Ethnobotanical study of traditionally used plants in the municipality of Zavidovici, BiH.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a country with a highly diverse ecosystem, containing over 5000 confirmed taxa of vascular plants. The traditional medicinal use of plants has always played a crucial role and gained in importance in the time of war in the 1990s due to a lack of medical facilities. Still nowadays, the health care system is poorly developed, which altogether makes the region interesting for ethnopharmacological researches. AIM OF THE STUDY: Focusing on the area of Zavidovici Municipality in the central part of the country, we aimed to document the diversity of the used medicinal plants and the knowledge of their therapeutic usages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data was collected in individual open and semi-structured interviews. Therapeutic uses were classified into 14 disease categories following the International Classification of Primary Care-2 (ICPC-2), a classification system recognized by the World Health Organization's Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC). Use reports have been used to evaluate the acquired knowledge. RESULTS: The findings revealed a total of 113 species belonging to 46 families. 14 informants well respected for their knowledge in the area listed 77 therapeutic uses for the indicated plants. Based on a comparison with other ethnobotanical surveys of BiH and to other important relating literature, three taxa have not been previously reported in BiH and for 19 species, new medicinal uses were stated. Based on use reports, oral application of remedies is far more common (76,7%) than external application (23,3%), the dominant mode of preparation thereby is an infusion. Usages of most concern were digestive, urological and respiratory diseases, their consensus factor ranging between 0,63 and 0,71. CONCLUSION: These results summarize the usage of traditional plants among people who are highly valued in their community of Zavidovici Municipality for their knowledge and thereby aim to preserve the indigenous knowledge associated with the medicinal plants of the area.

The Oncology Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina's recommendations for fertility preservation in oncologic patients.

Malignancy is one of the major public health problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Along with breakthroughs in specific oncological therapy, improving the quality of life of cancer patients and management of therapy-induced side effects need to be recognized as a priority in the comprehensive cancer patient care. Fertility loss after cancer treatment is a field requiring special attention due to its various consequences on patients themselves.  Although oncofertility is well-recognized area of oncology, low- to middle-income countries are facing issues with its implementation in everyday practice. Increased awareness about fertility preservation is of high priority for all specialists who participate in the medical care of cancer patients. The absence of a systemic solution and lack of expertise led to the founding of Fertility Preservation Working Group of the Oncology Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have made recommendationsas an expert consensus with the ultimate goal of making the first step towards enhancement of oncofertility implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic assessment of two endemic Lamiaceae species from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Clinopodium alpinum subsp. orontium (K.Malý) Govaerts and Thymus bracteosus Vis. ex Benth. are endemic Lamiaceae species in Bosnia and Herzegovina with rather limited data about their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. This study aimed to analyse phenolic compounds composition of C. alpinum subsp. orontium and T. bracteosus aqueous and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) extracts and their cytotoxic and genotoxic potential in human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. Among 33 analytes, 17 were identified and quantified in the examined extracts with the rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids as main constituents. Genotoxic effects of extracts from both species are proven at the highest applied dose. T. bracteosus extracts and DMSO as a solvent exhibited stronger genotoxic potential that should be further investigated in tumour cell lines. Nevertheless, non-endemic species with similar phenolic composition and bioactivity should be the first choice for medicinal purposes.

The Effect of Shift Work on the Overall Health Status of Hospital-Employed Nursing Staff in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Nursing is a profession frequently organized around shift work in order to guarantee the continuity of care throughout the 24 hours. However, working in shifts is coupled with the desynchronization of circadian rhythms and may result in adverse effects on nurses' health. Our previous work has demonstrated the presence of increased stress levels, reduced coping abilities and diminished life enjoyment in shift work nurses in comparison to those working only in accordance with the daily schedule. Here we aimed to appraise the effects of shift work on their overall health status. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We used a comparative cross-sectional approach on a sample of 157 hospital nursing professionals at the University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Study subjects were divided into two groups: a total of 51% study subjects were included in a specific type of shift work (i.e., 12-hour day shift / 24 hours off / 12-hour night shift / 48 hours off), while the remaining 49% adhered to the conventional 7-hour daily schedule. The instrument used was a Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI), together with a comprehensive appraisal of participants' socio-demographic characteristics. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied, and statistical significance was set at p≤0.05 (two-sided). RESULTS: The results have shown that nurses in shift work were significantly more burdened with gastrointestinal disturbances (p<0.001); more specifically, there was a higher frequency of appetite loss (p=0.003), heartburn (p=0.03), nausea (p<0.01) and weight gain (p=0.05) when compared to nursing professionals in the day shift. Conversely, there were no statistically significant differences in cardiovascular health between these two groups. In addition, nurses in shift work more frequently presented with headaches (p=0.001) and varicose veins of lower extremities (p=0.037) in comparison to nurses working only in accordance with the daily schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Shift work can adversely influence psychophysical homeostasis, resulting not only in substandard performance of nursing staff, but also potentially hazardous effects on their overall health status. More specifically, we recognized shift work as a substantial risk factor for gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders in nurses; likewise, the increased prevalence of headaches may consequently have a detrimental effect on social and family relationships. All of this should be tackled in a holistic and organized way, together with any additional psychological/sleep issues.

