Abuse of psychoactive substances by young people aged 15-24 in Serbia

Introduction/Aim: The abuse of psychoactive substances among young people is a significant global public health problem. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of psychoactive substances use among adolescents in Republic of Serbia. Methods: In this secondary analysis of data, we used data from the Serbian national survey of population health from 2013, which was conducted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia and Institute of Public Health of Serbia. This cross-sectional study, which was conducted on a representative sample of the population of Serbia, included 1722 respondents aged 15 to 24 years (49% of women and 51% of men). Results: Out of the total number of young people aged 15-24, ⅓ of them declared themselves on the issue of cigarette consumption in the following way: 52.1% consumed cigarettes daily and 20.8% occasionally. Among the respondents, 41.3% were exposed to the indoor tobacco smoke for 1 hour or more daily, while 49.4% were concerned about the harmful effects of smoking on their health. Only a third said that they had never consumed alcohol or had only taken a few sips of alcohol in their lifetime. Men smoked slightly more often (52.2%) and consumed alcohol more often (every day or almost every day 0.7%, 5-6 days a week 0.7%, 3-4 days a week 4.5%, 1-2 days a week 15.7%, as well as 2-3 days a month 16.8%) than women (0.3%; 0.2%; 1.7%; 7.8%; 12%). About ¼ adolescents used 6 or more alcoholic beverages 1-3 days a month for the last 12 months. During the last 12 months, the respondents most often consumed painkillers (20.2%), sedatives (1.7%) and sleeping AIDS (2.3%) on their own initiative. There were 0.7% of users of illicit psychoactive substances (cannabis, cocaine, and glue). Conclusion: The results of the study of psychoactive substances abuse among young people in Serbia point to the necessity to work on the prevention of risky behavior.

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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Muslim Students, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing ◽

10.1177/00469580211013476 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 004695802110134

Author(s):

Chutima Rattanawan ◽

Suraiya Cheloh ◽

Asma Maimahad ◽

Malatee Tayeh

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Economic Factor ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

School Age ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Of Anemia

Anemia is a global public health problem. The prevalence of anemia among different ages, genders or ethnic groups must be clarified in order to solve problems. This study proposed to determine the prevalence and factors related to anemia among the Muslim school-age population in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from 200 school-age subjects. The thalassemia screening was performed with KKU-OF and KKU-DCIP reagents. The prevalence of anemia in this study was 36.5%, divided into males and females, 33.3% and 39.1%, respectively. The means of Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC in the anemic group were significantly lower. The positive results for KKU-OF or KKU-DCIP or both were 15.0%, 2.5%, and 1.0%, respectively. The result of positive OF test was a significantly independent factor for anemia. The number of family members was 5 to 7 and more than 7 persons are related factors for anemia in this study. In summary, the contribution of thalassemia and socio-economic factor are associated factors to anemia in this population. These findings should be addressed in public health strategies for the control of anemia of school-aged Muslims in the region.

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Undertreated Hypertension and its Implications for Public Health in Nepal: Nationwide Population-Based Survey

Kathmandu University Medical Journal ◽

10.3126/kumj.v13i1.13744 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 3-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R Koju ◽

K Manandhar ◽

A Risal ◽

TJ Steiner ◽

A Holen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Antihypertensive Therapy ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Treatment Needs ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Background Hypertension (HTN), a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is a substantial global public health problem. Occasional studies indicate a high prevalence of HTN in the Nepalese population, but no nationwide population-based data exist so far. We opportunistically used a survey of major disorders of the brain in Nepal to measure blood pressure (BP) in participants selected randomly from the adult general population.Objective To establish the prevalence of elevated BP (eBP), and factors associated with it, regardless of any antihypertensive therapy being taken. We took this to be indicative of unmet health-care need.Method This was a cross-sectional study, conducted by unannounced household visits, employing multistage random cluster sampling. To achieve representativeness, 15 districts out of 75 in the country were investigated: one district from each of the three physiographic divisions in each of the five development regions of Nepal. One adult aged 18-65 years was selected from each household and interviewed by structured questionnaire. BP was recorded in a standardised manner by digital device (Microlife 3BM1-3®).Result From 2,109 eligible households, 2,100 adults (99.6%) participated. The prevalence of eBP (>140/90 mmHg on ?2 readings) was found to be 15.1%. Multivariate logistic regression showed significant and independent associations with demographic variables (higher age, male gender), with life-style factors (daily alcohol consumption, BMI ?25), and with living at high altitude (?2000 m).Conclusion In the context of the survey we could not collect data on antihypertensive therapy being taken but, clearly, whatever this might have been, it was failing to meet treatment needs. Almost one in six adults met criteria for hypertension, carrying risk implications for CVDs and their substantial public-health consequences. Two remediable associated factors were identified, although in a cross-sectional survey we could not prove causation.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2015; 3-7

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Perceived Experiences of Community Violence Among Adolescents: A School Survey From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/08862605211005132 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052110051

Author(s):

Claudia L. de Moraes ◽

Érika B. dos Santos ◽

Michael E. Reichenheim ◽

Stella R. Taquette ◽

Luciane Stochero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Schools ◽

Community Violence ◽

Rio De Janeiro ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Interpersonal Aggression ◽

Adolescent Students ◽

Management Actions

Community violence (CV) is a global public health problem due to its high frequency and severe consequences. Although CV is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents, little is known about the everyday CV situations that do not lead to death. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of exposure to and involvement in CV situations among adolescent students from public and private schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study of 693 individuals in their second year of high school selected through stratified multistage random sampling. Information about their exposure to and involvement in CV was collected through a self-completed multidimensional questionnaire in the classrooms. For approximately 30% of the adolescents, someone close to them had been murdered, and 40% had already seen the corpse of a victim of homicide. Seventeen percent reported having been directly involved in CV situations. Approximately 38%, 13%, and 25% had been victims of robberies, interpersonal aggression, and death threats to either themselves or their relatives, respectively. Many of these situations occurred more than once. In general, CV was more frequently reported by boys and by those who did not live with both parents. Adolescents from higher economic classes experienced more interpersonal aggression and felt a greater need to carry a gun. Those who belonged to the lower economic classes and studied in public schools were more exposed to lethal violence than other students. The results call attention to the very high percentage of adolescent students that are involved in CV situations as well as to the differences in violence rates among population subgroups. Such findings should be considered when planning CV prevention and management actions in schools and other socialization spaces for adolescents.

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Obstetric Violence in Spain (Part III): Healthcare Professionals, Times and Areas

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073359 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3359

Author(s):

Desirée Mena-Tudela ◽

Susana Iglesias-Casás ◽

Víctor Manuel González-Chordá ◽

María Jesús Valero-Chillerón ◽

Laura Andreu-Pejó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Informed Consent ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Obstetric Violence

Background: Obstetric violence is a worldwide public health problem, which seems greater in Spain. As no studies were found that identify the most representative healthcare professionals, times, and areas involved in obstetric violence, the objective of this work was to study at what time of maternity, with which professionals, and in what areas women identified obstetric violence. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was performed from January 2018 to June 2019. The main variables were the area (hospital, primary care, both), the time (pregnancy, birth, puerperium), and the professionals attending to women. Results: Our sample comprised 17,541 participants. The area identified with the most obstetric violence for the different studied variables was hospitals. Women identified more obstetric violence at time of birth. Findings such as lack of information and informed consent (74.2%), and criticism of infantile behavior and treatment (87.6%), stood out. The main identified healthcare professionals were midwives and gynecologists, and “other” professionals repeatedly appeared. Conclusions: Having identified the professionals, times, and areas of most obstetric violence in Spain, it seems necessary to reflect on not only the Spanish National Health System’s structure and management but also on healthcare professionals’ training.

