SUMMARY Introduction: Due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have expressed concern for psychological functioning and well-being globally, with a particular reference to life quality disorder. Aim: To determine the connectin of recovery and the degree of life quality. Respondents and methods: A cross-sectional survey is carried out. The sample in the research consist of persons of both sexes at the age of 18, who have recovered from the infection, reviewing more than a year since the beginning of this research. The test survey was done by 384 respondents, which was carried out from October to December 2022. It was used a questionare survey, designed for research purpose, consisting of socio-demographich characteristics, characteristics of COVID-19 infection and consequences of COVID-19 infection. Results: By the comparison of established frequencies of response, confirmations of agreement and disagreement of the claims examinated is established that significantly higher percentage of respondents have noticed, in their functioning after COVID-19 infection, the appearance of fatigue and muscles weakness (65,9%), significant hair loss (57,8) and higher level of symptoms of depression and anxiety (43,8%). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly influenced life quality and has affected all aspects of life and health.

Introduction: Nosocomial infections are a global problem in the health care system, but they more affect lowand middleincome countries. Educating healthcare professionals about nosocomial infections and prevention strategies to have a significant impact on reducing the number of infections. Aim: To determine and compare students' knowledge and attitudes about nosocomial infections and prevention strategies at the Faculty of Nursing and Sanitary Engineering from the Faculty of Health Studies and the School of Medicine. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 150 students of third and fourth academic years, both sexes, from the Department of Nursing (n = 50), Department of Sanitary Engineering (n = 50) of Faculty of Health Studies and the School of Medicine (n = 50). The survey was conducted using a self-designed survey questionnaire, divided into three sections: knowledge of nosocomial infections, knowledge of hand hygiene, beliefs, and attitudes about the effect of education on nosocomial infections. Each unit had 5 statements, and the possibility of answering with "YES" or "NO". Result: Students of all three studies showed, on average, good knowledge of the occurrence and prevention of nosocomial infections. The post-hoc comparison showed significantly higher knowledge of students from the School of Medicine and Sanitary Engineering compared to the knowledge of students from the Department of Nursing (p <0.005), but not in the hand hygiene test. In the hand hygiene test, a significant difference in overall knowledge was found between the School of Medicine and Sanitary Engineering, in favor of the School of Medicine (p = 0.037). Most students from all faculties are convinced that knowledge of nosocomial infections and adherence to prevention measures is an important strategy in their prevention. Conclusion: The knowledge of the health-oriented faculties of the University of Mostar is satisfactory. Nevertheless, many students at all faculties consider that education at faculties is insufficient.

SUMMARY Providing in-patient nursing care inevitably involves shift work and shift patterns have been identified as an important factor in determining well-being and satisfaction among nurses. Shifts of 12 h or longer have become increasingly common for nurses in hospitals in some European countries. Longer shifts offer a potential to benefit from a compressed working week, with fewer work days and more days off-work, lower commuting costs, and increased flexibility. Most people find shift work less desirable compared to standard working hours. A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at the Mostar University Hospital in 2019. A total of 157 subjects participated in the study, 22 (14%) of which were male (medical technicians) and 135 (86%) female (nurses). The mean age of study subjects was 33.3 years (min=20, max=54, SD=8.033). Results of this study suggested that nurses working irregular rotating shifts, with more family members to look after and more than 18 years of professional experience were affected by sleep disturbances between shifts. The study showed that shift work nurses had significantly higher levels of cortisol and prolactin compared with first-shift nurses/medical technicians. The results of this study are expected to stimulate further studies of sleep disturbances among shift nurses.

