Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3)

FCTC implementation: the role of state or non-government organizations? An example of the Czech Republic

Keely G. Fraser, Alexandra Pánková, Kamila Zvolská, Eva Králíková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):175-181 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5796  

Objectives: Smoking is the leading cause of premature mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to provide the first national description of organizational capacity and involvement in tobacco control (TC) measures outlined by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) within the Czech Republic. Methods: Data were collected in a national cross-sectional survey of all 14 organizations engaged in TC activities within the Czech Republic. Organizational capacity (defined as skills, supports, partnerships, resources, and leadership) to implement TC activities, and level of involvement in key FCTC measures were assessed and compared across...

Cost, prevalence and correlates of cigarillo use in 28 European countries in 2017

Filippos T. Filippidis, Enkeleint A. Mechili, Charis Girvalaki, Constantine Vardavas

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):182-187 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5583  

Objectives: Although manufactured cigarettes remain the most popular tobacco product worldwide, the use of other products, including little cigar and cigarillo, has been rising in recent years; however, there is a paucity of data on the correlates of current and ever use of cigarillos in Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the extent and determinants of cigarillo use, as well as to describe the cost and affordability of cigarillos across the EU, in light of the current regulatory framework at a European level. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of data collected across 28 European Union (EU) Member States through wave 87.1 of the Eurobarometer...

Higher prevalence of water pipe compared to cigarette smoking among medical students in Southeast Iran

Masoud Miri-Moghaddam, Mahnaz Shahrakipour, Saeed Nasseri, Ebrahim Miri-Moghaddam

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):188-194 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5615  

Objectives: Smoking of water pipe (WP) and cigarettes has recently turned into a major global health burden. The present study aimed at assessing WP and cigarette smoking among Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS) students in Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 500 students in ZUMS (182 males, 318 females). The subjects were selected through randomized cluster sampling. Morgan's chart was applied to calculate the sample size; 96.6% of the attendees completed a questionnaire designed to address the aims of the study. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 21.2 ± 2.4 years. WP and cigarette smoker rates were at 31.2%...

Alcohol, drugs and psychotropic medication at work: guidelines for medical fitness

Milan Tuček, Alenka Škerjanc

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):195-197 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5857  

Alcohol and illicit drug use in the workplace is a relatively widespread but still insufficiently recognised phenomenon. The reliability of judgement and performance of workers especially undertaking safety-critical tasks must not be influenced by physical, mental and/or behavioural disturbances. It is the responsibility of a company to define and implement proper policy for managing safety risks related to the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or psychotropic medication. Occupational physicians are already involved in the process of prevention in these matters. Authors describe basic recommendations of two biggest international associations of occupational...

Factors influencing implementation of evidence-based interventions in public health systems – a model

Joanne Vincenten, J. Morag MacKay, Peter Schröder-Bäck, Tamara Schloemer, Helmut Brand

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):198-203 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5234  

Objectives: Evidence that health interventions work is not enough to ensure implementation into policy and practice. The complexity of public health systems requires more diverse actions. This paper proposes a conceptual model to enhance understanding of interlinking factors that influence the evidence implementation process. Methods: A literature review was conducted to explore factors that influence the process of evidence implementation in complex public health systems, including research findings and observations from 32 case studies of injury prevention interventions underway in 24 countries and results from evidence research networks. Concepts...

Immunization related behaviour among healthcare workers in Europe: Results of the HProImmune survey

Pania Karnaki, Agoritsa Baka, Athanassios Petralias, Afroditi Veloudaki, Dina Zota, Athena Linos, HProImmune partnership

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):204-211 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5514  

Objectives: Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) continue to pose a significant threat to healthcare workers (HCWs) while immunization among this group remains low. HCWs' behaviours as well as facilitators and barriers towards their vaccination for a number of VPDs were explored through an EU-wide survey. Methods: HCWs across the EU answered online survey that explored attitudes and behaviours towards vaccination for a number of VPDs. Response data were adjusted based on weights estimated by HCWs' country and working profession according to WHO statistics. The survey was delivered between October 2012 and April 2014. Results: Analysis was based on responses...

State of viral hepatitis care in 16 countries of Central and Eastern European Region

Nikoloz Chkhartishvili, Tiberiu Holban, Jasmina Simonović Babić, Ivailo Alexiev, Mojca Matičič, Justyna Kowalska, Andrzej Horban, ECEE Network Group

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):212-216 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5486  

Objectives: Survey was conducted to assess state of viral hepatitis care in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Methods: Representatives of 16 CEE countries completed on-line survey in April-May 2017 that collected information on basic epidemiology and availability of key services for HCV and HBV infections. Sources of information provided ranged from national surveillance data to expert opinion. Results: The burden of viral hepatitis varied between countries, ranging from 6,500 to 2 million for HCV and from 10,000 to 3 million for HBV. Access to routine HCV RNA testing and genotyping was reported by 11 and 9 countries, respectively. HCV resistance testing...

Cross-sectional study on vaccination coverage in newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons in the Czech Republic

David Jilich, Marek Malý, Lukáš Fleischhans, Veronika Kulířová, Ladislav Machala

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):217-222 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5830  

Objectives: Individuals with HIV infection are at an increased risk for a number of infectious diseases, some of which are preventable by vaccination. Unfortunately, little is known about the attitudes of this population group to vaccination, therefore, we decided to find out vaccination coverage against 5 infections among newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients in the Czech Republic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on newly diagnosed patients who started their follow-up care at the HIV Clinic of Na Bulovce Hospital during the two following years. Vaccination history data and results of serological tests were collected from all participants....

