Central European Journal of Public Health - Latest articles

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Validation of the Greek version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form in adults 18–65 years old

Nikos Dimitriadis, Maria Partsafa, Nikoleta-Maria Bokou, Alexandros Dimitriadis, Katy Taveira, Demosthenes Panagiotakos

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):225-229 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8446

Objectives: Various tools and methods have been proposed to measure physical activity, with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) being one of the most popular self-reported tools. The study's aim was to test the validity of IPAQ-SF among Greek male and female adults, aged 18-65 years. Methods: A total of 134 adults (98 males) were randomly selected and participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 37.9 years (SD = 11.6), with 73.1% being male. Translation and back-translation was performed to ensure cultural adaptation. The validity of IPAQ-SF was ascertained using fitness measures (maximum oxygen uptake, VO₂...

Behavioural risk factors clusters and their associations with self-reported burdens among university students in Finland

Walid El Ansari, Kareem El-Ansari, René Šebeňa

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):216-224 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8620

Objectives: No research among Finnish universities grouped students into clusters, based on their lifestyle behavioural risk factors (BRFs), and appraised relationships of the clusters with self-reported burdens, adjusting for confounders. The aim of the study was to undertake this task. Methods: Students (N = 1,169) at Turku University completed online questionnaire comprising socio-demographic variables (age, sex, income, social support), 18 burdens, and 4 BRFs (smoking, alcohol, drug use, food habits). Factor analysis reduced burdens into factors; cluster analysis of BRFs categorized students into clusters. Regression models appraised associations...

Using the ErgoScope work simulator and ICF in insurance medicine and occupational health

Sarolta Nagy, András Lászik

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):209-215 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8591

Objectives: Instrumental work diagnostic examinations can be used for capability assessment in evaluating work suitability, job selection, complex and occupational rehabilitation, and career counselling. According to the literature, assessments performed with work simulators and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) are suitable for monitoring changes in functional capacity. We propose that instrumental work diagnostic measurements - specifically, measurements conducted on the ErgoScope work simulator - along with the ICF, can be effectively used for the objective assessment of functional capacity and tracking...

Food safety knowledge and practices of preschool employees with food contact in Podgorica, Montenegro

Maja Milanović, Boban Mugoša, Biljana Popović Kolašinac

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):200-208 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8315

Objectives: This is the first study in Montenegro to assess food safety knowledge, hygiene practices, and perceived barriers among childcare centre employees (N = 972) with both direct and indirect contact with food. It aimed to identify high-risk practices through structured observation and evaluate the need for targeted educational interventions in preschool institutions in Podgorica. Two hypotheses were tested: H1: there is a difference in knowledge and practices between employees with direct and indirect food contact. H2: socio-demographic characteristics influence the knowledge and practices of employees involved in food handling. Methods:...

Limited awareness about the role of dietitians among medical students: a qualitative study

Victoria H. Hawk, Zlata Kapounová, Martin Krobot, Veronika Zelenková, Lauren Haldeman

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):193-199 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8605

Objectives: Dietitians are well qualified to work as nutrition professionals on interprofessional healthcare teams and to provide education to health professionals at academic institutions. However, opportunities for the knowledge and utilization of dietitians in health care are different around the world. With rising global rates of nutrition-related diseases and the availability of university-based dietetic programmes, it is important to consider factors that may impact opportunities for dietitians in different countries. Thus, this study aimed to explore perceptions about the role of dietitians in medical care and medical education in the Czech...

Increased macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Slovakia may be linked to increased macrolide consumption

Peter Kunč, Jaroslav Fábry, Katarina Ištvánková, Martina Neuschlová, Renata Péčová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):187-192 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8464

Objectives: Given the widespread use of macrolide antibiotics and growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance, this study aimed to investigate recent trends in macrolide consumption in Slovakia and to determine the corresponding changes in Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance in a paediatric cohort.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1,083 nasal swab cultures from children with recurrent respiratory infections and atopy, comparing two distinct 5-year periods: 2008-2012 and 2019-2023. Consumption data was based on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports. Results: National data confirmed that Slovakia...

