Background: Immunization is a key step in preventing the occupational risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection for healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of the study was determination of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) coverage rate among HCWs and support staff and immune response 10 years after primary vaccination. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2005-2017. Second-generation vaccines Euvax (Sanofi Pasteur, Thailand/LG Life

Introduction: Worldwide, COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of infected people and thousands of deaths. Due to enormous pressure on health-care systems and its inadequate preparedness, utter collapse is expected. In the current epidemic response, healthcare workers’ (HCWs) knowledge and practice are crucial, while the impact on their mental health is still unknown.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs redeployed to COVID points in the Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton. According to guidelines and information provided by the World Health Organization and Ministries of Health, a questionnaire was developed. In addition, General Anxiety Disorder-7 as a screening tool for anxiety disorders was used.Results: Of 180 respondents, 26 (14.4%) were in direct contact with the sick patient. In total, 79 (43.9%) respondents consider their personal protective equipment is in accordance with the guidelines of the world health authorities. A total of 72 (39.7%) of respondents used the same mask for several days. In general, the danger from new coronavirus was considered minimal by 59 (32,6%) HCWs. Based on the achieved score for assessing the anxiety disorder, in 63 (35%) subjects, the presence of severe symptoms was detected.Conclusion: This study found that most HCWs do not have enough knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified that there are differences in the sources of information and gap in perceptions of the native origin of the virus. Considering the frequency of anxiety symptoms among HCWs, interventions are necessary in order to preserve their mental health.

Although COVID-19 vaccines are becoming increasingly available, their ability to effectively control and contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly contingent on an array of factors. This paper discusses how limitations to vaccine accessibility, issues associated with vaccine side effects, concerns regarding vaccine efficacy, along with the persistent prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among the public, including health care professionals, might impact the potential of COVID-19 vaccines to curb the pandemic. We draw insights from the literature to identify practical solutions that could boost people’s adoption of COVID-19 vaccines and their accessibility. We conclude with a discussion on health experts’ and government officials’ moral and ethical responsibilities to the public, even in light of the urgency to adopt and endorse “the greatest amount of good for the greatest number” utilitarian philosophy in controlling and managing the spread of COVID-19.

Background: Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, partially owing to their compromised immune systems and curbed or cut cancer healthcare services caused by the pandemic. As a result, cancer caregivers may have to shoulder triple crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, pronounced healthcare needs from the patient, and elevated need for care from within. While technology-based health interventions have the potential to address unique challenges cancer caregivers face amid COVID-19, limited insights are available. Thus, to bridge this gap, we aim to identify technology-based interventions designed for cancer caregivers and report the characteristics and effects of these interventions concerning cancer caregivers’ distinctive challenges amid COVID-19. Methods: A systematic search of the literature will be conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus from the database inception to the end of March, 2021. Articles that center on technology-based interventions for cancer caregivers will be included in the review. The search strategy will be developed in consultation with an academic librarian who is experienced in systematic review studies. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles will be screened against eligibility criteria developed a priori. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses procedures will be followed for the reporting process. Conclusions: COVID-19 has upended cancer care as we know it. Findings of this study can shed light on evidence-based and practical solutions cancer caregivers can utilize to mitigate the unique challenges they face amid COVID-19. Furthermore, results of this study will also offer valuable insights for researchers who aim to develop interventions for cancer caregivers in the context of COVID-19. In addition, we also expect to be able to identify areas for improvement that need to be addressed in order for health experts to more adequately help cancer caregivers weather the storm of global health crises like COVID-19 and beyond. Study Protocol Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020196301

Background: Immunization is a key step in preventing the occupational risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection for healthcare workers (HCWs). Objective: The aim of the study was determination the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) coverage rate among HCWs and support staff and immune response 10 years after primary vaccination.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Second-generation vaccines Euvax (Sanofi Pasteur, Thailand/LG Life Sciences Ltd, Korea) and Engerix B (GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium) were applied. A level of ≥ 10 IU/L anti-HBs was set as a cut-off value indicating the presence of protective immunity against new HBV infections and successful vaccination. Results: In total, 1541 (75.80%) were fully vaccinated, out of 1126 (73.07%) were females. The median age of participans was 50.5 ± 9.4 years. Control measurement of the anti-HBs level was performed for 409 (26.54%) HCWs. During the research, 37 booster doses were administered. Of the 23 retested participants, anti-HBs ≥10 IU/L were observed in 19 (82.16%). Three non-reactors subject were revealed.Conclusions: A satisfying HepB coverage rate and a high protective rate against hepatitis B infection among HCWs and support staff was achived. These results indicate the active engagement of the institution in the implementation of preventive measures and the high level of awareness regarding the significance of immunization. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of booster doses. A low prevalence of non-reactors was revealed. Additional research with a focus on occupational risk factors in dental service is advised.