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Overt acts of perceived discrimination reported by British working-age adults with and without disability

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdz093 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eric Emerson ◽

Allison Milner ◽

Zoe Aitken ◽

Lauren Krnjacki ◽

Cathy Vaughan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Policy Research ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Health Staff ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Uk

Abstract Background Exposure to discrimination can have a negative impact on health. There is little robust evidence on the prevalence of exposure of people with disabilities to discrimination, the sources and nature of discrimination they face, and the personal and contextual factors associated with increased risk of exposure. Methods Secondary analysis of de-identified cross-sectional data from the three waves of the UK’s ‘Life Opportunities Survey’. Results In the UK (i) adults with disabilities were over three times more likely than their peers to be exposed to discrimination, (ii) the two most common sources of discrimination were strangers in the street and health staff and (iii) discrimination was more likely to be reported by participants who were younger, more highly educated, who were unemployed or economically inactive, who reported financial stress or material hardship and who had impairments associated with hearing, memory/speaking, dexterity, behavioural/mental health, intellectual/learning difficulties and breathing. Conclusions Discrimination faced by people with disabilities is an under-recognised public health problem that is likely to contribute to disability-based health inequities. Public health policy, research and practice needs to concentrate efforts on developing programs that reduce discrimination experienced by people with disabilities.

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Relationship Between Hand-washing Habit and Toilet Use with Diarrhea Incidence in Children Under Five Years

Jurnal Berkala Epidemiologi ◽

10.20473/jbe.v5i12017.95-106 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 95

Author(s):

Nikmatur Rohmah ◽

Fariani Syahrul

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hand Washing ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exact Test ◽

Children Under Five ◽

Under Five ◽

Before And After

Diarrhea is still a public health problem in the world and the mostly occur in children under five years. At the moment the number of diarrhea-caused mortality was 3.8 per 1000 per year by 3.2 episodes per year in children under five years. This research aims to analyze the association between hand-washing habits and toilet use with the incidence of diarrhea in children under five years. This is an observational analytic with cross sectional study. Population of the research was a children's mother took her children to the public health center of Sekardangan Sidoarjo Subdistrict. The number of samples taken as many as 58 mother of children under five years. Data collection was done with interviews to parents of children and the observations of the toilets. Technique of data analysis using chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. On the results of the research there is a significant association the habit of hand washing (p = 0.006) and toilet use(p = 0.014) with the incidenceof diarrhea in children under five years. Conclusions of the research is the habit of hand washing and toilet use had a significant association with the incidenceof diarrhea in children under five years. Advice that can be given to the mother of a children under five years is to wash the hands before and after defecating and before preparing food for children. Keywords: diarrhea, hand washing, toilet use, observational, children under five years

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Suggestive changes of human papillomavirus infection in students at a public university

ACTUALIDAD MEDICA ◽

10.15568/am.2021.812.or04 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 106 (106(812)) ◽

pp. 30-37

Author(s):

J. Núñez ◽

A. Romano ◽

M. Medina ◽

R.A. Cardozo

Keyword(s):

Human Papillomavirus ◽

Standard Procedure ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Sciences ◽

Low Grade ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Human Papillomavirus Infection ◽

