No abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study were to estimate the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use in a sample of University students from North Kosovo, to assess factors associated with illicit drug use and to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among students according to illicit drug use.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the Student Public Health Center, where 514 University students were enrolled from April to June 2015 in North Kosovo. Participants completed the general socio-demographic and behavioral questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the SF-36 questionnaire for HRQoL assessment. Data on lifetime illicit drug use were self-reported.ResultsAs much as 16.0% of students reported ever illicit drug use. The most frequently used drugs were marijuana (9.3%) and bromazepam (7.6%). Factors associated with ever illicit drug use were: being smoker and alcohol user, having chronic diseases and having higher depressive symptoms score. Ever illicit drug users reported all domains of HRQoL as worse.ConclusionThese results could serve as a tool for implementation of preventive strategies and University policies to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors. Measurement of HRQoL could also be used as indicator of the effect of interventions designed to reduce and/or prevent illicit drug use at institutions of higher education.

Although studies on HIV knowledge have previously been conducted in central Serbia and southern Kosovo, none has included the Serbian population residing in the northern part of the Kosovo province. The aim of this study was to assess HIV-related knowledge and to estimate factors contributing to a higher HIV-related knowledge level among Serbian university students in the Kosovo province. A cross-sectional study including 1017 first- and fourth-year students enrolled at the University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica was carried out during the academic year 2013–2014. The students completed a 31-item questionnaire comprising demographic data, HIV transmission knowledge and attitude towards HIV testing. Data were statistically analysed. Students demonstrated good knowledge of HIV (average 32.8 ± 3.3 out of a maximum 42). Only 5% of the students reported having been tested for HIV. Factors associated with being more knowledgeable about HIV were studying health-related disciplines (β = −0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.13, 0.00), using the internet as a source of information about HIV (β = −1.09; 95% CI −1.65, −0.52), having a positive attitude towards HIV testing (β = −0.43; 95% CI −0.59, −0.26), having a low self-perceived risk for HIV infection (β = 0.41; 95% CI 0.23, 0.56) and the position that one would keep the same level of contact with an HIV-positive person after learning their HIV status (β = 0.38; 95% CI 0.21, 0.55). Setting up specialized classes on this topic at high schools and universities could help to increase the awareness of HIV infection and promote HIV testing and a positive attitude towards HIV-positive persons.

The Republic of Serbia, with WHO support, has implemented an early warning system (ALERT) for priority communicable diseases, to complement the routine surveillance system which notifies individual confirmed cases. The results of its evaluation, conducted one year after implementation is presented here. ALERT relies on notification of 11 syndromes by primary care facilities. Data is analysed weekly at district level and transmitted to national epidemiologists. ALERT is perceived to be a simple and flexible tool. Acceptability is higher at national level than at district level. Some districts perceive ALERT as a parallel system poorly connected to control measures. Sensitivity of ALERT in detecting cases of meningitis is 93%, and 37% for cases of hepatitis. Retrospective analysis of ALERT data identified 9 outbreaks, 5 of which had been recognized by epidemiologists. ALERT was the timeliest system for detecting 4 outbreaks identified by both systems. ALERT was useful for triggering timely investigation and control of outbreaks of hantavirus and salmonellosis and for detecting the start of the influenza season. However, ALERT did not detect clusters of brucellosis and tularaemia targeted by the unexplained fever syndrome. This evaluation underlined the need for a global review of surveillance activities when implementing new components such as ALERT. While control measures based on notification of individual confirmed cases are well understood and implemented, the investigation and verification process that should result from an increase in ALERT syndromes is not fully understood. Field epidemiology training programmes, such as the EPIET programme, are best suited to bring about this change of perspective.

Background/Aim. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue having claimed more than 35 million lives so far. Seafarers belong to a group of migrant workers whose working and living conditions are confined for a long time. Their way of life put them at a high risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge about HIV and other STIs

A fast reaction to visual stimuli is important for the success of any athlete. A fast reaction time enables a quick response in key situations. We have studied how age, sport engagement, moderate physical activity and lateralization affect the simple reaction time to visual stimuli in schoolchildren between the ages of 9 and 13. The reaction time to visual stimuli was statistically significantly shorter in older children compared to younger ones. The sport club basketball players who had been training and playing basketball for several years had a statistically significantly shorter reaction time to visual stimuli compared to schoolchildren of the same age from a rural environment who did not engage in sports. Moderate physical activity and lateralization did not significantly affect the reaction time values. The simple reaction time to visual stimuli was used in this study to evaluate the speed and explosive abilities of young basketball players. By training certain movements, we managed to improve their reaction time and thus influence the quality of their game. Integrating training of these skills into sport clubs and schools would affect the improvement of basketball performance and the prevention of injury.

