Short-term effects of air pollution on exacerbations of allergic asthma in Užice region, Serbia.

Introduction: Many time-series studies have shown a positive association between air pollution and asthma exacerbation. However, till now only one study in Serbia has examined this relationship.

Aim: To examine the associations between air pollution and asthma emergency department (ED) visits in the Užice region, Serbia.

Dental service utilisation among adults in a European developing country: findings from a national health survey.

Background: The objective was to estimate the frequency of visits to a dentist and to assess the impact of determinants on dental care utilisation among adults in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2010 National Health Survey performed in the RS. A total of 4,128 adults (≥18 years) were interviewed in their homes.

Cardiovascular Health Status and Metabolic Syndrome in Adults Living in a Transition European Country: Findings from a Population-Based Study.

Background And Purpose: There are only a few published studies on the relationship between cardiovascular health (CVH) status as proposed by the American Heart Association and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in persons with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CVH and MetS and their correlation in the adult population of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to evaluate which set of cardiovascular risk factors (low or medium CVH status and MetS), or the combination of both, is a better predictor for the occurrence of CVD.

Methods: We included 3601 adults (aged ≥25 years) from the Republic of Srpska National Health Survey 2010.

Inequalities in the utilization of health care services in a transition European country: results from the national population health survey.

Objectives: To examine demographic, socio-economic, and health status inequalities in the utilization of health care services (UHCS) in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the 2010 National Health Survey for the RS adult population (n = 4128). A complex sample design was taken into account for statistical analysis.

Socio-Economic Differences in Cardiovascular Health: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in a Middle-Income Country.

Background: A relatively consistent body of literature, mainly from high-income countries, supports an inverse association between socio-economic status (SES) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data from low- and middle-income countries are scarce. This study explores SES differences in cardiovascular health (CVH) in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina, a middle-income country.

Sex inequalities in cardiovascular health: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine sex differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics according to the CVH status.

Methods: The cross-sectional, population-based study involved 2250 women and 1920 men aged ≥18 years that participated in the 2010 National Health Survey in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prevalence of CVH behaviours (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet), CVH factors (cholesterol, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure, plus smoking) and ideal CVH were estimated according to the American Heart Association criteria for ideal, intermediate and poor levels.

Status of cardiovascular health in a transition European country: findings from a population-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) in the adult population of Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics of participants.

Methods: We included 4,170 adults (mean age 50.2 years; 54 % women) from the National Health Survey performed from September to November 2010 in RS.

Association of socioeconomic status measured by education, and cardiovascular health: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Objective: Cardiovascular health (CVH) is a relatively new concept defined by the American Heart Association (AHA). The aim of the present study was to assess whether the indices of CVH were discriminators of socioeconomic status (SES) in the adult population of the Republic of Srpska (RS).

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study.

The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI): linguistic and cultural validation in Serbian.

Background: The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) evaluates the impact of skin diseases on the patient's quality of life.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to translate and to validate the CDLQI into Serbian.

Methods: The CDLQI was translated into Serbian following international recommendations for translation and cultural adaptation.