Almost half of the Serbian population suffers from poor mental health, therefore, there is a need to increase efforts on mental health promotion, prevention and treatment. Our study findings also support the importance of promoting benefits of rural settings for people with mental distress.
Introduction: Mortality data are the most reliable indicators of the number of lives that a community has lost due to COVID-19 and represent the minimum data necessary for public health decision-making. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the basic characteristics of population mortality from COVID-19 in Belgrade in 2020. Methods: The unit of observation in this cross-sectional study for the description of mortality from COVID-19 in 2020 was the population of Belgrade (total, by sex, and by age intervals). COVID-19 was analyzed as the main cause of death (ICD-10: U071, U072). The number and the structure of deaths (%), the crude death rate (per 1,000 population) and the specific death rate (per 100,000 population) were analyzed. The data sources for the study were official statistics on vital events of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Results: In 2020, 10.5% of the total number of deaths were due to COVID-19, and the majority of deaths was from the male contingent of Belgrade residents. The mortality rate due to COVID-19 was 158.78 per 100,000 population (211.7 for males and 111.4 for females). COVID-19 was the second leading cause of death in Belgrade. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the existence of premature mortality in Belgrade. In 2020, COVID-19 was the second leading cause of death among the male residents of Belgrade, while in female residents, it was the third leading cause of mortality. This research provides evidence that can contribute to the international discussion about societal losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction/Objective Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are very common amongst children attending preschool institutions (PIs) and they represent a significant public health problem. Strict compliance with the legal regulations should reduce the incidence of respiratory infections in children. The aim of this research was to determine predictors for the appearance of ARI in kindergarten. Methods The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study at the six PIs located on the territory of Voždovac municipality during a six-month period (from January to June 2016). The target population consisted of 1,528 children who were between three and seven years old. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics (χ 2 test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient). Results The increase in the number of children for 30% above the norm was a predictive factor for the increase of respiratory infections (p < 0.001). Sex differences were not a predictive factor for the emergence of respiratory infections in any age group. In all organizational units, March was the period when respiratory infections were on the increase (37.2%, p < 0.001), and it was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in cases, when the diseased child had a brother and/or a sister in the same kindergarten. During the observed period, the number of teachers corresponded to the range of one educator per 12 to 19 children. A constant number of educators could not reduce the incidence of respiratory infections, especially during the February-March period (p < 0.001). Conclusion In addition to active treatment and strict compliance with the legal regulations in the organization of PIs, the reduction in incidence of respiratory infections in preschool children could be achieved if the number of enrolled children complied with the standard, as well as by preventive procedures in children's groups: avoiding overheated and dry air, regular ventilation, fresh air, well-planned diet, physical activity, personal hygiene and cleanliness.
Background Analysis of years of life lost (YLL) due to premature deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic can direct decision-makers towards specific public health recommendations in order to improve health and lives of people. Our study aimed to examine the existence of age- and sex-specific patterns of the three most common causes of premature death in Belgrade during the first year of the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods Mortality data disaggregated by age, sex and cause of death, as well as the estimated number of inhabitants and remaining life-expectancy by age-groups for Belgrade was provided by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. YLLs were calculated using the methods of the Global Burden of Disease Study, without garbage code redistribution. Mortality rates were standardized according to the European Standard Population. We acknowledge the support from the COST Action 18218 - European Burden of Disease Network. Results In 2020 in Belgrade, according to the share in all-cause YLLs, cardiovascular diseases ranked first (36.2%), followed by neoplasms (25.7%) and COVID-19 (11.1%). However, on average, COVID-19 generated higher number of YLLs per death case (11.9) than cardiovascular diseases (9.2), but fewer than neoplasms (13.9). In total of 31,943 YLLs due to COVID-19, men had 1.7 times more YLLs than women. By age groups, the highest YLL share due to COVID-19 was among men aged 45-49 (16%) and 70-74 (16%) and among women aged 20-25 (33%) and 25-29. years (29%). In men, COVID-19 YLL rate was 2,488 per 100,000 and was higher after standardization (2,714). In women, COVID-19 YLL rate was 1346 per 100,000 and was lower after standardization (1,245). Conclusions In Belgrade, COVID-19 was the third cause of premature mortality in 2020. The difference between COVID-19 YLL rates in men and women were even more prominent after standardization. Future research is needed to determine the synergistic impact of COVID-19 and other causes of premature death. Key messages • In 2020, COVID-19 was among the top three causes of premature mortality among male and female contingents of the Belgrade population. • Assessing the causes of premature mortality is important for determining community health priorities.
Background The first case of COVID-19 in Serbia was reported on 6th March 2020. Since then, Serbia has registered several epidemic peaks, which have led to a considerable increase in premature mortality. Basic evaluation of COVID-19 premature mortality burden needs to include frequency of COVID-19 deaths among different age-groups. Methods All-cause mortality data disaggregated by age and sex, population estimates and remaining life expectancy for different age-groups were acquired from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to COVID-19 were calculated for the period from March to December 2020. European Standard Population was used for calculating age-standardized mortality rates. We acknowledge the support from the BoCO-19 - The Burden of Disease due to COVID-19 project coordinated/led by Robert Koch Institute and supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Results In 2020, there were 127,572 YLLs due to COVID-19, with 81,147 of YLLs (63.6%) attributable to men and 46,425 (36.4%) to women. Contribution of COVID-19 to the total all-cause YLL was also higher in men comparing to women: 11.39% and 7.80%, respectively. Three epidemic peaks were observed in 2020, together composing two thirds (65.6%) of total YLLs due to COVID-19. December was the month with the greatest burden, accounting for 45.8% of all YLLs due to COVID-19. Crude YLL rate for COVID-19 was 1849.1 per 100,000, or 1733.5 per 100,000 after standardization. Conclusions Registered COVID-19 deaths accounted for one tenth of total YLLs in Serbia in 2020, with men contributing almost twice as much to that number compared to women. On average, 12.32 YLLs originated from each registered COVID-19 death. Further studies need to assess the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on avoidable mortality trends in Serbia. Key messages • COVID-19 deaths comprised one tenth of all-cause YLLs, with two-thirds of COVID-19 YLLs attributable to men. • To reduce premature mortality burden, epidemic peaks need to be prevented.
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