Objective: Smoking addiction is a serious public health problem that ranks among the leading preventable causes of death and affects all age groups. Our study aimed to examine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients attending a smoking cessation clinic affiliated with a university hospital and the factors influencing their cessation status. Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Age, gender, occupation, chronic disease status, treatments given, smoking histories, and Fagerstrom scores of patients who applied to the smoking cessation clinic affiliated to Samsun Training and Research Hospital between August 01, 2020 and August 31, 2024 were obtained using the hospital automation system without sharing their personal information. The data were analyzed using the SPSS package program. Results: A total of 399 patients were included in the study. 63.66% (n=275) of the patients were male. The average Fagerstrom score of the patients was calculated as 5.66±2.43. The patients were interviewed an average of 2.21±1.28 times per person. The average smoking duration of the patients was calculated as 27.38±16.57 pack-years. Combined treatment was initiated in 35.19% of the patients (n=141). As combined treatment, 88.15% of the patients (n=134) were started on a combination of Bupropion and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). As a result of treatment, 34.09% of patients (n=136) quit smoking. Monotherapy with Bupropion was found to be the least effective drug for smoking cessation (p=0.01). The smoking cessation rate among patients receiving combination therapy was found to be higher than that of other treatment options (p<0.001). Patients who quit smoking had a significantly lower Fagerstrom score (p=0.024) than those who did not quit, while the number of individual consultations per patient (p<0.001) was significantly higher. The proportion of patients who quit smoking and had other smokers in their household was lower than those who did not quit (p=0.003). Conclusion: It was observed that approximately one third of the patients quit smoking. The smoking cessation rate of patients who used combined treatment was found to be higher than other treatment options.
Objective: Primary healthcare services constitute the initial point of contact within the healthcare system and play a fundamental role in terms of efficiency, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainability. Within the scope of the “Digital Transformation and Integration System in Healthcare,” developed to enhance the effectiveness of the family medicine system in Türkiye and ensure service integration, a contact registration desk and a Family Medicine Convenience Polyclinic have been established at our center. This study aims to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics, reasons for presentation, and patient satisfaction levels of individuals presenting to the registration desk located in the Family Medicine Convenience Polyclinic. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 312 patients who presented to the registration desk at the Family Medicine Convenience Polyclinic of Gülhane Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025. Data were obtained from the hospital information management system and a questionnaire form prepared in accordance with the literature. The Patient Satisfaction Assessment Short Form (PSASF) consists of seven items on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater levels of dissatisfaction. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used in the data analysis; significant variables were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Based on G*Power analysis (80% power, α=0.05), a minimum of 250 participants was deemed sufficient; 312 patients found suitable during the study period were included in the analyses. Results: The median age of participants was 45 years, and 79.8% were female; 40.7% were university graduates, 44.2% had at least one chronic disease, and 76.6% of applications were for radiological examination purposes. The overall satisfaction rate is 92.6%, with the highest satisfaction related to the respectful attitude of the healthcare staff (66.0%) and the lowest satisfaction related to the time spent with the doctor (33.0%). When comparing satisfied and dissatisfied groups, female gender (p=0.019), advanced age (p<0.001), low education level (p=0.050), and the presence of chronic disease (p=0.024) were found to be significantly related to satisfaction, while no significant difference was found in terms of the reason for referral (p=0.064). In the univariate model of the logistic regression analysis, age (p=0.001), gender (p=0.023), education level (p=0.052), comorbidities (p=0.031), and reason for referral (p=0.070) were found to be associated with satisfaction; while in the multivariate analysis, only being in the ≥45 age group was shown to be independently associated with satisfaction (OR=9.77; 95% CI: 1.80–53.06; p=0.008). Conclusion: The “Digital Transformation and Integration System in Healthcare” model has been demonstrated to increase efficiency in the healthcare system and strengthen patient satisfaction. The findings indicate that expanding digital integration may provide significant contributions to improving accessibility, service quality, and inclusivity in primary healthcare services.
