The Relationship Between Obesity and Internet Addiction in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and internet addiction in first-year university students (aged 18-25 years). DESIGN: The study was designed using a cross-sectional analytic model. SETTING: Data collection took place at Dokuz Eylul University, involving a diverse group of first-year students from different faculties. SUBJECTS: The study population comprised 12,365 students, with 2890 individuals selected using cluster sampling. MEASURES: Internet addiction was evaluated using the Online Cognition Scale (OCS). Data on obesity-related variables and demographic details were collected through a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, t test, and ANOVA were applied for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: The study included 2105 participants, with 43.8% males and 56.2% females. A significant positive correlation was found between body mass index (BMI) and OCS scores (P = .000), indicating a higher prevalence of internet addiction among individuals with higher BMI. Males had higher mean OCS scores (91.19 ± 35.14) than females (80.21 ± 30.51) (P = .00). Overweight and obese individuals exhibited higher scores on OCS sub-dimensions (P < .005). Notably, individuals with a BMI over 25 were categorized as overweight, and those with a BMI over 30 were classified as obese. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate a noteworthy relationship between internet addiction and obesity among university students. The study emphasizes the necessity of increased attention to this issue in Turkey for the implementation of effective interventions and preventive measures.

Which family physician should I choose? The analytic hierarchy process approach for ranking of criteria in the selection of a family physician.

BACKGROUND: Choosing the most appropriate family physician (FP) for the individual, plays a fundamental role in primary care. The aim of this study is to determine the selection criteria for the patients in choosing their family doctors and priority ranking of these criteria by using the multi-criteria decision-making method of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model. METHODS: The study was planned and conducted in two phases. In the first phase, factors affecting the patients' decisions were revealed with a qualitative research. In the next phase, the priorities of FP selection criteria were determined by using AHP model. Criteria were compared in pairs. 96 patient were asked to fill the information forms which contains comparison scores in the Family Health Centres. RESULTS: According to the analysis of focus group discussions FP selection criteria were congregated in to five groups: Individual Characteristics, Patient-Doctor relationship, Professional characteristics, the Setting, and Ethical Characteristics. For each of the 96 participants, comparison matrixes were formed based on the scores of their information forms. Of these, models of only 5 (5.2 %) of the participants were consistent, in other words, they have been able to score consistent ranking. The consistency ratios (CR) were found to be smaller than 0.10. Therefore the comparison matrix of this new model, which was formed based on the medians of scores only given by these 5 participants, was consistent (CR = 0.06 < 0.10). According to comparison results; with a 0.467 value-weight, the most important criterion for choosing a family physician is his/her 'Professional characteristics'. CONCLUSIONS: Selection criteria for choosing a FP were put in a priority order by using AHP model. These criteria can be used as measures for selecting alternative FPs in further researches.

The influence of health care reforms on work-related attitudes and anxieties of primary care physicians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Reforming primary healthcare services has been the core agenda of health policies of the developing countries in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. In Turkey, the Transformation in Health Project brings along many changes in all aspects of primary health care services, such as organization and financing of services and employment of healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of health care reforms on primary care physicians working in Izmir. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire and an anxiety scale were applied to a sample of primary care physicians in Izmir in 2007 and 2009. The questionnaire consisted of questions about demographic characteristics and expressions regarding the effect of reforms on physicians organized on a 7-point Likert scale. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used as an anxiety scale. RESULTS: The mean scores given by physicians working in family health centers were significantly higher than those of physicians working in public institutions. The score for "My responsibilities are well defined" statement given by physicians working in family health centers decreased significantly in the second survey. The necessity of reforms in the health care system and primary care health services was more significantly favored by physicians working in family health centers. Persistent anxiety of physicians working in community health centers was significantly higher in both surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that health reforms had a substantial impact on work-related attitudes and anxieties of primary care physicians, and this effect was maintained over time.

Is the use of videotape recording superior to verbal feedback alone in the teaching of clinical skills?

BACKGROUND: In recent times, medical schools have committed to developing good communication and history taking skills in students. However, there remains an unresolved question as to which constitutes the best educational method. Our study aims to investigate whether the use of videotape recording is superior to verbal feedback alone in the teaching of clinical skills and the role of student self-assessment on history taking and communication skills. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was designed. The study was conducted with 52 of the Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine second year students. All students' performances of communication and history taking skills were assessed twice. Between these assessments, the study group had received both verbal and visual feedback by watching their video recordings on patient interview; the control group received only verbal feedback from the teacher. RESULTS: Although the self-assessment of the students did not change significantly, assessors' ratings increased significantly for videotaped interviews at the second time. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback based on videotaped interviews is superior to the feedback given solely based on the observation of assessors.

Young people benefit from comprehensive education on reproductive health.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether students' knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and their usage rate of special reproductive health units can be improved by means of a thorough continuing education programme including peer education (PE) and reproductive health counselling. METHODS: A 'before and after intervention' study was conducted. A questionnaire was applied to first year university students both at the beginning and at the end of the academic year 2005-2006. Out of 5236 students, 1716 and 1311 were evaluated in the first and second surveys, respectively. Numerous educational approaches and methods were utilized in the course of the study. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The knowledge scores of reproductive function, sexually transmitted infections and contraception increased by 17.4%, 10.0% and 11.9%, respectively. The total knowledge score increased by 10.2%. The usage of primary care units increased by 18.1%. CONCLUSIONS: SRH issues are difficult to talk about and to discuss openly. A comprehensive approach seems to have some efficacy to overcome this problem and provide information on SRH. Young people benefit from educational programmes implemented in their own social environment particularly via the PE method.