Pesticide use among greenhouse workers in Turkey

Pesticides are chemicals use of which has increased worldwide since the Second World War in order to improve the quality and the quantity of agricultural products. Their harmful effects on the environment and the human health have also been seen as usage increases. Although there have been studies about the harmful effects of pesticides on human health in the developing countries, there is limited data about the use of pesticides in Turkey. The aim of our study was to obtain data about the use of pesticides in greenhouse in Turkey. About 131 greenhouse workers were interviewed with within the province of Izmir: 63.8% graduated from primary school; 49.2% were living in region where the greenhouses were located; 46.2% were working in their own greenhouses; 42.3% had health insurance; 86.9% used pesticides and 59.3% did not take protective cautions during use pesticide. The application technique, location, amount, time or any other required information of the pesticides used have not been recorded by the greenhouse workers. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. and AFP. All rights reserved

Legal Aspects of Gender Reassignment Surgery in Turkey: A Case Report

The gender reassignment process has ethical, social and legal dimensions. However, European Union countries have recommended certain principles for such reassignment. The lack of special legislation regulating legal conditions and effects of gender reassignment creates a difficult situation for transsexuals. A new civil law was implemented in 2001 in Turkey recognising gender identity reassignment which has set new standards for procedures. According to the law, court permission is compulsory for gender reassignment surgery. Courts require expert analyses in a health council report which must include a psychiatric examination of the individual, who must also be permanently unreproductive as defined by the law. Although the new Civil Law arranges new standards for gender reassignment surgery procedures, there are several problems in reassigning the civil status of transsexuals in Turkey

A domestic violence course for medical students: A study on its effectiveness

International health institutions emphasize the necessity of including the topic of domestic violence which is accepted as a health problem worldwide, into the training of physicians. The fact that physicians should diagnose domestic violence victims who over the years were either neglected or overlooked is also mentioned. The present study aims to measure the effectiveness of the interactive domestic violence course given to Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine (DEUFM) Year V students, with tests implemented before and after the course. The same students were given the same test during Year VI (internship). The students' average knowledge scores were found respectively as follows: pretest 78.66 +/- 10.54, second test 94.13 +/- 3.95 and third test 89.65 +/- 7.48. There was a statistically significant difference between tests' average scores. It was observed that, after the course, 4 out of 19 students (21.1%) changed their answers from "no" to "yes" for the question "Have you ever been a victim of physical domestic violence?" A statistically significant difference was found between pre-course answers and the after course answers given to this question. This study showed that the course on domestic violence increased students' knowledge level and awareness on this issue. Considering that average knowledge level will decrease over time and aiming to improve future physicians' approach to domestic violence cases, addition of other interactive educational methods to Year V's course program and proposal of an advanced training session to Year VI's curriculum are being planned

Mental Findings in Trauma Victims

Introduction: In medico-legal evaluation of trauma patients, the bio-psychological effects of the trauma and the severity of the injuries require to be evaluated. In this study, assuming the fact that psychiatric assessment are not taken into consideration in physical trauma cases, we have planned to bring up the presence of psychological trauma in our medico-legally evaluated patients due to different types of traumas and review the mental findings and diagnoses in trauma victims

Domestic violence on pregnant women in Turkey

Objective: Domestic violence is accepted worldwide as an important health problem. Besides diagnosis and treatment process, there are difficulties when considering of medico-legal evaluation of pregnant women subjected to domestic violence

Microbiological detection of bacteria and fungi in the autopsy room

Abstract: It is obviously known that the autopsy staff are under higher risk of infectious diseases than the other staff in the hospital. Inappropriate infrastructure and ventilation system installed in autopsy room could also increase such risk efficiently. The aim of this study is to determine the presence of pathogenic bacteria and fungi in the autopsy room air, investigate the factors affecting the presence and the number of colonies of these microorganisms, and determine the extent of occupational risk in such scope. The samples for the study were obtained from the autopsy room of Morgue Department of Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine. Samples were taken from the indoor air during, before and after autopsy by means of settle plates and air sampler in summer and spring seasons. Blood Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar were used for isolation of bacteria and fungi, respectively. Fourteen bacterial and 26 fungal species were cultured from the autopsy room air. Most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase negative staphylococcus, Micrococcus spp., Bacillus spp., and diphtheroid bacillus for the gram positive, and Acinetobacter spp., Proteus mirabilis, and Eschericia coli for the gram negative groups. Most frequently isolated fungi were Penicillium spp., Alternaria spp., and Aspergillus flavus. When data obtained in the spring and summer was evaluated, it was found that the number of bacteria and fungi colonies grown in samples that were taken by using both methods, was significantly higher at the time of the autopsy than those taken pre and post-autopsy sessions. It was also determined that the autopsy room air had been contaminated with bacteria in 4 of 38 study days and with fungi in 18 of 38 study days. This study could make a contribution not only in the training of autopsy personnel but also in detection of preventive measure to be taken against infections as well as to establish a common database for similar national and/or international research studies

Health profiles of methyl bromide applicators in greenhouses in Turkey.

