Illegal drug use among female university students in Slovakia.

BACKGROUND: This study is focused on the issue of illegal drug use among female university students preparing to become teachers. The main aim was to determine the frequency of drug abuse in a group of young women (n=215, mean age 20.44 years). MATERIAL/METHODS: Using survey methods, we determined that 33.48% of female university students in Slovakia use illegal drugs and 66.51% of students have never used illegal drugs. Differences between these groups were determined using statistical analysis, mostly in 4 areas of survey questions. RESULTS: We determined that education of parents has a statistically significant influence on use of illegal drugs by their children (χ2=10.14; P<0.05). Communication between parents and children and parental attention to children have a significant role in determining risky behavior (illegal drug use, χ2=8.698, P<0.05). Parents of students not using illegal drugs were interested in how their children spend their free time (68.53%). We confirmed the relationship between consumption of alcohol and illegal drug use (χ2=16.645; P<0.001) and smoking (χ2=6.226; P<0.05). The first contact with drugs occurs most frequently at high school age. The most consumed "soft" drug in our group of female university students is marijuana. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are relevant for comparison and generalization regarding causes of the steady increase in number of young people using illegal drugs.

Medical and salutogenic approaches and their integration in taking prenatal and postnatal care of Czech women.

OBJECTIVE: To compile a proposal of the system of taking complex prenatal, perinatal and postnatal care of pregnant women and their children in the Czech Republic with taking into account medical and salutogenic approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was prepared comprising questions for mothers and making it possible to exactly use specified data from their healthcare documentation. The method thus consisted of a secondary data analysis and subsequent contact with mothers. This was implemented in the form a qualitative and narrative interview. The study included 541 women from five Czech regions. RESULTS: In this group, there was a high level of the preventive care with persisting preference of prenatal consulting rooms conducted by physicians. Most deliveries occurred in institutions in the presence of physicians. In the groups evaluated, there were, however, no significant differences. In spite of this, the evaluation of delivering women indicated that there is a high level of the perinatal care in terms of the medical approach. However, the salutogenic care calls for increasing the active participation of midwives in the prenatal, perinatal and postnatal care and extension and intensification of activities particularly in the psychosocial area. CONCLUSION: In the group monitored, there were no significant correlations of determined perinatal interventions with the method and result of the delivery and condition of the mother and newborn. It is to mention that the medical perinatal care is at a high level.

Blood pressure relation to body composition and age: analysis of a nurse-led investigation and consultation program.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) increases with age and obesity. We have assessed the relative contribution of age and fatness to BP regulation in a healthy population investigated by nurse practitioners. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preventive investigation and counseling was offered at the entrance hall of the regional authority´s office in the town of Nitra by 2 nursing specialists who investigated 120 men and 276 women. In men the mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.8 kg/m2, mean weight was 84.4 kg, mean fat percentage was 23.3, mean age was 46.1 years, mean systolic BP was 133.1 mmHg, and mean diastolic BP was 82.5 mmHg. In women the mean BMI was 24.8 kg/m2, mean weight was 67.3 kg, mean fat percentage was 29.4, mean age was 45.4 years, mean systolic BP was 127.7 mmHg, and mean diastolic BP was 78.5 mmHg. Correlation analysis was performed and in multiple regression analysis we used BP values as the dependent variable and fat percentage and age as independent variables. Normality of variables distribution was checked and found satisfactorily. RESULTS: Most of the subjects had an untreated component of metabolic syndrome. There was a correlation between BP values, age, and percent body fat. BP was regulated only to a certain degree by fatness and age, with the influence being relatively small. Our results showed that BP was more influenced by fatness than age, and body fatness was more related to higher systolic than to diastolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Age and fatness could explain BP values by only 3-30%, although BP was more influenced by fatness than by age. Nurse practitioners can effectively detect and motivate people with metabolic syndrome.