Browsing by Author "Maksimović, Nataša (12772951900)"

Aim. To test the discriminative metric properties and specificity of the Serbian version of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) for assessment of the quality of life in asthma patients. Method. We studied 100 atopic and 60 nonatopic adult asthma patients with different disease severity, who were consecutively recruited from the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Institute of Allergology and Immunology, University Center of Serbia, between March 2000 and June 2002. After linguistic validation, AQLQ was administered, as well as Paykel's scale of stressful life events. Tests of statistical significance and General Linear Model were used to explore the correlation between characteristics of patients, disease, and environment, and AQLQ scores. Reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by determining its internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results. A more severe form of the disease (F = 16.05; p < 0.001), life in rural disease areas (t = -2.67; p = 0.008) and changes in weather conditions (t= 3.05; p= 0.003) were significantly associated with worse overall quality of life of the tested asthma patients. Older patients had poorer quality of life in domains of activity limitation (B = -0.024; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.036 to -0. 011; p < 0.001) and exposure to environmental stimuli (B = -0.022; 95% CI, -0.039 to -0.006; p = 0.008). Higher values of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 , % predicted) were correlated with better quality of life in overall (B = 0.017; 95% CI, 0.009-0.025; p < 0.001) and other questionnaire domains, except in domain of environmental stimuli. Poorer overall quality of life was recorded in atopic patients sensitive to house dust mites (t = 2,60; p = 0.011). Form (atopic and nonatopic) and duration of disease, as well as stressful life events were not significantly related to asthmatic patients' quality of life. The Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.72 to 0.93. Conclusion. Disease severity, place of residence, weather conditions, age, and FEV 1 (% predicted) were significantly related to quality of life in our patients. The Serbian version of AQLQ was highly reliable.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of burnout syndrome in a large sample of primary and secondary school teachers in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and identify the factors associated with burnout in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in August and September of 2018, on a sample of 952 teachers. Beside socio-demographic information, Bortner scale, Job Content Questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory were filled in by the study participants. Results: Only 5.1% of teachers reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 3.8% reported high levels of depersonalization, and 22.3% reported low levels of personal accomplishment. Behavior type, specifically type-A behavior, was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion. The most important factors associated with burnout were work–life characteristics and job-demand-control model of occupational stress. Conclusions: Our study shows a low prevalence of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in teachers in the Republic of Srpska before the beginning of the new school year. Since similar studies show a high prevalence of burnout at the end of the school year, a potential seasonality of this syndrome should be considered and explored further. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of burnout syndrome in a large sample of primary and secondary school teachers in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and identify the factors associated with burnout in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in August and September of 2018, on a sample of 952 teachers. Beside socio-demographic information, Bortner scale, Job Content Questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory were filled in by the study participants. Results: Only 5.1% of teachers reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 3.8% reported high levels of depersonalization, and 22.3% reported low levels of personal accomplishment. Behavior type, specifically type-A behavior, was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion. The most important factors associated with burnout were work–life characteristics and job-demand-control model of occupational stress. Conclusions: Our study shows a low prevalence of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in teachers in the Republic of Srpska before the beginning of the new school year. Since similar studies show a high prevalence of burnout at the end of the school year, a potential seasonality of this syndrome should be considered and explored further. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Background/Aim. The assessment of association of depression and diabetes mellitus type 2 using the Patient Health Questionaire (PHQ-9) has not been done in Montenegro. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of depression. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the General Hospital in Bijelo Polje, from July to September, 2015. It included 70 patients over 35 years of age with the diagnosis of diabetes for at least six months. For the assessment of depression presence and intensity PHQ–9 was used. All variables associated with the presence of depression at a significance level of p < 0.05 were included into the final method of the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results. Comorbidities were statistically significant more frequent among patients with depression (χ2 = 5.40; p = 0.020). Duration of diabetes over five years was significantly associated with depression (χ2 = 12.48; p < 0.001). Depression occurred more frequently among physically inactive subjects (χ2 = 10.74; p = 0.005). The presence of diabetic polyneuropathy (χ2 = 6.04; p = 0.014) and cataract (χ2 = 5.351; p = 0.021) were also significantly associated with depression. