Lubica Argalasova

The impact of selected environmental, behavioral and psychosocial factors on schoolchildren’s somatic and mental health

Abstract Children develop rapidly and many exogenous determinants of health significantly affect their somatic and mental development. There is a subjective perception of cognitive load associated with the educational process. The aim of the study is to assess individual environmental, behavioral and psychosocial factors influencing physical health and to investigate the amount of mental load in children. We investigated 87 schoolchildren (47 girls and 40 boys) aged 10–12 years, who were attending primary school in Bratislava. To assess values of selected factors we used a questionnaire form and personality characteristics were estimated by standardized psycho-diagnostic and IQ tests [range of classic fear, social-situation anxiety and jitters [skala Klasickeho strachu a Socialno-situacnej (in Slovak)] (KSAT), Eyesenck Personality Questionnaire for children (EPQ), Raven’s IQ test]. Self-reported perception of mental load was assessed by questionnaire of subjective feelings and states (SFS). Children’s body parameters were assessed using anthropometric measurements [height, weight, chest, abdominal and hip girth, Rohrer’s index (RI), body mass index (BMI)] and a body fat measurement method (skinfold thickness). The results confirmed a significant relationship between higher parameters of overweight and obesity and irregular breakfast eating (p<0.05), absence of family dining (p<0.05), exposure to tobacco smoke in the family environment (p<0.01) and mother’s level of education (p<0.05). Almost 60% of children reported high mental effort and cognitive load associated with the educational process. We note a close relationship between the higher mental load and the score of neuroticism (p<0.01). The physical and mental health of schoolchildren is significantly affected by exogenous factors. Therefore, in terms of protection and promotion of children’s health, it is important to evaluate and monitor environmental risk factors and to form their healthy habits.

Tram squealing noise and its impact on human health

Introduction: Tramway has become a serious urban noise source in densely populated areas. The disturbance from squealing noise is significant. Curve squeal is the very loud, tonal noise emitted by tram operation in tight radius curves. Studies had reported a relationship between noise levels and health effects, such as annoyance, sleep disturbance, and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to analyze the wheel squeal noise along the tramway line in Košice, Slovakia, review the effects on human health, and discuss its inclusion in the design method. To observe the influence of a track curve on noise emission, several measurement points were selected, and the noise emission was measured both in the curve and in the straight lines employing the same type of permanent way. Results: The results in the sections with the radius below 50 m were greatly affected by the presence of a squeal noise, while the resulting noise level in the sections with the radius above 50 m depended on their radius. The difference between the average values of LAeq with and without the squeal in the measurement points with the radius below 50 m was 9 dB. The difference between the measurements in the curve sections with the radius below 50 m and those in the straight line was 2.7 dB. Conclusion: The resulting noise level in general was influenced by the car velocity and the technical shape of the permanent way. These results can be used in noise prognoses and in the health effect predictions.

The Average Annual Percent Change Analyzes of Preventive Dental Care in the Slovak Republic, 2014-2016

Objective: To analyse of the average annual percent change (AAPC) of registered dental patients, patients with preventive dental care and patients requiring dental treatment in the period of 2014-2016 in the Slovak Republic. Material and Methods: Data from registered dental patients (n=14,736,888), patients with preventive dental care (n=8,212,441) and patients requiring dental treatment (n=5,262,323) in the period of 2014-2016 were obtained from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic; 28,211,652 dental patients were analysed. The Theil-Sen estimator of trend line based on median and its significance was tested by nonparametric Wilcoxon test using statistical software R package. Results: The significant decrease (-4.11%) of the AAPC rates of registered dental patient (p<0.05) during the entire period (2014-2016) can be observed in age subcategory 15-18 years, while in age subcategory 19+ years the non-significant increase (1.08%) of the AAPC rate of registered dental patients in the same period was achieved. In the period of 2014-2016, the highest AAPC rate of patients with preventive dental care with the significant decrease was found in age subcategory 6-14 years (-17.19%; p<0.001). The AAPC rate of patients requiring dental treatment proved the significant negative values in age subcategory 0-5 years (-7.26%; p<0.01), in age subcategory 6-14 years (-9.33%; p<0.001), in age subcategory 15-18 years (-8.81%; p<0.01). Conclusion: The highest decrease AAPC rate of registered dental patients was observed in age subcategory 15-18 years. The statistical significant decrease AAPC rate of patients with preventive dental care was found in children ≤ 18 years. In patients requiring dental treatment (≤ 18 y.) was observed decrease AAPC rate.

Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Relation to Behavioral, Emotional, Social and Health Indicators of Slovak School Children

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure has been shown in general as a major environmental risk factor and deserves attention in vulnerable population groups. The aim of the project is to analyze the relationships among the ETS and behavior and health in 6−15-year-old children in Slovakia. The status of physical and mental health of children in relation to exposure to tobacco smoke was examined in a representative group of 1478 school children. The methods used, included anonymous questionnaires filled in by parents, Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS), Behavior Problem Index (BPI) and anthropometry. The prevalence of ETS exposure is the highest in the capital (27%) and southern cities. A significant association was found between ETS and age, socio-economic status, incompleteness of the family, level of mother’s education and a higher prevalence of respiratory diseases (26.7%). The relationships of ETS with emotional (CIS scores ≥ 16) and behavioral functions (BPI score ≥ 14) were significant in children exposed to mother’s or father’s smoking at home. In the multivariate analysis these associations were not significant; the factors such as income and completeness of the family were dominant. The results showed mostly the predominant impact of social factors on the physical and mental health status of Slovak school children.

The Analysis of Selected Malocclusion Risk Factors: A Pilot Study

Objective: To analyse selected malocclusion risk factors, their exposure time and overall malocclusion risk scores. Material and Methods: The self-prepared questionnaires were collected at dental practitioners’ waiting rooms from 6/2014 to 12/2015. The study group consisted of patients treated by dental braces (n=82; 15.5±4.4 years) and the control group consisted of other patients not treated by dental braces (n=45; 17.6±4.7 years). Data were processed by the statistical program SPSS using descriptive statistics. To verify the hypothesis wad used two sample t-test to compare the average exposure scores and the exposure time between the two groups. To determine associations between categorical variables was used Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05. Results: Our results confirmed longer exposure times in all studied malocclusion risk factors, in the case of pacifier sucking the difference was significant (p=0.001). The longest exposure time was found in mouth breathing in the study group (12.2±6.5 years). The lip sucking/chewing cannot be confirmed as a malocclusion risk factor. The study group had higher level of an overall mean risk score (19.8±11.5) compared the control group (16.1±12.1), although not significant. It can be concluded that non-nutritive sucking habits and/or mouth breathing could have damaging effect to normal teeth development. Conclusion: Malocclusions could be preventable, thus we recommend setting up educational programs for dentists and paediatricians as well as for parents focusing on the improvement of oral health knowledge.