BACKGROUND: Health literacy is a core public health issue in relation to children and adolescents associated with multiple health behaviours and health outcomes. The aim of the study is to test the direct associations between health literacy, physical activity behaviour, health outcomes of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness among Slovak adolescents and possible indirect effect of health literacy on health outcomes of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness mediated by adolescents' physical activity behaviour. METHODS: Data from the Slovak Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in 2022 were used. For the purposes of this study, a subsample of the adolescents (n = 508; mean age = 14.50; SD = 0.82; 54.3% boys) which provided HBSC questionnaire data on health literacy, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and vigorous physical activity and participated in body composition (InBody 230) and cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run test) measurements. Data were analysed using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The findings showed that higher health literacy of the adolescents was directly associated with higher frequency of physical activity represented by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and vigorous physical activity and only with the visceral fat area in the crude model. Furthermore, there was an indirect effect of health literacy on cardiorespiratory fitness and most of the body composition variables (except the Body Mass Index) which was mediated by physical activity of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Health literacy is indirectly associated to body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness through higher frequency of physical activity. It seems that health literacy as cognitive and social competencies need behavioural components to be involved in the proposed causal pathway between health literacy and health outcomes. Our findings may contribute to the process of creating a framework for future health literacy interventions in adolescents.
- MeSH
- cvičení * fyziologie MeSH
- kardiorespirační zdatnost * fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- složení těla * MeSH
- zdravotní gramotnost * statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
Introduction: The objective of this article is to analyse the determinants of risky behaviour of school children and their impact on early sexual initiation, considering differences between sexes. Methods: The paper analyses the results of the HBSC international study conducted in Slovakia in 2018. A total of 1,293 schoolchildren (81.8% response rate) participated in the study. 15-year-old adolescents were assessed. Differences between boys and girls were also analysed. Results: In the 2018 data collection, the occurrence of underage sexual intercourse was more common among boys (17%) than girls (11.3%). Overall, 94.3% of children reported not having smoked and not having had an early sexual experience. Conversely, 26.1% of the children who admitted having smoked, had had sex. As for alcohol consumption, 19.2% of the pupils who had drunk alcohol reported early sexual initiation but, in a statistically significant indicator, up to 34.1% of adolescents who had had sexual intercourse were in a state of drunkenness at the time. Conclusion: To some extent, experimentation and risky behaviours in adolescence are socially acceptable. However, the timing of adolescents' first sexual intercourse can have an impact on their health and mental well-being. There is a need to recognise and monitor possible determinants that may lead to their risky sexual activities. There is also a clear and pressing need for legislative standards. Paediatric care and nursing play a vital role in the primary prevention of risk activities.
- MeSH
- koitus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- rizikový sex MeSH
- sexuální chování * statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- sexuální faktory MeSH
- zdravotně rizikové chování MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
Background: Psoriasis is a common, T-cell-mediated inflammatory and immune-mediated skin disease. Numerous studies confirmed that patients with psoriasis have a significant frequency of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and CV diseases (CVDs). Risk stratification is helpful in light of the elevated risk of CVD in psoriasis patients. SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP, a new algorithm derived, calibrated and validated to predict the 10-year risk of first-onset CVD in European populations, enhances the identification of individuals at higher risk of developing CVD across Europe. Objective: Using the SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP scoring systems, the current study objective was to evaluate CV risk in Slovak psoriasis patients and the relationship between CV risk and psoriasis features in a real-world setting. Results: A case-control study was conducted involving 115 outpatients with plaque psoriasis and 66 age- and gender-matched controls with skin conditions other than psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis had significantly higher mean SCORE2 values. In the age group up to 50 years, more psoriasis patients were classified as moderate risk than controls (33.8% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.010); the high-risk category was dominated by psoriasis patients. Analysing the relationship between CV risk and selected variables, we determined, using linear regression, the dependence of the SCORE2 risk score on gender in the age group up to 50 years, on age in both age groups, on waist circumference (WC) in the category up to 50 years and on the duration and severity of psoriasis in both age groups using linear regression. For individuals older than 70, we estimated the SCORE2-OP risk score, with the average risk score being 19.5 ± 4.95. We did not observe controls with a high risk score. Psoriasis patients were more likely to be smokers and had significantly higher mean values for body mass index (BMI), WC, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and systolic blood pressure (BP). Conclusions: Because CV risk factors and psoriasis are strongly related, the importance of CV risk stratification is growing, and initiating preventive lifestyle changes or therapeutic interventions in patients with psoriasis is warranted.