Worrying increase in the risk of vertical transmission of syphilis in Croatia, 2020 to 2024.

Four infants potentially exposed to syphilis infection in utero, meeting World Health Organization surveillance criteria of congenital syphilis (CS), were diagnosed in Croatia between September 2020 and January 2024. We conducted a retrospective analysis of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data of these cases to assess compliance with surveillance case definitions. As only one confirmed CS case has been reported in Croatia in over 2 decades, these reports signal an increased risk of syphilis vertical transmission and warrant strengthening antenatal screening.

Self-reported HPV vaccination status and HPV vaccine hesitancy in a nationally representative sample of emerging adults in Croatia.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine self-reported human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status among emerging adults in Croatia, intention to get the HPV vaccine among unvaccinated individuals and correlates of HPV vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: Data were collected via a cross-sectional survey based on a probabilistic national sample. The sample included 1,197 individuals aged 18-25 years (50.

A pilot sentinel surveillance system to monitor treatment and treatment outcomes of chronic hepatitis B and C infections in clinical centres in three European countries, 2019.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization European Action Plan 2020 targets for the elimination of viral hepatitis are that > 75% of eligible individuals with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) are treated, of whom > 90% achieve viral suppression.AimTo report the results from a pilot sentinel surveillance to monitor chronic HBV and HCV treatment uptake and outcomes in 2019.MethodsWe undertook retrospective enhanced data collection on patients with a confirmed chronic HBV or HCV infection presenting at one of seven clinics in three countries (Croatia, Romania and Spain) for the first time between 1 January 2019 and 30 June 2019.

Seroprevalence Trends and Molecular Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis in Croatia.

Viral hepatitis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Croatia, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are widely distributed, especially in some high-risk groups such as people who inject drugs (PWID), prisoners, and highly promiscuous groups. The seroprevalence of HBV ranges from 7.

Digital technology and HIV, HCV and STI voluntary counselling and testing: good practice example from Croatia.

The aim of this paper is to introduce the digitalization process and its effects on better reach of the target population. Progress in the digitalization and e-health tools worldwide enables new opportunities in prevention, diagnostics and treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and people in the risk of HIV infection, hepatitis C (HCV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The system already used for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) at the CheckPoint Centre Zagreb run by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Croatian Association for HIV and Viral Hepatitis (CAHIV) was upgraded and adapted (due to the COVID-19 prevention epidemiological measures) and developed for implementation of the pilot project of feasibility and acceptability of home HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Zagreb.

Privacy-Preserving Partner Notification Service to Control Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Partner Notification (PN) processes are typically part of wider combination prevention efforts and focus on the notification of sexual partners to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including Human Immunodeficiency Viruses and viral hepatitis. We present a free, voluntary, anonymous and GDPR-compliant Partner Notification service that offers enhanced security and privacy through a web and mobile application via a unique random codes.

A GDPR-Compliant Partner Notification Service.

Partner Notification processes focus on the notification of sexual partners to prevent the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The INTEGRATE Joint Action provides an integrated platform called RiskRadar, for combination prevention activities targeting STIs, including an anonymous, free and voluntary Partner Notification service. The presented service information flow ensures privacy, security and GDPR compliance which were identified as vital with similar tools.

National multi-stakeholder meetings: a tool to support development of integrated policies and practices for testing and prevention of HIV, viral hepatitis, TB and STIs.

Background: Country level policies and practices of testing and care for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections are lagging behind European recommendations on integration across diseases. Building on previous experiences and evidence, the INTEGRATE Joint Action arranged four national stakeholder meetings. The aim was to foster cross-disciplinary and cross-disease collaborations at national level as a vehicle for strengthened integration of testing and care services.

RiskRadar: development and pilot results of a technical intervention targeting combination prevention regarding HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis.

Background: The HIV pandemic impacts the lives of millions and despite the global coordinated response, innovative actions are still needed to end it. A major challenge is the added burden of coinfections such as viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and various sexually transmitted infections in terms of prevention, treatment and increased morbidity in individuals with HIV infection. A need for combination prevention strategies, tailored to high-risk key populations arises and technology-based interventions can be a valuable asset.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis in Populations with High-risk Behaviors in Croatia.

HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) represent a significant public health problem worldwide. We analyzed the seroprevalence and risk factors for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in populations with high-risk behaviors in Croatia. During a three-year period, a total of 443 men who have sex with men (MSM) / bisexual persons, sex workers (SW) / clients of SW, persons with multiple sexual partners, and persons with a history of STD were tested for the presence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Treponema pallidum (syphilis) antibodies within the framework of second generation HIV surveillance.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases as a Risk for Acquiring HIV Infection among the Population of Men Who Have Sex with Men--A Case-Control Study.

At the beginning of the 1980-ies, HIV infection and AIDS were described for the first time, this among the population of men who have sex with other men. Nearly thirty years later, the MSM population is still a population under heightened risk for acquiring HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. This study investigates sexually transmitted diseases as a risk for HIV infection.

[Epidemiology of viral hepatitis].

Understanding the country-specific epidemiology of disease, which may vary greatly among countries, is crucial for identifying the most appropriate preventive and control measures. An overview of the local epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Croatia is given in this paper. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B in Croatia is low (less than 2% HBsAg carriers in the general population).

Repeat HIV testing at voluntary testing and counseling centers in Croatia: successful HIV prevention or failure to modify risk behaviors?

HIV testing plays a critical role in preventing the spread of the virus and identifying infected individuals in need of care. Voluntary counseling and testing centers (VCTs) not only conduct testing but they also provide counseling. Since a proportion of people who test negative for HIV on their previous visit will return for retesting, the frequency of retesting and the characteristics of those who retest may provide insights into the efficacy of testing and counseling strategies.

Vaccine regulations in Croatia.

In this paper legal prerequisites for vaccine licensure in Croatia are discussed. The Croatian legislation concerning vaccine licensing, marketing authorisation and utilization is reviewed. The procedures for including a vaccine into the Mandatory Childhood Vaccination Programme are also discussed with focus on Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.