Risk behavioral survey in the sample of Slovak adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to assess risky behavioral factors in the sample of Slovak adolescents. BACKGROUND: Health-risk behavior contributes to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Youth and Parents Risk Factor Behavior Survey (YABS), based on bilateral US-Slovak project, is an ongoing cross-sectional school-based survey initiated in Bratislava as a model region. There were 798 questionnaires for students distributed; the response rate was 64 %. The sample involved 525 adolescents aged 15‒19 years from eight selected secondary schools in Bratislava, 38 % boys and 62 % girls. More than 90 % of fathers and mothers were employed, but some families nevertheless experienced a lack of finances (48.1 %), almost 70 % of students were from complete families. RESULTS: The study revealed a very high prevalence of risky behavioral characteristics in this pilot sample of adolescents significantly related to age, gender, type of school, completeness of the family and lower parental education.  CONCLUSION: The most important health risk behaviors were identified (tobacco, alcohol, drug consumption, violence, risky sexual behavior, inadequate sleep, physical inactivity, and excessive IT devices use). Targeted intervention proposals will be suggested in future (Tab. 5, Ref. 42).

Community noise annoyance assessment in an urban agglomeration.

In urban areas community noise is one of the important factors in producing deterioration of both well-being and the quality of life. The aim of the study was to compare two noise annoyance surveys and two noise annoyance scales in the period of 15 years in selected areas of Slovak capital Bratislava, to calculate risks of community noise annoyance and disturbance in the observed samples. Noise annoyance risks were calculated by bivariate and stratified analysis in the form of odds ratio and Mantel-Haenszel weighted odds ratio from 2x2 and 2xn tables. The use of validated five-grade scale of noise annoyance assessment gives higher possibilities for more detailed analysis, allows to calculate the indicator--percentage of highly annoyed subjects (% HA), the rate of highly annoyed individuals. The percentage of highly annoyed subjects was 18% in the year 2004, which is comparable with recently published studies. The percentage of respondents that were not at all annoyed by road traffic noise has been decreased during the 15 year period by 10% (42% vs 32%). The increase of subjective community noise annoyance risks has been observed after 15 years as well. The sample from the year 2004 has been more annoyed by road traffic noise, neighbourhood noise, noise from entertainment facilities, noise from industry and railway noise. The highest risk increase has been observed in the entertainment facilities noise annoyance (OR(MH) =1.51; 95% CI = 0.90-2.52 vs OR(MH) = 4.47; 95% CI = 2.75-7.33). Using of standard five-grade noise annoyance questionnaire gives higher possibilities for data analysis in the studies investigating the influence of environmental noise annoyance on selected population groups (Tab. 3, Ref. 7).

Positive and negative trends in university students' food intake.

In the time period 1992-2004 the food intake data (24 hour recall, frequency questionnaire) in 3 417 students of Medical Faculty Comenius University in Bratislava (1257 men and 2160 women, the mean age 22.38 +/- 1.34) were obtained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the food intake and its trends in university students. Students' food consumption has not been in agreement with recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). The meat consumption was structurally unbalanced, though quantitatively sufficient (99% RDA); milk intake (75% RDA) was insufficient, fruit (65% RDA) and vegetable intake (62% RDA) even critical. On contrary, cereal products intake was excessive (130% RDA). Men eat more meat (p < 0.001), milk (p < 0.001), eggs (p < 0.01), cereals (p < 0.001) and fat (p < 0.001) than women. Women eat more fruit, vegetable and sugar than men. In the time period 1992-2004, students' meat consumption has decreased about 18%, milk and eggs about 23%, fruit about 42% and cereals intake has decreased about 45%. The fruit and vegetable intake structure has substantially improved (higher content of fresh fruit, fewer preserved products). In spite of a higher health awareness in students and tendency towards proper diet, their food intake has been negatively influenced by decreasing purchasing power in Slovak population (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 15).

Community noise annoyance risk in two surveys.

