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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Adults with self-reported learning disabilities in Slovenia: findings from the international adult literacy survey on the incidence and correlates of learning disabilities in Slovenia.

This study of adults with self-reported learning disabilities (SRLD) in Slovenia is part of a larger secondary analysis of the data from the International Literacy Survey project (IALS). The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of 79 (2.68%) individuals who reported experiencing learning disabilities and compare them to the general population on a variety of indicators of educational background, employment status, and reading and writing activities at work and at home. The proficiency scores of the SRLD individuals were lower in all three literacy domains (prose, document and quantitative literacy). In prose literacy 77.9% of SRLD adults performed at Level 1 and only 7.8% reached the level necessary for a modern technological society. Experiencing learning disabilities was not related to gender or age, however, results showed significant differences between the levels achieved by older and younger people with SRLD. In SRLD groups aged 40 years and above, no one achieved more than the second level of literacy in any domain. Learning disabilities were reported more frequently in rural areas. SRLD groups achieve significantly lower educational attainment, and lower employment status, with a preference for manual labour or craft. These findings are of critical importance. SRLD people report that poorer literacy skills are an obstacle to their progression in employment. In the Slovene sample, the SRLD group stands out for low scores in quantitative literacy. Results show that they are less active, pick up information only auditorily or in short written form. They need more frequent help from relatives in literacy activities. Interpretation of the IALS data on SRLD presents many problems. These include amongst others, problems in terminology, different background factors, and the validity of self-report measures. However, the study also raises many interesting challenges for future research and policy. Increasing the availability of support, assistance and counselling for adolescents and adults with learning disabilities remains a very important goal for dyslexia and LD policies in Slovenia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Syphilis in Slovenia--on the threshold of the European Union.

The epidemiological situation of early syphilis (ES) in Slovenia is the subject matter of this report. After almost 25 years of decrease in Slovenia, ES is increasing again. The incidence of ES increased from 0.10 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1992 and 1993 to 1.82 in 1994 and 1.90 in 1995. In the years 1996-1998 there was a slight decrease at 1.25-1.45. The higher incidence of infections with ES is presumably the consequence of changed social conditions in the states of the former Eastern bloc and Yugoslavia, and of changing living conditions, and illegal prostitution in Slovenia. AIDS and HIV in Slovenia is still at an early stage and there is no apparent link into the same social groups as syphilis. The current epidemiological situation of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Slovenia and the conditions existing to the south and east of Slovenia warrant strict surveillance of STIs by the medical services.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Suicide in Croatia and in Croatian immigrant groups in Australia and Slovenia.

AIM: To compare suicide rates in Australia, Slovenia, and Croatia with suicide rates in Croatian immigrant groups in Australia and Slovenia in a 10-year period. METHOD: We analyzed records for completed suicides of the residents of Australia in a decade between 1988 and 1997 and Croatia and Slovenia in a decade between 1985 and 1994. The Croatian Catholic Centers in Australia had 31 completed suicides reported in their Parish Registries in the decade between 1985 and 1994. In Slovenia, 141 completed suicides of Croats were reported in the same decade by the Institute of Public Health of Republic of Slovenia. RESULTS: The suicide rate and method of suicide in the Croatian immigrant group in Slovenia (26.01/100,000/year; 60% of hanging) converged towards those of the host country (31.43/100,000/year; 76% of hanging), perhaps as a function of the years since migration from Croatia (22.53/100,000/year; 42% of hanging). Somewhat higher male-female ratio in this immigration group (3.55) could be explained by their lower social status. Surprisingly low suicide rate was calculated for the immigration group in Australia (3.10/100,000/year). CONCLUSION: Croat immigrants to Australia have the lowest suicide rate, but the highest male-female suicide ratio, which could be a consequence of underreporting of suicides by Croatian Catholic Centers in Australia. Different suicide data sources can be a source of significant bias in cross-cultural comparison of suicide behavior.

Australia↗
PubMed1999

Dr Ivan Pintar and his contribution to the development of history of medicine in Slovenia.

The Medical School of the Ljubljana University has a long lasting tradition in teaching the history of medicine. Since 1934, all students of medicine and dentistry in Slovenia have attended the courses in history of medicine which were and still are mandatory. The first years of lectures on the history of medicine at the Ljubljana University Medical School coincided with the struggle for the establishment and recognition of a full medical curriculum in Slovenia. Dr Ivan Pintar (1888-1963), the first lecturer of the history of medicine (1934-1963), was a man of great ethical and national values and an ardent advocate for the promotion of Slovene contribution to medical culture in Slovenia, former Yugoslavia, and Europe. Pintar's concept of history of medicine included general historical, sociological, ethical, cultural, psychological, biotechnical, and other aspects. During 30 years of his endeavors, he did a pioneer work in the research on the history of medicine in Slovenia. For many years he was the editor of the Medical Chamber Bulletin, chairman of the Slovene Medical Society, and the founder of the Section for the History of Medicine in 1951. He wrote the first Slovene textbook on the history of medicine and published many articles on prominent physicians from Slovenia. He paved the way for the new generation of medical historians in Slovenia. Owing to him, contemporary Slovene physicians and dentists are aware of the importance of professional tradition. They know how to use the past experiences for new achievements.

