Browsing by Author "Tosun, S"

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    Lived Experiences of Turkish Internationally Educated Nurses: A Phenomenological Study
    Gülsen, M; Akan, DD; Tosun, S
    The international mobility of the nursing workforce is growing. In recent years, T & uuml;rkiye has seen a notable increase in the number of nurses seeking employment abroad. This study aimed to describe lived experiences of Turkish internationally educated nurses (IENs). A qualitative design with a descriptive phenomenological approach was employed, and the results are reported following the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. Data were collected from September to November 2023 through in-depth, individual online interviews using a semi-structured interview form. Sixteen Turkish IENs were interviewed. Through thematic analysis, four themes emerged: push factors of migration, pull factors of migration, positive experiences following migration, and negative experiences following migration. The migration of Turkish nurses to higher-income countries significantly enhanced their professional and personal lives but also presented considerable challenges. This study underscores the dual nature of migration, offering both opportunities and challenges.
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    Should a booster dose be administered in children after mass immunization for hepatitis B?
    Tosun, S; Deveci, S; Kaplan, Y; Kasirga, E
    Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a global health problem and vaccine-preventable disease, but the duration of the effects of HBV vaccination in infants is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this trial, which comprised children who had received 3 doses as part of the universal HBV immunization program and no additional doses, was to investigate anti-HBs titers and HBsAg status after 9 years. Patients and Methods: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional field research study. The study sample, based on sociodemographics and minimum seroprevalence, was analyzed based on 10.00% +/- 1.50 (95% confidence interval) (1150 individuals); trial was realized in a total of 1279 children (623 females and 656 males). Anti-HBs titers were measured by micro-EIA (Dia Sorin-Italy); titers <10 lU/mL were negative, 10-49 IU/mL were low-positive, and >50 IU/mL were high-positive. For anti-HBs titers below protective levels, HBsAg was measured by micro-EIA. Results: In approximately half of the children (48.5% in those living in semiurban areas and 42.3% in urban areas), antibody titers were below protective levels. Conclusions: Mass HBV vaccination, which was implemented in Turkey in 1998, significantly decreases HBsAg positivity in childhood. Nevertheless, it might be necessary to administer a booster dose after 8-9 years in children, especially those in low socioeconomic areas or in whom irregular/insufficient immunization is suspected. (C) 2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.
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    Investigation of Tetanus Antitoxin Titer Levels in People Over Forty Years of Age
    Tosun, S; Deveci, S; Yücetürk, M; Dönmez, AB; Kaplan, Y
    Objective: Tetanus is a disease that can be prevented with vaccination, but protective antitoxin titers decrease to undetectable levels with old age. The aim of this study is to evaluate tetanus antitoxin levels in individuals over 40 years of age and to investigate the vaccination and physical injury status via survey. Material and Methods: A total of 361 participants, 178 men and 183 women, were enrolled in the study and blood was drawn from each participant to measure tetanus antibody level by enzyme immunoassay (ETA) method. Results: Tetanus antibodies were undetectable in 55 male (30.9%) and 71 female patients (38.8%) at the end of the study. It was determined that tetanus antitoxin levels significantly decrease with age in both women and men especially after 50 years of age which is accepted as the limit age in which antibody is likely to be negative. Conclusion: In adult age group, booster vaccination for tetanus is recommended every 10 years in developing and developed countries, but this recommendation can not be put into practice as anticipated. Similarly in our country, vaccination of adult age group is not common and tetanus vaccine is not generally administered at every ten years. The results of this study show that one dose of tetanus vaccine should be administered at least to individuals over 50 years of age, and individuals who do not recall their vaccination history should be taken into a three-dose vaccination program.
