Workplace Violence in the Health Sector in Turkey: A National Study.

Violence in the workplace is an increasing occupational health concern worldwide. Health care workers are at high risk of assault. To develop, monitor, and manage prevention policies, baseline data should be available. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the current extent of workplace violence nationwide in Turkey. The study population of 12.944 health care workers was a stratified sample of all health care workers (612,639) in the country. A probabilistic sampling was made on the basis of the "multistage stratified random cluster sampling method." This study was conducted by a structured questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. The questionnaire items were adapted and translated into Turkish based on questionnaires of International Labor Organization, International Council of Nurses, World Health Organization, and Public Services International. The percentage of health care workers who experienced workplace violence in Turkey in the previous 12 months was 44.7%. The types of violence included physical 6.8%, verbal 43.2%, mobbing (bullying) 2.4%, and sexual harassment 1%. Multivariate analysis showed that level of health care system, type of institution, gender, occupation, age, working hours, and shift work were independent risk factors for experiencing workplace violence ( p < .05). Our study indicates that the workplace violence among health care workers is a significant problem. The results of the study can serve as the basis for future analytical studies and for development of appropriate prevention efforts.

The prevalence and risk factors for osteoporosis among 18- to 49-year-old Turkish women.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and associated risk factors in Turkish women aged 18-49 years. A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2014. The sample (n = 1,792) was comprised of women aged 18-49 years, who resided in Cubuk, Ankara, Turkey, and were selected by simple random sampling. The data were collected in face-to-face interviews using an Individual Information Form and an Osteoporosis Risk Estimation Scale. Bone mineral density was assessed using standard dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple logistic regression and chi-square analyses were used for analyses. Most participants (80.1%) were at low risk of developing osteoporosis, while 6.9% were at medium to high risk of developing the disease. From bone mineral density levels, 33.3% were osteopenic; 4.0% were osteoporotic; 33.3% were osteopenic at the femoral neck; and 6.7% were osteoporotic at the lumbar vertebra L1-L4. Further, results of multiple logistic regression analyses showed that osteoporosis risk was significantly associated with smoking, having light skin, multiparity, and having a family history of osteoporosis (p < .05). These results indicated that public health screening strategies for protecting women's bone health at earlier ages than previously thought might be beneficial.

The Frequency of Unplanned Rehospitalization and Associated Factors in Gyneoncology Patients: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to analyze rate and associated factors with unplanned rehospitalization in gynecological cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The electronic database query (2007 to 2014) was used to evaluate rehospitalization rates within 90 days of index admission in patients with gynecological cancer. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with rehospitalization. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 59.05 ± 11.96 years (minimum, 32 years; maximum, 85 years). A total of 152 patients' data were evaluated. Seventy-three patients (48.0%) were rehospitalized within 90 days of discharge. The median length of index hospital stay (from 3 to 34 days) was 8.90 ± 6.03 days. The most common rehospitalization causes includes pain (24.6%), recurrence (21.9%), ascites (13.7%), surgical site infection (12.3%), acute reoperation (9.6%), thromboembolism (8.2%), renal failure (5.5%), ileus/obstruction (2.7%), and lymphedema (1.4%). In multivariable logistic regression model, difference was found between history of operation, receive chemotherapy, development of the complication during hospitalization comorbidities as well as multiparity variables, and rehospitalization (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned rehospitalization after discharge for gynecological cancer is common with significant associated risk factors and patient outcomes. Integrated multidisciplinary health care strategies, such as safe transition, communication, patient and family education, accurate medication reconciliation, and short-interval outpatient follow-up may help to prevent rehospitalization after discharge and improve patient outcomes.

Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders among ammunition factory workers in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and to determine the risk factors among ammunition factory workers in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was performed on 955 ammunition factory workers. Potential risk factors were investigated with a questionnaire and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. During the previous year, 39.3% of ammunition workers experienced symptoms of work-related MSDs. Logistic regression analysis showed smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.372), chronic diseases (OR = 1.795), body mass index (BMI; overweight) (OR = 1.631), working year (OR = 1.509), cold temperature (OR = 1.838), and work load (OR = 2.210) were significant independent risk factors for the development of symptoms of MSDs. It was found that both work-related conditions and personal and environmental factors are important for the development of occupational MSDs.

