Smoking cessation and the effect of nicotine dependence on relapse rate in Izmir, Turkey.

Background/aim: Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. There is growing evidence of the need for community- based programs on smoking cessation. The main purpose of this study is to establish the rate of smoking cessation and restarting in 1 year at the Balçova Smoking Cessation Center.

Relationship of socioeconomic status with health behaviors and self-perceived health in the elderly: A community-based study, Turkey.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of socioeconomic status on health behaviors and perceived health.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 2947 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. Dependent variables were health behaviors and self-perceived health.

High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a Western urban Turkish population: a community-based study.

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the largest cause of morbidity and mortality in Turkey and in the World. Heart of Balçova Project is a community- based health promotion project that aims to reduce CVD incidence and prevalence through risk factor modification in the individual and population level. This paper presents results of the baseline survey that aimed to define CVD risk factors and risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Balçova population.

Balcova heart study: rationale and methodology of the Turkish cohort.

Objectives: Turkey is facing increasing rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study is designed to meet the growing need to obtain information about the recent status and trends of CVD risk factors and their impact on mortality.

Methods: Balcova heart study (BHS) is a prospective cohort study, focusing on reducing the CVD risk factors of people over 30 years old living in Balcova District, Izmir, Turkey.