INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) and identify sociodemographic, psychiatric, and psychosocial factors that influence this risk.
METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study examined 400 mothers who visited the Pediatric Health and Diseases outpatient clinics at Samsun Training and Research Hospital between July 1 and September 30, 2023, and who had 1-year-old infants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a sociodemographic information form and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A score of ≥13 on the EPDS was considered indicative of PPD risk. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 23.0
software.
RESULTS: PPD risk was detected in 19.8% of participants. Statistically significant relationships were found between PPD risk and the following factors: Ýndividual psychiatric history (p<0.001), previous postpartum psychiatric problems (p<0.001), premenstrual emotional symptoms (p<0.001), low marital satisfaction (p=0.023), and insufficient social support (spouse, family, and spouse's family support). No significant relationships were found with other variables, such as educational status, income level, marital status, and tobacco use.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: PPD is a complex mental health issue shaped by psychosocial interactions rather than individual factors. In primary healthcare, it is important to assess marital relationships, psychiatric history, and social support levels for the early diagnosis and referral of at-risk mothers.

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhea remains a major public health issue and is defined by the World Health Organization as passing loose or watery stools three or more times per day, or more often than usual for an individual. It is a leading cause of death in children under five, accounting for about 9% of global fatalities in this age group. This study aimed to assess the relationship between environmental and behavioral factors and diarrhea occurrence among toddlers in two primary health care centers.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study (March–June 2024) included 108 parents or caregivers of toddlers visiting two health centers. Data were obtained through interviews and analyzed using univariate statistics and the Chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: Environmental factors showed significant associations with diarrheal risk. The absence or poor condition of family toilet facilities (p=0.006, odds ratio [OR]=3.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.43–6.92) and inadequate waste disposal systems (p=0.018, OR=3.64; 95%CI=1.66–7.98) were associated with higher diarrhea prevalence. In contrast, housing components (p=0.902, OR=0.88; 95% CI=0.41–1.90) were not significantly related. Among behavioral factors, handwashing with soap did not show a significant association (p=0.239, OR=0.59; 95% CI=0.27–1.26).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that environmental conditions, particularly toilet facilities and waste disposal, play an important role in diarrhea risk among toddlers. Strengthening sanitation infrastructure in low-resource primary care settings may help reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases among children.

INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy is common in older patients, and psychotropic medications prescribed to treat psychiatric disorders are an important cause of it. This study aimed to find out the potential drug–drug interactions that can happen when older outpatients take psychotropic medications along with other medications and to assess the changes in the anticholinergic burden (ACB) score.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a community pharmacy between January 30 and March 30, 2024. Older patients who visited the pharmacy between these dates, had at least one psychotropic medication in their prescription, and had been using at least one medication for the last month were included in this study. The Lexicomp® database was used to determine the interactions of psychotropics, the 2023 Beers Criteria® were used to evaluate medication suitability, and the ACB Calculator® was used for the ACB score.
RESULTS: The sample received 278 psychotropic medications on 211 prescriptions, and the most commonly prescribed was escitalopram. A total of 815 medication interactions were detected, 10 of which were at the X level and 88 at the D level. When psychotropics prescribed to older adults were evaluated according to the 2023 Beers criteria®, 16 different psychotropics prescribed were found to be potentially inappropriate according to 166 criteria. The ACB scores of the patients increased significantly after a psychotropic medication prescription (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Given the high frequency of interactions and the increased ACB caused by psychotropic medications, it is important to evaluate their prescription for older patients with geriatric criteria. The results of the present study led us to suggest that all physicians should consider other medications and geriatric criteria when prescribing psychotropic medication to older patients.

INTRODUCTION: Sustainability of health systems and protection of public health around the world depend on effective management of epidemics. However, vaccines have become a controversial issue in some circles. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge level and behavior of doctors and healthcare professionals working in a training and research hospital in Istanbul regarding childhood vaccines.
METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians and healthcare professionals working at Sultangazi Haseki Training and Research Hospital. The survey included 33 items divided into 3 sections: Demographics, vaccination behavior, and Likert-type knowledge questions. The vaccine knowledge score was calculated for each participant. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the Likert-type items was 0.789, indicating good internal consistency.
RESULTS: A total of 340 participants were included. Specialist physicians and those working in pediatric units had a significantly higher vaccine knowledge level. In response to whether routine vaccines should be legally mandatory, 10.1% of physicians and 30.4% of allied health professionals disagreed.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Vaccine knowledge and attitudes differed by profession and workplace. Specialists and pediatric staff exhibited more positive views toward vaccination.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine how phonation duration, maximum phonation time (MPT), is affected by factors such as gender and smoking.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 400 volunteers aged 18 years and older, who spoke Turkish and had no known vocal disorders. Participants’ demographic information, smoking status, and MPT were recorded. MPT was measured using a stopwatch as the maximum time to produce the “A” sound in a single breath while sitting in a quiet environment.
RESULTS: Participants were 56.3% male (n=225) and 43.7% female (n=175). Results showed that MPT was significantly longer in males (22.2±5.7 s) than in females (18.9±5.7 s, p<0.001). Smoking significantly shortened MPT
(smokers: 17.8±6.0 s; non-smokers: 21.7±5.6 s; p<0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between
duration of smoking and MPT (r=−0.30, p=0.003).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: MPT is significantly longer in males than in females. Smoking significantly shortens MPT, and this effect becomes more pronounced as smoking duration increases. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual risk factors in vocal health assessments.

A 9-month-old female infant presented to the emergency department with a 2-h history of sudden-onset respiratory distress that progressively worsened until presentation. She had been apparently well before the onset of symptoms. Chest X-rays were normal, and an urgent bronchoscopy revealed no foreign body but showed an area of hyperemia in the left main bronchus. The mother later reported that she had given the child a local groundnut cake (“Kuli-Kuli”) a few hours before the symptoms began. During admission, the infant developed fever with rhonchi and crepitations and was treated for bronchopneumonia. She was discharged after 5 days following complete resolution of symptoms. Two days later, the mother returned, reporting that the child had suddenly started coughing and expelled crumbs of the groundnut cake.