Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2)

Overview of Risk-Estimation Tools for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in European Populations

Vitali Gorenoi, Anja Hagen

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):91-99 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4004  

To identify persons with a high risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) special tools (scores, charts, graphics or computer programs) for CVD-risk assessment based on levels of the certain risk factors have been constructed. The applicability of these instruments depends on the derivation cohorts, considered risk factors and endpoints, applied statistical methods as well as used formats. The review addresses the risk-estimation tools for primary prevention of CVD potentially relevant for European populations. The risk-estimation tools were identified using two previously published systematic reviews as well as conducting a literature search in MEDLINE...

Pilot Cross-Sectional Study of Three Zoonoses (Lyme Disease, Tularaemia, Leptospirosis) among Healthy Blood Donors in Eastern Slovakia

Ľubica Zákutná, Erik Dorko, Kvetoslava Rimárová, Marianna Kizeková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):100-106 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4052  

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of three zoonotic infections among healthy blood donors/volunteers in Eastern Slovakia. Methods: Sera from 124 blood donors were investigated for the presence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, Francisella tularensis and Leptospira pomona. The participants also completed the questionnaire about demographic, exposure and epidemiological characteristics. Two serological methods were used for the diagnosis: the enzyme linked protein A/G assay (ELPAGA) and the Western blot (WB). First, sera were screened by ELPAGA (except for leptospirosis). Results: The observed...

The Pattern of Antibiotic Prescribing by Dental Practitioners in Zagreb, Croatia

Marina Perić, Ivana Perković, Martina Romić, Paris Simeon, Jurica Matijević, Goranka Prpić Mehičić, Silvana Jukić Krmek

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):107-113 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3981  

Background: Bacterial resistance is considered a consequence of misuse or overuse of antibiotics. Dentistry significantly contributes to this increasing public health problem. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the pattern of antibiotics prescribed by Croatian dentists in Zagreb area. Methods: Out of 220 Doctors of Dental Medicine (DMDs) from Zagreb 110 responded to survey. Prior to the research an ethical approval was obtained. Participants were directly contacted. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: general data on DMDs and the part concerning indications, duration, type and dosage of antibiotic therapy. Data...

Antibiotics in Serbian Households: a Source of Potential Health and Environmental Threats?

Milica Paut Kusturica, Zdenko Tomić, Zoran Bukumirić, Olga Horvat, Nebojša Pavlović, Momir Mikov, Ana Sabo

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):114-118 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4093  

Aim: Worldwide data indicate that antibiotics are frequently used inappropriately. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of storage and wastage of antibacterial agents in households in Novi Sad, Serbia. Methods: The study was performed in 8 months period (December 2011-July 2012) in households in Novi Sad, Serbia. The households were randomly selected from the telephone directory. The interviewer performed the survey visiting each household. Results: The total number of antibacterial agents in the 383 surveyed households was 318, constituting 7.3% of the total stored medications. From 383 families included in...

Cutaneous Melanoma, Hodgkin's Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Common Risk Factors?

Mohamed Farouk Allam, Pablo Fernández-Crehuet Serrano, José Luis Fernández-Crehuet Serrano, Khaled Mahmoud Abd Elaziz, Amparo Serrano Del Castillo, Rafael Fernández-Crehuet Navajas

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):119-121 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4090  

Aim: An epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the association between cutaneous melanoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 40 European countries. Methods: Incidence rates were obtained from the database of the International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC). We analyzed age-adjusted and gender-stratified incidence rates for cutaneous melanoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 40 European countries. All European countries included had registration systems that fulfilled the quality criteria of IARC. Normal distribution of the variables was examined using Kolmorov-Smirnov test...

What Is the Real Public Health Significance of Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Croatia? A Population-Based Observational Study on Pregnant Women at Early Pregnancy from Eastern Croatia

Ines Banjari, Daniela Kenjerić, Milena L. Mandić

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):122-127 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3962  

Aim: Studies imply that significance of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) for pregnancy outcomes is especially highlighted in the early pregnancy. Prevalence around the world varies widely, however, no data is available up to date for Croatia or neighbouring countries. Therefore, the objective was to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA among pregnant women from Croatia at the first trimester. Also, the aim was to compare two criterions; the World Health Organization (WHO) one and the clinical one. Methods: Randomised observational population based study was set up and 265 pregnant women at the first trimester were...

Birth Outcomes of Children Born to Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Éva Pósfai, Ferenc Bánhidy, Róbert Urbán, Andrew E. Czeizel

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):128-134 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3968  

Aim: The aim of the study was to estimate the possible risk of adverse birth outcomes of children born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The dataset of large population-based Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance System of Congenital Abnormalities from 1980-1996 was evaluated including 22,843 cases with congenital abnormalities and 38,151 matched controls without any defect. Results: 36 cases (0.16%) had mothers with RA, while 68 controls (0.18%) were born to mothers without RA (OR=0.9, 95% CI=0.3-1.6). A higher risk for congenital abnormalities in the offspring of pregnant women with RA was not found. In fact there...