Introduction: Methyl bromide is a toxic substance that has hazardous effects on human health with acute and chronic exposure. Our previous study showed that methyl bromide applicators frequently use large amounts of methyl bromide haphazardly in greenhouses in the prefectures of Narlidere and Balcova in the Aegean city of Izmir. This study aims to evaluate the health conditions of these workers. Materials and Methods: Our previous study showed that there are 38 methyl bromide applicators in our study area. After the informed consent of methyl bromide applicators was obtained, a questionnaire was used for a survey of demography and symptoms. Each subject was examined before and after application of the compound. Blood and urine samples were collected and stored. Blood samples were analysed for methyl bromide and bromide ion, kidney and liver function tests and lipid profile. Results: The age range of subjects was 19 to 53 years (mean age: 41 +/- 8.57). This study showed that methyl bromide applicators use large amounts of methyl bromide disregarding legal regulations and that some of them had nonspecific complaints. Subjects had been working as methyl bromide applicators for approximately 9.7 +/- 4.15 years. A total of 69.7% of methyl bromide applicators reported that they did not use protective equipment while 33.3% of them had a history of acute methyl bromide intoxication. A statistically significant relationship was found between the usage of protective equipment and the level of blood bromide ion in the blood (P<0.05). Conclusion: Usage of methyl bromide, training, screening and follow-up of applicators must be rigorously controlled in accordance with national legal arrangements and international protocols. Greater efforts are required in the implementation of controls to achieve the targets set by the legal regulations and to ensure continual improvement in the limitation of the risks of this environmental hazard

Evaluation of glycosylated hemoglobin and glycolsylated albumin levels in forensic autopsies

There may be difficulties in determining causes of sudden, unexpected deaths in medico-legal practice. It is known that sudden, unexpected deaths may result from diabetes mellitus and its complications. However, there is an ongoing debate on whether many parameters recommended to diagnose post-mortem diabetes mellitus are reliable. The aim of this study was to determine whether glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1)c) and glyscosylated albumin (fructosamine) measures could be used to diagnose post-mortem diabetes mellitus in forensic autopsies and to contribute to limited data on the issue reported in the literature. Method: We obtained blood and vitreous humor specimens from 146 decedents aged over 18 years and exposed to forensic autopsies. Results: The mean age of the cases was 46 +/- 16.39 years (min 19yrs, max 85yrs) and 87.7% of the cases were male. HbA(1)c and fructosamine levels were higher than the standard values in 51 and 9 cases respectively. Of six cases with a history of diabetes mellitus, one had high fructosamine levels and five had high HbA(1)c levels. Fructosamine and HbA(1)c levels were high in three and 20 deaths from natural causes respectively and 12 of these deaths were caused by cardiovascular disorders. There was no significant relation between causes of deaths and HbA(1)c and fructosamine levels. Conclusion: The results of this study will contribute to the limited data on diabetes mellitus in sudden, unexpected deaths. It can be suggested that measurements of HbA(1)c and fructosamine levels should be included in routine autopsy protocols

Establishment of interdisciplinary child protection teams in Turkey 2002-2006: Identifying the strongest link can make a difference!

WOS: 000265321200007PubMed ID: 19328549Objectives: The University of Iowa Child Protection Program collaborated with Turkish professionals to develop a training program on child abuse and neglect during 2002-2006 with the goals of increasing professional awareness and number of multidisciplinary teams (MDT), regional collaborations, and assessed cases. This paper summarizes the 5-year outcome. Methods: A team of instructors evaluated needs and held training activities in Turkey annually, and provided consultation when needed. Descriptive analysis was done via Excel and SPSS software. Results: Eighteen training activities were held with 3,570 attendees. Over the study period, the number of MDTs increased from 4 to 14. The MDTs got involved in organizing training activities in their institutions and communities. The number of medical curriculum lectures taught by MDTs to medical students/residents, conferences organized by the MDTs, and lectures to non-medical professional audiences increased significantly (R-2 = 91.4%, 83.8%, and 69.2%, respectively). The number of abuse cases assessed by the MDTs increased by five times compared to pre-training period. Conclusions: A culturally competent training program had a positive impact on professional attitudes and behaviors toward recognition and management of child abuse and neglect in Turkey. The need to partner with policy makers to revise current law in favor of a greater human services orientation became clear. Practice implications: Pioneers in developing countries may benefit from collaborating with culturally competent instructors from countries with more developed child protection systems to develop training programs so that professional development can improve recognition and management of child abuse and neglect. Published by Elsevier Ltd