A model for HTA priority setting: experience in Lithuania.

Objectives: To promote the further development of HTA, this study aims to design a model for HTA priority setting, which would address national needs for a country with little experience in the field of HTA, and assess its feasibility for the health system.

Methods: Literature search and review, as well as qualitative research have been used in the design and testing of the model for HTA priority setting. To test the model and the methodology, a three-round Delphi study was conducted in 2011 in the form of an electronic questionnaire, which was distributed to the panel of eleven national experts.

Motivations for adolescent participation in leisure-time physical activity: international differences.

Background: Although there are substantial international differences in adolescent physical activity (PA), cross-country motivational differences have received limited attention, perhaps due to the lack of measures applicable internationally.

Methods: Identical self-report measures assessing PA and motivations for PA were used to survey students ages 11, 13, and 15 from 7 countries participating in the 2005-2006 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study representing 3 regions: Eastern Europe, Western Europe and North America. Multigroup comparisons with Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling examined the stability of factors across regions and regional differences in relations between PA and motives for PA.

The influence of individual and regional factors on association between leisure time physical activity and psychological complaints among adolescents in Europe.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between leisure time physical activity and psychological complaints among adolescents and to determine to what extent this association is mediated by individual and regional factors. Data from the 2005/06 Health Behaviour in School-aged children (HBSC) survey, composed of 106,319 respondents aged 11, 13 and 15 from 20 European countries was analysed. Multilevel modeling showed that individual factors (gender, age and family socioeconomic status) were significant mediators of the association between leisure time physical activity and psychological complaints.

Body image and weight control among adolescents in Lithuania, Croatia, and the United States in the context of global obesity.

Aim: To compare body image and weight control behavior among adolescents in Lithuania, Croatia, and the United States (US), the countries with striking contrasts in the prevalence of overweight among adolescents.

Method: The study was carried out according to the methodology of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children collaborative survey. Nationally-representative samples of students, aged 13 and 15, were surveyed in Lithuania (3778 respondents), Croatia (2946 respondents), and the US (3546 respondents) in the 2001/2002 school year.

Risk factors for alcohol use among youth and main aspects of prevention programs.

Increasing alcohol consumption becomes more relevant social and health problem among youth. There is no reason to believe that this problem will decrease or be solved in the future. In such situation, it is necessary to build on the experience and conclusions of research performed by other countries.