Two noise annoyance surveys were performed in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic, in a ten-year interval (1989-1999). This was a period of political and socioeconomic transformation as well as of changes in traffic management. Equivalent noise levels were assessed at the dormitory (exposed group) and in the residential areas (100 measuring stations) where another group of students (control group) lived. The mean dormitory and the mean control area equivalent noise levels increased significantly after ten years. In comparing current and previous risks of different noise exposures, the current risk was much higher for the group exposed to road traffic noise annoyance (OR = 6.01; 95% CI: 4.97-7.95 vs OR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.93-3.42), entertainment facilities and neighborhood noise annoyance. Current road traffic noise interference with various activities (reading and mental work, personal communication, telephone communication, sleep) was also higher than previously. The students of the exposed group considered their health status in 1999 worse than ten years earlier (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 0.99-1.83 vs OR = 0.82; 95% CI7 0.55-1.22) and they were generally taking more drugs. The comparison of two noise annoyance surveys showed that the load of community noise, especially road traffic noise as well as the subjective response to the noise, had increased in Bratislava.

Stress and health-related behaviour, personality characteristics and blood pressure in older school children.

BACKGROUND: Frequent stress contributes to physical and psychical disorders already in school-age children. Subjective evaluation of stress level is considered adequately informative for differentiating eustress and distress. OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the extent of stress and connections with health-related factors and characteristics is a precondition for health promotion and stress prevention in school children. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study we analysed data from 213 older school children (107 boys and 106 girls) aged 10 and 14 years. Use was made of a self-evaluation questionnaire to assess the stress level, behavioural factors, feeling of health, 7-day report of data on diet and physical activity, J.E.P.I. test (Eysenck, 1971) evaluating neuroticism and extroversion. Sport activities were expressed as FIT value (product of frequency, intensity and time of exercises) and daily energy balance as ratio of average daily energy intake and energy expenditure. RESULTS: The girls felt stress more frequently than boys (38.7% vs 24.3%, p < 0.03). School stress was significantly more frequent than home stress. The stressed students more negatively evaluated their health and physical performance. The relation between stress degree and neuroticism score was confirmed. Sport and physical activities were significantly lower in boys with high stress load. Any closer relations between frequency of stress and health risk behaviour, sleep as well as school performance and blood pressure failed to be confirmed. CONCLUSION: The results have indicated the need of lowering school stress. One of effective ways is to promote physical activity in the life of children. (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 24.)

Did the nutrition of Slovak medical students change? A comparison after 15 years.

OBJECTIVE: Authors aimed at positive and negative changes evaluation in nutrition and nutritional status of university-medical students comparing the situation in years 1984 and 1999. They were trying to determine, how was the nutrition of current medical students influenced by food consumption changes in the Slovak population and price liberalization of the food-stuffs as well. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven day reports from the year 1984 (199 students) and from the year 1999 (228 students) were processed using Food Research Institute, Food Composition Database and Programme. The quantity and quality of consumed food-stuffs and beverages were evaluated as well as energy and biologic value of students nutrition. Nutritional status of students was assessed by BMI (body mass index--kg/m2). Men and women (years 1999 vs. 1984) were separately evaluated by standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Lower energy, fat, cholesterol, animal protein and salt intake were observed in students in the year 1999; on the contrary, carbohydrates, sucrose, fibre, magnesium, vitamins C and E intake increased in comparison with the year 1984. The differences were mostly significant in women. Big changes in food consumption (1999 vs. 1984) were observed. Current students eat less meat (less pork, beef, fish, but more poultry), eggs and potatoes and women also less milk and dairy products than in the year 1984. On the contrary, the consumption of vegetable, fruits, legumes and non-alcoholic beverages increased. Alcohol intake decreased significantly. Students eat the most on Sunday, the least on Friday; women eat more rationally. Nutritional status in man was not changed, the percentage of slim women increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The food of current students (1999) is more varied, with the balanced content of plant and animal sources and with lower energy density than in the year 1984. Negative consequences of price liberalization in medical student nutrition are lower in comparison with Slovak global nutritional trends and they reflect the higher health awareness, eventually better socio-economic family background.