Central European Journal of Public Health - Latest articles
Results 31 to 60 of 127:
Active school transport among Czech adolescents declined between 2006 and 2022: HBSC study findings
Michal Vorlíček, Dagmar Sigmundová, Petr Baďura, Jan Dygrýn, Dorota Kleszczewska, Erik Sigmund
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(4):267-272 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8713 
Objectives: Active school transport (AST), such as walking or cycling to and from school, represents an important source of daily physical activity for adolescents. In recent decades, however, many high-income countries have reported a steady decline in AST. The main objective of this study was to describe long-term trends in active travel to and from school among Czech adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 years, using nationally representative data collected in five waves of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study between 2006 and 2022. Methods: The analysis is based on a total sample of 50,813 adolescents (25,628 boys, 25,085 girls) aged...
Overweight, obesity, and body weight perception among Czech adolescents: a two-decade analysis, HBSC study 2002–2022
Jaroslava Voráčová, Dagmar Sigmundová, Erik Sigmund, Michal Kalman, Zsofia Pusztai
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(4):260-266 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8691
Objectives: Excess body weight and weight misperception in adolescents are associated with various physical and mental health risks. This study analysed trends in overweight, obesity, body image, and body weight perception among Czech adolescents between 2002 and 2022, considering gender, age and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: Data were retrieved from the questionnaire of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 (N = 52,363; 49.9% girls). The difference test between two proportions was used to assess time trends in weight status (WS), body image and body weight perception across...
Trends in sexual initiation and contraception use among Czech adolescents between 2002–2022
Anna Ševčíková, Vít Suchý, Peter Kolarčik, Lukas Blinka
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(4):253-259 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8664
Objectives: This study examined trends in sexual behaviour and the timing of sexual initiation among 15-year-old adolescents in Czechia between 2002 and 2022, with a focus on the age of sexual debut (15 and older; early at 14; very early at 13 or younger). It also investigated trends in condom and hormonal contraceptive use at most recent intercourse. Methods: Data were drawn from six nationally representative waves of the Czech Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, which was conducted between 2002 and 2022. Only 15-year-olds were included (N = 19,384). Descriptive trend analyses were conducted using survey weights, with subgroup comparisons...
Trends in alcohol use among Czech adolescents: findings from the HBSC study 2014–2022
Ladislav Csémy, Petr Baďura, Ladislav Kážmér
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(4):247-252 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8822
Objectives: The present study aims to examine trends in adolescent alcohol use over the period from 2014 to 2022. Methods: Data from the last three Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) surveys conducted in 2014, 2018 and 2022 were used for this study. Three measures of adolescent alcohol use have been chosen for analyses: lifetime alcohol use, last 30 days alcohol use, and repeated lifetime drunkenness. The analyses comprised calculation of period-specific prevalence estimates and testing of the significance of between-period changes using survey-adjusted logistic regression models. Results: Comparing prevalence rates between the periods,...
Trends in adolescent cigarette smoking in Czechia: findings from the HBSC study 2014–2022
Ladislav Kážmér, Ondřej Šíba, Michal Kalman, Ladislav Csémy
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(4):238-246 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8831
Objectives: Regular monitoring of health-related behaviours among vulnerable populations is of public health importance. This study examines recent trends in adolescent cigarette smoking in Czechia following the marked changes reported in the mid-2010s. Methods: Data from three recent rounds of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in Czechia in 2014, 2018 and 2022 were analysed. Temporal trends were assessed for two indicators of adolescent cigarette use: lifetime cigarette use and cigarette use in the last 30 days. Survey-adjusted binary logistic regression models were used to test changes between survey periods. In...
The new chairman of The Editorial Board of the Central European Journal of Public Health, Professor MUDr. Milan Tuček, CSc.News and Notes
The Editorial Board
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):231
Acknowledgement to Professor MUDr. Milena Černá, DrSc.News and Notes
The Editorial Board
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):231
A tribute to Professor MUDr. Vladimír Vonka, DrSc.News and Notes
Libor Grubhoffer
Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3):230
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...