prevalence and the age at the onest of menopause in Turkish women in rural aera

To find out the prevalence of natural menopause among Turkish women according to age and certain demographic variables in a specific rural area. This cross sectional study was carried out in Silivri district of Istanbul, Turkey between January and May 2000. Included in the study were 845 women between the ages of 30-60 years, not undergoing any hormonal replacement, living in the villages of Silivri district, Istanbul, Turkey. The participants were asked for their ages, level of education, number of pregnancies, age at menarche, presence of menstruation, age at the onset of menopause, physical activity outside home and the use of oral contraceptives. Females declaring at least one year of amenorrhea were accepted as being in menopause. The median age for menopause was 47 years. Of the total 845 participants, 326 women were found to be in natural menopause. The prevalence of menopause was estimated as 8.6% for females younger than 40 years, 31.8% for females between the ages 40-45 years and 80.9% among females older than 45 years. Any of the variables questioned in our study have an effect on premature onset of menopause, but we found that never been pregnant [p=0.037, odd ratio [OR]=2.221, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.048, 4.707] reduces the reproductive period, and the age at menarche younger than 13 prevents early menopause [p=0.000, OR=0.336, 95% CI=0.195, 0.579]. Furthermore, both lead to early onset of menopause. Hazard ratios of the variables that have an effect on the onset of early menopause are calculated as 2:10 [95% CI=1.01, 4.39] for those who were never been pregnant and 1:10 for those with the menarche ages over 13 years [95% CI=0.68, 1.78]. There was a noticeably high percentage of females [8.6%] younger than 40 years who were entering menopause. On the other hand, an early onset of natural menopause among Turkish women living in this rural area was found to be associated with never been pregnant and their age of menarche

Knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among Turkish students

To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs amongst students of high school, medical school and non-medical university towards human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [HIV/AIDS]. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted amongst students of Davutpasa high school and Cerrahpasa Medical School and the faculty of arts and sciences in Istanbul University. A structured questionnaire of 50 different statement concerning basic knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], its modes of transmission, diagnosis, risk behaviors, prevention, treatment, belief as well as attitudes towards AIDS patient were distributed to 1800 students [900 females and 900 males]. This study evaluated during the period December 2003 through to April 2004. Results: 95% of students were aware of AIDS by its definition and its causation. More than 88% had knowledge that HIV could be detected through blood test. The respondents were aware that transfusion of blood and blood components [96%]. The respondents had the knowledge that HIV infection could be prevented by using condom during sexual intercourse and having sex only with an HIV-negative faithful partner [86%], and with AIDS education [92%]. 6-42% of students had misconceptions about transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS. More than 18% of the students had the attitude that HIV-infected persons should not be allowed to work. The students identified television as their most important source of information about AIDS. The findings of the study suggest that the students have a satisfactory level of essential knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Most of them have good attitudes toward person with HIV/AIDS. However, there are some misconceptions about the routes of transmission. These misconceptions should be corrected. So that we will be able to preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS