Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2)
Socio-economic Status, Dietary Habits and Health-Related Outcomes in Various Parts of the World: A Review
Konstantinos Vlismas, Vassilios Stavrinos, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):55-63 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3475 
It is generally accepted that socio-economic status (SES) influences dietary habits as well as human health. Three main parameters have been most often used to define SES, i.e. occupation, education and income. These characteristics cover different aspects of the socio-economic structure of people. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge regarding the relationships between SES, dietary habits and health-related outcomes in various parts of the world.
Nutrition and Health in Developing Countries
Eva Kudlová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):63
Accessibility and Use of Health Services Among Older Estonian Population
Kaja Põlluste, Ruth Kalda, Margus Lember
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):64-70 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3509
The aim of the study was to analyse the self-reported use of health services among the older Estonian population, to explain the predictors of health care utilisation and to study access to health services in comparison with other population groups. In November 2005, a randomly sampled Estonian residents aged 15-64 (n=1264) and 65-74 (n=182) was personally interviewed using structured questionnaires. Of the respondents aged 65-74, 81% reported having visited a general practitioner (GP) or specialist during the previous 12 months. Compared to younger people they used health services more often, except dental care. No significant differences were found...
Analysis of the Organization of Nursing Care Provided for Disabled Children in Special Education Institutions in North-West Poland
Katarzyna Gawłowska-Lichota, Agnieszka Wróbel, Jacek Brodowski, Beata Karakiewicz
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):71-74 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3510
Introduction: It often happens that handicapped children and teenagers need to be taught in special educational centres. One of the specialists working in a special school should be a nurse having appropriate professional and methodical skills.Material and methods: The research involved nurses employed in 36 special education institutions in 2006/2007 in the area of North-West Poland. The organization of work was analysed on the basis of specially constructed questionnaires.Results: The average working time of nurses employed in special education institutions was 16 hours and 12 minutes per week. In the group of nurses examined, 69% persons...
Carbohydrate Intake, Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Risk of Gastric Cancer
Konstansa Lazarević, Aleksandar Nagorni, Miroslav Jeremić
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):75-78 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3501
The aim of this study was to examine relationship between dietary carbohydrate, glycemic index, glycemic load and gastric cancer risk. This hospital based case-control study was conducted in Niš (Serbia) between 2005 and 2006. Subjects (n=102) with histologically confirmed gastric cancer and controls (n=204) selected from non-cancer patients were interviewed. The structured questionnaire included information on socio-demographic and lifestyle habits. Data from dietary habits were based on Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). We found reductions in gastric cancer risk for diets high in carbohydrate (OR for highest versus the lowest tertile = 0.07, 95%...
Vitamin E Intake in Relation to Allergic Sensitization and IgE Serum Concentration
Stefanie Sausenthaler, Tobias Loebel, Jakob Linseisen, Gabriele Nagel, Helgo Magnussen, Joachim Heinrich
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):79-85 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3521
Background: A protective role of dietary vitamin E intake on disorders related to the immune system, such as allergic diseases, has been suggested. However, results from epidemiological studies are conflicting.Objectives: The aim of present study was to analyze whether dietary vitamin E intake is related to the prevalence of allergic sensitization and total serum IgE concentrations in adult subjects.Methods: The present study population consisted of 366 adults aged 29 to 54 years participating in the German centers of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) II, Erfurt and Hamburg. A validated food frequency questionnaire was...
The Power of Plagues
Jindřich Jíra
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):85
Antimutagenic Effect of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate
Petr Šmerák, Zdeňka Polívková, Rudolf Štětina, Jiřina Bártová, Ivo Bárta
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):86-92 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3526
Using the Ames bacterial mutagenicity test, the comet assay, and an in vivo micronucleus test, we investigated the effect of the chemoprotective substance phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) on the mutagenic activity of indirect-acting mutagens and carcinogens aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), and direct-acting mutagen and carcinogen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU).In the Ames test, the antimutagenic activity of PEITC was studied in the concentration range 0.3-300 μg/plate. PEITC at concentrations of 0.3, 3 and 30 μg/plate reduced dose-dependently mutagenicity of AFB1 and IQ in both S.typhimurium TA98 and...
The Impact of Cigarette Taxes and Advertising on the Demand for Cigarettes in Ukraine
Limin Peng, Hana Ross
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):93-98 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3518
Background: Cigarette consumption in Ukraine is increasing while the cigarettes are becoming more affordable due to low taxes and raising income. The impact of cigarette prices and taxes on cigarette consumption is unclear due to the limited research evidence using the local data. This study estimates the sensitivity of Ukraine population to cigarette prices and the affordability of cigarettes using the macro level data in order to predict the effectiveness of cigarette tax policy.Methods: Monthly time-series data available from 1997 to 2006 in Ukraine were used to estimate the generalized least square model with an AR(1) process to investigate...
Beyond Anthrax: The Weaponization of Infectious Diseases
Milena Černá
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):98
Microbial Characterization of Water and Biofilms in Drinking Water Distribution Systems at Sport Facilities
Lucia Bonadonna, Rossella Briancesco, Simonetta Della Libera, Ines Lacchetti, Rosa Paradiso, Maurizio Semproni
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):99-102 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3511
The present study investigated the in situ microbial indicators' occurrence in water and biofilm in drinking water distribution systems of sport facilities such as gyms. The presence of Legionella, such as a potential pathogen, was also verified. Water and biofilm were contemporaneously collected and microbiologically analyzed. Few colonies of coliforms were detected in biofilm but not in the corresponding water samples. Conversely, some colonies of heterotrophs were counted at 22 °C in both the 80% biofilm samples and the 53% water samples. Legionella was detected in 29% of the hot water systems, and, in particular, L. pneumophila in 21% and L. non...
Some Bulgarian Pre-enlargement Research Trends
Dan S. Radut
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):103-107 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3498
Aim. Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. This study aims to analyse Bulgarian scientific health output over a five year period before enlargement, highlighting both its interests and concordance with European health recommendations.Methods. A bibliometric analysis was undertaken in MEDLINE between 2000 and 2004 according to a year-by-year bibliographic search. The articles were classified by fourteen fields according to the main European Union health report recommendations.Results. 2,176 articles were found, distributed as follows: 15.63% in 2000, 20.50% in 2001, 20.63% in 2002, 19.9% in 2003 and 23.25% in 2004. 89.48% of the articles...
The Trends and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Occurrence in Estonia
Gerli Paat, Anneli Uusküla, Valentina Tefanova, Tatjana Tallo, Ljudmilla Priimägi, Kalle Ahi
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):108-111 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3483
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent worldwide and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. This article describes the trend in HBV occurrence in Estonia from 1990 to 2005 in Estonia, with the aim of highlighting key determinants in transmission dynamics, risk groups, and possible implications for prevention and control.A marked increase in reported numbers of new HBV cases occurred in mid 1990s (reaching 39 per 100,000 population) and decline thereafter. We present data on HBV prevalence from different population groups (persons with verified sexually transmitted infection, prisoners, medical personnel, blood donors and injection...
Infectious Diseases and Arthropods
Milena Černá
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):112
The Handbook of Nutrition and Pregnancy
Milena Černá
Cent Eur J Public Health 2009, 17(2):112