The effects of the socioeconomic status of Serbian families children with coeliac disease on gluten-free diet

© 2017, Serbian Medical Society. All rights reserved. Objective. To determine the effects of the socioeconomic characteristics of Serbian families with coeliac children (education level, employment, number of family members, monthly family income) on a gluten-free diet outcomes, as measured by serologic tests (tTG). Methods. The sample included 116 parents and the same number of children and adolescents (N = 116) diagnosed with the coeliac disease who had followed a gluten-free diet for at least a year. Children were aged 5-18 years. The research was carried out at the University Children’s Hospital in Belgrade and the Institute of Mother and Child Health “Dr Vukan Cupic” in Belgrade. The research was conducted during the period April-December 2016. The instruments used in the research were the Socioeconomic Survey Questionnaire and the Documentation Sheet, both specially designed for the purpose of this study. Results. The results of our study have shown that the mean age of mothers was 39.6 years and fathers 43.4 years. Parent respondents reported completed secondary education in 58% (116) of all cases. 46.55% of mothers and 35.34% fathers of the examined children with coeliac disease were not permanently employed. 82.76% of parents were married. Four-member families were most common. Considering the specific needs, 51% of the parents perceived their income level as very low and low. Serologic tests confirmed the efficacy of the therapy in 25.86% (30/116) of the children. Conclusion. The poor success of a gluten-free diet in the coeliac children and adolescents pointed out to the major impact of a lower socioeconomic status of their families. Taking into account all the difficulties in the implementation of a gluten-free dietary restrictions for children in Serbia, it becomes clear that the engagement of the whole society, and not just the members of their families, is necessary

Anthropometric study of the facial index in the population of Central Serbia

The aim of this study was to determine the craniofacial parameters in the population of the central part of Serbia. The research was conducted on 700 persons (360 males and 340 females), aged 18-65 years, selected randomly. The measured parameters were morphological facial height and breadth. The standard spreading caliper with scale was used for the measurement of facial parameters. There were significant differences in the facial parameters of male compared to female subjects in all observed parameters. The mean value of the morphological facial height in the study population was 116.8 mm ± 7.28, maximum facial breadth 124.12 mm ± 8.44, while the mean value of the total facial index was 93.68 ± 6.86. The total facial index was calculated according to the formula and the obtained results were analyzed statistically using the t-test. The dominant phenotype in the studied population was leptoprosopic. The data obtained in our study may be useful in anthropological research, forensics, genetic research, as well as in medical clinical practice

Cardiovascular diseases – risk factors

© 2016, Serbian Medical Society. All rights reserved. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and impact of certain risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Methods. Observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Health Centre of Kragujevac, in 2014. In total, 98 people older than 35 years, with no previous diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases were chosen by simple random method. The respondents were asked to fill out a questionnaire about risk factors including family anamnesis, nutritional habits, and lifestyles. Nutritional status was assessed based on body mass index and visceral obesity was determined by measuring waist circumference. The metabolic profile was evaluated by the values of total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. A 10-year risk for fatal cardiovascular disease was determined through SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) method. Results. Increased body mass index (>25 kg/m2) was detected in 57.1% of the participants. Visceral obesity was determined in 56.1%. In total, 46.2% of the respondents were smokers while 32.7% had low level of physical activity. Chi-squared test indicated significant correlation between female gender and frequent consumption of fruit, vegetable, cereals, milk and dairy products. Increased body mass index and alcohol consumption were more common among males than females. Cardiovascular risk was associated with repeated exposure to mental stress. 89.8% of the respondents had 10-year risk for fatal cardiovascular disease higher than 5%. Conclusion. The results emphasize the need to increase awareness of the risk factors among patients and health care workers at the level of primary health care to take measures of prevention especially for those cardiovascular diseases that are significantly affected by lifestyles and behaviors

The influence of certain factors of family nutrition on the occurrence of nutritional anemia among school children

