Determinants of Protective Healthcare Services Awareness among Female Syrian Refugees in Turkey.

War-related migration may deprive people of access to a regular healthcare system and cause new diseases to be battled. Since refugee women are more vulnerable to diseases during this period, protective healthcare services awareness is critical for early disease diagnosis. Following the civil war that triggered the migration of millions of Syrians, an extensive survey was undertaken in coordination with the World Health Organization Country Office in Turkey to explore the health status of Syrian refugees in Turkey. Employing the survey data, we aimed to investigate the determinants of the awareness of protective health services (Pap smear test, mammogram, HIV test) among female Syrian refugees. Logit regression analysis was applied in order to investigate the determinants of the awareness of protective health services among the female refugee population. The results revealed a notably low rate of awareness of protective health services among female Syrian refugees. Furthermore, the association of explanatory variables, including socioeconomic factors, healthcare use, and health literacy with the protective health services awareness, was found to be significant.

Factors Associated with Self-Reported Chronic Diseases of Syrian Refugees in Turkey.

Background: Syria's civil conflict, which began in 2011, led millions of Syrians to migrate to countries all over the world, including Turkey. Considering the fact that war-caused migrations may affect the citizens of the host countries and immigrants from diverse perspectives, It is important to make scientific research on the outcomes of migration after the Syrian civil war. Objective: This paper investigates the relationship between chronic diseases, such as, cardiac disease, diabetes, and hypertension, and covariates, including socioeconomic status, war-related conditions, risky health behaviours, health services use, and health literacy, using survey data on 7 202 Syrian refugees from 4 068 households living out of camp settlements in Turkey. Methods: Logistic regressions were employed to examine the relationship between the chronic diseases and covariates, which include socioeconomic status, war-related conditions, risky health behaviours, health services use, and health literacy. Findings: The results reveal that pre-migration income, health behaviours, such as, tobacco consumption, body mass index, daily activity, health-care use, and health literacy are the most important factors for one or more chronic diseases. Conclusion: Considering the effects of risk factors on chronic diseases among Syrian refugees, it is critical to take preventive steps for negative outcomes.

A public awareness study about antibiotic consumption habits and antibacterial resistance in north-eastern region of Cyprus.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic resistance is a current global issue. Investigation of the level of knowledge of the public about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance is necessary to combat the antibiotic resistance problem. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of knowledge of the citizens of the north-eastern part of Cyprus on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance problem. METHODOLOGY: Randomly selected 701 adults were included in the study. A modified version of World Health Organization's public awareness survey was used to assess the knowledge on antibiotics and the resistance. Logistic regression was used to find out the relationship between knowledge and education level. Spearman's correlation analysis was carried out to determine the association between the education level and the awareness of antibiotic resistance. RESULTS: Overall, 47.9% (336/701) of the respondents had used antibiotics in the last 6 months. Approximately 70% of respondents were determined to have intermediate/high knowledge on antibiotic consumption. In total, 66% of the population heard about antibiotic resistance and of these, 64% had intermediate knowledge on the resistance concept. University graduates were more likely to hear the term antibiotic resistance than primary school graduates. CONCLUSIONS: In the north-eastern region of Cyprus, the public is moderately knowledgeable about antibiotics and resistance. The study is the first large scale study in the northern part of Cyprus and is thought to improve the national health policies related with antibiotic consumption in Cyprus and other developing countries.

Traditional Techniques Applied in Olive Oil Production Results in Lower Quality Products in Northern Cyprus.

OBJECTIVES: Olive oil production and its consumption is one of the traditional characteristics of Northern Cyprus. To date, no research has been conducted to analyze the quality of traditionally produced olive oil. Therefore, within this study, we aimed to analyze the olive oil produced within the island concomitant to the determination and comparison of its quality indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The standard olive oil analysis techniques acknowledged by the IOOC and ISO were employed. Accordingly, the fatty acid content, peroxide level, total phenol content, the levels of carotenoids and chlorophyll, as well as status of oxidation were all tested concomitant to statistical analysis. RESULTS: In contrast to the regional belief and consideration, the results indicated that the olive oil produced locally is highly exposed to oxidation and therefore, it is of lower quality according to the ISO guidelines. CONCLUSION: The traditional techniques employed for the production, distribution, and storage of olive oil within Northern Cyprus must be re-evaluated and controlled to satisfy the current standards required and employed globally.