Time-Site Survey of Substance Use, Sexual Behaviours and HIV-Testing Practices among Women Attending Social Venues in Prague

M. Susan Stemmler, Timothy M. Hall, Petr Prokopík, Steven Shoptaw

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):135-141 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3954  

Aim: The rates of HIV acquired through heterosexual contact are increasing in the Czech Republic. This study explored potential HIV risk associations with alcohol, illicit drugs and sexual behaviours among adults from a community-based sample attending gay- and non-gay venues in Prague. Methods: Women attending bars, cafes and beer gardens in central Prague responded to the self-administered, time-site survey. Alcohol use was measured by the AUDIT-C and CAGE questionnaires. Sexual network structuring identified number, gender and coital frequency with current and recent sexual partners. Statistical analysis included central tendency,...

Severity, Causes and Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injuries Occurring at Different Locations: Implications for Prevention and Public Health

Marek Majdan, Martin Rusnák, Alexandra Bražinová, Walter Mauritz

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):142-148 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4025  

Aim: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major public health problem. Although they are well studied, information on some aspects, such as the place of occurrence, is limited. The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of severity, causes and outcomes of TBI occurring at different locations and to identify the primary populations at risk of suffering TBI at each of the analysed locations. Methods: 1,818 patients with TBI admitted to hospitals in Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Macedonia were analysed. Primary populations at risk, injury severity and extent along with short/long-term outcomes were analysed for TBI at each...

Complementary Feeding Practices of Children Aged 12-23 Months in Turkey

Eda Köksal, Sıddıka Songül Yalçın, Gülden Pekcan, Sema Özbaş, Başak Tezel, Mehmet Rifat Köse

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):149-154 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3988  

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the breastfeeding and complementary feeding attitudes and practices of women with children aged 12-23 months in three different regions in Turkey. Methods: From 12 geographical regions (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics - NUTS 1), 3 regions were selected depending on the Turkish Demographic Health Survey 2003 (TDHS) results of nutritional status of children. Then, a weighted, multistage, stratified cluster sampling was used. In total, 1,486 children aged 12-23 months and mother pairs were enrolled. Mothers were face-to-face interviewed with trained health workers to collect information...

Testing Two Nutrient Profiling Models of Labelled Foods and Beverages Marketed in Turkey

Derya Dikmen, Mevlüde Kızıl, Muhemmet Fatih Uyar, Gülden Pekcan

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):155-160 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3992  

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient profile of labelled foods and also understand the application of two international nutrient profiling models of labelled foods and beverages. Methods: WXYfm and NRF 9.3 nutrient profiling models were used to evaluate 3,171 labelled foods and beverages of 38 food categories and 500 different brands. Results: According to the WXYfm model, pasta, grains and legumes and frozen foods had the best scores whereas oils had the worst scores. According to the NRF 9.3 model per 100 kcal, the best scores were obtained for frozen foods, grains and legumes and milk products whereas...

Assessment of Potential Health Hazards During Emission of Hydrogen Sulphide from the Mine Exploiting Copper Ore Deposit - Case Study

Małgorzata Kupczewska-Dobecka, Sławomir Czerczak, Jan P. Gromiec, Katarzyna Konieczko

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):161-165 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4033  

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine hydrogen sulphide concentration emitted from the mine extracting copper ore, to evaluate potential adverse health effects to the population living in four selected villages surrounding the exhaust shaft. Materials: Maximum measured concentration of hydrogen sulphide in the emitter is 286 µg/m³. Maximum emission calculated from the results of determinations of concentrations in the emitter is 0.44 kg/h. Results: In selected villages hydrogen sulphide at concentrations exceeding 4 µg/m³ was not detected in any of the 5-hour air samples. In all locations,...

Depression and Self-Esteem in Early Adolescence

Ingrid Tripković, Romilda Roje, Silvana Krnić, Mirjana Nazor, Željka Karin, Vesna Čapkun

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):166-169 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4017  

Aim: Depression prevalence has increased in the last few decades, affecting younger age groups. The aim of this research was to determine the range of depression and low self-esteem in elementary school children in the city of Split. Testing was carried out at school and the sample comprised 1,549 children (714 boys and 832 girls, aged 13). Methods: Two psychological instruments were used: the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) and the Children and Adolescent Depression Scale (SDD). Results: The average value of scores obtained by SEI test was 17.8 for all tested children. No statistically significant difference was found...

Evaluation of Cat Scratch Disease Cases Reported from Turkey between 1996 and 2013 and Review of the Literature

Mehmet Uluğ

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):170-175 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4040  

Background: Cat scratch disease (CSD), the most common cause of chronic lymphadenopathy among children and adolescents, typically features regional lymphadenitis associated with inoculation site due to a cat scratch or bite. Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review the articles related to CSD which were reported from Turkey in national and international journals in the last 18 years with a pooled-analysis method. Methods: The articles related to CSD were retrieved by search of four national (Ulakbim Turkish Medical Literature Databases) and three international databases (Pub-Med, Science Citation Index (SCI)...

Remedy for Work Stress: the Impact and Mechanism of Ethical Leadership

Hao Zhou, Maozhu Jin, Qian Ma

Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(2):176-180 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4246  

Aim: Ethical leadership was characterized by integrity, honesty and trustworthiness. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how ethical leadership relates to employees' work stress, specifically the mediating role of leader-member exchange (LMX), which referred to the dyadic exchange relationships between supervisors and subordinates within the workplace. Methods: Cross-sectional data for ethical leadership, LMX, perception of work stress, and control variables were collected through the questionnaire that included 47 multiple-choice questions and 3 open-ended questions. Double-blind design was adopted in this study....