Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4)

A New Approach to the Evaluation of Local Muscular Load while Typing on a Keyboard

Anna Schlenker, Tomáš Tichý

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):255-260 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5105  

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of using keystroke dynamics (KD) in combination with integrated electromyography (iEMG) for the objective evaluation of local muscular load of hands and forearms while typing on a computer keyboard and to compare it with results of the commonly used method. Method: Study was performed on 12 subjects. Data were collected using our own application for capturing KD data and using EMG Holter for detecting electromyographic potentials to determine local muscular load. Results: The results of our study revealed that currently used methods for assessment of the workload while...

Legislative Norms to Control Cannabis Use in the Light of Its Prevalence in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary

Róbert Čecho, Tibor Baška, Viera Švihrová, Henrieta Hudečková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):261-265 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5019  

Objectives: Cannabis control legislation ranks among key measures to prevent social-health impacts of its use. The article qualitatively analyses respective legislation in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary (Visegrad Four, V4) considering level of decriminalisation of cannabis use in relation to current epidemiological situation. Methods: Qualitative analysis of the cannabis control legislation in V4 countries from 1995 to 2016 focusing on criminal liability, differentiation of cannabis from other illicit substances, definition of a small amount intended for personal use, sentences for possessing and dealership of the drug....

Manner of Death of Older People with Regard to Blood Alcohol Concentration

Lubica Juríčková, Kateřina Ivanová, Martin Dobiáš, Richard Andrášik, Peter Ondra

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):266-270 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4749  

Objective: Alcohol abuse is related to a wide variety of negative health outcomes including mortality in older people. Alcohol abuse in older people is characterised by certain specific features uncommon in general adult population. The main objective of this study was to analyse the autopsy protocols of deceased older people in relation to blood alcohol concentration (BAC), sex, age, and manner of death. As a positive BAC, > 0.20 g/kg was accepted. Methods: The sample consists of 1,012 deceased older people (i.e. aged 65 years and over) selected out of 2,377 autopsied subjects in the period from 2003-2013. Subjects included into the...

Factors influencing suicidal tendencies in patients with diagnosis of attempted suicide in medical history and relapse prevention

Kvetoslava Kotrbová, Ivan Dóci, Lidmila Hamplová, Vít Dvořák, Šárka Selingerová, Veronika Růžičková, Šárka Chmelařová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):271-276 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4677  

Objective: The authors researched the incidence of suicidal thoughts and related factors in 123 patients of the psychiatric ward of the Hospital of České Budějovice with diagnosed attempted suicide in their medical history for the period from January 2013 - June 2015. Methods: The research was carried out in two stages. At the beginning of the hospitalization, quantitative data collection was implemented using a semi-structured questionnaire, followed by qualitative research conducted with semi-structured phone conversation, based on previous patient's written consent. The research data were statistically processed to obtain information...

Syphilis Resurgence in Belgrade, Serbia, in the New Millennium: an Outbreak in 2014

Milan Bjekić, Sandra Šipetić-Grujičić, Biljana Begović-Vuksanović, Nevena Rafailović, Hristina Vlajinac

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):277-281 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4525  

Objective: A worldwide syphilis incidence increase was recorded at the beginning of the new millennium, occurring primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological situation of syphilis in the Belgrade population between 2005 and 2014 and to examine the characteristics of an early syphilis outbreak among MSM in Belgrade in 2014. Method: Reporting of syphilis is compulsory in Serbia. Routinely reported data were analysed along with data collected from patients' charts. Results: During the period observed, syphilis incidence increased from 1.07 per 100,000 in 2005 to 4.1 per...

Trends in the minimum inhibitory concentrations of erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for strains of Bordetella pertussis isolated in the Czech Republic, 1967-2015

Vladislav Jakubů, Jana Zavadilová, Kateřina Fabiánová, Pavla Urbášková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):282-286 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4948  

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine trends in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of erythromycin used as first-line therapy and alternative antibiotics against Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) strains isolated from patients with whooping cough in the Czech Republic (CR) in three periods from 1967 to 2015. Methods: In total, 135 isolates from the years 1967-2015 were analysed. The strains were divided into three groups by the year of isolation: 1967-1999 (42 strains), 2004-2010 (43 strains), and 2011-2015 (50 strains). MIC of selected antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin,...

A Nurse-Led School-Based Sun Protection Programme in Turkey

Özüm Erkin, Ayla Bayik Temel

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):287-292 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4975  

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a nurse-led school-based sun protection programme in Turkey. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed at two public schools between February and October 2014. Children with written consent from their parents were screened by nurses for skin type, and 80 children at moderate to high risk for skin cancer were included in the study. The sample was randomized by age, gender and skin type. Stratified and block randomizations were used. The participants were separated into an intervention group (n = 40) and control group (n = 40). Data were collected using a personal...

