Probability of exposure to the wild measles virus in adult population - Estimation from seroepidemiology and historical data.

Vaccination against measles is one of the most effective public health interventions which has saved millions of lives and interrupted circulation of the natural virus in the population. However, it is widely accepted that the immunity after vaccination can wane, especially in those who have had no contact with the virus. This study aimed to classify the particular birth cohorts of adults with regard to their exposure to the wild measles virus in the population with a long history of mandatory vaccination.

Validation of the Slovakian Version of the "Post‑acute (Long) COVID‑19 Quality of Life Instrument" and Pilot Study.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to validate a Slovakian translation of the PAC‑19QoL instrument among Slovakian patients with post COVID-19 syndrome.

Patients And Methods: The PAC-19QoL instrument was translated into the Slovakian language and administrated to patients with post COVID-19 syndrome. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to analyse the internal consistency of the instrument.

Quantification of Waning Immunity After Measles Vaccination-Evidence From a Seroprevalence Study.

We aimed to quantify rates of waning immunity after measles vaccination from seroprevalence data collected in a study of a population with high vaccination coverage and a fixed vaccination schedule. Data were collected during a national survey (the Immunological Survey) carried out in the Slovak Republic in 2018. The average rate of waning immunity against measles after the first dose of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (ages 1.

Prevalence of Burnout in Healthcare Workers of Tertiary-Care Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey from Two Central European Countries.

COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented strain on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout in hospital employees during a prolonged pandemic-induced burden on healthcare systems. An online survey among employees of a Czech and Slovak university hospital was conducted between November 2021 and January 2022, approximately when the incidence rates peaked in both countries.

Secondary School Teachers and Outpatient Physicians: Differences in Attitudes towards Vaccination against COVID-19 in Slovakia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in attitudes towards vaccination against COVID-19 among secondary school teachers and outpatient physicians. A cross-sectional study was realised using anonymous questionnaires. The EPI Info 7 program and R software, version 4.

Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Units in University Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and associated risk factors of burnout syndrome among healthcare workers (HCWs), especially among nurses during the pandemic of COVID-19. The sample of the cross-sectional study consists of 201 employees of University Hospital. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS MP) was used.

Private wells as potential sources of heavy metal exposure: a pilot study in northwest Slovakia.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyse levels of selected heavy metals: chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb), and to recognize factors related to wells' stewardship.

Methods: The pilot study was realized in May 2018 in three villages in northwest of Slovakia. We analysed 69 water samples from private wells.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Healthcare and Non-Healthcare Workers of Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics in the Northern Region of Slovakia.

The purpose of this study was to analyse attitudes, motivation, and reasons for hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in northern Slovakia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 30 August 2021 and 30 September 2021. An anonymous questionnaire was administered.

Odds Ratio Estimation of Medical Students' Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination.

This study investigated the attitudes of Slovak medical students to COVID-19 vaccination. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 10 March 2021 and 24 March 2021, as the second wave of coronavirus spread in Slovakia. It was performed in four medical faculties with students in years 1-6.

Determination of Cadmium and Chromium in Fruit Spirits Intended for Own Consumption Using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

Introduction: Analysis of the occurrence of cadmium and chromium in selected samples of fruit spirits intended for own consumption.

Material And Methods: In our pilot study, we analysed 89 samples of fruit spirits intended for own consumption. The samples were mineralized with use of microwave decomposition system MULTIWAVE 60 50 Hz and analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace (AAS GBC XPLORAA 5000 with GF 5000).

Association of the role of personal variables and nonoccupational risk factors for work-related carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify personal variables and nonoccupational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome and to analyse the strength of association of these factors.

Methods: We performed a case-control study with 162 cases and 300 controls. We studied consecutive patients with an electrophysiologically confirmed diagnosis of symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Measles Outbreak in a Roma Community in the Eastern Region of Slovakia, May to October 2018.

Background: Despite the effective National Immunization Programme of Slovakia, some population groups are incompletely vaccinated or unvaccinated. We aimed to describe the measles outbreak spread in Eastern Slovakia between May and October 2018, affecting the Roma communities in relation to the existing immunity gaps.

Methods: We defined a group of persons living in socially closed communities with low vaccination coverage.

Selected Behavioural Factors Affecting Oral Health in Schoolchildren: Results from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Slovak Study.

Oral diseases, particularly dental caries, affect as much as nine in 10 persons globally. Its development starts during childhood. Behavioural factors play an important role in its aetiology.

