Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1)

The Economic Crisis and its Ethical Relevance for Public Health in Europe - an Analysis in the Perspective of the Capability Approach

Caroline Brall, Peter Schröder-Bäck, Helmut Brand

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):3-8 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4106  

Policy responses to the economic crisis have manifest consequences to European population health and health systems. The aim of this article is to assess, by using the capability approach advanced by Sen, the ethical dimension of trade-offs made in health policy due to austerity measures. From a capability approach point of view, austerity measures such as reducing resources for health care, further deregulating the health care market or moving towards privatisation are ethically challenging since they limit opportunities and capabilities for individuals of a population. Public policies should thus aim to guarantee sufficient capabilities (options...

Analysis of Escherichia Coli O104:H4 Outbreak in Germany in 2011 Using Differentiation Method for Unusual Epidemiological Events

Vladan Radosavljević, Ernst Jürgen Finke, Goran Belojević

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):9-15 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4255  

Aim: The aim of the study was to further clarify the origin of Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak in Germany in 2011 (German Ec) as the likelihood of a deliberate act has not been excluded in previous analyses. Methods: We use an original and the most detailed scoring method so far, with 33 parameters pertaining to the source of infection/reservoir or possible perpetrator, pathogen or biological agent, transmission mechanism/factors or means/media of delivery, and population at risk or target. Results: Total scores for a deliberate or accidental epidemic indicate that the outbreak was more probably caused unintentionally, presumably...

Monitoring of Chlamydia Trachomatis Genitourinary Infection in Women - Analytical Comparative Study Using Public Health Records from Two Balkan Countries

Dragutin Arsić, Dragan R. Milovanović, Arbresa Bedzeti Ferati, Zoran Prokić, Vladan Vlajković, Kenan Ferati, Jovana Arsić

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):16-21 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4088  

Aim: This study investigated the cumulative incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women treated in gynaecology departments of healthcare facilities in two towns in Serbia and one town in the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia, including their medical records in public health reports. Methods: A cross-sectional observational research design with retrospective data collection during a five-year period (2008-2012) originated from women treated as in- and out-patients. The data included the results of cervical and urethral swab testing on Chlamydia trachomatis infection and women's gynaecological diagnoses in Pomoravlje...

Mumps in the Czech Republic in 2013: Clinical Characteristics, Mumps Virus Genotyping, and Epidemiological Links

Martina Havlíčková, Radomíra Limberková, Dita Smíšková, Kristýna Herrmannová, Helena Jiřincová, Ludmila Nováková, Pavla Lexová, Jan Kynčl, Simona Arientová, Vilma Marešová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):22-28 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4512  

Aim: The aim of the study was to map the incidence of mumps in the Czech Republic in terms of clinical symptoms, epidemiological links, and characteristics of circulating genotypes. Methods: Patients with suspected mumps examined in the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Na Bulovce Hospital in 2013 were enrolled in the study. Buccal swab specimens were tested by means of nucleic acid detection (RT-qPCR) and when positive, they were cultured in tissue culture. Sequencing was carried out using the BigDye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit and Genetic Analyzer 3500. The SeqScape software was used for the analysis of sequencing data and...

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine - Knowledge and Attitudes among Parents of Children Aged 10-14 Years: a Cross-sectional Study, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania

Septimiu Voidăzan, Monica Tarcea, Silviu-Horia Morariu, Adelina Grigore, Minodora Dobreanu

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):29-38 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4287  

Aim: Romania ranks first in Europe in terms of mortality from cervical cancer, recording 6.3 times more deaths than the mean in EU countries. Although vaccination campaigns were launched by health officials in Romania, the acceptance rate remained insignificant and programmes were discontinued. A successful vaccination programme requires a high rate of acceptance and accurate information for health professionals and parents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of parental knowledge about human papilomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccination including the information obtained from general practitioners and identification of barriers...

Estimation of Problem Drug Users in Prague in 2011 from Low-threshold Data: Modified Capture-Recapture Method, Adjusted for Clients Avoiding Any Identification (Non-Coded Clients)

Bruno Sopko, Kateřina Škařupová, Vlastimil Nečas, Viktor Mravčík

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):39-44 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4096  

Aim: Local prevalence estimates of problem drug use (PDU) are crucial in the process of assessment of drug situation and trends and for the planning of evidence-based policy responses. The aims of our study are twofold: to estimate the number of problem drug users (PDUs) in the Czech capital city in 2011, and to examine the usability of the capture-recapture method (CRM) modified for data from low-threshold programmes (LTPs) for drug users. Method: Six independent LTPs provided data for analysis (SANANIM, Drop-in and Progressive, each of these providing one drop-in centre and one outreach programme). After adjustment of the standard CRM...

Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Academic Achievement: a Cross-sectional Study

Dong Jun Sung, Wi-Young So, Taikyeong Ted. Jeong

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):45-51 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4292  

Aim: Alcohol consumption among adolescents is a serious public health problem in South Korea. Our study examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and academic achievement in Korean adolescents. In 2011, 75,643 students from seventh to twelfth grade participated in the Seventh Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey (KYRBWS-VII). Method: We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine the associations between alcohol consumption, frequency of severe alcohol intoxication, and academic achievement for both girls and boys. Results: Compared to non-drinkers, the odds of achieving average or higher academic...

Recent Declines in Infant and Neonatal Mortality in Turkey from 2007 to 2012: Impact of Improvements in Health Policies

Dilek Dilli, M. Rıfat Köse, R. Coşkun Gündüz, Sema Özbaş, Başak Tezel, Nurullah Okumuş

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):52-57 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4097  

Background: Infant mortality rate (IMR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) are accepted as good indicators to measure the health status of a nation. This report describes recent declines in IMR and NMR in Turkey. Methods: Data on infants who died before 12 months of life were obtained from the Infant Mortality Monitoring System of Ministry of Health of Turkey between 2007 and 2012. A total of 94,038 infant deaths were evaluated. Results: Turkey IMR and NMR exhibited a marked decline from 2007 (16.4 and 12.2) to 2010 (10.1 and 6.6) and then plateaued in 2012 (9.7 and 6.3), despite regional differences. Prematurity, congenital anomalies...

Evaluation of Lumbar Spine Load by Computational Method in Order to Acknowledge Low-back Disorders as Occupational Diseases

Jana Hlávková, Tomáš Lebeda, Tomáš Tichý, Petr Gaďourek, Pavel Urban, Marie Nakládalová, Andrea Laštovková, Zdenka Fenclová, Petr Ridzoň, Edvard Ehler, Milan Richter, Lenka Pešáková, Daniela Pelclová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):58-67 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4332  

Aim: The aim of the study was to develop a computational module for the prediction of compressive force on the L4/L5 disc suitable for use in field settings. Method: The value of compressive force is intended to be used as a proxy measure of the mechanical burden of low-back when performing work activities. The compressive force predicted by the module in a particular worker should be compared with the NIOSH limit value of 3,400 N for the assessment of lumbar spine load during manual lifting tasks. Exceeding the limit will be considered as the fulfilment of "hygienic criterion" that should be met to acknowledge low-back disorder as an...

Self-reported Oral Health Behaviour among Scandinavian and Polish Medical Students Studying in Poland

Ewa Rodakowska, Anna Kierklo, Jacek Jamiołkowski

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):68-75 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4084  

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the self-reported oral health behaviour of Scandinavian and Polish medical students studying in Poland. Methods: Three hundred and fifty subjects took part in the questionnaire survey. They were the 4th to 6th year Scandinavian and Polish medical students attending the same medical school. Test-retest reliability demonstrated an accepted level of kappa > 0.50. The questionnaire comprised issues dealing with demographics, dental health behaviour, fluoride tablet recommendation, self-rated oral health, and smoking habit. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher-Freeman-Halton test,...

Health Related Outcomes of Successful Development

Vladimír Kebza, Iva Šolcová, Miloslav Kodl, Věra Kernová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):76-82 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4232  

Aim: Our longitudinal study of successful development would not be complete without an analysis of the health-related aspects of this successful development. Method: A sample of 88 Czech adults (49 women, 39 men), participants of the Czech Longitudinal Study from 1956, was examined using a set of psychological methods and somato-physiological measures (weight, height, BMI, WHR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure), selected biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, glycaemia), a health questionnaire and measures focused on selected behavioural aspects of health (subjectively perceived health, overview of health problems...

Application of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), Functional Health and Disability

Olga Švestková, Petra Sládková, Karla Kotková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):83-85 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4140  

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a common language for different professions in the health, social, educational and vocational systems for lawyers, decision makers and politicians. It deals with how to describe health conditions, functional health and disability. It gives detailed operational definitions of different functions that constitute health. From body function and body structure to activities of daily living and participation in society. ICF has brought international consensus on definitions and provided a framework to describe public health and disability.

Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus Narrowly Correlates with Unemployment Rate during 2000-2012 in the Czech Republic

Jan Brož, Marek Brabec, Denisa Janíčková Žďárská, Martina Novotná, Milan Kvapil

Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(1):86-87 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4680