Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most common infections worldwide. Epidemiological research carried out in different countries has shown that the social and economical situation of the individuals is an important cause in the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Previous studies in Turkey revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Aydin among 7-14 years old school children and to identify associated socio-demographic and environmental factors, behavioral habits and also related complaints.

Background: The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women at first trimester of their pregnancy and to follow up the seroconversion for next two trimesters, and to identify the risk factors and possible contamination routes in Aydin province, Turkey.

The levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, namely tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were investigated in seminal plasma (SP) of proven fertile (n=24) and infertile (n=55) men to evaluate the relationship between diagnosis and semen parameters in a prospective study. Infertile men were divided into four groups as follows: (1) varicocele (n=23), (2) 3 months after varicocelectomy (post-varicocele, n=14), (3) male accessory gland infection (MAGI, n=10) and (4) bilateral testicular atrophy (n=8). IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were similar in the SP of fertile and infertile men. There was a strong correlation between the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in all groups (P<0.001). IL-6 levels were not correlated with seminal parameters (P>0.05). TNF-alpha levels were negatively correlated with the sperm motility and morphology (P<0.05), but there was no correlation with total sperm counts (P>0.05). The mean levels of IL-6 in the SP of the MAGI group was higher than in the other groups but did not reach statistical significance. No variation was found in the SP levels of the proinflammatory cytokines studied between the varicocele and the post-varicocele groups. Our results suggest that IL-6 and TNF-alpha are involved in male fertility. However, their measurement in SP seem to be unsuitable for routine infertility work, perhaps with the exception of men with inflammatory genital diseases.

Background The demand for smoking cessation services has risen in Turkey, as smokers planning to quit reached 35% in 2012. Communication technologies are used globally to support quitters, yet their integration to health services is rare. This study aims to evaluate the effect of support messages through WhatsApp application added to the usual care of a university hospital cessation unit, as compared to usual care alone, on abstinence rates at first month. Methods A randomized controlled intervention study was conducted with 132 patients applying to Ege University Hospital’s Department of Public Health Smoking Cessation Clinic, between March and July 2017. Intervention content was prepared and 60 WhatsApp messages about having a plan of action and preventing relapse were developed through expert panels. These messages lasted for 3 months and follow-ups continued for 6 months. The primary outcome was abstinence rate at 1st month post target quit day. As secondary outcomes; the continuous abstinence rates at 3rd and 6th months, number of follow-ups, change in weight and continuity of medication were evaluated. Intention-to-treat analysis was used. Results Abstinence rate at 1st month was 65.9% in the intervention group and 40.9% in the control group ( p = 0.007); 50.0 and 30.7% at 3rd month and 40.9 and 22.7% at 6th month, consecutively (both p < 0.05). Being in the intervention group increased abstinence rate by 3.50 (OR, 95% CI = 1.30–9.44) times in the 1st month. When controlled for all other factors in the multivariate logistic regression, the intervention was the only variable significantly associated with abstinence. For secondary outcomes, the intervention increased abstinence rate by 2.50 (OR, 95% CI = 1.08–6.40) times in the 3rd and 2.31 (OR, 95% CI = 1.03–5.16) times in the 6th month. In the intervention group, the number of follow-ups and face-to-face follow-ups were higher at 1st and 3rd months and continuity of medication was longer at 3rd month. Conclusions WhatsApp support embedded in cessation service delivery increases the abstinence rate and has favorable effects on follow-up. Trial registration This trial is retrospectively registered online at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT03714971 . Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6727-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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