Applying a "medical deserts" lens to cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania from 2009 to 2022 - a mixed-methods analysis.

Background: Medical deserts pose significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, leading to unmet healthcare needs and exacerbated health issues, particularly in underserved regions.

Methods: This study aims to characterise cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania through the lens of medical desertification, employing a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative analysis - descriptive statistics - of secondary data from the Activity of Healthcare Units reports from 2009 to 2022, along with qualitative data - thematic analysis - from interviews with cancer patients and healthcare professionals, were employed to uncover the current state of cancer care in Romania.

Assessment of formaldehyde levels in relation to respiratory and allergic symptoms in children from Alba County schools, Romania.

Our study assessed the exposure to formaldehyde of Romanian school children in relation to the classroom indoor environment characteristics and respiratory and allergic symptoms reported in a questionnaire survey, using the data collected in the SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in Europe) project. Measurements of formaldehyde and microclimate parameters were conducted in three classrooms per school, in five schools, together with one outdoor measurement at each school. Questionnaires were used to collect information on classroom characteristics and health effects among children.

Assessing associations between indoor environment and health symptoms in Romanian school children: an analysis of data from the SINPHONIE project.

School environment may have an impact on children's health, but few studies have focused on indoor comfort factors such as temperature, humidity, and noise in relation with potential effects on children's health. Our cross-sectional study used data from the European Schools Indoor Pollution and Health Observatory Network in Europe (SINPHONIE) project to assess children's allergy, asthma-like symptoms, and flu-like symptoms in relation with classroom comfort and environmental factors. The study used self-reported data from three questionnaires to identify classroom conditions and student health outcomes for 280 students.