THE RELATION OF PET OWNERSHIP, PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND SMOKING IN WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS OF A SPECIAL COMPANY IN BESIKTAS REGION OF ISTANBUL

WOS: 000312928700009Objective: Psychological stress, which deteriorates mental and physical health of individuals at their working environment, is an important problem for public health and health at work. Recent studies have indicated that living with animals might be beneficial for individuals with physical, mental and social health problems, and it could even increase the quality of life in these people. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, psychological stress level, regular exercising, and smoking among white collar workers. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 212 out of 230 white collar workers (92%), who worked for a business company in Besiktas district of Istanbul, were enrolled. 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were applied to define psychological stress levels and mental health conditions of the workers. Data obtained from GHQ-12 was evaluated by using Goldberg type grading method (0-0-1-1). Sociodemographic characteristics of participants, and information about the relationship between pet ownership, and smoking, regular exercising were obtained by a questionnaire form made up of close- and open-ended questions. Data were evaluated by percentage distribution, Chi square test and Mann Whitney U test. Results: Of the participants, 51 were female, 161 were male, and the mean of age was 30.65 +/- 3.56 years. Among the participants, 82 had pets and 130 individuals had no pet. Rate of pet owners was 98.7% in our study group with total score of GHQ-12 = 4 expressed that they had no pets. GHQ-12 scores among pet owners were statistically significantly lower than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Smoking rate was statistically significantly higher among participants without pets than the rate in pet owners (p<0.001). Pet owner participants were exercising significantly more regularly than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Conclusion: As far as the reported changes in behavior and attitudes of participants, pet ownership had favorable effects in healthy life behaviors like nutrition, regular exercising, and non-smoking. According to the results of General Health Questionnaire among workers, psychological stress level was higher among participants without pets. We believe that having a pet can be supportive for improving physical and mental health conditions of individuals, who are working under stressful conditions

Smoking status of students of medical school and factors affecting their smoking

Aim and objective Tobacco epidemic among young people is defined as an important public health problem in developed and under-developing countries. Besides, the health problems brought by the cigarettes are not perceived enough by the adolescents and young people and they are ignored. The purpose of the study is to examine the smoking situation and the factors influencing students in a medical faculty. Methods This descriptive study covers a total of 126 students studying at a medical school between April and May 2018. 92.86% of the universe was reached. The data was collected by a questionnaire. Descriptive data are presented with percent, number, median. For further analysis, chi-square analysis was used. Results It was determined that those who participated in the study had a median age of 19.00 (min: 18.00, max: 24.00). 12.0% of the participants stated that they used cigarettes, 31.6% said they tried but did not use it for a long time. 17.0% stated that they use hookahs. It was found that 22.3% of smokers started smoking cigarettes at the median age of 17.00 (min: 9, max: 19), 31.3% of them started stress and 21.9% of them started out of curiosity they said. Most of the smokers had fathers who smoked cigarettes. This was statistically significant (p = 0.048). Conclusions Smoking rate increases in medical faculty students. It is suggested that medical students who will be role models as a medical doctor should be followed up in order to reduce the consumption of tobacco and get solved the reasons people start smoking

EVALUATING PESTICIDE USE AND SAFETY PRACTICES AMONG FARMWORKERS IN GALLIPOLI PENINSULA, TURKEY

WOS: 000349508400019PubMed ID: 26513916Unsafe pesticide use among farmworkers is a major public health problem in Turkey. This study aimed to investigate pesticide use and safety practices of farmers in a village of Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey This cross sectional study was conducted with 117 farmers. The questionnaire included questions on demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and safety practices concerning pesticides. The mean age of participants was 42.8 years, and 38.5% was female participants. Of the total 177 respondents, 77.8% reported that they prepared the chemical mixture at a public fountain, whereas 22.2% prepared it in their houses. Almost half (44.4%) reported that they experienced at least one health problem after pesticide application in the previous one year. Total scores for pesticide safety practices of the subjects, who declared that they experienced at least one health problem after the application in the previous one year, were statistically significantly lower (p<0.001). Their responses about safe use of pesticides and storage conditions were very striking. Our findings indicated that there is a need to increase health promotion activities through training, and the local administrations should promote safe use of pesticides by farm workers