Multivariate analysis of polyphenolic content and in vitro antioxidant capacity of wild and cultivated berries from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity, total phenolics, total flavonoid, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins content of eight berry species, namely serviceberry, gooseberry, blackberry, black chokeberry, bilberry, red currant, black currant, and cornelian cherry harvested in the regions of Sarajevo and Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The antioxidant activity was determined by a battery of in vitro tests including DPPH radical assay, FRAP assay, ABTS assay, and phosphomolybdate test for total antioxidant capacity. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins ranged from 0.834 to 6.921 mg TAE (tannic acid equivalents), 0.081-0.673 mg of quercetin, and 0.162-3.247 mg of catechin per gram of fresh fruit, respectively. The water extract of fruits had considerable levels of tested constituents and antioxidant activity, with the highest results obtained for black chokeberry. The multivariate clustering analysis showed that water extracts of analyzed species of berries belong to four distinct types in terms of their antioxidants levels and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, these results support the opinion that employment of multiple antioxidant tests is indeed required for adequate in vitro assessment of antioxidant capacity. Results also emphasized the need for a more detailed evaluation of the fruit species with good antioxidant potential (relative to standards), such as cornelian cherry and gooseberry, which are abundant yet not frequently consumed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

SCIENCES, ARTS AND RELIGIONS: THE TRIAD IN ACTION FOR EMPATHIC CIVILIZATION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA.

From historical or traditional perspective sciences at one side and arts and religions on the other side are strictly divided epistemology fields with no much mutual engagement and understanding. Digital revolution is changing significantly all fields of science, art and religion changing regimes and methods of knowledge and values production, communication and relationships. Big Data approach promises to provide the scientific Holy Grail, a single overarching theory or multiple theories and models that unify all the scientific disciplines from biology snd neuroscience to music and spirituality. Brain is place where biological, psychological, social and spiritual mechanisms meet each other and interact. Global empathic civilization seems to be a key to the very survival of humankind and life on our planet. Spiritually integrated sciences, arts and religions in creative dialogues and synergy as allies can significantly contribute to the healing of our broken world and promoting compassionate society and empathic civilization.

Regulation of the apothecary activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the Austro-Hungarian period.

Aim To present the regulations governing the operation of pharmacies in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the Austro-Hungarian rule (1878-1918). Methods Qualitative secondary data analysis was used. Results The Austro-Hungarian government had found poor population's health, insufficient health facilities and qualified staff. For a long time, population was treated by old methods of medicine and pharmacy, and directed to folk doctors, healers and herbalists. As early as 1879, orders requesting mandatory possession of a university diploma to practice pharmacy and medicine, thus taking the initial steps to combat quackery. The production and dispensing of medicines became the exclusive competence of pharmacists. The Law on Pharmacies adopted in 1907 comprehensively regulated the apothecary activity. Pharmacy Gremium was founded, the first association of pharmacists with the task of protecting professional interests. All types of quackery were explicitly forbidden to pharmacy staff. Apothecary activity was regulated as a craft, not as a health activity. During this period, pharmacy became a regulated profession with educated and qualified personnel. The number of public pharmacies and qualified staff was growing. In 1878 only one graduated pharmacist was found, while in 1910 in 47 pharmacies there were 79 pharmacy staff. At the end of 1918, the masters of pharmacy were the owners of 48 pharmacies, in 38 cities. Conclusion All enacted regulations contributed to the development and improvement of the apothecary activity over the observed period, and laid the foundations for the future development of the profession.

