Factors affecting substance use and self-efficacy status of students in eastern Turkey.

This descriptive cross-sectional research sample was consisted of 613 high school students in Eastern Turkey. Data were collected by using the Questionnaire on Substance Use and its Causes and Self-Efficacy in the Prevention of Substance Abuse Scale (SEAPSAS). Data were analyzed with percentiles, Chi-Square, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, correlation and regression. Almost 40% of the students had tried smoking and 21.7% of them smoked sometimes or regularly. The mean age of students' first cigarette use was 13.5. More than 60% of the students had tried alcohol and almost 50% of them drink alcohol sometimes or regularly. The mean score of SEAPSAS was 93.61 ± 18.99. Lower self-efficacy scores were found in males, in students who perceived themselves as unsuccessful at school, in those with negative family and friendship relations, in students who smoked, drank alcohol, who had a drug user in the family and who experienced traumatic events in a lifetime

Cognitive And Dynamic Effects Of Training Given To Women At Risk Of Breast Cancer

Background: Breast canceris an important public health problem. Although the disease is widespread, the prognosis is good, especially with early diagnosis. For this to occur, a consciousness of protection of breast health for all women is necessary, and risk groups need to be particularly targeted. Aim: This study was conducted to determine dynamic and cognitive effects of training given to women in a risk group. Method: This study that is planned as an intervention study has been carried out in a city that is on the eastern part of Turkey between February and June in 2009. The data weregathered through a question form aimed at diagnosing the knowledge and applications of women about breast cancer, and hospital reports of women and control lists of BSE skills. The women in the risk group were given five sessions of training split into groups of 12-13 persons. For the purpose of realizing the cognitive effects of the training, pre-test and post test measures were assessed. The data were evaluated using number percentages and the McNemar test. Results: At the end of the training program, compared to previous training period, women's knowledge, at the cognitive level, related with the risk factors, symptoms and the early diagnosis methods of the breast cancer was seen to have been expressively increased. As for effects at the dynamic level, one month after the training program had been completed, women re-evaluated and 77.5% had conducted breast self-examination ( BSE) at least one time, and 65.0% of them have passed through medical breast diagnosis and scanning tests by applying to hospital. Conclusion: In a study aimed to increase the conscious level and awareness related with breast health in women, variation at both cognitive and dynamic levels were evident at the end of the training program.Wo