Significance of proper oral hygiene for health condition of mouth and teeth

Background/Aim. Proper mouth and teeth hygiene has influence on the prevention of a great number of diseases and very often some of them are not related only to oral cavity. Most frequent diseases of mouth and teeth such as caries and periodontal diseases are caused, among other factors, by poor oral hygiene. They are also more frequent in young population. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and hygienic habit on oral health in children aged 11-15 years. Methods. This crosssectional study was conducted by the dental teams in dentist surgeries in Tivat Health Center between May and September 2009. The sample consisted of patients 11 to 15 years of age. A questionnaire and dental examination of mouth and teeth were used as research instruments. The examinations were conducted in accordance with the World Health Organization methodology and criteria. The data obtained from the interviews were correlated with those obtained from the clinical examinations. Results. The results show that the majority of respondents brush their teeth twice a day and visit the dentist once in every six months. The research also shows that 57% respondents have caries of deciduous teeth and over 63% respondents of permanent teeth. Gingivitis was found in 14% and orthodontic anomalies in 44.7% respondents. A half of respondents who brush their teeth rarely have problems with gingivitis. There is a highly statistically significant difference between the occurrence of gingivitis and the frequency of teeth brushing. Conclusion. There is a significant difference between mouth and oral hygiene and sex as well as other sociodemographic characteristics of respondents. The study showed the correlation between occurrence of caries and the gingivitis and frequency of teeth brushing and dental visits

HIV– Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice among Health Care Workers in Montenegro

The objective of the present study was to assess HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practice of health care workers (HCWs) in Montenegro. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the University Clinical Centre of Montenegro in Podgorica. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used for data collecting. Out of 526 HCWs, 422 were included in the survey and response rate was 80%. An insuffi cient level of knowledge on HIV transmission and the risk after exposure was observed generally, although the knowledge was better in physicians compared to other HCWs categories. A rather high proportion of HCWs showed inappropriate attitude regarding the need of HIV testing of all hospitalized patients (64.7%) and obligation of HIV+ patient to report his/her HIV status (88.9%) in order to practice universal precaution. Additionally, 6.2% HCWs would refuse to treat an HIV+ patient. More than a half (55.7%) of study participants were educated in HIV/AIDS and 15.9 % of them were HIV tested. Majority of HCWs (67.5%) always applied universal precautions during their daily work with patients. In spite of applying protective devices, number of accidents was great. A continuous education is necessary to increase the level of knowledge of HCWs about the risk of infection at the workplace. This would potentially infl uence the modifi cation of their attitudes regarding HIV patients and improve prevention at the workplace. Continuous research regarding the professional risk would provide better health and safety among medical staff

HIV Risks among Female Sex Workers in Croatia and Montenegro

The study analyzed the prevalence and determinants of HIV-risks among female sex workers (FSWs) in Croatia and Montenegro. Face-to-face interviews were carried out in Zagreb, Split, and Podgorica during the 2006–2008 period. Croatian participants (n=154) reported fewer clients, more consistent condom use, higher rates of HIV testing, and greater HIV knowledge. The participants interviewed in Montenegro (n=119) were more likely to have injected drugs and to have experienced sexual abuse in the previous year. Although Montenegrin FSWs were more exposed to HIV-risks than Croatian FSWs, they reported lower HIV-risk self-assessment. Consistent condom use was significantly associated with education and HIV-risk self-assessment in the Croatian and the experience of physical/sexual abuse in the Montenegrin sample. In spite of a number of methodological limitations, the empirical insights provided by this study may assist in improving the existing HIV prevention initiatives

Zadovoljstvo korisnika uslugama u reformiranom sustavu primarne zdravstvene zaštite u Crnoj Gori

