Ümit Biçer

Landmine associated injuries in children in Turkey

This study aims to examine trends of injuries due to landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and to determine problems during and after the treatment of children and adolescent victims in Turkey. Data from the records of 23 children injured from landmines and UXO were analyzed from April 2001 to October 2008. Cases consist of 21 (91.3%) males and two (8.7%) females with a mean age of 12.8 years. Cause of injury was landmine explosion in 20 (87.0%) and UXO in three (13.0%) cases. Injuries in upper and lower extremities were determined in eight (34.8%) children. Hand amputation was the result in 10 (43.5%) children where in two cases a leg, in one case an eye, in one case a hand and arm, in two cases a hand and leg, in one case an eye and a leg and in three cases a hand and eye were lost. One case of death was recorded from UXO with an autopsy performed. Contaminated areas in our region should be cleared according to international contracts to prevent injuries in children, centers providing rehabilitation services should be established and policies regarding social support for child victims should be ascertained.

Fatal Occupational Injuries among Workers in Kocaeli, Turkey, 1990–1999

Abstract The authors evaluated occupational accidents in Kocaeli, Turkey, using epidemiologic criteria. Data were derived from the registries of the service on Occupational Injuries and Diseases of the Social Insurance Institutions District Authority in Kocaeli. The analysis was based on data from 387 deaths. The rates of occupational injuries and mortality and fatalities from them were 5.1 %, 30.6 per 100,000 workers, and 6.0%, respectively, compared with 2.8%, 35.2 per 100.000 workers, and 12.7% in Turkey. Sectors with the highest rates of fatal occupational injuries were construction (30.2%), transportation (13.2%), basic metal industry (9.0%), manufacturing of metal products (5.9%), and heating with electricity, gas, and steam (5.9%). 38.2% of these workers were 25–34 years old. Nearly all were male, most were married, and three fourths had children. Of all deaths due to occupational injuries, 121 (31.3%) were caused by traffic injuries, 93 (24.1 %) by falling from high places, and 43 (11.1%) by electrocution; 89% occurred at workplaces, 42% of the workplaces were small, and 45.9% of the deceased workers had been working there for less than three months. Although the situation was better than that in the rest of Turkey in terms of epidemiologic criteria, the death rates, as in other developing countries, are higher than those in the world in general.

The Evaluation of Suicide Letters in Turkey From a Cognitive Perspective

BACKGROUND Different methods are used to understand the suicidal mind. Suicide note analysis may be most direct way to do this. AIMS To study the content of suicide letters under forensic evaluation in terms of psychological and cognitive aspects. METHODS A total of 51 letters were referred to The Council of Forensic Medicine from different cities of Turkey and analyzed by a research group with ten members including forensic medicine specialists and psychiatrists. The Questionnaire of Content Analysis of Suicide Letters (The Q-CAS), developed by researchers, was used to analyze the cognitive and cultural themes of suicide letters. The cognitive distortions about the self, the world, and the future as well as cultural phenomena were evaluated including sociodemographic features. RESULTS Financial problems in males and relationship problems in females were the most frequent life events related to suicide. Hopelessness, weakness, loneliness--in decreasing order--were the most predominant cognitions and emotions. The total score of females were higher than that of males (p=.002). CONCLUSIONS These negative cognitions should be taken into consideration when therapeutic interventions are planned on individuals with suicidal thoughts.

Kocaeli Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Adli Tıp Anabilim Daltna Başvuran Çocuklara Yönelik Cinsel İstismar Olguları 1998-2006

Child sexual abuse is the abuse of the child, who has not yet completed his/her sexual development, by an adult for sexual arousal. Misdiagnosed sexual abuse is the cause of either suspect’s being punished or harming of unguilt as well as preventing children’s protection. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate child sexual abuse cases with their characteristics and examination periods which are informed to Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine. Between 1998-2006, the reports and files of cases at the registers of Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, examined retrospectively. Fifty cases (3,1%)under the heading of sexual abuse are included in the study. It is determined that 62% of cases are females, 38% of them are males and 60 % of the cases are under the age of 12. It is also determined that suspects are mostly the cases’ acquaintances (70%) and all of suspects are males. In the 36% (n= 18) of the cases, the questions are asked towards physical diagnosis, in 50% (n = 25) of the cases, the questions were oriented towards mental health, while 14% (n=7) of the cases are examined through both physical and mental evaluations. Impairment of mental health which can be considered as the result of sexual abuse are determined in the 60,5% (n=23) of 38 mental-oriented cases. After recent legal arrangement, a significant increase in sexual abuses is observed and recorded in Department of Forensic Medicine. The organisation and functioning of the units connected to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Justice are considered unsuitable for the evaluation of sexual abuse. Foundation of Center of Sexual Abuse Evaluation would provide early treatment of present or probable pathologies as well as precise diagnosis.Key words: Child, sexual abuse, mental evaluation, child psychiatry