The adaptation of noise-induced temporary hearing threshold shift predictive models for modelling the public health policy.

Objectives: It has been shown that monitoring temporary threshold shift (TTS) after exposure to noise may have a predictive value for susceptibility of developing permanent noise-induced hearing loss. The aim of this study is to present the assumptions of the TTS predictive model after its verification in normal hearing subjects along with demonstrating the usage of this model for the purposes of public health policy.

Material And Methods: The existing computational predictive TTS models were adapted and validated in a group of 18 bartenders exposed to noise at the workplace.

Stressful Experiences of Parents in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: Searching for the Most Intensive PICU Stressors.

Hospitalization of a child in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is extremely stressful, both for the child and for his or her family. The purpose of this study was to gain deeper insight into the stressful experiences of parents of children hospitalized in the PICU. This study included 96 parents.

Indoor carbon dioxide concentrations in Croatian elementary school classrooms during the heating season.

Aware that exposure to stuffy indoor air with high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) is associated with higher absenteeism and reduced academic performance in school pupils, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe initiated indoor air quality surveys in schools, including CO2 monitoring, to assess ventilation and exposure to stuffy air. Here we report the findings of the first such survey in Croatia. It was conducted in 60 classrooms of 20 urban and rural elementary schools throughout the country during the heating season.

A Data-informed Public Health Policy-Makers Platform.

Hearing loss is a disease exhibiting a growing trend due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the mundane exposure to the noise and ever-increasing size of the older population. In the framework of a public health policymaking process, modeling of the hearing loss disease based on data is a key factor in alleviating the issues related to the disease and in issuing effective public health policies. First, the paper describes the steps of the data-driven policymaking process.

Big Data for Sound Policies: Toward Evidence-Informed Hearing Health Policies.

Purpose: The scarcity of health care resources calls for their rational allocation, including within hearing health care. Policies define the course of action to reach specific goals such as optimal hearing health. The process of policy making can be divided into 4 steps: (a) problem identification and issue recognition, (b) policy formulation, (c) policy implementation, and (d) policy evaluation.

Multi-lag tone-entropy in neonatal stress.

Heart rate variability (HRV) has been analysed using linear and nonlinear methods. In the framework of a controlled neonatal stress model, we applied tone-entropy (T-E) analysis at multiple lags to understand the influence of external stressors on healthy term neonates. Forty term neonates were included in the study.

Subclavian fusiform aneurysm causing partial subclavian steal syndrome. Case report.

We present a 55-year-old man with repeated transient symptoms of vertebrobasilar arterial pathology. Physical examination detected no signs that would indicate the stenosis of the proximal subclavian artery segment. Ultrasound detected hemodynamic disorder of right vertebral artery, which correspond to a partial subclavian steal syndrome.

Prevalence and level of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria sp. in ready-to-eat minimally processed and refrigerated vegetables.

Minimally processed and refrigerated vegetables can be contaminated with Listeria species bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes due to extensive handling during processing or by cross contamination from the processing environment. The objective of this study was to examine the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat minimally processed and refrigerated vegetables from supermarkets in Osijek, Croatia. 100 samples of ready-to-eat vegetables collected from different supermarkets in Osijek, Croatia, were analyzed for presence of Listeria species and Listeria monocytogenes.

Cervical cancer in Osijek-Baranja County--possibilities for prevention.

In Osijek-Baranja County, there was a rise in the number of non-invasive and fall of invasive cervical cancer in the period 2000-2008, but cervical cancer still represents an important public health problem in Osijek-Baranja County. Cervical cancer in 2008 was the ninth female cancer site and represents 3.5% of all malignant diseases in women.

Prevalence and risk factors of alcohol abuse among university students from eastern Croatia: questionnaire study.

The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of alcohol abuse among university students in Osijek, Croatia and its possible interconnections with gender, year of study, repetition of year of study, faculty subject area, sources of financing and type of residence during study. A validated questionnaire was self-administered to cross-faculty representative student sample of "J. J.

Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infections in East Croatia.

The aim of the study was to establish the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) among sexually active adults from East Croatia and to evaluate its correlates with demographic and behavioural risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted from the 1st June until the 30th September 2005 at the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Osijek University Hospital Center. The study included 423 blood donors composed of 366 (86.

Epidemiologic data of malignant melanoma in Osijek-Baranya County (Eastern Croatia) during the period of 2000-2008.

During the past several decades there has been a substantial increase in the incidence of malignant melanoma worldwide. The highest incidences were reported in New Zealand and Australia. In Europe the northern countries generally have a higher incidence.

The characteristics of sexual behavior and extent of condom usage among sexually active Croatians from Eastern Croatia.

Objective: To determine the extent of condom usage as a method of protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among sexually active individuals obliged to present for periodical health examination at the Institute of Public Health for the Osijek-Baranya County, in Osijek, eastern Croatia.

Material And Methods: During February 2004, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. The research tool was an unidentified 20-item questionnaire addressing the sexual behavior of study subjects and their partners and methods of protection from STIs.

Psycho-social aspects of measures aimed at decreasing prevalence of chronic diseases in the population of returnees in the Osijek Region, Croatia.

Recognizing high prevalence of Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders and low coverage by preventive examinations in the population of returnees, in Osijek Region, we initiated activities for early detection and better managing of chronic diseases. Measures done, were based on public health working methods, such as: education, solidarity and self-responsibility. A special attention was put on psychosocial aspects of the health-related matters.

High exposure to arsenic from drinking water at several localities in eastern Croatia.

This study investigated the relationship between arsenic concentrations in drinking water in four towns/villages in eastern Croatia and corresponding hair arsenic concentrations of residents. The mean arsenic concentrations in community drinking water samples were 0.14, 37.