Browsing by Author "Zarić, Milica (56786047800)"

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.

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

Study objective: Assessing knowledge and attitudes of parents towards human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of their children and estimating factors associated with parental positive attitude towards HPV immunization. Study design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Two Community Health Centers. A total of 282 adult parents of boys and/or girls who presented at the pediatrician's office with their child aged ≤18 years from December 2015 to May 2016. Main outcome measures: HPV vaccination coverage with one dose, knowledge and attitudes towards HPV vaccination. Parental knowledge was tested through a set of 10 items such as the infectious nature of HPV, mode of transmission, symptoms and its association with cervical cancer and circumstances surrounding HPV vaccine in Serbia. Answers were graded on a 5-point Likert scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Results: Coverage with one dose of HPV vaccine was 2.0%. Majority of parents knew that the vaccine existed (71.0%). One quarter of parents confirmed that their child should be vaccinated against HPV. Parents expressed highest level of agreement with the statement that HPV vaccination in Serbia is not sufficiently promoted (4.17 ± 1.21 points). Having female child and more knowledge on HPV were independently associated with positive attitude towards vaccination among parents of children aged <9 years. Having received recommendation for HPV vaccination from a pediatrician was independently associated with positive attitude towards HPV vaccination among parents of children aged ≥9 years. Conclusion: Coverage with one dose of HPV vaccine is low. Health-care authorities are urged to consider inclusion of HPV vaccination in immunization schedule. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Study objective: Assessing knowledge and attitudes of parents towards human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of their children and estimating factors associated with parental positive attitude towards HPV immunization. Study design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Two Community Health Centers. A total of 282 adult parents of boys and/or girls who presented at the pediatrician's office with their child aged ≤18 years from December 2015 to May 2016. Main outcome measures: HPV vaccination coverage with one dose, knowledge and attitudes towards HPV vaccination. Parental knowledge was tested through a set of 10 items such as the infectious nature of HPV, mode of transmission, symptoms and its association with cervical cancer and circumstances surrounding HPV vaccine in Serbia. Answers were graded on a 5-point Likert scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Results: Coverage with one dose of HPV vaccine was 2.0%. Majority of parents knew that the vaccine existed (71.0%). One quarter of parents confirmed that their child should be vaccinated against HPV. Parents expressed highest level of agreement with the statement that HPV vaccination in Serbia is not sufficiently promoted (4.17 ± 1.21 points). Having female child and more knowledge on HPV were independently associated with positive attitude towards vaccination among parents of children aged <9 years. Having received recommendation for HPV vaccination from a pediatrician was independently associated with positive attitude towards HPV vaccination among parents of children aged ≥9 years. Conclusion: Coverage with one dose of HPV vaccine is low. Health-care authorities are urged to consider inclusion of HPV vaccination in immunization schedule. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.