Prevalence of depression in patients on hemodialysis and its impact on quality of life

The aim was to address the prevalence of depression in a group of patients on hemodialys and determine its effect on quality of life [QoL]. This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st March, 2007 and 28th Feb., 2008 in a district of western Turkey. The study group included 294 hemodialys patients. The questionnaire included the patients' sociodemographic characteristics, Beck Depression Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Chi-square test and Spearman correlation analyses were used for statistical analyses, with a p value lower than 0.05 being considered significant. The average age of the study group was 55.89 +/- 15.22 years [range=19-86]. Prevalence of depression was found to be 27.9%, and was significantly higher in women, in those with older age, in those with lower level of education and in unemployed patients [p < 0.05 in each one]. The mean scores received from all domains in the SF-36 were significantly lower in depressive patients [p < 0.001 in each one]. As the scores that patients received from the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] increased, the scores obtained from all domains in SF-36 showed decrease [p < 0.001, for each one]. Depression adversely affecting QoL is a common health problem in hemodialysis patients. Thus, periodic screenings should be done for detection, prevention and control of depression

Knowledge of women on early diagnosis methods and risk factors for breast cancer in a province of Western Turkey: a descriptive study

To determine the knowledge of women on early diagnosis methods and risk factors for breast cancer [BC]. This descriptive study was conducted on all the women attending to the Eskisehir Municipality Women's Counseling and Solidarity Center in a province of western Turkey for any reasons between April 1, 2008 and April 1, 2010. The evaluation of knowledge was scored by a questionnaire formed using literature. The statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square [x[2]], and student t test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The average age of the participants was 47.21 +/- 10.46 years. The proportion of those with enough knowledge about BC was 48.7%. In younger ages, in those with higher education levels, in those living in nuclear family type, in those with higher family income level, in those smoking cigarette, in those receiving knowledge previously about BC, in those having positive family history and in those with a benign or malignant breast disease diagnosed previously, the knowledge about BC were higher [p<0.001, per one]. According to the results of this study, breast self-examination, a simple and economical diagnostic tool which protects women's privacy, should be performed regularly and properly by women themselves

Frequency of vaccination and exposure to needle-stick sharp injuries among a group of nurses in Turkey: a meta regression analysis

To determine the prevalence of needle stick sharps injuries [NSSIs] and the frequency of vaccination, and to determine the risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infections. We found 14 NSSIs-related studies conducted between January 1996 and January 2006 in Turkey. Out of those, 10 studies selected according to systematic review were related to vaccination. Analyses were prepared using a Meta Regression Analysis. In 14 case-control studies, the rate of NSSIs among nurses for the last year was found to be 64%. The frequency of injury among nurses aged 30 and below when compared to that of nurses aged 31 and over was 1.071-fold higher. The frequency of vaccination among nurses in the age of 30 and under was 1.01-fold lower when compared to those in the age of 31 and over. We conclude that the prevention of NSSIs through education and training of nurses, especially younger nurses, is of great importance