Barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation among community-dwelling physically inactive individuals after stroke: a qualitative exploratory study.

Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk for first-ever stroke as well as recurrent stroke with positive effects on almost all known modifiable risk factors. However, the perceived barriers and facilitators for engaging in physical activity have been insufficiently studied and may differ between cultures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of community-dwelling physically inactive individuals with stroke about barriers and facilitators to their participation in physical activity. This qualitative study included two focus groups of ten individuals with stroke classified as physically inactive based on accelerometer recordings. A semi-structured set of questions was posed in each focus group session and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. The results revealed three main themes and subthemes: individual factors (physical impairments, psychological factors, spirituality), interaction with the family (attitudes of family members/close community) and social and environmental factors (hobbies, lack of or presence of facilities, the use of orthosis). We conclude that physical activity participation is affected by a multitude of factors as well as cultural differences. Thus, interventions aimed at increasing participation in physical activity after stroke should not only be planned according to individual clinical characteristics but also take into account a range of personal-to-social factors, including cultural differences.

Classification of patients with chronic disease by activation level using machine learning methods.

Patient Activation Measure (PAM) measures the activation level of patients with chronic conditions and correlates well with patient adherence behavior, health outcomes, and healthcare costs. PAM is increasingly used in practice to identify patients needing more support from the care team. We define PAM levels 1 and 2 as low PAM and investigate the performance of eight machine learning methods (Logistic Regression, Lasso Regression, Ridge Regression, Random Forest, Gradient Boosted Trees, Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees, Neural Networks) to classify patients. Primary data collected from adult patients (n=431) with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) or Hypertension (HT) attending Family Health Centers in Istanbul, Turkey, is used to test the methods. [Formula: see text] of patients in the dataset have a low PAM level. Classification performance with several feature sets was analyzed to understand the relative importance of different types of information and provide insights. The most important features are found as whether the patient performs self-monitoring, smoking and exercise habits, education, and socio-economic status. The best performance was achieved with the Logistic Regression algorithm, with Area Under the Curve (AUC)=0.72 with the best performing feature set. Alternative feature sets with similar prediction performance are also presented. The prediction performance was inferior with an automated feature selection method, supporting the importance of using domain knowledge in machine learning.

Developing a post-stroke home care checklist for primary care professionals in Turkey: a modified Delphi study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to develop a post-stroke home care checklist for the use of primary care professionals. BACKGROUND: Home care is an integral part of primary health care. In the literature, several scales are available to help determine elderly individuals' need for home care services; however, there are no standard care criteria or guidelines for the home care of stroke survivors. Therefore, a standardized post-stroke home care tool specific for use by primary care professionals is needed to identify patients' needs and to detect intervention areas. METHODS: This is a checklist development study carried out between December 2017 and September 2018 in Turkey. A modified Delphi technique was used. In the first stage of the study, a literature review was carried out, a workshop was conducted with healthcare specialists in the stroke area, and a 102-item draft checklist was created. In the second stage, two written Delphi rounds were carried out via email with 16 healthcare professionals providing post-stroke home care. In stage three, the agreed items were reviewed, and similar items were grouped together to create the final checklist. FINDINGS: A consensus was achieved in 93 of the 102 items. The final checklist, consisting of four main themes and 15 headings, was created. The four main areas of assessment in post-stroke home care are 'assessment of current status', 'identification of risks', 'evaluation of the care environment and caregiver', and 'planning follow-up care'. The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of the checklist was found to be 0.93. In conclusion, the PSHCC-PCP is the first checklist created to be used by primary care professionals in post-stroke home care. However, it needs to be assessed in terms of effectiveness and usefulness with further studies.

Comparison of preventive health service provision before and after reorganization of primary care in Turkey: a community-based study.

AIM: To investigate the changes in the provision of preventive health services in terms of woman and child health after reorganization of the primary health care services. BACKGROUND: The primary care system in Turkey has undergone fundamental changes as a part of Health Transformation Program during last decade. But there was no community-based study to evaluate these changes. METHOD: This community-based and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010, just before the reorganization of primary care services and in 2015, five year after the reforms. The 30×7 cluster sampling method was used in Zümrütevler quarter of Maltepe District. The socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, the presence of the physician who can be consulted for any health problem, the presence of smokers at home were questioned. The women aged 18 years or older and gave consent provided information about history of pregnancy and birth, the number of follow-ups during pregnancy, family planning method usage, cervical and breast cancer screening, breastfeeding duration, vaccinations, and prophylactic iron and vitamin D supplementation for their children. FINDINGS: After the reorganization of primary care, more people stated that they had physicians to whom they could consult for all kinds of health problems (27.8 versus 44.7%; P<0.001) and that physician was the primary care physician (30.2 versus 64.7%; P<0.001). The reported frequency of at least one smoker at home was decreased after reorganization of primary care (63.6 versus 53.1%; P=0.034). There were no significant differences in terms unplanned pregnancy, the use of family planning method, the number of pregnancy follow-ups and the frequency of Pap smears and mammography. There are no significant differences in terms of healthy children follow-ups, vaccination, vitamin D and iron supplementation (P>0.05). It was found that the duration of total breastfeeding increased after reorganization of primary care (P<0.001).

