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PubMed2001

The detection of hepatitis C virus in South Hungary.

BACKGROUND: More than 100 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. The prevalence of HCV infection varies from country to country and the natural history of hepatitis C infection is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of anti-HCV positive blood donors in South Hungary was determined. Potential risk factors of HCV transmission were investigated and compared to anti-HCV-negative blood donors. Furthermore, the rate of anti-HCV positivity in children who had received one or more blood transfusions prior to the implementation of anti-HCV blood donor screening was evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 45719 blood donors and 120 children were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by second- and third-generation enzyme immunoassays. Positive results were confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay. Data on potential sources of HCV transmission were obtained by interviews. RESULTS: Among blood donors, the rate of confirmed HCV antibody-positives was 0.4% (195 of 45719 donors). Previous surgery, transfusion, more than three pregnancies, and tattoos were significantly correlated with confirmed anti-HCV positivity. Two of 120 children (1.7%) were confirmed anti-HCV positives. In both of them, serum HCV RNA could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anti-HCV positive blood donors in South Hungary is low. Nosocomial infections and tattooing were found to be the most important risk factors for transmission of HCV. Because of the low prevalence of anti-HCV positive blood donors, only a small number of children, who received blood transfusions prior to the implementation of anti-HCV blood donor screening, are infected with HCV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Detection of human rotavirus serotype G6 in Hungary.

During an ongoing survey of human rotavirus serotypes, we demonstrated for the first time the circulation of serotype G6 in two regions of Hungary. Of five rotavirus seasons surveyed to date (1994-9), serotype G6 was found in all seasons except 1994-5 at an overall prevalence of 1.4% (17 of 1252) and ranging from 0.6 to 4.5%. Children infected with G6 strains were older (mean age, 3.3 years) than children infected with the four (G1-G4) globally common serotypes (mean age, 2.1 years; unpaired Student's t test, P<0.001). Our data indicate that rotavirus serotype G6 may be an epidemiologically important G serotype in Hungary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Basic characteristics of hospital stroke services in Eastern Hungary.

Stroke mortality is extremely high in Central-Eastern European countries. We report basic characteristics of a stroke unit in Eastern Hungary, including age and sex distribution; the proportion of transient ischemic attacks (TIA), ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes; case fatality; application of diagnostic methods; and length of stay for all patients treated with acute cerebrovascular disease over a 12-month period. Records of all patients with acute cerebrovascular disease (n = 522) discharged in 1995 from a stroke unit with a well defined catchment area of 220,000 inhabitants in Eastern Hungary were retrospectively analyzed. Case fatality was 18.6% for all patients and 21.1% after excluding cases with TIA. Computer tomography, duplex carotid ultrasound, cerebrospinal fluid examination and electroencephalography were performed in 79%, 77%, 7% and 2% of the patients, respectively. The database of the university hospital with the same catchment area was electronically searched for patients who were discharged with the diagnosis of stroke from the three departments of internal medicine. Stroke mortality data of the catchment area based on death certificates was obtained from the Central Statistical Bureau. Two hundred twenty-eight stroke deaths were reported in the catchment area in 1995. In the same period 97 stroke deaths occurred at the stroke unit and 76 at the departments of internal medicine. If we aim to treat all patients with acute stroke at the stroke unit, with the present stroke incidence and duration of hospital stay the current capacity of the stroke unit (1 bed per 10.000 inhabitants) should be doubled.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in asymptomatic women in Hungary. An epidemiological and cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: A multicenter survey was carried out in order to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the population of asymptomatic women in Hungary. Results were used to carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for chlamydial infection in women with asymptomatic genital infections. METHODS: The non-amplified nucleic acid hybridization method (PACE 2 Gen-Probe) was used to diagnose C. trachomatis and Bayes' theorem was applied to assess the prevalence of the infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to differentiate the risk factors for chlamydial infections. RESULTS: According to the test, the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among 1300 pregnant women was 4.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of the test are estimated to be 70% and 99%, respectively. After Bayes' correction, the overall estimated prevalence of chlamydial infection was 5.1%. There were significant differences in proportions of chlamydial infection in different regions, and also in different age groups and different family status groups. The highest rate was for women aged below 20 years: 16.9%. Cost-effectiveness analysis, with associated sensitivity analysis was carried out for women aged below 20 years. Three screening strategies were compared: using the ELISA method, using amplified Gen-Probe method and no screening. The amplified Gen-Probe method was best provided, the infection prevalence exceeded 16.7%, the PID rate exceeded 24% and the probability of tubal infertility in untreated women exceeded 25%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that screening with amplified Gen-Probe assays (followed by treatment of positive patients) is the preferred screening strategy for young women in Hungary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Genetic distinction of wildcat (Felis silvestris) populations in Europe, and hybridization with domestic cats in Hungary.