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of diabetes over five years and presence of cataract were independently associated with depression. Conclusion. The risk factors for depression among the subjects with diabetes were disease duration more than five years and the presence of cataract. Since depression is a serious disease and can be a risk factor for many chronic diseases, the best way of prevention is its early detection and treatment. © 2019 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Unselective use of antibiotics to treat children with COVID-19 is one of the major issues during the pandemic in Serbia. Thus far, there has been no evidence about the predictors of multiple antibiotic use in the treatment of children with COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of antibiotic use, as well as to examine demographic and clinical factors associated with a greater number of antibiotics and with a longer antibiotic treatment administered to hospitalized children with COVID-19 during the lockdown in Serbia. This study included all children who were hospitalized from 6 March to 31 May 2020 at the only pediatric COVID-19 hospital, and who were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infection. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from medical records. The antibiotic treatment included the use of azithromycin, cephalosporin (ceftriaxone), ampicillin-amikacin, and hydroxychloroquine. The overall prevalence of antibiotics use in children hospitalized with COVID-19 regardless of age was 47.2% (43.3% in children aged 1–5 years and 44.4% in those aged 5–17 years). In children aged 1–5 years, not having a family member affected by COVID-19 (B = −1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.43, −0.34, p = 0.011), having pneumonia on chest X-ray (B = 0.81, 95%CI 0.34, 1.29, p = 0.002), being a boy (B = −0.65, 95%CI −1.17, −0.13, p = 0.018), and having higher C-reactive protein (CRP) values on admission (B = 0.12, 95%CI 0.07, 0.17, p = 0.001) were associated with the administration of a higher number of antibiotics. These factors, along with having fever (B = 3.20, 95%CI 1.03, 5.37, p = 0.006), were associated with a longer duration of antibiotic treatment in children aged 1–5 years. In children aged 5–17 years, having pharyngeal erythema (B = 1.37, 95%CI 0.61, 2.13, p = 0.001), fever (B = 0.43, 95%CI 0.07, 0.79, p = 0.018), and pneumonia on chest X-ray (B = 0.91, 95%CI 0.53, 1.29, p = 0.001), not having rhinorrhea (B = −1.27, 95%CI −2.47, −0.08, p = 0.037), being a girl (B = 0.52, 95%CI 0.08, 0.97, p = 0.021), and having higher CRP values on admission (B = 0.04, 95%CI 0.01, 0.06, p = 0.006) were associated with the administration of a higher number of antibiotics. These factors, not including the absence of rhinorrhea, were associated with a longer duration of antibiotics treatment in children aged 5–17 years. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory parameters were associated with the use of multiple antibiotics and a longer duration of antibiotic treatment both among children aged 1–5 years and those aged 5–17 years. © 2022 by the authors.

Unselective use of antibiotics to treat children with COVID-19 is one of the major issues during the pandemic in Serbia. Thus far, there has been no evidence about the predictors of multiple antibiotic use in the treatment of children with COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of antibiotic use, as well as to examine demographic and clinical factors associated with a greater number of antibiotics and with a longer antibiotic treatment administered to hospitalized children with COVID-19 during the lockdown in Serbia. This study included all children who were hospitalized from 6 March to 31 May 2020 at the only pediatric COVID-19 hospital, and who were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infection. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from medical records. The antibiotic treatment included the use of azithromycin, cephalosporin (ceftriaxone), ampicillin-amikacin, and hydroxychloroquine. The overall prevalence of antibiotics use in children hospitalized with COVID-19 regardless of age was 47.2% (43.3% in children aged 1–5 years and 44.4% in those aged 5–17 years). In children aged 1–5 years, not having a family member affected by COVID-19 (B = −1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.43, −0.34, p = 0.011), having pneumonia on chest X-ray (B = 0.81, 95%CI 0.34, 1.29, p = 0.002), being a boy (B = −0.65, 95%CI −1.17, −0.13, p = 0.018), and having higher C-reactive protein (CRP) values on admission (B = 0.12, 95%CI 0.07, 0.17, p = 0.001) were associated with the administration of a higher number of antibiotics. These factors, along with having fever (B = 3.20, 95%CI 1.03, 5.37, p = 0.006), were associated with a longer duration of antibiotic treatment in children aged 1–5 years. In children aged 5–17 years, having pharyngeal erythema (B = 1.37, 95%CI 0.61, 2.13, p = 0.001), fever (B = 0.43, 95%CI 0.07, 0.79, p = 0.018), and pneumonia on chest X-ray (B = 0.91, 95%CI 0.53, 1.29, p = 0.001), not having rhinorrhea (B = −1.27, 95%CI −2.47, −0.08, p = 0.037), being a girl (B = 0.52, 95%CI 0.08, 0.97, p = 0.021), and having higher CRP values on admission (B = 0.04, 95%CI 0.01, 0.06, p = 0.006) were associated with the administration of a higher number of antibiotics. These factors, not including the absence of rhinorrhea, were associated with a longer duration of antibiotics treatment in children aged 5–17 years. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory parameters were associated with the use of multiple antibiotics and a longer duration of antibiotic treatment both among children aged 1–5 years and those aged 5–17 years. © 2022 by the authors.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing condition that can have considerable effects on the patients' quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to measure the health-related QOL in patients with AD, using generic and specific instruments, to compare the scores obtained by different instruments and to verify the relationship between them. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 132 outpatients with AD. To assess the QOL, Short Form 36 (SF-36), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) were administered. In order to assess the disease severity of AD, we used the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and physician assessment of disease severity. Stressful life events during the last 12 months were assessed with Paykel's Interview for Recent Life Events. Patients with AD had inferior social functioning and mental health scores compared with the general population. The correlations between the DLQI and SF-36 were found for the mental components of the QOL. Increasing disease severity was associated with greater impairment in QOL in both, children and adults. Our study found the influence of the stressful life events on the role emotional of AD patients. These results demonstrate that AD influences health-related QOL, especially in children. This study supports the decision to use both generic and skin-specific instruments to assess the impact of AD on QOL. © 2011 Japanese Dermatological Association.