© Serbian Medical Society 2015. All rights reserved. Objective. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of family nutrition and eating habits on potential development of nutritional anemia in school-age children. Methods. The survey was conducted as an observational cross-sectional study in four primary schools in Kragujevac, during the academic year 2014/2015 on 114 respondents. The data of this study were obtained by combining survey research, anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The survey was conducted during regular hours in schools and included pupils in the first and fourth grade of elementary schools and their parents. Results. Processing the collected data showed that the family diet and eating habits can contribute to the occurrence of anemia in children of school age. It was found that the following factors had a statistically significant influence on the manifestation of anemia: the use of nuts, the way of preparing food and the number of daily meals. Conclusion. Adequately preparing food and the number of meals (less than five), pointed out that proper nutrition and eating habits can potentially contribute to the reduction of the development of anemia in school-age children

Factors associated with the depression, anxiety and stress among high medical school of professional studies students

© 2017, Serbian Medical Society. All rights reserved. Objective. Objective of this research was to examine which factors were related to depression, anxiety and stress among nurses/technicians, professional studies students. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the High Medical School of Professional Studies in Belgrade. The sample consisted of 535 students of all three years, between 18 and 56 years of age. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS – 42) was used in the research, as well as a questionnaire on personal information which included data on personal impression regarding the importance of exam marks and the feeling of satisfaction with the self as a student. Results. The results of the study showed that 13.6% of the examined student population had symptoms of depression, 25.6% had symptoms of anxiety and 26% had symptoms of stress, which were varying from mild to extremely showing. Average values for all three inspected scales (depression, anxiety, stress) were statistically significantly different depending on the gender of the participants (p = 0.020; p = 0.001; p = 0.001), employment status (p = 0.007; p = 0.020; p = 0.005), total years of service (p = 0.049; p = 0.051; p = 0.017) and feeling of satisfaction with the self as a student (p = 0.000; p = 0.021; p = 0.004). There was a statistically significant difference in average values of the stress scale with respect to the motive to enroll the school (F = 6.445; p < 0.05). Average values of the stress scale were the highest with the participants whose motive was to secure a work position and the lowest with the participants whose motive was promotion in their profession. Conclusion. The results of the research point out the importance of early detection of mental health problems, aiming to find and develop adequate prevention and promotion of programs directed towards improvement of mental health and quality of life

The analysis of nutritional predictors of anemia combined with obesity in primary school-age children

© 2018, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. The consumption and amounts of a variety of food products used in a diet affect the incidence of anemia and different levels of nutritional status among school-age children. The prevalence of food intake comprised of fats, carbohydrates and sodium (salt) is a significant contributing factor to the incidence of excessive weight. Apart from nutrition, a leisure-time physical activity and the time spent in front of the TV or computer may contribute to an increase in anemia and obesity rates. The objective of this paper was to examine nutritional status, dietary habits and anemia among school-age children in the central Serbia region (the city of Kragujevac). It was established that 47.3% of the surveyed children fell into the normal weight group, 24.5% of the children are considered to be at risk of being overweight, 21.4 % of the children are considered as obese, whereas 6.8% of the children fell into the under-weight group. The incidence of anemia was noted in 10.8% of the cases, whereas anemia in obese children was observed in 21.6% of the cases (n=114; during the school year of 2014-2015). The obtained results show a statistically significant correlation between an increase in the consumption of fast food and anemia in children, whereas the amount of time children spend in front of the TV is also associated with the higher percentage of anemia and obesity

Public health and the new law of public health in republic of serbia

© 2018, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. The new Law on Public Health was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 15 dated 25 February 2016. Comparing to the previous Law, the biggest changes have been made in the domain of monitoring the indicators of the environment and population health. The responsibility of controlling the quality and safety of food was given back to the Ministry of Health. This paper presents the principal regulations regarding the main functions, principals and organizational features of the public health system in Serbia

Key factors determining indoor air PM<inf>10</inf> concentrations in naturally ventilated primary schools in Belgrade, Serbia