The genetic integrity and evolutionary persistence of declining wildcat populations are threatened by crossbreeding with widespread free-living domestic cats. Here we use allelic variation at 12 microsatellite loci to describe genetic variation in 336 cats sampled from nine European countries. Cats were identified as European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), Sardinian wildcats (F. s. libyca) and domestic cats (F. s. catus), according to phenotypic traits, geographical locations and independently of any genetic information. Genetic variability was significantly partitioned among taxonomic groups (FST = 0.11; RST = 0.41; P < 0.001) and sampling locations (FST = 0.07; RST = 0.06; P < 0.001), suggesting that wild and domestic cats are subdivided into distinct gene pools in Europe. Multivariate and Bayesian clustering of individual genotypes also showed evidence of distinct cat groups, congruent with current taxonomy, and suggesting geographical population structuring. Admixture analyses identified cryptic hybrids among wildcats in Portugal, Italy and Bulgaria, and evidenced instances of extensive hybridization between wild and domestic cats sampled in Hungary. Cats in Hungary include a composite assemblage of variable phenotypes and genotypes, which, as previously documented in Scotland, might originate from long lasting hybridization and introgression. A number of historical, demographic and ecological conditions can lead to extensive crossbreeding between wild and domestic cats, thus threatening the genetic integrity of wildcat populations in Europe.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Changes in public attitudes toward epilepsy in Hungary: results of surveys conducted in 1994 and 2000.

Our study investigated public attitudes toward epilepsy, and knowledge and understanding of epilepsy in Hungary. We compared changes of public attitudes in the last six years, hypothesizing a trend of positive changes because of recent national initiatives for acceptance and integration of people with epilepsy (e.g., participation of Hungary in the "Out of the Shadows" world campaign). We also studied how the demographic background of the respondents affects awareness, understanding, and attitudes toward epilepsy. Using a questionnaire design, we conducted a public opinion poll with a representative sample of 1,000 people in 1994 and 6 years later, in 2000. Hungarian respondents were most prejudiced regarding employment of people with epilepsy. In recent years, significant decreases in prejudice rates were found regarding all attitude aspects (marriage, children associating, work). Significant background effects of demographic variables were also apparent: differences by age, education, residence, and family status were found. Some culture-specific characteristics of understanding epilepsy could be observed. Significant positive attitude changes from 1994 to 2000 confirm the need for and potentialities of education of the public and informational initiatives. Demographic influences and culture-specific characteristics could be of relevance in designing public education for different target groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Is breast cancer cluster influenced by environmental and occupational factors among hospital nurses in Hungary?

An unusual cluster of 8 breast cancer and 8 other malignant tumor cases (ovarian, uterus, lung, colon and brain tumors and malignant melanoma) developed in a period of 12 years among 98 nurses exposed to ethylene oxide (EtOx) for 5 15 years in a unit using gas sterilizer in a hospital of the archiepiscopal city of Eger, Hungary. EtOx concentration in air samples of the working area varied from 5 to 150 mg/m3. The question was, if there was any causal relationship between the elevated incidence of breast cancer and the EtOx exposure, the other possibility was, that this cluster appeared accidentally. EtOx is a human carcinogen, however, no increased breast cancer incidence in EtOx-exposed subjects was reported in the literature. We followed up for two consecutive years the 27 non cancer patients, EtOx-exposed nurses and 11 unexposed hospital controls with the aid of a multiple genotoxicology monitor including chromosomal aberration, sister-chromatide exchange, HPRT point mutation and DNA repair studies. The results were compared with data from 30 local historical controls, 48 historical controls from Budapest, 14 hospital controls and 9 EtOx exposed nurses from Budapest. Significantly high chromosome aberration yields (especially chromosome type exchanges) were alike detected in EtOx-exposed and the two other control groups in Eger. These results could not be interpreted as a consequence of EtOx exposure only, since in the EtOx-exposed group from Budapest, beside an increased total aberration frequency, the obtained exchange type aberration yields were as low as the historical controls. A plausible explanation can be the natural low dose radioactivity (222Rn) of the local tap-water due to a specific geological situation in Eger. The spontaneous breast cancer incidence in Hungary doubled in the last 10 years compared with the previous 20 years (1960 1980), especially in Eger. The appearance of the high breast cancer incidence in the hospital of Eger indicates the combined effect of EtOx and a more common local etiologic factor, such as the naturally radioactive tap-water. However, since the reported studies did not involve the investigation either of the genetic predisposition, or the effects of other possible environmental, occupational, and/or life style confounding factors, further studies (partly in progress) are necessary to clarify the importance of these factors.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2006

