Increasing smoking prevalence among pupils of several Croatian secondary medical schools between 1990 and 2006.

Smoking among pupils of secondary medical schools is of particular public health interest because of their role in the health system in the future. The study was part of the survey of smoking among students of Croatian medium medical schools. Data of 3 survey periods were available (1990-2002-2006).

Emerging risk for viral hepatitis A in Croatian adults.

An objective of the study was to determine the changes in the risk of developing hepatitis A in the 30-years period and discuss the need for vaccination against HAV infection in Croatia and the city of Rijeka comparing incidence of hepatitis A between 1970-1974 and 2000-2004 periods. Hepatitis A declined in both populations and affected more prominently older population groups. Improvement of hygiene and sanitary conditions appears to have decreased hepatitis A incidence among children and adults, but only a seroepidemiological study can give more accurate data as a basis for discussion on the necessity of vaccination as a further measure in reducing hepatitis A incidence.

Utilization of cardiovascular drugs in Zagreb 2001-2005.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outpatient utilization of cardiovascular drugs in Croatia, during the period 2001-2005, using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification of drugs/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology.

Methods And Results: Data on outpatient drug utilization were obtained from the Zagreb Municipal Pharmacy to calculate the number of defined daily dose (DDD), and DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000/day). The drug utilization 90% (DU90%) method was used on drug prescribing quality assessment.

Occurence of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Croatia.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to show epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Croatia.

Methods: Analysis of data on reported visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis cases and description of the most common clinical manifestations of the disease was based on meta analysis of collected data.

Results: A total of 124 cases of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis were reported from 1954 until the end of 2006.

Micro-scale socioeconomic inequalities and health indicators in a small isolated community of Vis Island, Croatia.

Aim: To investigate whether socioeconomic inequalities at a micro-scale, through their effect on major health risk factors and other health indicators, contribute to health status in an isolated island population with demonstrated reduced genetic and environmental variability.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2003 and 2004 in the adult population of the island of Vis, Croatia. Participants were recruited from the electoral register.

Demonstrating reduced environmental and genetic diversity in human isolates by analysis of blood lipid levels.

Aim: To test the hypothesis that phenotypic diversity in isolated human populations is decreased in comparison with general outbred population because of reduced genetic and environmental diversity. To demonstrate this in populations for which reduced genetic and environmental diversity had already been established, by studying the amount of variation in plasma lipid levels.

Methods: Fasting plasma lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein [LDL], and high density lipoprotein [HDL]) were measured in randomly selected 300 inhabitants from 2 isolated human populations, the island of Rab and the neighboring islands of Vis and Lastovo, Croatia.

Work related diseases and injuries on an oil rig.

The analysis of diseases and injuries in the workers on an American oil rig, operating in the Mediterranean Sea, was done in the period of one year, from 1 May 1996 to 1 May 1997. In total, 518 medical examinations of sick and injuried workers were conducted. At the first place in morbidity, there were injuries and poisonings (26.