Do general practitioners predominantly see patients with coughs and colds: Medical students’ and the general public’s perceptions

2016-10-11T03-05-04Z
Source: Journal of Contemporary Medical Education
Nicole Koehler.
Introduction: Anecdotally it is perceived that general practitioners (GPs) predominantly see patients with coughs and colds. The aim of the study was to ascertain medical students and the general publics perceptions of what problems they believe GPs in Australia manage. Method: An anonymous online survey was completed by 357 medical students and 183 members of the general public. Results: Students and the general public generally had similar perceptions. Respiratory conditions were most frequently mentioned in response to asking participants to list the five most common problems they think GPs manage. When subsequently asked to rank order a list of 15 problems managed by GPs, prescriptions was ranked first by the largest percentage of participants. Upper respiratory tract infections were second and third most commonly ranked first by the general public and students respectively. More than half of all students with a non-general practice career preference and the general public either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement GPs predominantly see patients with coughs and colds. Discussion: It is possible that medical students erroneous perceptions in regards to the type of problems GPs manage contributes to their decision as to whether to pursue a career in general practice.


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Female literacy and Immunization Uptake: A Macro Level Evidence from Ghana

2016-10-10T18-48-24Z
Source: TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin
Micheal Kofi Boachie, Pauline Sobiesuo.
Background: Immunization has been one of the focal healthcare interventions against major childhood killer diseases, especially infectious ones. It has emerged as an important component of preventive medicine in most countries for the prevention and possible eradication of vaccine preventable-diseases (VPDs). This study aimed to estimate the impact of female literacy on immunization uptake against measles in Ghana. Methods: We used annual data set covering the period 1990 -2013 and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to examine the impact of female literacy on immunisation uptake. Results: Factors such as female education (β=0.761, P=0.006), place of residence, i.e. urban (β=4.174, P=0.000) and rural (β=5.69, P=0.001), availability of skilled health personnel (β=0.034, P=0.062), and female labour force participation rate (β=0.776, P=0.198) were specified as determinants of immunisation uptake, proxied by percentage of children immunised against measles. Adjusted R-Squared was 0.944. Conclusion: There is strong evidence that female literacy does improve immunization uptake levels. The results further suggest that both urban and rural dwellers have significantly utilised immunisation services for measles during the study period. Policy should therefore gear towards expanding access to education among females to sustain improvement in child health through preventive health services.


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Assessment of the level of awareness about tuberculosis among the different stakeholders of a medical college, Tamil Nadu

2016-10-10T18-48-24Z
Source: TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin
Saurabh RamBihariLal Shrivastava, Prateek Saurabh Shrivastava, Jegadeesh Ramasamy.
Background: Globally, tuberculosis (TB) has been acknowledged as one of the deadliest infectious disease. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of awareness about TB among the different stakeholders of a medical college and to formulate a comprehensive action plan to strengthen the Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) activities. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of five months duration (September 2015 to January 2016) was conducted among the representative section of the various stakeholders of a medical college. A pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was designed after thoroughly studying the national TB training modules. All the study participants were interviewed using the schedule after obtaining their informed consent. In addition, a thorough inspection of the hospital and medical college was done to assess the status of ACSM activities. Results: Among the different stakeholders (doctors, paramedical staff, patients, relatives) who participated in the study, the clinicians 38(24.8%) group accounted for maximum respondents. The knowledge level of medical fraternity (viz. specialists / pre and para-clinical doctors and MBBS doctors) pertaining to the definition of cure, drugs used for multi-drug resistant TB, honorarium for DOT provider, and utility of Mantoux test among adults was quite poor and recorded as only 31.1%, 37.7%, 44.3%, and 42.6% respectively. Conclusion: To conclude, the present study has provided valuable insights about the knowledge of TB among all the stakeholders and the status of the ACSM activities in a medical college. Based on the study findings, a comprehensive action plan has been developed to bridge the existing gaps and strengthen the overall ACSM activities pertaining to TB within the medical college settings.


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Determination of Knowledge and Applications of workers Working Out in the Open About Skin Cancer

2016-10-10T18-48-24Z
Source: TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin
Sinem Dağ, Filiz Hisar.
ABSTRACT Aim: This research was performed descriptively in order to determine the knowledge and applications of workers working out in the open about skin cancer and protection from skin cancer. Method: The universe of the research is composed of 200 workers working in the open in Nicosia Turkish Municipality in Republic of Northern Cyprus. Sample selection was not made and whole universe was incorporated to the scope of the research. In the collection of the data, individual descriptive properties questionnaire form and questionnaire form regarding protection from skin cancer and applications were used. The assessment of the data was made by percentage distribution and chi-square test. Results: In the research it was determined that 43.2% of the workers are at an age interval of 35-44 and 59.9% are graduated from primary school. 28.6% of the workers have light skin color, 21.9% of the workers have colored eyes, 19,3% have sunspot and 15.6% have increasing number, color and size of moles. It was understood that 50.6% of the workers are exposed o sunlight 8 hours a day. (between 08:00 and 17:00) It was determined that 70.3% of the workers do not have any knowledge about skin cancer, 84.8% percent hat suitable and appropriate (long-thin, light-colored) did not wear clothes, 77.6% defined the suitable sunglasses and 91.7% were not using sunscreen. Conclusion: In light of these results, necessary education about skin cancer and protection from skin cancer should be given to the workers working out in the open.


