Knowledge levels of physicians in samsun about Patients' rights

The patient-physician relationship is an issue that includes mutual rights in medical ethics. Patient rights is one of the sub-topics of human rights that has defined and developed in the last century. In this study, it was aimed to measure the knowledge level of physicians in Samsun province about patient rights. The study is a descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study with a prospective survey prepared by literature review to measure the knowledge level of physicians about patient rights in Samsun. The data measurement tool includes questions measuring demographic data and knowledge level and was filled with face-to-face interviews with physicians who agreed to participate in the study. SPSS package program was used in the analysis of the data. The study was conducted with 287 physicians. 49.5% of the participants in the study reported that they received training on patient rights. It has been observed that general practitioners are more knowledgeable about patient rights. Physicians at the highest rate (98.3%) stated that In health institutions, it is necessary to provide all kinds of hygienic conditions befitting human dignity, and to eliminate noise and all other disturbing factors. The medical and social benefits expected from medical research may be prioritized over the life and bodily integrity of the volunteer who consents to the research was the most negatively reported situation (13.6%). Physicians working in Samsun have a high level of awareness and perception of patient rights. Female doctors are more sensitive than male doctors in approaching patients within the framework of the principles of justice and equity, protecting privacy in case of death and hiding the diagnosis of the disease according to the psychological structure of the patient. [Med-Science 2022; 11(1.000): 233-8

A comparison of the efficacy of varenicline and bupropion and an evaluation of the effect of the medications in the context of the smoking cessation programme

Introduction Within the context of the support program for smoking cessation, initiated by the Turkish Ministry of Health in 2011, those who present at ‘smoking cessation’ centres and are found to be suitable for pharmacological treatment are given varenicline and bupropion free of charge. As the smoking cessation programme is centralized, the selection of the medication is made randomly to provide a fixed distribution rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of both varenicline and bupropion in smoking cessation and to evaluate the effect of the smoking cessation programme. Material and Methods A total of 405 individuals who met the study criteria were included in the study. Smoking habits and degree of dependence were determined in all the participants with the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and bupropion or varenicline therapy was initiated in those who were eligible. Patients were followed up at 15 days then at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after smoking cessation. A level of CO < 5 ppm and ‘point prevalence abstinence’ were used as the criteria of success for smoking cessation and this evaluation showed the non-smoking status in the previous 7 days. Results The mean age of the participants was 35.19 ± 7.73 years and 82.8% (n = 334) were male. Of the participants, 60.2% (n = 244) were given varenicline and 39.8% (n = 161) bupropion. The mean FTND and package/year was not significantly different between the groups. The rates of success in the 1st and 2nd weeks, and 1st, 3rd and 6th months were significantly higher in the varenicline group than in the bupropion group (p < 0.05). At the end of one year, the rate of smoking cessation was determined as 13.9% (n = 34) in the varenicline group and 6.2% (n = 10) in the bupropion gruop. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.015). At the end of 1 year when the previous 7 days smoking status was evaluated with the ‘point prevalence abstinence’ measurement as the success criteria, success rates were 20.5% with varenicline and 18.6% with bupropion and the difference was not significant (p = 0.646). The individuals who used the medications for 45 days or longer were more successful in smoking cessation (p < 0.001). The most common reasons given for discontinuing the medication were the side-effects (31.5%). No significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of the side-effects observed. Conclusions Although the rates of smoking cessation in all the other control points were higher with varenicline than with bupropion, no significant difference was found between the success rates of varenicline and bupropion used in smoking cessation based on the last 7 days at the end of one year. Those who used the medications for 45 days or longer were more successful in smoking cessation

Smoking behavior and attitudes of patient’s relatives in the pediatric emergency rooms- a multi-center study

It was aimed to investigate the smoking behavior and attitudes of the relatives of the children in the ERs to determine whether current experience had any impact on the desire to quit. This study conducted with 300 patient relatives who applied to the pediatric ER of three hospitals in different cities between June 2019 and June 2020. Apart from the demographic data, a questionnaire consists of 18 questions were applied regarding participants’ past and current ER experiences and smoking behaviors. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, USA) software package. It was determined that many (47.3%) spent more than 4 hours in the vicinity of ERs. Most of the individuals (58.0%) had waited 3 or more times in the ER previously. Besides, 59.3% had the idea of quitting smoking as they saw the patients in the ER, and while in the hospital, 44.0% wanted to have smoking cessation treatment. The average number of cigarettes smoked per hour in daily life was 0.61 ± 0.52 (excluding sleep time), but during the waiting period, this figures went up considerably to 4.32 ± 5.28/ hour (p <0.001). The rate of those who consumed more than 20 cigarettes was higher in those who waited 5 or more times in the ERs previously (p = 0.025). Patient relatives who were interviewed in the pediatric ER smoked more frequently. There is a need for smoking cessation clinics that can be integrated into the ER

