Browsing by Author "Jovic-Vranes, A. (8364487700)"

Objective: The objective was to analyze possible inequalities by gender in the utilization of health services (general practitioner [GP] and hospital), among people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Republic of Serbia, with special reference to multimorbidity. In addition, we examined the prevalence patterns of NCDs by sociodemographic characteristics of the population. Study design: This study is a population-based, cross-sectional survey. Methods: A secondary analysis from the 2013 Serbian National Health Survey included 13,765 adults aged ≥20 years. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between NCDs and health care utilization. Results: Multimorbidity was present in 30.2% of the total sample. An increased number of NCDs was associated with a higher utilization of both primary (odds ratio [OR] for having any GP visit is 3.17 in males and 3.14 in females; unstandardized coefficient [B] for number of GP visits is 0.33 for both gender) and secondary health care services (OR for having any hospitalization is 2.45 in males and 1.97 in females; B for number of overnight stays in hospital is 1.62 in males and 0.97 in females) in Serbia. Conclusions: Our study provided strong evidence that an increased number of NCDs was significantly associated with a higher utilization of health care services in Serbia. There is a need for wise, decisive, and integrated care interventions for effective management of NCDs and their risk factors. Further research is necessary with special emphasis on the role of the health system in satisfying needs of such patients. © 2017 The Royal Society for Public Health

Objective: Several papers have dealt with diet as a risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). This study aimed to synthesize available data on the topic. Study design: A systematic review of observational studies assessing the association between dietary habits and CMM was performed. Methods: Electronic databases were used to identify eligible articles. Quality was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Case-control and cohort studies evaluating the intake of food/nutrients through the assessment of dietary habits and the occurrence of CMM were considered eligible. Data comparing the highest and lowest levels of consumption were collected from single studies and described qualitatively as data combination was not possible. Results were reported as percentages on the basis of relative risks and odds ratios. Results: Eighteen studies reported in 21 articles were selected. Cohort studies showed better quality than case-control studies. Most articles did not detect any significant association between food/nutrient intake and CMM, except for limited evidence of a protective role associated with fish, vegetables and fruit. Risk reduction was shown to be 35-37%, 40-57% and 34-46%, respectively, in studies reporting significant results. Similarly, few articles showed protective roles of beta-carotene and vitamins A, C, D and E, with risk reduction of 64%, 37-43%, 41%, 15-39% and 50-66%, respectively. Conclusion: A trend towards reduced risk of CMM associated with higher intake of fish, vegetables and fruit, as well as beta-carotene and vitamins A, C, D and E, has been shown but further research is needed to provide decisive data. © 2015 The Royal Society for Public Health.