As part of ongoing efforts to make the healthcare system in Türkiye more effective, accessible and sustainable, the digitalization of primary healthcare services is gaining increasing importance. This study explores the contribution of digital health technologies to service delivery—particularly through family health centers—along with the integration policies developed between different levels of care. The widespread adoption of systems such as electronic health records, e-Nabız, the Central Physician Appointment System (MHRS), and the Public Health Management System (HSYS) has not only improved patient-service alignment but also facilitated better coordination among healthcare professionals. Following the implementation of the Health Transformation Programme, information management systems have enabled a more holistic approach to patient follow-up, guidance, and monitoring. In 2025, the “Integration between Healthcare Levels” initiative was introduced to streamline patient transitions from primary to secondary and tertiary care in a more systematic and efficient manner. Expanding the scope of the authority of family physicians, enhancing their access to laboratory and imaging services, and promoting reciprocal information sharing with specialist physicians are expected to support a more balanced distribution of the healthcare burden and alleviate patient congestion in hospitals. These initiatives aim to shorten the time citizens wait for care, improve referral accuracy, and increase access to preventive health services. In light of these developments, it is envisioned that the future of Türkiye’s healthcare system will be built upon a more innovative and integrated model, underpinned by a strengthened digital infrastructure and enhanced digital competencies among physicians.
Objective: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the second most common developmental disability after intellectual disability. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of ASD risk in children aged 18-36 months admitted to Family Health Centers (FHCs) in Aydın city center, considering the role of FHCs as the first point of contact, and to identify the factors increasing ASD risk. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. Assuming 1% prevalence based on DSM-5 data and a sampling error of 0.05, the sampling size of the study planned with a descriptive cross-sectional design was calculated as 392 using the G*Power program. 431 participants were targeted with a 10% margin of error. The data collection form prepared through a literature review and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) scale were administered to all participants who applied to the 8 FHCs (6 urban and 2 rural) selected through cluster sampling method and agreed to participate in the study. Descriptive analyses for non-categorical variables and chi-square analyses for categorical variables were used. p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Additionally, in order to eliminate its confounding effect, logistic regression analysis was applied to all variables considered to be associated with ASD. Results: In the sampling with a mean age of 27.5±6.5 months, ASD risk was found to be 5.8%, and ASD diagnosis prevalence was found to be 0.92%. Sociodemographic features, such as male gender, having a low-income family, maternal use of medication during pregnancy, low birth weight, being born before 35th week of gestation and not being vaccinated in accordance with the vaccination calendar were found statistically significant associated risk factors for ASD. Conclusion: Continuous follow-up is crucial for individuals identified as being at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but who do not yet meet the diagnostic criteria. Given the role of early diagnosis in treatment, raising awareness of ASD is a priority in the fight against autism. Furthermore, more research is needed to assess the knowledge levels of both healthcare personnel working at Family Health Centers (often the first point of contact for children aged 18-36 months) and families with children under 36 months.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate patients’ use of cytisine prescribed as a smoking cessation medication, the frequency of observed side effects, and smoking cessation rates at the Marmara University Family Medicine Smoking Cessation Clinic, thereby laying the groundwork for future research on cytisine use in Turkey. Methods: The descriptive study included 256 participants who applied to the Marmara University Department of Family Medicine’s Smoking Cessation Clinic between May 2024 and March 2025 and underwent cytisine treatment. Participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, cytisine use, and treatment processes were retrospectively collected via a questionnaire administered through telephone interviews. Tobacco dependence level was assessed using the Fagerström nicotine dependence test (FNDT). The dependent variable of the study is smoking cessation status; the independent variables are age, gender, education level, smoking burden, medication completion, and attendance at follow-up appointments. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average age of participants was 40.7±0.9 years, the average FNDT score was 6.3±2.2, and the average smoking burden (pack/year) was 24.9±1.3. In our study, 31% of individuals who initiated cytisine treatment were not smoking at follow-up. The proportion of participants who remained non-smoking status at assessment was significantly higher among those with lower smoking burden, those who attended follow-up appointments, those with higher perceived income, and those who completed the medication (p=0.027, p=0.035, p≤0.001, p=0.020). In multivariable analysis, higher perceived income independently predicted non-smoking status at follow-up (aOR=1.91, p=0.004), whereas treatment completion showed borderline significance. At least one side effect was observed in 31.5% (n=79) of participants; the most commonly reported were nausea (10.2%), palpitations (3.9%), dizziness (3.5%), and mood changes (3.5%). Conclusion: In this real-world clinical setting, 31% of patients receiving cytisine were classified as non-smokers at follow-up. In the context of limited national data, these results offer exploratory evidence to guide the design of future randomized controlled trials.
