ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The University of Iowa Child Protection Program collaborated with Turkish professionals to develop a training program on child abuse and neglect during 2002-2006 with the goals of increasing professional awareness and number of multidisciplinary teams (MDT), regional collaborations, and assessed cases. This paper summarizes the 5-year outcome. METHODS: A team of instructors evaluated needs and held training activities in Turkey annually, and provided consultation when needed. Descriptive analysis was done via Excel and SPSS software. RESULTS: Eighteen training activities were held with 3,570 attendees. Over the study period, the number of MDTs increased from 4 to 14. The MDTs got involved in organizing training activities in their institutions and communities. The number of medical curriculum lectures taught by MDTs to medical students/residents, conferences organized by the MDTs, and lectures to non-medical professional audiences increased significantly (R(2)=91.4%, 83.8%, and 69.2%, respectively). The number of abuse cases assessed by the MDTs increased by five times compared to pre-training period. CONCLUSIONS: A culturally competent training program had a positive impact on professional attitudes and behaviors toward recognition and management of child abuse and neglect in Turkey. The need to partner with policy makers to revise current law in favor of a greater human services orientation became clear. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pioneers in developing countries may benefit from collaborating with culturally competent instructors from countries with more developed child protection systems to develop training programs so that professional development can improve recognition and management of child abuse and neglect.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse/prevention & control , Child Welfare , Interdisciplinary Communication , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Child , Child Abuse/classification , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Child, Preschool , Education/organization & administration , Humans , International Cooperation , Iowa , Program Development , Program Evaluation , Turkey , UniversitiesABSTRACT
Exclusive breastfeeding among infants less than or equal to 6 months old and continued breastfeeding (20-23 months) are high-priority indicators of infant health. We aimed to assess breastfeeding practices, using standardized breastfeeding indicators, and to determine the causes of early discontinuation of breastfeeding (< or = 6 months) in children aged 0 to 24 months in Duzce, Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, the study group consisted of 158 children, and questionnaires were completed by face-to-face interviews with the mothers. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding (< or = 6 months) was 22.4%. The rate of continued breastfeeding (20-23 months) was 10.0%. The 2 primary causes of early discontinuation of breastfeeding were inadequate milk supply (38.1%) and baby not latching on (14.3%). Half of the individuals who recommended infant formula to mothers with infants less than or equal to 6 months old were physicians.