Background/Aim. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccine since 1982, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still remains a major occupational disease among health care workers (HCWs) worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the level of knowledge regarding HBV among HCWs in Serbia. Methods. A random sample of 352 HCWs, stratified by occupation, was selected from the list of employees in the Clinical Centre of Serbia during December 2015. Anonymous questionnaire was used in data collection. Data were statistically assessed. Results. The mean HBV knowledge score was 22.9 ± 4.8 (out of maximum 30). Better knowledge score correlated with higher education attainment (= 0.377; p < 0.001), younger age (= -0.113; p = 0.034) and less working experience (-0.127; p = 0.017). We observed that those HCWs who were previously vaccinated against hepatitis B demonstrated statistically significantly higher knowledge level (t = 5.656, p < 0.001) compared to HCWs who were not vaccinated (23.9 ± 3.7 vs. 20.9 ± 5.8, respectively). Conclusion. We found poor level of knowledge on some aspects of HBV infection among HCWs in Serbia. Tailoring of education campaigns in this high-risk exposure group is necessary. Education intervention should focus on change of attitudes and behaviour modification to ensure safe and responsible health care environment. © 2020 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Introduction/Objective We aimed to investigate the lifetime and periodic prevalence (during a year) and characteristics of violence against women and health status of women whose partners have been treated for alcohol dependence. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among women whose male partners were alcoholdependent and admitted to hospital for the inpatient treatment. Exposure to physical and sexual violence was measured by the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2). Mental health status was measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), suicidal risk (using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview or MINI scale), and alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods. We also constructed two logistic regression models to study associations between violence and socioeconomic status, and violence and health-related variables. Results The lifetime prevalence of physical violence committed by alcohol-dependent partners against women was 65.4%, while the periodic prevalence (during 12 months prior to the study) was 46.2% for physical, 20.2% for sexual, and 18% for both types of violence. No women were in risk of harmful alcohol consumption. Violence was more frequent against women not living in urban areas [odds ratio (OR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–5.94, in the univariate model], and among women with moderate/ severe depression (OR 12.34, 95% CI 2.26–67.33, in the multivariate model). Conclusion Alcohol-dependent men are very often violent toward their spouses, and inpatient treatment presents an opportunity to work with them on raising awareness on the unacceptability of violence against women. © 2021, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Introduction Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids is a serious concern of health care workers and presents a major risk of transmission of infections such as human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Objective The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and circumstances of occupational blood and body fluid exposures among health care workers. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted in three university hospitals in Belgrade. Anonymous questionnaire was used containing data about demographic characteristics, self-reported blood and body fluid exposures and circumstances of percutaneous injuries. Results Questionnaire was filled in and returned by 216 health care workers (78.2% of nurses and 21.8% of doctors). 60.6% of participants-health care workers had sustained at least one needlestick injury during their professional practice; 25.9% of them in the last 12 months. Of occupational groups, nurses had higher risk to experience needlestick injuries than doctors (p=0.05). The majority of the exposures occurred in the operating theatre (p=0.001). Among factors contributing to the occurrence of needlestick injuries, recapping needles (p=0.003) and decontamination/cleaning instruments after surgery (p=0.001) were more frequent among nurses, while use of a needle before intervention was common among doctors (p=0.004). Only 41.2% of health care workers had reported their injuries to a supervisor in order to obtain medical attention. 50.2% of health care workers were vaccinated with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Conclusion There is a high rate of needlestick injuries in the daily hospital routine. Implementation of safety devices would lead to improvement in health and safety of medical staff.

