Spring cleaning as a safety risk: results of a population-based study in two consecutive years

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spring cleaning is a popular tradition in Iran as well as in many other countries. The purpose of our study was to determine the pattern and compare the incidence of spring cleaning related injuries in Tehran, in the years 2007 and 2008.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the year 2007, a household survey was performed in Tehran by random cluster sampling. The survey was repeated in May 2008 with the same clusters and starting points, but different households. The incidence of spring cleaning related injuries, the age and sex of injured person(s), the mechanism, type and cost of injuries were recorded through semi-structured interviews. The incidence rates of injuries and injuries leading to health visits (severe) according to sex and age groups were calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS and STATA statistical softwares.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The incidence of all and severe spring cleaning related injuries were 3.8 (3.0 - 4.8) and 1.6 (1.1-2.3) per 1000, respectively. The most common mechanisms of injuries were falls, followed by cutting and lifting heavy objects or overexertion. Falls were also the main mechanism of severe injuries. The most common injuries were open wounds, followed by superficial injuries (including contusions) and sprain and strain. Among severe injuries, the most frequent injuries were open wounds and contusions, followed by dislocations. The injuries were most common among women with an incidence of about 8.4 per 1000 in women older than 18 years of age (severe injuries: 3.4 per 1000 (2.2-5.1)).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The incidence of spring cleaning related injuries is high enough to raise concern in health system authorities. It could be estimated that about 23,927 to 38,283 persons get injured during the spring cleaning in Tehran at the beginning of every Persian new year. In addition, about 8,773-18,344 of these cases are expected to be severe enough to lead to medical attention (considering 7,975,679 as the population of Tehran at the time of study). Improving awareness of families, especially young women, regarding the scope and importance of spring cleaning safety can be suggested as the first population-based strategy to decrease the incidence of these injuries.</p

Vitamin A deficiency in healthy children aged 6-59 months in Izmir Province of Turkey

WOS: 000085612000011PubMed ID: 10703036Vitamin A deficiency even at subclinical levels is associated with increased childhood mortality. There have been few studies related to vitamin A status of children in Turkey. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin A status of children aged 6-59 months in Izmir, Turkey, and to evaluate the relationship of these levels with nutritional status. One hundred and sixty children were selected for the study using the cluster sampling method. Serum retinol levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ranged from 9.8 to 59.2 mu g/dL (mean 29.3 +/- 9.5 mu g/dL). Levels were below the lower limit of the normal range in 15.6% of the children. Deficient and marginal serum retinol among stunted children were observed in 16% and 42% respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between low serum retinol and stunting (P < 0.05). Although xerophthalmia and other clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency are rarely seen, subclinical vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in Izmir, Turkey

Immunity to diphtheria in Izmir, Turkey

WOS: 000169125600009PubMed ID: 11421473In order to assess immunity to diphtheria in Izmir, Turkey, a total of 743 persons 1-70 years of age were selected with cluster sampling. The information on socio-demographic characteristics, vaccination status and diphtheria history was gathered for each participant. Diphtheria antitoxin levels were measured qualitatively by using micro-enzyme immune assay. Of studied population, 79.1% had fully protective antitoxin levels (greater than or equal to0.1 IU/ml). Diphtheria protection rates showed a gradual age-related decrease, reaching minimum in the 30-44 age group, in which 40.2% of these subjects had antibody titre below the full protective level. The diphtheria antitoxin geometric mean titer was highest in the 5-9 year age group (1.05 IU/ml). Then, geometric mean titer decreased with increasing age, and reached the minimum level in the 30-44 age group (0.19 IU/ml). These results suggest that in Izmir, Turkey, full serological protection against diphtheria is only detectable in 60% of the adult population. The enhancement of diphtheria immunity by booster vaccinations in adolescents and adults should be considered in Turkey

Detection of freezing of gait episodes in patients with parkinson's disease using electroencephalography and motion sensors: A protocol and its feasibility results

