Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4)
Family history and cord blood eosinophil count as predictors for atopic manifestations
Helena Tesari Crnkovi�, Kre�o Bendelja, Andrea �imi� Klari�, Marijana Tomi� Raji�, Vlado Drkulec, Neda Aberle
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):267-271 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5601 
Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between several clinical parameters and the appearance of atopic manifestations (atopic eczema, food allergy, wheezing bronchitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis) in the first four years of life. Methods: A total of 139 unselected full-term newborns were included in a prospective follow up from birth to age 4. Cord blood total immunoglobulin E (cIgE) and cord blood absolute eosinophil count (cEo), positive family history of allergy, maternal smoking during pregnancy, mode of delivery, and duration of exclusive and overall breastfeeding were evaluated as predictors for appearance of atopic...
Body mass index and other risk factors for kidney cancer in men: a cohort study in Lithuania
Rūta Everatt, Dalia Virvi�iūtė, Abdonas Tamo�iūnas
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):272-278 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5080
Objectives: Previous studies have observed notable unexplained geographic differences in incidence of kidney cancer in Europe. Lithuania is among the countries with the highest incidence and mortality. Our objective was to investigate the effect of different lifestyle, anthropometric and biological factors on the risk of kidney cancer in Lithuanian men. Methods: This population-based cohort study included 6,849 men initially free from cancer. During the follow-up (1978-2008), 79 incident cases of kidney cancer were identified. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals...
Cystic fibrosis and career counselling
Marija Vita Zupani�, Alenka �kerjanc
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):279-284 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5634
Objective: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects mostly lungs but also other organs. Modern treatment has transformed once fatal disease of childhood into the chronic disease of adulthood. Hence more patients enter the job market. Very few adolescents with cystic fibrosis receive some formal career guidance. There is still no professional career guidance for them in Slovenia. Methods: Literature on workability of patients with cystic fibrosis was reviewed. Following the articles and Slovenian and foreign manuals the guidelines on career counselling of young patients with cystic fibrosis is proposed, as well as the suggestions for professional...
Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae co-infections among patients with newly diagnosed syphilis: a single-centre, cross-sectional study
Filip Rob, Kate�ina J�zlov�, Zuzana Kru�icov�, Daniela Va�ousov�, ��rka L�sikov�, Blanka S�korov�, Ladislav Machala, Hanu� Rozsypal, Dan Vesel�, Hana Z�kouck�, Jana Hercogov�
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):285-291 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5142
Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae co-infections among patients with newly diagnosed syphilis. Methods: In patients with any stage of newly diagnosed syphilis swabs were performed from urethra, rectum, pharynx and cervix according to the gender and type of sexual intercourse. From these smears standard validated nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections were done. Results: From 548 (488 men, 60 women) screened patients co-infection was detected in 15.9% of the cases. The majority...
Hospital infection control and behaviour of operating room staff
Daniela Lo Giudice, Giuseppe Trimarchi, Vincenza La Fauci, Raffaele Squeri, Sebastiano Calimeri
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):292-295 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4932
Objectives: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a frequent complication of surgical procedures and one of the most common forms of hospital acquired infection (HAI). National/international guidelines and recommendations have been issued for prevention. The objective of this study was to observe the behaviour of healthcare workers engaged in surgical procedures and hence assess compliance with SSI guidelines. Methods: An observational descriptive study was conducted at a University hospital in southern Italy. A specifically designed form was used to record the actions of the surgical team during randomly selected surgical operations. Observations comprised...
Occupational diseases in the automotive industry from medical and geographic viewpoints - comparison between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic
Jan Jarol�mek, �ubom�r Leg�th, Pavel Urban
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):296-304 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5848
Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the occurrence of occupational diseases (ODs) in the automotive industry in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic and to analyze their determinants. Methods: The aggregated and anonymized data on ODs from the period 2001-2017 were used. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the Czech Republic (response rate 70.6%) and in the Slovak Republic (response rate 57%). The occurrence of ODs according to socioeconomic factors, the size of enterprises and their position in the global production networks was evaluated. The quality and scope of the occupational health services were also taken into consideration....
Relation between personal exposure and outdoor concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during smog episode
Vlasta �vecov�, Jan Topinka, Ivo Solansk�, David Broday, Radim J. �r�m
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):305-311 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5475
Objectives: To our knowledge this is the first study measuring personal exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs) bound to airborne particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) in periods of high air pollution (smog episode) in which citizen were tracked. Methods: Measurements were performed in industrial regions of the Czech Republic: Ostrava, Karvin�, Hav��ov. The city of Prague served as a control. Personal monitoring was conducted by active personal monitors for 48 hours. Non-smoking city policemen from Prague, Karvin� and Hav��ov, office workers from Ostrava city and volunteers from Ostrava-Radvanice and Bartovice...
