Knowledge and Protective Behaviors of Teachers on Skin Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: People socialize and receive education and training for the first time outside the home at school, where their teachers act as role models. Teachers play a crucial role in instilling sun-protection habits in children. Avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., staying in the shade, wearing sun-protective clothing, wearing sunglasses, wearing hats, using sunscreen products, and using an umbrella are some of the sun-protection methods described in the literature. This study sought to assess teachers' skin cancer knowledge and attitudes (SC). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted between 21 September 2020, and 21 October 2020, 647 teachers from 30 schools in Kahramanmaras were included with their consent. The number of teachers employed at Kahramanmaras was 1863. Accordingly, the sample was found to be 641 with a 5% margin of error and a 99% confidence interval. Schools were selected by a simple random method. Teachers' knowledge and behaviors were assessed using a 25-point questionnaire designed by the literature data to gauge the level of SC knowledge. RESULTS: Of the 647 teachers included in this study, 230 (35.5%) were male, and 417 (64.5%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 38.44 ± 8.79 (min = 22, max = 65) years. The knowledge level of the teachers about SC was 13.54 ± 4.48 (min = 0, max = 23). The internet (75.9%) was the most preferred source of information. SC knowledge level was significantly higher in those with SC in their families and birthmarks on their bodies. (p < 0.001, p = 0.042, respectively). The rate of precaution taken to protect from the sun was higher in those with higher knowledge (p = 0.032). Women, primary school teachers, those with skin type 1, those with multiple nevi, and those with a high level of SC knowledge used statistically significantly more sunscreen (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.037, p = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the knowledge level of teachers about skin cancer and sun-protective behaviors was moderate. Correct behaviors increased as knowledge about SC grew. Information and recommendations made on the Internet should be made by experts. Additionally, health policymakers should implement projects aimed at improving teachers' knowledge and behaviors and, through them, teaching students about SC; as such projects would significantly contribute to both public health and health economics.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Imams on Prostate Cancer in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

Imams are Muslim religious leaders in Turkey, who have a significant influence on society's healthcare attitudes and behavior, and all of them are male. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of Imams toward prostate cancer (PCa) in order to evaluate their contribution to the fight against PCa in one part of Turkey. This study was carried out on 287 Imams serving in Kahramanmaras Province in Turkey. A questionnaire investigating the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors on PCa was conducted. The mean age of Imams was 40.46 ± 8.93 (min = 22, max = 60). Of the participants, 266 (92.7%) said they had heard of PCa, and 16 (5.6%) had heard of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The majority of Imam's had poor knowledge regarding PCa. The knowledge score of Imams did not change according to marital status (p = 0.304) or education level (p = 0.16), but the knowledge score significantly increased with age groups (as age increased) (p = 0.010). Results of the present study revealed that Imams lack significant knowledge on PCa. Training on PCa should be organized for Imams, and the issuance of fatwa for PCa should be encouraged. The coordinated work of media, medical personnel, religious officials, and religious schools on PCa will be an important factor in the fight against PCa.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Teachers Regarding HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and Vaccination.

This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of teachers regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccination. This cross-sectional study included teachers from 30 schools of the Kahramanmaras city between 01 March 2015 and 09 June 2015. The teachers were informed prior to the study, and 804 teachers giving written consents were enrolled. Nine questions (9 points) to ascertain the knowledge of teachers regarding HPV and 5 questions to detect the knowledge level about HPV vaccination were prepared from the literature. Of the participants, 448 (55.7%) were men and 356 (44.3%) were women with a mean age of 38.32 ± 8.36 (min = 23, max = 65) years. Of the teachers, 309 (38.4%) reported having heard about HPV before while 207 (25.7%) stated hearing about the HPV vaccine. The knowledge about HPV was mostly gained from the internet (n = 183, 22.8%). The mean knowledge score of HPV was 1.29 ± 1.57 in men and 1.76 ± 1.70 in women. The mean knowledge score about the HPV vaccination was 0.86 ± 1.06 in men and 1.14 ± 1.29 in women. The knowledge scores of female teachers regarding HPV and its vaccination were significantly higher compared with male teachers (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). We found that teachers' level of knowledge regarding HPV and its vaccination is lacking. Furthermore, we observed deficiency and mistakes in teachers' attitude and behaviors towards HPV and its vaccine. The knowledge deficiency of male teachers about HPV and vaccination compared with female teachers is remarkable.