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Roma living in marginalized communities often face poor living conditions and material deprivation, which may negatively impact parenting. Our aim is to compare the parenting behavior (support, harsh discipline, and stimulation) of mothers from marginalized Roma communities and the majority population in Slovakia. We also examine the role of socioeconomic disadvantage and related worries in the differences in parenting behavior between these groups. METHODS: We obtained cross-sectional data from mothers of children aged 14-18 months using the first wave of the longitudinal RomaREACH study dataset. Two groups were included in the sample: 93 mothers from MRCs and 102 mothers from the majority. We performed multiple regression and mediation analyses to assess whether the educational level of mothers, the degree of poverty, and poverty-related feelings of stress and worries explain parenting behavior differences between the groups of mothers. RESULTS: We found significant differences in parenting, especially in harsh disciplining and stimulation. These two domains were significantly associated with maternal education, degree of poverty, and poverty-related stress and worries. The degree of poverty partially mediated stimulation differences between the two groups of mothers. CONCLUSION: Parenting in MRCs seems harsher and less stimulative than parenting in the Slovak majority. These differences are associated with the socioeconomic disadvantage of mothers. The degree of poverty partially explains why parenting in MRCs is less stimulative. These results may inform intervention efforts aimed at disadvantaged families.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Previous research shows the beneficial effects of an intradialytic resistance training (IRT) on muscle function in haemodialysis patients. However, patients vary highly in their functional responses to IRT, may be due to effects of age and sex heterogeneities in adaptation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the degree to which the effects of IRT on the muscle function of haemodialysis patients vary by age and sex. We included 57 patients who completed a 12-week IRT (EXG) and 33 patients who received no IRT (CNG) during haemodialysis. Muscle function (MF) was assessed using dynamometry before and after a 12-week intervention and after a 12-week follow-up. After the 12-week intervention, we found a moderation effect of age in the relative (%) change (p = 0.011) and absolute (Δ) change (p = 0.027) of MF, and a moderation effect of sex in %MF (p = 0.001), but not in ΔMF (p = 0.069). Regarding patients' age, the change of MF was only significantly different between EXG and CNG patients aged 60-70 years (%MF, EXG: + 34.6%, CNG: - 20.1%, p < 0.001; ΔMF, EXG: + 44.4 N, CNG: - 22.1 N, p < 0.001). Regarding patients' sex, the change of MF was only significantly different between EXG and CNG female patients (%MF, EXG: + 23.9%, CNG: - 23.6%, p < 0.001). Age and sex did not significantly moderate changes in MF measures after 12 weeks of follow-up. We conclude that both age and sex of haemodialysis patients affect their functional response to IRT in the short term.Trial Registration: Intradialytic Resistance Training in Haemodialysis Patients (IRTHEP)-#NCT03511924, 30/04/2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03511924 .
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important health indicator in chronic diseases like kidney diseases. Health literacy (HL) may strongly affect HRQoL, but evidence is scarce. Therefore, we assessed the associations of HL with HRQoL in dialysed patients. We performed a cross-sectional study in 20 dialysis clinics across Slovakia (n = 542 patients, mean age = 63.6 years, males = 60.7%). We assessed the association of categorised HL (low, moderate, high) with the SF36 physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) using generalised linear models adjusted for age, gender, education, and comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index, CCI). We found significant associations of HL with PCS and MCS in dialysed patients, adjusted for age, gender, education, and CCI. Low-HL patients had a lower PCS (B = -3.27, 95%-confidence interval, CI: -5.76/-0.79) and MCS (B = -6.05, 95%-CI: -8.82/-3.29) than high-HL patients. Moderate-HL patients had a lower MCS (B = -4.26, 95%-CI: -6.83/-1.69) than high-HL patients. HL is associated with physical and mental HRQoL; this indicates that dialysed patients with lower HL deserve specific attention and tailored care to have their HRQoL increased.
- MeSH
- chronická nemoc MeSH
- komorbidita MeSH
- kvalita života * MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- zdravotní gramotnost * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents a threat for people with immune-mediated diseases. It seems that patients with psoriasis appear to have a similar SARS-CoV-2 infection rate as the general population. Our study aimed to identify factors associated with contracting COVID-19 and determining the severity of COVID-19 among psoriatic patients in a real practice setting. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 379 respondents. About one-quarter (n = 78; 25.8%) of the respondents who provided information on their COVID-19 (n = 302) status had contracted COVID-19. Most variables tested for their effect on getting COVID-19 proved to be statistically insignificant, except education, age and gender. Our study proved the protective effect of vaccination, especially the third dose, against the COVID-19 outcome. From all the potential variables, we found that non-Roma ethnicity increased the chance of being vaccinated at least once by 2.6-fold. Patients with a longer psoriasis duration had a higher chance of being vaccinated. We consider biological treatment of psoriasis safe during COVID-19. Vaccination of patients was a statistically significant protector against COVID-19. It is important to point out that only three doses of vaccine decreased with statistical significance the chance of getting the illness. Our findings should be confirmed on larger samples in further studies.
