BackgroundDuring an influenza pandemic, higher education institutions with large populations of young adults can become serious outbreak centers. Since outbreak management is essential to disease control, we aimed to examine university students' knowledge of and attitudes toward the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 and vaccination and other preventive measures.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 first year university students at Yeditepe University in Istanbul, Turkey between 1st and 30th of November 2009. Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics of the students, perceptions, level of knowledge and attitudes toward influenza pandemic and prevention measures were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed by the students affiliated with SANITAS, a university club of students in health related sciences.Results25.1% (101/402) of the study group perceived their personal risk of influenza as "high", while 40.5% (163/402) perceived it as "moderate", 20.6% (107/402) viewed it as "low" and 7.7% (31/402) indicated that it was "unknown". The risk perception of males was significantly lower than that of females (p = 0.004) and the risk perception among the students of health sciences was significantly lower than that of students of other sciences (p = 0.037). Within the study group, 72.1% (290/402) indicated that their main information source regarding H1N1 was the mass media. Health sciences students tended to rely more on the internet as an information source than other students (p = 0.015). The vast majority (92.8%; 373/402) of those interviewed indicated that they would not be vaccinated. The major concerns regarding vaccination had to do with the safety and side effects of the vaccine. Most of the participants (343/402, 85.3%) were carrying out one of prevention measures and the vast majority believed that hand washing, face mask and quarantina were effective measures for prevention.ConclusionThe participants had enough knowledge about H1N1 pandemic about the disease although there were still gaps and confusions in some areas. In the future, when planning management strategies regarding pandemics or outbreaks in higher education institutions, new strategies should be developed to promote positive health behaviour among university students compatible with the international guidelines. Main information source is mass media, so it seems that new policies must be developed to attract attention of students to use different and more scientific-based information sources.

Objective: This study aims to examine knowledge and attitudes towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine among medical students in Turkey, and find out whether they want to be trained in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between October and December 2010 among medical students. Data were collected from a total of seven medical schools. Findings: The study included 943 medical students. The most well known methods among the students were herbal treatment (81.2%), acupuncture (80.8%), hypnosis (78.8%), body-based practices including massage (77%) and meditation (65.2%), respectively. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal treatment and meditation were better known among female participants compared to males (p < 0.05). Females and first year students, generally had more positive attitudes. A larger proportion of female students compared to male students reported that a doctor should be knowledgeable about CAM (p = 0.001), and this knowledge would be helpful in their future professional lives (p = 0.015). Positive attitudes towards and willingness to receive training declined as the number of years spent in the faculty of medicine increased.Conclusions: Majority of the medical students were familiar with the CAM methods widely used in Turkey, while most of them had positive attitudes towards CAM as well as willingness to receive training on the subject, and they were likely to recommend CAM methods to their patients in their future professional lives. With its gradual scientific development and increasing popularity, there appears a need for a coordinated policy in integrating CAM into the medical curriculum, by taking expectations of and feedback from medical students into consideration in setting educational standards.

BackgroundDiarrhea is the third leading cause of death related to infectious diseases all over the world. The diseases related to viral gastroenteritis are gradually increasing, particularly in the developed countries. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency and to investigate the clinical manifestations of acute rotavirus and adenovirus gatroenteritis and to assess the diagnostic value of the related clinical findings.MethodsIn 2007-2008 patients with diarrhea and/or vomiting attended to Yeditepe University Hospital and related clinics, Istanbul, were studied. The rotavirus and/or adenovirus antigen in stool of these patients were investigated. Data regarding clinical findings were collected from the electronic records, retrospectively. Age, gender, symptoms, fever, antibiotic use, vomiting, number of vomiting and diarrhaeae, dehydration, abdominal pain, the other pathological physical examination findings were analyzed by the physicians in the study group. To investigate the rotavirus and adenovirus antigen CerTest Rota-Adeno Blister Test (CerTest, Biotec, Spain), a qualitative immunochromotographic assay was used. Statistical analysis wasperformed with SPSS v. 11,5 statistical software. X2 test was used for bivariate and logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis.ResultsRotavirus positivity was 18,7% (n = 126). Concomitantly, in 596 cases adenovirus antigen test were also performed. Adenovirus positivity was 8,9% (n = 53) and rota-adenovirus co-infection was 4,4% (n = 26). Most of rotavirus positive cases were seen in December, January, February and March (p < 0.001). In clinical parameters, there was a significant difference between rotavirus positive cases and negative cases regarding to vomiting, dehydration and vomiting and diarrhea coexistence (respectively p = 0.010, p < 0.00, p = 0.007).ConclusionRotavirus can be seen in all age groups, but more frequently in childhood. Although there is no clinical gold standard to distinguish the rotavirus cases from the other gastroenteritis agents, the findings of dehydration and vomiting-diarrhea coexistence, considering months of referral may lead clinician to perform rapid antigen tests and affect approach to the treatment. Prospective studies with representative samples are needed to determine the rotavirus and adenovirus incidence and to develop safe and reliable protective policies in our country.