Sarcopenia among Genders in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Using Different Formulas of Bioimpedance Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of sarcopenia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients using different formulas of bioimpedance analysis (BIA). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Obesity Clinic, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, between March and June 2015. METHODOLOGY: The present study included DM patients at >18 years of age with BMI >30 kg/m2. BIA measurements consisted of body weight, height, total muscle mass and sum of the muscle masses of the four limbs (ALM). Skeletal muscle index, total muscle index, skeletal muscle percentage, total muscle percentage, and ALM/BMI were used for muscle-related analyses. The data were presented as frequency, mean ± standard deviation, and percentage. Student t-test was used to compare differences between two independent groups. RESULTS: A total of 295 DM patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 176 (59.66%) were females, 119 (40.34%) were males, 47 (15.93%) were over the age of 65 years, and the mean age was 53.39 +10.39 years. Sarcopenia was determined in 40 males (33.61%) by body muscle ratio, in 15 males (12.60%) by ALM/BMI ratio, and in one male participant (0.84%) by skeletal muscle index. Among female participants, while sarcopenia was determined in 61 (34.65%) by body muscle ratio and in 1 (0.56%) by ALM/BMI ratio, no sarcopenia case was detected using skeletal muscle index. CONCLUSION: The frequency of sarcopenia in obese diabetic patients is found to be lower when skeletal muscle index and ALM/BMI ratio is used, but higher with body muscle ratio.

Sudden infant death syndrome: how much mothers and health professionals know.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral risk factors are associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Education about the risk factors of SIDS is important for prevention. Our aim was to determine the knowledge and attitude of parents and health professionals about SIDS. METHODS: A total of 174 health professionals and 150 mothers were enrolled in this study. Mothers' data were collected by telephone interview and health-care professionals were interviewed by the same investigator. RESULTS: Only 39% of mothers were aware of SIDS. Forty-six percent of the mothers preferred a supine sleeping position for their infant and 16% of the parents were bed-sharing with their infants. Seventy-three percent of health professionals selected side, 17% supine and 10% prone sleeping position as the safest sleeping position. Frequencies for awareness of risk factors were: bed-sharing (75%), soft bedding (70%), pillow use (52%), toys in bed (90%), high room temperature (67%) and smoking (88%). Total knowledge score of health professionals who selected supine sleeping position as the safest was significantly higher (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Most of the mothers were unaware of SIDS and less than half preferred a supine sleeping position for their infant. Only 72% of health professionals recommended a certain sleeping position during family interviews. Health professionals are more often recommending the side sleeping position or prone. Education of families and health professionals for the risk factors of SIDS may reduce the number of deaths from SIDS in Istanbul.

Using theatre in education in a traditional lecture oriented medical curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Lectures supported by theatrical performance may enhance learning and be an attractive alternative to traditional lectures. This study describes our experience with using theatre in education for medical students since 2001. METHODS: The volunteer students, coached by experienced students, were given a two-week preparation period to write and prepare different dramatized headache scenarios during three supervised meetings. A theatrical performance was followed by a student presentation about history taking and clinical findings in diagnosing headache. Finally, a group discussion led by students dealt with issues raised in the performance. The evaluation of the theatre in education lecture "A Primary Care Approach to Headache" was based on feedback from students. RESULTS: More than 90% of 43 responding students fully agreed with the statement "Theatrical performance made it easier to understand the topic". More than 90% disagreed with the statements "Lecture halls were not appropriate for this kind of interaction" and "Students as teachers were not appropriate". Open-ended questions showed that the lesson was thought of as fun, good and useful by most students. The headache questions in the final exam showed results that were similar to average exam results for other questions. CONCLUSION: Using theatrical performance in medical education was appreciated by most students and may facilitate learning and enhance empathy and team work communication skills.

[Correlation of basic motor skills with arthroscopic experience]. / Temel motor becerilerin artroskopik deneyim ile iliskisi.