Detection and quantification of Sildenafil and Tadalafil in dietary supplements marketed as natural sexual enhancers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Elma Omeragić, Lejla Jesenković-Habul, Belma Imamović, Mirza Dedić, Amila Turalić, Ervina Bečić

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):181-186 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8397

Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to detect and quantify the presence of Sildenafil (SDF) and Tadalafil (TDF) in dietary supplements marketed as natural sexual enhancers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, the study seeks to utilize these findings to inform relevant authorities, enabling further testing in reference laboratories and prompting the necessary actions to remove these adulterated products from the market. Methods: Using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), 20 samples were analysed for the PDE-5 inhibitors. Results: The analysis revealed that seven of the samples contained...

Current view on HIV-2 – epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment

Dalibor Sedláček

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):176-180 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8631

Human immunodeficiency virus 2 (HIV-2) is a retrovirus related to HIV-1. It is believed to have evolved from the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The disease caused by HIV-2 is manifested by a slower progression compared to HIV-1. Data from West Africa show that 37% to 50% of HIV-2 infected people have undetected or very low viremia and if left untreated, have a much more gradual decline in CD4 T lymphocytes, thus longer survival. However, treatment should not be postponed even in this case, because the course of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in people with HIV-2 is more severe than in HIV-1, and also the year-on-year increase...

The importance of screening asymptomatic patients admitted to healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Petr Smejkal, Filip Hrubý, Anna Horňáková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):170-175 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8739

Objectives: Screening of asymptomatic patients upon hospital admission became a key strategy to prevent nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in facilities treating immunocompromised patients. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) were widely used due to their speed, but their reliability in detecting potentially infectious individuals remained debated. In parallel, the role of immunosuppression, especially in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, as a risk factor for asymptomatic positivity and prolonged viral shedding raised additional concerns. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of...

Feasibility and acceptability of telemedicine in prenatal care for low-risk pregnancies: a comparative study of remote and in-person approaches in the Czech Republic

Adéla Tefr Faridová, Eva Miletínová, Ondřej Tefr, Jitka Bušková, Beáta Čečetková, Jiří Pecina, Ladislav Krofta, Hynek Heřman

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):163-169 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8520

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of remote prenatal care using a smartphone application for women with low-risk pregnancies, and to compare outcomes with standard in-person care. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at the Institute for Maternal and Child Care in Podolí, Prague. A total of 225 pregnant women were enrolled: 119 received combined telemedicine and standard in-person follow-ups (W-DF group), while 106 received only standard in-person care (W-PF group). Data on patient satisfaction across various domains of care were collected and analysed. Results: Women...

Inequalities in cervical cancer screening use: results of the Serbian National Health Survey

Dragana Milijašević, Tatjana Tamaš, Sonja Čanković, Snežana Ukropina, Sonja Šušnjević, Tanja Tomašević, Dušan Čanković, Vesna Mijatović Jovanović

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):155-162 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8486

Objectives: Cervical cancer represents a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly among women of reproductive age. According to data from the Cancer Registry of the Republic of Serbia for the year 2022, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 24.8/100,000 and the fourth leading cause of mortality, with an age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of 10.2/100,000. This study aimed to analyse the association between socio-demographic factors, unmet healthcare needs, and cervical cancer screening use among women in Serbia. Methods: Research was conducted as a cross-sectional...

Tobacco use among health professionals: example of one of the largest Czech hospitals, 2012-2023

Eva Králíková, Lenka Štěpánková, Anna Horňáková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):148-151 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8435

Objectives: The General University Hospital in Prague (GUH) is one of the largest hospitals in the Czech Republic. The prevalence of smoking among hospital staff is monitored as part of its Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH) network membership. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing anonymous questionnaires distributed to all hospital employees in the years 2012 and 2023 through the hospital's electronic system (response rates 25% and 28%, respectively). Data were analysed using chi-square tests to compare smoking prevalence across time and among subgroups based on profession, sex and age group. Results: The total prevalence...

Beliefs about third-hand smoke and health perceptions of the preschool paediatric patients' parents

Esma Üçüncü, Fatma Gökşin Cihan, Hatice Küçükceran, Sevgi Pekcan, Gökçen Ünal

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):140-147 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8357

Objectives: Millions of children suffer from the harmful effects of tobacco smoking. The aim of this study was to investigate the health perceptions of preschool paediatric patient's parents and their beliefs and attitudes towards third-hand smoke. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the parents of pre-school paediatric patients. A questionnaire including the socio-demographic information form, the Beliefs About Third-Hand Smoke (BATHS-T) scale and the Perception of Health Scale (PHS) were applied to the participants. Results: Of the 500 parents participating in the study, 74.6% were mothers. Among participants 440 (88.0%) stated...

