Odds Ratio Estimation of Medical Students' Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination.

This study investigated the attitudes of Slovak medical students to COVID-19 vaccination. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 10 March 2021 and 24 March 2021, as the second wave of coronavirus spread in Slovakia. It was performed in four medical faculties with students in years 1-6. An online anonymous questionnaire was distributed through official university platforms. The survey was completed by 1228 of 5374 medical students. The vaccinated group of students had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The study was conducted on 1228 students, of which 880 (71.7%) were vaccinated and 348 unvaccinated (28.3%). The median age was 22 years (range 18-33 years), and 70.6% were women. The lowest vaccination rate was among first (32.7%) and second-year students (61.6%), students living at home with their family (63.8%) and students living in urban areas (69.8%). Only 22.4% of medical students were concerned about serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, and 38.8% were concerned that the COVID-19 vaccine may not be effective. This study provides key information related to medical student vaccination in Slovakia and education about COVID-19 vaccination.

Determination of Cadmium and Chromium in Fruit Spirits Intended for Own Consumption Using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION: Analysis of the occurrence of cadmium and chromium in selected samples of fruit spirits intended for own consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our pilot study, we analysed 89 samples of fruit spirits intended for own consumption. The samples were mineralized with use of microwave decomposition system MULTIWAVE 60 50 Hz and analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace (AAS GBC XPLORAA 5000 with GF 5000). RESULTS: Most of the analysed samples originated from plums (39), apples (38) and pears (5). The average ethanol concentration was 53.7%. Cadmium and chromium were detected in all samples. The highest concentration of chromium and cadmium was found in the apple spirit (31.9 ± 6.6 µg/l and 40.1 ± 8.3 µg/l). CONCLUSIONS: The ethanol concentration in the samples was higher than in distribution spirits. Concentrations of chromium in all samples did not exceed the limit given by the Slovak legislation or the limit of the AMPHORA. The permissible cadmium concentration (10 µg/l according to the AMPHORA) was exceeded in 9 samples. This indicates the potential importance of cadmium compared to chromium. Due to the lack of information in this field, the study presents an important starting point for further research.

Private wells as potential sources of heavy metal exposure: a pilot study in northwest Slovakia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyse levels of selected heavy metals: chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb), and to recognize factors related to wells' stewardship. METHODS: The pilot study was realized in May 2018 in three villages in northwest of Slovakia. We analysed 69 water samples from private wells. The data on wells and well owners were obtained by self-administered questionnaire. The samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy with graphite furnace GF AAS (AAS GBC XplorAA 5000 with GBC GF 5000) equipped with hollow cathode lamps. Levels of heavy metals were compared with parametric values for drinking water stated in the Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 247/2017 Coll. RESULTS: The results indicated spatial variability in some heavy metal levels. Cadmium was not quantified in any sample. Copper and chromium levels were below the parametric value. Parametric values for manganese and lead were exceeded in 19 (27.5%) and 2 (2.9%) samples, respectively. Only 18 owners tested water quality. Busyness and financial cost most frequently discouraged users to carry out the water quality analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of heavy metals in well water can pose a serious public health problem, especially in rural areas without public water supply. Education on heavy metals' risks targeted at well owners could increase the awareness of the issue and minimize possible public health consequences.

Selected Behavioural Factors Affecting Oral Health in Schoolchildren: Results from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Slovak Study.

Oral diseases, particularly dental caries, affect as much as nine in 10 persons globally. Its development starts during childhood. Behavioural factors play an important role in its aetiology. The aim of the research was to analyse the prevalence of selected behavioural factors associated with dental caries in Slovak adolescents. Selected factors, such as toothbrushing less than once a day, consumption of sweets and sweetened soft drinks daily and their combination, were analysed using data from Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children surveys carried out in 2005/2006, 2009/2010, 2013/2014 and 2017/2018 in Slovakia. The target group consisted of 11- to 13-year-old schoolchildren. The results were analysed by sex and socioeconomic status. The consumption of sweets and sweetened soft drinks, despite declining, remains widespread (41.3% of boys and 39.6% of girls in 2017/2018). The absence of daily toothbrushing, similarly as a co-occurrence of factors, were more frequent in boys (10.6% and 5.0% in 2017/2018, respectively) than in girls (5.1% and 2.3% in 2017/2018, respectively). The absence of daily toothbrushing was associated with a lower socioeconomic situation. In conclusion, behavioural risk factors affecting oral health are widespread in Slovak adolescents. Despite the positive development of the epidemiological situation, effective interventions, as well as the improvement of oral hygiene in lower socioeconomic groups, are needed.

Lead contamination of fruit spirits intended for own consumption as a potential overlooked public health issue? A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of lead in selected samples of fruit distilled spirits for own consumptions in terms of possible contribution to the occurrence of alcohol-attributable diseases. METHODS: In a pilot study, we analysed 18 samples of fruit spirits for own consumption. Most of the samples were distilled in the local growing distilleries in the Zilina Region with exception of 3 samples collected in the Trnava Region (one of them was of Hungarian origin). Sample preparation included previous mineralization with use of microwave decomposition system Multiwave 60 50 Hz. The samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy with graphic furnace (AAS GBC XplorAA 5000 with GF 5000). RESULTS: The average ethanol level in our samples was higher in comparison with distributed spirits. We detected lead in all samples. In two of them the concentration was lower than the limit of quantitation (LOQ). The highest lead concentrations were observed in plum spirit from Hungary (581.0 µg/l), and in grape spirit made in the Trnava Region (466.3 µg/l). CONCLUSIONS: Lead is a widespread contaminant of fruit spirits prepared for own consumption. Taking into consideration its common occurrence and possible multiplicative effect with ethanol, we can assume that lead can contribute to the occurrence of several alcohol-attributable chronic diseases. Due to the insufficient information in this field, our results provide significant insight into the issue and present an important starting point for further research.

The Effects of a Workplace Health Promotion Program to Decrease Cadmium Exposure Levels in Nickel-Cadmium Battery Workers.

OBJECTIVE: Cadmium exposure is a common problem in the production of nickel-cadmium batteries. However, keeping the respective legislative occupational and safety policies is essential, but there are problems with compliance. We analysed the effect of strategies to increase compliance with precautions during 20132015 on 59 workers at a nickel-cadmium battery factory. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A health promotion program was implemented in two phases. The first phase included comprehensive education on the importance of appropriate behaviour and changes to the sanitation program. The second phase included renovation of sanitary facilities and modernization of the air exhaust ventilation. RESULTS: The initial median cadmium urinary level in workers was 1.9 µg/g creatinine. After the first phase of interventions, levels dropped to 1.0 µg/g creatinine. After the second phase no significant further decrease was observed. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive education and changes in the sanitation program were able to halve cadmium levels and can be considered a useful and cost-effective preventive tool.