The aim of the present study was to evaluate dog-assisted therapies and activities in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and physical and mental disabilities who have difficulties in benefiting from well-being and health-improving services. This descriptive-explanatory study was conducted in disabled children of various ages between 2008 and 2011 by an experienced team in a private training and rehabilitation center in Antalya (Turkey). In this study, five study groups were formed among the children with physical and mental disabilities. During the therapy studies, three dogs were used. For each therapy group, the goals for the children and therapist were defined, and the activities were determined according to these goals. The entire study process was followed using audio-records and photographs of patients. The expected targets were reached in all study groups. The children who experienced fear, anxiety and difficulties due to their disabilities in daily life learned to cope with their anxieties and fears, set goals and make plans to achieve their aims. During this study, the children improved their abilities to use their bodies according to their capabilities. Accordingly, they improved their ability to develop empathy between themselves and a therapy dog, to receive and present help, and to communicate. The results of the present study revealed that dog-assisted therapies and activities can be a supportive method for routine treatment procedures in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and physical and mental disabilities.

The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of falls among persons aged 65 years and older in Qanakkale, Turkey. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between May-September 2013. A total of 1,001 elderly living in Çanakkale city centre were included into our study. The research was carried out with face-to-face interviews and survey forms. The survey form consists of seven sections: demographic characteristics, significance of ageing, daily activities, quality of life and social network in old age, use of health services and health problems, bad habits, and the European Health Impact Scale. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 19.0. For data investigation the chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used. The prevalence of falls at home or outside was 32.1% among elderly in the last six months period. The prevalence of falling for women at home as well as outside was statistically significantly higher than for men (p < 0.05). According to multivariate analysis results the risk of falling at home or outside was increased by 2.7 times in women (95% CI: 1.90-3.75), by. 2.1 times in those who cannot take care of themselves (95% Cl: 1.33-3.29), and by 1.7 times in those who have low quality of life (95% Cl: 1.24-2.43). This community based cross-sectional study showed that prevalence of falling was high in aged persons living in centre of Çanakkale located in the western part of Turkey. Moreover, the risk was increased in women, those who cannot take care for themselves, and those with low standard of living.

Background: This study aims to reveal the demographic and clinical data of patients receiving TNF-α blockers, to compare the characteristics of those who received latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment and those who did not, and to evaluate and determine potential risk factors for developing active TB disease. Methods: A systematic retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital examining all patients receiving at least one TNF-α blocker between January 2019 and October 2024. The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) was analyzed across various TNF-α blocker medications in patients, both with and without LTBI treatment. Results: A total of 519 patients had TNF-α blockers: 452 (87.09%) underwent TST, 193 (37.1%) underwent booster TST, and 33 (6.3%) underwent IGRA/TST; 362 (69.7%) were treated for LTBI, and 7 (1.3%) developed TB. Comparing all TNF-α blockers, adalimumab showed a higher risk of TB. Patients with and without LTBI treatment did not significantly differ in TB incidence after biologic therapy. Conclusions: The incidence of TB in people taking TNF-α blockers was higher compared to the incidence in the general population. LTBI screening, including both TST and IGRA, should be performed with TST and IGRA tests, and LTBI-positive individuals should be started on preventive treatment. However, it should not be forgotten that active TB disease may also develop in LTBI-negative individuals.

We examined the prevalence of unintentional injuries and associated risk factors among university students in Canakkale city, Turkey. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007-2008. Atotal of 4,762 students completed the questionnaire. Risk factors associated with the rate of accidents were assessed by chi-square analysis and effects of these factors on unintentional injuries were described by logistic regression analysis. The rate of unintentional injuries among university students was 14.9% during the previous 12 months. The most reported injuries occurred on the road (43.8%), at home (33.2%) and outside the home (26.9%) such as workplaces, schools or sports venues. The prevalence of unintentional injuries was significantly higher in males than females (18.1% vs. 12.0% p <0.05). Results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that male gender (OR 1.51), studying in college and vocational school (OR 1.34), perception of very bad (OR 0.49) or good economic status (OR 0.49), drinking alcohol (OR 1.52), using illicit substances (OR 1.70), having a diagnosed illness (OR 1.36), or having risk of developing depres- sion (OR 1.54) had significant effects on the risk of unintentional injuries (p <0.05). This study indicated that male gender, studying in college and vocational schools, illicit substance use, poor economic conditions, having a diagnosed illness and risk of developing depression can be risk factors for unintentional injuries among university students. Public health training programmes giving priorityto high-risk groups such as university and high school students may be a valuable tool in reducing unintentional injuries among young people.

Toksoplazmoz dünyada en yaygın zoonoz hastalıklardan birisidir. Son yıllarda yapılan çalışmalar, farklı sağlık sorunlarının ortaya çıkışında da etkenin sorumlu olabileceği yönündedir. Toksoplazmoz gibi zoonoz hastalıkların azaltılmasında, kontrolünde ve bu hastalıklara karşı korunmada her ülkenin ve her bölgenin sosyo-kültürel yapısı gözönüne alınarak çiğ et-sebze-meyve tüketimi, el hijyeni, hayvan besleme alışkanlıklarını gözden geçirecek, tıp ve veteriner bilimlerinin ortak çalışmalarını içeren tek sağlık anlayışına ihtiyaç vardır. Bu yazıda, Dünyada ve Türkiye’de birçok bölgede önemli fakat bir o kadar da göz ardı edilen Toxoplasma gondii epidemiyolojisi ile ilgili güncel bilgilerin sunulması ve enfeksiyondan korunma ve kontrolde önemli olan koruyucu halk sağlığı yaklaşımlarının paylaşılması amaçlanmıştır.

Open access peer-reviewed chapter