Assessment of Sexual Health and Use of Cervical Cancer Screening among the Female Working Population

Background

Cervical cancer occupies a significant place in the overall structure of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We focused on the sexual health and use of cervical cancer screening among the female working population of reproductive age in Central Serbia.

Methods

The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study, according to the methodology Stepwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance WHO. The study population consisted of 1182 female working population aged 18-49 years, living on the territory of Central Serbia. The method of simple random sampling was utilized in the research itself. An anonymous standardized questionnaire was used as a research tool.

Results

During the first sexual intercourse, 38.9% of the participants reported not having used any of the contraceptives, whereas 74.5% of the participants reported not having used them during their last sexual intercourse and 26.1% of the respondents reported not having had a single Pap smear in their lifetime. The multivariate logistic regression analysis singled out the following factors in women who reported not having done a Pap smear in their lifetime as the most significant ones: age - the youngest age group (OR = 3.30, CI = 1.80-6.04), unemployment (OR = 2.87, CI = 0.07-3.40), women who had never been married or had never been in a common-law marriage (OR = 2.55, CI = 1.40-4.66) and individuals with a medium education level (OR = 2.63, CI = 1.67-4.14).

Conclusion

In Serbia, all the activities should be directed towards increasing the levels of awareness and knowledge on sexual health and cervical cancer screening services.

Mental health status and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Central Serbia

Background

The objective of this research was to evaluate the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as the level of life contentment and coping mechanisms employed by college students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A total of 588 students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Higher School of Medicine, Kraljevo, University of Kragujevac, Central Serbia, participated in an online cross-sectional survey in the period September-October 2022. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used to measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The Coping Questionnaire-a shorter version (Brief Cope Inventories) assesses the coping strategies a person uses in stressful situations, and the 5-item Life Satisfaction Scale is used to examine the level of life satisfaction.

Results

The symptoms of depression were reported by 34.9%, of anxiety by 47.1% and of stress by 44.2%. The type of faculty (p = 0.001), and place of residence (p = 0.036) correlated with depression, gender with anxiety (p = 0.001) and stress (p = 0.015). In terms of coping mechanisms, the most frequently mentioned strategies, based on average scores, were acceptance (5.76), positive interpretation (5.55), humor (5.46).

Conclusion

The adverse impact of COVID-19 was a risk factor for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. A negative correlation exists between the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the overall life satisfaction of university students. Offering the necessary assistance through psychological interventions and effective coping techniques is crucial in ensuring the optimal mental health of university students.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental health care among the adult population in Serbia

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to assess the association of demografic and socioeconomic determinants with utilization of dental services among Serbian adults.

Materials and methods

The study is a part of the population health research of Serbia, conducted in the period from October to December 2019 by the Institute of Statistics of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health of Serbia "Dr. Milan JovanovićBatut" and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia. The research was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional analytical study on a representative sample of the population of Serbia. For the purposes of this study, data on the adult population aged 20 years and older were used.

Results

Men were approximately 1.8 times more likely than women to not utilize dental healthcare services (OR = 1.81). The likelihood of not utilizing dental healthcare protection rises with increasing age, reaching its peak within the 65-74 age range (OR = 0.441), after which it declines. Individuals who have experienced marital dissolution due to divorce or the death of a spouse exhibit a higher probability of not utilizing health protection (OR = 1.868). As the level of education and wealth diminishes, the probability of abstaining from health protection increases by 5.8 times among respondents with an elementary school education (OR = 5.852) and 1.7 times among the most economically disadvantaged respondents (OR = 1.745). Regarding inactivity, respondents who are not employed have a 2.6-fold higher likelihood of not utilizing oral health care compared to employed respondents (OR = 2.610).

Conclusion

The results suggest that individual sociodemographic factors influence utilization of dental services by Serbian adults and confirmed the existence of socioeconomic disparities.

Social support score in patients with malignant diseases-with sociodemographic and medical characteristics

Introduction

Social support as a complex construct has a positive influence not only on a patient's condition but also on the process of the patient's emotional adjustment to cancer. The goal of this study is to investigate aspects of the level of social support in oncology patients and its interconnection with sociodemographic and medical variables.

Method

The study was conducted as a prospective observational study in 2020, including 250 patients aged 19 and over, both sexes, with a diagnosis of oncological disease. The research was conducted in the Department of General Medicine of the Health Center Trstenik, Central Serbia, after approval by the Ethics Committee of the Health Center Trstenik, Central Serbia. A social support assessment questionnaire (Oslo-3 Social Support Scale) was used as a research instrument.

Results

Data collected from the entire study population showed that bad social support was present in almost 90% of cases. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed a statistically significant influence of the following variables on the bad social support: education level, activity limitation, difficulties in performing daily activities, the impact of pain on the performance of activities, the need for additional help with activity, the need for help at home, unfulfilled needs for health care, means of information, anxiety score and depression score.

