INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine the effect of supportive education nursing intervention (SENI) on the self-efficacy of family caregivers caring for dependent elderly.
METHODS: This is a parallel and two-armed randomized control trial. The research was conducted in the work area of primary health facilities in Puskesmas Pasar Ikan with 8 sub-districts in Bengkulu. We recruited 52 family caregivers divided into intervention and control. The supportive educational nursing intervention included audio visual, module book, and worksheet that covered relevant parts of dependent elderly and family caregivers’ self-efficacy. The study data were analyzed using chi-square, and independent t-test as well as analysis of variance.
RESULTS: Before the intervention, the total score of family caregivers’ self-efficacy was 90.19 and 94.58 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. After the intervention, it increased to 114.23 and 101.58 in the intervention and control groups, respectively, which was statistically significant in both groups (p<0.001). Moreover, the mean increase of 24.04 in the experimental group and the mean increase of 7.00 in the control group showed a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The SENI model is an effective way to increase the self-efficacy of family caregivers with dependent elderly. The SENI program can be effectively integrated into primary health services through tailored modifications that account for local contexts and specific healthcare needs.

INTRODUCTION: An individual's personality affects many choices in their life, as well as their choice of profession and specialty. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of physicians' personality type on their preference for specialization in medicine.
METHODS: This research was designed as a cross-sectional study. In this study, sample selection was made from all the residents undergoing specialty training at Ankara City Hospital by stratified sampling method, based on the number of residents in internal medicine, surgery, and basic sciences. A personal data collection form was used as a data collection tool and the "Taþtan Personality Type Inventory" was used to determine personality type.
RESULTS: According to the personality type scale, most of the participants were identified as the 'helper' personality type. While there was no significant relationship in the comparison of the three major branches according to personality type, a significant difference was found in the double comparison of internal and surgical sciences. According to this result, it was determined that most of the "achiever" and "challenger" type physicians were in surgical departments.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Personality models can be used as a tool for specialty selection by medical students and physicians. Therefore, personality-type education could be incorporated into the medical curriculum. This would allow medical students to recognize their traits during their education and make more informed choices regarding their specialty.

INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy is defined as the use of multiple medications or the use of more medications than medically necessary, though there is no consensus on a precise definition. This study aimed to identify self-efficacy, treatment adherence, and the most influential factors affecting treatment adherence in patients with polypharmacy.
METHODS: Patients using at least two medications were included in the study. A questionnaire, prepared based on a literature review, and the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (MASES-SF) were administered to determine the patient's sociodemographic characteristics, disease status, types of medications used, and self-efficacy.
RESULTS: The mean age of the 414 patients participating in the study was 59.9±11.8 years. Of the patients, 58.5% (n: 242) were female and 41.5% were male. There were significant differences in the mean scores of the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale based on the number of medications used and the number of chronic diseases. Patients using 2 medications had higher self-efficacy levels in medication adherence compared to those using 4 or more medications, and patients with 1 chronic disease had higher self-efficacy levels compared to those with 3 or more chronic diseases. Additionally, treatment adherence and self-efficacy were higher in males, patients with primary education, and those who visited doctors more frequently.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Identifying the factors that complicate treatment adherence in patients with multiple chronic diseases and high medication use, developing solutions to these problems, and increasing awareness among physicians can slow the progression of the disease and reduce the economic costs of adverse outcomes in our country.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the association of some sociodemographic characteristics and pregnancy stress levels of pregnant women with adverse birth outcomes.
METHODS: This study was conducted on pregnant women who applied to Hacý Nimet Köseoðlu Family Health Center (FHC) in 2022. A questionnaire was administered twice, prenatally and postnatally. Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS) was applied in the first stage. In the second stage of the study, those who completed the first part of the questionnaire were administered the continuation of the questionnaire after delivery. Pearson’s test and Fisher’s Chi-Square test were used to compare categorical data, and Student's t-test was used to compare the means of two independent groups.
