The prevalence of goiter and hypothyroidism among school children 6 years after introduction of a mandatory salt iodination program in a severely iodine-deficient area of the West Black Sea region of Turkey.

The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence and the degree of iodine deficiency after mandatory salt iodization in Yığılca's school-aged children. A total of 806 school children aged 6-19 years were evaluated. The prevalence of goiter in children aged 6-12 and 13-19 years was 20.

Breastfeeding practices in Duzce, Turkey.

Exclusive breastfeeding among infants less than or equal to 6 months old and continued breastfeeding (20-23 months) are high-priority indicators of infant health. We aimed to assess breastfeeding practices, using standardized breastfeeding indicators, and to determine the causes of early discontinuation of breastfeeding (< or = 6 months) in children aged 0 to 24 months in Duzce, Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, the study group consisted of 158 children, and questionnaires were completed by face-to-face interviews with the mothers.

Preliminary study among truck drivers in Turkey: effects of ultraviolet light on some skin entities.

In this study, we aimed to compare driver (left) and opposite (right) sides for some skin entities in drivers. We also evaluated the effect of occupational duration, age and skin type among this population. One hundred and forty-eight truck drivers were included in this study.

The relationship between iron status and thyroid hormones in adolescents living in an iodine deficient area.

Background: Iron may be only one of many nutritional factors that influence thyroid hormone metabolism in iodine-deficient areas.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of iron status on thyroid hormone profile in adolescents living in a mild iodine-deficient area in Turkey.

Subjects: Three hundred and thirty school-aged children with mean age 14 years were examined.

Respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rates among furniture-decoration students.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of furniture production, mainly including fir tree (aberia mulleriana), on respiratory health of young workers and to compare the results with those obtained from previous studies. Sixty-four furniture-decoration students (57 males and 7 females) and 62 controls (54 male, 8 female) from different departments in the same school were included into the study. All participants were assessed with a questionnaire (concerning history of occupational exposure, work-related respiratory and other symptoms, smoking history, previous asthma history), full physical examination, spirometric evaluation and chest radiograph.

Unrecognized abrasions and occupational exposures to blood-borne pathogens among health care workers in Turkey.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of exposures to potentially infective biological material, the use of gloves and the presence and awareness of skin abrasions amongst health care workers (HCWs).

Methods: Analysis of reported exposures during a 12 month period, questionnaire and skin examination by a dermatologist on HCWs at the University Hospital in Duzce, Turkey.

Results: Out of 415 HCWs, 278 responded to the questionnaire giving a response rate of 67%.

Effect of two consecutive earthquakes on outbreaks of alopecia areata.

The pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) is still unknown. We investigated whether two consecutive earthquakes in Duzce, Turkey within a 3-month interval could precipitate AA. Patients who developed AA after the first earthquake in Duzce were included in this study.