Potential impact of e-cigarettes on life-years lost from conventional smoking in Ukraine, a replication study

Giorgi Mzhavanadze, Vladimir Dubrovskiy

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):132-139 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8382

Objectives: Smoking remains a significant public health concern in Ukraine. Recent efforts to combat smoking have shown some progress, but Ukraine's current approach largely overlooks the potential benefits of harm reduction strategies. Concurrently, the use of e-cigarettes has been on the rise among Ukrainian adults. Our study aims to estimate the potential impact of e-cigarettes on reducing the mortality rate associated with cigarette smoking in Ukraine. Methods: We conducted a replication study using a dynamic population simulation model initially developed for the US. We ran simulations for 210 e-cigarette scenarios, varying assumptions on how...

Alcohol use and COVID-19: three-year impact for the Czech Republic

Vladimír Rogalewicz, Benjamin Petruželka, Jaroslav Vacek, Michal Miovský, Ingeborg Rossow, Carolin Kilian, Jakob Manthey, Miroslav Barták

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):122-131 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8410

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe alcohol consumption and its changes in the Czech Republic during the period of governmental restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To this goal, an overview of the governmental measures that may have affected alcohol consumption was compiled from various sources (mostly media reports). Methods: The paper analyses three surveys where the group from Charles University, Prague, participated in design and execution: the European Study Group on Alcohol use and COVID-19 (ESAC) convenience online survey that (in Czechia) took place at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, in April through June...

Retrospective evaluation of measures in the field of occupational health services during the COVID-19 epidemic

Matyáš Fošum, Marie Nakládalová, Ladislav Štěpánek

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):116-121 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8626

Objectives: In the Czech Republic, employers and employees are bound by legal regulations that ensure occupational health and safety. These regulations are based on international conventions of the International Labour Organization and directives of the European Parliament and Council and have long been incorporated into Czech legislation. During the COVID-19 epidemic, emergency and crisis measures led to a limitation of occupational health examinations (OHEs) in the Czech Republic, which represented a significant disruption of the occupational health and safety system. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of these measures in order to find...

COVID-19 as the occupational disease in employees of the University Hospital Ostrava

Silvie Ostřížková, Daniela Vybíralová, Zdeňka Hajduková, Pavlína Kuchařová, Terezie Lichovníková, Renata Zlotkowska, Hana Tomášková

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):108-115 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8428

Objectives: COVID-19 disease, which has caused a global pandemic, poses significant threat to the healthcare system as healthcare workers (HCW) are at an elevated risk of contracting the disease and being temporarily removed from their regular duties. This study analyses and evaluates a cohort of employees at the University Hospital Ostrava (UHO) who applied for the recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease. Methods: The disease characteristics and risk factors for severe cases of COVID-19 were analysed for all 474 claimants who applied for recognition of an occupational disease during the reporting period (March 2020 to November 2022) and...

Preventive effect of precautionary lowered exposure or adaptation of nanomaterial workers?

Daniela Pelclová, Tomáš Navrátil, Jaroslav Schwarz, Vladimír Ždímal, Štěpánka Dvořáčková, Pavlína Klusáčková, Štěpánka Vlčková, Andrea Rössnerová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):101-107 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8524

Objectives: Nanotechnology is a fast-growing field in both science and industry. However, experimental studies brought warning data concerning the negative effect of engineered nanoparticle exposure leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, decreased immune cell viability, and genotoxicity. The consequences of human exposure may appear with decades of latency. Therefore, more data is needed to identify the hazardous effects of nanoparticles. Exposure should be under control and biomarkers of effect are urgently searched. Methods: Exposures of researchers working with nanocomposites were measured in yearly intervals for 5 years and biomarkers of oxidative...