Symptomatic response of the elderly with cardiovascular disease during a heat wave in Slovenia

Rok Fink, Ivan Eržen, Sašo Medved

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):293-298 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4469  

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the symptomatic response of elderly people to heat burden and indoor air quality exposure, and to create an index, the basis on which healthcare workers could react and prevent heat-related illnesses when the first symptoms appear. Methods: The impact of the indoor thermal environment was studied with regards to Humidex and indoor air quality by CO₂ concentrations on elderly people's symptomatic response. It was a natural experiment in which two different groups of elderly people (> 65 years) were observed: the first group had a diagnosed cardiovascular disease, and the second...

Selected cardiovascular risk markers in vegetarians and subjects of general population

Martina Valachovičová, Jana Príbojová, Vladimír Urbánek, Lucia Bírošová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):299-302 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4529  

Objective: Besides genetic factors there are environmental effects including nutritional habits which can influence the risk of age-related diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the age dependence of selected cardiovascular risk markers in two groups of subjects with different nutritional pattern. Methods: In 470 long-term vegetarians and 478 subjects of general population the following indicators were measured: total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, insulin concentrations, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index and insulin resistance IR(HOMA) were also calculated in studied subjects. Obtained data were evaluated...

High participation rate in mammography screening: experience from Croatia

Zrinka Puharić, Mirna Žulec, Ivana Ceronja, Andrea Šupe Parun

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):303-306 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4684  

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the results of three cycles of mammography screening (MS) in the Croatian National Programme (CNP) for Early Breast Cancer Detection for women aged 50-69 years in the Bjelovar-Bilogora County (BBC) from 2006-2014. Methods: Data on women aged 50-69 screened during a 9-year period were obtained from the Croatian Cancer Registry and Institute of Public Health reports. Participation rate and performance indicators were examined. Results: The total of 57,428 women were invited to mammography screening in BBC during a 9-year period and 31,402 mammograms in total were performed. The response...

Do adolescents with T1DM differ from their peers in health, eating habits and social support?

Daniela Husárová, Michaela Kostičová, Denisa Kočišová, Ingrid Schusterová, Andrea Madarasová Gecková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):307-312 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4876  

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse differences in health, eating habits and social support in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in comparison to peers with another long-term illness or without any medical condition. Methods: We used self-reported data from the cross-sectional Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study collected in 2014 among Slovak adolescents as well as data from adolescents with T1DM collected in outpatient settings (11 to 15 years old, N = 8,910, 50.3% of boys). Logistic regression models and general linear models were used to analyse differences between adolescents with T1DM and their...

Prevalence and Trends of Metabolic Syndrome in Clients of Health Advice Centres During the Years 2003-2012

Tímea Ostrihoňová, Kvetoslava Rimárová, Janka Bérešová, Silvia Kontrošová, Erik Dorko, Jana Diabelková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):313-320 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4968  

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a combination of clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as for diabetes. Metabolic syndrome arises from insulin resistance accompanied with abnormal adipose deposition. The aim of our cross-sectional time trends study was to characterize the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its five risk determinants among the clients of Health Advice Centres of Regional Public Health Authorities in Slovakia. The study was stratified by gender and age groups during the 10 year period from 2003-2012. Methods: Prevalence data were estimated in adults and children (≥ 10 years, N = 79,904) from...

Higher Energy Intake Variability as Predisposition to Obesity: Novel Approach Using Interquartile Range

Martin Forejt, Zuzana Derflerová Brázdová, Jan Novák, Filip Zlámal, Marie Forbelská, Petr Bienert, Petra Mořkovská, Miroslava Zavřelová, Aneta Pohořalá, Miluše Jurášková, Nabil Salah, Julie Bienertová-Vašků

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):321-325 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4451  

Objective: It is known that total energy intake and its distribution during the day influences human anthropometric characteristics. However, possible association between variability in total energy intake and obesity has thus far remained unexamined. This study was designed to establish the influence of energy intake variability of each daily meal on the anthropometric characteristics of obesity. Methods: A total of 521 individuals of Czech Caucasian origin aged 16-73 years (390 women and 131 men) were included in the study, 7-day food records were completed by all study subjects and selected anthropometric characteristics were measured....

Comprehensive group therapy of obesity and its impact on selected anthropometric and postural parameters

Stanislav Horák, Eliška Sovová, Dalibor Pastucha, Petr Konečný, Lenka Radová, Naděžda Calabová, Jana Janoutová, Vladimír Janout

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):326-331 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4780  

Objective: Obesity is a multifactorial disease. This non-infectious epidemic has reached pandemic proportions in the 21 century. Posture is a dynamic process referring to an active maintenance of body movement segments against the action of external forces. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of comprehensive group therapy for obese persons on selected anthropometric and postural parameters. Methods: The study comprised 53 females with a mean age of 44.5 years (range 29-65 years, standard deviation 9.42 years, median 44 years), who completed a controlled weight loss programme. At the beginning and at the end of the programme,...

Professor Vladimír Bencko Celebrates 80th Birthday

CEJPH

Cent Eur J Public Health 2017, 25(4):332  

Professor MUDr. Vladimír Bencko, DrSc., one of the most eminent figures in the fields of public health and epidemiology in the Czech Republic and  abroad, will be celebrating his 80th birthday on January 6, 2018.