Browsing by Author "Stamenković, Željka (57188960067)"

The use of preventive health services is a long-term health investment due to its potential to help individuals to take care of their health. This study aimed to explore the availability and performance of health services in primary health care (PHC) in the domain of general practice (GP), pediatrics, and gynecology, as well as to analyze the influence of sociodemographic and health determinants on the utilization of preventive health services. This descriptive study used data from the National Health Insurance Fund and the Statistical Office of the Serbia for 2015 and included 149 independent PHC units. The relationship between the utilization of preventive services and sociodemographic and health characteristics of the population was analyzed by bivariate and multivariate linear regression models. The higher health expenditure per capita and noncommunicable diseases mortality rate were, the more preventive health services were provided by a chosen GP. Children with a higher completion rate of primary school (p = 0.024), higher health expenditure (p = 0.017), and higher life expectancy at birth (p = 0.041) had more preventive health services. The fertility rate was positively associated with the number of preventive health services per 1000 women (p = 0.033). Our findings should serve as a starting point for where efforts should be made to achieve better health outcomes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

The use of preventive health services is a long-term health investment due to its potential to help individuals to take care of their health. This study aimed to explore the availability and performance of health services in primary health care (PHC) in the domain of general practice (GP), pediatrics, and gynecology, as well as to analyze the influence of sociodemographic and health determinants on the utilization of preventive health services. This descriptive study used data from the National Health Insurance Fund and the Statistical Office of the Serbia for 2015 and included 149 independent PHC units. The relationship between the utilization of preventive services and sociodemographic and health characteristics of the population was analyzed by bivariate and multivariate linear regression models. The higher health expenditure per capita and noncommunicable diseases mortality rate were, the more preventive health services were provided by a chosen GP. Children with a higher completion rate of primary school (p = 0.024), higher health expenditure (p = 0.017), and higher life expectancy at birth (p = 0.041) had more preventive health services. The fertility rate was positively associated with the number of preventive health services per 1000 women (p = 0.033). Our findings should serve as a starting point for where efforts should be made to achieve better health outcomes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

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.

We aimed to present a review of current legal regulations worldwide and the main arguments for and against the requirement of parental consent for abortion in adolescents. While confidentiality in sexual and reproductive healthcare has been guaranteed to adolescents in many countries, many physicians disagree with the practice of providing confidential abortion to adolescents without parental consent. The main reason is that adolescents are not sufficiently mature and competent to independently make decisions and that they need parental protection. Adolescents who are willing to involve parents in their abortion decision will likely benefit from the adult experience and support. The existence of parental involvement legislation reduces the number of adolescent’s abortions. There is a consensus that adolescents should have access to confidential health services and that parental involvement, should not be a barrier to care. However, the majority of adolescents aged 14 to 17 are as competent as adults to understand the risks and benefits of abortion, make voluntary decision ns and provide consent without parents. Also, mandatory parental notification on the intent to undergo abortion may be a trigger for family violence which is dangerous for adolescents and may have long-term consequences. Conclusion − We support the thesis that involving parents in the process of pregnancy termination should not be mandatory. It should be the decision of a competent adolescent and the obligation rests on the medical professionals to assess the ability of the adolescent to make a competent decision about abortion. © 2021 by the University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.