Body mass index limitation of overweight and obesity in Czech military personnel

Blanka Kupsová, Vladimír Pavlík, Jana Fajfrová, Václav Šafka, Petr Lašák, Jan M. Horáček

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):95-100 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8529

Objectives: The first aim of this cross-sectional study was to reveal the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Czech military personnel (CMP). The second aim was to compare accuracy of the body mass index (BMI) classification with the body fat percentage (BF%), waist circumference (WC), and visceral fat area (VFA). BMI is a commonly used method to assess obesity, but its accuracy in reflecting body composition, especially in physically fit individuals, has been questioned. Methods: Data were collected from six military units in the Czech Republic. Soldiers underwent anthropometric assessments including height, weight, WC, BF%, and VFA using the...

Incidence of tuberculosis in the city of Cordoba and its relationship with areas in need of social transformation: a study from 2015 to 2021

Emilia García Rivera, Carmen Aguilar Romero, Rafael Ruiz Montero, Juan José López Moyano, Mohamed Farouk Allam, Álvaro Serrano Ortiz, Inmaculada Salcedo Leal

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):88-94 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8452

Objectives: In 2022, about 17% of Andalusian population lived in disadvantaged areas, which accounted for 21% of tuberculosis (TB) cases. This concentration of cases resulted in TB rates in these areas being higher than both the regional and national averages. The aim of the present study was to understand the behaviour of TB in terms of person, time, and place in the city of Cordoba during the period 2015-2021 and its association with areas in need of social transformation (ANST). Methods: A retrospective observational analytical study was conducted on cases reported to the Andalusian Epidemiological Surveillance System (Spanish acronym SVEA). Membership...

Colorectal cancer screening to identify undiagnosed hepatitis C in an Austrian cohort

Hannah Hofer, Sebastian Bachmayer, Hannah Oberthaler, Georg Semmler, Sarah Wernly, Sophie Gensluckner, Lea Maria Stangassinger, Bernhard Wernly, Ursula Huber-Schönauer, Bernhard Paulweber, Elmar Aigner, Gertie Janneke Oostingh, Christian Datz

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(2):83-87 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8270

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant public health concern despite the introduction of direct acting antiviral agents. To reach the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, adequate screening strategies and early diagnosis are crucial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in an Austrian cohort and assess the feasibility of incorporating HCV screening into colorectal screening programmes. Methods: The study enrolled 1,894 asymptomatic individuals during a colorectal screening programme with a mean age of 57 (± 7 years) years. Sera...

Rising incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonias in a tertiary paediatric centre: implications for antibiotic therapyShort communication

Luboš Bača, Lea Slováková, Jitka Vočková, Karolína Doležalová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):77-79 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8434  

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children and adolescents in Prague, Czech Republic, between January and July 2024, and to compare the findings with data from the preceding period. Methods: A retrospective analysis of data of paediatric patients at our single tertiary care facility was conducted. Two distinct patient cohorts were subjected to analysis: the first comprising individuals who had been hospitalised between January 2019 and July 2024, and the second consisting of outpatients who had been treated during the periods of January to July 2023 and January to July...

Possibilities of influencing the function of the deep stabilization system by exercising for low back pain

Elena Žiaková, Nina Sládeková, Jana Havlová

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):71-76 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8199  

Objectives: Chronic back pain is the most common cause of incapacity for work. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness for activating the function of the deep stabilization system (DSS) in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: The effectiveness of three different methods was compared: Pilates method (PM), dynamic neuromuscular stabilization and balance aids on deep stabilization system function and pain perception in the lumbar spine. The group consisted of 75 patients. Results: The results show differences in the effectiveness of the methods depending on the observed characteristics. The least significant differences were...

Impact of injury location and type of traffic participants on the outcome of traffic accidents in Montenegro

Damir Peličić, Mirjana Nedović Vuković

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):65-70 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8241  

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of fatalities in injuries in traffic accidents in Montenegro, identify contributing risk factors, and determine the most vulnerable participants in these accidents. Methods: The research was designed as a retrospective descriptive study. Participants were people admitted to the Urgent Centre of Clinical Centre of Montenegro due to injuries in traffic accidents that resulted in serious bodily injury or death in the period from 2011-2020. We presented data using descriptive statistics. The square test was used to examine the association between the outcome of traffic injury with sex, age,...

