Differences in the Level and Structure of Consumption of Polish Households from 2010-2019

This article aims to assess the level and structure of household consumption and its social differentiation in the years 2010–2019 in terms of disposable income and consumption expenditure. The data on household budgets were sourced from Statistics Poland. The analysis revealed clear differences in the level and structure of household consumption observed over a ten year period. The share of expenditure on food, healthcare, as well as transport and communications is growing, while the share of expenditure on housing, clothing and shoes is decreasing. Meanwhile, the level of these changes varies across groups of households. The decreasing propensity of households to consume and the increasing level of income accumulation are evidence of an increase in their economic welfare. However, the deepening process of social polarization of income clearly perpetuates inequality in the level and structure of household consumption.

The structure of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products among the population of the Russian Federation

In the Russian Federation, after the adoption of Federal Law “On the Protection of Citizens' Health from the Effects of Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Use”, the prevalence of smoking tobacco has significantly decreased. Reducing the consumption of smoking tobacco products led to the emergence of a new aggressive policy of tobacco companies, which resulted in the emergence of new “innovative” products and the concepts of “less harmful tobacco product” or “less harmful nicotine-containing product”. The undoubtedly aggressive advertising campaigns of tobacco companies and manufacturers of electronic cigarettes have affected the smoking behavior of tobacco consumers, which has begun to change in recent years.The purpose of this study was to study new trends in the structure of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products in various age groups of the Russian Federation, as well as among men and women.Methods. Analysis of the structure of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products was carried out as part of an online public opinion poll to study the level of awareness of measures to reduce the prevalence of tobacco products in the Russian Federation, initiated in 2019 by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. A total of 1 282 respondents from 73 regions of the Russian Federation took part in the survey. Among the respondents there were 447 (34.9%) men and 835 women (65.1%) aged 18 years and younger to 70 years. To conduct a comparative analysis of the structure of use of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, the frequencies of their use in different age groups, among men and women, were calculated. A statistically significant difference between the groups was confirmed by analyzing the dependence in the contingency table using the χ2 criterion.Results. A total of 432 respondents reported the use of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, which amounted to 33.7% of all respondents. The most used products were smoking tobacco (57.64%), electronic cigarettes (34.03%) and waterpipe (33.80%). However, in different age groups, the structure of their use was significantly different (p < 0.05). The highest level of electronic cigarette use, including vapors containing nicotine and electronic nicotine delivery product, were found in the age group of 18 years and younger (58.82%). In the older age groups, a significant decrease in the level of consumption was observed. Chewing tobacco and snuff were consumed by consumers significantly less than other tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco was mainly consumed by consumers aged 18 years and younger, its level was 20.58%. The highest level of waterpipe consumption was found among consumers in the age group of 19 – 29 years (53.85%), it was slightly less in the group of 18 years and younger (44.11%). The higher level of waterpipe consumption was detected (40.35%) among women than it was among men (26.47%). Many consumers indicated that they consumed several types of tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The most popular combination of products was found among consumers under the age of 30, and 20.59% of consumers aged 18 and younger consumed at the same time almost all the types of tobacco and nicotine-containing products that were presented on the market.Conclusion. The study revealed new trends in preferences for consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The new trends have significantly changed the structure of the consumption of these products among the population of Russian Federation.

Food Consumption Expenditure and Standard of Living in Romania

Food consumption and its structure is significantly influenced by standard of living. But in addition, there are differences in the level and structure of food consumption, determined by characteristics and local habits. Given these considerations, in this chapter, starting from the mean consumption expenditure by detailed level, and the overall structure of consumption expenditure by detailed COICOP level (01-12 - Individual consumption expenditure of households), are analyzed the mean consumption expenditure per inhabitant, types of household, degrees of urbanization, and macro regions of Romania. Also are analyzed the correlations between the evolution of living standards and evolutions structure of consumption expenditure by type of household.

ANALYSIS OF CONSUMPTION OF ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGS FOR SYSTEMIC USE IN HOSPITALS OF SAINT PETERSBURG IN 2014–2015

Introduction. The overuse of antimicrobial agents, and poor adherence to infection control measures are leading factors in the development of bacterial resistance. Despite the existence of numerous guidelines for the management of patients with different sites of infections up to 50% of assignments of antimicrobial agents does not follow them.Aim. The aim of the study is to evaluate the structure and dynamics of the consumption of antimicrobial agents for systemic use in the multidisciplinary hospitals of St. Petersburg in 2014–2015.Materials and methods. From the database of IMS Health were selected information regarding the supply of antimicrobial agents for systemic use (ATC code J01) in hospitals of St.Petersburg in 2014–2015. The Number of purchased antimicrobial drugs (g) is translated into a number of Defined Daily Dose (DDDh) for each international non-proprietary name.Results. The level of consumption of AMP in 2014 was 83,3 DDDh/100 bed-days. In 2015, this figure amounted to 50,5 DDDh/100 bed-days. 70% of consumption of antimicrobial drug for systemic use in multidisciplinary hospitals amounted to 3 groups: fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and semisynthetic penicillins. In 2015, in comparison with the previous year absolute value of fluoroquinolones decreased by 58% in favor of cephalosporins (+15%) while reducing the total number of DDDs used system antimicrobial agents (-40,5%), which is probably connected with the introduction into clinical practice of Russian clinical guidelines for the treatment of infections of various localizations and the perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. There was growth in the number of purchased carbapenems and macrolides (+21 and +7% respectively) and significant decrease in the absolute number of purchased aminoglycosides (61%), with significant reduction in the consumption of expensive drugs: tigecycline, polymyxin, daptomycin, cefoperazone/sulbactam.Conclusion. The level and structure of consumption of antimicrobial agents corresponds to global data. The implementation of monitoring of antimicrobial therapy is an important factor influencing the volume and structure of consumption of antibacterial drugs.