Cent Eur J Public Health 2025, 33(3)
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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:...
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...
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...
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...