The influence of demographic and socio-economic factors on the use of psychoactive substances in young people in Serbia

Zloupotreba psihoaktivnih supstanci među mladima, predstavlja značajan problem pojedinca, porodice i društva. Predstavlja globalni problem i tiče se adolescenata širom sveta. Problem zloupotrebe i zavisnosti od psihoaktivnih supstanci najčešće se posmatra sa individualnog aspekta problema ličnosti, dok je socijalni kontekst često zanemaren, a kako bi se preduzele mere prevencije koje bi dale zadovoljavajuće rezultate neophodno je napraviti odgovarajuće strategije za borbu protiv zloupotrebe psihoaktivnih supstanci koje treba da budu u skladu sa demografskim i socioekonomskim karakteristikama zajednice. U tom kontekstu želeli smo da našim istraživanjem utvrdimo učestalost korišćenja psihoaktivnih supstanci, sa aspekta demografskih i socioekonomskih faktora koji doprinose ovakvom ponašanju mladih u Srbiji, kako bi dobijene rezultate iskoristili u kreiranju promotivnih intervencija i programa za suzbijanje ovog značajnog problema. Studija se bavi ispitivanjem uticaja demografskih i socioekonomskih faktora na učestalost korišćenja psihoaktivnih supstanci u populaciji mladih u Srbiji. Istraživanje predstavlja deo Istraživanja zdravlja stanovništva Srbije iz 2013. godine koje je sprovedeno od strane Ministarstva zdravlja Republike Srbije, kao studija preseka na reprezentativnom stratifikovanom dvoetapnom uzorku. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 1722 ispitanika starosti od 15 do 24 godine. Instrument istraživanja su bili upitnici konstruisani u skladu sa upitnikom Evropskog istraživanja zdravlja. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da mladi muškog pola, srednjeg obrazovanja, oni koji potiču iz gradske sredine, iz Južnih i Istočnih regija Srbije, koji pripadaju najsiromašnijoj kategoriji stanovništva, koji imaju najniži prihod po članu domaćinstva, kao i oni koji svoje zdravlje procenjuju kao loše, konzumiraju cigarete i alkohol češće od ostalih kategorija ispitivane mlade populacije. Konzumiranje ilegalnih droga, češće je kod mladića, mladih sa višim ili visokim obrazovanjem, kod onih koji potiču sa teritorije Vojvodine, sa višim prihodima po članu domaćinstva i iz najbogatijih kategorija stanovništva, kao i onih koji svoje zdravlje procenjuju kao dobro. Devojke češće samoinicijativno konzumiraju sredstva za spavanje, protiv bolova i za smirenje od mladića. Doprinos istraživanja upotrebe psihoaktivnih supstanci kod mladih u Srbiji ukazuje na neophodnost prevencije rizičnog ponašanja, zatim zloupotrebe zavisnosti od psihoaktivnih supstanci, a pre svega kroz inteziviranje preventivnih aktivnosti, razvijanja socijalnih veština i edukacije mladih o štetnim efektima i posledicama upotrebe psihoaktivnih supstanci.The abuse of psychoactive substances among young people is a significant problem for the individual, his family and society as a whole. It is a global problem and affects adolescents around the world. The problem of the abuse and dependence on psychoactive substances is most often viewed from the individual aspect, that is as a personal problem, while the social context is often neglected. In order to take preventive measures which can deliver satisfactory results, it is necessary to make appropriate strategies for combating the abuse of psychoactive substances that would be in accordance with the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the community. In this context, the aim of our research was to determine the frequency of using psychoactive substances in terms of demographic and socioeconomic factors that contribute to this kind of behavior among young people in Serbia and to use the obtained results to create promotional events and programs to combat this significant problem. The study is related to the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the frequency of the psychoactive substances abuse among young population in Serbia. The research is a part of 2013 Survey of the Health of Serbian Population, conducted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, as a cross section study on a representative stratified two-tier sample. The study covered 1722 subjects at age between 15 and 24. Research instruments that we used were the questionnaires designed in accordance with the European Health Research Questionnaire. The results of the research have shown that young men with secondary school education, who come from urban area of the South and East Serbia and from the poor population with lowest income per household member, giving estimate on their health as poor, consume cigarettes and alcohol more often than other categories of young people who participated in this survey. The consumption of illegal drugs is more frequent among young men with college or university education coming from Vojvodina, from rich categories of population with higher income per household member, who evaluated their health as well. Girls are more often inclined to consume over-the-counter sleeping pills, painkillers and tranquilizers. 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 and the abuse of and dependence on psychoactive substances primarily through intensifying preventive activities, developing social skills and educations to young people about harmful effects and consequences of psychoactive substances abuse