Conclusion

Interventions to increase social support may be important for enhancing mental health and quality of life in cancer patients.

Quality of Life of Children Engaged in Regular Physical Activities

Background:

We aimed to examine the quality of life of children who engage in regular physical activities.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study with intersectional 301 children (182 boys and 119 girls) involved in regular sporting activities and the control group of 100 children (67 boys and 33 girls), not involved in extracurricular sports. Children in both groups were from 8 to 13 years, attending elementary school, and without any associated illnesses. The quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the Quality of Life questionnaire Kidscreen-27 version for parents. For comparison of groups, we used χ2 test, and for comparison of mean values among groups we used ANOVA test.

Results:

More boys were engaged in sport than girls and the choice of sport is gender-dependent (P<0.01). Boys preferred collective sports, while girls were more oriented towards individual sports (P<0.01). A significant statistical difference in the mean values of the socializing dimension was given to children who trained football (P=0.04) and basketball (P=0.02). In children engaged in volleyball, a statistical difference in the mean values was observed in all dimensions of the questionnaire. In children who trained water polo, a statistically significant difference in the mean values for dimensions of health (P<0.01), mood (P<0.01) and friendship (P=0.01) was seen.

Conclusion:

KIDSCREEN scores were significantly higher in the examined group than in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between scores for different sports. Children involved in regular extracurricular physical activities had better QOL.

Attitudes of Primary School Teachers Toward Inclusive Education

Background

The aims of our study are related to examining the relevance of teachers' attitudes toward the implementation of inclusive education. In addition, its subject is related to the implications on inclusive education policies, limitations of the existing study along with the recommendations for our future research endeavors.

Methods

The research is a cross-sectional study type. The sample included 64 primary school teachers in the lower grades of primary school (grades 1–4), selected by using simple random sampling, in three primary schools on the territory of Belgrade, Serbia in 2021 (26, 17, and 21 primary school teachers). The Questionnaire for Teachers, which was used as a research instrument, was taken from the Master's Thesis Studen Rajke, which was part of the project “Education for the Knowledge Society” at the Institute for Educational Research in Belgrade. Dependent variables measured in the study referred to the attitudes of primary school teachers toward inclusive education. Categorical variables are represented as frequencies and the Chi-square test was used to determine if a distribution of observed frequencies differed from the expected frequencies.

Results

One in three teachers (32.8%) thought that inclusion was useful for children with disabilities (29.7%), of them thought that schools did not have the conditions for inclusive education, whereas one in four teachers (25.0%) believed that inclusion was not good. No statistically significant differences were found in the attitudes of professors, when observed in terms of their gender, age and length of service.

Conclusion

Investing more resources and time in developing and implementing special education policies can promote successful inclusive education.

Lifestyle, Physical Activity, Eating and Hygiene Habits: A Comparative Analysis Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Student Population

Background

Changing daily habits such as diet, hygiene and physical activity may be some of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of this pandemic on lifestyle, physical activity, eating and hygiene habits among students.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 171 students from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia. Data were statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test, Marginal homogeneity test and Chi-square test. The differences were considered statistically significant when p ≤ 0.05.

Results

In this study, it was observed that the most common physical activity before the pandemic was walking, while during the pandemic was home exercising. Compared to the period before the pandemic, there was no difference in the time spent engaging in daily physical activity (p = 0.334). However, there was a significant increase in sitting time during the pandemic (p = 0.005). Difference was noticed in the use of breakfast, the number of meals, and the type of fat in the diet before and during the pandemic (p = 0.000). During the pandemic, there was an increase in the use of fruits (p = 0.000), vegetables, and nuts (p = 0.001), while the use of fast food and alcohol have decreased. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in the use of dietary supplements was observed (40.2%), (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, certain changes in lifestyle observed in this study should be confirmed in more extensive population studies.

Dynamics of Health Care Financing and Spending in Serbia in the XXI Century

Serbia is an upper-middle income Eastern European economy. It has inherited system of health provision and financing, which is a mixture of Soviet Semashko and German Bismarck models. So far, literature evidence on long-term trends in health spending remains scarce on this region. Observational descriptive approach was utilized relying on nationwide aggregate data reported by the Republic Health Insurance Fund (RHIF) and the Government of Serbia to the WHO office. Consecutively, the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database was used. Long-term trends were extrapolated on existing data and underlying differences were analyzed and explained. The insight was provided across two distinctively different periods within 2000-2016. The first period lasted from 2000 till 2008 (the beginning of global recession triggered by Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy). This was a period of strong upward growth in ability to invest in health care. Spending grew significantly in terms of GDP share, national and per capita reported expenditures. During the second period (2009-2016), after the beginning of worldwide economic crisis, Serbia was affected in a way that its health expenditure growth in PPP terms slowed down effectively fluctuating around plateau values from 2014 to 2016. Serbia health spending showed promising signs of steady growth in its ability to invest in health care. Consolidation marked most of the past decade with certain growth rates in recent years (2017-2019), which were not captured in these official records. The future national strategy should be devised to take into account accelerated population aging as major driver of health spending.