Birth characteristics of different ocular congenital abnormalities in hungary.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence at birth of different ocular congenital abnormalities and to describe their birth characteristics in Hungary. METHODS: Two data sets were evaluated: the national-based Hungarian Congenital Abnormality Registry and the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities which include cases with ocular abnormalities and patient controls with other (non-ocular) congenital abnormalities, and population controls without abnormalities from the National Birth Registry. RESULTS: Seven hundred twelve cases were found with ocular abnormalities in the data set of the Hungarian Congenital Abnormality Registry (2.62 per 10,000 live births), while that of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities included 314 cases with ocular defects among 2.7 million live births in Hungary between 1980 and 2002. There was an obvious underascertainment and/or notification of cases with ocular defects because an extra effort to ascertain all cases with ocular abnormalities resulted in a birth prevalence of 6.31 per 10,000 live births in 1999. The main birth characteristics of cases were male excess, shorter mean gestational age and smaller mean birth weight with a larger proportion of preterm birth and low birthweight. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier diagnosis of ocular abnormalities is necessary with a more complete notification of these cases to the Hungarian Congenital Abnormality Registry. The birth characteristics of cases with ocular abnormalities may have some associations with the origin of ocular defects; therefore, these variables will require further studies in case-control approach.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1986

Structural change in a system of urban places: the 20th-century evolution of Hungary's urban settlement network.

A review of urban change in Hungary in the twentieth century is presented. Both the traditional approach to studying urban change, involving changes in the percentage of those residing in urban areas, and the newly developed approach, focusing on regional aspects of urbanization, are used in the analysis. "In sharp contrast to most European countries Hungary is shown to evidence continued centralization of urban development, but the recent experience of Budapest and other indicators are said to portend future decentralization." (summary in FRE, GER)

Demography↗
PubMed2005

Seasonal fluctuation of suicide in Hungary between 1970-2000.

The authors studied the seasonal fluctuation of suicide events in Hungary in a 31-year period. A summer maximum and a winter minimum were found in both genders. A second autumn peak did not occur among women. The suicide rate of Hungary fell markedly in 1998, parallel with the fundamental political-economical-social changes in the country. After 1988 the ANOVA statistic did show a moderate decrease in the seasonal fluctuation but only among those under 29 years of age. This young generation was the real "winner" of the deep social changes which suggests an indirect connection between the decrease of the seasonal fluctuation of suicide and the socio-political changes.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The prognosis of bronchial asthma in childhood in Hungary: a long-term follow-up.

The aim of this study was to determine the prognosis of bronchial asthma in childhood in Hungary. One hundred and forty five adults (96 men and 49 women) with a clinical history of childhood bronchial asthma were examined at the age of 28 years or above (mean age 37.6, SD 5.9 years). The patients completed questionnaires concerning their asthmatic and accompanying allergic symptoms in childhood, at the age of 18 and at present. They were all prick-tested with 12 inhalant allergens. The results showed that 42.8% of the patients had become symptom-free, but 57.2% still had intermittent or persisting asthmatic symptoms in adulthood. More patients had intermittent day-time (59%) and night-time (67%) asthmatic symptoms than persistent symptoms (41% and 33%). Accompanying allergic diseases (rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermal and gastrointestinal diseases, and drug andfood allergies) in childhood did not definitely affect the prognosis of the bronchial asthma. The proportion of females with allergic diseases increased, and among patients with skin diseases it was significantly higher than the proportion of affected males. At the age of 18, allergic rhinitis was more frequent than in childhood. The frequencies of other allergic disorders did not change significantly. In the patients with asthmatic symptoms, molds and cat-hair allergies were more frequent than in the symptom-free group. The long-term prognosis of bronchial asthma in childhood in Hungary is relatively good, but fewer than half of the patients became symptom-free. The complaints of most of the patients were mild, but one in seven of all the adults suffered from moderate or serious bronchial asthma. Household allergens may contribute to the persistence of asthmatic symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Persistence and runoff losses of 3 herbicides and chlorpyrifos from a corn field in the Lake Balaton watershed of Hungary.

