ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the association of second and fourth-digit (2D:4D) ratios with metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease risk (CVR). METHOD: This case-control study was conducted between February and March 2024 with 200 participants (100 patients +100 controls). Biochemical parameters (glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, haemogram, HbA1C) were recorded. All participants were evaluated in terms of MS diagnostic criteria. CVR was calculated with the ESC CVD Risk Calculator. Second-digit and fourth-digit measurements were performed and the 2D:4D ratio of both hands and the difference between 2D:4D of both hands (Dr-l) were obtained. The relationship between 2D:4D and MS, CVR, and gender was evaluated. p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the study participants were male. The right-hand 2D:4D (R2D:4D) ratio was 1.009 ± 0.04 and the left-hand 2D:4D (L2D:4D) ratio was 0.991 ± 0.04 (p < .001). R2D:4D ratio was 1.010 ± 0.04 in women and 0.985 ± 0.03 in men (p = .019). R2D:4D (p < .001), Dr-l (p = .001), and CVR (p < .001) were significantly higher in men with MS (+) compared to MS (-). CONCLUSION: In our study, the R2D:4D ratio was found to be associated with MS and CVR in men. Low intrauterine androgen exposure may affect the development of MS, but this effect is more prominent in males.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and reservations of family physicians (FPs) in reporting elderly abuse and neglect (EAN). METHODS: Our cross-sectional study was conducted with 161 FPs in Kütahya, a city in Türkiye. A questionnaire including demographic characteristics, the frequency with which Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) questions were asked and knowledge level of EAN was applied to the FPs. RESULTS: Only about a quarter (24.2%) of the FPs felt competent regarding EAN. The rate of participants who had encountered EAN victims before was 46%. Of these, 40% reported psychological violence, 24.3% reported physical and psychological violence and 21.6% reported only physical violence. FPs also reported that inconsistency in anamnesis (87.0%), inconsistency between anamnesis and physical examination findings (85.1%) and frequent visits to the emergency department (59.6%) raised suspicion about EAN. It was also observed that 68.9% of the FPs knew that healthcare professionals had a legal obligation to report elder abuse. Only 23.0% of the FPs who encountered cases of violence and abuse stated that they had made a legal report. Among the FPs who did not report, 40.4% stated that they did not report because they had some reservations or did not know how to do so (35.1%). CONCLUSION: Due to a lack of knowledge and some concerns, the rate of reporting EAN to judicial authorities was also low. FPs were not aware of the importance of EAN in terms of elderly health.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of abuse and its effect on life satisfaction in older adults living in our region. METHOD: This research is a cross-sectional study. The participants of the study were an elderly population who applied to one 'family health centre'. The study was completed with the participation of 332 people. The study was carried out between June and July 2021. A questionnaire form, Geriatric Mistreatment Scale (GMS), Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used in the study. RESULTS: According to the GMS, 16.0% of the participants experience abuse. Psychological abuse (6.92%) was the highest according to the GMS sub-dimensions. This was followed by physical abuse (6.6%), neglect (1.8%), economic abuse (1.5%), and sexual abuse (1.5%). According to H-S/EAST, 22.9% of participants experience abuse. The perpetrators of abuse are mostly spouses, children and relatives of the elderly. There is a negative correlation between the H-S/EAST score and the SWLS score. Uneducated elderly people are exposed to abuse more than primary education graduates. Compared to the elderly living in a nuclear family, more abuse is seen in extended families and those living alone. CONCLUSION: The fact that the houses in which the elderly live are not physically suitable increases the risk of abuse. Identifying and trying to minimise local risk factors for elder abuse can help reduce the prevalence of abuse. We hope that these data will be a guide for future intervention studies.
Subject(s)
Elder Abuse , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Pregnant women are among the risk groups for influenza. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitude level of pregnant women in risk group about influenza infection and vaccine and some factors affecting their vaccination decision. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 391 pregnant women in the city of Kütahya replied a questionnaire developed by the researchers. While 35% of the participants stated that they had an influenza infection during pregnancy, 62.4% did not know that they could get the flu vaccine while pregnant. Only one of the pregnant women had a flu vaccine during pregnancy. While 67% defined influenza infection as a simple and outpatient disorder, 51.3% who did not want to be vaccinated against the flu thought that the vaccine could harm the baby. In addition, it was found that having had the flu in a previous pregnancy and healthcare professionals counselling about the vaccine increased the rate of getting the flu vaccine. The fact that most of the participants learned that they could get the flu vaccine during pregnancy for the first time and they were worried that the flu vaccine might harm the baby shows that effective methods are not used in informing and raising awareness about the flu vaccine.
