Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4)

Monitoring of occupational exposure in manufacturing of stainless steel constructions. Part I: Chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium in the workplace air of stainless steel welders

Kučera J., Bencko V., Pápayová A., Šaligová D., Tejral J., Borská L.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):171-175

Exposure to workplace airborne pollutants was examined in a group of 20 workers dealing mainly with welding, polishing, drilling and assembling of stainless steel constructions. Airborne particulate matter (APM) collected using both personal and stationary samplers was analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Quality assurance procedures of both sampling and analytical stages are described. Of the elements determined, results are presented for chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium. The median values of element concentrations exceeded the maximum admissible limits for workplace pollutants only for chromium, while...

Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal smears of women using intrauterine contraceptive device

Demirezen Ş.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):176-178

To detect the association between the use of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), vaginal smears of 1110 women were examined cytologically. Among 45 IUCD users, 10 women were positive for Tv (22.22 %). Forty six of 1065 non-users were also positive for Tv (4.32 % ). There was a significant correlation between the use of IUCD and the presence of Tv (p < 0.05). The data also indicated that the prolonged use (≥ 3 years) of copper-IUCD may promote the growth of Tv in the vaginal mucosa. This result will be a clue to diagnose asymptomatic patients for Tv.

Drug Information System in the Czech Republic

Šejda J., Studničková B., Polanecký V.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):179-182

The Drug Information System (DIS) enables to monitor: incidence (the numbers of newly registered problem drug users); prevalence (the numbers of existing problem users visiting treatment/contact centres in a certain time period or as of a certain date); types of used drugs, manner of their application, frequency of use, their availability, purity; health (but also social consequences) of drug use (hepatitis, HIV; social and economic consequences); demographic profile of affected persons (age, sex, employment, education, etc.); time trends showing potential changes of the above specified indicators, including changes in the geographic distribution....

Musculoskeletal disorders among construction apprentices in Hungary

Rosecrance J., Pórszász J., Cook T., Fekecs É., Karácsony T., Merlino L., Anton D.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):183-187

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of occupationally related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) symptoms and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among construction apprentices in Hungary. Symptoms of occupational MSDs and the job factors contributing to the symptoms were determined through an administered symptom and job factors survey. The prevalence of CTS was based on a case definition that included hand symptoms and nerve conduction studies of the median nerve across the carpal tunnel. The participation rate was 96 % among the 201 eligible construction apprentices. More than 50 % of the apprentices reported occupationally related musculoskeletal...

Spontaneous missed abortion caused by Ascaris lumbricoides

Deveci S., Tanyuksel M., Deveci G., Araz E.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):188-189

In this report, a case of spontaneous missed abortion caused by Ascaris lumbricoides is presented and data from the literature are reviewed. A 26-year-old pregnant woman was presented with abnormal genital bleeding, abdominal pain.

Retrospective study of concentration levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Se in serum of the Czech population in time period 1970-1999

Beneš B., Spěváčková V., Čejchanová M., Šmíd J., Švandová E.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):190-195

The retrospective study evolution of trends in concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Se in the population of the Czech Republic over 30 years period could be useful in design of regulations concerning health protection, prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements and have considerable economic importance. Concentrations of the named elements in the serum were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after mineralisation in a microwave digestion system. The 1433 samples of serum (730 males and 703 females, average age 48.7 and 49.1 years respectively) from a time period 1970-1995 were obtained from the Serum bank of National...

Determination of arsenic in water - quality assurance and calculation of metrological characteristics

Borošová D., Mocak J., Beinrohr E., Bobrowski A.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):196-198

Arsenic is a toxic element, acting as a nerve poison and proven carcinogen. Its main source for humans is drinking water where the most important are arsenic (V) compounds. With respect to the Slovak standard, in force since 1998, the maximum tolerable value is defined as the important characteristic of drinking water. If the value 0.01 mg/l of arsenic is exceeded, water is not drinkable. The mentioned standard defines criteria for precision of the arsenic determination and the corresponding limit of detection - being 10 % of the maximum tolerable value. Arsenic content in the drinking water samples was measured by the AAS method. Internal Quality...