Socio-Medical Aspects of Depression Among Elderly Adults in Serbia

Depression is the most frequent mental health problem in older age with serious consequences on personal, interpersonal and social level. The aim of this study was to determine the association of demographic factors, socio-economic factors and health status characteristics, with the presence of depressive symptoms in the elderly persons. The survey was conducted as a part of the national study “Health Survey of the Serbian population” in 2013. Data on the population aged 65 years and over were used for the purposes of this study (3540 respondents). PHQ-8 questionnaire was used to assess the presence of symptoms of depression. The relations between the presence of depressive symptoms, as a dependent variable, and a set of independent variables was examined by univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Depression (PHQ-8 score≥10) was registered in 10% of the population aged 65 and above, wherein it was statistically significantly higher in women (12.7%) than in men (6.5%). Limitations in performing of daily activities showed to be the strongest predictor of depression in the elderly, while respondents who have had serious limitations had even six times more chanse to develop depression (OR=6.84). Respondents who rated their health as “bad or very bad” for 49.5% more frequently manifested depressive symptoms compared to those who evaluated their health as “very good or good” (OR=3.49). Respondents who have had two or more chronic diseases were three times more likely to have depression (OR=3.1) compared to people without chronic disease.

Tear Film Stability in Patients with Pseudexfoliation

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is an age related disorder, characterized by abnormal fibrous fiber production and accumulation in different visceral organs as well as in the eye and periocular tissues. Hystological examination recorded the presence of the pseudoexfoliation in the conjunctiva, and they can disturb the accessory lacrimal gland and goblet cell function. This can explain tear film instability in patients with pseudoexfoliations. In our study, we examined the tear film stability in patients with and without pseudoexfoliation, using Schirmer test and tear break up time test. Our results indicated that patients with pseudoexfoliation had lower values of Schirmer and tear break up time tests than patients without it. Pseudoexfoliation is the main reason for the instability of the tear film, because of its negative impact on the conjucntival goblet cells. In conclusion, ophthalmologists must have these data on their mind in the process of the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma treatment and controlling.

The influence of intravitreally applied triamcinolone acetonide on vitreal hemorrhage resorption and visual acuity in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Introduction/Objective. Vitreal hemorrhage (VH) is one of the possible complications of the diabetic retinopathy which is followed by intensive decrease of visual acuity. Corticosteroides are commonly used in treatment of different retinal diseases, due to their antiinflammatory and anti-angiogenetic effect. Triamcinolone acetonide applied invtravitreally remains in the eye for several months, releases its crystals and decreases the density of vitreal hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 20 mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the managementof long lasting VH, occurred as a complication of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in non-vitrectomized eyes. Methods. In prospective study, from January 1st 2015 until the January 1st 2016, 24 patients with VH who received intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, were compared to 21 patients from the control group (patients with PDR and similar degree of VH). All patients passed ophthalmological examination at the beginning of the study, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after intravitreal application of 20mg triamcinolone acetonide. Besides VH and visual acuity, intraocular pressure and cataract development were also analyzed. Results. Statistically significant difference was recorded 1st and 3rd month after the usage of triamacinolone, in the density of vitreal hemorrhage and visual acuity. Twenty-nine percent of patients had temporally intraocular pressure rise after the intravitreal triamacinolone application, and 4.1% of patients ended the study with the developed cataract. Conclusion. Intravitreally applied triamcinolone acetonide has moderate and temporary influence on the velocity of vitreal hemorrhage reabsorption. It can be useful treatment option when the vitrectomy in not possible.

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.

Updates on the Treatment of Pterygium

Pterygium is an ocular disease characterised by the growth of fibrovascular conjunctiva on the cornea. It occurs more often in men, at an older age, and in individuals exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Surgical treatment is the primary treatment for pterygium and there are two common procedures for pterygium excision. In the first method, the head of the pterygium is separated from the corneal surface using a surgical blade. The second method is based on avulsion. Other approaches to excising the pterygium include the use of argon laser and excimer laser. Because of a high recurrence rate, adjuvant therapies, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and graft procedures, are used after pterygium excision. These procedures have become the standard long-term treatments for pterygium. Radiotherapy is based on beta irradiation. Chemotherapy includes the use of mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil, bevacizumab, and loteprednol etabonate. Graft procedures include amniotic membrane grafts and conjunctival autografts. Many surgeons believe that using mitomycin C and conjunctival autografts provides the best outcomes in terms of recurrence, cosmetics and patient satisfaction.

