The Level of Knowledge, Behaviors, and Attitudes on Rational Use of Drugs of Patients Who Applied to the Family Health Center in Istanbul, Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study, it was aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of patients who applied to a family health center about the rational use of drugs. Irrational use of drugs is a major problem worldwide. WHO reports that half of the patients do not use their drugs correctly. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 October 2017 and 30 November 2018 at Istanbul Fatih Family Health Center No 7. The sample size was determined as 301 people selected by systematic sampling method from patients aged 18 and older. Results: The mean age of the participants was 53.8% ± 16.8%, 59.8% were female, 62.5% were married, and 52.5% were primary school graduates. 63.9% of the participants knew the names of the drugs they used, and 79.9% of them knew the indication for use. 89% of individuals check the expiry date of the drugs before using them, and 83.1% read the drug prospectus. 84% of the participants support the prohibition of using over-the-counter drugs. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of the participants about the rational use of drugs is above the societal average. However, some issues need more awareness. The high level of rational use of drugs awareness of physicians and pharmacists will also strengthen the rational use of drugs and indirectly increase the awareness of the public.

Hypertension Associated with Atherosclerosis Risk Factors in Patients of Family Health Strategy Highlighting the Framingham Risk Score

The Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) stands out among the chronic non-transmissible pathologies that impact the cause and/or aggravation of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) on a global level, as the disease is an underestimated disorder due to non-perceptive symptoms and associated with factors and risk markers of another CVD. Therefore, establishing the risk of progression and aggravation of the SAH, according the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), allows to reducing morbidity and improving preventative measures for DCVs. This observational and transversal study approaches the data collection of patient records at the Health Family Strategy of Senhor do Bonfim, BA, which established differences by descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (correlation and regression). The aspects of hypertension associated with risk factors for atherosclerosis were analyzed, determining the risk of developing cardiovascular events in 10 years by FRS. From 432 families, 746 patients were selected, of which 340 are hypertensive individuals (SAH = 45.57%) and 406 (NSAH = 54.42%) non-hypertensives. Among the SAH the majority (31.17%) was in the age range of 63 - 77, but, in both groups, women were in stronger number. There was greater prevalence in SAH for all the characteristics analyzed, smoking (13.20%), sedentary (29.41%) and cardiovascular accident (22.60%). The SAH group is more susceptive to the CVD progress in 10 years by FRS (P < 0.0001 ANOVA). In the NSAH group, there were significant associations among all the variables analyzed as was expected, without differences between the linear correlation and regression, indicating the physio-metabolic equilibrium of the factors and markers evaluated by FRS. Already in SAH group, despite the correlations have been significant too, the regression analysis revealed that only Total Cholesterol (P = 0.0086);LDL (P < 0.0001), Glucose (P < 0.0006) and Age (P < 0.0001) have significative association with FRS. So, these factors and markers deserve more attention upon the health staff of Health Family Strategy, in the SAH course at studied population, attempt the highest cardiovascular risk by FRS (2.5 to 2.8 times) to SAH. The monitoring of high-risk patients should prioritize the lifestyle changes, employing preventive measures to SAH and CVD and atherosclerosis.

Family Health History and Behavioral Change among Undergraduate Students: A Mixed Methods Study

Background: We examined family health history (FHH) as a public health intervention tool in undergraduate students. We hypothesized that the FHH assignment would positively relate to students’ FHH knowledge and health and healthcare-seeking behavioral change. Methods: Health professional students’ (n = 103) pre/post-test surveys and research papers were collected in 2011-2012, from a mid-western and southern university in the United States of America, using mixed methods research. Results: The majority of students were aged 18 - 30, women, White, had healthcare access and health insurance, and awareness of the term FHH. Significant logistic regression relationships existed between: 1) helping students understand important strengths and weaknesses in their health and quality of life and outcomes of talking with family and doctors about FHH;and 2) improving students’ understanding of what they needed to do to maintain their health and the outcome statement “FHH tells you about inherited genes.” Key themes from the research papers included actions and FHH and proposed behavioral changes. Conclusions: Quantitative findings supported the relationship between students’ assignment evaluation and knowledge change, while qualitative findings supported relationships between assignment evaluation and knowledge and behavioral change. This study highlights regional differences in students’ FHH and the need to address family support barriers to behavioral change.