Purple Urine Bag Syndrome (PUBS) is a rare but visually striking phenomenon usually seen in elderly, immobile, and chronically catheterized patients. Although it usually follows a benign course, its alarming appearance may trigger excessive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, leading to unnecessary increases in healthcare utilization. We report the case of a 95-year-old woman with chronic ischemic heart disease, followed through home healthcare services, who developed PUBS without clinical or laboratory evidence of infection. The condition resolved completely after simple catheter and bag replacement, without antibiotic therapy. This case emphasizes that PUBS does not always indicate active infection and highlights the importance of rational management in primary care and home healthcare practice, preventing overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and unnecessary antibiotic use.
Objective: This study aims to determine the effects of mindfulness levels on menstrual symptoms and irritability among university students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2025 with 274 female university students aged 18–49 years residing in a women's dormitory in Ankara. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), and the Born–Steiner Irritability Scale (BSIS). Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were employed for data analysis. Results: The participants' mean age was 20.82 ± 2.12 years. The mean total scores were 126.25 ± 14.47 for FFMQ, 73.24 ± 18.18 for MSQ, and 26.25 ± 8.23 for BSIS. A moderate positive correlation was identified between menstrual symptoms and irritability. Conclusion: Different subdimensions of mindfulness exert varying effects on menstrual symptoms and irritability. Notably, the Acting with Awareness skill emerged as the most effective factor in reducing both menstrual symptoms and irritability. These findings suggest that mindfulness-based intervention programs can be integrated into primary care services for female patients in family medicine practice, and family physicians can utilize holistic approaches in menstrual symptom management.
Objective: Primary healthcare is a fundamental component of robust health systems and plays a key role in advancing universal health coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Family physicians and other primary care doctors require current and trustworthy evidence and therefore depend on systematic reviews of the literature. Although the number of primary healthcare–related papers has grown, information on the overall characteristics of this body of work remains limited. Bibliometric analysis combined with visualization techniques is a useful approach for mapping research trends and identifying gaps in knowledge. This study aimed to examine primary health care publications indexed in WoS that had at least one author affiliation in Türkiye (2015–2024) and to describe Türkiye’s contribution in the global context. Methods: Scientific documents indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) under the category “Primary Health Care” and affiliated with Türkiye were retrieved for the years 2015–2024. Descriptive quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out using standard bibliometric indicators, including publication counts, language of publication, institutional affiliations, most cited articles, authors, and journals. VOSviewer software was employed to generate a keyword co-occurrence network in order to explore research themes and their interrelations. Results: There were 267 scientific publications produced from Türkiye between 2015 and 2024. The highest number of studies was conducted in 2023 (n: 49, 18.35%). All of the publications were in the English language, 22.47% were published in the Primary Care Diabetes, and most publications were in article form (n: 227, 85.02%). “Primary care” was the most frequently used word in the map created with the network analysis of the keywords. Conclusion: The literature review has shown that our study is the first bibliometric study presenting publications related to primary health care from Türkiye. Overall, Türkiye’s contribution to the global PHC literature remains limited. Strengthening research capacity through targeted funding, multicenter collaborations, and diversified study designs is essential to increase both the volume and impact of PHC research from Türkiye.
