SF-36 has been both translated into different languages and adapted to different cultures to obtain comparable data on health status internationally. However there have been only a limited number of studies focused on the discriminative ability of SF-36 regarding social and disease status in developing countries. The aim of this study was to obtain population norms of the short form 36 (SF-36) health survey and the association of SF-36 domains with demographic and socioeconomic variables in an urban population in Turkey. A cross-sectional study. Face to face interviews were carried out with a sample of households. The sample was systematically selected from two urban Health Districts in Izmir, Turkey. The study group consisted of 1,279 people selected from a study population of 46,290 people aged 18 and over. Internal consistencies of the scales were high, with the exception of mental health and vitality. Physical health scales were associated with both age and gender. On the other hand, mental health scales were less strongly associated with age and gender. Women reported poorer health compared to men in general. Social risk factors (employment status, lower education and economic strain) were associated with worse health profiles. The SF-36 was found to be capable of discriminating disease status. Our findings, cautiously generalisable to urban population, suggest that the SF-36 can be a valuable tool for studies on health outcomes in Turkish population. SF-36 may also be a promising measure for research on health inequalities in Turkey and other developing countries.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common disability in childhood. The gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) has become an important tool to assess motor function in CP patient. In 2007, the expanded and revised (E&R) version of GMFCS which includes age band for youth 12-18 years of age was developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate reliability of Turkish version of expanded and revised GMCS. We assessed interobserver reliability between two physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists in 136 children with CP and test-retest reliability within a subgroup of 48 patients. Percent agreement, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and μ statistics were used to evaluate reliability. The ICC between two physicians was 0.97 and the total agreement was 89%. This result indicates excellent agreement. The overall weighted μ was 0.86. High test-retest reliability was found (ICC: 0.94 95% confidence interval) and the total agreement was 75% for test-retest reliability. The Turkish version of the E&R GMFCS is shown to be reliable and valid for assessment of Turkish CP children.

The purpose of this study is to expand validity and reliability analysis of Turkish Version of Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), whose internal consistency,content validity and discriminant validity for a limited size of sample group were examined by Sucuoğlu et al. 96 children and adolescents aged between 4-18, (48 diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and 48 diagnosed with mental disability (MD) and developmental delay based on DSM-IV-TR criteria,) were included in the study. Regarding reliability analysis of Turkish Version of the scale; Cronbach's alpha values as internal consistency indicator, inter-rater reliability, and test-retest reliability were calculated. Principal components analysis and Varimax rotation were used in order to determine factors. The scale was compared with Autism Behavior Checklist and Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness. The most appropriate cut-off point was determined for CARS by conducting ROC analysis. As a result of principal components analysis and Varimax rotation, one component factor was obtained. Correlations between CARS and the other scales were statistically significant. The Cronbach's alpha value of total score of the scale was determined as 0,95. Test-retest reliability (r=0,98, p<0,01), and inter-rater reliability (r=0,98, p<0,01) were determined for total score of the scale. The cut-off point of the scale was 29,5. All of these results support that the scale adapted into Turkish is a valid and reliable assessment instrument.

Dramatic changes in workplace structure and environment have increased the importance of psychosocial factors and job insecurity in working life. Job insecurity is shown to have a negative impact on mental and physical health. Health care transformation in Turkey increases the threat of job insecurity for many workers in the health care sector. Therefore the aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the effects of perceived job insecurity on perceived depression and anxiety in nurses working in the private health sector in Izmir, Turkey. There were 16 private hospitals in Izmir of which 11 accepted to participate. Perceived quantitative (5 items) and qualitative (4 items) job insecurity were measured by means of structured questionnaires. The hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to evaluate subjective anxiety and depression. Job strain was assessed by the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Chi2 and logistic regression tests were used for analysis. A total number of 462 nurses were surveyed. Perceived anxiety (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-3.9) and depression (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6-4.1) were significantly associated with qualitative job insecurity. Similarly quantitative job insecurity was associated with perceived anxiety (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.9-6.2) and depression (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4-5.6) in nurses. It has been concluded that qualitative and quantitative job insecurity significantly affected perceived anxiety and depression levels in nurses working in private hospitals. Prevention oriented research is needed for policy development.