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * epidemiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- psoriáza * komplikace epidemiologie MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- vakcinace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
PURPOSE: The loss of muscle functions is a significant health issue among dialysis patients. Poor muscle strength negatively affects a patient's mobility, independence and quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of an intradialytic resistance training (IRT) on lower extremity muscle functions among dialysed patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients were allocated into an experimental group (n = 57) or control group (CNG) (n = 33) according to the location of the dialysis service center. Fifty-eight patients completed the study follow-up. The intervention regarded 12-week IRT, while the controls remained physically inactive during hemodialysis. In both groups of patients, we assessed lower extremity muscle functions by a diagnostics of maximal isometric force generated during hip flexion (HF), hip extension (HE), and knee extension (KE) contractions at baseline, after the 12-weeks intervention and after a further 12-weeks follow up. RESULTS: We found that improvements in HE between baseline and post-intervention were significantly larger for the experimental than the CNG (difference 32.0, 95% CI = 12.3-51.8, p = 0.002). For the other primary outcomes, we found no differences between the groups, and neither for the two other indices of muscle strength (HF and KE). At 12-weeks follow-up, we found no statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that exercise during dialysis not just suppresses adverse effects in muscle strength and functioning, but effectively and safely increases lower extremities muscle function in a relatively short time.Implications for RehabilitationRegular, progressive, resistance training realized during dialysis is well tolerated and safe for exercise interventions in hemodialysis patients.A 12-weeks intradialytic resistance training is effective in the prevention and clinical management of muscle function loss among hemodialysis patients.The range of improvements in muscle functions, demonstrated by the assessment of maximal isometric force, varied severely during different lower extremity movements of hemodialysis patients.
- MeSH
- dialýza ledvin škodlivé účinky MeSH
- dolní končetina MeSH
- kvalita života MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- odporový trénink * MeSH
- svalová síla fyziologie MeSH
- svaly MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is likely to deteriorate with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This change may be worsened by low health literacy (HL). We performed a longitudinal study at over 20 dialysis clinics in Slovakia (n = 413; mean age = 64.8 years; males = 58.4%). We assessed the association of three HL groups with a change in HRQoL over two years using binary logistic regression adjusted for type of vascular access, dialysis effectiveness, comorbidity, age and gender. We found that patients with low HL had poorer HRQoL at baseline in comparison to high-HL patients. We did not find significant associations of lower HL with the deterioration of mental or physical HRQoL after two years. In the adjusted model, patients with lower HL were not more likely to have deteriorated physical (low-HL patients: odds ratio/95% confidence interval: 0.99/0.53-1.84; moderate-HL patients: 0.97/0.55-1.73) or mental HRQoL (low-HL patients: 1.00/0.53-1.87; moderate-HL patients: 0.95/0.53-1.70) in comparison to high-HL patients. The HRQoL of lower-HL patients is worse at baseline but develops similarly to that of high-HL patients during dialysis treatment. Their relative HRQoL, thus, does not worsen further, but it does not improve either. Tailoring care to their needs may help to decrease the burden of low HL in dialysed patients.
Aim: The objective of this study was to analyze changes in incidence of sexual experience in 15-year-old Slovak adolescents between 2006-2018, and use of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Design: A series of cross-sectional school questionnaires. Methods: Data were obtained from an international study of Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) on a representative sample of Slovakian schoolchildren through an anonymous standardized questionnaire to assess the health-related behavior of adolescents. For the analysis, we used data from 15-year-old adolescents from 2006 (n = 1,252), 2010 (n = 1,568), 2014 (n = 1,549), and 2018 (n = 1,293) regarding their experience of sexual intercourse and use of contraceptive methods. Results: During the observed period, there were no significant changes in the prevalence of sexually active adolescents, except for an increase in 2014 (11.7% in 2006; 12.1% in 2010; 16.1% in 2014; and 14.3% in 2018). The most frequently used method of contraception was a condom, which was used by 42.4% of sexually active respondents in 2014, and as many as 74.5% of sexually active respondents in 2010. Hormonal contraception was used by 3.3% of sexually active girls in 2006, compared to 23.4% of sexually active girls in 2010. Conclusion: The results showed that the incidence of early sexual intercourse in Slovakian adolescents did not change significantly during the period 2006 to 2018, and the situation remains relatively favorable compared to other European countries. On the other hand, there was insufficient use of contraception in sexually active adolescents.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- sexuální chování * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