Comparison of extraction agents for metal determination in sediments from artificial lakes and rivers in Serbia

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effectiveness of three different extraction agents for the extraction of 25 elements from sediment samples collected from 4 artificial lakes and 12 rivers in Serbia (33 samples in total). The extraction efficiency of the agents was evaluated by its ability to extract the highest quantity of the elements. For that purpose, three acids (1M HCl, 2M HNO3 and 0.43M CH3COOH) have been used. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for quantitative determination of following elements: Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Na, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, V, and Zn. The extraction with 1M HCl has shown the best results for the majority of investigated elements (especially Sr, Mn and Ca). Antimony (Sb) was detected only after extraction with 0.43M CH3COOOH, while selenium (Se) could not be detected when 2M HNO3 was applied as extraction agents. The present study could be very useful for choosing a suitable method for specific elements and also can be helpful in the evaluation of the contaminants in freshwater sediments in Serbia. This might contribute to environmental risk assessment of the present elements

Influence of gaseous laser in continuous-wave and pulse regimes on biomaterial characteristics

Aromatic plants and laser beam wavelength in the red range of visible spectra (623.8 nm), most commonly used for treating plant species, were selected. As there is not much information in the references, it is necessary to set a scale with qualitative and partially quantitative evaluations of the results. Specimens of thyme seed (Thymus vulgaris) were selected as aromatic plants for studying the effect of low-power lasers on plant development, and continuous He-Ne laser, with irradiation times in the range of minutes

The influence of demographic and socio-economic factors on the use of psychoactive substances in young people in Serbia