Current status of HIV/AIDS-syphilis co-infections: a retrospective multicentre study

Figen Sarigül, Murat Sayan, Dilara İnan, Aydin Deveci, Nurgül Ceran, Mustafa Kemal Çelen, Atahan Çağatay, Hülya Özkan Özdemir, Ferit Kuşcu, Gül Karagöz, Yasemin Heper, Oğuz Karabay, Başak Dokuzoğuz, Selçuk Kaya, Nurettin Erben, İlkay Karaoğlan, Gülden Munis Ersöz, Özgür Günal, Çiğdem Hatipoğlu, Selda Sayin Kutlu, Ayhan Akbulut, Rabin Saba, Alper Şener, Seyit Ali Büyüktuna

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):223-228 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5467  

Objective: Treponema pallidum and HIV are transmitted frequently through sexual contact, these agents with epidemiological similarities co-infect the same host. The current number of HIV-infected cases in Turkey is increasing. For this reason, we aimed to reveal the characteristics of syphilis in HIV/AIDS cases. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was performed, patients were followed up at 24 clinics in 16 cities from all seven regions of Turkey between January 2010 to April 2018. We examined the socio-demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters and neurosyphilis association in HIV/AIDS-syphilis co-infected cases. Results:...

Late presentation among patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Turkey

Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoğlu, Bilgül Mete, Alper Gündüz, Özlem Altuntaş Aydin, Fatma Sargin, Dilek Yildiz Sevgi, Bülent Durdu, İlyas Dökmetaş, Fehmi Tabak

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):229-234 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5416  

Objective: Late presentation of the patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with less favourable treatment responses, more accelerated clinical progression, and a higher mortality risk. Although HIV prevalence is low in Turkey, it is steadily increasing and the information about late presentation among HIV-positives is limited. We aimed to analyze the status of late presentation among HIV-positive patients in Turkey. Methods: All newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients from 2003 to 2016 were enrolled in this study by five dedicated centres in Istanbul, Turkey. Demographic data, CD4+ counts, and HIV RNA were collected from...

Epidemiological study of Lyme disease in Bulgaria

Neli Ermenlieva, Gabriela Tsankova, Tatina T. Todorova

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):235-238 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5007  

Objectives: Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is a transmissible infection, common in the temperate climate zones. It is caused by a group of spirochetal bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The aim of the present work was to investigate the incidence rate of borreliosis in different regions of Bulgaria and to identify possible risk factors for its occurrence. Methods: National and regional borreliosis incidence rates for 2009-2018 were obtained from the public database of the National Centre of Public Health and Analyses. Their association with some socio-demographic variables and the geographic location (south or north)...

Assessment of microbiological aerosol concentration in selected healthcare facilities in southern Poland

Joanna Stec, Anna Lenart-Boroń

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):239-244 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5681  

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the concentration of microbial aerosol and species composition of airborne staphylococci in 10 healthcare facilities in southern Poland including primary healthcare units and hospital wards; and to assess whether the selected components of microbial aerosol pose a threat of severe infections to either patients or the personnel. Methods: The study was conducted at monthly intervals over a period of one year. Air samples were collected by MAS-100 sampler. The number of mesophilic bacteria, mould fungi, actinomycetes and staphylococci was determined on general and selective media. The species identification of...

Antimicrobial susceptibility among urinary Escherichia coli isolates from female outpatients: age-related differences

Zorana Djordjević, Marko Folić, Violeta Ninković, Dragan Vasiljević, Slobodan Janković

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):245-250 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4833  

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common problems in women, and important reason for visiting primary care physicians, resulting in substantial financial burden to community. The aim of this study was to determine the resistance rates of E. coli to commonly prescribed antimicrobial drugs for community-acquired UTIs in women and to establish the association between age and resistance to antibiotics among isolates of E. coli from urine. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective cross-sectional study during the 5-years period. It was conducted on a sample of urinary tract isolates of E. coli taken from women...

Dietary fibre as prebiotics in nutrition

Emília Hijová, Izabela Bertková, Jana Štofilová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):251-255 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5313  

Trends in dietary nutrition and their personalization are progress in medical science and point out the necessity of adaptation and development of innovations in health system. The main objective of this article is to review the role of dietary fibre as prebiotics in nutrition with different functionality, its influence on modulation of intestinal microbiota, which has an essential role in maintenance of healthy organisms in people of all ages.

Caries prevalence among schoolchildren in urban and rural Croatia

Stjepanka Lešić, Walter Dukić, Zdenka Šapro Kriste, Vesna Tomičić, Snježana Kadić

Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(3):256-262 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5314  

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate caries prevalence in a sample of schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 years from rural and urban areas in Croatia. Methods: Using standardized World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria, the oral health status of 1,589 children (265 from rural and 1,324 from urban areas) was assessed by recording the following indices: DMFT (decayed, missing, filled permanent teeth), deft (decayed, extracted, filled primary teeth), DMFS (decayed, missing, filled surfaces - permanent teeth), defs (decayed, extracted, filled surfaces - primary teeth) and SiC (Significant Caries Index). Rural areas were Štitar and Babina Greda municipalities...