Zdravstveni glasnik

THORACIC LONGUS NERVE LESION IN A PATIENT WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Vesna Budišin, Marijan Cesarik, Davorka Rosić, Borislav Radić, Marica Topić — pon, 12 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The paper presents a 33 - year - old patient who has been suffering from ankylosing spondylitis since the age of 28. Pain in his right shoulder and weakness in his right arm developed after more hours of walking with a backpack. The performed procedure diagnosed a lesion of the long thoracic nerve without of sensory damage. Peripheral nerve injuries long thoracic nerve lead to weakness of the muscles -serratus anterior muscle and result in a protrusion of the medial side of the scapula (scapula alata). It is difficult to raise the arm in the shoulder joint above the horizontal line, that is to raise the shoulder from the chest when the arm is extended and pressed against a fixed object in front of the patient. Due to its long, relatively superficial course, long thoracic nerve is susceptible to injury, either through direct trauma or stretching. The long thoracic nerve, also called Charles Bell’s external respiratory nerve, is a rare isolated nerve damage. The nerve is often injured from carrying a load on his shoulder, with supraclavicular and axillary injuries, blows in the neck area. Injury has been reported in almost all sports, usually occurring from a blow to the ribs with an outstretched arm. Long thoracic nerve can be damaged during breast cancer surgery, especially radical mastectomy that involve the removal of axillary lymph nodes. It is a common lesion in spinal surgeries.

A REVIEW OF TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN HEALTHCARE STUDIES

Kaja Mandić, Magdalena Ramljak, Josip Šimić — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Teachers of English as a foreign language are faced with difficulties in selecting the proper teaching strategy for students learning English for academic and professional purposes. Fifteen research studies were included in the current study on teaching strategies for students with English as a foreign language in healthcare studies. The objective is to determine the most useful and effective teaching strategies for healthcare students learning English as a foreign language. The review study was conducted using Noblit and Hare methasynthesis and Dearholt and Dang’s Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model and Guidelines for evaluation, selection and analysis. Language teaching strategies play an important role in teaching English as a foreign language especially in specific professional environments such as healthcare and medicine. The study divides language teaching strategies for English in healthcare into two perspectives; those concerned with improving students’ language learning performance and those examining specific instruction strategies and their effects on students’ knowledge. Further it gives an outline of four general English language skills and most commonly used teaching strategies. The results of the study may be used by English language teachers and content creators for developing new teaching materials and courses to help students succeed. For healthcare as a profession, a future with newly educated professional who have skills in English and other foreign languages will be beneficial in helping their target population.

GAMBLING HABITS AMONG VIDEO GAME PLAYERS

Zoran Zoričić, Valentina Novak, Mirna Mikulčić, Josip Šimić — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Uvod: Kockanje je legalna i društveno prihvaćena zabavna aktivnost koja se može progredirati u ozbiljan javnozdravstveni problem. Prevalencija kockanja je veća kod muškaraca mlađe životne dobi i nižeg ekonomskog statusa i starijih razvedenih muškaraca. Postoji velik broj sličnosti između igranja videoigara i kockanja koje industrija potiče uvodeći elemente kockanja u videoigre i elemente videoigara u kockanje, no unatoč sličnostima, kod problematične upotrebe govorimo o dva zasebna bihevioralna poremećaja.
Metode i sudionici: Istraživanje je provedeno na namjernom prosudbenom uzorku adolescenta i mlađih odraslih osobama koji igraju videoigre. Korišten je upitnik s pitanjima sociodemografskih obilježja, navika igranja videoigara i kockanja i SOGS-RA za procjenu rizičnosti kockanja.
Rezultati: Većina sudionika kocka vrlo rijetko ili uopće ne kocka, no 5,1% sudionika kocka svaki dan. Gotovi svi igraju više vrsta igara na sreću, a prednjače lutrijske igre, sportska kladionica i igre na elektronskim aparatima. Izraženi problemi s kockanjem su prepoznati kod 28,3% sudionika istraživanja.
Rasprava: Životna prevalencija kockanja u ovom istraživanju je slična rezultatima drugih istraživanja među igračima videoigara iako nisu rezultati svih istraživanja na tom području homogeni. Uspoređujući rezultate kockanja među igračima videoigara i u općoj populaciji, prevalencija kockanja među igračima je znatno viša nego u općoj populaciji.
Zaključak: Adolescenti i mlađi odrasli igrači videoigara igraju više igara na sreću, preferirajući kockarske igre koje imaju veći adiktivni potencijal. S obzirom na dob, laku dostupnost i teško prepoznavanje razvoja problematičnog kockanja, važno je usmjeriti preventivne aktivnosti na što mlađu dobnu skupinu.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISTANCE OF CARDIAC ARREST LOCATION FROM THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT AND THE FINAL OUTCOME OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION

