Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1)
Colorectal cancer screening: understanding the needs of the pre-screening group
Onur Acar, Ersin Nazlican, Elif Dönmez
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):3-8 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7184 
Objectives: For the last three decades, although colorectal cancer incidence has been decreasing in those over 50 years of age, it has been increasing in those under 50 included in the pre-screening group (PSG). The present study aims to explain the screening-related factors and compliance of individuals in PSG who are not included in the colorectal cancer screening programme. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 323 participants, 143 of whom were from the pre-screening group (40-49 years), and 180 from the screening included group (SIG) (50-70 years). Results: Individuals included in PSG were more likely to have accepted...
Evaluation of barriers to cervical cancer screening in Georgia
Gvantsa Guliashvili, Iamze Taboridze, Nana Mebonia, Tamar Alibegashvili, Nata Kazakhashvili, Paata Imnadze
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):9-18 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7621
Objectives: The Cervical Cancer (CC) Screening Programme in Georgia provides insufficient coverage of the target population. The aim of the study is to identify the barriers to cervical cancer screening for women in Georgia in order to plan and implement adequate measures to increase the screening effectiveness. Methods: The study is based on the results of a survey of 582 women aged 25-60 years (mean age 42.11 + 12.17). Respondents were selected in out-patient clinics. The questionnaire included questions related to the place of residence, ethnicity, religion, marital status, education, employment, cervical cancer awareness and screening, screening...
Examination of correlations between vitamin D and melatonin levels with sleep among women aged 18–49 years
Zehra İncedal Sonkaya, Burak Yazgan, Aslı Kurtgöz, Aslıhan Dilara Demir, Serap İncedal Irgat
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):19-24 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7324
Objectives: Although clinical research is still going on to determine any relationship between vitamin D and sleep regulation, only few studies have identified the role of vitamin D metabolism in sleep disorders. The current study aims to examine the incidence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in the sample group and its effects on sleep quality and melatonin level. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed. A total of 79 women aged 18-49 years who applied to the research and training hospital between 1 October and 30 November 2021 participated in the study. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire prepared by the authors...
Evaluation of COLIA1 gene rs1107946 polymorphism in relation to bone mineral density and fracture risk in Slovak postmenopausal women
Iveta Boroňová, Matúš Mathia, Soňa Mačeková, Jarmila Bernasovská, Jana Gaľová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):25-29 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7329
Objectives: The aim of the study was the evaluation of the rs1107946 polymorphism of the COLIA1 gene impact on bone mineral density and fracture risk in Slovak postmenopausal women. Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven postmenopausal Slovak women with a diagnosis of osteopenia/osteoporosis were genotyped for rs1107946 polymorphism of the COLIA1 gene. Clinical and anthropometric data were obtained. DNA isolation was performed using a standard protocol. Genetic analyses of the rs1107946 polymorphism of the COLIA1 gene were performed by the TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. Results: The study confirmed a statistically significant relationship...
Sugar-sweetened beverages and childhood abnormal adiposity in the Czech Republic – narrative literature review
Monika Kunzová, Geraldo A. Maranhao Neto, Juan P. González-Rivas
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):30-37 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7479
Objectives: In Czech children, the burden related to the high body-mass index is rising. In the last three decades, Western eating patterns have influenced Czech children's diet, including the high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This narrative review aims to evaluate evidence of the trend of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption in Czech children and its impact on the prevalence of childhood abnormal adiposity. Methods: A comprehensive literature review in MEDLINE (PubMed) and a hand search using references in identified articles were performed. The inclusion criteria were population-based studies of randomly selected samples of children...
Comparison of performance and anthropometric parameters in paediatric competitive athletes during COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
Dalibor Pastucha, Ladislav Štěpánek, Michal Botek, Radka Filipčíková, Jana Zapletalová, Štěpán Hudec, Dagmar Horáková
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):38-42 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7484
Objectives: In 2020, measures against the spread of COVID-19 were adopted, including nationwide school closures, restrictions on the free movement of persons and leisure time sports activities. The aim was to assess the impact of COVID-19-associated restrictions on the performance of paediatric and adolescent competitive athletes by comparing basic anthropometric and performance parameters. Methods: The sample comprised 389 participants (115 girls, 274 boys). All participants were examined during regular preventive sports health checks from September to November 2019 and a year later. At the initial examination, the mean age of the entire sample was...
