AIDS knowledge and attitudes in a Turkish population: an epidemiological study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate and present some pertinent comments concerning Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions among the general population in a city of west Turkey. This study was deemed important and relevant due to the increasing importance of AIDS in Turkey and the other countries. METHODS: Using a multistage area sampling method, a random sample of individuals aged 11–83 years, living in 65 different quarters in the city of Eskisehir, Turkey during September, October and November 2004 were interviewed. RESULTS: In all, 1048 respondents completed the survey. In most items, respondents displayed a fairly good to excellent degree of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Individuals with higher degrees of education indicated more correct responses in all items relating to knowledge of HIV/AIDS. In general, the respondents' attitudes towards AIDS and people with AIDS were found to be tolerant and positive, with one answer choice showing that the majority of the respondents agreed with the statement that those with HIV/AIDS must be supported, treated and helped (90.7%). Moreover, the proportions of the respondents' misconceptions were found to be significantly low for all the items. However, nearly one fourth of the respondents agreed with the misconceptions 'AIDS is a punishment by God' and 'One is not infected with HIV/AIDS if engaged in sport and well nourished'. CONCLUSION: In general HIV/AIDS related knowledge was high and people showed positive attitudes. However, people continue to hold misconceptions about AIDS and these need to be addressed by health education programs targeting those at higher risk

Prevalence of polycystic ovarian changes and polycystic ovary syndrome in premenopausal women with treated type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objecti{dotless}ve: To investigate the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and polycystic ovary (PCO) among premenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Desi{dotless}gn: Case-control study of women with type 2 DM. Setti{dotless}ng: Tertiary referral university hospital. Pati{dotless}ent(s): Ninety-two premenopausal women with DM, ?30 years of age, and 20 age- and body mass index-matched healthy premenapousal eumenorrheic women were recruited into the study. Interventi{dotless}on(s): An oral glucose tolerance test was performed according to the American Diabetes Association criteria for each healthy woman. After an overnight fasting, blood samples were obtained for the determination of fasting blood glucose, LH, FSH, free T, androstenedione (A4), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), DHEAS, PRL, free T4, TSH, E2, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. A GnRH analog (buserelin) test was carried out in 36 patients with DM and PCO (including PCOS subjects), 20 patients with DM without PCO or PCOS, and 20 healthy subjects. Mai{dotless}n Outcome Measure(s): The prevalence of PCO and PCOS in women with type 2 DM. Result(s): Fifty-seven (62%) of diabetic patients had normal ovaries, 31 (33.7%) had PCO, and 4 (4.3%) had PCOS. The women with DM (n = 92) and healthy women (n = 20) had similar basal A4, FSH, E2, 17-OHP, free T, and DHEAS levels. The LH and SHBG levels were lower and the hirsutism score higher in diabetic patients than in healthy women (P<.05). Peak and area under the curve LH and FSH levels after buserelin testing were significantly higher in healthy women than in the patients (P<.05). Peak A4 levels after buserelin were significantly higher in the patients than in the healthy women (P<.05). Ovarian volume was significantly greater in the patients with PCO (10.1 ± 0.7 mL) than in the healthy women (7.0 ± 0.9 mL) (P<.05). Conclusion(s): We conclude that PCO but not PCOS is a common finding in premenopausal women with type 2 DM. Suppression of gonadotropins, particularly LH secretion, may play a role in the absence of increased PCOS prevalence among type 2 diabetic patients. © 2006 American Society for Reproductive Medicine

A patient-based study on the adherence of physicians to guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes in Turkey.

Aims: To evaluate physicians' adherence to guidelines by Diabetes Study Group of The Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Turkey (SEMT)