Objective: Social media use has become increasingly widespread among young adults and may influence eating-related behaviors and body weight outcomes. However, evidence regarding platform-specific social media use, body mass index (BMI), and eating attitudes among young adult women remains limited. Therefore, this study examined associations between social media platform use, BMI categories, and eating attitudes among women aged 19-32 years. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2025 among voluntarily recruited women aged 19-32 years through face-to-face interviews conducted in university and community settings in Elazığ, Türkiye. A total of 456 participants completed questionnaires covering sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, social media use patterns, and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Statistical analyses were performed using R (version 4.4.1), IBM SPSS Statistics (version 26), and MedCalc Statistical Software (version 21). Results: Participants’ mean age was 22.67 ± 3.50 years and mean BMI was 22.58 ± 3.73 kg/m²; 66.2% were normal weight and 76.1% had an associate degree level of education. BMI categories differed significantly by use of Facebook, X (Twitter), and TikTok, and by weekly social media visit frequency (p < 0.05). EAT-26 scores increased significantly across higher BMI categories (p < 0.001). Women in the pre-obese and obese groups had significantly higher EAT-26 scores than those in the underweight and normal-weight groups (p < 0.001). Platform-specific differences were also observed: X (Twitter) use was associated with mean BMI (p = 0.014), while YouTube (p = 0.035) and Snapchat use (p = 0.013) were associated with mean EAT-26 scores. Correlation analyses indicated generally weak associations between social media use measures and both BMI and EAT-26 scores (r = 0.03–0.31). Conclusion: Social media use patterns differed across BMI categories, and higher BMI levels were associated with more impaired eating attitudes among young adult women. These findings highlight the importance of considering social media-related factors in strategies aimed at promoting healthy eating behaviors and reducing disordered eating risk in this population.
Objective: Thyroid hormones play a role in metabolic regulation, yet their associations with obesity and insulin resistance in euthyroid individuals remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), fT3, fT4, and the fT3/fT4 ratio with metabolic parameters in euthyroid women. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 236 euthyroid women aged 18–65 were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Istanbul between May and September 2023. Participants were categorized as individuals with normal weight, overweight, or obesity. Thyroid hormones and metabolic parameters (waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-C, insulin resistance) were analyzed. Statistical analyses included correlation tests and ANCOVA for age adjustment. Results: No significant differences in thyroid hormone levels were found across BMI groups after adjusting for age. TSH was positively correlated with BMI and triglyceride levels. fT3 and the fT3/fT4 ratio were positively associated with insulin resistance and negatively associated with HDL-C. Conclusion: fT3 and the fT3/fT4 ratio may reflect metabolic alterations in euthyroid individuals. These findings highlight the potential relevance of thyroid hormone evaluation in assessing metabolic risk, especially among individuals with obesity or insulin resistance. Further multicenter studies are warranted.
Objective: The research explores the factors influencing the nutrition levels of people aged 65 years and older enrolled in home health services, focusing on depression levels, functional dependency, existing comorbid conditions and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: The study is a single-centered, cross-sectional, descriptive, and prospective analysis conducted with patients registered at the Home Health Services at SBÜ Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital . The sample size was estimated assuming that the prevalence of malnutrition among the elderly was 40%, with a error margin of 0.05% and a 95% confidence interval, and reaching a target of 368 individuals. Sociodemographic data were collected via surveys. Nutrition levels was measured utilizing the Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale- Long Form, functional dependence with the Barthel Index, comorbidities via the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and depression levels using the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using IBM SPSS 26 program. Results: Among the respondents, 60.6% (n=223) were female and the mean age was 81.35±7.95 years (range: 65-99). In education terms, 84.8% had completed elementary school or less (n=312), and 79.4% received care from family members (n=292). The average body mass index was 25.4±4.2 kg/m² (min: 16.5 kg/m²; max: 49 kg/m²). Nutritional assessments showed that 29.6% were insufficiently nourished, 44% were at risk of malnutrition. In daily activities, 16.8% were fully dependent, while 47.3% were severely dependent. According to the comorbidity index, 89.1% were at very high risk for mortality. Additionally, 62.5% were confirmed as depressed, with 10.3% likely depressed. A significant association was found between nutrition status and some factors such as caregiver status, gender, dental hygiene and BMI. Conclusion: The study highlights a considerable prevalence of depression and its adverse effect on nutritional health. Depression levels were found to have a strong negative correlation with nutritional status, indicating that high levels of depression may negatively affect the nutritional well-being of older adults and emphasizing the need to address both nutrition and mental health in this demographic group.