Assessing the impact of Hungary's public health product tax: an interrupted time series analysis
Tímea Csákvári, Diána Elmer, Noémi Németh, Márk Komáromy, Réka Mihály-Vajda, Imre Boncz
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):43-49 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7284
Objectives: Imposing taxes on unhealthy goods can generate income, raise people's health awareness, and eventually decrease the prevalence of chronic diseases. Our aim was to assess the impact of Hungary's public health product tax (PHPT) since its implementation in September 2011. Differences in purchasing habits between households with different income statuses were also compared. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive analysis of tax bases and income was carried out, and an interrupted time series analysis using the generalised least squares method was performed to examine the changes in trends regarding the purchase of taxable products before and...
Tobacco use in students of the Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in the Czech Republic
Tereza Kopřivová Herotová, Viktor Hynčica, Dagmar Schneidrová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):50-56 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7595
Objectives: This study assessed trends in tobacco use in students of the Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in the Czech Republic between academic years 2012/13 and 2019/2020. Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys designed to obtain information on smoking history, smoking status, tobacco products use, and cessation were conducted among 382 students of the 6-year Master's Study Programme (General Medicine) and the 3-year Bachelor's Study Programme (Public Health) in 2012/2013; and among 580 students of General Medicine and of the Bachelor's Study Programmes (Public Health, Dental Hygiene and Nursing) in 2019/2020. Results: Regular/daily...
Human papillomavirus-specific antibody status among unvaccinated subjects in the region of Vojvodina, Serbia
Gordana Kovačević, Biljana Božić Nedeljković, Aleksandra Patić, Jelena Radovanov, Ivana Hrnjaković-Cvjetković
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):57-62 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7257
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the immune status of young people from the Vojvodina province, Serbia, through the detection of IgG antibodies specific for the L1 protein of HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 contained in quadrivalent vaccine. Methods: The study enrolled 514 healthy persons of both genders, aged between 18 and 30 years. All potential participants were informed about the project's aims by trained interviewers before venous blood collection. Also, participants completed a specially designed anonymous questionnaire to identify socio-demographic characteristics and individual behaviours associated with HPV seroprevalence. VPL...
Moisture damage and fungal contamination in buildings are a massive health threat - a surgeon's perspective
René Gordon Holzheimer
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):63-68 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7504
Objectives: Indoor air toxicity is of major public health concern due to the increase in humidity-induced indoor mould exposure and associated health changes. The objective is to present evidence for the causality of health threats and indoor mould exposure. Methods: PubMed search on the following keywords: dampness, mould, indoor air quality, public health, dampness, and mould hypersensitivity syndrome, sick building syndrome, and building-related illness as well as information from the health authorities of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, the Center of Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), and guidelines of professional societies. Results:...
Worldwide distribution and clinical characteristics of mad honey poisoning cases
Abdülkadir Gunduz, Perihan Şimşek, Faik Ahmet Ayaz
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):69-73 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7501
Objectives: Mad honey poisoning is a common public health problem that can be seen in many parts of the world. In this study, the symptoms and clinical findings of mad honey poisoning cases and their distribution worldwide were investigated based on current data. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched. The demographic characteristics of the cases, clinical findings, amount of consumed honey, duration of hospitalization, and data of the region where mad honey was produced were recorded. Results: 900 cases were identified. The majority of poisoning cases (91.44%) were reported from mad honey produced in Turkey,...
Toxicity testing of nonwovens used for production of respiratory protective equipment
Hana Kubátová, Petra Roupcová, Karel Klouda, Kateřina Bátrlová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(1):74-80 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7429
Objectives: During the covid-19 pandemic, protective equipment such as respirators and masks were widely used to protect respiratory tract. This disposable protective equipment is usually made from plastic fibre-based nonwoven fabrics. If used masks and respirators are improperly discarded, they pollute the environment by becoming a source of micro and nanoplastics. The aim of the study was to find out how stable the materials of protective equipment are and how released nano and microplastics can affect aquatic and soil organisms. Materials: The input materials used to produce respirators and masks were tested for their thermal stability and resistance...