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    Rapid Immunization Scheme for Spouses of Individuals Estabilished as Hepatitis B Carriers during Premarital Tests
    Tosun, S; Yücetürk, M; Dönmez, AB; Gündüz, T
    Background. The aim of this study was to monitor the cases identified as hepatitis B carriers during premarital tests, to vaccinate their prospective spouses with a rapid vaccination scheme, and to compare the anti-HBs responses with the traditional vaccination scheme. Methods. Blood samples of 1250 couple spouses were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs. HBsAg positive cases' fiancees which were found HBV negative were administered a rapid three-dose vaccination scheme on days 0, 7, and 21. Forty controls with similar age and gender were also were administered three doses of the same vaccine. Results. Out of 1250 cases (625 couples), 46 (3.6%) were HBsAg positive, and 40 of them aged between 18 and 39 were admitted to the rapid vaccination program. Conclusion. Upon determination of HBsAg positivity in premarital tests, a rapid vaccination program provides early protection, but the 6th and 12th month vaccinations are also required. Anti-HBs response should be monitored.
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    Consideration Whether Hepatitis B Exists in Children Whose Mothers Suffer from Chronic Hepatitis B and These Mothers in Gestational Age
    Yildiz, IE; Tosun, S; Sen, S; Altunal, LN; Ugurlu, K; Bahsi, A
    Objectives: Perinatal and intrauterine transmission of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents a major factor, leading to the development of chronic infection. This study aimed to explore the status of mothers and their children for hepatitis B (HB) infection during pregnancy and childhood, and whether active and passive immunoprophylaxis was administered to infants shortly after birth. Materials and Methods: We performed multicenter, retrospective research on voluntary hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers admitted to infectious diseases polyclinics was performed. Mothers and their children were queried by a questionnaire about their HB infection status. Data from the electronic data recording system was scanned retrospectively. Results: Three hundred-one mothers and 616 children were included in the study. HBsAg was examined in 354 (57.4%) of pregnancies. Of 91 children with HBsAg positivity, 83 were not applied active and passive immunoprophylaxis after birth. Eight 276 babies received both immune prophylaxes after birth were then detected as HBsAg positive. On HBV examination, 148 children were found to encounter the HBV. HBsAg positivity rate was significantly higher in children born before 1997. Conclusion: The remarkable decrease in HBsAg positivity of children reveals the efficacy of national vaccination. By informing both healthcare workers and society, awareness about examining pregnants for HBsAg during pregnancy should be increased.
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    Validity and Reliability of the COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior Scale
    Deveci, S; Cevik, C; Baydur, H; Onsuz, F; Tosun, S; Ergor, A
    Background: The aim of this research is to develop a scale that will evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of employees about COVID-19 and to test its validity and reliability. Methodology: The methodological type of research was used between August-November 2020, under observation in organized industrial zones. Information was collected from a total of 543 employees. Confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analysis were performed for the value, item-total correlations and construct validity. SPSS 25.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, NY, USA), Jasp 0.14 (University of Amsterdam) and Lisrel 9.1(Scientific Software International, Inc., Chapel Hill, NC, USA) programs were used in the analysis. Results: 83.1% of the participants in the study are male, the average age is 37.4 +/- 8.0, 76.1% are married, and 49.4% are high school graduates. The Cronbach alpha value of the COVID-19 information part is 0.86 in total, the contamination information dimension is 0.71 and the protection information dimension is 0.84. The COVID-19 attitude section consists of four sub-dimensions and 13 items classified within the framework of the health belief model. In summary, the goodness of fit values for the knowledge, attitude and behavior sections, respectively, are: RMSEA values 0.05, 0.03 and 0.04; CFI values 0.98, 0.98 and 0.99; GFI values 0.97, 0.97 and 0.99. Conclusions: It has been determined that the internal consistency of the COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and behavior scale conducted on employees is high and compatible, and its validity findings are sufficient. The scale is recommended as an applicable tool to measure COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.
