Risk Gruplarında Endokrin Bozucu Çevresel Kirleticilerin Farkındalığı

Abstract

Okman, E. Awareness of Endocrine Disrupting Environmental Pollutants in Risk Groups. Hacettepe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Programme of Social Pediatrics, PhD Thesis, Ankara, 2025. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that interfere with hormone regulation, leading to adverse health outcomes. Pregnant women and new mothers are particularly vulnerable, as exposure to EDCs during early life stages can have long-term health impacts. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study aimed to assess the awareness of EDCs among pregnant women and new mothers at a maternity hospital. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital between January and August 2022. A questionnaire based on the Mutualités Libres/AIM 2020 survey was used to assess awareness of EDCs among pregnant and postpartum women. The original survey was adapted culturally and linguistically for the Turkish population through translation and expert review. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographics, habits, knowledge, information sources, healthcare, readiness for change, expectations, and attitudes. The results showed that 59.2% of participants were unfamiliar with EDCs, and many lacked awareness of the associated health risks, including cancers, infertility, and developmental disorders in children. A significant portion of respondents had never heard of bisphenol A or phthalates, while awareness of parabens was relatively higher. The study findings indicated that educational level did not have a significant impact on knowledge and awareness regarding EDCs. The study concluded that increasing awareness of EDCs is essential for fostering informed avoidance behaviors, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women and new mothers. Public health campaigns and healthcare provider involvement are crucial for enhancing awareness and reducing the health risks associated with EDCs.