Knowledge and Attitudes regarding Covid-19 Vaccination among Medical and Non-medical Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate students' knowledge, attitudes and hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among a total of 1282 medical students and 509 non-medical students at four public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Tuzla, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, and Mostar. RESULTS: A significantly higher rate of vaccination was observed in the group of medical students as well as a higher level of knowledge about vaccination in general and vaccines against the COVID-19 disease. Students who received the COVID-19 vaccine had a higher level of knowledge about vaccination in general and COVID-19 vaccines in particular compared to the non-vaccinated students in the medical and non-medical groups, respectively. Furthermore, vaccinated students, regardless of the course they are taking, showed generally stronger positive attitudes compared to non-vaccinated students, regarding the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Both groups of students believe that the rapid development of the vaccine is contributing to refusal or hesitancy to receive a vaccine against COVID-19. Social media/networks were the main sources of information about the COVID-19 vaccine. We did not find any contribution of social media to the reduced level of COVID-19 vaccine coverage. CONCLUSION: Education of students about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine will lead to its better acceptance as well as the development of more positive attitudes towards vaccination in general, especially having in mind that students are the future population of parents, who will make decisions about vaccinating their children.

Psoriasis and high blood pressure.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic skin ailment which can be connected with an increased occurrence of other illnesses, including high blood pressure. EXAMINEES AND METHODS: A prospective study has been conducted which included 70 patients affected by psoriasis, both genders, older than 18 years. Average age being 47,14 (SD= ±15,41) years, from that there were 36 men or 51,43 and 34 women or 48,57%. Average duration of psoriasis was 15,52 (SD=±12,54) years. RESULTS: Frequency of high blood pressure in those affected by psoriasis was 54,28%. Average age of the patients with psoriasis and high blood pressure was 53,79 year (SD=±14,15) and average duration of psoriasis was 17,19 years (SD=±13,51). Average values of PASI score were 16,65. Increase in values of PASI score and high blood pressure were statistically highly related (r=0,36, p=0,0001). CONCLUSION: Psoriasis was related to high blood pressure and there was a correlation between the severity of psoriasis and high blood pressure.

Psoriasis and dyslipidemia.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic skin ailment, which can be connected with other ailments including dyslipidemia. EXAMINEES AND METHODS: Research included 70 patients affected by psoriasis. Both genders, above 18 years of age. Average age of the respondents was 47.14 (SD= ±15.41), which consisted of 36 men (51.43%) and 34 women (48.57%). The average duration of psoriasis was 15.52 (SD= ±12.54) years. RESULTS: Frequency of dyslipidemia on those affected by psoriasis was 62.85%. Most often it was hypertriglyceridemia (39%) and hypertriglyceridemia with a lowered value of HDL (36%), average age of those affected by psoriasis with dyslipidemia was 48.76 years (SD= ±14.72), and the average duration of the basic disease was 16.15 years (SD= ±12.63), the average values of the PASI score were 16.65. Increase in values of PASI score and dyslipidemia were statistically significantly connected (r=0.41; p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Psoriasis is connected with dyslipidemia.

Frequency of standard and occupational contact allergens in Tuzla area, Bosnia and Herzegovina: retrospective study.

Allergic contact dermatitis is acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease of allergic etiology, which develops as a result of delayed type of hypersensitivity, i.e. type IV reaction according to the Gell and Coombs classification. In the retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of 495 patients diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis in the 1988-1998 period. The records were obtained from the Cabinet of Allergology of the Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Tuzla University Hospital Center. There were 312 women and 183 men, aged between 18 and 60 years. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to their occupation. Contact sensitization was established in 295 or 59.6% of them. The type and frequency of causative agent in allergic contact dermatitis depended on working environment. Potassium dichromate, a component part of cement, caused positive reaction in 48% of construction workers tested, which was significantly more than in the "other occupation" group, where 14.6% of patients showed positive reaction to potassium dichromate (p<0.001). Formaldehyde, used in leather processing, was the most frequent among the four leading allergens in the group of shoe workers (13.3%), whereas charcoal tar (used in the metal processing) was the most frequent allergen in the group of metal workers (13.9%). Nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, cobalt chloride, and urushiol were frequent allergens in the "other occupation" group, housewives, and textile workers. The listed allergens are present at large in everyday life as well as in particular occupations.