Nikolina Kovacevic

Factors associated with positive attitude towards blood donation among medical students

The aim of this study was to assess attitudes and practice of blood donation among medical students. Medical students were recruited at Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Of 973 students, 38.4% of freshmen and 41.4% of final year students have donated blood (χ(2) = 0.918, p = 0.186). Blood donors had significantly more positive attitude towards some aspects of blood donation. Being female, residing in a city other than the capital and previous blood donation experience were independent predictors of positive attitude towards being a blood donor to an unknown person. Efforts are required to augment blood donor pool among future physicians.

Falls, risk factors and fear of falling among persons older than 65 years of age

Falling represents a major public health problem among older persons because it leads to premature mortality, loss of independence, and placement in assisted‐living facilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the main features and risks for falls among persons older than 65 years of age as well as to quantify their fear of falling.

Translation and validation of the Utian Quality of Life Scale in Serbian peri- and postmenopausal women.

Objective:This study aimed to translate the Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQOL) into the Serbian and to assess its validity and psychometric properties in Serbian peri- and postmenopausal women. Methods:This survey included 200 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Women were approached after their regular gynecological checkup in two community health centers (city center and outskirts) in the capital city Belgrade. The following instruments were used: general questionnaire (sociodemographics, habits, and medical history), UQOL, Short Form-36, and Beck Depression Inventory. The UQOL was translated according to the recommended methodology for translating questionnaires, and its psychometric properties (internal consistency, factor analysis, discriminant validity, construct validity, and criterion validity) were tested. Results:The mean (SD) UQOL total score was 80.5 (13.5). The Cronbachs &agr; coefficient for the entire scale was 0.83 (Occupational, &agr; = 0.76; Health-Related, &agr; = 0.72; Emotional, &agr; = 0.36; Sexual, &agr; = 0.66). All corrected item–total correlation coefficients were greater than 0.40, confirming that all items were appropriate parts of the UQOL. On exploratory factor analysis, we obtained six factors (five items formed two new clusters: Physical Fitness and Professional Recognition) that explained 85.7% of the total variance. The UQOL total score was significantly negatively correlated with Beck Depression Inventory score (P = 0.001) and significantly positively correlated with all Short Form-36 domains (P = 0.001). In addition, significant intercorrelations of UQOL domains also indicated good criterion validity. Conclusions:The Serbian version of the UQOL demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity in the assessment of quality of life among peri- and postmenopausal women. The Serbian version of the UQOL is an adequate quality-of-life instrument in the Serbian language that can be applied in the everyday clinical setting.

Serbian version of the Women’s Health Questionnaire: psychometric properties

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to translate the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) into the Serbian language and assess its validity and reliability in a population of Serbian menopausal women. Methods The study included peri- and postmenopausal women from two Community Health Centers in Belgrade. Women filled out the WHQ, the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) and Becks Depression Inventory (BDI). The WHQ was translated according to recommended methodology for cultural adaptation of questionnaires and its psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, factor analysis, sensitivity, discriminant, construct and criterion validity) were tested. Results In the Serbian population, the mean values of the WHQ domains were mostly comparable with reference Mediterranean countries. Whole-scale Cronbach’s α was 0.838. Moreover, five WHQ domains had a value of Cronbach’s α above the acceptable limit. There were no significant differences in WHQ scores between our two investigators. On exploratory factor analysis, we obtained ten factors (two items formed a new factor – ‘Menstrual pathology’). Almost all SF-36 domains were significantly associated with WHQ domains, while the BDI was associated with domains: depressive mood, anxiety and sleep problems. Based on ROC analysis, WHQ is slightly more reliable for perimenopausal than postmenopausal Serbian women. Conclusion The Serbian version of the WHQ showed very good reliability and validity in assessment of quality of life among menopausal women. The WHQ is applicable for both peri- and postmenopausal women.

Factors associated with general and health-related quality of life in menopausal transition among women from Serbia

ABSTRACT This study assessed factors associated with quality of life (QOL) among Serbian peri- and postmenopausal women using two menopause-specific scales. This cross-sectional study included 500 women aged 40–65 years who had a gynecologic check-up in one of two Community Health Centers in Belgrade during February 2014 to January 2015. Women completed: a questionnaire about socio-demographics, habits, and health status; a menopause-specific questionnaire, Utian’s Quality of Life Scale (UQOL); and a Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). Higher education was associated with better occupational UQOL and memory/concentration, but with lower emotional UQOL and more anxiety/fears. City center residency was associated with better occupational and sexual UQOL. Being employed was associated with better occupational UQOL and lower anxiety/fears. Higher income was associated with better emotional UQOL. Not having uterine prolapse, insomnia, or tachycardia was associated with better occupational UQOL and fewer sleep problems. Higher parity was associated with better sexual UQOL. Having regular recreation was associated with better health and sexual UQOL but with more frequent vasomotor symptoms. Leaner women felt more attractive. QOL during the menopausal transition does not entail only somatic symptoms and therefore requires a more comprehensive approach that includes psychosocial underpinnings.

Contents Vol. 75, 2013

M.A. Belfort, Provo, Utah J. Bornstein, Nahariya H.L. Brown, Durham, N.C. C. Chapron, Paris J. de Haan, Maastricht G.A. Dekker, Adelaide, S.A. J.A. Deprest, Leuven K. Hecher, Hamburg S. Kahhale, São Paulo H. Kliman, New Haven, Conn. T.F. Kruger, Tygerberg J.A. Kuller, Raleigh, N.C. M.J. Kupferminc, Tel Aviv H. Minkoff , Brooklyn, N.Y. J. Moodley, Congella J.M. Mwenda, Nairobi H. Odendaal, Tygerberg J.T. Repke, Hershey, Pa. G.R. Saade, Galveston, Tex. B.M. Sibai, Cincinnati, Ohio Founded 1895 as ‘Monatsschrift für Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie’, continued 1946–1969 as ‘Gynaecologia’ and 1970–1977 as ‘Gynecologic Investigation’

What Do Male Medical Students Know about the Pill? Study of Knowledge and Attitudes at the University of Belgrade

Background: Women have been traditionally more involved in birth control than men. The purpose of this survey is to analyze knowledge of and attitudes towards oral contraceptives (OC) use in a population of male medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia. Methods: In November/December 2011, a total of 237 male medical students were recruited at the Faculty of Medicine before the start of compulsory practical sessions in their classrooms. Data were obtained through a 26-item questionnaire regarding knowledge of and attitude towards OC use. Results: Less than a half (40.4%) had a partner and 3.2% did not know whether their partner used the pill. Approximately one fifth of the students (28.5%) did not inform themselves about the pill at all. The average knowledge score differed according to the relationship status (Z = -3.414, p = 0.001). The average attitude score did not statistically differ according to the relationship status (Z = -1.384, p = 0.166). An advanced study year was statistically associated with higher knowledge and attitude scores (ρ = 0.575, p < 0.001; ρ = 0.206, p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Our students demonstrated a moderate level of comprehension. The results of our study indicate that the use of the OC pill needs further promotion to raise awareness of male involvement in health-related decisions of their partners.