Vascular and nerve disorders at exposure to hand-held vibrating tools related to ISO 5349

Soukupová I., Vápeníková D., Smolíková L., Klesová J., Svoboda L.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):199-204

The authors present the results of the investigation of peripheral nerves of the hand in a group of 30 glass cutters, 21 metal grinders, 10 blacksmiths and 24 workers who worked with nailers. The measurements of vibrotactile sensitivity were carried out by Vibrometry System Bruel & Kjaer Type 9627. The vibrotactile perception thresholds (VPT) were measured in frequency range from 8 to 500 Hz. The same investigations were carried out in 103 healthy subjects with no previous work-exposure to vibration or shocks. Further electromyographic examination was carried out in all members of exposed groups. The results of measurements VPT have proved reliability...

Monitoring of national drug policies - regional comparison between Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina

Petrova G.I.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):205-213

After the profound economic and political changes most of the East European countries started market-oriented reforms. During the last 10 years rapid development of the private pharmaceutical sector and a slow privatisation process was observed. The balance between the private and public sector became very important for achieving NDP goals. The goal of this study is to evaluate the availability and development of the NDP structures in East European countries - Bulgaria (BG). Romania (Rom), Macedonia (Mac), Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH). For the assessment of the availability of NDP structures a questionnaire focused on seven main NDP components was used....

Opportunities for integration into ordinary school of students with emotional and behavioral disorders and students with chronic cardiovascular diseases (Representative Study for Republic of Bulgaria)

Agovska A., Sabeva S., Tzvetkov D.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):214-222

This article reviews the results of a representative study on the opportunities for integration into mainstream school of students with emotional and behavioral disorders and students with chronic cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study is to clarify some important personal characteristics as well as some factors, related to the school and family environment of students with EBD and those with chronic CVD in order to assess their capacities for integration. Altogether 192 students aged 8-15 years with psychic disorders and 337 aged 15-18 years with cardiovascular diseases were followed for two and four years respectively. Results show that students...

Did the nutrition of Slovak medical students change? A comparison after 15 years

Štefániková Z., Jurkovičová J., Ševčiková Ľ., Sobotová Ľ., Ághová Ľ.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):223-227

OBJECTIVE: Authors aimed at positive and negative changes evaluation in nutrition and nutritional status of university-medical students comparing the situation in years 1984 and 1999. They were trying to determine, how was the nutrition of current medical students influenced by food consumption changes in the Slovak population and price liberalization of the food-stuffs as well. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven day reports from the year 1984 (199 students) and from the year 1999 (228 students) were processed using Food Research Institute, Food Composition Database and Programme. The quantity and quality of consumed food-stuffs and beverages were evaluated...

High prevalence of HIV risk-behavior and the identification of predictors for sharing injecting materials among young drug users in Prague, Czech Republic

Mikl J., Brůčková M., Jedlička J., Malý M., Vysloužilová Š., Douda I., Minařík J., Smith P., DeHovitz J.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):228-235

This study is one of the first studies in the Czech Republic evaluating the extent of the HIV epidemic among drug users. Interview data on demographics, drug use, sexual practices, and HIV knowledge and risk perception were obtained from study participants and a saliva sample was obtained for an HIV antibody test. Although the HIV infection rate is low (0.2 %), the prevalence of high risk behaviors, such as sharing injecting equipment and unsafe sexual practices, indicate a potential for rapid HIV spread in this high risk population. Preventive measures need to be targeted toward drug users, especially those of younger age and women.

A proposal of action plan for pandemic influenza caused by a new virus variant - the National Pandemic Plan of the Czech Republic (NPP-CR)

Polanecký V., Tůmová B.

Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):A-H