Parental Attitudes Towards Vaccination and Adolescent Sexual Health - A Cross-sectional Study.

Positive parental role modeling is a protective factor for adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Our aim was to investigate parental opinion on adolescents' SRH and vaccination as well as sociodemographic determinants of child-parent communication regarding SRH. This nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey with a random stratified sample included 500 parents from Croatia (74% mothers), with at least one child under 18 years of age. Stratification was performed by (a) region, and (b) size of settlement. Differences were found between parental beliefs regarding quality, safety, and efficacy of vaccines and potential hazardous effects. Although 95% confirmed their child was vaccinated according to the national program, only 12% vaccinated with optional, self-paid vaccines (excluding human papillomavirus). Almost every third parent was not acquainted with SRH, more commonly fathers. The preferred sources of information for parents regarding SRH were friends, followed by the media and professional healthcare sources, while communication with adolescents was reported by 84% respondents. More than 10% parents claimed that their child did not have accurate knowledge regarding SRH. Our study confirms predominantly positive parental attitudes vaccination and communication with adolescents regarding SRH. We emphasize the importance of effective parental engagement and indicate the need for educational interventions to strengthen knowledge on immunization and SRH.

Utilization of somatic healthcare in Croatian patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, major depression, PTSD and the general population.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of somatic healthcare services is highly predictive of the development of chronic physical illnesses and increased mortality risks. The objective of this study was to assess the differences in healthcare utilization among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the general population in Croatia. METHODS: We enrolled 566 Croatian participants from the general population, 282 with SSD, 178 with MDD, and 86 with PTSD. The primary outcome was a self-reported specialist consultation for non-psychiatric (e.g., somatic) causes within the previous 12 months. RESULTS: Although SSD patients with chronic physical illnesses were significantly more often hospitalized for physical illness than the general population, the proportion of patients who had a specialist consultation were equal in SSD and the general population. MDD and PTSD patients had significantly higher adjusted odds for specialist consultation than the general population and SSD patients (MDD compared to SSD: OR = 2.14; 95% CI 1.27-3.59; PTSD compared to SSD: OR = 2.03; 95% CI 1.00-4.10). CONCLUSIONS: SSD patients' utilization of somatic healthcare is equal to the general population, despite their increased healthcare needs. However, their utilization is lower than in MDD and PTSD patients and, therefore, probably not adequate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02773108 ) on May 16, 2016.