A Toxic Hepatitis Caused the Kombucha Tea – Case Report

Background: Toxic hepatitis may clinically manifest as other diseases of the liver, where it must always be considered in differential diagnoses of unexplained liver damage, such as poisoning with kombucha tea.Case report: 47-year old female patient was hospitalized and has consumed daily ounces of kombucha tea. During hospitalization patient was diagnosed with toxic hepatitis and treated with intravenous solutions of hepatic protective and ursodeoxycholic-acid (effective therapy). Conclusion: Examinations showed that kombucha tea has potential to revert the CCl4-induced hepatic toxicity, but used in overdose can induce toxicity himself.

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.

Autologous Serum Eye Drops for Post-Chemical Injuries and Corneal Epithelial Defects

Aim: To evaluate success rate (efficacy, safety) in treatment of post-chemical injuries and corneal defects using autologous serum eye drops.Material and Methods: Authors reviewed 93 patients (116 eyes) hospitalized in Clinic of ophthalmology from 2010 to 2013, who had post-causoma corneal defects that were nonresponsive to conventional treatment and were treated with serum therapy. Authors correlated time of epithelialization of defects with rate of epithelial healing.Results: Authors investigated 93 patients (52 males, 41 females; aged 18 - 74) for treatment of corneal defects. Application of autologous serum therapy 56 (48.28%) of 116 eyes was healed in an average time of 4 weeks. Among 116 eyes, epithelial defects healed in 4 (3.45%) within 1 week, in additional 17 (14.65%) in 1-2 weeks, totalling 31 (26.72%) within 3 weeks. Five eyes (4.31%) completely healed at 5 week; three eyes (2.59%) had subsequent healing of epithelial defect at 6 week; 56 eyes completely healed within one month, and the remaining eight eyes healed within 1.5 month.Conclusion: Using serum therapy, it was managed to reduce time of healing from eleven weeks, which were necessary just couple years ago (before 2010) to four (maximum six) weeks to complete healing which are necessary today.

Cataract surgery in patients with ocular pseudoexpholiation

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective 5-year study based on general and ophthalmic history records, and including 268 eyes (174 patients), aged 50 years and over. Ophthalmological examination involved visual acuity, measuring of intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Type of surgical treatment was tailored for each patient (extra capsular cataract extraction, phaco-emulsiphication).

RESULTS

Preoperative slit lamp examination showed phacodonesis in 17.91% (47), iridodonesis in 2.98% (8), pigment dispersion in 6.72% (18), lens subluxation in 4.85% (13) on the total. Extra capsular cataract extraction was performed in 36.94% (99) and phaco-emulsiphication in the others. Analysis of intra operative complications showed: posterior capsular rupture 17.91% (48), zonular dialysis or break 5.97% (16), lens subluxation 1.86% (5), intraocular bleeding 2.98% (8), vitreous loss 13.80% (37). Postoperative complications include: anterior chamber reaction 45.90% (123), intraocular lens tilt 15.67% (42), endothelial decompensation 21.64% (58), subluxation/luxation IOL 3.73% (10), secondary cataract 21.46% (58), pigment dispersion 37.68% (101), increased IOP 13.80% (37), residual lens matter 13.80% (37), hyphema 3.73% (10), posterior synechiae 6.72% (18), iris prolapsus 2.73% (8).

CONCLUSION

Cataract surgery in PES will frequently encounter small pupils, shallow anterior chambers, posterior adhesions, weak zonular support, partial subluxation or complete dislocation of lens. Authors presented the best possible approach on PES and surgical methods for patients with cataract with special accent of possible surgical complications.

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy - case report

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy is a neuro-ophthalmological entity characterized by acute or subacute bilateral, not simultaneous visual loss with centro cekal scotoma and occasional further visual improvement. This rare ophthalmological disease can be accompanied with dyschromatopsia. It is associated with a matrilineal inheritance pattern. Its diagnosis used to be solely clini¬cal, aided by imaging and neuro-physiological studies, until the advent of descriptions of mitochondrial biochemical abnormalities and genetic testing. We describe a case of 24 year old male with progressive painless deterioration of visual acuity and positive family history.

Orbital metastases from breast cancer: a case report

We present a patient with a corneal ulcer of the right eye, with eye protrusion and without anamnesis of cancer. On CT examination there was a bulky soft tissue mass in the cranial aspect of the right orbit, without increasing in signal intensity after injection of contrast. Open biopsy revealed undifferentiated tissue that stained strongly positive for breast carcinoma, confirming the diagnosis of metastases of breast carcinoma.