BACKGROUND Nursing is a profession frequently organized around shift work in order to guarantee the continuity of care throughout the 24 hours. However, working in shifts is coupled with the desynchronization of circadian rhythms and may result in adverse effects on nurses' health. Our previous work has demonstrated the presence of increased stress levels, reduced coping abilities and diminished life enjoyment in shift work nurses in comparison to those working only in accordance with the daily schedule. Here we aimed to appraise the effects of shift work on their overall health status. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We used a comparative cross-sectional approach on a sample of 157 hospital nursing professionals at the University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Study subjects were divided into two groups: a total of 51% study subjects were included in a specific type of shift work (i.e., 12-hour day shift / 24 hours off / 12-hour night shift / 48 hours off), while the remaining 49% adhered to the conventional 7-hour daily schedule. The instrument used was a Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI), together with a comprehensive appraisal of participants' socio-demographic characteristics. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied, and statistical significance was set at p≤0.05 (two-sided). RESULTS The results have shown that nurses in shift work were significantly more burdened with gastrointestinal disturbances (p<0.001); more specifically, there was a higher frequency of appetite loss (p=0.003), heartburn (p=0.03), nausea (p<0.01) and weight gain (p=0.05) when compared to nursing professionals in the day shift. Conversely, there were no statistically significant differences in cardiovascular health between these two groups. In addition, nurses in shift work more frequently presented with headaches (p=0.001) and varicose veins of lower extremities (p=0.037) in comparison to nurses working only in accordance with the daily schedule. CONCLUSIONS Shift work can adversely influence psychophysical homeostasis, resulting not only in substandard performance of nursing staff, but also potentially hazardous effects on their overall health status. More specifically, we recognized shift work as a substantial risk factor for gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders in nurses; likewise, the increased prevalence of headaches may consequently have a detrimental effect on social and family relationships. All of this should be tackled in a holistic and organized way, together with any additional psychological/sleep issues.

BACKGROUND To determine the existence of the toothlessness within the patients in the area of Mostar. The aim is to determine the topography of toothlessness within the population of Mostar, according to Kennedy classification. The aim is to connect measures of socioeconomic status with the appearance of the toothlessness. To develop a model that includes a form of toothlessness and the socioeconomic status of the patients in Mostar. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study was conducted at the Health Center in Mostar and the Regional Medical Center in Mostar. The research was cross-sectional study. It included 800 patients who regularlyoccurred to the dental ambulance because of the toothlessness and because of the prosthodontics treatment. The measurement was conducted by the dentist based on the anonymous research cardboard at the first examination of the patient. The dentist will determine the topography of the toothlessness according to Kennedy classification and the etiology of the toothlessness. RESULTS In the total sample of respondents, the toothlessness was significantly higher represented (P<0.001). The manifestation of thetoothlessness was significantly higher among temporary employees and the retirees (P<0.001). In the total sample, toothlessness affected the sociological status of a higher percentage of the respondents (P<0.001). CONCLUSION In our study, in a total sample of respondents, toothlessness was significantly higher represented (90% of respondents). The influence on the sociological status of the patient is most visible in the groups with the lower material status.

BACKGROUND Approximately 20% of the European labour force is involved in some type of shift work, with nurses being on the forefront. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a specific work scheme is pervasive in the health care arena, where all nurses involved in shift work are committed to eight night shifts per month - unlike other European countries that restrict the number of night shifts. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate whether such shift work significantly affects psychosocial functioning and the quality of life of hospital nursing personnel in this country. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A comparative cross-sectional study design was applied on a total of 157 hospital nursing professionals at the University Clinical Hospital Mostar during 2019. Subjects were divided into two groups: a total of 51% study subjects worked in specific shifts (12-hour day shift / 24 hours off / 12-hour night shift / 48 hours off), while 49% subjects worked in accordance with the regular 7-hour daily schedule. Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI) questionnaire was used, alongside comprehensive socio-demographic and quality of life appraisal. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS This study demonstrated increased amounts of stress, reduced coping abilities and reduced levels of life enjoyment in shift work nurses in comparison to day work nurses. Furthermore, increased anxiety, stress, psychoorganic symptoms and sleep disturbances were significantly more common in shift work hospital nursing staff. In our study, nurses that worked in shifts have experienced negative externalities such as decreased social functioning, as well as reduced family and leisure time. Conversely, significantly higher satisfaction rates with shift work were only shown in regards to compensation. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal many detrimental effects of shift work and contribute to the field of research that is still laden with gaps in understanding its exact impact on the overall health of nursing personnel. Going forward, prospective (and even interventional) studies will be needed to disentangle the exact interplay between work-related factors in various health care systems and subsequent psychosocial disorders in health personnel.