Papillomavirus Infection

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections are a global public health problem. Objective: to analyze the results of cervical-vaginal cytologies with suggestive changes of Human Papillomavirus infection in students of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Carabobo, who was attended the gynecology consultation of the Ambulatory “Nuestra Seora de la Luz” in 2016-2017. Method: descriptive, cross-sectional study. Population consisting of all students of the Faculty of Health Sciences who was attended the Gynecology Consultation at the Ambulatory mentioned above during the period under study. Non-probabilistic and intentional sample, inclusion criteria: age, acceptance to belong to the study by signing informed consent, and not suffering pathologies at the time of sampling or being pregnant. The collection of the information was carried out through the interview and subsequent cytological examination, and the cytological study was expressed according to the BETHESDA 2001 system. The sample for cervical-vaginal cytology was performed according to standard procedure. Results: average age of 21.43-2.47 years, 40.2% belonging to the low mean stratum, 9.2% smokers, sexarquia in ages 18-20 years in 52.6% of cases, 70% with 2 or 3 pairs. As for the cytology result, 9.2% was suggestive for Human Papillomavirus infection, while with the BETHESDA 2001 System, in the epithelial cell abnormalities section, 63.6% showed low-grade Human Papillomavirus -associated. Conclusions: in the sample, the suggestive changes to Human Papillomavirus infection, was higher than that found in other countries, whereas most interviewees presented risk factors to contract it, so emphasis on education is recommended conducting annual cytology to the at-risk population.

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Gambaran Status Endemisitas Filariasis dan Faktor yang Terkait dengan Transmisi Sesaat Pasca Survei Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS-) 1 di Kabupaten Pidie, Aceh

Media Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan ◽

10.22435/mpk.v29i4.2099 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Nur Ramadhan ◽

Yulidar Yulidar ◽

Abidah Nur ◽

Zain Hadifah ◽

Yasir Yasir

Keyword(s):

Public Health Problem ◽

Evaluation Study ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Selective Treatment ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Assessment Survey ◽

And Behavior

Abstract Filariasis is still a global public health problem both in the world and in Indonesia. Aceh is include in one of the provinces with the most clinical cases in Indonesia. The aimed of this study was to determine the description of endemicity status and Related Factors to Instantaneous Transmissions period after Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) 1 in Pidie district. This research is part of the filariasis elimination evaluation study in Indonesia (Multicenter Filariasis Study) Litbangkes Office Center, Ministry of Health in 2017. The research design was cross sectional study. The study was conducted from February to November 2017. The selected research sites were Buloh and Kambuk Payapi Village in Pidie district. Data was collected by interviewin respondent to obtained information about people's knowledge, attitudes and behavior related to filariasis. In addition, finger blood tests were also conducted on respondents who had been interviewed. The number of respondents by finger blood was 627 and 714 were interviewed. The risk of filariasis transmission still occurred with the finding of 10 positive cases of microfilaria as many as 10 people in Kambuk Payapi village with B.malayi species. The average filarial density was 86.84 / μl blood. Respondent’s knowledge about filariasis is still low, community attitudes towads the prevention and treatment of filariasis was positive. Only a portion of respondents were involved in mass treatment. Selective treatment and strengthening synergy across sectors and programs must be increased so that elimination of filariasis can be achieved. In addition, it is necessary to increase public knowledge through various health promotion media to improve community behaviour to achieve elimination of filariasis. Abstrak Filariasis masih menjadi masalah kesehatan baik di dunia maupun di Indonesia. Aceh termasuk dalam salah satu provinsi dengan kasus klinis kronis terbanyak di Indonesia. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui gambaran status endemisitas filariasis dan faktor yang berpengaruh dengan transmisi setelah Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) 1 di Kabupaten Pidie. Penelitian ini merupakan bagian dari studi evaluasi eliminasi filariasis di Indonesia (studi Multicenter Filariasis) Badan Litbangkes Kementerian Kesehatan tahun 2017. Desain penelitian adalah cross sectional study. Penelitian dilakukan dari Februari-November 2017. Tempat penelitian adalah di desa Buloh dan desa Kambuk Payapi di Kabupaten Pidie. Pengumpulan data dilakukan wawancara responden untuk mendapatkan informasi tentang pengetahuan, sikap, dan perilaku masyarakat terkait filariasis. Selain itu juga dilakukan pemeriksaan darah jari malam hari pada responden yang sudah diwawancarai. Jumlah responden yang diperiksa darah jari 627 responden dan yang diwawancarai 714. Resiko penularan filariasis masih terjadi dengan masih ditemukannya kasus positif mikrofilaria sebanyak 10 orang di desa Kambuk Payapi dengan spesies B.malayi. Rata-rata kepadatan filaria adalah 86,84/µl darah. Pengetahuan responden tentang penyebab filariasis masih rendah, sikap masyarakat terhadap upaya pencegahan dan pengobatan filariasis sudah positif. Namun demikian hanya sebagian responden yang ikut terlibat dalam pengobatan masal. Pengobatan selektif dan memperkuat sinergi lintas sektos dan lintas program harus ditingkatkan agar eliminasi filariasis dapat dicapai. Selain itu diperlukan peningkatan pengetahuan masyarakat melalui berbagai media promosi kesehatan untuk meningkatkan prilaku masyarakat untuk mencapai eliminasi filariasis.

