Behavioral Sexual Characteristics of Female Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

INTRODUCTION: Characteristics of sexual behaviour of female students, which will affect fertility in adulthood, represent one of the critical parameters of reproductive health. AIM: The aim of this study was assess characteristics of sexual behavior of female students in Bosnia and Herzegovina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study on a representative sample of 2,872 regular girls aged 19-24 years, an anonymous survey on the reproductive health of female students in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2007 to 2009 was conducted. RESULTS: Of the total number (N = 2872) of surveyed female students, 49.44% were sexually active. Average sexarcha age was 18.14±1.83 years, and there was statistically significant earlier sexarcha in female students in Banja Luka vs. female students of the University of Sarajevo (p<0.001), as well as in female students in Mostar vs. female students of the University of Tuzla (p<0.001). Sexually active female students in 74,4 % cases had intercourses with only one partner, and 7,7 % of them had intercourses with three or more partners. Regarding the use of contraceptive methods, 69.4% female students were using contraception at first intercourse and 66.7% of them at last intercourse. 3.5% of sexually active students (N=50) had intentional abortion. Almost half (46.9%) of surveyed female students had regular pelvic exams; nearly two-third of those (63.4%) had gynecological exams in private institutions, and 36.6% of them in public health facilitie. Only one-third (35.8%) sexually active female students in BiH stated that Pap test was performed. CONCLUSION: Sexual behaviour of female students in BiH is less risky than in the immediate environment, but health care quality is poor.

Obesity as a risk factor for artherial hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Today's lifestyle is characterized by increased intake of calories with reduced physical activity, which benefits a real epidemic of obesity in the population. The increase in the prevalence of hypertension in the population follows a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity. Parallel to the trend of increasing the number of older population with increased cardiovascular disease. THE AIM: The aim of our study was to determine the value of body mass index and determine the correlation of obesity and arterial hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in family medicine Clinic of the Primary Health Care Center Zenica. Out of 600 patients of both sexes aged over 18 years, randomly are formed groups of 188 patients with hypertension and 189 patients without hypertension of the same gender and same age. The study included patients with primary or essential hypertension, and excluded patients with secondary hypertension, hypertension due to renal disease, pheochromocytoma, coarctation of the aorta, as a result of taking oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, and cocaine. We used the method of anthropometric measurements (body weight, body height from which is calculated the body mass index) measurement of blood pressure with the statistical data processing at the significance level of p <0.05. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The increased value of BMI in the sample with hypertension are present in much higher percentage (87.23%), compared to the tested sample without hypertension (60.10%). In patients with hypertension, the highest percentage (51.06%) of the respondents has the BMI in range between 25 and 30, then BMI in the range between 30 and 35 (25%). BMI of 35-40 have 6.38% of patients, and 3.72 patients BMI over 40. In patients without hypertension was significantly smaller percentage of respondents in the previous group (39.15%) with a BMI in the range 25-30, then BMI in the range between 30 and 35 (18.51%). BMI of 35-40 had 3.17% of respondents, and 1.05% of patients had BMI over 40. Correlation between groups of patients with and without hypertension compared to the value of BMI indicate the presence of strong positive correlation (Rho = 0.737). Correlation between groups of subjects with hypertension and without hypertension compared to triglycerides was statistically significant (Rho = 0.123).

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of congenital heart disease in children in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

UNLABELLED: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is among the most frequent of all congenital anomalies. The purpose of this study was to present the results of an initial registration of children with CHD from January 1994 to December 1999 in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The population studied consisted of all 39,699 live-born children in this area. Diagnosis of CHD was made by clinical findings, electrocardiography, chest X-ray, echocardiography, catheterisation or autopsy. In the 6-year period, 243 children were found to have CHD, i.e. a prevalence of 6.12 per 1000 live-born. Critical CHD was present in 58 of them, or 1.46 children per 1000 live-born. The average age at diagnosis was 1.47 years. There were 132 boys (54.3%) and 111 girls. The most frequent anomaly was ventricular septum defect with a prevalence of 2.49 per 1000 live-born, representing 40.7 % of the total anomalies. Of the total group, 46 (18.9%) had extracardiac anomalies related to syndromes. Cardiac surgery was indicated in 98 patients (40.3%) but could only be carried out in 42 (17.3%). A total of 63 (25.9%) patients died, 54 of whom within the 1st month of life. CONCLUSION: congenital heart disease is a very significant health problem in Tuzla Canton. It requires urgent measures in terms of organisation of early diagnosis and proper management.

[Risk factors for the development of congenital heart defects in children born in the Tuzla Canton]. / Ucesce riziko-faktora u nastanku urodenih anomalija srca u djece na podrucju Tuzlanskog kantona.

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are taking high position on the list of neonatal and infant mortality, and they are significantly involved in mortality of children and adults. During cardiogenesis various genetic and non-genetic ethiological factors are starting pathogenetic mechanism what results in developing of CHD. Purpose of research is evaluation of participation of some risk-factors in developing of CHD in children on Tuzla Canton area. This research included 352 children up to 15 years old, in which was discovered CHD during period from 1.1.1994 to 31.12.1999. Using method of anamnestic questionnaire we analyzed data related to occurence of CHD in relatives, reproductive age of mother, mother's illness and taking medications in first trimester of pregnancy, and professional exposure to harmful chemicals. In 24 or 6.81% of cases CHD was registered in one of first-degree relatives, and in only one case in second-degree of relatives. It was noticeable that CHD in highest number of cases (291 or 83.14%) were present in children whose mothers were 20-35 years old, while only 18 or 5.11% of mothers aged 35 and more what is considered as high risk age for development of anomalies in general. In 70 or 20% cases CHD was associated with other systems anomalies, including syndromes and chromosomopathies. Risk-factors related to earlier pregnancies of mothers were found in 40 (11.36%) of children. Data about acute and chronic diseases of mother during pregnancy were found in 36 children. analysis of exposure to harmful chemicals during first trimester of pregnancy is showing that 39 or 11.08% mothers were exposed to nicotine, while 17 or 4.83% were taking medications. Exposure to professional poisoning were found in 5 or 1.42% of cases. Results of research are pointing on need for continued observation genetic and wide range of other potential risk-factors from environment related to development of CHD in our area. This way we could explain some specific characteristic occurrences of CHD in some areas.