Public knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use in Kosovo

Background:

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a major public health challenge worldwide, caused primarily by the misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic use is closely related to the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of a population.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices about antibiotic use among the general public in Kosovo.

Methods:

A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was carried out with a sample of 811 randomly selected Kosovo residents. The methodology used for this survey was based on the European Commission Eurobarometer survey on antimicrobial resistance.

Results:

More than half of respondents (58.7%) have used antibiotics during the past year. A quarter of respondents consumed antibiotics without a medical prescription. The most common reasons for usage were flu (23.8%), followed by sore throat (20.2%), cold (13%) and common cold (7.6%). 42.5% of respondents think that antibiotics are effective against viral infections. Almost half of respondents (46.7%) received information about the unnecessary use of antibiotics and 32.5% of them report having changed their views and behaviours after receiving this information. Health care workers were identified as the most trustworthy source of information on antibiotic use (67.2%).

Conclusion:

These results provide quantitative baseline data on Kosovar knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding the use of antibiotic. These findings have potential to empower educational campaigns to promote the prudent use of antibiotics in both community and health care settings.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mothers in Kosova About Complementary Feeding for Infant and Children 6-24 Months

AIM

This cross sectional study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding complementary feeding among mothers with children between 6-24 months at the national level.

METHODS

The sample of 492 mothers with children between 6-24 months, with a confidence level of 95%, the acceptable margin of 5%, the expected prevalence of 50% knowledge and effect of 1.3, were interviewed from all regions, in all Kosovo. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi-square with significance level set at 5%.

RESULTS

Overall, 88.4% of respondents had good knowledge of complementary feeding, while only 38.4% of mothers had good practices regarding time for starting complementary feeding. We found association between maternal knowledge and level of education for complementary feeding.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to further explore the factors responsible to improving practices for complementary feeding.

Epidemiological characteristics of tularemia in kosova in the period 2006-2011

Introduction:

Tularemia is an important zoonosis in Kosovo. The first cases of tularemia in Kosovo were reported in 1999 among civil population in the west part of Kosovo. Tularemia has become an important problem in Kosova after 1999.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and distribution of Tularemia in Kosovo in the period from 2006 to 2011, propose measures and activities for prevention and control of the disease.

Material and method:

In this descriptive, retrospective study, we used official reports on infectious diseases from National Institute of Public Health of Kosova (NIPHK), as well as epidemiological surveys. The data collected were analyzed and the corresponding statistical parameters were tested with SPSS for the level of significance for P<0.01 and P<0.05.

Results and Discussion:

The morbidity rate over the study period ranged from 0.38 (2011) to 11.26 (2010) per 100000 inhabitants. We found statistical significance between years for the level of P<0.00001. (X²-test=387.5; DF=5; P<0.0001). The majority of tularemia cases occurred in female (59%) with statistical significance for P<0.001 (X²-test=16.07; DF=1; P<0.001) The peak of cases in age group 20-40 years, with 242 cases or 48%, with statistical significance for the level of P<0.0001 (X²-test=253.14; DF=3; P<0.001) The main route of human infection is consumption of no safety water from wells (50%). The majority of tularemia cases occurred in female in Kosovo with 59% of observed cases while in a study in Central Anatolia region 54.7% were female.

Conclusion:

Kosova is an endemic zone of this disease since 1954 where the first cases were registered. Tularemia is a zoonosis, so in order to avoid human infections it is very important to implement measures well as perform public health education activities.