Browsing by Author "Dutina, Aleksandra (57191286001)"

Introduction/Objective Higher rates of morbidity and mortality from the infection of COVID-19 have been recorded among people with mental disorders, especially among those suffering from severe forms, so they should be prioritized during vaccination campaigns. The aim of this study was to examine possible predictors of acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with mental disorders. Methods This retrospective study was conducted from January 2021 until January 2022 and included 458 patients with mental disorders treated at the Dr Laza Lazarević Clinic for Mental Disorders in Belgrade, Serbia. Patients were segregated into the vaccinated and the unvaccinated group depending on their vaccination status. A questionnaire developed specifically for the present study was administered to gather the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, while data related to their mental disorders, COVID-19 infection, and comorbidities was obtained from their medical records. Results Eighty percent of the vaccinated group opted for the Sinopharm vaccine. Significantly higher percentage of vaccinated patients was hospitalized during the study period and had comorbidities compared to the unvaccinated group (51.4% vs. 32.6% and 52.8% vs. 37.5%, respectively). Education level, employment status, marital status, diagnostic category, and comorbidities were statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination uptake among people with mental disorders. Conclusion Our findings show that higher level of education, greater trust in the healthcare system, and knowledge of the available vaccination points significantly contribute to the vaccination uptake in this vulnerable population group. © 2024, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Introduction/Objective Previous studies suggest that the number of suicides and suicide attempts will increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency and characteristics of suicide attempts in the Republic of Serbia. Methods The study observed two periods: the period from March to August 2020 (the COVID period) and the same period of the previous year (the non-COVID period). The observation during the mentioned periods encompassed patients who were examined at the Dr. Laza Lazarević Clinic for Mental Disorders in Belgrade due to suicide attempts (1987 persons during COVID period and 2300 persons during the non-COVID period). Results Concerning suicide attempts, a statistically significant difference between the observed periods was registered in respect to the total number of monthly clinical examinations, monthly distribution of suicide attempts, patients’ gender and age, mode of suicide attempt, and the diagnostic category. Binary logistic regression determined that statistically significant factors that can influence the suicide attempt were year, months, patients’ gender and age, and diagnostic category. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic creates the increased exposure of the people to suicide risk factors, which points to the significance of consistent monitoring of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter. © 2021, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.