Cilj: Istraživanje je provedeno s ciljem otkrivanja zadovoljstva korisnika pruženim uslugama u sustavu primarne zdravstvene zaštite.Metoda: Uzorak istraživanja činili su svi pacijenti koji tijekom istraživanja (u prva tri mjeseca 2009. godine) posjetili Dom zdravlja Tivat, radi zadovoljenja svojih zdravstvenih potreba. Instrument istraživanja bio je upitnik, sastavljen od 30 pitanja kombiniranog tipa, usmjerenih na otkrivanje subjektivnog zadovoljstva korisnika. Za obradu rezultata korištene su metode deskriptivne statistike.Rezultat: Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 340 korisnika, od čega je oko 62% bilo žena. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da su korisnici vrlo zadovoljni pruženim uslugama u smislu odnosa zdravstvenih radnika prema korisnicima, osjećaja povjerenja prema izabranome liječniku, obrazloženja o poduzetim aktivnostima, kao uključivanje u proces donošenja odluka o liječenju, čekanja na pregled kod izabranoga liječnika i drugih aspekata kroz koje se može sagledati kvaliteta rada izabranoga liječnika. Zadovoljstvo korisnika uslugama pruženim u zdravstvenim institucijama svakako je najznačajniji pokazatelj kvalitete rada izabranog liječnika i preporučeno je ispitivati zadovoljstvo korisnika na svim mjestima pružanja usluga, jer je vrijedna povratna informacija liječnika. Osim toga, zadovoljstvo korisnika može poslužiti kao važna smjernica nastavka aktivnosti reforme sustava zdravstva, jer precizno ukazuje na stupanj zadovoljstva korinika uslugama pruženim u reformiranome sustavu zdravstvene zaštite. Iskustva iz susjednih zemalja pokazuju da stalno praćenje zadovoljstva korisnika može imati značajne implikacije na rad izabranih liječnika. Istraživanje, provedeno 2001. godine, pokazalo da je 72% korisnika bilo zadovoljno uslugama pruženim u domu zdravlja u službi opće prakse.Zaključak: Osnovni zaključak istraživanja jest taj da su korisnici vrlo zadovoljni uslugama izabranoga liječnika na primarnoj razini zdravstvene zaštite

Procena rizika po zdravlje dece na osnovu sadržaja toksičnih metala Pb, Cd, Cu i Zn u gradskom zemljištu na teritoriji Podgorice, Crna Gora

Background/Aim. Due to their low tolerance to pollutants and hand-to-mouth pathways the health risk is very high in children's population. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk to children's health based on the content of heavy metals in urban soil samples from Podgorica, Montenegro. This study included the investigation of several toxic metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in soil samples from public parks and playgrounds. Methods. Sampling was conducted in a period October-November, 2012. Based on cluster analysis, soil samples were divided into two groups related to similarity of metal content at examinated locations: the group I - near by recreational or residential areas of the city, and the group II - near traffic roads. Concentration of toxic metals, in urban soil samples were determined by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Pb and Cd) and by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry technique after microwave digestion. Due to exposure to urban soil, non-cancerogenic index hazardous index (HI) for children was estimated using 95th percentile values of total metal concentration. The value of the total (ingestion, dermal and inhalation) HI is calculated for maximum, minimum and the average concentration of metals for children. Results. Mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in the surface layer of the studied urban soils were 85.91 mg/kg, 2.8 mg/kg and 52.9 mg/kg and 112.5 mg/kg, respectively. Samples from group II showed higher metal content compared to group I. Urbanization and traffic are the main sources of pollution of the urban soils of Podgorica. Most of the samples (93.5%) had a high Pb content, 12.9% of the samples had a higher content of Cd, while Cu and Zn were within the limits prescribed by national legislation. At one location the level of security for lead is HI = 0.8 and very closed to maximum acceptable value of 1. It is probably the result of intensive traffic near by. Conclusion. All metals investigated showed relatively higher concentrations at sites that were close to industrial places and high ways. The mean concentrations of Pb and Zn and maximum concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn were higher than presented values in the National Regulation.Uvod/Cilj. Zbog niske tolerancije na zagađivače i puta prenošenja ruke-usta, rizik od narušenja zdravlja je veoma visok u dečjoj populaciji. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se izvrši procena rizika po zdravlje dece na osnovu sadržaja teških metala u uzorcima gradskog zemljišta u Podgorici, Crna Gora. Ovo istraživanje je obuhvatilo određivanje koncentracija nekoliko toksičnih metala kao što su Pb, Cd, Cu i Zn u uzorcima zemljišta javnih parkova i dečijih igrališta. Metode. Uzorkovanje je sprovedeno tokom oktobra i novembra 2012. godine. Klaster analizom uzorci zemljišta podeljeni su u dve grupe na osnovu sličnosti sadržaja metala na ispitivanim lokacijama: grupa I - uzorci sa mesta u rekreativnim ili stambenim delovima grada i grupa II - uzorci iz parkova i igralište blizu saobraćajnice. Koncentracija metala u uzorcima urbanog zemljišta određena je primenom atomske apsorpcione spektrometrije pomoću grafitne kivete (Pb i Cd) i tehnike optičke emisione spektroskopije sa induktivno kuplovanom plazmom (Cu i Zn) nakon mikrotalasne digestije. Na osnovu stepena izloženosti uticaju gradskog zemljišta, nekancerogeni indeks opasnosti (hazard index - HI) za decu izračunat je na 95. procentu vrednosti ukupne koncentracije metala. Vrednost za ukupni (ingestioni, dermalni i inhalacioni) HI izračunata je za maksimalne, minimalne i srednje koncentracije ispitivanih metala za decu. Rezultati. Srednja koncentracija toksičnih metala u uzorcima površinskog sloja zemljišta iznosila je 85,91 mg Pb/kg tla, 2,8 mg Cd/kg tla, 52,9 mg Cu/kg tla i 112,5 mg Zn/kg tla. Sadržaj metala bio je značajno veći u uzorcima zemljišta iz grupe II nego u uzorcima grupe I. Ovo jasno ukazuje na izražen i uočljiv uticaj urbanizacije, a naročito saobraćaja, na zagađenje zemljišta. Većina uzoraka (93,5%) imala je povećan sadržaj Pb, 12,9% uzoraka imalo je povećan sadržaj Cd, dok je sadržaj Cu i Zn bio u granicama propisanim nacionalnom regulativom. Na jednoj lokaciji vrednost za nivo bezbednosti za olovo bio je HI = 0,8, vrlo blizu maksimalne prihvatljive vrednosti koja iznosi 1, što je verovatno posledica intenzivnog saobraćaja u neposrednoj blizini ispitivane lokacije. Zaključak. Ispitivani metali imali su više koncentracije na mestima u blizini industrijske zone i autoputa. Prosečne koncentracije Pb i Zn, kao i maksimalne koncentracije Pb, Cd i Zn bile su više od vrednosti propisanih nacionalnom regulativom

