Burak Kurt

Bio: Burak Kurt is an academic researcher from Çukurova University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Quality of life. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 12 publications receiving 35 citations.

Knowledge Level, Attitude, and Behaviors of Farmers in Çukurova Region regarding the Use of Pesticides

Abstract: Introduction and Purpose Farmers are particularly at high risk of pesticide exposure due to added risk from occupational exposure The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge level of farmers in the Cukurova region of the effects of pesticides, toxic symptoms, and protective equipment as well as assessing their attitudes and practices regarding pesticides Material and Method A total of 420 seasonal agricultural workers in Karatas District of Adana Province, Turkey, were included in the study The questionnaire form consisting of 3 sections was administered using face-to-face interview method Results The mean age of the participants was years They were engaged in farming for a mean duration of years All of them used pesticides, but none of them had been trained on the use of pesticides Only 262% of them stored pesticides in a private depot The farmers who took empty pesticide containers to special collection bins or centers constituted only 43% of them While 840% of them thought that pesticides could have a negative impact on human health, 50% of them had experienced a medical problem and 10% of them were poisoned after applying pesticides Conclusion The results show that knowledge level of farmers of safe use of pesticides is very inadequate This lack of knowledge adversely affects workers’ quality of life as well as occupational health and safety Appropriate training programs should be organized to increase their level of knowledge

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of women regarding breast and cervical cancer in Malatya, Turkey

Abstract: The aim of this study is to gather information about the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of women regarding breast and cervical cancer, to increase the knowledge level of the relevant age group and to begin including the relevant age group in screening programs. This cross-sectional study is composed of 6910 women aged 30-69 years in Malatya, Turkey. The study aimed to reach 1782 women with a survey, and all of them were reached. The questionnaire form was completed with face-to-face interview. For statistical analysis, data were evaluated as number and percentage distributions. The average age of the women was 45.6±11.4. Nearly half of the women (46.4%) did not know that scans for early detection of breast and cervical cancers were free. Only 22.2% of women knew that breast cancer could be diagnosed early by mammography. 72.7% had never received a mammogram. One third (31.6%) of women did not know it was possible to recognize cervical cancer early, and two thirds (64.5%) of women had not received a Pap smear test. It has been determined that Turkish women do not have adequate knowledge about cancer diagnosis, early cancer diagnosis, and screening.

Investigation of depression and quality of life factors in cancer patients' caregivers.

Abstract: PURPOSE This study aimed to explore depression and quality of life (QoL) factors among caregivers of patients with cancer and to better understand who the caregivers are and how caregiving affects them. METHODS This descriptive study was conducted at the Medical Oncology Department of Cukurova University, Balcali Hospital. The study consisted of 150 cancer patients' caregivers who had been treated between September 1 and October 15, 2015. Percent distribution was used to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers. One way ANOVA, t-test and frequencies were used for other analyses. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Of the caregivers, 42.7% (n=64) were male, 67.3% (n=101) were married, 30% (n=45) had university education, and their mean age was 40.1±13.7 years. Also, 36% were offspring of the cancer patients. Of caregivers 51.3% were sharing the caregiving process with someone else. The mean value of Beck depression inventory (BDI) was 14.08±10.9 (min-max, 0-55). According to the values of the inventory, 42% were normal, 24.7% were mildly, 20.7% were moderately and 12.7% were severely depressed. A significant association was found between BDI and overall QoL (WHOQOL-Bref) for all domains (p<0.001). CONCLUSION We believe that these results are a step toward identifying the associated factors for reducing caregivers' depression and ameliorating their QoL.

Vaccination rates for Syrian population under temporary protection in Turkey.

