Prevalence of Internet Addiction among Schoolchildren in Novi Sad.

INTRODUCTION: Internet use has increased rapidly all over the world. Excessive Internet use tends to lead to the creation of a non-chemical addiction, most commonly known as "Internet addiction." OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was an assessment of the prevalence of Internet use and Internet addiction among school children aged 14-18 years in the Municipality of Novi Sad, Serbia, and influence of sociodemographic variables on Internet use. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Novi Sad among final-year students from elementary and first- and second-year students from high schools.The prevalence of Internet addiction was assessed by using Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 553 participants, 62.7% were females, and the average age was 15.6 years. The sample consisted of 153 elementary school students and 400 high school students. Majority of respondents had a computer in their household. Our study showed widespread Internet use among adolescents. Facebook and YouTube were among most visited web-sites. The main purpose of Internet use was entertainment. Estimated prevalence of Internet addiction was high (18.7%), Mostly among younger adolescents (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Internet addiction was found in every fifth adolescent. Accessibility and availability of Internet use is constantly growing and therefore it is necessary to define more sensitive diagnostic tools for the assessment of Internet addiction and its underlying causes, in order to implement effective preventive programs.

Gender Differences in Mental Health among Adult Population in Vojvodina, Serbia.

BACKGROUND: Mental health and mental disorders are determined by multiple and interacting social, psychological and biological factors which determine the prevalence, onset and course of mental and behavioral disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in mental health status regarding gender of the adult population in the Province of Vojvodina. METHODS: Research was carried out as a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data was obtained from the "National Health Survey in Serbia, 2006" database that refers to the representative adult population of Vojvodina, aged 20 and over. A specially designed questionnaire was applied as a research instrument. RESULTS: This study included 3627 examinees, average age 49.9 years. In the month prior to the study, a half of the adult population in Vojvodina (48.4%) was exposed to stress and one third had emotional problems (32.9%), while both stress and emotional problems were more prevalent in females. The average score value on the psychological distress scale (presence of negative conditions and feelings) of all examinees was 64.1 (from 0 to 100) and it was statistically significantly lower in women (62.0), compared to men (66.6) (P<0.001). Statisticaly significant differences were also observed between average score values on the role-emotional and vitality scales (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: When mental health is considered, this research showed that female population is more vulnerable compared to males. Women are more often exposed to stressful situations and emotional problems and more often faced with negative conditions and feelings.

[Health of the population of Vojvodina].

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS: The Province of Vojvodina is a region with 16% of population aged 65 and over, average age of 38.1 years, and aging index 0.85%. Vital statistics show low birth rate, increased death rate and as a result - a negative population growth. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY: The leading causes of death were cardiovascular diseases, malignant diseases and injuries, accounting for more than 2/3 of all deaths. The most common outpatient morbidity of adult population included respiratory diseases, but cardiovascular diseases were of greater public health concern, accounting for more than 1/5 of the total morbidity. The hospital morbidity data showed that malignant diseases, cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases were the most frequent. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: In 2005, a highly-developed network included 77 health-care institutions with 29.659 employees, out of which 20.960 were health professionals (4.577 doctors, 754 dentists and 423 pharmacists).

[Physical activity of school children and their parents in Vojvodina].

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is very important for normal physical and psychic growth and development. Recent studies in developed and developing countries have shown that today's schoolchildren are spending more and more time in front of the TV and computer, and less and less are engaged in sports. Such lifestyle has a negative effect on health. That is why it is very important for children to develop active habits for life, in order to sustain and promote their health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a random sample of 210 children from 4 elementary schools and their parents in Vojvodina. Specially designed questionnaires were used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The obtained results showed that 75% of schoolchildren are engaged in physical activity, but only 56.5% play sports regularly (every day or 2-3 times a week). There is a significant difference between boys and girls: about 75% of boys and 35% of girls are engaged in physical activity regularly. Similar results have been obtained by other authors (O'Reilly and Shelley, Faucette, Heath etc). Common reasons for physical activity are health, fitness and fun. Pupil's attitude to sports significantly depends on their parent's opinion about physical activity and also on their attitude to recreation in their future life. Parents are not active as their children, only 40% of fathers and 30% of mothers are engaged in various activities regularly. CONCLUSION: This study showed that schoolchildren are engaged in physical activity, but not enough. On the other hand, their parents are very inactive, although they see the importance of it. Considering the fact that present recreational habits are correlated with the attitude to recreation in the future, an additional effort should be made in health education and health promotion in young population.

[Epidemiology of obesity in adult population of Vojvodina].

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate and is due to changes in nutritional patterns and physical activity that adversely affect the health status. Obesity is a complex disorder with multiple interactive causes. It is associated with many chronic, debilitating diseases with important health care cost and it is basically the consequence of sedantery life style and excessive energy intake. Our objective was to measure the prevalence of obesity in adult population of Vojvodina and to describe its characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in representative sample of 2467 adults from Vojvodina (in adult population of Vojvodina aged 20 years and over). The sample size was determined based on estimated frequency, exposition to risk factors, relative risks and level of statistical significance. All those who completed household interviews attended physical examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI> or =25 kg/m2) in both sexes was 58.5%. Among them, 35.5% were overweight while 23% were obese (BMIl30kg/m2). The frequency of obesity was higher among females (26%) than among males (19.6%) (p<0.01). It showed a steady increase to the age of 65, after which the number of obese decreased. The obesity rate was higher in rural (26. 7%) than urban areas (19%) (p<0.01), and among people with lower level of education and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: Considering the existing situation concerning the high prevalence of obesity, urgent public action is necessary. It is essential to develop preventive strategies which would affect the whole society. Healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and increased physical activity must be promoted. However, it is not the responsibility of individuals. Health services, the community, food industry, mass media etc, have a crucial role in modifying body weight. Strategies for prevention and management of obesity should be in accordance with the existing public health policy and programs for prevention of noncommunicable diseases.

[Knowledge of nutrition and nutritional behavior of schoolchildren and their parents in Vojvodina]. / Nutritivno znanje i nutritivno ponasanje skolske dece i njihovih roditelja u Vojvodini.

INTRODUCTION: Unbalanced diet, as a risk factor, has an important influence on health, not only of adults but even more of children and adolescents. Therefore, it is very important to assess knowledge, habits and behavior considering nutrition among youth. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and behavior regarding nutrition among schoolchildren and their parents, as well as to establish how much knowledge and behavior are related to age and other socio-demographic characteristics, and how they are connected with knowledge and behavior of parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in a random sample of 210 children in 4 elementary schools and their parents in Vojvodina using specially designed questionnaires. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results showed that knowledge about healthy food, as an important factor of healthy behavior, is quite good, and increases with age. There is a significant discrepancy between knowledge and behavior. Although children know which food is healthier, they often consume less healthy food. This discrepancy is present in all offered pairs of food, but particularly expressed when it is about consuming bread: about 80% of pupils know that dark breads are healthier than white breads, but only 13.5% among them actually eat dark breads. CONCLUSION: This study showed that children's and parents' level of knowledge about healthy food is satisfactory, but it is not enough for healthy behavior, so there is a need for additional effort in health education and health promotion in youth population.