Zloupotreba psihoaktivnih supstanci među mladima, predstavlja značajan problem pojedinca, porodice i društva. Predstavlja globalni problem i tiče se adolescenata širom sveta. Problem zloupotrebe i zavisnosti od psihoaktivnih supstanci najčešće se posmatra sa individualnog aspekta problema ličnosti, dok je socijalni kontekst često zanemaren, a kako bi se preduzele mere prevencije koje bi dale zadovoljavajuće rezultate neophodno je napraviti odgovarajuće strategije za borbu protiv zloupotrebe psihoaktivnih supstanci koje treba da budu u skladu sa demografskim i socioekonomskim karakteristikama zajednice. U tom kontekstu želeli smo da našim istraživanjem utvrdimo učestalost korišćenja psihoaktivnih supstanci, sa aspekta demografskih i socioekonomskih faktora koji doprinose ovakvom ponašanju mladih u Srbiji, kako bi dobijene rezultate iskoristili u kreiranju promotivnih intervencija i programa za suzbijanje ovog značajnog problema. Studija se bavi ispitivanjem uticaja demografskih i socioekonomskih faktora na učestalost korišćenja psihoaktivnih supstanci u populaciji mladih u Srbiji. Istraživanje predstavlja deo Istraživanja zdravlja stanovništva Srbije iz 2013. godine koje je sprovedeno od strane Ministarstva zdravlja Republike Srbije, kao studija preseka na reprezentativnom stratifikovanom dvoetapnom uzorku. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 1722 ispitanika starosti od 15 do 24 godine. Instrument istraživanja su bili upitnici konstruisani u skladu sa upitnikom Evropskog istraživanja zdravlja. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da mladi muškog pola, srednjeg obrazovanja, oni koji potiču iz gradske sredine, iz Južnih i Istočnih regija Srbije, koji pripadaju najsiromašnijoj kategoriji stanovništva, koji imaju najniži prihod po članu domaćinstva, kao i oni koji svoje zdravlje procenjuju kao loše, konzumiraju cigarete i alkohol češće od ostalih kategorija ispitivane mlade populacije. Konzumiranje ilegalnih droga, češće je kod mladića, mladih sa višim ili visokim obrazovanjem, kod onih koji potiču sa teritorije Vojvodine, sa višim prihodima po članu domaćinstva i iz najbogatijih kategorija stanovništva, kao i onih koji svoje zdravlje procenjuju kao dobro. Devojke češće samoinicijativno konzumiraju sredstva za spavanje, protiv bolova i za smirenje od mladića. Doprinos istraživanja upotrebe psihoaktivnih supstanci kod mladih u Srbiji ukazuje na neophodnost prevencije rizičnog ponašanja, zatim zloupotrebe zavisnosti od psihoaktivnih supstanci, a pre svega kroz inteziviranje preventivnih aktivnosti, razvijanja socijalnih veština i edukacije mladih o štetnim efektima i posledicama upotrebe psihoaktivnih supstanci.The abuse of psychoactive substances among young people is a significant problem for the individual, his family and society as a whole. It is a global problem and affects adolescents around the world. The problem of the abuse and dependence on psychoactive substances is most often viewed from the individual aspect, that is as a personal problem, while the social context is often neglected. In order to take preventive measures which can deliver satisfactory results, it is necessary to make appropriate strategies for combating the abuse of psychoactive substances that would be in accordance with the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the community. In this context, the aim of our research was to determine the frequency of using psychoactive substances in terms of demographic and socioeconomic factors that contribute to this kind of behavior among young people in Serbia and to use the obtained results to create promotional events and programs to combat this significant problem. The study is related to the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the frequency of the psychoactive substances abuse among young population in Serbia. The research is a part of 2013 Survey of the Health of Serbian Population, conducted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, as a cross section study on a representative stratified two-tier sample. The study covered 1722 subjects at age between 15 and 24. Research instruments that we used were the questionnaires designed in accordance with the European Health Research Questionnaire. The results of the research have shown that young men with secondary school education, who come from urban area of the South and East Serbia and from the poor population with lowest income per household member, giving estimate on their health as poor, consume cigarettes and alcohol more often than other categories of young people who participated in this survey. The consumption of illegal drugs is more frequent among young men with college or university education coming from Vojvodina, from rich categories of population with higher income per household member, who evaluated their health as well. Girls are more often inclined to consume over-the-counter sleeping pills, painkillers and tranquilizers. 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 and the abuse of and dependence on psychoactive substances primarily through intensifying preventive activities, developing social skills and educations to young people about harmful effects and consequences of psychoactive substances abuse

Reading performances of low vision children after using low vision aid

Introduction/Objective. The objectives of the paper are to assess the causes of low vision (LV) in pediatric population in Montenegro and to evaluate the influence of low vision aids (LVA) on reading performance regarding the speed of reading and the understanding of the read text. Methods. A prospective study was conducted on 40 “treatable” LV children what represent all registered LV children in Montenegro. All participants read the same text before and after using LVA. Reading rate was calculated as the number of words read per minute. Functional speed of reading was calculated as the ratio of the rate of reading and the understanding of the read text multiplied by 100. Results. The study comprised 40 LV children with the mean age of 12.60 ± 4.06 years (20 boys and 20 girls). The most common cause of LV in children were premature retinopathy (10/40 or 25%), retinitis pigmentosa (8/40 or 20%), optic nerve anomaly (5/40 or 13%), degenerative myopia (4/40 or 10%), macular dysgenesis (4/40 or 10%), Stargardt disease (3/40 or 7%), optic nerve atrophy (2/40 or 5%), and albinism (2/40 or 5%). Nystagmus was found in 11 LV children or 28% of the group. LVA were prescribed to all of them. Reading speed before vs. after LVA use was 36.58 ± 35.60 vs. 73.83 ± 27.05 words/minute (p < 0.001), while functional reading was 26.00 ± 30.43 vs. 59.41 ± 29.34 (p < 0.001). Conclusion. LV children demonstrate a significant improvement in reading performance by using LVA