Introduction: Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are one of the most frequent routes of the transmission of bloodborne pathogens in health care settings and the substantial source of occupationally acquired bloodborne infections. They remain a significant problem for developing countries that lack the ability to implement more reliable technologies and available guidance because of the economic situation. The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of NSIs among healthcare workers (HCWs) and supporting staff in primary health care, to investigate the factors that caused these injuries and to evaluate a set of implemented guides. Methods: A retrospective study of the Department of infection control records of NSIs between January 2003 and January 2016 was conducted. Incidence proportion (rate of injury risk) was calculated for each profession with reported NSIs. Results: A total of 156 NSIs and sharp injuries were reported to the Department of infection control during the 12-year period. Among the group of HCWs, medical nurses/technicians (54.49%) were the most common injured workers, and the lowest numbers were reported by a physical therapist and dental technicians (0.64%). In a total number of cases, support staff accounted for 16.67%. The most incidents occurred during the use of needles, in 146 (90.6%) cases. Calculated incidence proportion for medical doctors is 0.24%, 5.33% for dentists, and 13.8% for medical and dental nurses/technicians and laboratory technicians. For support staff, the calculated rate is 6.04%. Conclusions: At the primary health care level, the NSIs frequency among all employee profiles is lower and it is suggesting the possibility of underreporting cases. Healthcare facility management should consider introducing new and more reliable technologies to reduce the number of NSIs especially among nurses/technicians, laboratory technicians, and cleaning staff. Additional training and preventive measures should be directed towards the proper disposal of medical waste. Management of the Institution presented engagement to prevent the occurrence of NSIs, and it is a positive example for all countries in transition.

Introduction: The nasals and hand carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in food handlers (FHs) represent a significant source of Staphylococcal food contamination and food poisoning. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a microorganism’s ability to resist the action of one or more antimicrobial agents. S. aureus has demonstrated the ability to rapidly respond to each new antimicrobial with the development of a resistance mechanism. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of nasal carriage rate and AMR pattern of isolated strains S. aureus among FHs in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: The retrospective study included laboratory results of 11.139 tested subjects between January 2014 and December 2018. The study was conducted in the laboratory of the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. Samples of nasal swabs were collected from FHs, employees in companies located in Canton Sarajevo, during sanitary surveillance prescribed by applicable legal standards. S. aureus isolates were identified according to conventional microbiological methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the agar disk diffusion method according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; 2013 standard. Results: Among the 11.138 subjects, 792 (7.1%) were carriers of S. aureus. Isolated strains were tested on eight different antibiotics, and the resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin was 788 (99.5%), 776 (97.9%), and 752 (94.9%), retrospectively. In total, 86.36% of isolated strains were multidrug-resistant. Conclusions: The low percentage of S. aureus carriers indicates that preventive measures of carrier control are being actively implemented within the legally prescribed measures. The emergence of numerous isolated strains with multidrug-resistance characteristics is a significant public health problem and consequently limits the range of antibiotics available for therapeutic purposes. The results of this research indicate that AMR has increased in Sarajevo Canton and it is following the trend of global growth.

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) resistant to Methicillin (MRSA) occupies a significant place in modern microbiology and infection control procedures. The frequency of MRSA infections continues to grow in hospital and community associated settings. The increase in the incidence of infections due to S. aureus is a consequence of the pathogen's ability to adapt to a changing environment. Methods: Analyzes were performed on 48 samples of Staphylococcus strains from farm animals, exposed and non-exposed personnel obtained from the Université des Frères Mentouri (Constantine) and Institute des Sciences Vétérinaires El Khroub (Algeria), collected during 2016. Each strain was tested against 30 antibiotics to detect antibiotic resistance. Results: Among 48 tested samples 41 (85,4%) were identified as S. aureus. Our results revealed that 14,6% of the S. aureus strains were resistant to Cefoxitin, which would presumably indicate MRSA strains. We also confirmed resistance to Methicillin, Penicillin, Oxacillin resistance and the majority of isolated strains were multi-resistant. Conclusion: These results confirmed that antibiotics resistance is present not only in nosocomial bacteria, but also in livestock and community environments microorganisms. The majority of isolated S. aureus strains were multi-resistant to more than three classes of antibiotics. MRSA strains were detected in 14,6% of our samples and was common among samples from farmers and non-exposed students.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge and behavioural risks related to sexually transmitted infection (STIs) among high school students. METHODS The cross sectional study was conducted among students aged 15-18 years old from two high schools in the Sarajevo Canton in the period from October 2017 to March 2018. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used. The survey investigated their socio-demographic characteristics, sexual habits and level of knowledge about STIs. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and MS Excel 2016. RESULTS In total 278 high school students participated in the study, with a mean age of 17.79±1.026 years, of which 89 (32%) were male, and 189 (68%) were female. There was no significant difference in age in relation to sex distribution (P=0.074). Regarding the number of participants, 234 (84.2%) were from the dental school, while 44 (15.8%) were from a gimnazija (grammar high school). There was no significant difference in gender-based distribution by school (P=0.080). Students from the grammar high school had significantly better knowledge about the impact of STI on the foetus (P=0.025) and infected individuals (P=0.001), also about the impact of STI on sterility (P=0.005). CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the need for implementation of sexual education programs in the final grades of elementary school or in first grades of high school, aimed at improving knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and improving sexual and reproductive health.

Health problems associated with the consumption of foods that do not meet the hygiene and epidemiological standards are not of recent date and have been occurring continuously throughout the history of human existence. The incidence of food poisoning and foodborne transmissible diseases is three times more common in-home kitchens and households. Restaurant poisoning generally involves a larger number of people, whereas a home-based one involves individuals or a small number of people, so its likelihood of identification by the competent authority or public health organizations and services are significantly smaller. The development of the household food safety questionnaire (HFSQ) for the general population went through five phases (preparation of the questionnaire, distribution of the questionnaire to panelists and then the respondents, statistical analysis and the formation of the final version of the validated questionnaire). A total of 58 particles that formed the basis of the questionnaire were divided into four segments: demographic (10), knowledge (17), opinion (14) and food safety practice (17). Overall, the validity of the questionnaire in examining practice, knowledge and attitude was determined with Cronbach's alpha = 0.842. The total number of particles adequate for the questionnaire is 29 questions. This questionnaire is a good instrument for assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of food handlers in their households. Keywords— food safety, households, questionnaire, development and validation.