ATTITUDES TOWARDS AND HABITS IN ORAL HEALTH OF ADOLESCENTS IN HERZEGOVINA.

The aim of the study was to determine attitudes towards and habits in oral health of adolescents in Herzegovina, as well as to evaluate the possible differences in habits among individuals of different adolescent categories. The study included 120 participants (35 male and 85 female) divided into three adolescent categories, as follows: early (11-14 years of age), middle (15-18 years) and late (19-21 years) adolescence, from the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, who presented for dental examination. All participants completed the socio-demographic questionnaire and standardized Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI). The answers provided by study adolescents in the HU-DBI showed statistically significant differences among particular age groups, i.e. between early and middle adolescence in items 7 (p=0.046) and 15 (p=0.007); between middle and late adolescence in items 8 (p=0.021), 11 (p=0.04) and 12 (p=0.027); and between middle and late adolescence in item 11 (p=0.032). Respondents in middle adolescence had poorer oral hygiene attitudes than those in early and late adolescence. In order to improve the oral hygiene habits of adolescents in Herzegovina, it is necessary to put emphasis on continuous education about oral hygiene habits during their secondary education.

Health status of population in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 15 years of transitional period.

War in Bosnia and Herzegovina lasted from 1991 to 1995 and resulted in profound consequences marked by the large number of victims, increase in the diseases and disorders prevalence, that were not common before it occurred. The effects it had on health status of the entire population was reflected through many negative demographic trends, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the spread of a number of unhealthy behavioral patterns and a lot of migrations. All this presents a problem for institutions of health system which are attempting to control these negative influences especially during the transition period, marked by the direct adverse consequences of the 1991-1995 war. The present paper presents a summation of various sources which are attempting to provide a synthetic overview and provide basic information in relation to the health status of the population, and also to provide a baseline evaluation for deployment of public health interventions.

Dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina.

OBJECTIVES: To present the prevalence of dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). METHODS: A survey focused on dmft and DMFT indices was carried out in four cantons of the Federation of BH in 1997. The dental health of 6- and 12-year-olds was assessed in random samples (n = 238 and 318, respectively). DMFT index in adult population was assessed in clients coming to dental offices in the same area (35-44-year-olds; n = 401). All the subjects were clinically investigated. RESULTS: During the 1991-95 war, all four cantons were affected by the migration of population. The population per dentist ratio considerably increased in three cantons. In 6-year-olds, the average dmft (+/-SD) was 4.9 +/- 4.0, and 86% of the children were affected with dental caries. The average DMFT of 12-year-olds was 6.2 +/- 3.9. On the average, 94% of the 12-year-olds were affected with dental caries. Mean DMFT of adult clients was 15.1 +/- 7.0. Almost every adult (98%) was affected with dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: The dental status in postwar BH is rather poor and the mean DMFT in all investigated age groups may be considered high. The detrimental effect of 1991-95 war on social conditions and the health care system should be considered in explaining such poor dental health. Despite the limitations, the presented data may be used to assess the treatment needs, assure the visibility for dental issues in BH, and help the west European countries to plan dental services for refugees from BH.