Diabetic and Prediabetic Profile of Patients in a Family Health Care Unit of Salvador, Northeastern Brazil

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. In Brazil, 8.7% of the population between 20 and 79 years of age has diabetes, estimating 11.6 million diabetics. It is commonly associated with other co-morbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity, which put these patients into a high cardiovascular risk profile. This study was performed using the medical records of enrolled population attending a Family Health Unit of Alto do Coqueirinho, Salvador, Northeastern Brazil, consisting of one doctor, one nurse, one dentist, one nursing technician and six community health workers. Medical records and data provided by the system of the Primary Care Information (SIAB), showed total of 2495 patients. Considering the prevalence morbidities in this population, hypertension was present in 9.8% of patients and Type 2 Diabetes in only 3.6%. Since the prevalence of morbidities is the key indicator to the development of public health policies, it seems important a better knowledge on the prevalence rates of diabetes, prediabetes and its co-morbidities of this population. Future plans and projects for health professionals will be based on a consistent medical record.

Status of Health Promotion Established after the Family Health Strategy

Objective: To summarize the scientific knowledge concerning the promotion of health after establishing the Family Health Strategy. Method: This is an integrative review conducted in databases: LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO and Cochrane, using following key words: Family Health Strategy;Health Promotion and Health Personnel. Results: After the criteria established 23 articles were selected, identifying strengths, weaknesses and challenges of health promotion after establishing the Family Health Strategy. Conclusion: Despite the effectiveness of health promotion practices in many health units of the family still persist the curative care model.

Mental disorders and sociodemographic variables in pop-ulation assisted by the Family Health Program in Brazil

Objectives: This paper aims to estimate the associations between common mental disorders (CMD) as well as cases of alcohol abuse/dependence (ADD) with sociodemographic variables in population assisted by Family Health Program (FHP) in Santa Cruz do Sul, Southern Brazil. Methods: All residents over 14 years of age from 3 areas assisted by the FHP were invited to participate between 10 February 2006 to 10 February 2007. Results: Of 2921 participants, the prevalence estimates of suspected cases of CMD and ADD were 29.93% and 12.07%, respectively. Female, unfavorable employment situation, low schooling and low income showed a positive and independent association with CMD. Male, unfavorable employment situation and CMD showed an independent association with ADD. Conclusions: Groups with unfavorable socioeconomic conditions present the highest risk and should be taken into account when planning public mental health policies.

Reproductive Health and Family Planning

I am honoured to have the opportunity to speak about an issue, which lies at the heart of the Cairo agenda, and that is reproductive health.

Family Medicine and Community Health期刊简介

宗旨和内容Family Medicine and Community Health(FMCH,《家庭医学和社区卫生》)(ISSN 2305-6983)是一本同行评议的开放性英文期刊(季刊),主要关注流行病、慢性病管理、社区卫生服务及家庭医学教育和培训。期刊旨在促进家庭医学领域知识和技能的即时沟通,以便为更好的医疗服务作指导。文章内容包括卫生政策、临床研究和实践、教育培训及社区卫生中心管理等。栏目包括但不限于,社论、原创研究、临床技能。

Family Medicine and Community Health 2016年2期目次选登

·An evaluation of a screening programme for immigrant women to Taiwan关于台湾移民妇女筛查项目的评价·Methodological challenges of cross-language qualitative research with South Asian communities living in the UK对生活在英国的南亚移民进行定性研究时在方法学上所遇到挑战·Process engineering for primary care:quality improvement

Family Medicine and Community Health 2016年3期目次选登

·An evaluation of a screening programme for immigrant women to Taiwan关于台湾移民妇女筛查项目的评价·Methodological challenges of cross-language qualitative research with South Asian communities living in the UK对生活在英国的南亚移民进行定性研究时在方法学上所遇到挑战·Process engineering for primary care:quality improvement