RESULTS: The mean PSRS score of the participants was 97.0 ± 23.7. Those with chronic disease had a higher PSRS score than those without chronic disease (p=0.011). Those who experienced numbness in the hands and feet had a significantly higher PSRS score (p<0.001). The mean PSRS score of mothers whose babies were given formula after birth was higher than those whose babies were not given formula (p=0.039).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with chronic diseases and symptoms such as hand-foot numbness had significantly higher stress levels. A significant relationship was observed between postpartum formula feeding and pregnancy stress levels. Managing factors that may cause pregnancy stress may be beneficial in terms of some adverse birth outcomes, such as postpartum formula feeding.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality statistics are essential for understanding community trends and shaping preventive health services. This study aimed to identify mortality rates and common causes of death in Türkiye, providing a valuable resource for planning health service delivery.
METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study analyzed death statistics from 2018 to 2023, sourced from the Turkish Statistical Institute's website between July 10 and August 5, 2024. The study population included all data from Türkiye, encompassing all age groups.
RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2023, Türkiye saw increased mortality rates in both sexes in 2021, linked to COVID-19. The primary causes of death were circulatory diseases (35.48%) and tumors (16.10%). In men, tumors accounted for 18.81% and respiratory diseases for 14.08%; in women, circulatory diseases comprised 38.72% and respiratory diseases 13.02%. Ischemic heart disease was the most common cause of death, with women showing higher rates of hypertensive diseases. Respiratory malignancies led for men (38.98%), while malignant breast tumors were second for women (15.06%). Deaths from Alzheimer’s and epilepsy were noted, with 12.29% of men linked to alcohol and drug abuse, which was not reported for women.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study examined death statistics in Türkiye from 2018 to 2023, emphasizing regional rates and causes. These mortality statistics are crucial for planning health services. The findings will aid health managers and policymakers in enhancing health outcomes. The study concluded that increasing public awareness of common diseases, improving health literacy, implementing preventive measures, and reducing risk factors are vital steps.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is an important transition period and The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescence as the age between 10-19. Today, there are approximately 1.3 billion adolescents, 16% of the world's population. It is important for individuals in adolescence, a group that is difficult to reach in a society consisting of healthy individuals, to have their diseases or deficiencies detected early and to be examined at least once a year.
METHODS: The research was conducted cross-sectionally at Konya Karatay No: 09 Family Health Center. Sample selection was made in the study and it was conducted with 143 adolescents who applied to the family health unit.
RESULTS: 143 adolescents were examined within the scope of the research, 53.1% were male, and 58.0% were early adolescents. 14.0% of the adolescents do not have a good home situation, 25.9% do not have a good education, and 36.4% do not do any activity. 21.7% of those examined stated that their eating situation was poor. 3.9% of adolescents are obese and all of them are boys. 67.1% had tooth decay and 3.5% had eye refraction problems. Of those examined, hemoglobin was found to be low in 35.7%, hematocrit in 28.7%, vitamin D in 14.0%, and vitamin B12 in 2.1%.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: School health services and periodic monitoring of adolescents are important in helping individuals acquire positive health behaviors, thus improving the health of society. The role of parents, teachers, and school administrators is important, as well as health professionals multidisciplinary and multisectoral.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to analyze the patients transferred from the emergency triage clinic to the family medicine outpatient clinics and the patients returning to the emergency department with the same or similar complaints within 10 days.
METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 370 patients who applied to family medicine outpatient clinics. Patients who agreed to participate in the survey were asked about their complaints, whether their complaints had been resolved, the status and reasons for return visits to the emergency department, and their attendance at the relevant clinics. The approval of the University of Health Sciences Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Ethics Committee (approval number E2-22-1719) was obtained before conducting a study involving 370 volunteers admitted as patients to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic at a tertiary care center in Ankara.