In vivo assessment of genotoxicity in buccal cells of children undergoing tooth restoration
Lidia Gavi�, Kristina Gor�eta, Domagoj Glavina, Davor �eljezi�, Nada Gali�, Antonija Tadin
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):312-319 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5216
Objectives: Whereas dental materials came in direct or close contact with oral tissue, it is a great concern about the biocompatibility of those materials. This study was performed to evaluate possible DNA damage to buccal cells exposed to dental materials. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal clinical study was conducted over a three months period. Class II restorations were placed in 60 young patients with no previous filling using one of three tested dental materials (two glass ionomers; Ketac Molar and Ionofil Molar and one compomer material; Twinky Star). DNA damage was analysed by micronucleus assays, in buccal exfoliated epithelial cells. Results:...
Measuring functional health literacy in Hungary: Validation of S-TOFHLA and Chew screening questions
Lilla N�fr�di, Orsolya Papp-Zipernovszky, Peter J. Schulz, M�rta Csabai
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):320-325 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4885
Objectives: The first efforts to measure health literacy have recently started in Hungary, thus there remains a need for tools that can be effectively used in the clinical setting. The goal of the present study was two-fold: to validate tools for measuring functional health literacy in Hungary using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy (S-TOFHLA) and the Chew screening measure, and to provide an overview of the health literacy level of the Hungarian population. Methods: The original English versions of both instruments were translated following the principles of cultural adaptation and standardized translation methods. The measures were administered...
Prevalence of internet addiction among medical students: a study from Southwestern Iran
Mehdi Sayyah, Somayieh Khanafereh
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):326-329 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5171
Objective: In today's world, despite the numerous benefits, increasing demand for computer technology and the influence of widespread internet technology, many people, especially students, have faced impaired mental health and social relationships resulting from internet addiction; therefore, with regard to the contradictory results of preceding studies in the field of internet addiction, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction in students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on all students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. For data collection...
Screening of opportunistic Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in immunocompromised patients in Slovakia
Monika Hal�nov�, Alexandra Valen��kov�, Pavol Jar�u�ka, Milo� Hal�n, O�ga Dani�ov�, Ingrid Babinsk�, Kinga Dedinsk�, L�dia �isl�kov�
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):330-334 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5407
Objective: In recent years new infectious diseases, i.e. emerging or re-emerging diseases, have been coming to the forefront. Currently, microsporidia, considered to be a major cause of emerging and opportunistic infections particularly in immunocompromised individuals, are also included in this group. Therefore, the aim of our study was to map the prevalence of Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in a group of patients and to compare it with the occurrence of specific antigens in immunocompetent people. Methods: Detection of spores of both pathogens in faecal samples was performed by an immunofluorescence...
Microbiome and diversity indices during blood stem cells transplantation - new perspectives?
Sergio Parco, Giulia Benericetti, Fulvia Vascotto, Giuseppina Palmisciano
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):335-339 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5393
Objective: The human body is colonized by bacteria, fungi and viruses. Resident commensal bacteria are a fundamental line of resistance to colonization by exogenous microbes. They actively regulate the production of nutrients by the host through a negative feedback mechanism, in order to prevent the availability of nutrients for potential pathogens. While only a small fraction of these microorganism may be pathogenic, the relationship between host and commensal microbiome is now studied as a whole, impacting several aspects of the host biology. Some studies have made clear the progresses in examining the role of microbiome on transplants and graft...
The presence of multidrug-resistant staphylococcal isolates outside of a major hospital in London, United Kingdom
Adi Idris, Ron R. Cutler
Cent Eur J Public Health 2019, 27(4):340-344 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5000
Objective: Drug-resistant staphylococci have been a growing threat to the community and hospitals due to the misuse of antibiotics by humans, industrialisation and lack of novel antimicrobials currently available. Little is known about the prevalence of drug-resistant staphylococci in non-healthcare environments outside hospitals in the London area. Staphylococci can spread via contact with contaminated objects. Traffic light buttons present a fast and easy transmission route for staphylococci. Methods: Traffic light buttons outside a major hospital in London were swabbed and cultured onto selective media to isolate staphylococci bacteria before performing...