Objective: Freezing of gait (FOG) is an important concern for both patients with Parkinson's disease (pwPD) and physicians. In this study, we aimed to introduce a study protocol and our initial data. The data were subsequently used in machine learning models to detect FOG episodes using brain activity signals and motion data in the laboratory setting using complex FOG-evoking activities in a sample of pwPD with and without FOG compared with age-matched healthy controls. Subjects and Methods: An experimental task to evoke a FOG episode was designed. This experimental task was tested on two pwPD with FOG in 'on' and 'off' periods and one healthy control. Brain activity signals and motion data were collected simultaneously using electroencephalography (EEG) and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Results: The whole procedure took about 2 h, during which around 30 min were spent on walking tasks, involving 35 complete tours in the designed 8-m hallway by pwPD. Both EEG and IMUs sensor data could be collected, accompanied by FOG episode data marked by the neurologist. The video recordings of the patient's walking tasks were checked and reanalyzed by the neurologist sometime after the data experiment for marking the beginnings and ends of the observed FOG episodes more precisely. In the end, 24 stops were marked as FOG, which corresponded to 11% of the sensor data collected during the walking tasks. Conclusion: The designed FOG-evoking task protocol could be performed without any adverse effects, and it created enough FOG episodes for analysis. EEG and motion sensor data could be successfully collected without any significant artifacts. © 2022 AVES. All rights reserved

Measles seroprevalence in izmir with special emphasis on measles vaccination policy for Turkey

WOS: 000175879800011PubMed ID: 11472583Background: Measles outbreaks seem to occur every 2- to 3-year intervals in Turkey. However, seroepidemiological studies are limited. Knowing the prevalence of measles susceptibility as measured either by serologic markers of immunity or surveys of vaccination coverage is an important tool to assess the risk for measles outbreaks. Methods: In order to determine the seroprevalence of measles antibodies among a 1 to 29-year-old population in Izmir (Turkey) and to develop the best vaccination policy for measles, a total of 600 people aged from 1 to 29 were selected for the study with cluster sampling. The information on sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination status and measles history was gathered for each participant. Measles-specific IgG antibodies were screened qualitatively by using microenzyme immune assay for 595 subjects. Results: Of the 595 participants screened for the measles antibodies, 56 (9.4%) were seronegative. The proportion of the susceptible individuals in the age groups of 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 and 20-29 was 20.0, 10.4, 6.0, 10.3 and 3.0%, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that none of the independent characteristics (sex, socioeconomic status, past measles history, vaccination status) with the exception of age group, was significantly associated with measles seronegativity. Conclusion: The optimal measles vaccination policy for Turkey may be to increase vaccination coverage above 90%, to conduct a catch-up campaign covering persons aged 1-19, regardless of previous vaccination status. Another factor to consider is to adopt a routine two-dose vaccination, giving the first dose at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at school entry

Rubella seroprevalence in an unvaccinated population in Izmir: recommendations for rubella vaccination in Turkey

WOS: 000081606700002PubMed ID: 10440431Background. The European Advisory GI roup on the Expanded Program on Immunization of WHO has recommended that by 2010 or earlier congenital rubella should be well-controlled or eliminated in all countries in Europe. Debate on the introduction of rubella vaccine into national immunization schedules continues to occur, and data on rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Turkey are insufficient. Objective, To determine age-specific rubella seroprevalence in the 1- to 29-year-old unvaccinated population in Izmir, Turkey. Methods, A total of 600 unvaccinated persons 1 to 29 years old were selected for the study with cluster sampling in Izmir, Turkey. The information on sociodemographic characteristics and disease history was gathered for each participant, and in 580 of them rubella-specific IgG antibodies were assayed quantitatively by the micro-enzyme immunoassay, Results. Of the 580 participants tested for rubella antibodies, 135 (23.3%) were seronegative, The proportions of susceptible individuals were 61.7, 29.5, 12.4, 10.3 and 8.4% in the age groups of 1 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, 15 to 19 and 20 to 29 years, respectively. Of the young women 15 to 19 years of age, 13.5% were susceptible to rubella infection, Conclusions. Because a substantial proportion of women in their childbearing years are susceptible to rubella, immunization efforts should be directed at infants or prepubertal children