Effects of long-term low-level solvent exposure on cognitive function.

PURPOSE: The effects of long-term low-level exposures to solvents on cognitive function were investigated. METHODS: A total of 389 workers at a gun factory, those exposed to solvents (n = 193) and those that were not exposed to solvents during work (n = 196), were included. All the workers were given a questionnaire. Cognitive function was evaluated by Mini-mental Status Examination (MMSE) and psychological status was assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale. RESULTS: No differences were found in the MMSE and HAD scores between solvent-exposed workers and control workers (p > 0.05). In the workers who had used a mask for a longer time, orientation scores were lower. Daytime sleepiness was related to lower recall scores. Left-handed workers had higher total HAD scores than right-handed workers. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term low-level exposure to solvents did not affect cognitive function in the workers, according to their MMSE scores. Duration of solvent exposure was also not related to MMSE Scores. Short sleep duration and daytime sleepiness may negatively affect cognitive function.

Five annual observations of respiratory findings in gun factory workers exposed to solvents.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether long-term, low-level exposures to solvents had adverse longitudinal effects on pulmonary functions. METHODS: The study was performed on 1091 workers 5 years ago and then on 697 workers 5 years later. Chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded using a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: The annual decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in the workers exposed to solvents was not significantly different from that of the unexposed workers (69.7 +/- 89.9 vs 75.8 +/- 87.6 mL/yr, P = 0.5, respectively). In 453 workers who were exposed to solvents 5 years ago, the prevalence rate of asthma was 1.1%. Five years later, it was 3.6% in 193 workers from the same group. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinally, the chronic exposure to low doses of solvents does not adversely affect the pulmonary functions, whereas it increases the asthma prevalence.

The relationship between occupations and head and neck cancers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupation and head and neck cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 206 Turkish patients with head and neck cancers comprised the case group. The control group consisted of 206 age- and sex-matched patients without malignant disease. All patients completed a questionnaire regarding occupation; tobacco and alcohol consumption; educational status; and history of any systemic disease, benign head and neck disease, and cancer among family members. High-risk jobs were considered those in the industries of construction, wood, mining, metal, chemistry and agriculture. RESULTS: Patients with head and neck cancers worked in high-risk occupations more frequently than did controls [odds ratio (OR): 3.42, p<0.05]. Cancer risk decreased with the increase in time interval between quitting the high-risk job and time of interview. Smokers were at higher risk than nonsmokers (OR: 3.33, p<0.05). The risk was also higher in patients who drank alcohol regularly (OR: 1.59, p<0.05). However, occupation was found to be an independent high-risk factor for head and neck cancers in regression analysis. Frequency of benign head and neck disease and family history of cancer were not significant risk factors (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that occupation and smoking were significant independent risk factors for the development of head and neck cancers among workers.

Effects of combined female sex hormone replacement therapy on body fat percentage and distribution.

The effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease and for postmenopausal women with associated cardiovascular risks is currently under wide investigation. Among the cardiovascular risks are those related to body fat percentage and distribution. The present study undertook to investigate the effects of combined hormone replacement therapy on body fat percentage and distribution in postmenopausal women. Data for the present study were collected via retrospective analyses of 287 healthy postmenopausal women (146 as a study group, 141 as controls). Participants in the study group received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogen combined with 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate per day for 18 months. Body fat percentage and fat distribution were evaluated through the electrical impedance method and measurements of skinfold thickness, respectively. Two indices of centripetal fat distribution were defined: ratio of trunk-to-extremity skinfold thickness (T/E index), and ratio of upper-to-lower body skinfold thickness (U/L index). Investigators found that a daily dose of 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogen combined with 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate taken for 18 months increased body fat percentage by decreasing lean body mass and by affecting upper-to-lower body fat distribution, without producing significant changes in overall weight. A slight decrease in the trunk-to-extremity body fat ratio was noted at 18 months of treatment, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Data related to the effects of hormone replacement therapy on body fat percentage and distribution in postmenopausal women are scarce. Additional research is needed to clarify the possible health benefits of hormone replacement therapy.