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    Current therapeutic approaches in childhood chronic hepatitis B infection: A multicenter study
    Dikici, B; Ozgenc, F; Kalayci, AG; Targan, S; Ozkan, T; Selimoglu, A; Doganci, T; Kansu, A; Tosun, S; Arslan, N; Kasirga, E; Bosnak, M; Haspolat, K; Buyukgebiz, B; Aydogdu, S; Girgin, N; Yagci, RV
    Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of three different regimens in childhood chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Methods: A total of 182 children with CHB infection were prospectively allocated to three random groups. Sixty-two patients in the first group received high-dose interferon (IFN)-alpha 2b (10 MU/m(2)) thrice/weekly alone for 6 months. In the second (n = 60) and third groups (n = 60), IFN-alpha was used for 6 months (5 MU/m(2)) thrice/weekly in combination with lamivudine (LAM) (4 mg/kg, maximum 100 mg/day) for 12 months. Lamivudine was started simultaneously with IFN in the second group, while it was started 2 months prior to IFN injections in the third group. Results: The initial mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values for the first, second and third groups were 109 +/- 93 IU/L, 101 +/- 64 IU/L and 92 +/- 42 IU/L, respectively (P > 0.05). At the end of the therapy, ALT values decreased to 82 +/- 111 IU/L, 38 +/- 41 IU/L and 29 +/- 16 IU/L in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean ALT value of the first group was significantly different to the second and third groups (P = 0.046 and P = 0.002, respectively) at the end of the therapy and these differences were found to be sustained after 18 months. However, results in the second and third groups were similar (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in HBeAg clearance and anti-HBe seroconversion at the initial stage, 12 months and 18 months between the three groups (P > 0.05). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA clearance in the first group was different from the second and third groups, while the second and third groups had similar HBV DNA clearance ratios at 12 and 18 months. No significant difference was found in the complete response (normalization of ALT, clearance of HBV DNA and seroconversion of anti HBe) ratios of all groups (at 12 months: 28.8, 45.5, 35.8% and at 18 months 33.3, 49 and 34% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, P > 0.05). Conclusions: Although the ALT normalization and HBV DNA clearance ratios of IFN plus LAM combination groups were better than the high-dose IFN-alpha monotherapy group, no significant difference was found in the complete response ratios of all three groups. (C) 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
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    Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Hepatitis Delta Infection in Turkey
    Ayaz, C; Koruk, ST; Yalci, A; Yamazhan, T; Aygen, B; Tosun, S; Dal, T; Celen, MK; Tabak, F
    This study is aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of HDV co-infection in patients with chronic HBV infection in Turkey, where HBV infection is endemic. The date of this study was obtained from Turk-Hep-Net project. The project includes real-life cohort of HBV patients from 15 centers in Turkey and is supported by Viral Hepatitis Society. Of the 7366 HBsAg positive individuals tested for the presence of anti-HDV antibodies, 63,6 were male and 36.4 % were female. Of the 7366 HBsAg positif patients, 206 (2.8%) contained anti-HDV. Southeastern Anatolia Region of the country's anti-HDV positivity rate was found to be 4.5%. The risk factors in anti-HDV positivity patient were; male gender, long-term (>5 year) HBsAg positivity and living in Southeastern Anatolia. Our study revealed that recognizing the risk factors associated with HBV and HDV co-infection will be beneficial to control of these infections.
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    Changes in seroprevalence of hepatitis A in children and adolescents in Manisa, Turkey
    Tosun, S; Ertan, P; Kasirga, E; Atman, Ü
    Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV), being an enteric transmitting Virus wide world, occurs mostly in children of developing countries. However, the virus has recently been seen in adolescents and young adults worldwide. The aim of the present Study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of the HAV infection in children and adolescents in Manisa, Turkey, and to verify whether the increased incidence of HAV infection in other parts of the world and Turkey generally is also true for the area of Manisa. Methods: The authors studied blood samples of 1395 adolescents and children aged between 6 months and 17 years from the Manisa area in order to evaluate the existence of anti-HAV antibodies using micro-ELISA test. Results: Total seropositivity was 44.6% while age related values were as followed: 6 - 23 months, 47.8%; 2 - 6 years, 23.7%; 7 - 10 years, 43.4%; 11 - 14 years, 52.4%; and 15 - 17 years, 76.6%. These results suggest that the seropositivity increases significantly among children at school age and also increases parallel to age. Conclusions: According to these results, the authors concluded that there has been a shift of seropositivity from children to adolescents especially in families with an average or high socio-economical level.