Smoking patterns were similar to Western countries in several aspects, while male prevalence rates were higher and the impact of gender-related predictors was significant. Our findings suggest that youth smoking prevention policies should address personal, familial and educational environmental level requirements, taking into consideration the gender differences in addition to international guidelines.

Background: Avian influenza threatens public health worldwide because it is usually associated with severe illness and, consequently, a higher risk of death. During the first months of 2006, Turkey experienced its first human avian influenza epidemic. A total of 21 human cases were identified, 12 of which were confirmed by the National Institute for Medical Research. Nine of the cases, including the four fatal ones, were from the Dogubeyazit-Van region. This study aims to evaluate the efforts at the avian influenza outbreak control in the Van-Dogubeyazit region in 2006 through the experiences of health personnel.

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Background: The mode of delivery influences breastfeeding practices. High rates of caesarean section and low breastfeeding rates are important public health concerns for all developing countries. This study aimed to determine the relationship between caesarean section and early breastfeeding practices among primiparae. Methods: Data for primiparae with a singleton birth (N = 777) obtained from the 2013 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey were used in this retrospective cohort study. Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery and exclusive breastfeeding during the first three days following birth were evaluated. Standardised incidence rates and standardised rate ratios of non-early initiation of breastfeeding and non-exclusive breastfeeding were calculated according to the mode of delivery. Results: The late initiation of breastfeeding and non-exclusive breastfeeding incidence rates were 42.7 and 41.0%, respectively. The standardised incidence rate of late initiation of breastfeeding among women with vaginal delivery was 35.34%, versus 50.49% among those with caesarean delivery. The standardised rate ratios for late initiation of breastfeeding and non-exclusive breastfeeding were 1.428 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.212-1.683) and 1.468 (95% CI: 1.236-1.762), respectively. Women who underwent caesarean section had a higher risk of late initiation of breastfeeding and non-exclusive breastfeeding during the three days following delivery, after controlling for sociodemographic and delivery-related factors. Conclusions: This study provides useful evidence for the implementation of strategies to prevent unnecessary caesarean sections, which negatively affect not only maternal health but also neonatal health. The promotion of mother-friendly policies by healthcare institutions, implemented in a baby-friendly manner, is essential.

There was a big difference between poor and wealthy neighbourhoods in utilization of prenatal care. This difference was partly due to a contextual effect of neighbourhood status; but mostly due to individual-level variables. Improving the quality of prenatal care may increase not only the benefits of prenatal care, but also its utilization, especially in the public sector. Health and social policies have to take into account diversity among individuals and neighbourhoods in the course of efforts to improve service quality.

Objective:To evaluate changes in epidemiologic characteristics for HIV/AIDS in Turkey since 1985, management of HIV-positive pregnancies, and how new-borns and infants would be protected by anti-viral therapy (AVT).Materials and Methods:The World Health Organization (WHO) progress reports, 2013 UNAIDS Global AIDS epidemic reports, Turkish Ministry of Health HIV/AIDS reports, and distribution tables that we published for specific time frames (1985-2013) according to sex, age, age groups, and possible transmission routes were used and the groups were compared.Results:Although there were 35.3 (32.2-38.8) million people who were HIV(+) in the world as of 2013, only 9.7 million received AVTs. In Turkey, the total number of people with HIV/AIDS reported between 1985-2013 was 7050. There was a dramatic upward trend, with a peak in 2012 (n=1068). Sexually transmitted infection was the most common, and 4 drug use and blood transfusions showed a proportional increase. A total of 77 infections passed from mother to baby; seven cases have been reported in the last two years.Conclusion:Turkey is obliged to create an effective surveillance system for the prevention of HIV. The WHO proposed a new treatment protocol (option B+) in 2013 to prevent HIV mother-child transmission.

Men and women are not resistant to contraception, but they are reluctant to use medical methods. The provision of contraceptive services, with special attention to cultural and religious beliefs and values, and the inclusion of appropriate counseling and education sessions during service delivery, may give clients new options and increase the use of medical methods.

Home healthcare services in Turkey are provided primarily to patients that are bedridden or seriously disabled. There are no such services integrated with hospital services that are specifically designed for cancer patients. The present study aimed to explore the home healthcare needs of cancer patients and their experiences related to unmet home healthcare needs. The study included 394 adult cancer patients who were followed up at the surgical oncology department of a university hospital. A 37-item, study-specific questionnaire and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for cancer patients (EORTC-QLQ-C30) were administered, and patient clinical records were evaluated. Home healthcare was provided primarily by the patients' immediate family members; the professional home healthcare usage rate was only 2.8%. Patient quality of life (QoL) was negatively affected by cancer, especially those with stage three and four disease. The frequency of the need for home healthcare services due to disease-related health problems during the 30 days prior to administration of the questionnaires was as follows: pain (62.9%), surgical wound care (44.9%), injection of therapeutics (52.3%), gastrointestinal complaints (51.8%), anxiety (87.1%), psychosocial assistance (77.2%) and information about cancer (94.4%). In the absence of home healthcare services, the patients primarily used institutional healthcare services to meet their needs; otherwise, their needs were not met. The physical and psychosocial problems that cancer patients experience could be solved in most cases by professional home healthcare services. Hospital-integrated home healthcare services might not only improve cancer patient QoL but might also increase the effectiveness of hospital-based healthcare services.