Domestic violence on pregnant women in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Domestic violence is accepted worldwide as an important health problem. Besides diagnosis and treatment process, there are difficulties when considering of medico-legal evaluation of pregnant women subjected to domestic violence. As a signatory of the ''Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)'' Turkey has certain commitments regarding domestic violence and made regulations on national law. The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy among the women who applied to obstetrics clinics and evaluating of the participants' knowledge level about the legal legislation concerning domestic violence. FINDINGS: Pregnant women attending for antenatal care to department of Gynecology and Obstetrics were interviewed using an anonymous and confidential questionnaire. The questionnaire used was a version of Abuse Assessment Screen with guidance of references. 28 (13.4%) women stated that they had been subjected to violence before pregnancy. Only 10 (4.67%) women had stated experience of violence during pregnancy. 148 (69.2%) of them had stated that they had no knowledge about any legislation concerning domestic violence in our country. CONCLUSION: We believe that society awareness should be increased and the health workers should be informed about their ethical and legal responsibilities concerning domestic violence during pregnancy. The knowledge and sensitivity of health care personnel in Prenatal Clinics and Family Planning Services should be increased and examination protocols should be provided about domestic violence against pregnant women.

The approach taken by the physicians working at educational hospitals in Izmir towards patient rights.

OBJECTIVE: Considered as a reflection of human rights in our modern day, patient rights have been gaining increasing importance. This particular subject has been discussed from various perspectives in different countries and legal sanctions imposed. "Patient Rights Directives" in Turkey came into effect in 1988. The present study was carried out in order to determine how well the physicians working in Izmir, the third largest city of Turkey, are aware and informed of these directives. METHODS: Our study is an observational-cross sectional descriptive one. The research was conducted among the physicians working in nine training hospitals in Izmir province using a random sampling method. 1,500 questionnaires with 19 multiple-choice questions were distributed in the study. 567 of the forms were returned. Statistical assessment of the data obtained was carried out using the x(2) test on SPSS 10.0 Windows Program. RESULTS: Of the physicians participating in the study, 43% were female and 57% male. The average age was 32 +/- 7.76 years. 40% of the participating physicians were not aware of the legal arrangements (directive). 63% of the participants stated that they had not read any kind of legislation related to patients' rights. Only 34% of the participants knew that the legal sanctions were put into effect in the form of "directive." CONCLUSION: Legal arrangements related to patient rights in the world are being put into effect within the framework of human rights. Turkey is one of the first countries to have completed the legal procedures in this field. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: We believe it is necessary that this particular issue be included both in the training programs of the medical faculties and supported by all parts of the society including physicians if these legal procedures are to work effectively.

Prevalence of Demodex in health personnel working in the autopsy room.

The health personnel working in the autopsy rooms and laboratories are considered among the professional groups carrying a high risk of contamination with infection. In this study, we have investigated the prevalence of Demodex, which provides a convenient environment for bacteria and acts as a vector for certain microorganisms, in the health personnel working in autopsy rooms. The study, which was cross-sectional, was conducted on 58 health personnel working in autopsy rooms. A questionnaire was administered to the individuals. Specimens were obtained from 4 different regions of the face using the standard skin-surface biopsy technique. The data obtained were then evaluated statistically. This study group consisted of 76% males and 24% females. The prevalence of Demodex was 26%. Demodex was found to occur more frequently in women. The most frequent occurrence of Demodex was seen among people with darker complexion and in cheek localizations. We believe that Demodex, which has a role in the pathogenesis of dermatologic diseases, provides a convenient environment for bacteria, and acts as a vector for some pathogenic microorganisms, poses a risk as far as individuals working in the autopsy room are concerned.

Investigating demodex in forensic autopsy cases.

Demodex is an ectoparasite living in the skin as a nonpathogen or a pathogen. It is also known that demodex acts as a vector of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we have investigated the rate of occurrence and vitality of demodex in forensic autopsies that have a high risk of contamination by infected organisms. The study, which was cross-sectional, conducted on 100 autopsy cases: 77 of the bodies were male and 23 female. The average age was 41. The samples were taken from the forehead, nose, cheeks, eyelashes and the temporal areas using the standardized skin surface biopsy and hair epilation techniques that were modified for this study. The data obtained were assessed statistically. Demodex was determined in 10% of all the cases. The cases revealed that demodex increased in old age and was more frequently seen in people with fair complexion. It was most frequently found in the forehead and the cheek. The longest postmortem interval in the positive cases was 55 h. The relationship between the postmortem interval and the presence of demodex was not statistically significant. Considering the fact that demodex, which is transmitted from human to human through skin contact, acts as a vector of pathogenic organisms and can stay alive in dead bodies for a long time, we think that the personnel performing autopsies without taking the necessary precautions are under risk.