Assessment of Under-5 Mortality Rates in Istanbul Using the Geographic Information System

WOS: 000372329600003Objective: Analyzing mortality rates and the reasons for these in Turkey's urban allocations using geographic information systems (GISs) is a new research area. While planning health services, knowing the mortality rates and reasons according to age and residential area are a big source of information for health planners and people who provide health services. The aim of this research is to analyze the deaths of children under the age of 5 years in big cities depending on a socioeconomic range using GIS. Further, this should make it possible to determine geographically risky places. Materials and Methods: The deaths of children under the age of 5 years that occurred between 2005 and 2009 were analyzed. Date from the Turkish Statistical Institute (Turk Stat) concerning population and age-specified deaths, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) cemetery directorate death records, and the Ministry of Finance land unit prices (to determine the socioeconomic level of the districts) were used as data resources. The Z value of each year's death rate, depending on the districts age ranges and average of all years' Z values, was calculated and is shown on the map. Results: While the under-5 mortality rate was 19.37 per 1000 in 2005, it was 14.31 per 1000 in 2009. Deaths of children under the age of 5 years took place particularly in Istanbul on the European side (in districts where the land value is low). Conclusion: Priority should be given to health promotion programs in areas with a low socioeconomic level in particular where premature death rates are observed to be more common

Toxoplasma gondii, Mental Health and Shizophrenia

Protecting and promoting of mental health is one of the major application areas of public health. In particular, Toxoplasma gondii, which is a protozoal zoonosis common in Turkey, it is closely related to veterinary public health. In recent years, T.gondii can induce behavioral changes, may play a role in schizophrenia as an etiologic factor. Results of the recently performed studies shows that T.gondii may be a potential factor for some neuropathological changes in brain and suicide attemption. The purpose of this review is to present the data on recent epidemiology of T.gondii, mental health effects (changes in behavior, suicide, etc.), the relationship between T.gondii and schizophrenia and offer some recommendations for protecting of public health. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2013; 12(2.000): 199-208

THE RELATION OF PET OWNERSHIP, PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND SMOKING IN WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS OF A SPECIAL COMPANY IN BESIKTAS REGION OF ISTANBUL

Objective: Psychological stress, which deteriorates mental and physical health of individuals at their working environment, is an important problem for public health and health at work. Recent studies have indicated that living with animals might be beneficial for individuals with physical, mental and social health problems, and it could even increase the quality of life in these people. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, psychological stress level, regular exercising, and smoking among white collar workers

The Relation of Pet Ownership, Psychological Stress, Regular Physical Exercise and Smoking in White-Collar Workers of a Special Company in Beşiktaş Region of Istanbul [Istanbul'un Beşiktaş Ilçesi'nde Özel Bir Firmada Beyaz Yakali Çalişanlarda Hayvan Beslemenin Psikolojik Stres, Düzenli Fiziksel Egzersiz Ve Sigara Içme Ile Ilişkisi]

Objective: Psychological stress, which deteriorates mental and physical health of individuals at their working environment, is an important problem for public health and health at work. Recent studies have indicated that living with animals might be beneficial for individuals with physical, mental and social health problems, and it could even increase the quality of life in these people. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, psychological stress level, regular exercising, and smoking among white collar workers. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 212 out of 230 white collar workers (92%), who worked for a business company in Besiktas district of Istanbul, were enrolled. 12-ltem General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were applied to define psychological stress levels and mental health conditions of the workers. Data obtained from GHQ-12 was evaluated by using Goldberg type grading method (0-0-1-1). Sociodemographic characteristics of participants, and information about the relationship between pet ownership, and smoking, regular exercising were obtained by a questionnaire form made up of close- and open-ended questions. Data were evaluated by percentage distribution, Chi square test and Mann Whitney U test. Results: Of the participants, 51 were female, 161 were male, and the mean of age was 30.65±3.56 years. Among the participants, 82 had pets and 130 individuals had no pet. Rate of pet owners was 98.7% in our study group with total score of GHQ-12 4 expressed that they had no pets. GHQ-12 scores among pet owners were statistically significantly lower than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Smoking rate was statistically significantly higher among participants without pets than the rate in pet owners (p<0.001). Pet owner participants were exercising significantly more regularly than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Conclusion: As far as the reported changes in behavior and attitudes of participants, pet ownership had favorable effects in healthy life behaviors like nutrition, regular exercising, and non-smoking. According to the results of General Health Questionnaire among workers, psychological stress level was higher among participants without pets. We believe that having apetcanbe supportive for improving physical and mental health conditions of individuals, who are working under stressful conditions

