Objectives:To determine the prevalence of and factors influencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in first-year students at a university health campus and to evaluate the relationship between depression and PMS.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of 618 university students from March to June 2016 at Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), Beck Depression Inventory and Student Identification Form. The data were analyzed with Version 20.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Science. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test, and Chi-square test for trend, and independent samples t test and logistic regression analysis were used.Results:The prevalence of PMS in the university students was 58.1%. Premenstrual syndrome was significantly higher in students who smoked, drink alcohol, and consumed a large amount of fatty and high-calorie foods, in students who had a bad to very bad perception of their economic situation, and those who had any chronic disease or anemia (p<0.05). Premenstrual syndrome was significantly higher in students who had a risk of depression (p<0.01). A statistically significant relationship was determined between the risk of depression and PMSS total score and all PMSS subscale scores except for appetite changes (p<0.01).Conclusion:Premenstrual syndrome was found in more than half of the students who participated in the study. Premenstrual syndrome was higher in students who had a chronic disease and/or an unhealthy lifestyle. There was a statistically significant relationship between PMS and risk of depression. Students who have PMS symptoms should be evaluated for the risk of depression.

BackgroundThe purpose of the study is to investigate knowledge, attitudes and behaviours concerning cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine of female students studying at a university in a health related department and explore variables affecting taking the vaccine.MethodsThe research group consists of female students attending a health related department in Balıkesir University. The data of this cross-sectional research was collected via surveys.ResultsThe average total knowledge score of the students concerning risks, symptoms and screening methods of cervical cancer and HPV vaccines was 14.15 ± 6.7. The HPV knowledge score of the students attending the faculty of medicine was higher compared to the students attending other departments and their HPV vaccine knowledge score was higher compared to the students attending nursing and paramedics students. The HPV vaccine knowledge score of the students attending the department of midwifery was significantly higher compared to other students. Only 0.9 % of the students took the vaccine. One third of the students who did not take the vaccine did not know that the vaccine was available in our country. In terms of the department that they attended, the students with a higher total knowledge score compared to the average (OR:1.5) and students with history of cancer in their families (OR:1.6) were more likely to consider taking the vaccine.ConclusionsResearch group’s knowledge on risk factors of cervical cancer, Pap smear test, symptoms and prevention ways of cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine was low.

BackgroundUpon graduation, students studying in departments related to health will work in the health sector and will guide and enlighten people with their knowledge and behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the physical activity (PA) conditions of university students on a health sciences campus.Material/MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out on 706 students in a Turkish university. The data was obtained from a survey prepared by the researchers. The 26-question survey aimed to discover the students’ socio-demographic characteristics and their awareness and practices concerning PA.ResultsWe found that 30% of the students engage in some type of PA during their university education. A relationship was observed concerning their current PA and their family inactivity levels, as well as between inactivity before entering the university and inactivity during their education. The presence of a chronic disease in family members does not affect student PA. A majority of the students believe PA is beneficial (98.7%), 93.9% believe it relieves stress, and 94.5% believe it helps control body weight.ConclusionsAlthough students of medicine and related disciplines are aware of the importance of proper diet and adequate levels of PA in health, they did not implement theory into practice. Thus, it is questionable how young health professionals will promote the positive effects and necessity of regular physical activity if they do not apply these activities to their own lifestyle.

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Background: Sleep quality plays a principal role in the protection of health. There is an increasing number of studies in the literature demonstrating that internet addiction and smartphone addiction impair sleep quality. However, the number of studies on Turkish adolescents is very limited. Therefore, this study examined the effects of internet addiction and smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Turkish adolescents. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study were 910 adolescents aged 13–18 years. Data were collected with the Short Internet Addiction Test, Smartphone Addiction Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In addition, a questionnaire was used to gather information about the demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics. Pearson’s Chi-square test, Chi-square test for trend, Mann–Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used in the analysis. Results: The sleep quality of 58.7% of the adolescents was poor. Additionally, girls and adolescents ≥16 years old had poor sleep quality. Sleep quality deteriorated as perceived health status and perceived economic status of family deteriorated. Compared to participants with normal internet addiction scores, poor sleep quality was 1.83 (95% CI [1.22–2.74]) times higher in those with problematic internet addiction and 1.99 (95% CI [1.23–3.87]) times higher in those with pathological internet addiction. One point increase in Smartphone Addiction Scale total score increased poor sleep quality 1.01 (95% CI [1.00–1.02]) times. Sleep quality scale were positively correlated with the smartphone addiction and internet addiction. However, there was no positive correlation between habitual sleep efficiency subcomponent of sleep quality and smartphone addiction and internet addiction. Conclusions: Internet addiction and smartphone addiction were associated with poor sleep quality in adolescents. Older adolescents (≥16 years), gender (female), poor health perception, and perception of moderate economic status of the family were other factors associated with poor sleep quality.