Corn is intensively cultivated in western Hungary in the basin of Lake Balaton, one of the most important water resources in eastern Europe. Pesticide runoff was measured in 1996 and 1997 from a typical corn field near Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, which drains into the Zala River, an important water source of Lake Balaton. Three herbicides, namely atrazine, acetochlor, and propizochlor, and the insecticide chlorpyrifos were applied to bare soil in a field with 5% slope and soil and runoff water pesticide concentrations were monitored. In 1997, a rainfall-runoff simulation experiment was conducted on a small sub-plot in order to measure pesticide runoff under reasonable worst-case conditions. Under natural rainfall almost all losses occurred in a large runoff event in 1996 one month after application in which 3% of atrazine and 1% of acetochlor was transported off the field. Propizochlor and chlorpyrifos losses in the same event were much lower: 0.2% and <0.01%, respectively, because of these chemicals' shorter persistence times in near-surface soil. The rainfall simulation produced only trace amounts of losses even though 4.1 cm was applied in 2 hours; the soil was extremely dry and only 0.2 cm runoff occurred containing less than 0.01% of all chemicals applied. The results suggest that intensive use of corn herbicides, which have been found to result in widespread contamination of water resources elsewhere, may be expected to have the same impact in the Balaton watershed depending on the amounts and intensities used in the basin.

Atrazine↗
PubMed1999

Epidemiological studies on drug resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Hungary: an update for the 1990s.

The aim of this study was to give an overview about the epidemiological features of pneumococcal resistance in Hungary in the 1990s, and to assess the clinical relevance of drug resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae primarily in upper respiratory tract infections and the role of risk factors in the acquisition of resistant strains. In Hungary, resistance in S. pneumoniae decreased slightly in recent years, but is still highly prevalent (around 40% to penicillin) compared to the prevalence in western and northern neighboring countries. The prevalent serogroup among resistant strains is 19A, as it was several years ago. In 76 case histories studies, chronic underlying diseases associated with long hospitalization, episodes of earlier hospitalization, and antibiotic therapy were found more frequently if the patient was infected with a resistant strain than with a susceptible one, indicating that these factors promote the acquisition of drug-resistant S. pneumoniae. Resistant S. pneumoniae modified the course of infection by prolonging the duration of hospitalization, making more courses of antibiotics necessary, including parenteral drugs, as well as more invasive interventions such as myringotomy and sinus puncture. These data justify the clinical relevance of resistance, particularly in the upper respiratory tract infections.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experiences associated with the use of live poliovirus vaccine in Hungary, 1959-1982.

Live Sabin poliomyelitis vaccine has been given in Hungary since December 1959. Generally, monovalent vaccines--administered in the sequence type 1, 3, and 2--have been used in annually repeated nationwide campaigns. Each type was administered within a week all over the country, with an interval of five to eight weeks between administrations. In the initial campaigns, children younger than 14 years of age were vaccinated. Since 1962, children between two and 38 months of age have been vaccinated annually. As a result of the vaccination program, the mean annual incidence of poliomyelitis declined to 0.03 per 100,000 population between 1961 and 1982 from a level of 12 per 100,000 observed over the previous five years. Epidemiologic and virologic evidence indicated that 47 (82%) of 57 cases registered since 1961 were vaccine-associated. Circumstances connected with the special vaccination practice in Hungary gave an opportunity to estimate the risk of vaccine-associated poliomyelitis. For recipients receiving the vaccine for the first time, the estimated risks for each type of vaccine were type 1, 0.99; type 2, 0.65; and type 3, 8.91 per million and for susceptible contacts, type 1, 0; type 2, 3.62; and type 3, 4.97 per million. The author's opinion is that these rates of risk are acceptable in view of the benefits provided by the live vaccine, especially under circumstances when importation of wild polioviruses that circulate widely in extended regions of the world may commonly occur.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2006