Cluster sampling methodology to evaluate immunization coverage

BACKGROUND Immunization is a key component of primary health care and an indisputable human right.Vaccines are critical to the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks.The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic and associated disruptions over the past two years have strained the health systems,with many children missing out on essential childhood vaccines.AIM To evaluate the immunization coverage among 12-23-month-old children in the rural areas of Community Health Centre(CHC)Dighal and to determine the factors influencing the existing immunization coverage.METHODS A coverage evaluation survey was conducted according to the 30-cluster sampling technique,which is the standard methodology for such surveys devised by World Health Organization.A total of 300 children aged 12-23 months were included,whose immunization details were noted from their immunization cards.RESULTS Full immunization rate was noted in 86.7%of the children,with partial and non-immunized children accounting for 9%and 4.3%respectively.The full immunization dropout rate was 4.2%.The common reasons for partial or non-immunization were family problem including illness of mother,vaccine not being available and child being ill.Place of birth(P=0.014)and availability of immunization card(P<0.001)were significant predictors of the immunization status.Since the study was conducted in 2020/2021,health services were disrupted due to the COVID-19 lockdown.CONCLUSION Due to the coverage being higher than the national average,it was concluded that the immunization coverage was optimal and not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

NLR;PLR;LMR;POCT myocardial markers;HEART score;Emergency high-risk chest pain

Objective: To analyze the application effect of continuity of care combined with family health education in the treatment of pediatric eczema. Methods: Sixty cases of pediatric eczema children who were admitted from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected and divided into two groups of 30 cases each. The control group received routine care and the observation group received continuation of care combined with family health education. Family knowledge, eczema basic receding time, family satisfaction, and recurrence rate between the two groups were compared. Results: The aftercare family knowledge mastery score and family satisfaction of the observation group were higher than the control group, where eczema basic receding time and recurrence rate in six months were lower in the observation group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of pediatric eczema, continuity of care combined with family health education improved the family’s awareness of the disease, controlled eczema symptoms, and reduced the recurrence rate.

The Moderating Effect of Health on the Relationship between Involvement in Housework of Parents’ and Parents-in-Law’s Families and Happiness of Middle-Aged Women in Taiwan

Background: This study aims to investigate the moderating effect of family health status on the relationship between involvement in housework of two-side parents’ families and happiness of middle-aged women in Taiwan. Methods: The data used in this study were gathered from the Ministry of Science and Technology’s program—“Intergenerational expectation and collaboration: an inquiry on a new mechanism of continued tradition across generations”. The subjects (n = 512) were restricted to aged 45 - 64 years old who live with spouses and have children, and one of whose parent or parent-in-law is still alive. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate how family health status moderates the relationship between involvement in housework of parents’ families and parents-in-law’s families and the happiness of middle-aged women. Results: 1) Family health status is positively correlated with their happiness. 2) The parents’ health status can moderate the relationship between involvement in housework of parents’ families and happiness of the middle-aged women. 3) The middle-aged women’s health status can moderate the relationship between involvement in housework of parents-in-law’s families and those women’s happiness, and fathers-in-law’s health status can moderate the relationship between husbands’ involvement in housework of the women’s parents-in-law’s families and women’s happiness. Conclusions: In future, when policies and programs related to the well-being of middle-aged women are being planned, the effect of women’s health and family health status shall be considered as a key to improve those women’s quality of life.

Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Family Well-Being: A Rapid and Scoping Review

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has had a serious impact not only on the society, economy, and medical system, but also on the families and family members affected by it. This scoping review aimed to describe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on family well-being. Original articles in English published between January 2020 and August 2021 that examined the association between COVID-19 and family well-being, were searched on MEDLINE and CINAHL. The literature search was conducted using Mesh or CINAHL Subject Headings on COVID-19 and families. Of the 923 references extracted from MEDLINE and CINAHL, this review included 25 references based on exclusion criteria. The largest number of articles examined the impact of COVID-19 on family caregivers’ mental health, followed by its impact on family relationships. The pandemic reportedly worsened family relationships and functioning, increasing domestic violence. The increased burden of caregiving for children and older adults due to COVID-19 was a risk factor for poor physical, psychological, and social health among family caregivers. The workplace environments and health conditions of workers involved with COVID-19 patients affected their family members’ physical, psychological, and social health. The social and economic impact of the pandemic could change the internal family system and the permeability of its boundaries, necessitating strategies to maintain an open family system. Additionally, family caregivers are at high risk for poor mental health and need a provision of psychosocial support. Moreover, devising strategies to improve workplace environments and alleviate health issues of workers involved with COVID-19 patients would be crucial for better mental health among their family members.

