Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among health-care workers in Serbia

© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology of occupational accidents and self-reported attitude of health-care workers (HCWs) in Serbia. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in selected departments of five tertiary care hospitals and in one secondary care hospital in February 2012. A previously developed self-administered questionnaire was provided to HCWs who had direct daily contact with patients. χ2 test and Student's t test were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: Of the 1,441 potential participants, 983 (68.2%) completed the questionnaire: 655 (66.7%) were nurses/medical technicians, 243 (24.7%) were physicians and 85 (8.6%) were other personnel. Of the 983 participants, 291 (29.6%) HCWs had had at least one accident during the previous year and 106 (40.2%) of them reported it to the responsible person. The highest prevalence (68.6%) of accidents was among nurses/technicians (p = 0.001). Accidents occurred more often in large clinical centers (81.1%; p < 0.001) and in the clinical ward, intensive care unit and operating theater (p = 0.003) than in other departments. Seventy-six (13.1%) nurses/medical technicians had an accident during needle recapping (p < 0.001). Of all the HCWs, 550 (55.9%) were fully vaccinated, including significantly more doctors (154, 63.4%) than participants from other job categories (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a relatively high rate of accidents among HCWs in our hospitals, most commonly amongst nurses and staff working in clinical wards, intensive care units and operating theaters. The most common types of accidents were needlestick injuries and accidents due to improper handling of contaminated sharp devices or occuring while cleaning instruments or by coming into contact with blood through damaged skin or through the conjunctiva/mucous membranes

Antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals: results from the second point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use, 2016 to 2017

Antimicrobial agents used to treat infections are life-saving. Overuse may result in more frequent adverse effects and emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. In 2016-17, we performed the second point-prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals. We included 1,209 hospitals and 310,755 patients in 28 of 31 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. The weighted prevalence of antimicrobial use in the EU/EEA was 30.5% (95% CI: 29.2-31.9%). The most common indication for prescribing antimicrobials was treatment of a community-acquired infection, followed by treatment of HAI and surgical prophylaxis. Over half (54.2%) of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis were prescribed for more than 1 day. The most common infections treated by antimicrobials were respiratory tract infections and the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents were penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors. There was wide variation of patients on antimicrobials, in the selection of antimicrobial agents and in antimicrobial stewardship resources and activities across the participating countries. The results of the PPS provide detailed information on antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals, enable comparisons between countries and hospitals, and highlight key areas for national and European action that will support efforts towards prudent use of antimicrobials

Repeated prevalence studies of nosocomial infections in one university hospital in Serbia

© TÜBİTAK. Background/aim: Nosocomial infections occur worldwide and affect both developed and resource-poor countries. The aim of this paper was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for nosocomial infections in one Serbian hospital. Materials and methods: Three-point prevalence surveys were conducted in the Clinical Center of Kragujevac (1240 beds). The standard definitions for nosocomial infections of the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention were used. The authors conducted surveys according to the same protocol. Results: The prevalence of infected patients and the overall prevalence of nosocomial infections was 6.2% and 7.1% in 2003, 4.6% and 4.6% in 2005, and 7.6% and 8.7% in 2009, respectively. In all three studies, the risk factors for nosocomial infections were older age, intravascular catheters, urinary catheters, longer hospital stays, hospitalization in an intensive care unit, and surgeries. According to the multivariate regression analysis, a prolonged hospitalization and use of a urinary catheter were independent risk factors for nosocomial infections in the first and second study. Conclusion: The overall healthcare-associated infection prevalence in our hospital increased from 2003 to 2009, and this was an incentive for a better definition of infection control priorities in high-risk departments

Medical students’ knowledge level about Ebola

© 2015, Serbian Medical Society. All rights reserved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge about Ebola viral disease among medical students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among fourth-year and sixth-year students at the faculties of medicine in Belgrade and Kragujevac. Anonymous questionnaire was used containing data about social and demographic characteristics of students and data about epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Ebola, possibility of its prevention and protection of health care workers. A total of 858 medical students (401 fourth-year and 457 sixth-year students) filled in the questionnaire. Fourth-year students showed better knowledge about fruit bats as a natural reservoir of Ebola virus (p<0.001). They also showed better knowledge about transmission by direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids (91.1% vs. 79.7%, p<0.001) or sexual contact (43.9% vs. 30.8%, p<0.001), as well as that the infected person is not contagious during the incubation period (31.8% vs. 9.8%, p<0.001). Sixth-year students showed better knowledge about the first symptoms of Ebola, about therapy (69.1% vs. 80.3%, p<0.001) and about personal protective equipment for healthcare workers (88.9% vs. 93.1%, p=0.04). Fourth-year students expressed significantly higher interest in need for further education about Ebola viral disease (p=0.016). Given the current Ebola epidemic, which is still ongoing, as well as the possibility to introduce this disease into our country, there is a need for further education of medical students about Ebola

Impact of educational intervention for correct inhaler technique on the quality of life of children with asthma

© 2020 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved. Background/Aim. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children and adolescents and has shown an apparent increase in incidence in recent years. The first purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of education about proper use of inhalers on quality of life in children with asthma. Secondly, we aimed to understand which aspects of quality of life in children with asthma can be significantly improved after education and to identify factors that may affect the level of that improvement. Methods. In this prospective, before-and-after interventional study, a total of 147 children with asthma were enrolled. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) was used to measure the functional problems that are most troublesome to children with asthma. We used the Asthma Control Test (ACT), based on a series of question about symptoms and daily functioning, to identify patients with poorly controlled asthma. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were also determined. Trained educators estimated patients’ inhaler technique and collected questionnaire information. Results. Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated significant differences between PAQLQ and ACT scores which all were significantly higher after education about proper use of inhalers (p < 0.001). A number of children demonstrating a correct inhalation technique improved from 28 (19%) to 127 (86.4%) (p < 0.001). Asthma severity accounted for the largest proportion of variability PAQLQ and ACT scores (38.4%). Conclusion. Inhaler technique improvement contributes to better asthma control in children with asthma rather than to their quality of life. Asthma severity proved to be a major contributor to variations in PAQLQ and ACT scores and significant obstacle for quality of life improvement in children with asthma

Infection control capacity building in European countries with limited resources: issues and priorities

We report the results of a panel investigation aimed at assessing the critical aspects regarding healthcare-associated infections in European countries with limited resources and pinpointing the highest priority issues that need to be addressed for effective infection control. Questionnaires were designed and information collected from national EUNETIPS representatives in Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo, Romania, and Serbia. Based on the data collected, we concluded that rigorous implementation of existing law, standardized training, and political commitment constitute a common relevant background and provide the lessons to be learnt for aligning healthcare systems in this area with internationally recommended standards of infection control