Evaluation of the Level of Knowledge of Oral Cancer Among High School Students.

The present study aims to determine the knowledge level of high school students regarding oral cancer. The present study included students from 20 high schools located in the city center of Kahramanmaras between 1 and 28 April 2015. The students were informed prior to the study and 2759 students who gave written consent were included in the study. The participants were administered a questionnaire that was prepared by the investigators. The questionnaire included 25 questions that were prepared using literature in order to establish the knowledge level of the students about oral cancer, and it was evaluated scoring one point to each question. There were 1711 (62.0 %) female students and 1048 (38.0 %) male students; the mean age was 16.01 ± 1.09 years. The knowledge score of the male students was 7.48 ± 5.15 and the knowledge score of the female students was 7.58 ± 4.96. The knowledge score of the female and male participants was similar (p = 0.605). Of the students, 2107 (76.4 %) stated that they heard the expression of oral cancer before compared to 652 (23.6 %) students stating they did not. The study found that high school students had insufficient levels of knowledge about oral cancer. There was a general lack of knowledge about oral cancer and the risks among these students.

Should human chorionic gonadotropine treatment increase thyroid volume?

Objective Our aim was to investigate the thyroid function tests and thyroid volume differences among males with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) who take androgen replacement treatment (ART). Materials and methods Forty-four male with IHH with a mean age 33.2 (18-54), diagnosed in Endocrinology and Metabolism Department between September 2013 and September 2014 and 40 healthy male control with a mean age 27.77 (18-55) were involved to study. Patient group was divided to testosterone-treated patients (n = 19) and human chorionic gonadotropine (hCG)-treated patients (n = 25). Patient group was compared in terms of total testosterone, thyroid function tests [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4)] and thyroid volume, before and 6 months after treatment. Patient group was compared with control group as well. Results When we compared the patient group with the control group, there was no significant difference for age, Body mass index, TSH, fT4 and thyroid volume between two groups before treatment. There was no difference in terms of TSH, but fT4, testosterone levels and thyroid volume were significantly higher after treatment, when the patient group was compared before and after treatment (p < 0.05). When we compared testosterone-treated patients and hCG-treated patients; thyroid volume was higher among hCG-treated patients (p = 0.001) but there was no difference for thyroid volume before and after testosterone treatment (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between testosterone levels with TSH, fT4 and thyroid volume (r = 0.09, p = 0.32; r = 0.14, p = 0.11; r = 0.15, p = 0.09, respectively). Conclusion Our study showed that ART increases the thyroid volume especially in hCG-treated patients. Therefore, we suggest that thyroid volume changes should be followed up in hCG-treated patients.

Should human chorionic gonadotropine treatment increase thyroid volume?

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the thyroid function tests and thyroid volume differences among males with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) who take androgen replacement treatment (ART). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four male with IHH with a mean age 33.2 (18-54), diagnosed in Endocrinology and Metabolism Department between September 2013 and September 2014 and 40 healthy male control with a mean age 27.77 (18-55) were involved to study. Patient group was divided to testosterone-treated patients (n = 19) and human chorionic gonadotropine (hCG)-treated patients (n = 25). Patient group was compared in terms of total testosterone, thyroid function tests [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4)] and thyroid volume, before and 6 months after treatment. Patient group was compared with control group as well. RESULTS: When we compared the patient group with the control group, there was no significant difference for age, Body mass index, TSH, fT4 and thyroid volume between two groups before treatment. There was no difference in terms of TSH, but fT4, testosterone levels and thyroid volume were significantly higher after treatment, when the patient group was compared before and after treatment (p < 0.05). When we compared testosterone-treated patients and hCG-treated patients; thyroid volume was higher among hCG-treated patients (p = 0.001) but there was no difference for thyroid volume before and after testosterone treatment (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between testosterone levels with TSH, fT4 and thyroid volume (r = 0.09, p = 0.32; r = 0.14, p = 0.11; r = 0.15, p = 0.09, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that ART increases the thyroid volume especially in hCG-treated patients. Therefore, we suggest that thyroid volume changes should be followed up in hCG-treated patients.