Relation between the socioeconomic status of the family and primary allergy prevention in infant feeding in Hajdu-Bihar County, Hungary.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between socioeconomic status and preventive care is an important issue in public health practice in Hungary. Our aim was to investigate the association between the socioeconomic status and the present practice of primary allergy prevention in infant feeding in Hajdú-Bihar County, Hungary. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was performed among 3076 infants aged 0-6 months. We studied how socioeconomic status, type of settlement, allergic background of the family and skin symptoms indicative for allergy were related to primary allergy prevention in infant feeding. Prevalence odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Independent determinants of breast feeding were age [OR corresponding to one month change 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.77], the female gender (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.06-1.46), the socioeconomic status of the family (OR comparing the worst with the best category 0.63; 95% CI 0.43-0.93), and birth weight (OR comparing <1500 g to >2500 g category 0.17; 95% CI 0.07-0.41). Among supplementary nutrient users independent determinants of the use of hydrolysed infant formulae were the socioeconomic status (OR comparing the worst with the best category 0.06; 95% CI 0.01-0.27), the type of settlement (OR comparing village with town 0.48; 95% CI 0.28-0.80), history of allergy in the family (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.28-4.11), and skin symptoms indicative of allergy (OR 3.46; 95% CI 1.96-6.14). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic status is related to the implementation of primary allergy prevention in infant feeding.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1989

Care of elderly people in Hungary today.

Based on library research and international field work, we describe local social services for elderly people in Hungary. Although a broad range of benefits are available there, local services are needed to supplement often inadequate universal entitlements. Hungary's current economic and political situation is unfavorable to improving the benefit system. To illuminate differences among socialist countries in Eastern Europe, we recommend comparisons with Poland.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Covariates of current cigarette smoking among secondary school students in Budapest, Hungary, 1999.

To date, few studies have examined the relationship between health behavior risk factors and cigarette smoking in Hungary. From 1995 to 1999, the prevalence of current smoking increased from 35.9 to 46.0% among secondary students in Budapest, Hungary. The objective of the present study was to examine the association between smoking and other health behavior risk factors among secondary school students in Budapest. Surveys were administered during regular classes in 21 traditional and nine vocational/technical schools containing Grades 9-12; 2410 students aged 15-18 years were included in the analysis. Overall, 44.9% of males and 46.9% of females were current smokers. Smoking increased with age and was significantly higher among vocational/technical (60.2%) than traditional (43.1%) students. The likelihood of smoking was significantly higher among students who rarely or never used a seatbelt when riding in a car driven by someone else, currently used alcohol, had engaged in episodic heavy drinking, had had four or more sex partners during their lifetime or did not participate in vigorous physical activity. Health-risk behaviors are frequently interrelated. Findings suggest that programs designed to prevent smoking should consider related health-risk behaviors as part of a comprehensive program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Screening for human papillomavirus infection in asymptomatic women in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: A multicentre epidemiological survey was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, persistent cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women in Hungary. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 728 women were examined for the prevalence of HPV. The estimated overall rate of HPV infection was 17%. In univariate analysis the strongest predictors were young age (< or =24 years), unmarried family status, smoking, a pathological Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, having a condyloma and previous gynaecological cancer in the family (age and marital status being the most important predictors). In multiple regression analysis, young age (< or =24 years)(odds ratio = 1.86, 95% confidence interval = 1.19-2.90, P < 0.01), smoking (1.78, 1.17-2.71, P < 0.05), an abnormal Pap smear (6.92, 2.68-17.84, P < 0.001), having a condyloma (4.22, 1.42-12.58, P < 0.01) and living in a region where the unemployment rate is relatively high (1.56, 1.24-2.82, P < 0.01) were associated risk factors for HPV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HPV infection in young women in Hungary is high. Screening for HPV is suggested only in women with an unfavourable gynaecological history who are < or =24 years old.

Adult↗