Effects of pesticide use on respiration system of farmers: The case of Middle Anatolia

WOS: 000461384200102

The Relation of Pet Ownership, Psychological Stress, Regular Physical Exercise and Smoking in White-Collar Workers of a Special Company in Beşiktaş Region of Istanbul [Istanbul'un Beşiktaş Ilçesi'nde Özel Bir Firmada Beyaz Yakali Çalişanlarda Hayvan Beslemenin Psikolojik Stres, Düzenli Fiziksel Egzersiz Ve Sigara Içme Ile Ilişkisi]

Objective: Psychological stress, which deteriorates mental and physical health of individuals at their working environment, is an important problem for public health and health at work. Recent studies have indicated that living with animals might be beneficial for individuals with physical, mental and social health problems, and it could even increase the quality of life in these people. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, psychological stress level, regular exercising, and smoking among white collar workers. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 212 out of 230 white collar workers (92%), who worked for a business company in Besiktas district of Istanbul, were enrolled. 12-ltem General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were applied to define psychological stress levels and mental health conditions of the workers. Data obtained from GHQ-12 was evaluated by using Goldberg type grading method (0-0-1-1). Sociodemographic characteristics of participants, and information about the relationship between pet ownership, and smoking, regular exercising were obtained by a questionnaire form made up of close- and open-ended questions. Data were evaluated by percentage distribution, Chi square test and Mann Whitney U test. Results: Of the participants, 51 were female, 161 were male, and the mean of age was 30.65±3.56 years. Among the participants, 82 had pets and 130 individuals had no pet. Rate of pet owners was 98.7% in our study group with total score of GHQ-12 4 expressed that they had no pets. GHQ-12 scores among pet owners were statistically significantly lower than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Smoking rate was statistically significantly higher among participants without pets than the rate in pet owners (p<0.001). Pet owner participants were exercising significantly more regularly than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Conclusion: As far as the reported changes in behavior and attitudes of participants, pet ownership had favorable effects in healthy life behaviors like nutrition, regular exercising, and non-smoking. According to the results of General Health Questionnaire among workers, psychological stress level was higher among participants without pets. We believe that having apetcanbe supportive for improving physical and mental health conditions of individuals, who are working under stressful conditions

In Vitro Activity of Fosfomycin on Biofilm in Community-Acquired Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

WOS: 000493400900002Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a significant pathogen microorganism that can lead to serious infections. In this study, we researched the activity of biofilm formation and fosfomycin on biofilm in community-acquired S. aureus isolates that were drawn from human noses. Methods: Microtitration plate method was used to determine biofilm formation. The effect of fosfomycin on sessile cells was studied on biofilm matrix composed around plastic beads. The icaA, icaD, icaB, icaC, bap, eno, fnbA, fnbB, clfA, clfB, fib, ebpS, cna and mecA genes were screened by Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR). Results: S. aureus was isolated from 87 samples (13.2%) out of a total 658 nasal samples. We found that 10 of these isolates (11.4%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). A total of 86 isolates had the ability to form biofilm. The biofilm inhibitor concentration (BIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of fosfomycin were determined as 8 mu g/ml and 32 mu g/ml, respectively. In the molecular detection results of biofilm-related genes of these isolates, ica-dependent genes were determined to be quite high. However, no bap gene was observed to be positive in any of the isolates. Among the other genes, the most frequent genes to be declared positive were eno (97.6%) and fnbA (94.1%). Conclusion: This study indicates that prevalence of biofilm genes in S. aureus isolates in nasal flora is high and fosfomycin is an effective anti-biofilm agent alone. However, to increase fosfomycin's efficiency, there is a need for more combination studies to make it more effective.Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Project UnitAhi Evran University [TIP.A3.16.011]This work was supported by Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Project Unit with TIP.A3.16.011 project number