The Effectiveness of Community-based Social Distancing for Mitigating the Spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effects of community-based social distancing interventions after the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in Turkey on the course of the pandemic and to determine the number of prevented cases. @*Methods@#In this ecological study, the interventions implemented in response to the first COVID-19 cases in Turkey were evaluated and the effect of the interventions was demonstrated by calculating the effective reproduction number (Rt) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coro navirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) when people complied with community-based social distancing rules. @*Results@#Google mobility scores decreased by an average of 36.33±22.41 points (range, 2.60 to 84.80) and a median of 43.80 points (interquartile range [IQR], 24.90 to 50.25). The interventions caused the calculated Rt to decrease to 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.87 to 1.89). The median growth rate was 19.90% (IQR, 10.90 to 53.90). A positive correlation was found between Google mobility data and Rt (r=0.783; p<0.001). The expected number of cases if the growth rate had not changed was predicted according to Google mobility categories, and it was estimated to be 1 381 922 in total. Thus, community-based interventions were estimated to have prevented 1 299 593 people from being infected. @*Conclusions@#Community-based social distancing interventions significantly decreased the Rt of COVID-19 by reducing human mobility, and thereby prevented many people from becoming infected. Another important result of this study is that it shows health policy-makers that data on human mobility in the community obtained via mobile phones can be a guide for measures to be taken.

The Effectiveness of Community-based Social Distancing for Mitigating the Spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effects of community-based social distancing interventions after the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in Turkey on the course of the pandemic and to determine the number of prevented cases. @*Methods@#In this ecological study, the interventions implemented in response to the first COVID-19 cases in Turkey were evaluated and the effect of the interventions was demonstrated by calculating the effective reproduction number (Rt) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coro navirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) when people complied with community-based social distancing rules. @*Results@#Google mobility scores decreased by an average of 36.33±22.41 points (range, 2.60 to 84.80) and a median of 43.80 points (interquartile range [IQR], 24.90 to 50.25). The interventions caused the calculated Rt to decrease to 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.87 to 1.89). The median growth rate was 19.90% (IQR, 10.90 to 53.90). A positive correlation was found between Google mobility data and Rt (r=0.783; p<0.001). The expected number of cases if the growth rate had not changed was predicted according to Google mobility categories, and it was estimated to be 1 381 922 in total. Thus, community-based interventions were estimated to have prevented 1 299 593 people from being infected. @*Conclusions@#Community-based social distancing interventions significantly decreased the Rt of COVID-19 by reducing human mobility, and thereby prevented many people from becoming infected. Another important result of this study is that it shows health policy-makers that data on human mobility in the community obtained via mobile phones can be a guide for measures to be taken.

Identification of variables affecting infant mortality rate in Eskisehir [Turkey]

An understanding of the factors related to infant mortality is important. This study aimed to identify the determinants of infant mortality rate in Eskisehir [central part of Anatolia] in Turkey. This was a cross-sectional ecologic study. The data source for the analysis was Eskisehir Provincial Directorate of Health from which survival information of 15,600 infants born and 227 infant deaths between 2006-2007 was examined. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyze the factors associated with infant deaths, using demographic, maternal and infant indicators and health service determinants. Neperian log transformation was applied in the dependent variable to normalize residue distribution. Infant mortality rate was found as 14.55 per 1000 live births and Neonatal mortality rate as 10.96 per 1000 live births in Eskisehir. The variables that predicted infant mortality rate were the rate of non-schooled women. The possible determinants identified for still birth rate included infants with low birth weight and the percentage of deliveries outside the hospital. The variable that predicted neonatal death rate was found as the percentage of deliveries outside the hospital. Women enrollment rate in school as well as deliveries outside the hospital and low birth weight determinants should be taken into account when planning the interventions to reduce infant mortality in Eskisehir, Turkey

Evaluation of metabolic syndrome prevalence. In semi-rural areas of Central Anatolia, Turkey

To assess the prevalence and clustering of components of metabolic syndrome [MetS] in semi-rural areas of Central Anatolia, Turkey. This study was conducted between January and August 2008 on a randomly selected sample of participants from semi-rural settlement areas of the Eskisehir province, Central Anatolia, Turkey. The MetS was diagnosed as the presence of 3, or more risk factors according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Expert Panel Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP ATP III] criteria. The MetS prevalence was standardized according to age, and logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors affecting prevalence. The study group composed of 2, 766 people [40.4% male, 59.6% female]. The corrected MetS prevalence according to age was 27.6%, with values of 19.4% in males, and 33.2% in females. The prevalence increased with increasing age in both genders. Groups engaged in heavy physical exercise, and smoking showed decreased odds of having MetS, while MetS risk was lower in men who consumed proper amounts of red meat, fruits, and vegetables. In the MetS group, central obesity risk was higher for women, whereas hypertriglyceridemia risk was higher for men. In the non-MetS group, hypertension, and central obesity risks were higher for women, whereas hypertriglyceridemia risk was higher for men. It was concluded that MetS is a major problem in the Eskisehir province, and it is imperative that changes in lifestyle be made within this population to reduce the risk factors for the condition

Knowledge of diabetic patients about diabetes at the primary stage in Eskisehir, Turkey

To define the demographic characteristics of diabetes patients receiving care at the primary stage to establish the number of diabetics with complications. Patients who were referred to Eskisehir central village clinics in Turkey were included in the study. A survey was conducted via face-to-face interviews. Four hundred ninety five diabetic patients were referred to the polyclinic within the study period. Majority of the patients had a positive family history, hypertension and obesity. Only 14.5% of the patients were able to check their plasma glucose levels by themselves. None of the patients had HbA1c level results in their follow-up files. In addition, they were unaware of what HbA1c signifies or what it entails. 21.9% of the diabetics developed a complication. Increases in age, positive family history, long duration of diabetes were responsible for the presence of complications. Though the diabetics were attentive to their own controls but very few were able to check their blood sugar levels by themselves at home. Education of diabetics is extremely important to achieve desired blood glucose levels thus ensuring good control and prevent complications