Damage Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures with Substandard Detailing

The goal of this study is to investigate seismic behaviour of existing R/C buildings designed and constructed in accordance with standards that do not meet current seismic code requirements. In these structures, not only flexure, but also shear and bond-slip deformation mechanisms need to be considered, both separately and in combination. To serve this goal, a finite element model is developed for inelastic seismic analysis of complete planar R/C frames. The proposed finite element is able to capture gradual spread of inelastic flexural and shear deformations as well as their interaction in the end regions of R/C members. Additionally, it is capable of predicting shear failures caused by degradation of shear strength in the plastic hinges of R/C elements, as well as pullout failures caused by inadequate anchorage of the reinforcement in the joint regions. The finite element is fully implemented in the general inelastic finite element code IDARC2D and it is verified against experimental results involving individual column and plane frame specimens with nonductile detailing. It is shown that, in all cases, satisfactory correlation is established between the model predictions and the experimental evidence. Finally, parametric studies are conducted to illustrate the significance of each deformation mechanism on the seismic response of the specimens under investigation. It is concluded, that all deformation mechanisms, as well as their interaction, should be taken into consideration in order to predict reliably seismic damage of R/C structures with substandard detailing

Neonatal tetanus in Turkey; what has changed in the last decade?

dikici, bunyamin/0000-0001-7572-6525WOS: 000259222800001PubMed: 18713452Background: Neonatal tetanus (NT) is still considered as one of the major causes of neonatal death in many developing countries. The aim of the present study was to assess the characteristics of sixty-seven infants with the diagnosis of neonatal tetanus followed-up in the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Ward of Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, between 1991 and 2006, and to draw attention to factors that may contribute (or may have contributed) to the elimination of the disease in Diyarbakir. Methods: The data of sixty-seven infants whose epidemiological and clinical findings were compatible with neonatal tetanus were reviewed. Patients were stratified into two groups according to whether they survived or not to assess the effect of certain factors in the prognosis. Factors having a contribution to the higher rate of tetanus among newborn infants were discussed. Results: A total of 55 cases of NT had been hospitalized between 1991 and 1996 whereas only 12 patients admitted in the last decade. All of the infants had been delivered at home by untrained traditional birth attendants (TBA), and none of the mothers had been immunized with tetanus toxoid during her pregnancy. Twenty-eight (41.8%) of the infants died during their follow-up. Lower birth weight, younger age at onset of symptoms and at the time admission, the presence of opisthotonus, risus sardonicus and were associated with a higher mortality rate. Conclusion: Although the number of neonatal tetanus cases admitted to our clinic in recent years is lower than in the last decade efforts including appropriate health education of the masses, ensurement of access to antenatal sevices and increasing the rate of tetanus immunization among mothers still should be made in our region to achieve the goal of neonatal tetanus elimination

Evaluation of a school-based HIV prevention intervention among Yemeni adolescents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This article describes an evaluation of a school-based peer education intervention for HIV prevention among students in twenty seven high schools in Aden, Yemen. The intervention was developed after a survey among the same population in 2005, which revealed a high level of stigma towards people living with HIV (PLWH) and a low level of HIV knowledge.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a quasi-experimental design students who received the peer education intervention (78.6%) were compared with students who did not receive the intervention (21.4%). No systematic procedure was applied in selecting students for the intervention condition. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a sample of 2510 students from all 27 high-schools in Aden governorate. To increase internal validity, students were also compared with a cohort control sample surveyed in 2005, which was a random sample of 2274 students from the same schools.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sixty eight percent of students targeted by peer education had good knowledge scores, compared with 43.3% of students not targeted by peer education (χ²= (df = 1) = 111.15, p < .01). Multi-level regression analysis revealed that, although there was a significant difference among schools, the intervention effect of peer education at the individual level was significant; students who received peer education had a statistically higher knowledge score(9.24 out of 12.0) compared with those not targeted (7.89 out of 12.0), OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.04-4.27, p < .05). Compared with the 2005 cohort control sample, students targeted by peer education had better knowledge on the modes of transmission and prevention and fewer misconceptions; and knowledge on the use of condoms increased from 49.4% to 67.8%. In addition, students who received the peer education interventions suggested significantly more actions to provide care and support for PLWH. Also, the levels of stigma and discrimination were much higher among the 2005 cohort control group, compared with those who received the peer education intervention.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The school-based peer education intervention has succeeded in improving levels of knowledge on modes of transmission and prevention, and in decreasing levels of stigma and discrimination in a culturally conservative setting.</p

The status of child health and child survival and development programs in Turkey

"Child Survival Activities in Turkey" are: growth monitoring programs, expanded programs of immunization (elimination of neonatal tetanus, reducing morbidity and mortality of measles, eradication of polio), control of diarrheal diseases (oral rehydration therapy), control of deaths from preumonia (ARI), baby-friendly hospitals initiative and promotion of breast-feeding, salt iodization programs, elimination of vitamin A deficiency, safe motherhood projects, and phenylketonuria screening programs. Furthermore, family planning, nutrition and education of the mother were among the subjects covered because of their role in child health. The activities, aims and strategies related to these programs are taken up separately. The status of child health and some of the child survival and development programs (growth monitoring program, expanded program of immunization, control of diarrheal diseases, control of deaths from pneumonia, baby-friendly hospitals initiative and promotion of breastfeeding) are discussed in the article

Need assessment for HIV/AIDS education: The level of knowledge about transmission in some risk groups in Turkey

Background: Every year, the number of HIV/AIDS cases increases twice as much as the year before in Turkey. The authors anticipate that the actual numbers of HIV/AIDS cases in Turkey are higher than the number of cases diagnosed and reported

Mental health and quality of life assessment among adult internally displaced persons, Tripoli Libya

Abstract Background Internal displacement in Libya is one of the main results of armed conflicts since 2011. Displacement adversely affects the quality of life. Our descriptive study aims to assess the percentage of mental disorders, the level of the quality of life among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in private residents and camps in Tripoli city Libya. Methods In this study, 469 IDPs were reached in Tripoli city, Libya (227 IDPs in private residency and 242 IDPs in camp residency). The questionnaires including socio-economic characteristics, health status, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 42) and Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) were filled by IDPs under observation. Results Among private residents 51.8% were males, 41.0% of them aged 25-34, the mean score for SF 36 Physical Sub dimension (PQOL) and Sd was 69.72±20.85 (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and the mean score for SF 36 Mental Sub dimension (MQOL) was 62.28±17.87 (p &amp;lt; 0.001), where 24.2% of them had chronic disease and 45.5% of them had a degree of mental disorder. Among camp residents 33.2% were males, 32.6% of them aged 18-24, they had mean score and Sd 59.43±17.86 for PQOL (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and mean score 55.56±17.20 for MQOL (p &amp;lt; 0.001), where 16.5% of them had chronic disease and 72.6% of them had a degree of mental disorder. Conclusions Camp resident IDPs had higher mental disorders and lower score of quality of life domains than private resident IDPs. Among IDPs; statistically significant association was found between low level of quality of life and camp residency, the presence of chronic disease and mental disorders. Thus efforts target the improvement of socio-economic status and mental healthcare service among camp resident IDPs are highly recommended, with special attention to people with chronic diseases. Key messages Internal displacement, camp residency, the presence of chronic disease and mental disorders have a deep negative impact on quality of life. IDPs living in camp residency need additional interventions to improve the quality of life. </jats:sec