In Slovenia national strategies to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children were introduced in the mid-nineties. The aim of the present study was to analyze the epidemiological ...characteristics of chronic hepatitis B infection in children in Slovenia after the introduction of mandatory HBV vaccination of children and mandatory screening of pregnant women for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) with consecutive active and passive immunization of newborns of HBsAg-positive mothers.
Children from all regions of Slovenia whose blood samples tested positive for HBsAg at the national reference laboratory for viral hepatitis between January 1997 and December 2010 were included. Demographic, epidemiological and virological data were reviewed retrospectively. Statistical evaluation of the patients' characteristics was performed and possible trends during the observation period determined.
Among 52 HBsAg-positive children, there were 22 (42.3%) girls and 30 (57.7%) boys. Among 40 children tested for HBeAg, 17 were positive (42.5%). The most frequent risk factor for acquiring HBV infection was "presence of HBV infection within the family" (24/35; 68.8%). A significant association between the presence of HBeAg and a viral load of >20,000 IU/ml was found (p=0.001). The difference in the proportion of children of Slovenian origin born before 1994 and after was statistically significant (p=0.039). A statistically significant negative linear trend of the number of diagnosed children in the observed period was found (p=0.006).
Prevention strategies adopted in the mid-nineties have resulted in the elimination of chronic hepatitis B in children of Slovenian origin born in Slovenia.
Vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended for all healthcare workers including physicians in Slovenia to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce transmission of influenza viruses. The ...aim of our study is to determine the uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among Slovenian physicians, to identify factors associated with that vaccination and assess their attitudes and beliefs regarding vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases.
A cross-sectional survey was performed among physician members of the Slovenian Medical Chamber. The link to the anonymous web-based questionnaire was sent to 8,297 physicians. We estimated the overall proportion of physicians who vaccinate against influenza, while the possible associations with collected explanatory variables were explored in univariate analyses.
The response rate to the survey was 10.8%. 75.9% (95% CI: 73.1-78.7%) physicians vaccinate themselves against influenza (regularly or occasionally) and 24.1% (95% CI: 21.2-26.8%) do not vaccinate (not any more or never). In univariate analysis only, the area of work was statistically significant when associated with vaccinating against influenza (p=0.002). Among physicians who expressed some misconceptions regarding vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases (it is better to overcome disease naturally as vaccines pose a higher risk than disease) the proportion of vaccinated against influenza was low (43.2%; 95% CI: 27.9-58.4%, 27.3%; 95% CI: 7.1-47.5%).
Not trusting in vaccination or professional recommendations regarding vaccination and some misconceptions regarding vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases may influence the decision to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza among Slovenian physicians.
Uvod. V Sloveniji ima zdravnik družinske medicine pomembno vlogo pri izvajanju preventive. Delež cepljenih proti gripi je v Sloveniji nizek. Razlogi za to niso povsem jasni. Preučevali smo mnenje ...bolnikov glede cepljenja proti gripi pri njihovem družinskem zdravniku ter njihova stališča in prepričanja o gripi in cepljenju. Cilj naloge je bil odkriti dejavnike, ki vplivajo na odločitev o cepljenju v ambulanti družinske medicine.
In Slovenia, there is little data available on pneumococcal vaccination rates and no data on asymptomatic NPCR and serotypes in the population of nursing home residents in comparison to the elderly ...living in domestic environment, therefore the goal was to gain these data.
A cross sectional epidemiological study was performed. Nasopharyngeal swabs from 151 nursing home residents, 150 elderly living in domestic environment, and 38 adults less than 65 years old were collected twice (in two consecutive years). The swabs were analysed for pneumococcal identification and serotyping. Patient data were collected from medical files and medical history.
No statistically significant differences in NPCR were seen between compared groups in two consecutive years. An average NPCR in two consecutive years in nursing home residents was 1.45%, in the elderly living in domestic environment 0.85%, and in adults less than 65 years old 7.05%. Serotypes identified among nursing home residents were 6B and 9N, among the group of elderly living in domestic environment, 6A and among adults less than 65 years old, 35F, 18C and 3. Pneumococcal vaccination rates were low (3.3% in nursing home residents, 6% in the elderly from domestic environment and 0% in the group of adults less than 65 years old).
