailede kadin ile yapilan yuz yuze gorusme sonucu toplanmistir. Arastirma sonuclarina gore, evle ilgili fiziksel ve bazi sosyal aktiviteleri yurutmekten ailede kadinlar sorumludur. Kadinlar bazi sosyal ve ekonomik faaliyetlerin yurutulmesinde kadin ve erkegin birlikte sorumluluk almalari gerektigini dusunmektedirler. Bu sonuc kadinlarin evle ilgili faaliyetlerdeki geleneksel yapinin degismesi gerektigi dusuncesinde olduklarini gostermektedir.

Work-related assault against educators with a history of violence victimisation

Work-related violence is consistently ranked among the leading causes of occupational death in the USA. In addition, approximately 2 million non-fatal work-related assaults are reported annually. A case-control study design was used to investigate risks of work-related physical assault (PA) associated with a history of violent victimisation among educators. A total of 6469 state-licensed educators (Kindergarten Grade 12) worked in the previous 12 months and were eligible to participate. Exposure data were collected from cases (reporting a PA event in previous 12 months, n=290) for the month before PA, and from controls (no work-related PA in previous 12 months; n=867) for a randomly selected working month. Potential confounders were identified for multivariable logistic regression from directed acyclic graphs; re-weighting adjusted for potential biases. OR and 95% CI identified increased risks for educators with any prior history of work-related (17.3, 11.4 to 26.3) or non-work-related PA (2.0, 1.2 to 3.5). In addition, PA risk in the previous 12 months increased with the number of previous victimisations. Using zero prior work-related PA as a reference, risks increased for those with number of prior events: 1–3 (15.0, 9.7 to 23.1); 4–10 (21.5, 10.5 to 44.2); and more than 10 (43.7, 17.1 to 111.3). Risk also increased for those with non-work-related PA prior events: 1–3 (1.8, 1.0 to 3.1) and 4 or more (7.8, 1.7 to 36.7). In addition, risks also increased for educators with histories of non-physical violence (threats, sexual harassment, verbal abuse, bullying) – both work- and non work-related. The results present a compelling case for targeted interventions and further research.

Home Accidents and Assistance in Daily Activities of Older Women in Turkey.

This study analyzed the relation between incidents of at-home accidents and the assistance in daily activities of women age of 65+ living in the area of Dikmen Akpınar Health Care Unit in Ankara-Turkey. Of the women, 49.2% had experienced a home accident in the last 12 months. More than half of these accidents were caused by falling. Women over the age of 65 who were dependent with regard to daily activities had a significantly higher level of accident percentages. As the age and the dependence level in daily activities increased, the ratio of accidents increased.