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Understanding The Three Dimensional Perspective to Prevent Risky Health Behaviours of Adolescents: Family, School and Family Physician

2016-10-10T18-48-24Z
Source: TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin
Burcu Küçük Biçer, Hilal Özcebe.
Background: Determination of the prevalence of risky health behaviors (RHB) of adolescents and evaluation of the role of family, school and health sector in formation of RHB. Methods: The study was performed in high schools situated in a district in Ankara. Sample group of this research included 1467 adolescents. Data were collected by using a standardized questionnaire for adolescents. Face to face interviews were conducted with mothers, teachers and family health practitioners of some adolescents. Frequencies, ANOVA and independent t test; linear regression analysis were used when appropriate. Ethical consent was taken from Hacettepe University. Results: Mean age of adolescents were 17,15±0,45. 567 and 567 of them had risky health behaviors. The mean score of RHB scale score(t: -0,992, p: 0.321) and the mean scores of subgroups of physical activity (t: 2.261, p: 0.024), nutrition (t:0.48, p: 0.962), hygiene (t: -0.418, p: 0.676), physchosocial t:-2.772, p:0,006) and substance abuse (t:-1,273, p:0,203) of governmental high school adolescents were statistically higher than anatolian high school adolescents (p


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COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT METHODS USED FOR PATIENT CARE BYCAREGIVERS TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AT HOME

2016-10-10T18-48-24Z
Source: TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin
alaattin altın, ilknur aydın avci.
Aim: This study was carried outto determine thecomplementary and alternative treatment methods used for patient care by caregiver to Alzheimers disease at home. Material and Method: This study, designed in accordance with descriptive research principles, was applied in a hospital between June 15, 2014 and December 20, 2015 in Samsun. The participants were 177 Alzhemiers disease caregivers who registered to Home Care Services Centre and who agreed to participate to the study. The data of the study were collected with 'Data Collection Form'. In evaluating the obtained data, number, percentandChi-square (X²) testwere used. Results: In the study, the average age of the caregivers of Alzheimer's patients is 48.8±13.2 and the 83.6's% are women. The frequency of the complementary and alternative treatment methods used for patient care bycaregivers to Alzheimers disease at homeis 61.6%. It was found out that 21.5% of the caregivers prefer massage, 30.5% prefer honey as herbal methods, 51.4% prefer religious practices for patient care. It was determined that 59.6% of the participants did not consult to the medical staff before/during their use of complementary and alternative treatment methods. The relationship between the status of achieving to the expected results of the complementary and alternative treatment methods used for patient care by caregiver to Alzheimers disease at home and the status of economical support was foundstatistically significant (p


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Evaluatıon of The Effect of Childhood Trauma on The Anger Status of University Students

2016-10-10T18-48-24Z
Source: TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin
Hülya KULAKÇI, Gülbahar KORKMAZ ASLAN, Tülay KUZLU AYYILDIZ, Ferruh Niyazi AYOĞLU, Funda VEREN.
In this study, it was intended to evaluate the effect of childhood trauma on the anger status of university students. A total of 323 students who were studying in a University, Department of Nursing were included in this cross-sectional study. All data were collected by using Descriptive Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale. Data were analyzed by using numerical and percentage values, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman Correlation Analysis. It was found that mean total score of Childhood Traumatic Events Scale was 102.26, mean score of emotional abuse and neglect was 59.96, mean score of physical abuse was 33.18 and mean score of sexual abuse was 9.11. Mean trait anger score of students was found to be 22.67; and mean scores of anger-out, anger-in and anger control, that are the subdimensions of anger expression styles, were found to be 17.16, 16.58 and 21.57, respectively. When the relationship between childhood traumatic events of the students and their trait anger and the forms of anger expression was examined, it was determined that their trait anger levels increased (p=0.000, r=0.203), and they reflected their anger more (p=0.000, r=0.217) as their exposure to traumatic events increased. According to the results of this study, it was found that mean score of Childhood Traumatic Events Scale was was high. Key Words: University student, Childhood Traumatic Events, Anger status


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