Cilioretinal arteries and collateral vessels after occlusion of central retinal artery

Background/Aim. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a disease of the eye where the flow of blood through the central retinal artery is blocked. It causes sudden, painless, unilateral and usually severe vision loss. The aim of our study was to examine significance of cilioretinal artery on collateral and neovasculatization development after occlusion of the central retinal artery. Methods. This study retrospectively reviewed all fluorescein angiography (FA) cases with confirmed CRAO and presenting, one or more, cilioretinal arteries on initial examination. The study included patients referred to the Clinic of Ophthalmology, Clinical Center Kragujevac for the examination in the period from January 2010 to January 2015. Ten eyes of 10 patients with confirmed CRAO and existing cilioretinal artery on initial examination were found and analyzed in this study. Results. This study included 10 (6 males and 4 females) patients from 50 to 76 years old (mean 66.3 ± 10.078 years). Visual acuity on initial examination presented on the decimal scale was from 0.01 to 0.2 (mean 0.087 ± 0.066). Intraocular pressure measured by applanation tonometry was in the range from 14 to 20 mmHg (mean 16.7 ± 2.540 mmHg). Cilioretinal artery was revealed on the first FA examination of all eyes. On control FA, in three eyes de novo collaterals were discovered. In the first eye, collaterals were discovered after two months, in the second eye after four months, and in the third eye after seven months of the performing the initial angiogram. Visual acuity was checked after one year. It was from light perception to 0.03 (mean 0.016 ± 0.009). Conclusion. The presence of cilioretinal arteries with preexisting or de novo developed collaterals was not enough to preserve visual acuity and prevent neovascularisation over a longer period after CRA

The importance of developing atherosclerosis in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

Background/Aim. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XPS) is an age-related systemic disorder characterized by increased production and accumulation of elastic microfibrillar material in different tissues of the body: skin, connective tissue portions of visceral organs, periphery blood vessels and the eye, as well. The aim of our study was to determine the significance of atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries in the development of XFS and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). Methods. The study included 120 patients – 40 patients per each of the three defined groups: XFS group, XFG group and age- and sex-matched control subjects (control group) without XFG. Blood samples were collected from the patients before cataract surgery. Serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein – LDL, high density lipoprotein – HDL and triglycerides were analyzed by standard laboratory techniques. Standard ultrasonography of the carotid blood vessels was performed in all the participants. Results. Lipid’s profile was disturbed in the patients with XFS and XFG with statistical significance p control group (p < 0.01). Systolic and diastolic pressure was elevated in the patients with XFS and XFG (p < 0.01). Resistance index was increased in the patients with XFG (p < 0.01). Intima-media thickness was prolonged in patients with XFG (p < 0.01). Conclusion. A disturbed lipid profile with elevated resistancy index and intima-media thickness and increased systolic and diastolic pressure were compulsory findings in patients with developed XFG. So, these factors could be considered as risk. It seems to be difficult to inhibit the process of pseudoexfolation production in the whole body, but it appears that with proper therapy (antihypertnesive, cardiotoncs, etc.) and adequate nourishing, the process of XFG development could be interrupted

