ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine knowledge levels and attitudes about organ donation and transplantation among university students. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed with third-grade students of medicine, pharmacy, and law at a university. Samples weren't selected in the study and it was executed with 145 students who had agreed to participate in the study. The data was collected using a questionnaire of 19 questions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: 71.7% of students had positive views about transplantation of their own organs to a suitable recipient, with half of them giving being useful to others as a reason. Among students who had negative views about organ donation, the most important reason given was that it would mean a loss of bodily integrity. 44.1% of participants had positive views about transplantation of their relatives' organs to another person after death. 51.7% of participants had positive views about transplantation of the organs of a homeless person to another person after death. CONCLUSION: Students had generally positive views about organ donation. However; organ transplantation and donation should be included in the students' educational programs in order to increase positive attitudes and organ donations, and transform attitudes into behaviors.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to report the results of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance and to evaluate the performance of surveillance in the southeastern region of Turkey in the 12 years from 1999 to 2010. We investigated cases in seven provinces of the southeastern region of Turkey. In the evaluation, AFP Case Report Form, Laboratory Investigation Form and 60-Day Case Investigation Form were used; individuals' demographic characteristics, clinical findings, status of vaccination, sample results, and 60-day follow-up were evaluated. Incidence ranged from 0.60/100,000 in 2008 to 1.60/100,000 in 1999. Dysstasia and loss of strength were the most frequently reported prodromal symptoms. Coxsackievirus and echoviruses were the most frequent viruses detected. One-quarter of the AFP cases could not be followed up in the present surveillance system.