Curriculum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of psychiatric drugs in Slovenia in comparison to Scandinavian countries.

PURPOSE: To find out the consumption of psychotropic drugs in Slovenia and the extent to which Slovenian consumption correlates to Scandinavian countries. METHODS: Data of ambulatory prescribing of psychiatric drugs in Slovenia for the years 1999 and 2000 and data for Norway, Sweden and Denmark are shown. All data are expressed in defined daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day (DDD's). RESULTS: The use of all neuroleptics in Slovenia is lower (5.3 vs 6.1-7.6 DDD's), however the share of atypicals (34%) is comparable to Scandinavian countries. Use of anticholinergics is up to five times greater (1.6 vs 0.3-0.5 DDD's). The use of lithium is five time lower (0.2 vs 1.1-1.4). Regarding the use of antidepressants, Slovenia is behind Scandinavia (12.2 vs 30-47 DDD's), whereas the share of SSRI's (73%) is at the same level. The use of anxiolytics is higher (25.4 vs 16-22.4 DDD's) and ratio with antidepressants is also unfavourable. The use of hypnotics and sedatives is favourably low (10.7 vs 31.8-44.6 DDD's). CONCLUSIONS: Low use of hypnotics and sedatives is favourable. The share of new neuroleptics and antidepressants is comparable. The use of antidepressants is probably too low. However, prescribing guidelines for anxiolytics, anticholinergics (too high use of both group) and lithium (too low use) should be introduced in Slovenia.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed2000

Future trends in breast, cervical, lung, mouth and pharyngeal cancer incidence in Slovenia.

OBJECTIVES: Breast, cervical, lung, mouth and pharyngeal cancers are important public health problems in Slovenia, and in many other Central and South European countries. The aim of this study was to predict the incidence of these cancers in Slovenia up to the year 2009, based on the data of the Cancer Registry of Slovenia for the period 1965-1994 and on the official national population projections for the Republic of Slovenia. METHODS: Age-period-cohort models were applied. In the case of data heterogeneity in lung as well as in mouth and oropharyngeal cancer in males, an additional parameter indicating differences in lifestyle was introduced in the model. RESULTS: After accounting for major site-specific risk factors, we predict in females a steady increase in breast and lung cancer, but no major changes in cervical cancer case-load. In males a steady decrease in the lung cancer case-load is expected throughout the predicted period, while for mouth and pharyngeal cancer a moderate decrease is expected only after the year 2000. CONCLUSION: Despite some uncertainties inherent in cancer incidence predictions, the obtained results are important in setting priorities for national cancer control strategies in Slovenia, especially in further efforts towards primary prevention of lung, mouth and pharyngeal cancer, and in more efficient early detection of breast, cervical, mouth and pharyngeal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cytopathology in Slovenia.

Cytopathology started in Slovenia in the early 50s with exfoliative cytology, while fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was introduced some 10 years later. Today cytopathology is a well accepted diagnostic method in Slovenia and there are currently 20 cytopathological laboratories and 17 cytopathologists. The number of specimens examined in 2001 was 26 230 FNABs, 13 355 exfoliative non cervical and 323 888 cervical smears. FNABs are performed by cytopathologists, by clinical doctors and by radiologists. So far only the cytopathologists have a supervised training period in performing biopsies. In future the same requirement will be obligatory for non pathologists. In four laboratories immunocytochemistry is used as an ancillary technique to morphology and one laboratory is using also flow cytometry for immunophenotyping of lymphomas. The classification system used in Slovenia for reporting the findings in cervical cytology is a combination of Papanicolaou's classification and assessment of dyskariosis. In spite of a long tradition in opportunistic screening for cervical cancer (Cca) an organised screening programme was started late. A four year pilot study, which included one third of the women population of Slovenia, was concluded in 2002 and an organised screening programme was introduced to the whole country in 2003. The incidence rate of Cca in Slovenia has been rising slowly since 1994 and it reached 19.6/100 000 in the year 2000. The mortality rate has remained roughly constant at 5-7/100 000 for the last 20 years. During the last few years quality assurance measures have been taken for improving the performance in cervical cytology.

Cell Biology↗
PubMed2000

Breast cancer incidence rates in Slovenia 1971-1993.