OBJECTIVES: One of the methods in motor skill teaching is to furnish the students with the individual skills drawn from the target procedure. This method requires identification and defining of all components of the target procedure. This study aimed to define basic motor skills composing arthroscopic skillfulness. METHODS: A total of 42 orthopedists (mean age 38+/-8 years) were enrolled. The study group was comprised of 17 experienced orthopedists working at least for 10 years as a specialist and performing more than 50 arthroscopic procedures per year. The control group included 25 young orthopedists or residents having an arthroscopic experience of less than three years. All the participants were assessed simultaneously and in the same experimental setting. Each participant was tested after having been shown to use in vitro skill development instruments simulating arthroscopic basic motor skills. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the experienced group had significantly higher mean age (42 vs. 34.4 years), longer duration of arthroscopic experience (12.4 vs. 1.6 years), and greater number of the arthroscopies performed per year (93.9 vs. 26.9) (p=0.000). The mean anticipation time (p=0.028) and two-arm coordination time (p=0.043) were significantly shorter in the experienced group. In correlation analysis, duration of arthroscopic experience was correlated with the mean anticipation time (r=-0.41, p=0.008) and two-arm coordination time (r=-0.33, p=0.033). In addition, the mean anticipation time decreased significantly as the number of arthroscopies increased (r=-0.446, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Some basic motor skills correlate with arthroscopic competence. The use of these motor skill instruments in arthroscopy training may aid to improve arthroscopic skills.

"I should live and finish it": a qualitative inquiry into Turkish women's menopause experience.

BACKGROUND: While bio-medically, menopause could be treated as an illness, from a psychosocial and cultural perspective it could be seen as a "natural" process without requiring medication unless severe symptoms are present.Our objective is to explore the perceptions of Turkish women regarding menopause and Hormone Therapy (HT) to provide health care workers with an insight into the needs and expectations of postmenopausal women. METHODS: A qualitative inquiry through semi-structured, in-depth interviews was used to explore the study questions. We used a purposive sampling and included an equal number of participants who complained about the climacteric symptoms and those who visited the outpatient department for a problem other than climacteric symptoms but when asked declared that they had been experiencing climacteric symptoms. The interview questions focused on two areas; 1) knowledge, experiences, attitudes and beliefs about menopause and; 2) menopause-related experiences and ways to cope with menopause and perception of HT. RESULTS: Most of the participants defined menopause as a natural transition process that one should go through. Cleanliness, maturity, comfort of not having a period and positive changes in health behaviour were the concepts positively attributed to menopause, whereas hot flushes, getting old and difficulties in relationships were the negatives. Osteoporosis was an important concern for most of the participants. To deal with the symptoms, the non-pharmacological options were mostly favoured. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study which focuses on Turkish women's menopausal experiences. Menopause was thought to be a natural process which was characterised by positive and negative features. Understanding these features and their implications in these women's lives may assist healthcare workers in helping their clients with menopause.

Is there a role for the family and close community to help reduce the risk of postpartum depression in new mothers? A cross-sectional study of Turkish women.

OBJECTIVES: Postpartum depression is an important and under-diagnosed problem. The aims of this study were (1) to compare the prevalence of depressive symptomology in Turkish mothers who were 1-3 months postpartum with the prevalence of depressive symptomology in mothers who had not been pregnant for at least 1 year, (2) to identify risk factors associated with depression in both groups, and (3) to examine the effect of postpartum depression on breastfeeding by the mothers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study SETTING: Well-baby clinic PARTICIPANTS: 326 women enrolled in January 2001; 163 were 1-3 months postpartum, and 163 had not been pregnant in the previous year. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptomology in the postpartum and non-postpartum groups was 17% (28/163) and 24.5% (40/163), respectively; this was not statistically significant (P = 0.102). When we compared mean Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (10.75 +/- 8.06 and 12.63 +/- 8.81, respectively, P = 0.045). Premenstrual tension and a history of depression were risk factors for depressive symptomology in both groups. Three or more births and a history of induced abortion were risk factors for depressive symptomology in the non-postpartum group. In the postpartum group, the effect of depression on breast-feeding was not statistically significant (P = 0.7). The generalisability of the study results to the community is limited. CONCLUSION: In this study, the prevalence of depressive symptomology in the postpartum and non-postpartum groups did not show a significant difference, but the prevalence of depressive symptomology was high in both groups. Postpartum depression did not have a negative effect on breast-feeding. Lower BDI scores in the postpartum period may be the result of the protective factors of motherhood which is a respected status for women in populations where the preservations of traditions and customs are valued.