Survey of general practitioners' knowledge about Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori, occurring throughout the world and causing gastroduodenal diseases, is one of the most common chronic bacterial agents in humans. The purpose of this study was to measure the general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge and practices pertaining to H. pylori infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional type questionnaire survey was conducted in all of 19 primary health care centres (PHCC) in Samsun, Turkey, between November 1 and December 31, 2003. The questionnaire was sent to 124 GPs and 109 (87.9 %) of those filled in. They were requested to answer the questions on the knowledge, sources of medical information, diagnostic tests and treatment to H. pylori. RESULTS: Medical journals were the most frequently used source of information on H. pylori, being cited by 86 (78.9%) of GPs. Ninety-two (84.4%) of the GPs reported having used one or more tests and 17 (15.6%) never used any test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Only 9.8% had used stool antigen test for diagnosis. GPs reported that they would prescribe symptomatic treatment without ordering diagnostic tests for 29 (26.6%). 54.1% of the GPs explain that they sent patients with H. pylori infection to a specialist, and most used a triple drug regimen containing a PPI. Treatment duration varies between 7 to 28 days. 80.7 of the GPs treat patients for 14 days. CONCLUSION: GPs may not have enough knowledge about the importance of stool antigen test or possibility of usage of this test. GPs have not sufficient knowledge about the difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. It is thought that GPs preferred to treat the patients with suspected ulcer empirically or to send them to a specialist because of the limited diagnostic conditions. The efforts to educate the GPs about the algorithms regarding the management of H. pylori infection during post-graduation period should be improved in PHCCs

Ownership and Use of Mobile Phone – A Population based Study Physical Education and Sport College Students in Turkey

AbstractPurposeRecent years have seen a rapid increase in the use of mobile phones, raising concers about possible adverse health effecets. The present study aims to find out the prevalence of mobile phone usage of the students educated in sports training in the university.Material and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out 01 October and 31 May in 2010. 1325 students (94.5%) out of total 1402 studying in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Schools of five different universities located on the Black Sea accepted to participate in the study. A questionnaire form was applied to the participants under the observation of the researchers.ResultsIn the study, although 1036 (78.2%) of the students said that mobile phones had adverse health effects, it was found that 1305 (98.5%) students used mobile phones, 251 (18.9%) had more than one mobile phone and each talk took the least median 3 (1-14) minutes and the most median 10 (1-14) minutes. 506 (38.8%) of the mobile phone users said that they talked on the mobile phone while driving.ConclusionAs a result, it was found that the use of mobile phones among the students was common and they usually carried their mobile phones on them during their classes. Even though mobile phones are important for those students studying away from their homes to keep in touch with their families, it is suggested that they should pay attention to some practices while using their mobile phones

UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTİONS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS: DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL FEATURES