RESULTS: The average age of 370 patients who participated in the study was 38.8 ± 14.3. These patients consulted the family physicians with the complaints which can be split as 18.4% sore throat and nasal discharge, 14.6% musculoskeletal pain, and 31.6% of the patients revisited the emergency service. 21.4% of the patients who revisited the emergency service requested IV (intravenous) therapy, and 17.9% requested an injection. The most frequent symptoms observed in return visits to the emergency service were fever with a 50% rate and urinary disorders with a 48.1% rate.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is a public health issue to have overcrowded emergency rooms. Improving health literacy, better informing the patients, and optimizing the appointment systems can reduce the number of people overcrowding the emergency rooms.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the incidence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and the factors affecting them.
METHODS: The Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Rize Training and Research Hospital Family Medicine outpatient clinic conducted this descriptive study with 339 participants aged 30 years and older. Blood pressure was measured and other anthropometric measurements were recorded during the outpatient clinic visit and a questionnaire prepared by the researcher was applied.
RESULTS: In the study, the incidence of hypertension was 41%, awareness status was 88.5% and control status was 79.7% in individuals aged 30 years and older who applied to our Family Medicine clinic. It was found that the rate of hypertension in the parents of individuals with a diagnosis of hypertension was statistically significantly higher than in individuals without hypertension (p=0.011). ). The study inquired about the status of blood pressure measurement during prior visits to any healthcare facility among normotensive individuals, revealing that 16.5% of participants had not undergone blood pressure measurement during such visits.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Family medicine specialists, who deal with their patients with a community-oriented, holistic, and comprehensive approach, are the most prominent people who can ensure optimal blood pressure management within the scope of primary and secondary prevention by recognizing, treating, and controlling hypertension both before it occurs at elevated BP levels and in the early stages, and by providing continuous counseling.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a significant concern in elderly individuals, and the anticholinergic effects of medications are commonly encountered in geriatric patients. This study aims to explore the relationship between anticholinergic drug burden and frailty status in people aged 65 and older.
METHODS: The study included 1,058 individuals identified as "pre-frail" and "frail" according to the Fried frailty index, who visited a geriatric outpatient clinic at a tertiary reference center. All participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment along with socio-demographic data. The anticholinergic load of the medications used by the participants was measured using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB), with ACB scores of ≥2 considered indicative of a high anticholinergic load. The relationship between frailty status and high ACB burden was analyzed using multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: The study consisted of 672 (56.8%) participants classified as "pre-frail" and 386 (32.6%) classified as "frail". Frailty was more prevalent among older individuals, females, those with lower education levels, and unmarried individuals. Additionally, frail individuals exhibited high ACB scores, multi-morbidity, cognitive impairments, and undernutrition. Multivariate analysis revealed that an ACB score of ≥2 was 2.07 times more likely to be associated with frailty (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.43-2.98, p < 0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A high ACB score is significantly associated with frailty compared to pre-frailty. Assessing anticholinergic drug load, a modifiable factor, should be considered as it may positively influence the management of frail patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate the relationship between blood cortisol, 24-hour urinary cortisol, and cortisol levels after overnight administration of 1 mg dexamethasone with liver steatosis in obese subjects.
METHODS: Blood cortisol, 24-hour urinary cortisol, 1 mg Dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol levels, and anthropometric measurements of obese patients were retrospectively recorded. Liver steatosis was assessed using ultrasonography (USG) results and the Hepatic steatosis index (HSI) was calculated from the recorded data.
RESULTS: The mean blood cortisol of the 296 patients included in the study was 13.51±4.74 µg/dL (median=12.9; min= 3.3; max=35.8), the mean 24-hour urinary cortisol was 22.9±27.65 µg/dL (median=16.22; min=3.08; max=350.28), the mean 1 mg DST cortisol was 0.76±0.29 µg/dL (median=0.7; min=0.5; max=2), and the mean HSI was 56.96±8.12. No significant relationship was found between cortisol levels and HSI (p>0.05). After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, the correlation between HSI and 1 mg DST cortisol was higher in the group without fatty liver (rs=0.355) than in the group with fatty liver (rs=0.060) (p=0.032).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to better understand the complex relationship between HSI and cortisol in obese individuals.