Prevalence of Mental and Social Disorders in Adults Attending Primary Care Centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aim: To determine the prevalence of mental and social disorders in adults who attend primary care health centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: Sixty-nine family physicians from the Primary Care Research Network in Bosnia and Herzegovina each invited 20 randomly selected patients from their practices to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), which consists of 26-58 questions about symptoms and signs of depression, anxiety, somatization disorder, eating disorders, and alcoholism. A total of 1574 patients were invited to participate in the study. Physicians reviewed the PHQ and calculated the final score, which determined a provisional diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis was determined by further questioning and clinical knowledge of the patient. Data collection was performed between November 2003 and January 2004. Lists of non-participants were maintained by the physicians. Results: The response rate was 82%. Of 1285 respondents, 61% were women. At least one type of mental or social disorder was found in 26% of the respondents, and 12% had more than one disorder. Somatization disorder, major depression syndrome, and panic syndrome were experienced by 16%, 10%, and 14% of respondents, respectively, while 5% or less were suffering from eating disorders or alcohol abuse. More women than men had somatization disorder, panic syndrome, and binge eating disorder, while more men than women reported alcohol abuse. Conclusion: More than one-quarter of all adults who attended family medicine centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina presented with at least one type of mental or social disturbance. New health policies, strengthened professional training, and accessible support networks need to be developed throughout the country

Say it in Croatian - Croatian translation of the EGPRN definition of Multimorbidity using a Delphi consensus technique

Patients coming to their family physician (FP) usually have more than one condition or problem. Multimorbidity as well as dealing with it, is challenging for FPs even as a mere concept. The World Health Organization (WHO) has simply defined multimorbidity as two or more chronic conditions existing in one patient. However, this definition seems inadequate for a holistic approach to patient care within Family Medicine. Using systematic literature review the European General Practitioners Research Network (EGPRN) developed a comprehensive definition of multimorbidity. For practical and wider use, this definition had to be translated into other languages, including Croatian. Here presented is the Croatian translation of this comprehensive definition using a Delphi consensus procedure for Forward/Backward translation. 23 expert FPs fluent in English were asked to rank the translation from 1 (absolutely disagreeable) to 9 (fully agreeable) and to explain each score under 7. It was previously defined that consensus would be reached when 70 % of the scores are above 6. Finally, a backward translation from Croatian into English was undertaken and approved by the authors of the English definition. Consensus was reached after the first Delphi round with 100% of the scores above 6; therefore the Croatian translation was immediately accepted. The authors of the English definition accepted the backward translation. A comprehensive definition of multimorbidity is now available in English and Croatian, as well as other European languages which will surely make further implications for clinicians, researchers or policy makers

Risk factors for caries - control and prevention

Objectives. To investigate a prevalence of caries, filled permanentand extracted permanent teeth, as well as caries risk factors inschool children aged 7, 9 and 11.Methods. The survey included 800 children (296 children aged7; 254 children aged 9 and 250 children aged 11) from the MostarMunicipality, 400 of them living in both rural and urban areas.A dental mirror and standard light of dental chair were used forexamination. The DMF index (Dental Caries, Missing Teeth andFilled Teeth) was determined, as well as failure in keeping teethhygiene, sugar intake with food, and incidence of oral cavity infection.Results. The dental state of permanent teeth in children aged 7and 9 has shown significant difference between the children fromrural and urban areas (p < 0,001). Out of 2,698 and 2,790 permanentteeth in children aged 11 from rural and urban areas, 1,086(40,25 %) and 884 (31.68 %) had caries, respectively (p < 0.01).The difference between these groups of children has been foundin relation to the index of oral hygiene too (p < 0.05).Conclusion. An identification of risk groups for getting caries wasvery important and could help health and social structures to maintaintheir programs in order to improve oral health

Prevalence of Mental and Social Disorders in Adults Attending Primary Care Centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aim: To determine the prevalence of mental and social disorders in adults who attend primary care health centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: Sixty-nine family physicians from the Primary Care Research Network in Bosnia and Herzegovina each invited 20 randomly selected patients from their practices to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), which consists of 26-58 questions about symptoms and signs of depression, anxiety, somatization disorder, eating disorders, and alcoholism. A total of 1574 patients were invited to participate in the study. Physicians reviewed the PHQ and calculated the final score, which determined a provisional diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis was determined by further questioning and clinical knowledge of the patient. Data collection was performed between November 2003 and January 2004. Lists of non-participants were maintained by the physicians. Results: The response rate was 82%. Of 1285 respondents, 61% were women. At least one type of mental or social disorder was found in 26% of the respondents, and 12% had more than one disorder. Somatization disorder, major depression syndrome, and panic syndrome were experienced by 16%, 10%, and 14% of respondents, respectively, while 5% or less were suffering from eating disorders or alcohol abuse. More women than men had somatization disorder, panic syndrome, and binge eating disorder, while more men than women reported alcohol abuse. Conclusion: More than one-quarter of all adults who attended family medicine centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina presented with at least one type of mental or social disturbance. New health policies, strengthened professional training, and accessible support networks need to be developed throughout the country