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to gather information on demographic and health indicators, primarily vaccination status, of Syrians under temporary protection in five provinces of Turkey and to develop infrastructure for vaccination planning. Methods: The population under study consists of 89,986 Syrian children, 0-4 years of age, residing in Ankara, Mersin, Gaziantep, Izmir, and Bursa. Initially, we planned to evaluate 2,339 children, although a total of 2,827 children were evaluated by the end of the study. Results: Of these children, 74% were born in Turkey, while 20% were born in Syria. In addition, 22.4% (n = 634) of the children were never vaccinated, and of these, 67.0% (n = 425) were born in Turkey. In other words, one in five Syrian children born in Turkey (20.3%) had never been vaccinated. Of the Syrian children under temporary protection, the missing vaccinations were as follows: hepatitis B (54.7%); Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (62.5%); five-component combined vaccine (64.6%); conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (58.0%); oral polio vaccine (70.8%); measles, mumps, and rubella (76.6%); varicella (66.8%); and hepatitis A vaccine (76.0%). Conclusion: It is important to increase the immunization rates of Syrian children under temporary protection and establish regular vaccination procedures.

Diesel Exhaust and Cancer

Abstract: Exhaust from diesel engines brings a complex mixture of soot and gases to roadways, cities, farms, and other places. Health concerns about diesel exhaust relate not only to cancer, but also to other health problems such as lung and heart diseases. Studies have raised concerns over the years about the connection between diesel exhaust and cancer in workers with heavy exposure to exhaust from diesel engines. Men with the heaviest and most prolonged exposures, such as railroad workers, heavy equipment operators, miners, and truck drivers, have been found to have higher lung cancer death rates than unexposed workers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), today classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality: Two global challenges

Abstract: There are many good reasons to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other combustion emissions. The air quality in many urban environments is causing many premature deaths because of asthma, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and dementia associated with combustion emissions. The global social cost of air pollution is at least $3 trillion/year; particulates, nitrogen oxides and ozone associated with combustion emissions are very costly pollutants. Better air quality in urban environments is one of the reasons for countries to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. There are many potential benefits associated with limiting climate change. In the recent past, the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have been increasing and the number of weather and climate disasters with costs over $1 billion has been increasing. The average global temperature set new record highs in 2014, 2015, and 2016. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the transition to electric vehicles and electricity generation using renewable energy must take place in accord with the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This work reviews progress and identifies some of the health benefits associated with reducing combustion emissions. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 982–988, 2017

Energy, Transportation, Air Quality, Climate Change, Health Nexus: Sustainable Energy is Good for Our Health

Abstract: The Paris Agreement on Climate Change has the potential to improve air quality and human health by encouraging the electrification of transportation and a transition from coal to sustainable energy. There will be human health benefits from reducing combustion emissions in all parts of the world. Solar powered charging infrastructure for electric vehicles adds renewable energy to generate electricity, shaded parking, and a needed charging infrastructure for electric vehicles that will reduce range anxiety. The costs of wind power, solar panels, and batteries are falling because of technological progress, magnitude of commercial activity, production experience, and competition associated with new trillion dollar markets. These energy and transportation transitions can have a very positive impact on health. The energy, transportation, air quality, climate change, health nexus may benefit from additional progress in developing solar powered charging infrastructure.

Breast Self-Examination: Knowledge and Practice Among Female Textile Workers in Vietnam.

Abstract: Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple, feasible, and suitable method for breast cancer screening in low-middle setting countries. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of BSE among female textile workers in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1036 female workers, aged 43.9 ± 3.1 years old, who were working in 4 textile enterprises in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in 2016. Overall, 22.7% of participants showed sufficient knowledge on BSE; 15.2% performed monthly BSE; and 7.7% completely performed all 5 steps of BSE. The prevalence of insufficient BSE knowledge was higher among participants with low level of education (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.39, below vs above secondary school), and those whose husbands were farmers or workers (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.27-2.45, compared to other sectors). This prevalence was, however, negatively associated with receiving information on BSE (OR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.11-0.23, yes vs no). The prevalence of insufficient BSE practice was also higher among females with husbands who were farmers or workers (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.15-2.43, compared to other sectors). In contrast, it was much lower among participants who had history of breast-related diseases (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24-0.88, yes vs no), received BSE information (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.08-0.19, yes vs no), and had sufficient overall BSE knowledge (OR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.06-0.13, yes vs no), compared to those who did not. There was a low prevalence of sufficient BSE knowledge (22.7%) and practice (15.8%) among female textile workers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Low level of education and not being provided BSE information were associated with insufficient BSE knowledge and practice among Vietnamese female textile workers. Health education programs are essential to encourage and improve women's knowledge and practice of BSE.