Breast self-examination among nurses and midwives in Odemis health district in Turkey.

Background The second leading cause of death due to cancer in Turkey is breast cancer, which accounts for 24% of female cancers. Aims: To determine the practices of nurses and midwives and their attitude toward breast self-examination (BSE). Setting and Design: The descriptive survey was conducted to determine the practices of nurses and midwives and their attitude toward BSE. It tried to cover the total population rather than sampling part of it. However, 15 nurses and midwives, where there were errors detected in their data coding papers, and who did not accept to join the study, were excluded from the study. A total of 80 nurses and midwives were included in the study group. Materials and Methods: This survey was carried out at the State Hospital, all Public Health Cabins, and Family Health Centers, in the rural area of Izmir, a city located in the western region of Turkey. The data was collected between 15 March and 1 April 2004. Statistical Analysis: The analysis included descriptive statistics, to examine the association between BSE and medical history, knowledge of BSE, and attitude toward BSE. Results: The results of the study indicated that 52% of the sample performed BSE. Approximately 35% of those who performed BSE reported that they acquired information regarding BSE during their work experience. A significant relationship was found between higher levels of work experience and BSE practice. Except for age, no significant relation was found between the sociodemographic factors and BSE practice. The sample showed a strong belief in the breast lump being the cause of breast cancer and it had a significant correlation with BSE practice. Conclusion: A positive correlation was found between nursing work experience and their practice alongside BSE medical professionals. Almost all the nurses and midwives knew how to conduct BSE, but did not prioritize practicing it.

Influence of global system of mobile telephones on permanent pacemakers

To investigate the influence of Global System of Mobile (GSM) telephones on permanent pacemakers, four brands of GSM telephones: Panasonic, Motorola, Nokia, Ericsson, and 24 permanent pacemaker, 17 models of five major brands, were tested in their original sterile packages. Pacemaker brands tested were Pacessetter, Cardiac Pacemakers Inc. (CPI), Vitatron, Medtronic and Intermedics. The effects of switching on and off, ringing and transmission were tested and marker channel recordings were made connuously. Tests were carried out for each model of GSM telephone wile the telephone was immediately on or up to 15 cm above the pacemaker box. No program chagne was noted in any of the pacemakers. All CPI models tested, Synchrony II of Pacesetter, Unity of Intermedics, and Thera SR of Medtronic were unaffected. However all remaining models showed intermittent and/or continuous inhibition of 2-13 seconds and inappropriate triggering of impulse when the telephones were placed on the package. Interference dsppeared beyond 15 cm in all pacemaker models. O ne pacemaker, AFP of Pacesetter implanted 8 years ago, induced VT as long as the patient tried to keep the telephone active over either ear. In conclusion, patients with permanent pacemakers shoud be advised not to use GSM telephones until further tests prove their safety.