Development of EMDR Therapy in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Education by Supervision to Accreditation.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the increased needs of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) affected by the 1992-1995 war, after five basic EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) trainings and one EMDR training workshop for children and adolescents, Trauma Aid UK (former Humanitarian Aid Program UK and Ireland) continually provides supervision to mental health professionals in B&H, working towards European EMDR Association accreditation for the clinicians. To describe the experiences of education, clinical practice, and supervision of EMDR psychotherapy in the process of obtaining European accreditation of EMDR trainees from Bosnia and Herzegovina. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In order to understand how EMDR trainees perceive the process of supervision up to accreditation, nine questions were sent by email to 95 EMDR trainees about practicing EMDR, the number of patients with whom they use EMDR on a monthly basis, about their supervisors, and the number of completed supervisions, blocks to treatment while practicing EMDR, as well as positive experiences with EMDR practice and working with supervisors. 36 EMDR trainees answered these questions. The answers were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS: Of the 36 participants in this short study, 30 (83.3%) are women. Most of them are from Sarajevo 14 (38.9%), Tuzla 8 (22.2%) and Mostar 3 (8.3%), 2 (5.6%) from Bihac, Brcko, Gradacac, one from Banovici, Jajce, Prnjavor, Pale and Zenica. Psychologists make up the highest number of participants 25 (72.3%), followed by 5 (13.9) neuropsychiatric specialists. 31 currently have a supervisor (86.1%), 6 have changed their supervisor, and these 31 do not want to change their existing supervisor. Of them, 5 (13.9%) asked to be assigned a new supervisor. A qualitative analysis of the respondents revealed that the greatest problem in practicing EMDR therapy is the lack of space and time in the institutions where they work, the inability to reach patients seeking EMDR treatment, the parallel use of psychotherapeutic guidelines that they have previously adopted, and insufficient determination to use EMDR. They are mostly satisfied with the experience they have gained in supervision which they deem very important in the process of accreditation. They highly appreciate the expertise and accessibility of the supervisors, to whom they are grateful for the help and support they received while presenting their cases from EMDR practice. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study can serve as a basis for improving the supervisory process during the acquisition of European accreditation for EMDR practitioners in B&H. The findings can also aid in understanding the difficulties mental health professionals in BiH face practicing EMDR therapy while working towards the accreditation as practitioners of this very effective and necessary psychotherapeutic method.

How Psychologists Experience and Perceive EMDR?

This qualitative, phenomenological study describes the perceptions and experiences of psychologists from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey regarding an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy. In order to understand how psychologists perceive this treatment method, 20 psychologists from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey were recruited through an online survey. The participants were asked to describe their perception and experience of EMDR. Qualitative analysis of the responses revealed five common themes, which described the phenomenon. These themes included: positive personal or anecdotal experiences with EMDR, perception that EMDR is primarily used for trauma, EMDR is used as an adjunct therapy, obstacles to EMDR training/certification, and limited knowledge and information about EMDR among psychologists and the general population. Findings from this study may provide a foundation for future research that may help in better understanding of psychologist perception and experience with the EMDR approach and especially about differences and similarities between psychologists in different countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey. Besides this, it can also help to gain an understanding of the variables involved in psychologists choosing to pursue training in different treatment modalities.

Utilizing an integrated assessment scheme for sustainable waste management in low and middle-income countries: Case studies from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Mozambique.

Solid waste management assessment methods that simultaneously analyze the economic, social and environmental dimensions are limited. Tools are rarely applied in developing countries because of several constraints encountered during their implementation (e.g. lack of data availability and difficulties concerning data interpretation), consequently hampering the development of sustainable solid waste management practices. In addition, the incorporation of stakeholders in most decision-making tools and processes, as well as the availability of credible data in developing countries is often limited. To address these issues, this paper presents one of the first large scale studies, utilizing a tool, named Integrated Assessment Scheme (IAS). Use of IAS provides a holistic, integrated approach evaluating the economic, environmental and social dimensions in order to support the decision making process and to facilitate more sustainable waste management in low and middle-income countries. The use of IAS in the two case studies from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Mozambique suggests its suitability to communities in similar contexts. However, its limitations are also discussed.

Boguslawa Keckova: An Official Female Doctor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1893-1911.

