Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2693

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals(EDCs) have diverse sources of exposure in everyday life. Some may have transgenerational effects, and they are associated with endocrine cancers, metabolic diseases, and fertility problems. Raising public awareness is crucial considering the undeniable role of individual choices in EDC exposure. As physicians are one of the most trusted sources of information, the EDC awareness of physicians is essential for public education. There are no published studies about EDC awareness of medical students. In this study, we aimed to determine the EDC awareness of Turkish medical students and physicians using a validated scale in the Turkish language.

Methods: EDC awareness scale, a 24-question item, was used to determine EDC awareness. The participants were reached via message or e-mail.

Results: We reached a total of 617 participants. 381 were medical students (60. 8 % female, 39. 2 % Male), and 236 were physicians (62% female, 38% male). The median EDC general awareness score was significantly higher in physicians compared to students (2. 12(1. 5) vs 2. 87 (1. 63) P < 0. 001). Mean EDC awareness total score was also higher in physicians (3. 4±0. 54 for students, 3. 63 ±0. 6 for physicians (P < 0. 001). Female physicians’ awareness was significantly higher than their male counterparts (3(1. 38) vs 2. 75(1. 56) P = 0. 027). Age and healthy life awareness scores significantly correlated with EDC awareness scores. In particular, endocrinologists’ scores were significantly higher than other subspecialties (General awareness score 2. 75(1. 5) vs. 3. 56(1. 63) P < 0. 001; EDC awareness total score 3. 59±0. 58 vs. 3. 96±0. 56 P = 0. 003)

Discussion: Despite the large number of public EDC awareness studies, the number of EDC awareness studies in physicians is scarce. For the first time in the literature, we have demonstrated that the medical students’ EDC awareness is generally low. The physician’s awareness is significantly higher than that of students, suggesting a post-graduate training process. Female gender, increasing age, and healthy life awareness are the major determinants of EDC awareness. Medical schools in Turkey do not include EDCs as a part of the curriculum. To raise the younger generations’ awareness, curriculum reform may be necessary.