Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether smoking affects the quality of life of the students at Medical Documentation and Secreteriat Program (MDS) of Health Services Vocational Colleges. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the questionnaire has been applied to 147 (73,5 %) students out of 200 MDS students. As data collecting tool, a questionnaire developed by the researcher and Short Form 36 (SF-36) were used. The chi-square test, pearson correlation and logistical regression analysis were used in the statistical analysis. Results: In all the domains of quality of life, the scores of nonsmoker students were found to be higher than the smokers. This height was significant for the domains of pain (BP) and physical health mean scores. In all the domains of quality of life except for BP and general health perception (GH), heavy smokers (_>20 cigarettes per day) had lower scores of life quality than light and moderate smokers. This lowness was significant for the domain of physical role limitations (RP). The quality of life scores of the students having smoking-related health problems were lower than the scores of those who did not have health problems. This lowness was significant for the domains of BP and GH. The quality of life scores of the students with smoking family members were lower than the non-smokers. The life quality scores of the students who desired professional help to stop smoking were lower than those who do not. This lowness was significant for the GH, RE and mental health summary (MCS) domains. A negatively significant correlation between the number of the cigarette pieces a day and RP, RE and mental health scores of quality of life was identified. A negatively significant correlation between the expenses for smoking and RP, RE, MCS was also identified. Conclusion: The life quality scores of the smoking students are lower Keywords: Students, smoking, quality of life Introduction The university years are the years when there are a great number of problems such as leaving home and family, adaptation to a new environment, being a candidate for a profession, uncertainities as to finding a job as well as the confusion of adolescence. It has been asserted that excessive stress resulting from these problems enhances the smoking habit (1). In a study representative of the whole country carried out in 1988, it was reported that in Turkish society, 68.2% of men above 15 years, 24.3% of women, and 43.6% of the whole population are active smokers (2). Although much previous research has described the associations between smoking and poor physical health (3,4) few studies have examined the associations of smoking status with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The differences in either HRQoL or QOL among various smoking status groups are not well documented in general population surveys. However, earlier studies have shown that smoking may lead to impairment of QOL, both overall and healthrelated (5,6). The study has two aims: first, to assess the impact of smoking on QOL, using SF36 and second, to assess quality of smokers' lives and to estimate how QOL and various socio-demographic factors affect this association. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a face-to-face questionnaire was applied by trained pollsters to 147 (73.5 %) students out of 200 MDS students studying at Erciyes, Zonguldak Karaelmas and Ondokuz Mayis Universities during the 2006-2007 educational year. In the study, a questionnaire developed by the researcher and SF-36 quality of life scale were used as the data collecting tool. These questions included demographic characteristics, current and former smoking status, quitting within the past year, duration of smoking, the case of having smoking-related health problems, presence of smokers in family, attempts to give up smoking and desire to get professional help for this. They were classified as the present smokers that smoke one cigarette a day at least, heavy smokers; 20 and plus, moderate smokers; 11-19, light smokers; 1-10. …
Breast cancer is the most common cancer type and cause of death among women in many countries. Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) is an effective diagnostic method for breast cancer. This study aimed to determine the knowledge level and practice frequency of BSE among healthcare workers in Kayseri, Turkey. Data were collected via a questionnaire that was prepared based on information in the literature. The questionnaire was composed of 2 sections: sociodemographic characteristics and practice and knowledge related to BSE. The sample group included 246 healthcare workers. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, (post hoc) Dunn, and chi tests were used in the analyses of data. The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 29.0 (5.6) years. Most (58.1%) were married, and a family history of breast cancer was reported by 12.2%. Of the respondents, 35% stated that they did not know how to conduct an examination of their breasts. Although 52.4% (n = 129) of the women reported that they performed BSE, only 17.0% (n = 22) reported doing so on a monthly basis. The practice of BSE was significantly associated with older, more educated medical secretaries; a positive personal history of breast problems; and a positive family history of breast cancer (P < .05). Healthcare workers had a low mean level of knowledge about the practice of BSE (mean [SD] score, 11.70 [10.07]; range, 0-40). The scores of the women who stated that they practiced BSE were significantly higher (P = .000) than those who reported that they did not. Healthcare workers need to improve their knowledge of and sensitivity toward BSE.
Objective: The aim of this study is to research the relationship between the healthy lifestyle behaviors and eating attitudes of a group of health high school students. Method and Material: This cross-sectional study has been carried out on 272 students who are studying at Erciyes University Health High school, nutrition and dietetics (130), nursing (103) and midwifery (39) departments between February-March 2008. A survey sheet rating students' demographic socio-cultural characteristics, their behaviors related to nutrition, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and The Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale have been used and research data have been collected by face-to-face application of survey by a researcher. During the analysis of data, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson Correlation analysis and Logistic Regression analysis have been applied. Resulth: The meanpoint of the eating attitudes test and the behaviors of healthy-life-style of the students was 20.9p9.3, 127.8p17.5 respectively. 14 % of students have scored g30 point from EAT. Possible eating disorder rates of schoolgirls have been found significantly higher than schoolboys. A significant difference has been found between EAT mean scores according to students accommodations and settlements (pl0.05). Possible eating disorder rates of people in normal weight have been found significantly high. As a result of the applied correlation analysis, it is found that the more EAT total points increase, the more health responsibility points increase significantly. Conclusion: Possibility of eating disorder among schoolgirls, students in normal weight, students staying at dormitory and living in districts is high. University students constitutes the risk grup for eating disorder both because of their age and psyco-social or economic pressure. Than, we recommend to establish, preventive measures and education of students and their parents about eating disorders. Key words: Health High School Students, Eating Attitudes, Healthy Life Style Behavior
Turkce Ozet: Amac: Bu calisma, Saglik Meslek Yuksek Okulu ogrencilerinin, yasli ayrimciligina iliskin tutumlarini ve bu tutumlarin bazi demografik degiskenlerle iliskisini belirlemek amaciyla yapilmistir. Gerec ve Yontemler: Tanimlayici ve kesitsel tipteki bu calisma, 2010-2011 egitim-ogretim yilinda Erciyes Universitesi Saglik Meslek Yuksekokulu\'nda ogrenim goren ve arastirmaya katilmayi kabul eden 363 ogrenci uzerinde yapilmistir. Veri toplama araci olarak, Kisisel Bilgi Formu ve Yasli Ayrimciligi Tutum Olcegi (YATO) kullanilmistir. Bulgular: Ogrencilerin YATO toplam puan ortalamasi 70.6±9.5 olup, yaslilik ve yasli ayrimciligina iliskin tutumlari olumlu idi. 20 yas uzerindeki ogrencilerin yasliya yonelik olumlu ayrimcilik puanlari 20 yas ve altindaki ogrencilerin puanlarindan anlamli duzeyde yuksek bulunmustur (p<0.05). Cekirdek aile yapisina sahip olan ogrencilerin yaslinin yasamini sinirlama puanlari genis aile yapisina sahip olan ogrencilere gore anlamli duzeyde yuksek bulunmustur (p<0.05). Ikinci sinif ogrencilerin yasliya yonelik olumsuz ayrimcilik ve YATO toplam puanlari birinci sinif ogrencilere gore anlamli duzeyde dusuk bulunmustur (p<0.05). Sonuc: Saglik Meslek Yuksek Okulu ogrencilerinin yasli ayrimciligina iliskin olumlu tutuma sahip olduklari saptanmistir.