Enterobius vermicularis infection among population of General Mansilla,Argentina

AIM:To evaluate the relationships between the personal, sociocultural,and environmental characteristics,and the presence or absence of symptoms with the detection of Enterobius vermicularis(E.vermicularis)in a population sample in our region(General Mansilla,Province of Buenos Aires,Argentina),by individual and familiar analyses. METHODS:E.verrnicularis was diagnosed in 309 people from 70 family units residing in the urban area and the rural area of the city of General Mansilla.Each of them was surveyed so as to register personal,environmental and sociocultural data.Questions about the presence or absence of anal itch,abdominal pain and sleeping disorder were also asked.Significant associations were determined by square chi tests.Logistic regression models were adjusted by using a backward conditional stepwise method to determine the presence of this parasite in the individuals and in the families. RESULTS:The parasites were found in 29.12%(90/309) of the individuals,with a frequency of 14.28%(20/140) among the heads of the families and of 41.42%(70/169) among the children.The only variables showing a significant association were affiliation,where the risk category was “being the son/daughter of”,and the symptoms were abdominal pain,sleeping disorder,and anal itch.Families with a member infected with parasite were considered Positive Families(PF)and they were 40/70(57.14%),only 5%(2/40)of the PF had 100% of their members infected with the parasite.The logistic regression models applied showed that the risk categories were mainly affiliation(son/daughter) and housing(satisfactory)among others. CONCLUSION:The presence of E.vermiculariswas proved in one third of the studied population.The frequency of families with all their members infected with the parasite was very low.Most of the studied personal,sociocultural, and environmental variables did not turn out to be significantly associated with the presence of the parasite.An association with the category of“son/daughter”and housing classified as“satisfactory”was determined.The latter may be due to the fact that the people living in that category of housing have hygienic practices at home that favour the distribution of the eggs in the environment.The presence of the analysed symptoms was associated with the presence of the parasite, thus strengthening the need of periodical control of the population showing at least one of these symptoms.

Linkage analysis of a region on chromosome 2 with essential hypertension in Chinese families

OBJECTIVE: To verify the linkage of the candidate regions identified in a previous study (markers D2S168, D2S151, D2S142 on chromosome 2) with hypertension in Chinese families. METHODS: A genetic linkage study focused on chromosome 2 was performed on 240 Chinese families containing 856 patients with essential hypertension. A total of 1080 individuals were genotyped using 9 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers around the candidate regions on chromosome 2 with an average spacing of 5 cM. Non-parametric linkage (NPL), parametric linkage analysis and transmission-disequilibrium test (TDT) with the GENEHUNTER software were used to assess evidence for linkage. RESULTS: Linkage of a region on chromosome 2 around D2S151 and D2S142 with hypertension was confirmed by different statistical methods (NPL, LOD score and TDT). However, the linkage of D2S168 could not be replicated in this extension study. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that a region on chromosome 2 at or near the loci of D2S142 and D2S151 may harbor genes responsible for the development of essential hypertension in Chinese.

Expression of cyclin genes in human gastric cancer and in first degree relatives

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of these cyclins in human gastric cancer. METHODS: 38 gastric cancer patients, 29 first degree relatives of gastric cancer patients, as well as 18 healthy subjects were included. The mRNA expression of cyclins D1, D2, D3 and E in gastric biopsies was evaluated by RT-PCR analysis using specific primers. Histomorphological features such as intestinal metaplasia, atrophy, H. pylori infection and severity of gastritis were determined by the updated Sydney System. RESULTS: Significant mRNA overexpression was found for cyclins D2, D3 and E compared with healthy normal specimen, but cyclin D1 expression was not different between tumor and normal tissues. In addition, cyclin D2 and D3 overexpression was significantly more frequent in first degree relatives than in healthy controls (P