Knowledge about breastfeeding of children 0-6 months among mothers attending hospital services in Kosovo

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and socio-demographic correlates of breastfeeding of children aged 0-6 months among mothers with young children in post-war Kosovo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kosovo during the period December 2017 – February 2018 including a representative sample of 201 mothers (aged 29.4±6.0 years) with young children attending hospital services. In addition to socio-demographic data, a structured 13-item questionnaire inquiring about breastfeeding of children aged 0-6 months was administered to all women. A summary score was calculated for all 13 items related to women’s knowledge on breastfeeding (0 denoting incorrect answers to all 13 items, and 13 denoting correct answers to all 13 questions). General linear model was used to assess the association between summary score of the knowledge about breastfeeding and socio-demographic characteristics of the women.   Results: Mean summary score of the 13 items related to knowledge about breastfeeding was 10.3±1.9; median score was 11 (interquartile range: 9-12). In multivariable-adjusted models, the mean summary score of knowledge about breastfeeding of children 0-6 months was slightly but non-significantly higher among “older” women, those residing in urban areas, highly educated women, those currently employed, and women with a higher income level. Conclusion: Generally, the level of knowledge about breastfeeding of children aged 0-6 months was satisfactory among mothers with young children included in this survey in Kosovo. Furthermore, there were seemingly no significant socio-demographic differences in the level of knowledge about breastfeeding of young infants among women in this study carried out in Kosovo.  &nbsp

Level of satisfaction and socio-demographic correlates among users of primary health care services in Kosovo

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level and socio-demographic correlates of satisfaction with services among adult primary health care users in Kosovo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kosovo during the period May-June 2022 including a representative sample of 510 adult users (238 men and 272 women) of primary health care services in Kosovo (mean age: 44.6±19.2 years). In addition to socio-demographic data, a structured 23-item questionnaire aiming at assessing the level of satisfaction with primary health care services was administered to all participants (each item ranging from 1 [high] to 5 [low]). A summary score was calculated for all 23 items related to satisfaction level ranging from 23 (the highest satisfaction level) to 115 (the lowest satisfaction level). General linear model was used to assess the association between the summary score of satisfaction level with primary health care services and socio-demographic factors of study participants.   Results: Mean summary score of the 23 items related to the satisfaction level with primary health care services was 49.8±13.0; median score was 49 (interquartile range: 41-57). In multivariable-adjusted models, the level of satisfaction with primary health care services was significantly higher among participants with a lower educational attainment, individuals with e lower income level, and ethnic Albanian participants. Conclusion: This study identified important socio-demographic correlates of the level of satisfaction with primary health care services in the adult population of Kosovo. Findings from this study should raise the awareness of policymakers and decision-makers in Kosovo and elsewhere in order to improve the quality of primary health care services.   &nbsp

Level of satisfaction among primary health care workers in Kosovo

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the extent and selected corelates of work satisfaction among primary healthcare professionals in Kosovo.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected regions of Kosovo during the period May-June 2022 including a representative sample of 500 primary healthcare workers (209 men and 291 women; overall mean age: 42.0±12.3 years). A structured 9-item questionnaire was administered to all participants aiming at assessing the level of satisfaction among primary healthcare workers (each item ranging from 1 [high] to 5 [low]). A summary score was calculated for all 9 items related to satisfaction level ranging from 9 (the highest satisfaction level) to 45 (the lowest satisfaction level). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of satisfaction level (dichotomized into “satisfied” vs. “unsatisfied”, based on median value of the summary score) with selected demographic factors and work characteristics of primary healthcare workers.Results: Mean summary score of the 9 items related to the satisfaction level of primary healthcare workers was about 23±5; median score was 23 (interquartile range: 20-26). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, the level of satisfaction was not significantly related to any demographic factor, but positively associated with the years of working experience of primary healthcare workers [OR(for 1 year increment in the work experience)=1.03, 95%CI=1.00-1.05] Conclusion: The evidence from this study conducted in Kosovo indicates no significant relationships of the level of satisfaction with demographic factors of primary healthcare workers, but a strong association with their working experience. Policymakers in Kosovo and in other countries should be aware of the importance of working conditions and working environment in order to gradually increase the level of satisfaction of the staff, which is a basic prerequisite for quality improvement of service delivery at primary healthcare level

Level of satisfaction and socio-demographic correlates among users of primary health care services in Kosovo

