Tinnitus among Serbian secondary school students in relation to their behavior and habits.

Although tinnitus is a very common symptom, risk factors related to behavior and habits have not been sufficiently investigated. As no investigation on this problem has been performed in Serbia, the aim of our study was to establish the prevalence of tinnitus among Serbian adolescents and to investigate the relationship between their behavior and habits and tinnitus. This investigation was designed as a cross-sectional interview study among secondary school students in Belgrade, Serbia (277 boys and 494 girls). An anonymous questionnaire was self-administered at classes. The investigated variables were: The presence of tinnitus, sources of noise, night outs at noisy places, use of personal music players, smoking, second hand smoke (SHS), substance abuse, coffee and alcohol consumption. Spearman's rank-order correlations and multiple logistic regressions were performed with variables related to behavior and habits as independent ones and tinnitus as a dichotomized dependent variable. Tinnitus was reported by 99 students (12.8%), more frequently among girls compared with boys (P = 0.009). Multivariate logistic regression analysis in boys revealed a significant independent effect of a regular drug abuse on the onset of tinnitus. The chances of tinnitus were 13 times higher among drug addicts compared with non-drug users (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] for tinnitus = 13.072; 1.335-127.946). In girls, the significant independent effect on tinnitus was found for daily duration of exposure to SHS (OR and 95% CI for tinnitus = 1.328; 1.073-1.644 /per 2 hours of exposure/).

[Iodization of table salt and attitudes and habits in relation to the use of salt in general population].

INTRODUCTION: Combating nutritional deficiencies of micronutrients, such as iodine, represents a priority task of health care organizations. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the publication: Global Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), according to which some 2.2 billion people live in areas poor in naturally occurring iodine. Approximately 13% of the world population suffer from goitre--one of the IDD.The recommended iodine content in table salt is 20-40 mg/kg, which should satisfy the daily iodine requirements of an adult. OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to ascertain whether iodization of table salt in Montenegro was carried out in accordance with the existing legislature. An assessment was also carried out of the attitudes and habits of the population regarding the use of salt in nutrition and the level of awareness in relation to the relevance of table salt iodization. METHODS: The research was carried out in 2004 and was sponsored by UNICEF. A sample of 594 homes from the municipalities of Bar and Podgorica was chosen: 354 homes from urban and 240 from rural areas. The participants completed a questionnaire related to the daily use and intake of salt, as well as their understanding of the relevance of table salt iodization. Iodine content was tested in 15 samples of table salt at production level, 170 samples at retail level and 126 samples taken from domestic use. RESULTS: The analysis of table salt samples showed an optimal iodine level in 73.3% of samples from production, in 81.2% from retail, and in 73.0% from domestic use. A lower level of iodine was found in 8.8% retail samples and 15.1% samples from home use. A greater concentration of iodine was found in 26.7% production, 10.0% retail and 11.9% samples from domestic use. CONCLUSION: Although the application of the WHO programme has led to an improvement in iodization of table salt in Montenegro, both at production and retail levels, this still falls short of the standards recommended by WHO to combat IDD. The levels of iodine in table salt in domestic use also fail to comply with the WHO criteria for elimination of IDD.

Chronic laryngitis in glassblowers.

Glassblowers are exposed to numerous physical and chemical noxious factors at their workplace. Mucosal layer of upper aerodigestive tract (nose, oral cavity, pharynx and larynx) is particularly vulnerable to the influence of these factors. Inhalation of hot gases, dust particles, and oral contact with glassblower's pipe are the most important factors that can cause chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of chronic laryngitis in the group of glassblowers and control group of workers and to examine whether the observed differences depend on the membership in these two groups, on the duration of exposure, or on both factors. The results of the study show significantly higher prevalence of chronic laryngitis among glassblowers than among control group of workers employed in the same plant. On the other hand, the duration of exposure was not statistically significant factor for chronic laryngitis. The exposure to risk factors on the working place represents an independent risk factor for the occurrence of chronic laryngitis among glassblowers, when adjusted for other possible confounders, such as age, years of service, smoking habits and alcohol consumption.