Mirko Maglica, Anela Kasalo - Pešić, Verica Ćavar, Ante Šesto — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary arrest is a serious medical emergency that can be reversed with prompt and sufficient cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur on average at a rate of 60 per 100.000 people. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation must start immediately in order to achieve the desired outcome.
Aim: To investigate the association between proximity to the emergency department and the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).
Subjects and methods: This study is a single-center registry-based retrospective cohort study. All the patients from the cardiopulmonary resuscitation registry of the Emergency department of the Health Center Livno were included and divided into 2 groups: the patients who experienced cardiac arrest within a radius of less than five kilometers and the patients who experienced cardiac arrest within a radius of more than five kilometers.
Results: Patients who experienced OHCA within a radius of less than five kilometers had an overall better prognosis for achieving ROSC (p=0.002). Even though men experienced cardiac arrest at a higher percentage (74.1 %) than women, there was no significant difference regarding the final outcome. The total incidence did not differ regarding the initial cardiac rhythm.
Conclusion: Poviding prompt, sufficient CPR is essential for attaining the most favorable outcomes regarding OHCA.

UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS ON EXAMS

uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: The unethical behavior of students on exams represents a serious challenge for the education system. This disturbing trend requires immediate attention and the implementation of appropriate measures to raise awareness about the importance of academic integrity and promote ethical awareness among students.
Objective: Examine the unethical behavior of students on exams.
Subjects and methods: The study involved students from the Medical School in Šibenik. Out of the total number of participants, 155 students took part, with 75 (48,4%) specializing in general nursing, and 80 (51,6%) in pharmaceutical studies. The participants completed a questionnaire based on the Šimić Šašić and Klarin model (2009).
Results: The results showed a high percentage of cheating during knowledge assessments. A total of 81,9% of respondents admitted to cheating at least once. In the domain of attitudes towards the acceptability of cheating, 52,9% of respondents agreed that cheating is entirely natural and inherent to human nature. Regarding different grades, fourth-grade students significantly held a stronger attitude toward the acceptability of cheating compared to students from other grades. Regarding reasons for cheating, the most common internal reason, stated by 50,4 % of respondents, was insufficient time for studying, while 49.6% cheated to help a friend, and 49% cheated to achieve good grades. External reasons for cheating, such as weak supervision, were mentioned by 52,9% of respondents, unfairness by 52,2%, and difficulty of the exam by 49% of respondents. Female respondents exhibited more pronounced internal and external reasons for cheating compared to male respondents. Conclusion: The research confirmed that academic dishonesty is a routine occurrence among students. The students themselves do not view cheating as ethically wrong and rationalize it in numerous ways.

QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE TREATED WITH TWO SURGICAL METHODS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

Tanja Tomić, Anita Ivanković — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Static or stress urinary incontinence unquestionably in women has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Surgical treatment is the standard way of treating women with static stress incontinence, if the desired effect is not achieved with a conservative method of treatment.
Objectives: To compare the quality of life of a group of patients with stress urinary incontinence surgically treated with Hammock method with the group treated by Needle method, and to compare the results with the quality of life of a healthy population of women.
Methods: The study used the recommended questionnaire from the International Consultation on Incontinence, a short questionnaire ICIQ- SF. This questionnaire was used to collect data on symptomatology, frequency, amount of urine, and the impact on the quality of life before and after surgical treatment.
Results: A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in improving the quality of life of patients operated on needle method was found, significantly higher after surgery. It was also found that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in improving the quality of life and in patients operated on by the Hammock method. Patients who underwent Needle surgery reported a better quality of life after surgery, compared to patients who underwent Hammock surgery. No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the postoperative quality of life of patients operated on the Needle method and people without incontinence difficulties.
Conclusion: The results of the research have shown that the Needle method is more effective in improving the quality of life of patients with stress urinary incontinence 6 months after surgery.

THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS ABOUT GERONTOLOGY

Marija Mandić, Vedrana Grbavac — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Because population aging is a global issue, healthcare practitioners should be educated in gerontology and work with senior patients. People in their third decade encounter new health challenges, which must be addressed adequately.
Objective: To examine the knowledge of physiotherapists about gerontology.
Subjects and methods: The research was conducted in August 2023. A questionnaire on general characteristics and a Knowledge Test questionnaire on aging and old age were used to collect data. The sample of respondents consists of 80 employed physiotherapists from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Data processing was performed using Google Forms and Microsoft Office Excel.
Results: The average respondent correctly answered 70.31 % of the questions. They had almost the same amount of right answers regardless of whether they had difficulty working with elderly patients or were familiar with active aging programs. The majority of physiotherapists (96.30 %) agree that gerontology should be discussed more in education and that a one-day gerontology workshop would improve the quality of their work with elderly patients (90.00 %).
Conclusion: Physiotherapists who participated in the research showed on average, relatively good level of konwledge in the field of gerontology, but there is room for improvement through a workshop in this field, which most respondts agree would improve their work.

