The use of assessment tools in a sample of Croatian professional fire-fighters.

BACKGROUND: This article aims at testing of psychometric characteristics of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Defense Style Questionnaire - 40 (DSQ-40) in a sample of Croatian professional fire-fighters, so as to justify their use in Occupational Health. A pioneer effort to interrelate mental states and psychological job demands, ranked using the WAI questionnaire, was made as well. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Upon informed consent, the tools were tested on a sample of 300 members of the operative fire-fighting squad of the City of Zagreb, all men (average age 43; average years of fire-fighting service 18.5). The participation was voluntary and anonymous. RESULTS: The average BDI score was 2.34, revealing a low representation of depression in the target population. The score indicating severe depression was seen in 0.7% of examinees only. Cronbach alpha of 0.92 showed satisfactory inner tool consistency. As for DSQ-40, mature, neurotic and immature defence mechanisms were evaluated. The highest mean score of 75.24 (±26.07) was obtained with immature defence (Cronbach alpha 0.87). Self-assessed current working capacity was revealed to be strongly dependent on total years of service (r=-0.134; p=0.021), while the representation of neurotic defence positively correlated with the respondents' age and total years of service. Immature defence strongly positively correlated with the total years of fire-fighting service. CONCLUSIONS: The employed tools were shown to be appropriate for use in Croatian professional fire-fighting population. Nevertheless, the interrelations disclosed by this pioneer research should be investigated further.

[Earthquakes--a historical review, environmental and health effects, and health care measures]. / Potresi--povijesni pregled, okolisni i zdravstveni ucinci i mjere zdravstvene skrbi.

Earthquakes are natural disasters that can occur at any time, regardless of the location. Their frequency is higher in the Circum-Pacific and Mediterranean/Trans-Asian seismic belt. A number of sophisticated methods define their magnitude using the Richter scale and intensity using the Mercani-Cancani-Sieberg scale. Recorded data show a number of devastating earthquakes that have killed many people and changed the environment dramatically. Croatia is located in a seismically active area, which has endured a series of historical earthquakes, among which several occurred in the Zagreb area. The consequences of an earthquake depend mostly on the population density and seismic resistance of buildings in the affected area. Environmental consequences often include air, water, and soil pollution. The effects of this kind of pollution can have long-term health effects. The most dramatic health consequences result from the demolition of buildings. Therefore, quick and efficient aid depends on well-organized health professionals as well as on the readiness of the civil defence, fire department, and Mountain Rescue Service members. Good coordination among these services can save many lives Public health interventions must include effective control measures in the environment as secondary prevention methods for health problems caused by unfavourable environmental factors. The identification and control of long-term hazards can reduce chronic health effects. The reduction of earthquake-induced damages includes setting priorities in building seismically safe buildings.

[Indicators of health status and psychomotor abilities in pyrotechnists]. / Prikaz pokazatelja zdravstvenog stanja i psihomotornih sposobnosti pirotehnicara.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of age, psychomotor (oculomotor) functions and parameters indicating overall neuroticism with clinical findings and level of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 100 male subjects, mean age 37 (range 25-62) years, pyrotechnists by occupation. Results recorded on their pre-employment visit and four subsequent regular annual visits are presented. The algorithm of examinations fully complied with current regulations (Official Gazette, 26/96). The following parameters were observed: age, membership/affiliation (Croatian Army, Mungos or other companiess engaged in mine clearing); psychological testing: overall neuroticism (EPQ scale N, Cornell Index), the results accomplished by computerized Bonnardel sinusoid; levels of GGT, and the results of clinical examination. The relationship between group variables and differences in the parameters of between-group variables were tested using a STATISTICA software package (Statsoft, version 5.5). RESULTS: The results accomplished by computerized Bonnardel sinusoid in the follow-up period revealed a statistically significant decrease in number of mistakes (p<0.001), time-to-perform (p<0.001), and time-to-correct a mistake (p<0.001). At the same time, GGT value raised significantly (p<0.001). Positive relationship between age and psychomotor abilities was statistically significant (p<0.05). Psychomotor abilities showed correlation with age. GGT values were unrelated to either performing characteristics revealed on psychomotor abilities testing, or to the results obtained on overall neuroticism testing. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggested that meaningful monitoring of health competence of pyrotechnicsts should comprise all of the above parameters.