Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3)
Adult HPV vaccination (27–45 years): who benefits, when to offer, and how to counsel
Marek Broul, Pavel Dlouhý, Aneta Hujová, Michaela Liegertová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):155-159 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8941
Objectives: The aim of the study was to translate major international recommendations and the current evidence base into a practical approach for counselling adults aged 27-45 years about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Methods: We conducted a targeted narrative review of guidance from the World Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and US public health sources that frame HPV vaccination in mid-adults as shared clinical decision-making. We prioritised systematic reviews, randomised trials and recent evidence syntheses relevant to mid-adult vaccination and vaccination after cervical excisional treatment....
Physician's recommendation as a key determinant of influenza vaccination uptake during pregnancy: a prospective observational study
Asiye Uzun, Saliha Büşra Aksu, Güneş Topçu, Seda Özmen Sever, Güzin Zeren Öztürk
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):160-166 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a9024 
Objectives: Influenza infection is associated with substantial maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy; however, influenza vaccination uptake remains low. Physician's recommendations have been identified as one of the key determinants of vaccination rates. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of physician's recommendation on influenza vaccination rates among pregnant women and to examine factors associated with vaccination behaviour. Methods: This prospective observational study included 356 pregnant women aged 18-50 years with a gestational age of ≥12 weeks who were receiving prenatal care at a tertiary-care hospital in...
Safety profile of the COVID-19 vaccine in chronic vs. non-chronic populations: evidence from a retrospective cohort study
Fitim Alidema, Arieta Hasani Alidema
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):167-170 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8953
This retrospective cohort study evaluated the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccination after the administration of three doses among 1,000 participants in Kosovo, including 600 individuals with chronic diseases and 400 without chronic conditions. Data were collected from medical records and standardized questionnaires on post-vaccination adverse events. Overall, 68.5% of participants reported at least one adverse effect, with a higher incidence among those with chronic diseases (74.3%) compared with non-chronic individuals (59.7%, p = 0.01). The most common reactions were mild and transient, including local injection site pain (39.2%), fatigue (27.6%),...
Impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer screening: time series analysis of pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic periods
Gökhan Mert Özyurt, Sarhun Zirek, Duygu Kolukisa, Cemil Yüksel, Mutlay Keskin
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):171-176 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8451
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening activity, cancer detection rates, and stage at diagnosis by comparing pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included women who underwent breast cancer screening between March 2018 and February 2024. The study period was divided into three phases: pre-pandemic (March 2018 – February 2020), pandemic (March 2020 – February 2022), and post-pandemic (March 2022 – February 2024). Screening activity, including mammography and breast ultrasonography examinations, cancer detection...
Blood heavy metal levels and bone turnover markers in Korean elementary school children
Kiook Baek, Chulyong Park
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):177-184 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8682
Objectives: Although the health effects of heavy metal exposure in children are well documented, their impact on bone metabolism is less understood. Bone turnover markers such as serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and serum Procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) can help assess skeletal effects. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood concentrations of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) and bone turnover markers in children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 221 elementary school children aged 11–13 years attending four schools around a municipal incinerator, one of which served...
Spirometry and end-tidal carbon dioxide changes during chest compressions with PPE: a simulation randomized crossover study
Patrik Cmorej, Petr Bureš, Ondřej Kounovský, Alena Kohlová, Danka Boguská, Dana Rebeka Ralbovská, Karel Hrach, Robin Šín, Jaroslav Pekara
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):185-190 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8785
Objectives: Personal protective equipment (PPE) use in prehospital emergency care has increased significantly since the coronavirus pandemic onset in 2019. Few studies have been published on the PPE effects on spirometry parameters and end-tidal carbon dioxide (Et-CO2). This study aimed to determine whether PPE use affects spirometric parameters and Et-CO2 during chest compressions. Methods: This was a randomized crossover simulation study with 35 emergency medical service providers who performed 20 minutes of intermittent chest compressions on a mannikin (five 2 min cycles alternated by 2 min of rest). Two iterations were completed...
Paracetamol overdose: systematic review of case reports and national toxicological data (2018–2023)
Jana Mlíchová, Ondřej Šimandl, Kateřina Kotíková, Karolína Šimůnková, Carla Torre, Zoltán Paluch, Eva Kmoníčková
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):191-195 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8897
Objectives: Paracetamol is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic, but its accessibility also makes it a frequent drug in overdose cases. Increasing rates of intentional paracetamol poisoning, particularly among adolescents, raise public health concerns. This study aimed to examine recent patterns of paracetamol overdose and identify risk groups for intentional self-poisoning. Methods: A systematic review of published case reports (2018–2023) describing paracetamol overdose was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of telephone inquiries to the Czech Toxicological...
Chronic low back pain: assessment of mental distress, quality of life and pain-related activity patterns
Lucie Sikorová, Andrea Polanská, Renáta Zoubková, Jan Divák, Alena Mátlová, Michal Parma
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):196-202 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8736
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess mental health, quality of life, and patterns of physical activity in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), to compare these outcomes across socio-demographic factors, and to evaluate their relationship with subjectively perceived pain. Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The research sample included 151 patients with chronic low back pain treated at a Pain Management Centre. Data were collected using the Numeric Rating Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, Patterns of Activity Measure-Pain scale, and the International Physical...
Epidemiology of ankle fractures: stability and change over two decades
Jan Frühauf, Václav Vaněček, Petr Fojtík, Michal Tuček, Anna Horňáková
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):203-208 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8913
Objectives: Ankle fractures are common lower-limb injuries with substantial effects on mobility and healthcare needs. This study characterised the demographic and morphological distribution of dislocated ankle fractures and compared the findings with a cohort treated approximately two decades earlier. Methods: This retrospective study included 436 adults with dislocated ankle fractures treated at the Military University Hospital Prague between 2018 and 2020. Age, sex, laterality, fracture morphology, medial structure involvement, posterior malleolar and syndesmotic injuries, treatment type, and body mass index (BMI) were analysed. Aggregate results...
Digital dementia in adults: an assessment of digital generations
İnci Arikan, Buse Turan, Muammer Yilmaz, Ömer Faruk Tekin
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):209-215 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8850
Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the level of digital dementia (DD) in adults and related socio-demographic and smartphone addiction factors. Methods: The study was conducted between June and September 2025 in western Türkiye and included individuals who applied to selected family health centres. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic information, behaviour-related items, the Digital Dementia Scale Adult Form (DDAF) and Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). This study evaluated participants according to digital generations. Results: The mean DDAF score was 40.56 ± 21.18 among digital...
Erratum
Correction to: Comparing step count strategies: the impact of walking on cardiometabolic health in women with obesity (Vol. 34, Pg 80, 2026)
Merve Kal, Nazime Cebi, Meral Kucuk Yetgin
Cent Eur J Public Health 2026, 34(3):216 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a9217
The authors regret that the name of the university was omitted in the Funding section.