The purpose of this paper is to bring to light the biographical details, the professional work and the publishing activities of Boguslawa Keckova (Bohuslava Kecková in Czech and Keck in German), who functioned as an Austro-Hungarian health officer in Mostar from 1893 to 1911 during the period of the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). Keckova, who came from Prague, was the second of nine female physicians to be employed by the Austro-Hungarian authorities between 1892 and 1918. Keckova contributed significantly to the improvement of public health and hygiene in BH, especially by organising the medical treatment of Muslim women. She published a series of popular medical articles, both in Czech and in Bosnian. Her medical articles in the Mostar newspaper, 'Osvit', were among the first in BH to promote public health education and aimed at improving the health of the population. In the Czech Republic, 'Bohuslava Kecková' is renowned for being the first Czech female physician to graduate, who, due to Austria's conservativism and anti-feminism, had been forced to study and practise abroad. After Keckova's efforts to have her Swiss MD degree (1880) recognised in Austria failed in 1882, she acquired an Austrian midwife's diploma and established a maternity home in Prague. In 1892, she accepted the invitation to serve as an Austro-Hungarian female health officer in Mostar, where she initialised and popularised the utilisation of public health among (Muslim) women. CONCLUSION: Boguslawa Keckova's work as a physician, medical writer and health educator, which she continued tirelessly until her death in 1911, was based on gender-specific socialmedical concepts, which were at the core of the contemporary Czech feminist movement.

Humanism influencing the organization of the health care system and the ethics of medical relations in the society of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Every successful health care system should be based on some general humanistic ideals. However, the nationally organized health care systems of most European countries usually suffer from a deficiency in common ethical values based on universal human principles. When transitional societies, such as that of Bosnia-Herzegovina are concerned, health care organizational models are even more dysfunctional. The sources of a dysfunction in medical care system of Bosnia-Herzegovina are manifold and mutually controversial, including a lack of shared principles, an inappropriate involvement of politicians in medical care and practice, administrative difficulties arising from superficial communication systems, as well as economic limits concerned with the financing of health care. The deficiency of a moral culture of medicine, which is correlated to a general collapse of morality is also responsible for many problems affecting various aspects of life including medical care. Hence, medical ethics from a virtue perspective is becoming an important ingredient of any improvement deigned to provide better-quality medical care.The aim of this paper is to underline the influence of humanism on the organization of health care systems and the ethics of medical interrelations in the society of Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is not intended to diagnose or resolve the problems, but to analyze them. It is also a critique of specific socio-political-economic influences on this health care system, inquiring if well-educated individuals in the virtues, which are involved in medical practice and education, would counteract them.In conclusion, humanism creates a universal ethical structure, which is based on human values such as fidelity, trust, benevolence, intellectual honesty, courage, compassion and truthfulness. These values should represent the standard around which medical care is organized. Since the health care system in Bosnia-Herzegovina is not entirely founded upon humanistic ideals, addressing the socio-political-economic conditions that constantly undermine those values is a prerequisite for any much-needed improvements of the medical care.

The Cigarette Smoking, Coffee and Supplements Intake at Students of Sarajevo University.

INTRODUCTION: The dietary supplements are defined as vitamins and minerals or herbal products and are typically given in the form of a capsule or tablet. The nonsmokers are more attempted to use dietary supplements than individuals who smoke. AIM: In our investigation, we examined associations between vitamin B, folic acid, multivitamin or mineral intake among the student population and their correlation with smoking prevalence and drinking coffee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a questionnaire to examine the general characteristics of the subjects, age, sex, their lifestyle, cigarette smoking, coffee intake and their use of dietary supplements. Data were collected from participants of the University of Sarajevo and a longitudinal study of 960 men and women aged 18-24 years from 2017 to 2018 was conducted. RESULTS: The results showed that 32% of students took vitamin B supplements and 10% folic acid. In opposite, more than half of students took multivitamins (59.5%) and minerals (60.4%) less than one year. About a quarter or less took multivitamins (23.9%) and minerals (24.3%) for years. Less than 20% of students took multivitamins and minerals within a period of one year. In student population smoking prevalence was estimated at 21.2% and coffee intake in 71.2%. The smoking and use of vitamin B supplements were independent of each other, p = 0.201. The use of folic acid did not depend on smoking p = 0.501. There were no observed correlations between multivitamin and mineral supplement consumption compared to smoking status or drinking coffee. CONCLUSION: Deficient dietary intake of folic acid and B vitamins from food and supplemental sources appear to be one of the atherosclerosis incidences. Further studies should examine associations between dietary supplements intake and lifestyle of students, as well as smoking status and coffee intake.