Beliefs about third-hand tobacco smoke among university employees: a cross-sectional study

Ilgin Timarci, Asya Banu Babaoğlu, Mustafa Tözün, Kaan Sözmen

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):57-64 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8366  

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the beliefs about third-hand tobacco smoke (THS) among administrative and academic staff at a university. THS is a residual pollutant from tobacco smoke that lingers on surfaces and poses health risks, particularly to children. The study also aimed to understand these beliefs in relation to socio-demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 332 university employees aged 18 and over. Data were collected between September and December 2023 through face-to-face and online questionnaires. The survey included the Beliefs About Third-hand Smoke (BATHS-T) Scale and questions on socio-demographic...

The role of conservative treatment in regional variations of 30-day acute myocardial infarction mortality: a case of the Czech Republic

Ivo Hlaváč, Matěj Opatrný

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):49-56 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8462  

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyse the role of conservative treatment and regional differences in 30-day hospital mortality for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients in the Czech Republic. Methods: Using administrative data from Czech health insurance companies for 2018-2020, we employed a probit model to examine factors influencing mortality across 13 complex cardiovascular centres, calculating average marginal effects to ensure interpretable results. Results: Conservative treatment was associated with a 4.7 percentage point increase in 30-day mortality compared to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment (95% CI: 3.6-5.7)....

Prevalence of dietary supplement use among the military population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Roghayeh Molani-Gol, Maryam Rafraf, Beitullah Alipour

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):36-48 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8321  

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate widespread dietary supplements (DSs) use among the military population. There is no recent study to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence of DS use among the military population. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to present an overview and estimate of the overall prevalence of DSs use among the military population. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to September 2023 using relevant keywords. All original articles written in English evaluating the prevalence of DSs use among the military population were eligible for this study....

Oral health of pregnant women and possibilities for improving oral health prophylaxis in Lithuania

Jolita Juknienė, Gabrielė Šimėnaitė, Birutė Mockevičienė

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):30-35 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8459  

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify potential areas for improvement in the prevention of oral diseases in pregnant women by assessing their oral care habits and awareness regarding oral health. Methods: An original, anonymous, web-based survey was conducted among women at any stage of pregnancy. The survey consisted of 23 questions regarding oral care habits, knowledge about oral health of mother and child, general and oral health changes, and attendance of oral healthcare services during pregnancy. The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 27.0 version software. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were...

Health literacy and socioeconomic characteristics of young people in Serbia and their influence on reproductive health and sexual behaviour

Milena Maričić, Goran Stojanović, Zlata Rajković Pavlović, Jovana Milosavljević, Melanija Tepavčević, Kristijan Jovanović, Nikoleta Janićijević, Milos Stepović

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):24-29 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8336  

Objectives: Having adequate level of health literacy is a very powerful tool of improving health. "Emerging adulthood" is described as a period between age of 18-25 years, characterized by changing life circumstances, developing personality and exploring possibilities. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between health literacy and socioeconomic status of young adults in Serbia and their individual influence on the reproductive health and sexual behaviour. Methods: This research was conducted as observational, cross-sectional study. We used STOFHLA to assess the health literacy level of young people and general information questionnaire...

Association of depressive symptoms and social determinants of health in medical students of four countries - Czechia, Iran, Kenya, and Venezuela

Anna Zimovjanová, Frederick Murunga Wekesah, Fatemeh Dehghani Firouzabadi, Jan Brož, Jana Urbanová, Jeffrey I. Mechanick, Natalia Sulbarán, Andrea Medina, Geraldo A. Maranhao Neto, Ramfis Nieto-Martinez, Masih A. Babagoli, Maritza Torres, Monika Kunzová, Martin Pešl, José Medina, Eunice Ugel, Hesam Jahandideh, Maryam Roomiani, Niloofar Deravi, Amirhossein Poopak, Alireza Esteghamati, Juan P. González-Rivas

Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(1):17-23 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8222  

Objectives: Medical students experience worse psychological well-being than the general population. Social determinants of health (SDOH) relate to conditions in which people live, work, and age and significantly influence mental health. This study examines the association between depressive symptoms and SDOH in medical students from four countries: Czechia, Iran, Kenya, and Venezuela. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in the spring of 2022. The questionnaire focused on depressive symptoms (using a validated psychiatric scale DASS-21 to assess mental health) and various SDOHs. Results: A total of 2,033 medical students participated...