In a country with a poor economy and limited job opportunities, the outmigration of students is not commonly perceived as a problem but rather is perceived as a solution to the high unemployment ...facing young health professionals.
Study objectives were to identify the prevalence of intention to work abroad of nursing graduates to point to the predictors of intention to work abroad and predictors of having a firm plan to work in a foreign country.
Descriptive study, a survey.
College and specialist nursing schools, Serbia.
719 nursing graduates from the 2012/2013 school year.
Voluntarily completed a questionnaire that was designed with regard to similar surveys administered in EU-candidate countries during the pre-accession period. Data were analysed with descriptive and multivariate regression analyses.
Almost 70% (501) of respondents indicated an intention to work abroad. Of the nurses, 13% already had established a firm plan to work abroad. Single graduates and those with a friend or relative living abroad were more likely to consider working abroad than were their counterparts (odds ratios were 2.3 and 1.7, respectively). The likelihood of considering working abroad decreased by 29% when the individuals' financial situation was improved. Factors associated with having a firm plan were previous professional experience in a foreign country, having someone abroad and financial improvement (5.4 times, 4.8 times and 2 times greater likelihood, respectively).
The high prevalence of intention to work abroad suggests the need to place the issue of the out-migration of nursing graduates on the policy agenda. College and specialty nursing graduates and health technicians are prepared to work abroad in search of a better quality of life, better working conditions and higher salaries.
Introduction Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is usually associated with poor psychosocial functioning. A broad range of international researches assess the influence of stressful events, such as ...war, on the quality of life of veterans. Objectives To assess the general quality of life of Serbian war veterans one decade after war. Aims Analysis of socio-demographic data and data obtained from the general quality of life questionnaire, SF-36 in three groups of war veterans. Method The research was conducted May to October 2008, in two phases: the field survey on 2370 male veterans and targeted survey of mental health on the subsample of 295 veterans. Assessment included self-assessment tests and clinician administered psychological tests conducted by two trained interviewers. Clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS) was used in sub-grouping the sample on veterans with current PTSD (n = 26), lifetime PTSD (n = 59) and non-PTSD veterans (n = 210). Results Lower quality of life according to SF-36 subscales significantly correlates with the poor financial status and degree of disability. The values of all scales were significantly lower in veterans with PTSD comparing to other groups, and significantly lower in veterans with lifetime PTSD comparing to non-PTSD veterans. The diagnosis of PTSD was statistically confirmed predictor of lower quality of life in relation to all scales. Veterans had significantly worse results than the male population from 25–74 years in Serbia (Health Survey of Serbian Population, 2006). Conclusion The quality of life assessment confirms significant vulnerability of Serbian war veterans, especially those with chronic PTSD.
Abstract
Background
Exclusive breastfeeding is essential for early childhood development, although the use of adaptive milk formulas instead of breastfeeding is widespread nowadays. This study ...examined the prevalence of exclusively breastfed infants under the age of 6 months in non-Roma and Roma population and factors associated with this practice.
Material and Methods
This study is a secondary analysis of the Serbian Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey investigating non-Roma and Roma infants under the age of 6 months. The study included mothers of 321 non-Roma and 164 Roma infants younger than 6 months. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression served to analyze factors associated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
Results
The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was almost the same among mothers in both non-Roma and Roma population (13.3% vs. 13%). Exclusive breastfeeding was significantly more often (p < 0.001) among wealthier women, multipara, and women who had not established menstrual cycle among both populations. Unexpectedly, in the non-Roma population, not staying in the same room with the newborn in the maternity ward increases the chance for the baby to be exclusively breastfed (OR 7.19, CI 95% 1.80-28.68). The same pattern has been observed in Roma population. Non-Roma mothers multipara are more likely to exclusively breastfeed their children than primipara (OR 7.78, CI 95% 1.09-20.93), while among Roma mothers, the inverse association has been found although not significant. Attending a childbirth preparation program more than 18 times increases the chances of infants being exclusively breastfed (OR 18.65, CI 95% 1.34-53.67). In the Roma population, there was no single woman that attended a childbirth preparation program.
Conclusions
The pattern of exclusive breastfeeding significantly differs between non-Roma and Roma populations. Preventive work should have a focus on strengthening support to mothers and medical staff in maternity wards.
Key messages
Understanding the predictors of exclusive breastfeeding can help in the process of creating health promotion programs that lead to more infants exclusively breastfed according to the WHO guidelines. Decision-makers and public health authorities should acknowledge the existing breastfeeding problems.
Objectives – The aim of this investigation was to evaluate factors that might influence the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Serbia.
Materials and ...methods – This cross‐sectional study was performed on a group of 156 patients with MS. HRQoL was assessed by using the SF‐36 questionnaire. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale were assessed as variables affecting the HRQoL of MS patients.
Results – EDSS score correlated negatively with all SF‐36 health dimensions, and the highest statistically significant coefficients were for physical functioning (r = −0.682), and social and role functioning (r = −0.407 and −0.405 respectively). BDI correlated statistically significantly negatively (P < 0.01) with all SF‐36 health dimensions.
Conclusions – Our findings suggest that both disability and depression significantly influence the HRQoL in Serbian MS patients, with depressive symptoms having the major influence.
Abstract
Background
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are a risk factor for mental health disorders and serious somatic illnesses. There is a need for preventing ACE and using mental health care by ...youth who experienced them. Aims of this study were to examine which ACE are related to mental health service use and to identify a scope of unrecognized needs for these services among students who had experienced abuse/neglect in childhood.
Methods
Descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 2.381 first-year students from six universities in Serbia in 2014. The survey instrument was a questionnaire developed by WHO and CDC. Thirteen ACE (covering household dysfunctionalities, abuse, neglect, peer and collective violence) and using of mental health services at least once during lifetime were assessed. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
Results
Compared to respondents without particular ACE, odds (±95% CI) of mental health service use were higher only in those with next adversities: parental divorce, OR = 2,26 (1,53-3,33); suicidal/mentally ill family member, OR = 2,21 (1,42-3,44); witnessing partner violence, OR = 1,51 (1,04-2,18); peer violence, OR = 2,14 (1,51-3,03); collective violence OR = 1,48 (1,05- 2,10).
Among respondents who had experienced emotional neglect, 81% have never used professional help. For physical neglect, physical and psychological abuse this percentage was 83%.
Conclusions
The study highlights ACE associated with mental health service use and shows a significant presence of unrecognized needs for these services. There is need for: determining barriers in this area and formulation of effective health promotion strategies; more consistent application of legislation; conducting screening on child abuse/neglect in families with a higher risk for them.
Key messages
High share of youth with childhood adversities remains without help of mental health specialists.It opens the issue of barriers on the side of youth as well as on the side of health system and society
Considering consequences of adverse childhood experiences, there is need for comprehensive public health interventions in order to increase mental health service use among young people with ACE.
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