BackgroundAdolescence is a crucial period for development of dietary behaviors that continue into adulthood and influence the risk of chronic diseases later in life. The aim of this study was to determine the eating patterns of adolescents' and their compliance with the Food Guide Pyramid.Methods625 students, aged between 11-15 years, from an elementary school in Istanbul, Turkey were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire of eating patterns (QEP) was administered to all participants. QEP is consisted of questions assessing the knowledge and behaviors on healthy eating, factors affecting food choice, physical activity status and demographical variables. Height and weight of all participants were measured. Physical activity status was determined by questioning about participation in regular sport activities, how much time spent watching TV, playing computer games or doing homework.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 12.15 ± 1.15 and 50.5% were female. According to body mass index (BMI) percentiles, 8.3% (52) were obese and 10.2% were overweight. 51% had breakfast every day and only 1.9% met all the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid. Among the participants, 31% have fast food at least once every day and 60.8% skip meals. When participants were asked to rate the factors effecting their food choice according to a 10 point Likert scale, the highest mean scores (high impact on food choice) were for the factors; family, health, body perception, teachers and friends; 7.5 ± 3.1, 7.4 ± 3.1, 6.1 ± 3.2, 4.8 ± 3.3 and 4.2 ± 3.0 respectively. Total mean time spent on all passive activities (TV, computer, reading homework etc) per day was 9.8 ± 4.7 hours.ConclusionsIn this study we have demonstrated that, adolescents do not have healthy eating patterns. Educational interventions should be planned to decrease the health risks attributable to their eating behaviors.

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status of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment, and to define in which way their perception of quality of life (QOL) is affected by socio-demographic characteristics, disease-related variables and laboratory findings. M Ma at te er ri ia al l a an nd d M Me et th ho od ds s: : In this cross-sectional study, 22 consecutive patients on CAPD treatment at a Training and Research Hospital (42%) and 30 consecutive patients on HD treatment at a private healthcare center (57%) -who met the eligilibity criteria-were evaluated in a period of three months between November 2004 and January 2005. The patients answered to two questionnaires with a face to face interview method. The first questionnaire was composed of questions regarding socio-demographic and disease-related variables. The second questionnaire was the Turkish version of The Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Status Survey, which was used to assess the general HRQOL. Data regarding laboratory findings and complications of chronic renal failure were collected from the patients' medical records. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : CAPD patients had better physical functioning (p= 0.003) and physical role limitation (p= 0.001) scores in certain SF-36 sub-domains compared to HD patients. There was a moderate positive correlation between albumin levels and physical function, while thrombocyte counts were negatively correlated with vitality and social function in HD patients. In the CAPD group, calcium and hematocrit levels were positively correlated with vitality. There was a negative correlation between phosphorus levels and mental health status and a negative correlation between potassium levels and general health status of CAPD patients. C Co on nc cl lu u--s si io on n: : In our study we observed higher quality of life scores in the CAPD group compared to the HD group especially in the area of physical function which may be explained by portability, easy application and mobility of these patients, which are some of the advantages compared to HD patients. Since QOL scores are affected by the modality of dialysis in ESRD patients, besides clinical parameters QOL status of these patients should also be considered in choosing the treatment modality and follow-up process.K Ke ey y W Wo or rd ds s: : Quality of life; renal dialysis; peritoneal dialysis, continuous ambulatory Ö ÖZ ZE ET T A Am ma aç ç: : Bu çalışmanın amacı, hemodiyaliz ve sürekli ayakta periton diyalizi tedavisi uygulanan son dönem böbrek yetmezliği hastalarında sağlığa-ilişkin yaşam kalitesinin karşılaştırılması ve sosyodemografik özellikler, hastalığa ilişkin değişkenler ve laboratuvar bulgularının bu hastaların yaşam kalitesini ne şekilde etkilediğini araştırmaktır. G Ge er re eç ç v ve e Y Yö ön nt te em ml le er r: : Bu kesitsel çalışmada, 2004 Kasım ve 2005 Ocak ayları arasında, çalışmaya uygunluk kriterlerini karşılayan, bir eğitim ve araştırma hastanesinde sürekli ayakta periton diyalizi uygulanan...

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Tüm dünyayı etkisi altına alan Covid-19 salgın sürecinin olumsuz sonuçları, henüz 2019-2020 öğretim yılı tamamlanmadan, yükseköğrenim kurumlarına da yansımış ve bu doğrultuda fakültemiz de eğitimin koordinasyonu bağlamında gerekli tedbirleri ivedilikle almıştır. Nitekim, fakültemizde eğitime yönelik tüm kurul, komisyon ve koordinatörlüklerin temsiliyetinin sağlandığı ve Tıp Eğitimi Anabilim dalı öğretim üyelerinin de yer aldığı "acil durum yönetimi" mantığı ile çalışmalarını yürüten bir üst kurul (Uzaktan Eğitim Komisyonu) oluşturmuştur. Bu kurul çalışmalarını yürütürken YÖK'ün ilgili duyuru ve tavsiye kararları, Tıp Eğitimi Programları Değerlendirme ve Akreditasyon Derneğinin önerilerini referans alarak ve Tıp Dekanları Konseyinin görüşlerinden de yararlanarak Mezuniyet Öncesi Tıp Eğitim Programını yeniden düzenlemiştir. Bu bağlamda eğitim programı çıktıları göz önünde bulundurularak öğrenme ve öğretme ve ölçme değerlendirme yöntemlerine yönelik uzaktan eğitim uygulamaları planlanmıştır. COVID-19 salgın sürecinin eğitime ilişkin en temel etkisi, özellikle başlangıç aşamasında olmak üzere, tüm sürece egemen bir belirsizlik atmosferinin oluşmuş olmasıdır. Bir dizi olumsuz etkilerinin yanında, olumlu çıkarımlara örnek olarak fakültemizde karar alma süreçlerini daha dinamik bir hale getirdiği ve hızlı karar alma gereksiniminin gerek idari gerekse de eğitim örgütlenmesi bağlamında katılımcı yönetimin aktif bir biçimde sürece katkı yapmasının önünü açtığı söylenebilir. Bu makalede, Covid-19 sürecinin fakültemiz mezuniyet öncesi tıp eğitimine yansımaları ve sürecin yönetim ve yürütülmesine ilişkin deneyimlerimizin paylaşılması amaçlanmıştır.