HEALTH SERVICES VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE LEVELS OF ON PARASITIC DISEASES

In this study, it has been aimed to determine the knowledge level of the students of Van Yuzuncu Yıl University Health Services Vocational School, who will serve as the health personnel of the future, about parasitic diseases, prevention and control measures from these diseases. A total of 587 students, comprising 418 (71.2%) females and 169 (28.8%) males, studying at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Health Services Vocational School, were included in the study. The questions in the questionnaire were arranged in three groups, as those about parasitic diseases, transmission routes of these diseases, and prevention and treatment. Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated within the scope of the reliability analysis of the questionnaire questions. The Cronbach alpha values for the domains of Knowledge Level About Parasitic Diseases, Knowledge Level About the Transmission of Parasitic Diseases, and Knowledge Level About the Prevention and Treatment of Parasitic Diseases were determined as 0.647 (64.7%), 0.707 (70.7%), and 0.566 (56.6%), respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the departments included in the study in terms of the level of knowledge about parasitic diseases (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the departments in the evaluation made between the level of knowledge about the prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases and the personal characteristics of the students (P < 0.05). As the result, it was observed that the students participating in the study did not have sufficient knowledge about parasitic diseases

Investigation of Intestinal and Blood Parasites in People Returning to Turkey with a History of Traveling Abroad During the Pandemic

Objective: To investigate intestinal and blood parasites in people who have a history of traveling abroad during the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic and returning to Turkey. Methods: In this study, 104 patients with gastrointestinal system and/or fever complaints who had traveled abroad during the pandemic period and returned to Turkey were included. Parasitic agents were investigated by taking blood and stool samples from the patients. Additionally, urine samples were obtained from patients with hematuria or dysuria with the suspicion of schistosomiasis. A direct microscopic examination, the Crypto-Giardia immunochromatographic test, and ELISA methods were used in the examination of the stool samples. In order to detect Plasmodium species, blood samples were examined by preparing both the rapid diagnostic test and thick drop and thin smear preparations. Results: One or more parasite species were detected in 38 (38.5%) of 104 patients included in the study. While intestinal parasites were detected in 16 (32%) of 50 patients who traveled to Iran and 16 (33.3%) of 48 patients who traveled to Northern Iraq, blood parasites were not found. Schistosoma mansoni was detected in all 5 of the patients with a history of traveling to Sudan. Plasmodium falciparum was detected in 1 patient who traveled to the African continent. Conclusion: It is vital to take precautions to prevent parasitic diseases, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, during travels to African countries. During travels to neighboring countries of Turkey, such as Northern Iraq and Iran, hygiene should be paid attention to, so as to prevent contracting intestinal parasitic diseases. In addition, it was concluded that people who plan to travel abroad should have information about the endemic parasitic diseases of the country that they are going to