Our data suggests that NPCR and the proportion of people vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine among the elderly are low. We identified different serotypes in all groups, only one person was a chronic carrier (serotype 35F).
Objectives. In Slovenia, the role of family physicians in primary care and preventive procedures is very important. Influenza vaccination rates in Slovenia are low. The reasons for low vaccination ...rates in Slovenia were not clear. We suppose that patient’s beliefs and attitudes are important factors. We assessed patients’ opinions regarding the acceptance of flu vaccination by their family physicians and their beliefs and attitudes about flu and vaccination. The aim was to check out factors that influence the decision to take the vaccine in family physician offices.
Methods. This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study in the Styria region in Slovenia. We included patients from seven family physicians during regular office visits. They filled in a questionnaire about their general demographic data and attitudes regarding influenza and vaccination. The main outcome was the decision to be vaccinated.
Results. The logistic regression model identified five predictors for influenza vaccination, namely: heart disease, previous vaccination, an agreement with the beliefs ‘the vaccination is an efficient measure to prevent influenza’, ‘after the vaccination there are usually no important side effects’ and ‘the vaccination is also recommended for a healthy adult person’. The belief that vaccinations harm the immune system is negatively associated with vaccination.
Conclusions. Patients’ beliefs are an important factor to decide for vaccination or not. Family physician teams should discuss with patients their beliefs and concerns about vaccination.
Uvod. V Sloveniji ima zdravnik družinske medicine pomembno vlogo pri izvajanju preventive. Delež cepljenih proti gripi je v Sloveniji nizek. Razlogi za to niso povsem jasni. Preučevali smo mnenje bolnikov glede cepljenja proti gripi pri njihovem družinskem zdravniku ter njihova stališča in prepričanja o gripi in cepljenju. Cilj naloge je bil odkriti dejavnike, ki vplivajo na odločitev o cepljenju v ambulanti družinske medicine.
Metode. Raziskava je bila presečna multicentrična opazovalna. Vključili smo bolnike iz 7 ambulant družinske medicine na Štajerskem v Sloveniji. Vzorec je zajemal bolnike, ki so prišli v ambulanto. Izpolnili so vprašalnik z demografskimi podatki ter stališči o gripi in cepljenju. Glavni opazovani dogodek je bil odločitev za cepljenje.
Rezultati. V logističnem regresijskem modelu so bili najpomembnejši napovedni dejavniki odločitve za cepljenje srčna bolezen, cepljenje v preteklosti, strinjanje, da je cepljenje najbolj učinkovit ukrep proti gripi, strinjanje, da cepljenje običajno nima pomembnih stranskih učinkov, in strinjanje, da je cepljenje priporočljivo tudi za odraslo zdravo osebo. Prepričanje, da cepljenje škodi imunskemu sistemu, je negativni napovedni dejavnik odločitve za cepljenje.
Zaključki. Stališča bolnikov so pomemben dejavnik pri odločitvi za cepljenje. V ambulantah družinske medicine bi se morali z bolniki več pogovarjati o njihovih stališčih in pomislekih o cepljenju.
Vaccinating children against varicella: are two doses of vaccine necessary? Varicella is a mild childhood disease. Serious complications are rare and more common in infants, adults and persons with ...weakened immunity. Varicella vaccine has been available for a long time. In 1998, the World Health Organization recommended universal varicella vaccination with only one dose. Later it has been shown that vaccination with two doses of varicella vaccine is more immunogenic compared to one dose. A lack of protective effectiveness has been found with a single dose only. Consequently, some countries with universal varicella vaccination for children switched to a two-dose vaccination. A systematic review of the published studies on the effectiveness of vaccination supporting the rationale for introducing a second dose of varicella vaccine was made. A few studies show that vaccination with two doses in children is more effective than vaccination with one dose. Also our position is to recommend that children be vaccinated with two doses, because the possibility of infection is still significant due to the intensive circulation of causative agent. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
This is a preliminary communication reporting on a case where the scion of a grafted tomato in a greenhouse crop of Crete became infected by the root_knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica.
Predhodno ...poročilo o primeru, da je cepič cepljenega paradi_nika v rastlinjaku na Kreti oku_ila nematoda Meloidogyne javanica.
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