The efficacy of moxifloxacin in patients with bacterial keratitis

Background/Aim. Keratitis is a sociomedical problem of moderately developed countries. including Serbia, too. The incidence of bacterial keratitis in the world is about 20% in relation to all keratitis, but its frequency in Serbia is still not known. Bearing in mind the complications in the front segment of the eye after bacterial keratitis (ulcer, neovascularization, fibrosis) and decline in visual acuity, it was necessary to assess the efficacy of local therapy by moxifloxacin which will shorten the healing time and reduce complications. The aim of the study was to analyze the efficiency of shortening the treatment of bacterial keratitis with moxifloxacin. Methods. The study was designed as prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The study included 30 patients with diagnosed keratitis and locally applied antibiotic moxifloxacin, and 60 patients in a control group, with locally applied artificial tears. All participants were subjected to complete clinical ophthalmologic analysis (2015/16), for a period of 1–15 days after the application of therapies (healing time of corneal pathology). The following was determined in all patients: degree of hyperemia, degree of epithelial defect, level of corneal sensitivity, level of tear secretion and tear quality, degree of conjunctival secretion, degree of neovascularisation and corneal scarring, degree of visual acuity, score of subjective symptomatology and correlation of ophthalmological findings and subjective symptoms. Results. There was a statistically significant difference in times of therapeutic efficacy/clinical response between the study group patients who received moxifloxacin and the control group patients who received arteficial tears. Conclusion. Local application of moxifloxacin had therapeutic effect (total benefit) both in terms of the effective shortening of the healing time and also the reduction of the complications of bacterial keratitis, without unwanted effects

Treatment of multiple chalazions with intralesional Kenalog-40 injections in juvenile patient: A case report

Aim: To case report the efficacy of subcutaneous steroid injections in the treatment of multiple chalazions and to evaluate the safety of intralesional injection in primary and recurrent chalazions in juvenile patient. Case report: A 25-year-old man noticed lesions which appeared on upper lid during past three months. It was clinically presented with three focal, large and painful nodules in upper right eyelid. Inflammation process began on May the 1st of 2013. After one month in May 30th 2013 was directly administered synthetic steroid, Kenalog-40. Application of triamcinolone acetonide resulted in two satellite lesions, compared to the original, when the same incisions drained during the first surgery in July 5th 2013, with topical antibiotic-steroidal drugs and hot compresses. Second surgery was in July 26th 2013. Third surgery was performed in August 5st 2013 with second application of Kenalog-40. Combined treatment leads to recovery of clinical signs and inflammation of right upper eyelid with regressions of primary and recurrent chalazions. Conclusion: Two steroid subcutaneous injections produced complete resolution of multiple primary and recurrent chalazions. Clinical imperative was that recurrent or unusual refractory chalazions require referral to Hystopathological examination of curetting to exclude malignancy. © 2013 Janicijevic-Petrovic MA

OCULAR HYPERTENSION - RISK FACTORS AND THERAPY?

Introduction/Aim: The goal of our study was to analyze the epidemiological`s characteristics of ocular hypertension, as well as the influence of chronic risk factors on glaucoma development (conversion in glaucoma). We tried to make some entries for solving this complex ophthalmological problem. Material /Methods: From 2009 to 2015, a retrospective control study was performed on 121 patient with diagnoses of bilateral ocular hypertension and without disease progression/conversion of glaucoma (by standard protocols of diagnosis and basic procedures) on tertiary level at Clinic of Ophthalmology, Clinical Centre of Kragujevac, Serbia.. The authors analyzed epidemiological characteristics: sex, age groups, positive/negative family history and personal history with chronic risk factors (one and/or two) of ocular hypertension. The data obtained from this study were statistically analyzed in SPSS program, version 20.00. Results: As for the patients, 69 of them (57.02%) were male and 52 female (42.98%). Dominant age group was between 40-49 (42.15%) and then group between 50-59 (40.50%) years of age. Anamnesis data indicated the absence of family anamnesis 71 (58.68%). Risk factors for ocular hypertension were presented in 103 (85.13%) patients, 18 of them (14.87%) did not respond. One risk factor - cardiovascular disease was noted in 83 (68.59%), with two risk factors - cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus in 20 patients (16.53%) and with PEX syndroma at other respondents. Conclusion: Ocular hypertension is not a common disease, but with risk factors, such as older age, positive family history, and chronic risk factors syndicated, represents a serious clinical and social problem, so the question remains for ophthalmologists - pro or against therapy? Those in favor of therapy would state the safety and protection from conversion/progression of glaucoma; but those  against therapy would only mention adequate monitoring of patients