Browsing by Author "Erbaydar, Tugrul"

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Approach and Practice of Physicians at Primary Health Care Level About Ophthalmologic Diseases in Van
(Turkish Ophthalmological Soc, 2009) Can, Humeyra Yildirim; Erbaydar, Tugrul
Purpose: We aimed to determine physicians approaches and practices on ocular diseases in primary health care (PHC) centers in Van. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six physicians working in 41 PHC centers in province centre and 10 other peripheral districts of Van, were enrolled in the study. Data were obtained by a survey including 23 questions which were filled by the physicians themselves The frequency distribution of the data were analyzed, bivariate analyses were performed, and statistical significance was evaluated with chi-square test, Results: The rates for presence of a penlight, topical antibiotic, ophtalmoscope and Snellen scale in the workplaces of the physicians were 57.6%. 47.0%. 3.8%, and 10.6%. respectively, The knowledge and practice associated with diagnosis treatment, and prevention of ocular diseases in PHC centers were found to be significantly low, While pediatric age group had a significant proportion among patients presenting ocular complaints, the screening tests aiming for early diagnosis of ocular diseases of asemptomatic patients were found to be used rare The physicians were determined to attend no training on this field following Their graduation; and general medical books (83.3%) were found to be the most common referral sources in cases of need, specific books for ophthalmology (10.6%) and drug promotion materials (18.2%) were found to be the following most common sources of information. Conclusions: Integration of preventive and therapeutic ocular health services into he PHC beans importance in terms of rendering those services accessible for everyone and relieving the burden of secondary level health care institutions. This may be achieved by reviewing and adapting the undergraduate curriculum on ophtalmology for requirements of the PHC. improvement of skills and knowledge through postgraduate training programs, and maintaining useful information sources on ocular diseases
Avian Influenza Outbreak in Turkey Through Health Personnel's Views: a Qualitative Study
(Biomed Central Ltd, 2007) Sarikaya, Ozlem; Erbaydar, Tugrul
Background: Avian influenza threatens public health worldwide because it is usually associated with severe illness and, consequently, a higher risk of death. During the first months of 2006, Turkey experienced its first human avian influenza epidemic. A total of 21 human cases were identified, 12 of which were confirmed by the National Institute for Medical Research. Nine of the cases, including the four fatal ones, were from the Dogubeyazit-Van region. This study aims to evaluate the efforts at the avian influenza outbreak control in the Van-Dogubeyazit region in 2006 through the experiences of health personnel. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with seventeen key informants who took active roles during the avian influenza outbreak in East Turkey during the first months of 2006. We gathered information about the initial responses, the progress and management of the outbreak control, and the reactions of the health professionals and the public. The findings of the study are reported according to the topics that appeared through thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Results: Following the first suspected avian influenza cases, a Van Crisis Coordination Committee was formed as the coordinating and decision-making body and played an important role in the appropriate timing of decisions. The health and agriculture services could not be well coordinated owing to the lack of integrated planning in preparation for outbreak and of integrated surveillance programs. Traditional poultry practice together with the low socio-economic status of the people and the lack of health care access in the region seemed to be a major risk for animal to animal and animal to human transmission. The strengths and weaknesses of the present health system - primary health care services, national surveillance and notification systems, human resource and management - affected the inter organizational coordination during the outbreak. Open communication between the government and the public played an important part in overcoming difficulties. Conclusion: Although there were problems during the avian influenza outbreak in Turkey, the rapid responses of the central and regional health authorities and the performance of the health workers were the key points in controlling the epidemic. The lessons from this outbreak should provide an opportunity for integrating the preparation plans of the health and agricultural organizations, and for revising the surveillance system and enhancing the role of the primary health care services in controlling epidemic disease. Developing successful strategies based on knowledge and experience may play a valuable role in delaying an avian influenza pandemic.