In post-war Herzegovina, the health services were significantly devastated and there was a great need for recovery and progress. The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1997 in Mostar. At the same time, in order to raise the level of health care, there was a need to educate nurses and other health workers. In accordance with the Munich Declaration and the Bologna Process, the Governing Board of the University of Mostar adopted a Decision on the establishment of the Health School, which began in October 2000 with the Study of Nursing, with the Study of Physiotherapy in 2001, and with the Study of Radiological Technology in 2002. We tried to make the programs in accordance with the programs of Health Schools in Zagreb, Sarajevo and Maribor, so that students could work in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), Croatia and the European Union after finishing their education in Mostar. Using the experience from the Faculty of Medicine, and the fact that most of the subjects were taught by visiting professors from Sarajevo, Zagreb, Split and Osijek, we introduced classes in shifts from the beginning, ie block teaching, which allows continuous learning. In addition to the three-year professional Study of Nursing, in 2003 the four-year university Study of Nursing also began. Since 2005, students in all studies have been enrolling in undergraduate university studies according to a new curriculum adapted to the Bologna Process. The Study of Sanitary Engineering and the Study of Midwifery were established in 2011 and 2014, respectively. The new building of the Faculty of Health Studies (FZS) on Bijeli brijeg, with modern space and equipment, which, along with the Faculty of Medicine and the University Clinical Hospital, makes up a modern biomedical center in Mostar, was completed in 2009 (Šimi 2016). In addition to being the most numerous and important health professionals, nurses and technicians form a key link in the fight for human health in the world. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, in the health care of most countries, nurses and midwives make up about 80% of qualified medical staff, and are involved in all life stages of human life. In fact, as much as they are numerical as professional, they are a powerful force that is introducing the changes needed to achieve the goal of ‘health for all people’ in the 21 century. Their scope of work covers a wide range of health services and is the foundation on which more or less most medical teams are based. They work in teams from prevention, enlightenment to the last phase of human life. In the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the combination of previous experiences with new achievements of the European Union is necessary, and this is done by the Faculty of Health Studies of the University of Mostar. Medical science is advancing more and more day by day, which means that doctors are constantly discovering new knowledge, entering previously unknown spheres. Therefore, what is foreseeable and what is already happening, is that the medical profession leaves certain activities to nurses and technicians (Lon ar 2017). In the process of continuous struggle for health, prevention and treatment, the role of a highly educated health worker is becoming increasingly important and he is certainly becoming an irreplaceable link in the process. The goal of our faculty is to educate the best possible health workers who, in addition to quality practical work, will gradually take over our teaching (Babi et al. 2017).

A study of COVID-19 infected patients was conducted regarding to organic and psychological characteristics. The findings of the study indicate that in the period of the pandemic in 2020, a total of 78 infection cases were confirmed in West Herzegovina Canton. Of the total number of infected, 55.1% are women and 44.9% are men. Of the infected population, 16.7% were hospitalized. By monitoring the COVID-19 disease in West Herzegovina Canton, we conclude how all manifestations of the disease were represented, from asymptomatic, through mild respiratory to the most severe clinical picture with fatal outcomes. The mortality rate in West Herzegovina Canton is 5.1%. The study showed that a total of 28.2% of COVID-19 positive patients before infecting with virus, were most likely to suffer from hypertension, diabetes and malignancies. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that a total of 71.9% of those infected are without underlying diseases. Also, the results indicate that people with COVID-19 in addition to the characteristic symptoms of the disease (fever, fatigue, cough, etc.) had certain mental ailments such as decreased general mood, increased anxiety, panic attacks, acute stress disorder and others.