Browsing by Author "Santric Milicevic, Milena (57209748201)"

Background/Aims: This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the mental well-being of general practitioners (GPs) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia. These findings are intended to provide valuable insights to primary care stakeholders about the potential need for support interventions. Materials and Methods: In the context of the international cross-sectional survey on primary health care during the COVID-19 pandemic (PRICOV-19), our initial focus was on evaluating the appropriateness of employing the Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index (MWBI) for Serbian GPs. The Spearman test validated the correlation between the GPs’ scores of the MWBI and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS21) in the Serbian context. The univariate and multivariate linear regressions modeled the personal and job-related potential predictors of higher MWBI scores (p < 0.05). Results: A strong, positive, and significant correlation was found between the MWBI score; the total DASS21 score; and the scores for depression, anxiety, and stress (p < 0.001). In this pilot study, 71.3% of the GP respondents had poor mental well-being indicated with MWBI scores ≥ 2 (the mean was 3.3 ± 2.7). The likelihood of experiencing poor mental well-being among the GPs was found to be associated with decreases in their socioeconomic statuses (B = −0.893; p = 0.021). Furthermore, inadequate allocation of time for the review of scientific evidence and guidelines has been correlated with a decline in mental well-being among respondents (B = −1.137; p = 0.033). Conclusions: The MWBI effectively assessed GPs’ mental well-being amidst COVID-19 in Serbia. GPs with low socioeconomic statuses might most benefit from mental well-being support during crises. For better mental well-being, GPs need adequate time in their agendas to assess scientific evidence and adhere to established guidelines. © 2025 by the authors.

Background/Aims: This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the mental well-being of general practitioners (GPs) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia. These findings are intended to provide valuable insights to primary care stakeholders about the potential need for support interventions. Materials and Methods: In the context of the international cross-sectional survey on primary health care during the COVID-19 pandemic (PRICOV-19), our initial focus was on evaluating the appropriateness of employing the Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index (MWBI) for Serbian GPs. The Spearman test validated the correlation between the GPs’ scores of the MWBI and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS21) in the Serbian context. The univariate and multivariate linear regressions modeled the personal and job-related potential predictors of higher MWBI scores (p < 0.05). Results: A strong, positive, and significant correlation was found between the MWBI score; the total DASS21 score; and the scores for depression, anxiety, and stress (p < 0.001). In this pilot study, 71.3% of the GP respondents had poor mental well-being indicated with MWBI scores ≥ 2 (the mean was 3.3 ± 2.7). The likelihood of experiencing poor mental well-being among the GPs was found to be associated with decreases in their socioeconomic statuses (B = −0.893; p = 0.021). Furthermore, inadequate allocation of time for the review of scientific evidence and guidelines has been correlated with a decline in mental well-being among respondents (B = −1.137; p = 0.033). Conclusions: The MWBI effectively assessed GPs’ mental well-being amidst COVID-19 in Serbia. GPs with low socioeconomic statuses might most benefit from mental well-being support during crises. For better mental well-being, GPs need adequate time in their agendas to assess scientific evidence and adhere to established guidelines. © 2025 by the authors.

Introduction: Between 2021 and 2023, a project was funded in order to explore the mortality burden (YLL–Years of Life Lost, excess mortality) of COVID-19 in Southern and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Methods: For each national or sub-national region, data on COVID-19 deaths and population data were collected for the period March 2020 to December 2021. Unstandardized and age-standardised YLL rates were calculated according to standard burden of disease methodology. In addition, all-cause mortality data for the period 2015–2019 were collected and used as a baseline to estimate excess mortality in each national or sub-national region in the years 2020 and 2021. Results: On average, 15–30 years of life were lost per death in the various countries and regions. Generally, YLL rates per 100,000 were higher in countries and regions in Southern and Eastern Europe compared to Central Asia. However, there were differences in how countries and regions defined and counted COVID-19 deaths. In most countries and sub-national regions, YLL rates per 100,000 (both age-standardised and unstandardized) were higher in 2021 compared to 2020, and higher amongst men compared to women. Some countries showed high excess mortality rates, suggesting under-diagnosis or under-reporting of COVID-19 deaths, and/or relatively large numbers of deaths due to indirect effects of the pandemic. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the COVID-19 mortality burden was greater in many countries and regions in Southern and Eastern Europe compared to Central Asia. However, heterogeneity in the data (differences in the definitions and counting of COVID-19 deaths) may have influenced our results. Understanding possible reasons for the differences was difficult, as many factors are likely to play a role (e.g., differences in the extent of public health and social measures to control the spread of COVID-19, differences in testing strategies and/or vaccination rates). Future cross-country analyses should try to develop structured approaches in an attempt to understand the relative importance of such factors. Furthermore, in order to improve the robustness and comparability of burden of disease indicators, efforts should be made to harmonise case definitions and reporting for COVID-19 deaths across countries. Copyright © 2024 Cawley, Barsbay, Djamangulova, Erdenebat, Cilović-Lagarija, Fedorchenko, Gabrani, Glushkova, Kalaveshi, Kandelaki, Kazanjan, Lkhagvasuren, Santric Milicevic, Sadikkhodjayeva, Skočibušić, Stojisavljevic, Tecirli, Terzic, Rommel, Wengler and for the BoCO-19-Study Group.