Smoking is a Risk Factor for Generation Z, Too: The Evolution of the Attitudes.

Generation Z, defined as "post-millennial," is considered to be the first generation that could end smoking. The objective is also to take into account the evolutionary aspect of the smoking and attitudes of the Generation Z. The aim of this study was to explore the willingness of Generation Z in Slovakia to comply with the legislation adopted in the field of anti-tobacco policy and to investigate some selected social factors-intention, subjective norm and percevied behavioral control-that contribute to a lower rate of compliance.

Does tobacco use among adolescents come out of style in Czechia and Slovakia? Findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey between 2002 and 2016.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyse Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data on a prevalence of tobacco use, indicators of tobacco control and pro-tobacco activities in Czechia and Slovakia between 2002 and 2016.

Methods: GYTS is a school-based survey of students aged 13-15 years carried out in Czechia and Slovakia in 2002/2003, 2007, 2011 and 2016. Standardized uniform questionnaires provided representative data.

Forecasting Frequent Alcohol Use among Adolescents in HBSC Countries: A Bayesian Framework for Making Predictions.

(1) Aim: To summarize alcohol trends in the last 30 years (1985/6-2017/8) among 15-year-olds in Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) countries (overall sample size: 413,399 adolescents; 51.55% girls) and to forecast the potential evolution in the upcoming 2021/22 HBSC survey. (2) Methods: Using 1986-2018 prevalence data on weekly alcohol consumption among 15-year-olds related to 40 HBSC countries/regions, a Bayesian semi-parametric hierarchical model was adopted to estimate trends making a clusterization of the countries, and to give estimates for the 2022 HBSC survey.

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.

Alcohol Use and Its Affordability in Adolescents in Slovakia between 2010 and 2018: Girls Are Less Adherent to Policy Measures.

Background: The article analyzes selected indicators of alcohol use (weekly use, drunkenness within last month) and the ability of adolescents to buy alcohol in Slovakia between 2010 and 2018.

Methods: Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) is a cross-sectional questionnaire study. A standardized uniform questionnaire was used to create a representative sample of 15-year-old adolescents.

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).

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.

Eating-Disordered Behavior in Adolescents: Associations with Body Image, Body Composition and Physical Activity.

Eating disorders (EDs) represent a disparate group of mental health problems that significantly impair physical health or psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to present some evidence about the prevalence of eating-disordered behavior (EDB) in adolescents, and explore its associations with body image (BI), body composition (BC) and physical activity (PA) in this age group. Data from 780 adolescents participating in a health behavior in school-aged children (HBSC) study conducted in Slovakia in 2018 were used (mean age 13.

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.

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.

Body-image Dissatisfaction and Weight-control Behaviour in Slovak Adolescents.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine body-image dissatisfaction in adolescents aged 13-15 years reporting to be on a diet and to assess gender and age differences in weight-reduction behaviour in Slovak adolescents.

Methods: Data on a representative sample of 2,765 adolescents (mean age 14.37 years) from the Slovak part of Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Study carried out in 2014 were analysed.

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.

Is educational differentiation associated with smoking and smoking inequalities in adolescence? A multilevel analysis across 27 European and North American countries.

This study aims to determine whether educational differentiation (i.e. early and long tracking to different school types) relate to socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent smoking.

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.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the impact of tobacco control policies on adolescent smoking. A multilevel study in 29 European countries.

Introduction: There are concerns that tobacco control policies may be less effective in reducing smoking among disadvantaged socioeconomic groups and thus may contribute to inequalities in adolescent smoking. This study examines how the association between tobacco control policies and smoking of 15-year-old boys and girls among 29 European countries varies according to socioeconomic group.

Methods: Data were used from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in 2005/2006 comprising 50,338 adolescents aged 15 years from 29 European countries.

Trends in the co-occurrence of tobacco and cannabis use in 15-year-olds from 2002 to 2010 in 28 countries of Europe and North America.

Background: Cannabis and tobacco use frequently co-occur. Adolescents who consume both substances experience more respiratory distress and psychosocial problems and are less likely to stop compared with those who use either tobacco or cannabis alone. This study examined time trends in tobacco and cannabis use among 15-year-olds in Europe and North America between 2002 and 2010.

Perceived teacher unfairness and headache in adolescence: a cross-national comparison.

OBJECTIVES: The present study examines the prevalence of headache in early adolescents in 21 European and North-American countries and the role of perceived teacher unfairness in predicting this health complaint across different countries. METHODS: Data were taken from the "Health Behaviour in School-aged Children" study (HBSC), a World Health Organization cross-national survey on health behaviors in 11-, 13- and 15-year-old students. Headache and perceived teacher unfairness were measured through a self-administered questionnaire filled out by 115,212 adolescents.

The role of family background on cigarette smoking among adolescent school children in Slovakia: findings from the 2007 Slovakia Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

Objectives: To analyse Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data to determine the role of family background on cigarette smoking among adolescents in Slovakia.

Methods: The GYTS is a school-based survey of students aged 13-15 years developed by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The GYTS was conducted in Slovakia in 2007.

Prevalence of youth cigarette smoking and selected social factors in 25 European countries: findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

Objectives: To present Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data on the prevalence of cigarette smoking and selected social factors among students aged 13-15 years in 25 European countries.

Methods: The GYTS is a school-based survey of students aged 13-15 years. The GYTS was conducted in 25 European countries (2002-2005) and produced representative data for each country.

Early postnatal changes in superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity in healthy term infants.

Objectives: After birth, the newborn intestinal circulation undergoes physiological changes. The purpose of this work was to characterize the changes in mesenteric blood flow velocity occuring during the first three days of life in healthy term infants.

Methods: 30 healthy term newborns were studied repeatedly at the age of 2, 24 and 70 hours.

Findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia--smoking initiation, prevalence of tobacco use and cessation.

Objectives: To show selected findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Methods: Representative sample of 16918 school children aged 13-15 years; data were obtained through uniform questionnaires. The fieldwork was conducted in 2002 and 2003.

Environmental tobacco smoke of youngsters in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia--findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).

Objectives: To present data on Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Methods: A questionnaire survey of a representative sample of 16 918 schoolchildren aged 13-15 years (2002-2003).

Results: Exposure to ETS was reported more frequently in public places than in homes and more frequently from current smokers (CS) than from never smokers (NS).