Heavy metal concentrations of selected public parks of Istanbul City

Many cities, especially larger metropolises, parks are very important recreational areas where people usually have closer contact with flora. Therefore, the pollution level in the parks can have a greater effect on human health. Heavy metals are ubiquitous with the environment, as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activities, and humans are exposed to them through various pathways. Essentially, these areas are assumed to be less exposed to routine contaminants, but especially in metropolises, this assumption could prove false considering these areas are stuck within the confines of a city full of pollutant activity such as intense traffic. In this study; the relationships between heavy metal pollution levels (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of soil samples were investigated from the parks on the Asian side of Istanbul. For this purpose, the most frequently visited 16 parks were selected as sampling sites. In the second part of the study, linear correlation is used for the data analysis

Analysis of pregnancy-related death reasons in a province from Turkiye over 20 years

The aim of the present study was to calculate maternal mortality rates by analyzing pregnancy-related death cases in Samsun over the last 20 years, to identify causes of death and preventability, and to examine the change over the years. The Samsun Provincial Health Directorate&apos;s pregnancy-related mortality data from 2002 to 2021 were examined retrospectively. Causes of maternal death were classified as direct, indirect, undecided, and incidental. The maternal mortality rate was calculated as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Between 2002 and 2021, Samsun experienced a total of 344,324 live births juxtaposed with 79 pregnancy-related deaths. The computed maternal mortality rate is 19.16 per 100,000 live births across the two-decade span. Detailed analysis reveals that 30 deaths (38%) were attributable to direct causes, 31 (39.2%) to indirect causes, 13 (16.5%) were incidental, and 5 (6.3%) remained inconclusive post-autopsy. A breakdown of the direct causes unveils obstetric bleeding as the primary culprit (18.2%), trailed by cardiovascular diseases (13.6%). Moreover, incidental causes, represented by traffic accidents, account for a 7.6% fatality rate. While the observed decline in maternal deaths, particularly from preventable direct causes, over the previous twenty years signifies the efficacy of the instated health policies, the persistent mortality underscores the imperative for ongoing research and strategy recalibration. Identifying fluctuations in causative factors through comparative analyses is pivotal in strategizing future preventive studies on pregnancy-related deaths. The results advocate a pronounced emphasis on continuous professional development to curtail mortalities from avoidable sources, especially postpartum hemorrhage, thereby fortifying existing health policies with reinforced, data-driven interventions. [Med-Science 2023; 12(4.000): 1252-7

Association between standardized uptake value and survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer

Introduction and objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between tumor Standard Uptake Value (SUVmax) values obtained by PET/CT, and survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer. Method: The present study included 38 patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer, who were staged using PET/CT at diagnosis. PET/CT imaging findings were evaluated retrospectively. The effect of SUVmax value by PET/CT on overall survival was analyzed. Results: The most common tumor localization was laryngeal cancer among 38 patients included in the study (n = 25, 65.8%). The study group consisted of mostly male patients (n = 33, 86.8%), and the median age was 58 (range: 24–77). The median SUVmax value was 11 (range: 3–58). Median survival was 32.7 months in patients with SUVmax ≤11 compared to 16.5 months in patients with SUVmax >11 (p = 0.019)

Heavy metal concentrations of selected public parks of Istanbul City

Many cities, especially larger metropolises, parks are very important recreational areas where people usually have closer contact with flora. Therefore, the pollution level in the parks can have a greater effect on human health. Heavy metals are ubiquitous with the environment, as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activities, and humans are exposed to them through various pathways. Essentially, these areas are assumed to be less exposed to routine contaminants, but especially in metropolises, this assumption could prove false considering these areas are stuck within the confines of a city full of pollutant activity such as intense traffic. In this study; the relationships between heavy metal pollution levels (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of soil samples were investigated from the parks on the Asian side of Istanbul. For this purpose, the most frequently visited 16 parks were selected as sampling sites. In the second part of the study, linear correlation is used for the data analysis

Is eribulin treatment prognostic factor in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with this drug? Retrospective analysis of a multicentre study

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze prognostic factors for survival and the reliability and the effectiveness of eribulin therapy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients