Knowledge and Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses in Turkey Regarding Human Papillomavirus Vaccination of Their Children

AIM

This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of physicians and nurses as parents about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and their views on vaccination in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 72 physicians and 128 nurses who had children. Data were collected using questionnaires prepared by researchers. Descriptive statistical analysis and chi-square tests were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

In this study, 84.7% of physicians and 70.3% of the nurses knew that HPV is a cancer factor, and two-thirds of the healthcare professionals believed that the HPV vaccine is protective. Moreover, 62.5% of physicians and 74.2% of nurses reported that they did not intend to vaccinate their children. The reasons for vaccination hesitancy of healthcare professionals was believing it was unnecessary, thinking it was expensive, having insufficient knowledge about vaccine, thinking it may have side effects, and not trusting the vaccine. In this sample, 70.8% of physicians and 53.9% of nurses stated that they could have their children vaccinated only if the HPV vaccines were in the national vaccination schedule.

DISCUSSION

Further studies should be conducted to include the HPV vaccine in the childhood national vaccination program to reduce vaccine hesitancy.

Youth suicide and hospital-presenting suicide attempts: Examination of risk factors for multiple suicide attempts in adolescence

BACKGROUND

The suicide rate among adolescents around the world has increased rapidly. There are many risk factors for attempting suicide, but not all have been clarified yet. Therefore, it is very important to identify risk factors. This study evaluated adolescents with a history of suicide attempts and their association with chronic diseases. Besides, to check whether they attempted suicide multiple times. Other clinical features related to multiple suicide attempts were investigated.

METHOD

This study used a multicentre, retrospective cross-sectional design; 253 adolescents admitted to emergency departments in 2019 for suicide attempts were evaluated.

RESULTS

Adolescents with chronic disease were at greater risk for both single and multiple suicide attempts and patients had a 6.14 times higher risk of multiple attempts (p = .013). The likelihood of multiple attempts did not differ according to the presence of somatic or psychiatric disease. Multiple attempters were more likely to poison themselves with their therapeutic drugs (p = .002).

CONCLUSION

When adolescents with a chronic disease present to the emergency services after a single suicide attempt using their therapeutic drugs, families should be informed regarding the potential for further attempts.

Effects of Cornus mas L. and Morus rubra L. extracts on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity: an electrophysiological and biochemical study

Traditionally, Morus rubra L. (Moraceae) (red mulberry) and Cornus mas L. (Cornacea) (cornelian cherry) fruits are eaten fresh and are also used in marmalades, juices, jam, natural dyes in Turkey and are believed to have beneficial effects in case of multiple health issues such as antipyretic, diarrhea and intestinal parasites. However, the effects of M. rubra and C. mas on epilepsy has not been known. This study evaluates the effects of M. rubra and C. mas extracts on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity. Sixty Wistar rats randomly divided into ten groups (n=6): control, sham, penicillin, penicillin+M. rubra extract (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and penicillin+C. mas extract (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg). Epileptiform activity was induced by using penicillin (500 IU, i.c.) and electrocorticogram records (150 min) were obtained. Also, biochemical analysis in blood samples were evaluated. According to the electrocorticogram analysis, the effective dose was detected as 10 mg/kg for both C. mas and M. rubra. This dose decreased the spike frequencies of convulsions while amplitude wasn't changed by both substances. In erythrocyte studies, there were significant differences regarding nitric oxide in the control, sham and penicillin groups. There were significant differences regarding malondialdehyde in all groups. In the plasma, there were significant differences among groups regarding xanthine oxidase in the penicillin‑C. mas and penicillin‑M. rubra groups. There were differences regarding malondialdehyde in the penicillin-C. mas and M. rubra-C. mas groups. Both extracts reduced the frequency of epileptiform activity. After administration of the extracts malondialdehyde levels decreased also in both erythrocytes and plasma.