The Effects of a Workplace Health Promotion Program to Decrease Cadmium Exposure Levels in Nickel-Cadmium Battery Workers.

Objective: Cadmium exposure is a common problem in the production of nickel-cadmium batteries. However, keeping the respective legislative occupational and safety policies is essential, but there are problems with compliance. We analysed the effect of strategies to increase compliance with precautions during 20132015 on 59 workers at a nickel-cadmium battery factory.

Validation of the Slovakian version of Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ).

Introduction: The most common occupational disease is carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Slovakian version of BCTSQ.

Methods: The original questionnaire was translated into the Slovakian language by two expert translators.

Impact of hand hygiene knowledge on the hand hygiene compliance.

Aim Hand hygiene practice is still burdened by inadequate compliance, whether in the professional sphere by health professionals or in the non-professional sphere by lay population. Aim of this study was to map the hand hygiene knowledge and its compliance in the monitored group of people. Methods The research was conducted at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin of Comenius University in Bratislava (JFM CU) among seventy 3rd year students of General Medicine (medical study program), and Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health (non-medical study programs).

Exposure to Mental Load and Psychosocial Risks in Kindergarten Teachers.

Introduction: Published research studies in Central Europe have been mostly oriented toward occupational stress among schoolteachers. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of occupational stress in kindergarten teachers and to specify psychosocial risks associated with their work.

Methods: The study was conducted by using a Meister questionnaire and a Psychosocial risk questionnaire.

Lead contamination of fruit spirits intended for own consumption as a potential overlooked public health issue? A pilot study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of lead in selected samples of fruit distilled spirits for own consumptions in terms of possible contribution to the occurrence of alcohol-attributable diseases.

Methods: In a pilot study, we analysed 18 samples of fruit spirits for own consumption. Most of the samples were distilled in the local growing distilleries in the Žilina Region with exception of 3 samples collected in the Trnava Region (one of them was of Hungarian origin).

Legislative Norms to Control Cannabis Use in the Light of Its Prevalence in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Objectives: Cannabis control legislation ranks among key measures to prevent social-health impacts of its use. The article qualitatively analyses respective legislation in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary (Visegrad Four, V4) considering level of decriminalisation of cannabis use in relation to current epidemiological situation.

Methods: Qualitative analysis of the cannabis control legislation in V4 countries from 1995 to 2016 focusing on criminal liability, differentiation of cannabis from other illicit substances, definition of a small amount intended for personal use, sentences for possessing and dealership of the drug.

Estimation of the Population Susceptibility Against Measles in Slovakia.

Objective: In Slovakia, thanks to a highly effective vaccination programme, no domestic cases of measles have been reported since 1999. However, there are several outbreaks of measles currently hitting some countries in Europe. Difficulties in reaching the goal of measles elimination make it necessary to monitor the status of the population susceptibility to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.

Nanomaterials - a New and Former Public Health Issue. The Case of Slovakia.

Nanoparticles exist for a long time as both inorganic and organic parts of nature. Recently, massive expansion of nanotechnologies is evidenced, together with intentional production of new nanoparticles which have not been in contact with living organisms until now. Besides obvious positive aspects, potential threats related to their exposure should be taken into consideration.

MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF VARICELLA SPREAD IN SLOVAKIA.

Aim: Varicella is a highly contagious disease. In Slovakia, 15,000-30,000 cases are reported annually. However, vaccination against varicella is not widely used in Slovakia.

Occupational viral hepatitis in the Slovak and the Czech Republic.

Background: The proportion of occupational infectious diseases (ID) in the total number of occupational diseases reported in the Slovak Republic (SR) and the Czech Republic (CR) was decreasing from 1973 to 2010. Our study presents a longitudinal analysis of the occurrence of occupational infectious diseases in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic in the period from 1973-2010 with special focus on viral hepatitis.

Methods: The sources of data were national health statistics of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

Costs analysis of the treatment of imported malaria.

Background: To document the status of imported malaria infections and estimate the costs of treating of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of imported malaria in the Slovak Republic during 2003 to 2008.

Case Study: Calculating and comparing the direct and indirect costs of treatment of patients diagnosed with imported malaria (ICD-10: B50 - B54) who used and not used chemoprophylaxis. The target sample included 19 patients diagnosed with imported malaria from 2003 to 2008, with 11 whose treatment did not include chemoprophylaxis and eight whose treatment did.