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level and socio-demographic correlates of satisfaction with services among adult primary health care users in Kosovo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kosovo during the period May-June 2022 including a representative sample of 510 adult users (238 men and 272 women) of primary health care services in Kosovo (mean age: 44.6±19.2 years). In addition to socio-demographic data, a structured 23-item questionnaire aiming at assessing the level of satisfaction with primary health care services was administered to all participants (each item ranging from 1 [high] to 5 [low]). A summary score was calculated for all 23 items related to satisfaction level ranging from 23 (the highest satisfaction level) to 115 (the lowest satisfaction level). General linear model was used to assess the association between the summary score of satisfaction level with primary health care services and socio-demographic factors of study participants.   Results: Mean summary score of the 23 items related to the satisfaction level with primary health care services was 49.8±13.0; median score was 49 (interquartile range: 41-57). In multivariable-adjusted models, the level of satisfaction with primary health care services was significantly higher among participants with a lower educational attainment, individuals with e lower income level, and ethnic Albanian participants. Conclusion: This study identified important socio-demographic correlates of the level of satisfaction with primary health care services in the adult population of Kosovo. Findings from this study should raise the awareness of policymakers and decision-makers in Kosovo and elsewhere in order to improve the quality of primary health care services.   &nbsp

Knowledge about breastfeeding of children 0-6 months among mothers attending hospital services in Kosovo

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and socio-demographic correlates of breastfeeding of children aged 0-6 months among mothers with young children in post-war Kosovo.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kosovo during the period December 2017 – February 2018 including a representative sample of 201 mothers (aged 29.4±6.0 years) with young children attending hospital services. In addition to socio-demographic data, a structured 13-item questionnaire inquiring about breastfeeding of children aged 0-6 months was administered to all women. A summary score was calculated for all 13 items related to women’s knowledge on breastfeeding (0 denoting incorrect answers to all 13 items, and 13 denoting correct answers to all 13 questions). General linear model was used to assess the association between summary score of the knowledge about breastfeeding and socio-demographic characteristics of the women.  Results: Mean summary score of the 13 items related to knowledge about breastfeeding was 10.3±1.9; median score was 11 (interquartile range: 9-12). In multivariable-adjusted models, the mean summary score of knowledge about breastfeeding of children 0-6 months was slightly but non-significantly higher among “older” women, those residing in urban areas, highly educated women, those currently employed, and women with a higher income level.Conclusion: Generally, the level of knowledge about breastfeeding of children aged 0-6 months was satisfactory among mothers with young children included in this survey in Kosovo. Furthermore, there were seemingly no significant socio-demographic differences in the level of knowledge about breastfeeding of young infants among women in this study carried out in Kosovo.   

Health literacy and body mass index:a population-based study in a South-Eastern European country

BACKGROUND: The relationship of health literacy (HL) with objective measures including anthropometric measurements remains an under-researched topic to date. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and HL among Albanian adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tirana, Albania, in 2012-2014 including a population-based sample of 1154 individuals aged ≥18 years. HL was assessed by the use of HLS-EU-Q instrument. Anthropometrics included measurement of weight and height based on which BMI was calculated. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was also collected. Logistic regression was employed to assess the independent association of BMI and HL controlling all socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: One-fifth of the participants reported an inadequate HL level, whereas almost one-third (31%) reported an excellent HL level. About 41% of study participants were overweight and further 22% were obese. In multivariate analysis, there was evidence of a strong and significant association between BMI and HL: the odds of overweight/obesity were two times higher (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.3-3.1) among inadequate HL individuals compared with excellent HL participants. CONCLUSION: Our findings, pertinent to a transitional country in the South East Europe, point to a strong, consistent and highly significant association between BMI and HL, irrespective of a wide array of socio-demographic characteristics

Level of satisfaction among primary health care workers in Kosovo

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the extent and selected corelates of work satisfaction among primary healthcare professionals in Kosovo.   Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected regions of Kosovo during the period May-June 2022 including a representative sample of 500 primary healthcare workers (209 men and 291 women; overall mean age: 42.0±12.3 years). A structured 9-item questionnaire was administered to all participants aiming at assessing the level of satisfaction among primary healthcare workers (each item ranging from 1 [high] to 5 [low]). A summary score was calculated for all 9 items related to satisfaction level ranging from 9 (the highest satisfaction level) to 45 (the lowest satisfaction level). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of satisfaction level (dichotomized into “satisfied” vs. “unsatisfied”, based on median value of the summary score) with selected demographic factors and work characteristics of primary healthcare workers.    Results: Mean summary score of the 9 items related to the satisfaction level of primary healthcare workers was about 23±5; median score was 23 (interquartile range: 20-26). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, the level of satisfaction was not significantly related to any demographic factor, but positively associated with the years of working experience of primary healthcare workers [OR(for 1 year increment in the work experience)=1.03, 95%CI=1.00-1.05]. Conclusion: The evidence from this study conducted in Kosovo indicates no significant relationships of the level of satisfaction with demographic factors of primary healthcare workers, but a strong association with their working experience. Policymakers in Kosovo and in other countries should be aware of the importance of working conditions and working environment in order to gradually increase the level of satisfaction of the staff, which is a basic prerequisite for quality improvement of service delivery at primary healthcare level. &nbsp