Recurrent herpes labialis among health school students in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey: A cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the epidemiologic characteristics of, and the treatments used for, recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) in health students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 333 nursing and midwifery students. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their history of RHL, and the treatments were collected by means of a standard self-reported questionnaire form.ResultsThe point prevalence of RHL was 3.9%, the annual prevalence was 44.7%, and the lifetime prevalence was 52.5%. These prevalences were not related to the participants' place of residence, level of income, school, gender, marital status, or smoking status (p > 0.05). RHL was frequently seen on the right side of the lower lip (17.9%). One third of the students who experienced RHL stated that they had applied treatment to the lesion. However, only 20.1% stated that they had used antiviral therapy. Treatment was recommended by a physician for only 16.1% of the subjects.ConclusionsThe prevalence of RHL was high among the health students, who were considered to represent young adults. Although they were students in a school of health, they lacked knowledge about RHL.     

A pilot study to examine the effect of the Tulip® oropharyngeal airway on ventilation immediately after mask ventilation following the induction of anaesthesia

The Tulip^® airway is an adult, disposable, single‐sized oropharyngeal airway, that is connectable to an anaesthetic circuit. After a standardised induction of anaesthesia in 75 patients, the ease of insertion, intracuff pressure and intracuff volume were measured, as were the end‐tidal carbon dioxide levels, airway pressures and tidal volumes over three breaths. Successful first‐time insertion was achieved in 72 patients (96%, CI 88.8–99.2%) and after two attempts in 74 patients (99%, CI 92.8–100%). There was outright failure only in one patient. In 60 patients (80%, CI 72.2–90.4%), the Tulip airway provided a patent airway without additional manoeuvres, but in 14 patients, jaw thrust or head extension was necessary for airway patency. The main need for these adjuncts appeared to be an initial under‐inflation of the cuff. These promising results are consistent with recent manikin studies using this device.     

Barriers to Seeking Early Psychiatric Treatment amongst First-episode Psychosis Patients: A Qualitative Study

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the family members' determinant of the delay in seeking psychiatric care to patients diagnosed with psychosis. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out with twenty-seven family members of patients with psychosis at psychiatric outpatient clinics in Amman, Jordan. Results: The findings revealed that perceived stigma and fears about being labelled are the main barriers to requesting early psychiatric health care. The participants cited many different reasons linked to finding help led to delay in seeking help in the early stages of the illness including misattribution of the cause and symptoms of mental illness, family and financial factors. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of enhancing knowledge about the schizophrenia-related spectrum to ensure patients seek treatment in a more timely manner.