Objective: Rational drug use (RDU) refers to administering medications that are appropriate to patients’ clinical needs, in doses that meet their individual needs for a sufficient duration, and at the lowest possible cost. Despite the clinical importance of RDU, irrational drug use remains prevalent, particularly in pulmonology patients. In this context, the objective of this study is to evaluate RDU knowledge and identify associated sociodemographic and clinical factors in pulmonology outpatients. Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional, single-center study consisted of 317 outpatients aged 18 years or older who presented to a secondary chest diseases hospital between February and May 2023. The patients were assessed using a structured questionnaire containing items on their sociodemographic and general health characteristics and the validated 21-item Rational Drug Use Scale (RDUS). The collected data were analyzed using parametric and chi-square tests, as well as correlation and logistic regression analyses. Results: The mean age of the study sample, 59.6% of which were females, was 50.0 ± 13.0 years. Of the 317 patients, 78.9% had chronic diseases, and 38.8% were taking ≥5 medications (polypharmacy). The mean RDUS score of the sample was 29.78±4.77, indicating insufficient knowledge. The mean RDUS score of the patients aged ≤45 years was significantly higher than that of those aged >45 years (p=0.007). The mean RDUS score of the patients living in urban areas was significantly higher than that of those living in rural areas (p=0.031). A strong correlation was found between patients’ education level and RDUS score. Accordingly, the mean RDUS score of patients with higher education was significantly higher than that of patients with other education levels (p=0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed higher education levels ([Odds Ratio (OR)=3.45, p=0.005], living in urban areas [OR=2.46, p=0.031], and young age [
Bullous pemphigoid is the most common bullous chronic autoimmune skin disease. Recent studies suggest dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes as possible predisposing agents of bullous pemphigoid. It is thought to be important for primary care physicians, who are the most common referral point of patients and where drug use is examined in detail, to keep in mind that drugs such as dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors may cause bullous pemphigoid and to refer to dermatology for early treatment. In this context, a 70-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to our outpatient clinic with pruritic, erythematous bullous lesions diffusely distributed over the body, occurring one week after initiation of a vildagliptin-containing medication. There was no mucosal involvement. The patient initially received treatment with the presumptive diagnoses of allergy and scabies; however, as no improvement was observed, a detailed medical history was obtained. Based on the clinical findings, drug-induced bullous pemphigoid was suspected, and the vildagliptin-containing medication was discontinued. The patient was subsequently referred to the dermatology department. Histopathological examination and direct immunofluorescence findings were consistent with bullous pemphigoid. Following drug withdrawal and a short course of oral corticosteroid therapy, a marked improvement of the lesions was achieved. With this case, we aimed to draw attention to the approach of bullous pemphigoid disease developing as a result of vildagliptin use in a patient with type-2 diabetes who presented to primary care and to increase awareness on this issue.