HIV Risks among Female Sex Workers in Croatia and Montenegro

The study analyzed the prevalence and determinants of HIV-risks among female sex workers (FSWs) in Croatia and Montenegro. Face-to-face interviews were carried out in Zagreb, Split, and Podgorica during the 2006–2008 period. Croatian participants (n=154) reported fewer clients, more consistent condom use, higher rates of HIV testing, and greater HIV knowledge. The participants interviewed in Montenegro (n=119) were more likely to have injected drugs and to have experienced sexual abuse in the previous year. Although Montenegrin FSWs were more exposed to HIV-risks than Croatian FSWs, they reported lower HIV-risk self-assessment. Consistent condom use was significantly associated with education and HIV-risk self-assessment in the Croatian and the experience of physical/sexual abuse in the Montenegrin sample. In spite of a number of methodological limitations, the empirical insights provided by this study may assist in improving the existing HIV prevention initiatives

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions

HIV– Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice among Health Care Workers in Montenegro

The objective of the present study was to assess HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practice of health care workers (HCWs) in Montenegro. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the University Clinical Centre of Montenegro in Podgorica. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used for data collecting. Out of 526 HCWs, 422 were included in the survey and response rate was 80%. An insuffi cient level of knowledge on HIV transmission and the risk after exposure was observed generally, although the knowledge was better in physicians compared to other HCWs categories. A rather high proportion of HCWs showed inappropriate attitude regarding the need of HIV testing of all hospitalized patients (64.7%) and obligation of HIV+ patient to report his/her HIV status (88.9%) in order to practice universal precaution. Additionally, 6.2% HCWs would refuse to treat an HIV+ patient. More than a half (55.7%) of study participants were educated in HIV/AIDS and 15.9 % of them were HIV tested. Majority of HCWs (67.5%) always applied universal precautions during their daily work with patients. In spite of applying protective devices, number of accidents was great. A continuous education is necessary to increase the level of knowledge of HCWs about the risk of infection at the workplace. This would potentially infl uence the modifi cation of their attitudes regarding HIV patients and improve prevention at the workplace. Continuous research regarding the professional risk would provide better health and safety among medical staff

HIV/AIDS EDUCATION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine perceptions of service providers in the healthcare on their awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS, as well as the relationship of the above parameters and the existence of stigma and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. Method: The type of the study was a behavioral cross sectional study. The survey was conducted in 2012, on a representative sample of health workers in Montenegro. The main survey instrument was specifically designed questionnaire that consisted of six parts, out of which one was related to knowledge about HIV and AIDS. Data were analyzed by methods of inferential statistics. Results: More than four out of ten respondents have never attended educational workshops on HIV/AIDS. Research has shown that there is a highly significant statistical correlation between estimates of their own knowledge about HIV / AIDS and previous educations. Almost two-thirds of respondents, who attended some type of education in the field of HIV/AIDS, believe to have a satisfactory level of knowledge in the area. Conclusion: Health care service providers evaluate their knowledge of HIV/AIDS as insufficient