Objective − To assess the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children with and without parental history of atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as to explore the association between parental history of atopic diseases and presence of allergic rhinitis or asthma in children diagnosed with AD. Methods − From January to June 2014, we recruited a total of 98 children with AD and their parents who presented at the Clinic of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. The parents filled in a questionnaire. The severity of AD was assessed using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index. Results − Of 98 parents, 33 (33.7%) reported having history of AD. In children with parental history of AD, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was 18.2% and 24.2%, respectively. In children without parental history of AD, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was 12.3% and 23.1%, respectively. Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that: neither mothers’ nor fathers’ history AD were associated with presence of allergic rhinitis or asthma; fathers’ history of asthma was associated with presence of asthma and mothers’ history of asthma was associated with presence of allergic rhinitis. Fathers’ history of allergic rhinitis was associated with presence of allergic rhinitis and mothers’ history of allergic rhinitis was associated with presence of asthma. Conclusion − Our findings suggest that, compared to parental history of AD, parental history of asthma and allergic rhinitis were stronger contributors to the presence of atopic comorbid disorders in children with AD. © 2020 by the University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background: Successful control of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children depends on parents' knowledge on the disease and attitude toward ill child, but there is a lack studies exploring parental knowledge, attitude, and behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate parents' knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward AD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinic of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, between February 2015 and March 2016. Parents of children with AD were invited to complete the questionnaire, which was comprised of five parts: parental sociodemographic characteristics, demographic and clinical characteristics of children, knowledge, attitude, and behavior. To assess factors associated with a higher knowledge level on AD, stronger positive attitude, and more supportive behavior, we performed two multiple linear regression models. Results: The average parental knowledge score was 9.5 ± 1.9 out of 12. The level of knowledge did not correlate with parental conviction that they were well-informed on AD (ρ = −0.121; P = 0.319). Older (β = 0.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00–0.16, P = 0.040), married/partnered parents (β = −2.14, 95% CI −3.55 to 0.72, P = 0.004), and those who have had AD themselves were more likely to be more knowledgeable on AD. Older (β = 0.18, 95% CI 0.01–0.34, P = 0.036) and employed (β = 3.99, 95% CI 1.59–6.38, P = 0.002) parents had stronger positive attitudes toward their children with AD. More supportive behavior of parents of children with AD was associated with being older (β = 0.24, 95% CI 0.04–0.45, P = 0.020) and less educated (β = −0.76, 95% CI −1.24 to 0.28, P = 0.003). Conclusion: The importance of understanding AD and accounting for attitudes by family members is obvious for successful control of the disease. © 2017 The International Society of Dermatology

Introduction: Burnout syndrome occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to emotional and interpersonal stressors in the workplace and is characterised by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievements. Research and prevention of this phenomenon are of public health importance due to numerous consequences it leaves on the health of the working population and work organisation, and among teachers, on children as direct users of their services. The research aims to examine the presence of the stress and burnout syndrome at work in teachers in the regions of the Republic of Srpska, as well as to determine the ex-istence of differences between regions. Methods: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study in the period Au-gust-September 2018, in the territory of the Republic of Srpska. The target population was represented by teachers of primary and secondary schools. The response rate in all regions was 75 % or above it. For this research, a special questionnaire was constructed, consisting of sociodemographic data, data on economic characteristics of the respondents, characteristics of the work environment, as well as data on satisfaction with equipment and resources at work, support from family and friends and presence of work-life conflict. In addition to the general questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Study (MBI-HSS) questionnaire for the assessment of the burnout syndrome at work, and Karasek’s questionnaire (Job Content Questionnaire) for the assessment of stress at work were used. Results: A statistically significant difference in the prevalence of occupational stress among teachers between RS regions was found. Also, a statistically significant difference was found between the regions of the Republic of Srpska related to the dimensions of burnout syndrome at work. A high level of emotional exhaustion was more often reported by teachers from the territory of the region of East Sarajevo and Prijedor (8.0 % and 7.7 %) comparing to teachers from other regions. Teachers from the territory of Prijedor more often showed moderate and high levels of depersonalization, as well as a low level of personal achievements comparing to teachers from other regions. Conclusion: This research shows the presence of burnout syndrome in teachers of all the Republic of Srpska regions at the beginning of the school year, as well as statistically significant differences between the regions. This indicates the need for additional research on risk factors by regions to form targeted and thus more effective prevention measures. © 2021 Marić et al.

