Croatian children's views towards importance of health care information

The aim of research was to investigate: the need for health care information of Croatian adolescents aged from 13 to 18 years; the difference in evaluation of the frequency of receiving information between hospitalized and healthy children; if the hospitalized children expectations about the frequency of receiving health care information differed significantly from information they have actually received; whose information was most comprehensible to the hospitalized children (doctors, parents, other health care givers). The children were either hospitalized in the pediatrics departments or were high schools pupils (healthy children). The hospitalized children "Completely agreed" (92.7%) with the statement "When I am sick, I should receive information about my health" in comparison to the healthy children (85.1%). In comparison to healthy children, the hospitalized children assessed that doctors, other health care givers and parents should give them information more frequently. The experience of hospitalized children indicate that they received less information then they have actually excepted. The information received from doctors was mostly in correlation with the understanding of this information. We concluded that the children want to be informed about their health, especially hospitalized children. Health care professionals should offer understandable health care information according to the children's expectation.

[Study of quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis]

INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological impairment mostly affecting younger adults substantially decreasing their working and living abilities. Different rating scales to determine disabilities are being used: EDSS, NRS, and CAMBS. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life in MS patients, with reference to the disease itself and its treatment, comparing patients with MS and a matching healthy control group.

METHODS AND SUBJECTS

Subjects were divided into two groups, a group of patients with MS and a control group of healthy subjects. There were 37 MS patients, 25 women and 12 men. Control group consisted of 51 subjects, 39 women and 12 men. There was no statistically significant sex difference. The mean age of the MS patients was 45.9 +/- 12.4 years, and of control group 42.4 +/- 10.3 years; yielding no statistically significant difference. The severity of impairment in MS patients according to EDSS scale was 3 to 3.5. The quality of life determined by the prediction and criterion variables was studied in both MS patients groups and control group. All variables were graded on a 1 to 5 scale. On statistical data processing chi2 test and t-test were used.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Predictors referring to family history, sexual life, social life, satisfaction with education, job, social environment, religious life, housing status, financial status and present family life did not differ between the MS and control group. MS patients were less satisfied with their place in society, their state of health and ways of spending their free time. The decrease of satisfaction correlated with the areas generally known to be directly or indirectly affected by MS. As to the criterion variable of 'satisfaction with former way of life' no significant differences were found, since the disease did not affect previous life achievements. MS patients were less satisfied with their status in society, their state of health and ways of spending their free time. Changes occurred as a consequence of substantial life changes caused by the disease, results of treatments and circumstances in which the patients lives. Results obtained indicated that patients were aware of their disease, lower quality of life that limited their daily activities and future plans. Answers referring to the state of health, social status, and sexual activities did not show any statistically significant difference between the groups of MS patients and healthy controls, although it could have been expected according to the experience and customary expectations in such cases.

CONCLUSION

MS patients are mainly satisfied with what they have achieved previously as young people; they become dissatisfied in relation to the possible economic and social prospects, and they are aware of their disabilities and weaknesses, inability for professional development, working and workplace relationships, more difficult money acquisition, etc.

[Perinatal care in Knin in the immediate postwar period]

By analysis of data from maternity department in Knin General Hospital for the period 1995-1999, the results of perinatal, fetal and early neonatal mortality, newborns according to birth-weight, ecclampsia frequency, cesarean sections, vacuum extractions, antenatal care and equipment of maternity department are presented. Perinatal mortality in 1997 was 7.7@1000, and in other years there were no dead infants. There was no maternal mortality. According to birth-weight, 2.7% of newborns weighted under 2500 g, 85.3% weighted between 2500-3999 g, and 12.1% weighted > or = 4000 g. Analysis by years showed no differences except for 1995, which was caused by low number of births, and increased transport to more equipped obstetric and neonatal care centres. Ecclampsia was registered in 2 cases--2.1@1000. The number of antenatal visits was continuously increasing for all those years, and in 1999 there were no unexamined pregnant women; 19.8% had 1-2 visits, and 23.9% more than 8. In 1995 there were 20.2% of pregnant women without ultrasound examination, while in 1999 there was none. In the period 1995-1999, the number of pregnant women with 2 and 3 ultrasounds increased, and 2.2-6.7% had over 4. Cesarean sections were continuously increasing and in last 5 years the rate rose from 2.6% to 5.8% of deliveries in 1999. Vacuum extractions were most frequent in 1997, 0.8%. It is emphasized that perinatal mortality decreased in the maternity department in Knin for all those years to 2.08@1000. Cardiotocographic surveillance during labour was practiced in over 90% of bearing women.