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Prevalence ofSchistosoma mansoniInfection in Four Health Areas of Kisantu Health Zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Advances in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/6596095 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. Khonde Kumbu ◽

K. Mbanzulu Makola ◽

Lu Bin

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Schistosoma Mansoni ◽

Health Problem ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Infection Intensity ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Health Zone

Background. Schistosomiasis is a public health problem in Democratic Republic of the Congo but estimates of its prevalence vary widely. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection and associated risk factors among children in 4 health areas of Kisantu health zone.Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 4 health areas of Kisantu health zone. 388 children randomly selected were screened forS. mansoniusing Kato Katz technique and the sociodemographic data was collected. Data were entered and encoded using software EpiData version 3.1. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 software.Results. The prevalence ofS. mansoniwas 26.5% (103); almost two-thirds (63) (61.2%) had light infection intensity. A significant association was found betweenS. mansoniinfection and age (p=0.005), educational level (p=0.001), and practices of swimming/bathing (p<0.001) and using water from river/lake/stream for domestic use (p<0.001). Kipasa health area had high prevalence of schistosomiasis (64.6%) (64/99; 95% CI 54.4–74.0) compared to other health areas.Conclusion.Schistosoma mansoniinfection still remains a public health problem in these areas. There is a need to promote health education and promote behavioral changes in children towards schistosomiasis.

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Knowledge, attitude, and practices on disposal methods of expired and unused medicines among students in public academic institutions in Lusaka, Zambia

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20212371 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 774

Author(s):

Martin Kampamba ◽

Trevor Cheela ◽

Christabel Nang’andu Hikaambo ◽

Steward Mudenda ◽

Kennedy Saini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Problem ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Academic Institutions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Take Back ◽

Study Participants ◽

Expired Medicines

Background: Unsafe disposal of unused and expired household medicines is a public health problem and mostly occur because of a lack of knowledge towards suitable medicine disposal methods. Thus, we aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices on the disposal methods of unused and expired medicines among students in public academic institutions in Lusaka, Zambia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 385 students from three higher learning academic institutions were interviewed face to face using a structured questionnaire from 10th May to 24th June 2019. The cleaned data was then transferred to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25.0 for analysis.Results: The mean age of the participants was 23 (SD±2.9). Out of the 385 participants, 215 (55.8%) did not know much about medical waste and 345 (89.6%) of them did not have any previous information regarding proper and safe disposal of unused and expired medicine. However, 351 (91.4%) of the participants appropriately responded that unsafe disposal of unused and expired medicine poses a threat to human health and can harm the environment. Throwing unused and expired medicine in household garbage/bin was the most frequently used disposal practice followed by flushing them in toilet/sink as responded by 231 (60.0%) and 128 (33.3%) of participants respectively. Only 17 (4.42%) reported returning unused and expired medicines to the nearest pharmacy. Conclusions: The majority of the study participants used unsafe methods to dispose of unused and expired medicine. However, most of the participants acknowledged that unsafe disposal of unused and expired medicines is a public health problem and proposed the need to introduce drug take-back programs in the communities.

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