No abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic prescription rates for upper respiratory tract infections (uRTIs) by primary care physicians in Samsun, Turkey. Data were obtained from the records of 2,083 visits to 8 primary care areas. Trained research students were stationed on site at each of the 8 primary care areas during the study period. Clinical features of patients were documented on a standardized form. Patients who had acute pharyngitis, acute sinusitis, acute otitis media (AOM) and common cold were included in the study. This survey was conducted between June 1, 1999 and July 1, 1999. A total of 2,083 office visits were recorded and 502 (24.1%) of the patients had uRTIs. Physicians approached these conditions empirically, with only 2.9% of patients having a diagnostic test at initial examination. Antibiotics were prescribed for 461 patients (91.8%) with uRTIs (common cold: 41.9%, acute pharyngitis: 94.7%, acute sinusitis: 94.1% and AOM: 100%). 11.5% of the antibiotic prescriptions were inconsistent with current recommendations derived from the literature. Inadequate antibiotic prescribing was documented in 29.7% of antibiotic prescriptions. Errors were frequent in relation to dosage, dosage interval and duration of therapy. Overuse of antibiotics is widespread in our geographic area. Both administrative and educational intervention should be implemented to improve antibotic prescribing habits at the primary health care level to reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents.

No abstract

Pregnancy in adolescence has been and continues to be a problem in public health. The purpose of this study was to investigate obstetric outcomes of adolescent pregnancies in Samsun, Turkey. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2004, at 3 hospitals in Samsun, Turkey. Of the 10,100 women who gave birth during this period, 357 (3.5%) were 18 years of age or younger; these patients were included in the study. Participants with a history of any chronic disease were excluded. Data were provided as median values (min- max) and percentages. In this study, the rate of birth for females 18 years or younger was found to be 35 per 1000. The median age of participants was 18 (14-18) years. The prevalence of cesarean section was calculated at 55.7%. Prevalences of low-birthweight infants, preterm delivery, and eclampsia/preeclampsia were recorded as 44 (12.3%), 34 (9.5%), and 30 (8.4%) cases, respectively. Although the stillbirth rate was determined to be 1.7%, no congenital deformity was noted in infants, and none of the mothers died. The cephalopelvic disproportion rate was 5.9%, and only 2 adolescents experienced abruptio placentae. To reduce the occurrence of adolescent childbearing, pregnancy intentions must be assessed in multiple ways. Information/education may provide benefit to those female adolescents with inconsistent pregnancy intentions.

GirişDünya Sağlık Örgütü'nün (DSÖ) 10-19 yaş arası olarak tanımladığı ergenler, dünyadaki her beş kişiden birini oluşturur; ergenlerin yaklaşık %85'i gelişmemiş ülkelerde yaşar (1). Türkiye'de 2010 yılı Adrese Dayalı Nüfus Kayıt Sistemi verilerine göre ergen yaş grubu nüfusu 12.846.048 (%17,4) kişidir (2). Ülkemizin de içinde olduğu DSÖ Avrupa Bölgesi'nin 21. yüzyılda ulaşmayı amaçladığı "Öncelikli 21 Sağlık Hedefi" listesinde gençlerin sağlığının geliştirilmesi hedefi ilk sıralarda gelmektedir (3). DSÖ yetişkinlerdeki erken ölümlerin yaklaşık %70'ine ergenlik döneminde başlayan davranışların sebep olduğunu tahmin etmektedir (1). Örneğin erken yaşta sigaraya başlayan kişiler erişkin çağda daha sık sigaraya bağlı hastalıklara yakalanmakta ve ölmektedirler (4).Türkiye'de sigara içme sıklığı yetişkinlerde %33,4, gençlerde %6,9 dur (5). Yapılan çalışmalarda sigara bağımlısı olan erişkinlerin çoğunun bu alışkanlığı 18 yaşından önce kazandıkları saptanmıştır (6-8). Sigara firmaları bugünün ergenlerini yarının potansiyel müşterileri olarak görmektedir. Sigara epidemisi küresel bir fenomendir. Ergenlerde sigara içmeyi etkileyen sosyodemografik, kişisel ve çevresel etkiler gibi pek çok faktör bulunmaktadır (9). Okul yaşlarındaki çocuklarda sigara kullanımını sosyal öğrenme doğrudan etkilemektedir. Arkadaş baskısı, anne-baba ya da kardeşlerin sigara içimi, öğretmen, sanatçı, usta, sporcu gibi sevdikleri ve önemsedikleri kişilerin sigara içmele-Erciyes Med J 2012; 34(2): 79-84 • ABSTRACT ÖZETObjective: This study was designed to determine the levels of cigarette, alcohol and substance use among high school students in the Samsun provincial centre. Material and Method:The study population consisted of 26,707 students attending 40 high schools. Contact was established with 951 students, 92.7% of the study sample. "Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance" survey questions were used in formulating the questionnaire. Results:Nine hundred and fifty-one students, 468 female (49.21%) and 483 male (50.79%), participated. Non-smoking among females (75.21%) was significantly higher than among males (64.39%). As students progressed through school, levels of smoking at least one cigarette and of smoking every day in the previous month increased significantly. Levels of using alcohol at least once and of drinking and intoxication in the preceding month were higher among male students. Levels of intoxication rose significantly with progress through school. The number of students stating that they had used any substance during their lives was 3.15%, and was significantly higher among males (4.55%) compared to females (1.70%). Conclusion:Smoking and alcohol and substance use are more common among males. This must be considered in deterrent campaigns targeting this age group.