Background: Evidence suggests that people who live in regions affected by the armed conflict are more likely to smoke. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with smoking status in a sample of students in the northern Kosovo province. Materials and methods: A total of 514 students enrolled in University in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, were recruited be- tween April to June 2015 at Student Public Health Center during mandatory health checks. Participants filled in socio-demo- graphic and behavioral questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Based on responses about smoking, students were categorized in non-smokers, former smokers, light smokers (1-13 cigarettes/day) and heavy smokers (> 13 cigarettes/ day). Results: Of 514 students, 116 (22.6%) classified themselves as smokers. Higher education level of fathers (Odds ra- tio [OR]=2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-6.44, p=0.009), not living with smokers (OR=0.42, 95%CI 0.15-0.97, p=0.017) and longer exposure to second hand smoke (OR=1.07, 95%CI 1.01-1.13, p=0.036) was associated with former smoking. Studying medical and natural sciences (OR=2.07, 95%CI 1.05-4.18, p=0.040), consuming alcohol (OR=2.98, 95%CI 1.19-10.03, p=0.020), living with smokers (OR=2.88, 95%CI 1.49-5.56, p=0.002), longer exposure to second hand smoke (OR=1.06, 95%CI 1.01-1.11, p=0.019) and having a more intense depressive symptoms (OR=1.08, 95%CI 1.03-1.13, p=0.002) was associated with light smoking. Being male (OR=0.22, 95%CI 0.07-0.41, p=0.001), older (OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.21-1.78, p=0.001), living with smokers (OR=3.78, 95%CI 1.69-8.07, p=0.001), longer daily exposure to second-hand smoke (OR=1.10, 95%CI 1.04-1.16, p=0.001), and having more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.12, 95%CI 1.07-1.18, p=0.001) were associated with heavy smoking. Conclusion: Smoking prevention and cessation programs should include the entire community, because exposure to en- vironmental second hand smoke may facilitate initiation and more intense smoking. Screening of student smokers for depression should be prioritized in the process of rebuilding the framework for primary and secondary prevention in the post-conflict period. Keywords: Students; smoking; tobacco; prevention.

The goal of this research is to assess whether there is an increased risk of HIV infection based on gender among female partners of IDUs and to what degree is this risk present. The research has been conducted using quantitative and qualitative methodology. For the purpose of collecting the research data among the female partners of IDUs and male partners who are IDUs, a qualitative methodology was used (in-depth interviews) complemented with a quantitative methodology (survey). Within the research 50 male injecting drug users (IDUs) have been reached and 50 steady female partners of the injecting drug users, regardless of the fact whether they themselves use drugs or not. Research findings indicate the following: Gender aspect is very important in initiation into drug use. Girls and women often start with drug use practice with their partner. Out of 19 IDU males who are in a relationship with a female partner who is an IDU, eight male subjects reported that their female partners had the first contact with drugs through them. On the other hand, out of 50 male participants, only one had the first experience with drugs during a relationship with a woman IDU. Sharing of injecting equipment is still present . In most cases a male partner has priority in distribution and taking drugs. Traditional understanding and acceptance of gender roles is reflected in attempts to explain or "justify" a man's violent behaviour with the withdrawal crises or need for drugs. Sex work is one of the frequent activities for procuring money, or sex services are offered to drug dealers in exchange for drugs. The decision on purchasing and using a condom is mostly left to a male partner, and women and girls are not enough empowered to impose the use of a condom. Men are more prone to changing partners. Women prove their devotion to a partner by agreeing to risky behaviour (for ex. intercourse without a condom) or even by willingness to get infected with HIV. They tend to remain in a relationship with a person who is HIV positive, even when that person has infected them.In conclusion, the research findings have to a great degree confirmed gender specific risks for women that have been stated in the professional literature: unequal power relations and often weaker economic position of a woman. Women are in a weaker position when they make a decision about when, with whom and under what conditions they would have a sexual intercourse. The research findings, although they are not representative due to the size and sampling method, are certainly indicative -confirm to a great degree the thesis about the specific vulnerability of women and girls, both related to situations that lead to HIV infection, and related to availability and specific content of services offered to women living with HIV.