© 2017 National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia. Introduction. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is rated as a serious public health issue. Knowing children are accounted as more vulnerable to environmental health hazards, data are needed on air quality in schools. Methods. A project was conducted from 2007 until 2009 (SEARCH, School Environment and Respiratory Health of Children), aiming to verify links between IAQ and children's respiratory health. Study was conducted in ten primary schools on 735 children, in 44 classrooms. Children were randomly selected. Research tools and indicators used for children's exposure to school environment were indoor and outdoor pollutants, two standardized questionnaires for school and classroom characteristics. In both classroom air and ambient air in front of them we measured, during a 5-day exposure period for continuous 24h measuring: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and PM10 during classes. Results. PM10 concentrations were significantly most frequent in an interval of ≥80.1μg/m3, that is, in the interval above 50μg/m3. Mean PM10 value was 82.24±42.43 μg/m3, ranging from 32.00μg/m3 to of 197.00μg/m3. Conclusion. The increase of outdoor PM10 concentration significantly affects the increase of indoor PM10. A statistically significant difference exists for average IAQ PM10 concentrations vs. indicators of indoor thermal comfort zone (p75%), and indoor temperature beyond 23°C, as well as bad ventilation habits (keeping windows shut most of the time)

Prevalence of risk factors among women with osteoporosis

© 2017, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disorder that can be influenced by many different factors. A cross-sectional study has been conducted with the aim to assess the prevalence of risk factors as well as to identify the possible causes of improvement of the disease. Th e study population consisted of 97 women older than 35 who had previously been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Dualenergy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan was used to determine bone mineral density (BMD) in order to assess the current state of the disease. The participants were asked to complete a standardized IOF (International Osteoporosis Foundation) questionnaire. According to BMD measurements, 24.7% of women had normal bone density while 18.6% had T-score lower than -2.5. There was a statistically significant correlation between T-score and the history of previous bone fractures. Besides, a relatively high prevalence of certain risk factors (such as underweight, early menopause, oophorectomy, thyroid and parathyroid disorders etc.) was observed in woman with osteoporosis

Management of pharmaceutical waste in hospitals in Serbia – Challenges and the potential for improvement

© 2016, Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India. All rights reserved. Background: Left over medication widely used in hospitals for the treatment of various diseases including malignant illnesses, stand to represent a hazardous form of healthcare waste. According to regulations in the Republic of Serbia dating back to 2009, all healthcare facilities are obligated to separate, label and safely put away said leftover medication, i.e. forward it to authorised operators in order to be securely shipped and properly taken care of abroad. Pharmaceutical waste can lead to dire consequences on a patient’s or medical employee’s health, as well as cause simultaneous damage to the environment, both work and not. The main aim of this research is the assessment of the state of Serbian hospitals as is, from the perspective of dealing with pharmaceutical waste. Also, the research’s objective is to examine the factors that affect the way healthcare waste is handled and the respectful aftermath of their alterations in healthcare institutions. Methods: For the realization of this survey, a special questionnaire was developed, concocted with regard to the margins set out by WHO, in order to promptly assess the management of healthcare waste in hospitals, which had beforehand been pretested. The research was carried out as a cross-sectional study of the representative hospital sample of the secondary and tertiary level of healthcare facilities in the public domain, in November 2014. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 60 hospitals, which typifies a representative number of said facilities in the Republic of Serbia and which covers more than 85% of inpatient capacity within the public sector’s network of healthcare hospitals defined by the Bylaw (referred to as the Network of healthcare facilities in Serbia). Conclusion: Tertiary level hospitals, meaning clinical centres, clinicalmedical centres and institutes that offer highly specialized healthcare services and have an admittedly larger number of hospital beds, have a more evolved system of sorting pharmaceutical waste and do away with grander amounts of it on a yearly basis. Establishing a safe and law-abiding management of pharmaceutical waste in hospitals will come to wholly enhance the management of hazardous waste in the healthcare system