Microorganisms Profile and Antibiotics Sensitivity Patterns in the Only Medical Intensive Care Unit in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Treatment of critically ill patients entails a great risk for intrahospital infections. Systematic monitoring of intrahospital infection data is a widely used practice in developed countries, while in developing and underdeveloped countries these data are scarce. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a developing country, precise data cannot be found; hence, this study was created with the aim to monitor the profile and resistance patterns of microorganisms isolated from patients being treated in the only medical intensive care unit (MICU) in the country. This is a retrospective observational study of microorganisms isolated from all patients treated at MICU in the University Clinical Center of Republic of Srpska from January 1 through December 31, 2017. Analysis of all samples was performed using standardized microbiological procedures, while sensitivity to antimicrobials was performed using the disk diffusion method. One thousand six hundred twenty-five samples were taken from 633 critically ill patients and sent off for analysis; 572 were positive for bacteria (35.2%). Gram-negative bacteria were isolated more frequently (65.2%), specifically Acinetobacter baumannii (25.5%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (10.8%). A. baumannii was resistant to all antibiotics except for colistin, to which it was highly sensitive (99.7%). It was moderately sensitive (76%) to rifampicin. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococci were the most prevalent Gram-positive bacteria (15%, 7.3%, and 9.2%, respectively) isolated in this study. It is clear from this study that Gram-negative bacteria are predominant in the newly established MICU. A. baumannii was found to be the most prevalent Gram-negative bacteria, and S. epidermidis was the most prevalent Gram-positive bacteria.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec characterization of community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) represents one of the most important microorganism that is part of the normal microflora of humans, but in certain conditions can cause very serious infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for a wide spectrum of nosocomial and community associated infections worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA), as well as the frequency of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types in isolates obtained from outpatients in the region of 700,000 people (Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) Methods: Our investigation included phenotypic and genotypic markers such as antimicrobial resistance, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), SCC typing, and PVL detection. RESULTS: Antimicrobial susceptibility: all MRSA isolates were resistant to the ß-lactam antibiotics tested, and all isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole, rifampicin, fusidic acid, linezolid, and vancomycin. After the PFGE analysis, the isolates were grouped into five similarity groups: A-E. The largest number of isolates belonged to one of two groups: C - 60% and D - 27%. In both groups C and D, SCCmec type IV was predominant (60% and 88.8%, respectively). A total of 24% of the isolates had positive expression of PVL genes, while 76% showed a statistically significantly greater negative expression of PVL genes. CONCLUSIONS: Using combination techniques, we were able to investigate the origin and genetic background of the strains. PFGE analysis revealed two large, genetically related groups of strains consisting of 87 isolates. Our results suggest failure to apply the screening policy, and a lack of knowledge about multiresistant MRSA strains. This study showed the local epidemiological situation which should be the basis of antimicrobial empiric therapy for non-hospitalized patients.

Development of EMDR in Bosnia and Herzegovina - from an Idea to the First EMDR Conference.

INTRODUCTION: The needs for EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) treatment of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) citizens, affected by 1992-1995 war, increased. The Trauma Aid UK (former Humanitarian Assistance Programs UK & Ireland) works in partnership with mental health professionals in BH. AIM: We aim to build an environment in which qualified and experienced professionals trained in EMDR may establish and sustain complete EMDR education and to keep international standards of EMDR practice. METHOD: Authors described the history of idea and its realization of EMDR education considering all needed phases that were provided from the Trauma Aid UK with non profit, humanitarian approach in sharing skills of EMDR to mental health therapists in BH. RESULTS: The trainers from Trauma Aid UK completed five EMDR trainings in Bosnia-Herzegovina for recruited trainees from different cities and entities in BH. For continual professional development (CPD) all of these mental health professionals need to be active participants in professional and scientific meetings. Though, Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina EMDR Therapists, member of EMDR Europe, organized the First EMDR conference in Bosnia-Herzegovina sponsored by Trauma Aid UK under the patronage of EMDR Association of UK & Ireland. CONCLUSION: Five training of Bosnia-Herzegovina mental health workers to effectively use EMDR with enthusiastic help of EMDR trainers from Trauma Aid UK resulted with European accredited EMDR practitioners, one European accredited EMDR consultant and the first EMDR conference in BH. This will keep national development of psychotherapy capacities in post-war BH.

Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Clients Who Were Treated with EMDR Therapy in Humanitarian Nongovernmental Organization Islamic Relief World Wide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health services after the war 1992-1995 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B-H) are primarily reduced to the public care, though, there are not enough professionals in existing conditions, and they are not able to respond to cover all the cases. This leaves the room to non governmental organizations (NGO) and private mental health care professionals in providing psycho-social services to vulnerable populations. Islamic Relief World Wide (IRWW), United Kingdom (UK) based humanitarian organisation, whose personal working within Orphans department, took part in this mission to contribute B-H citizens wellbeing. IRWW in B-H, since 2013 successfully provided psycho-social and EMDR psychotherapy services and help throughout its projects primarily designed for orphans, widows and socially endangered population. All EMDR therapies were delivered from the first author of this presentation. AIM: Our aim is to present socio demographic characteristics of clients seeking psychological support and help in IR WW B-H who were treated with EMDR therapy. METHODS: We did overview of protocols for the clients to whom we helped by using standardised EMDR protocols. RESULTS: In the period from 2013 to 2017, we used EMDR protocols for 154 clients: 122 (79.2%) were females, 130 (84.4%) were adults (25-56 years old), 21 (13.6%) adolescents (13-25 years) and 3 (1.95%) school children. In terms of their socio-economic status 54 (35.1%) clients were employed, 42 (27.3%) unemployed and 19 (12.3%) from socially endangered category. There were 30 (19.5%) university students, 55 (35.7%) were with university degree, 63 (40.9%) with high school education, 5 (3.3%) with primary school. Therapy type (completed, ongoing, incomplete), primary complains or reasons for seeking therapy, diagnoses and number of EMDR therapy sessions offered, will be addressed too. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that EMDR therapy is very useful in helping to B-H population in very difficult post-war conditions for the wide varieties of clients.

The Role of Local Educational Institutions in Educating of EMDR Practitioners in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

INTRODUCTION: Providing good mental health services to the vulnerable and needy should be of utmost importance to all mental health professionals. To be able to do so, professionals require to be, not only educated but actually properly trained and supervised in specially, among various skills, psychotherapy orientation. Unlike developed countries, psychotherapy services and professional career in psychotherapy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is relatively new primarily due to the recent historical developments and events in B&H. Besides, there is scarcity of professional institutions in B&H which could, not only establish structure for, promote but also educate mental health professionals, according to the European psychotherapy standards as well as accredit and certify psychotherapists, locally or internationally. AIM: The purpose of the present study is to show the role of International University of Sarajevo (IUS) as a local private educational institution in educating and training EMDR therapist in B&H. METHOD: The collaboration between EMDR HAP UK & Ireland, Association of EMDR Therapists in Bosnia and Herzegovina (AEMDRTBH), Department of Psychiatry University Clinical Center (UCC) Tuzla and Psychiatry Clinic, Clinical Center of University (CCU) Sarajevo described with focus on the collaboration with International University in Sarajevo. RESULTS: Local institutions in B&H can in a variety of ways make a significant contribution to the education and training of therapists in BiH in the following ways: providing rooms for realizing of education and training and/or conferences (pro bono), promoting EMDR as a successful therapeutic method for treating of stress and trauma within relevant subjects and programs, providing scholarships for excellent students for EMDR education, and in collaboration with local and European EMDR therapists to offer EMDR specializations for professionals. Since 2010, one group of therapists has been educated and trained by EMDR HAP UK at Department of Psychiatry UCC Tuzla, two groups at the Psychiatric Clinic CCU in Sarajevo and one group at IUS. Thanks to EMDR HAP UK&Ireland, EMDR therapists in B&H are among the youngest yet very efficient and successful therapists who greatly contribute to improving mental health of fellow citizens. CONCLUSION: Collaboration between Association of EMDR Therapists in Bosnia-Herzegovina, HAP UK & Ireland AP B&H and local educational institutions such as IUS can significantly contribute to training efficient preparation of EMDR professionals in B&H and help improve overall mental health and wellbeing of B&H citizens.