Objective: To examine the attitude of family physicians practicing at primary care units in İstanbul regarding defensive medicine practices and their effect on providing driving license health report provisions and the frequency of dispatches. Methods: 396 family physicians practicing in primary care units in Istanbul were included in this observational and descriptive study between March and April 2023. Volunteering physicians were invited to participate in an online questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and experience questions about defensive medical practice (DMP), the number of examinations and driving license provisions they have issued in the last year, and the rate of referrals to secondary or tertiary health centers. Defensive Medicine Practices Attitude Scale (DMPAS) was also performed online through which negative and positive DMP attitudes were assessed. Participants were classified as having very high (55-44 points), high (43-33 points), moderate (32-22 points), and mild (21-11 points) defensive attitude. Participants' attitudes towards providing driving license health reports were scored with a 5-point Likert-type scale. DMPAS scores were compared in terms of all data. Results: Among 396 participants, more than half were female (54.3%; n=215). Mean age was 39.3±8.9 years [Min 24,0-Max 60.0]. According to DMPAS, 94.5% of the participants exhibited a moderate or higher defensive attitude. Participants who were male (p < 0.05), married (p < 0.05), and specialist physicians (p < 0.05) scored significantly higher in DMPAS compared to their counterparts. As the physicians’ age, years of experience, and the number of registered patients increased, DMPAS decreased (r = -0.668, p < 0.001; r = -0.638, p < 0.00; r = -0.154, p = 0.002, respectively). The study shows that physicians who frequently refer patients to secondary or tertiary hospitals for driving reports and who have a high demand for driving reports among those aged 17 and over in their care population exhibited significantly higher defensiveness scores (p < 0.05). In other words, physicians who had more defensive attitudes preferred to consult the provision to the secondary or tertiary hospitals rather than approving the application. Conclusion: Defensive medicine practices in family physicians are relatively high, increasing the dispatch rate in driving license reports. The increasing rate of referrals from primary care units due to defensive medicine practice results in a patient burden on secondary or tertiary healthcare institutions.
Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia and is responsible for a large proportion of hospitalizations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of atrial fibrillation(AF) without developing thromboembolic complications in patients who applied to family medicine. Methods: The study included patients over 65 who applied to A University Training and Research Hospital and a State Hospital Family Medicine polyclinic. Those who had previously been diagnosed with AF were excluded from the study. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed on patients over 65 who applied to our polyclinics to examine the frequency of AF. To assess the risk of thromboembolism, the CHA2DS2-VASc score was utilized. This score is a widely accepted and validated risk stratification system designed to predict stroke in patients with non-valvular AF. Results: In a study involving 146 participants with a mean age of 73.86±7.38 years (61.6% female, 38.4% male), AF incidence was 11%. Isolated hypertension was the most common diagnosis, affecting 58% of patients with chronic diseases linked to AF. While AF was more prevalent in men (14.3%), the difference was insignificant (p=0.310). Most patients with AF (87.5%) had a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2 or higher. The mean systolic blood pressure was 132.59±22.03 mmHg in non-AF patients compared to 124.00±21.62 mmHg in AF patients. A history of cardiac surgery and arrhythmias was associated with a higher incidence of AF (p=0.010). Conclusion: The prevalence of AF in individuals over 65 years of age was found to be 11%, and the presence of comorbid disease was found to constitute the most important risk group. CHA2DS2-VASc score was two or above in 87.5% of patients and formed the high-risk group for stroke. In the study, patients with AF diagnosed before the development of thromboembolic complications were referred to the cardiology clinic for thromboembolic prophylaxis. This allowed the organization of cost-effective treatments based on bleeding risk scores and clinical indications. In primary health care services, every patient presentation should be evaluated effectively, and patients with symptoms and findings from a physical examination should be examined for AF.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the short-term (three-month) effectiveness of three smoking cessation therapies, bupropion, nicotine patch, and cytisine, and to retrospectively evaluate the impact of cytisine therapy on craving reduction and its side effect profile under routine clinical practice conditions. Methods: A total of 565 individuals who presented to the Smoking Cessation Outpatient Clinic between February 2024 and January 2025 and completed treatment with either cytisine, bupropion, or nicotine patch were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, chronic disease status, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scores, and smoking cessation outcomes were assessed to compare treatment success across the three therapies. Among patients treated with cytisine, early craving reduction and reported side effects during the first week were recorded and analyzed in relation to cessation outcomes. Statistical significance was set at p
Objective: Postpartum depression is a significant mental health issue that affects mothers in the postpartum period and can be influenced by various biological and environmental factors. This study aims to examine the impact of during pregnancy and the postpartum period on the occurrence of postpartum depression symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital Training family health care center. A total of 104 patients within the first 6 months postpartum period were included in the study between September 5 and October 5, 2023. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS v.25 software. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the results were evaluated based on this scale. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using IBM SPSS v.25 software, and p
