The Prevalence of Asthma and Asthma-Like Symptoms among Seasonal Agricultural Workers.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in seasonal agricultural workers living in fields with toxic chemical exposure. METHODS: European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in the study. RESULTS: Of the study group, 51.1% (267) were male and the age of the study group ranged from 18 to 88 years and the mean (SD) was 45.68 (13.39) years. The prevalence of asthma attacks in seasonal agricultural workers in the last one year (current prevalence) was 11.2%; the prevalence of asthma (cumulative prevalence) was 15.1%. In the study, smoking was found to be an important risk factor for current asthma. The prevalence of cumulative asthma was higher in seasonal agricultural workers with allergic rhinitis (p < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS: Seasonal agricultural workers are exposed to the worst conditions of working groups. These difficult conditions also cause many health problems. Asthma has also been identified as an important health problem among seasonal agricultural workers.

Evaluation of Risk Factors Affecting Substance Use among Tenth-Grade Students.

AIM: The aim of this study is to detect the prevalence of substance use among tenth-grade students; their thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and tendencies towards substance use; and risk factors of substance use in tenth-grade students in general. METHODS: This study is descriptive and cross-sectional conducted between April and May 2016. Research population consists of tenth-grade students in 2015-2016 school year in the city of Ordu. Since the study involved all tenth-grade students, no sampling was done. Questions on substance use were prepared by Ordu Public Health Directorate and the authors by making use of European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) study questions, AMATEM's "Drugs and Addiction Youth Survey" study conducted on May 1996, and scientific studies conducted previously on similar subjects. RESULTS: 9825 tenth-grade students in 88 schools from 19 counties in the city of Ordu were included in the study. 8714 of the students participated in the survey. Being male, being over the age of 15, mother and father being separated, living with relatives, being in low income, negative feelings about school, perception of being unsuccessful in school, failing a year, absenteeism, and not being content with life are the risk factors for substance use. CONCLUSIONS: The tendency of illegal substance use becoming more and more prevalent especially among youth requires the development of new treatment strategies.