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, with a significant effect on quality of life (QoL). Aim: To evaluate the impact of AD on QoL of Montenegrin infants and their parents and to identify predictors affecting their QoL. Material and methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2017 and July 2018 and included 186 infants with AD aged 0–4 years and their parents. The severity of disease was measured by the Three-Item Severity (TIS) score, while QoL was assessed with the Infants’ Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL) and the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) questionnaire. Results: The mean overall scores were 14.72 for IDQOL and 17.78 for DFI. The positive correlation was observed between AD severity and both the IDQOL and DFI scores (r = 0.61, p < 0.001 and r = 0.67, p < 0.001, respectively). The highest-scoring IDQOL items were “itching and scratching”, and “child’s mood”. Poorer infants’ QoL was associated with more serious AD (B = 2.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.08–3.04), concomitant atopic disease (B = 3.86; 95% CI: 1.78–5.94), family history of atopic disease (B = 3.80; 95% CI: 1.84–5.77), older age of the child (B = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.20–2.07) and older age of the parent (B = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.04–0.53). Similarly, parents had poorer QoL if their infants had more severe AD (B = 2.56; 95% CI: 2.14–2.87), another atopic disease (B = 2.91; 95% CI: 0.99–4.84) or family history of atopic disease (B = 4.33; 95% CI: 2.57–6.09). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that AD has a significant negative impact on infants’ QoL as well as on QoL of their parents. © 2020 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved.

The aim of the present case-control study was to assess the risk factors for Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the Montenegrin population. The study group was comprised of 100 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of BCC, while the control group consisted of patients who did not present skin cancer and who were individually matched to the cases by sex and age. The increased risk for BCC was associated with: the presence of nevi (odds ratio [OR] = 3.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-12.73), type of skin concerning to burn rather than to tan after repeated sun exposure in childhood or adolescence (OR = 3.14; 95% CI = 1.59-6.18), the skin reaction to burn after two or more hours of sunlight during childhood or adolescence (OR = 4.53; 95% CI = 2.37-8.63), the number of severe and painful sunburns during their lifetime(OR = 3.52; 95% CI = 1.68-7.38), outdoor work during the summer-time (OR = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.00-7.45), occupational exposure to chemicals (OR = 17.89; 95% CI = 2.82-113.52), history of eczema (OR = 4.17; 95% CI = 1.53-11.39), and history of previous BCC (OR = 3.86; 95% CI = 1.40-10.65). Our study confirms the role of environmental and constitutional factors in development of BCC. © 2010 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Objectives: Medical students represent a group particularly at risk of involuntary childlessness due to their highly demanding careers and university curriculum. The aim of this study was to investigate Serbian medical students’ attitudes towards future parenthood and their awareness of fertility issues. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among fourth year students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia, between 12 and 16 December 2016. Data were collected through an anonymous 56-item validated questionnaire, translated into the Serbian language. The participation rate was 87.1%. Results: More than 95% of students, regardless of gender, wanted to have children in the future; most indicated three as the desired number of children. Both genders equally rated the importance of having children. Women rated significantly higher the likelihood of IVF treatment or child adoption if faced with infertility (both p =.001). All students wanted to have their first child before the age of 35 years. Knowledge about the age-related decline in female fertility was not satisfactory. Women found it more important to have children when they felt sufficiently mature, were in a stable relationship, were financially secure, had completed their studies, were not too old to have children, and had access to childcare, although these prerequisites were rated highly by both genders. Conclusion: Serbian medical students greatly value and have a positive perception of future parenthood. Appropriate education is needed, however, because of their inadequate knowledge of the age-related decline in female fertility. © 2017 The European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health.

Background: In the last decade of the 20th century, a considerable effort has been put into the development of summary measures of population health that combine information on mortality and non-fatal health outcomes. We used the DALYs (Disability adjusted life years) method to assess the burden of disease and injury in the population of Serbia. Methods: Our study, largely based on the methods developed for the Global burden of disease study, was conducted between October 2002 and September 2003. DALYs, stratified by gender and age, were calculated for 18 selected health conditions for the population of Serbia, Serbia and Montenegro for 2000. Years of life lost (YLL) were calculated using country mortality statistics, while years lived with disability (YLD) were calculated using different sources of information. Also, the YLD/YYL ratio and age-adjusted rates of DALYs were calculated. Results: Ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, lung cancer, unipolar depressive disorders, and diabetes mellitus were responsible for almost two-thirds (70%) of the total burden of 18 selected disorders in Serbia 2000. The leading five causes for males were ischaemic heart disease (26.1 DALY per 1000), stroke (17.9), lung cancer (12.7), road traffic accidents (6.5), and self-inflicted injuries (5.5). For females, the leading five causes were stroke (18.1 DALY per 1000), ischaemic heart disease (14.1), depression (8.7), breast cancer (6.1), and diabetes mellitus (5.2). Conclusions: The final results of the study have shown that the national health priority areas should cover cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and mental health. © The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.