Amaç: Literatürde psoriyazisli olgularda bakteriyel veya viral boğaz enfeksiyonlarının deri lezyonlarının oluşumu ve/veya alevlenmesini tetikleyebildiği bildirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada psoriyazis vulgaris klinik alt tiplerinde Üst Solunum Yolu Enfeksiyonu (ÜSYE) sıklığının değerlendirilmesi ve ÜSYE olan olgulardaki klinik ve demografik özelliklerin ÜSYE olmayan olgularla karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve yöntem: Retrospektif olarak planlanmış çalışmamızda kliniğimizde yatan 258 psoriyazis vulgaris olgusunun dosyası psoriyazis klinik tipi, demografik veriler, psoriyazis alan şiddet indeksi ve eşlik eden ÜSYE'ları açısından taranmıştır. Klinik olarak plak psoriyazisli olgular "stabil", guttat psoriyazisli veya guttat saçılımları olan plak psoriyazisli olgular ise "aktif" psoriyazis olarak tanımlanmıştır. Bulgular: Toplam 258 psoriyazis olgusunun 188 (%72,9)'inin aktif psoriyazis, 70 (%27,1)'inin ise stabil psoriyazis klinik özelliklerini taşıdığı saptanmıştır. Toplam 103 (%39,9) olguda ÜSYE belirlenmiş olup, aktif psoriyazisli olgularda %45,2 olarak saptanan ÜSYE sıklığının stabil psoriyazisli olgulara (%25,7) göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı şekilde daha fazla olduğu gösterilmiştir. Aktif grupta ÜSYE olan olgularda yaş ortalamasının anlamlı olarak daha düşük olduğu, ayrıca ÜSYE saptanan aktif ve stabil psoriyazisli olgularda psoriyazis başlangıç yaşının daha düşük, aile öyküsünün daha fazla, son alevlenme sürelerinin daha kısa ve psoriyazis alan şiddet indeksi değerlerinin 10 olduğu saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Aktif psoriyazisli olgularda ÜSYE sıklığının stabil olgulara göre daha fazla görülmesi nedeniyle guttat psoriyazis ve guttat saçılımlı plak psoriyazis olgularında ÜSYE araştırılmasının yararlı olacağı görüşündeyiz. Objective: In the literature, it has been reported that bacterial or viral infections of the throat can trigger the occurrence and/or exacerbation of the skin lesions in patients with psoriasis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) and compare the clinical and demographic features of cases with and without an URTI in clinical subtypes of psoriasis vulgaris. Material and method: In this retrospective study, the files of 258 psoriasis vulgaris inpatients were evaluated for clinical type of psoriasis, demographic data, psoriasis area severity index and accompanying URTIs. Clinically, the patients of plaque psoriasis were defined as "stable" psoriasis, and those of guttate psoriasis or guttate flare of plaque psoriasis were defined as "active" psoriasis. Results: Of the 258 psoriasis patients, 188 (72.9%) patients were in active group and 70 (27.1%) of them were in stable group. Of all the patients, 103 (39.9%) were determined to have URTI. In patients with active psoriasis, the frequency of URTI was statistically higher (45.2%) than the stable group (25.7%). In active group, mean age was significantly lower in patients with URTI. Additionally, it was determined that the mean onset age of psoriasis was earlier, family history was more common, the time of the last exacerbation of lesions was shorter and the psoriasis area severity index values were ≥ 10 in both active and stable psoriasis patients with URTI compared to those of without URTI. Conclusion: Because of the higher frequency of URTI in patients with active psoriasis than stable psoriasis, we assumed that it would be beneficial to investigate of URTI in guttate psoriasis or guttate flare of plaque psoriasis

Primary care physicians' approach to diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients

BACKGROUND: Infections caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are considered to be important health problems worldwide. The purpose of this study was to measure the general practitioners (GPs)' basic knowledge on HBV and HCV risk factors in determining their practice about this subject. METHODS: A cross-sectional type questionnaire survey was carried out at all of 32 primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in Samsun, Turkey, between March 1 and April 31, 2002. The questionnaires were sent to 160 GPs and 129 (80.6%) of them answered the questionnaires. Knowledge, role responsibility, self-efficacy and attitudes and beliefs regarding to viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C were asked. RESULTS: Most of the GPs had adequate knowledge about transmission of HBV and HCV and also about risk factors for transmission of viruses. Most of the GPs (83.7%) were aware of recommendations for approach to a baby, born from HBsAg positive mother. They have limited facilities in diagnosis of viral hepatitis. Of the participants, 108 (83.7%) expressed that they could not diagnose HBV infections and 126 (97.7%) of them stated that they could not make the diagnoses of HCV infection in their local healthcare centers. The knowledge about treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B (21.8%) and C patients (17.8%) with elevated ALT is not sufficient. CONCLUSION: GPs' knowledge about risks of viral hepatitis was adequate in this study. They were not able to diagnose and follow up of these infections at PHCCs because of limited knowledge about chronic viral hepatitis and diagnostic facilities. GPs should be informed about current advice in diagnosis and treatment of chronic of HBV and HCV infections