THE LENGTH OF BREASTFEEDING: THE ROLE OF PRENATAL EDUCATION AND LISTENING TO CLASSICAL MUSIC

uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: The use of music in midwifery is a new research field and further studies and clear evidence are needed to make it a valuable element of midwifery care. The aim of the study was to prove the influence of education of pregnant women and listening to classical music on the frequency and length of breastfeeding at discharge from the maternity hospital and 6 weeks after delivery. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
Subjects and methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in 2019. The sample consisted of pregnant women from the area of Hercegbosna County, 198 of them (N=198).
Results: No significant difference was found in the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding and feeding with supplementation between the experimental and control groups at discharge (88.9% vs 92.2%). A significantly larger number of subjects in the experimental group were exclusively breastfed compared to the control group after 6 weeks (χ²=4.541; df=1; p-0.033).
Conclusion: The results indicate that investments in the development of the competencies of pregnant women and the creation of conditions in maternity hospitals can significantly affect the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

PERSISTENCE IN SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION

Ivan Ćavar — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Editorial - Ivan Ćavar MD, PhD

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESILIENCE AND BREAST CANCER

Marija Brajković, Mirjana Mikulić, Romana Barbarić, Dragan Babić — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Resilience can be changed and modified over time, it is affected by many different situations and difficulties that a person overcomes during life. Resilience is a newer concept, which should be applied to the patient from the beginning of life with cancer. Clinicians should invest more time and effort in creating interventions that enable patients to foster their resilience.
The term resilience or the ability to recover refers to the process of overcoming adverse events, including stress, trauma and illness. Considering the ability to recover as a personality trait imposes the assumption that the ability to recover represents a constellation of personal characteristics that enable individuals to adapt to different circumstances they encounter.
Resilience as a complex phenomenon changes over time and circumstances. Understanding resilience as a complex, multidimensional and dynamic process is very important for understanding therapeutic mechanisms and healing mechanisms. Psychological factors are the most important factors that contribute to the development of resilience. It is necessary to work on the development of psychosocial interventions that will target the psychological resilience of cancer patients. Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women. In women with breast cancer who manage to develop the ability to resist and accept life's crisis, greater resilience and personal growth is created, thereby reducing the negative impact associated with the disease. The aim of this work is to explain the relationship between resilience and breast cancer.

HANTAVIRUS INFECTION - EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE AREA OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Lana Blažević, Sanja Marušić — uto, 13 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Hantaviruses are the causative agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HGBS). People are most often infected by inhaling a contaminated aerosol, but infection can also occur through contaminated food or water. On average, eighteen people fall ill with HGBS per year outside of epidemics. Men between the ages of 20 and 40, especially farmers, soldiers, foresters and hikers, are most often affected. Famous hotspots in Croatia are Lika, Gorski kotar and Medvednica. Objective: To analyze the frequency and epidemiological characteristics of hantavirus infections in the Republic of Croatia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Data on the incidence of HGBS according to counties, seasonal occurrence, age groups and gender were analyzed, as well as the connection of recommendations for being in nature as part of the suppression of the Covid-19 pandemic to a potential increase in the number of HGBS patients. Retrospective analysis was used to process the data collected at the Croatian Institute of Public Health, and descriptive methods were used to perform statistical analyzes in the Microsoft Excel software system. Results: In the period from 2019 to 2021, there were 547 patients with HGBS, with men suffering more often than women (78.0% vs. 22.0%). The highest activity was recorded in Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Lika-Senj counties from March to August in the age groups of 30 to 39 years. In 2021, 332 patients were reported, which is more than the average, and this can be connected to the more frequent stay of people in nature due to recommendations to reduce the number of patients with the COVID-19 disease. Conclusion: The study of the epidemiological features of hantavirus infections is important for public health because it enables the identification of areas with a higher risk of infection, the recognition of epidemics and the adoption of appropriate control and prevention measures.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SCIENCE

Marija Arapović, Valentina Novak, Nikolina Zaplatić Degač — čet, 08 velj 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Social media platforms provide direct access to a vast amount of information, enabling the promotion of various content. It has become a new way of disseminating news worldwide and often influence social perception and public discourse development. Even scientists are not oblivious to the trend of using social media. Social media allows them to quickly and effectively share their research results with the global audience. Numerous studies indicate that scientists are increasingly participating in public discussions and activities on social media, with nearly half of academic researchers being a part of at least one social network. Media professionals have traditionally been the guardians of scientific information, but new media technologies grant scientists more power than ever to proactively engage in public communication. Many studies also suggest that most scientists consider media visibility important and see responding to journalists as a professional obligation, a stance endorsed by many universities and scientific organizations.