BACKGROUND: Analyses of time trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality have generally revealed cohort-based changes in the rates. These have been linked to cohort-based changes in lifestyle factors. The effect of the changes in the reproductive risk factors on the changes in the rates, and the relative importance of the reproductive characteristics in Slovenia, a country which has not had much breast cancer screening, are investigated. METHODS: Data on breast cancer incidence for 1971-1993 were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Slovenia (Registry). The Registry covers the whole population of the Republic of Slovenia (1.99 million on 30 June 1993). The statistical analysis uses parametric age-period-cohort models. RESULTS: Breast cancer incidence has increased by 70% in Slovenia from 1971 to 1993, These changes are dominated by cohort effects and the cohorts born in 1907-1922 have the greatest increase in incidence. Period effects on changes in incidence were modest. The percentage of nulliparous women in the cohort and the average family size in the cohort explained 38% of the variation in the cohort effects. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of nulliparous women in the cohort is the most important reproductive variable associated with the trends in the rates, with breast cancer risk predicted to be higher in cohorts with a larger percentage of nulliparous women. As the cohorts born 1932-1946 have a more favourable reproductive pattern as regards breast cancer risk, compared to the 1907-1922 cohorts, age-specific incidence rates in Slovenia would be predicted to decline in the future in the absence of changes in the other risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cadmium measurements in blood and hair of occupationally non-exposed military recruits and in the foods of plant origin produced in Slovenia.

AIM: To determine cadmium content in the most frequently consumed foods of plant origin grown in different regions of Slovenia, assess cadmium content in the biological materials (blood and hair) from Slovenian young men, and verify the hypothesis that the cadmium pollution of the environment varies across regions in Slovenia. METHODS: We analyzed cadmium concentration in 982 composite samples of foods of plant origin, and determined the cadmium burden in the population by analyzing cadmium content in whole blood and hair samples from 742 randomly selected healthy men aged 18-26 years. RESULTS: There were significant differences in cadmium content in the analyzed foods with respect to the regions in Slovenia where were the foods of plant origin were produced (p<0.001). The median cadmium content in 463 blood specimens was 0.5 microg/L, and 4 ng/g in 245 hair specimens. Cadmium content in the blood and hair samples from study participants varied significantly across regions in Slovenia (p<0.001 and p<0.003, respectively). Cadmium content in foods of plant origin and cadmium burden in the blood showed only a weak correlation (Spearman's r=0.13), whereas the correlation between cadmium content in the foods and hair was much stronger (Spearman's r=0.55). CONCLUSION: Our research confirmed the hypothesis of regionally different environmental pollution with cadmium, and clearly showed the connection between cadmium burden in foods and in population in Slovenia.

Cadmium↗
PubMed2003

Research on the influence of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) grazing on grassland production in the south-eastern part of Slovenia.

Almost 60% of Slovenian territory is covered by forests and only Finland and Sweden are known as the more forest abundant countries in Europe. Among game that intensifies difficulties in the field of agricultural production, especially in north-eastern and south-eastern parts of the country, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.), wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) and red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) prevail. Negative impact of game on agricultural production in the above mentioned parts of Slovenia has risen significantly in the last decade. The data about the population density of game in Slovenia is often based on the payments of their damage on the cultivated plants that are usually performed by the hunting societies. Grassland represents around 60% of agricultural land in Slovenia, and herbage is a very important component of the red deer diet. At the forest border where ruminant ungulate animals spend most of their life, the grassland production for a farmer is often decreased because of the grazing of this hoofed animal. Hitherto, decrease of grassland productiveness from a farmer's perspective, caused by the red deer grazing, was not yet researched in Slovenia. Similar studies were also very rare in other European countries. With the intention of gathering data and learn more about the potential harmfulness of the red deer on grassland production the experiment was performed in the south-eastern part of Slovenia in the year 2002. The influence of red deer grazing on grassland production for forage conservation at the forest border during the vegetation period was studied on three locations (Mala gora, Cvislerji and Mackovec) in the Kocevje region. The experiment lasted from the third decade of March until the first decade of October. Portable cages of size 1x0.5x0.5 m were used to exclude red deer from grazing the herbage. At four sampling dates in the season herbage air dry matter (DM) yield was measured at three different observations (cage-protected plot, cage-protected plot only two to three weeks before sampling date, otherwise freely grazed--removed and unprotected plot). The results from the experiment showed us that red deer grazed on grassland through all seasons and that the regeneration capability of sward was the highest in summer, middle in spring and smallest in autumn. On unprotected plots an average 50% reduction of herbage DM yield was found with the most distant sites also up to 80% reduction.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiology of Darier's Disease in Slovenia.

AIM: To present a retrospective and prospective epidemiological and clinical study on Darier disease in Slovenia. RESULTS: Data on 77 DD patients was collected in the period 1973 to 2003 from the major dermatological departments and outpatient units in Slovenia. The prevalence of Darier disease in Slovenia is calculated at 3.8/100000 inhabitants. The ratio of affected/unaffected family members is 0.355. The comparison of two groups of DD patients (younger and older than 19 years) for the onset of the disease did not differ significantly although in two thirds of patients DD appeared for the first time before the age of 19 years. CONCLUSION: The epidemiological and clinical data on Darier's disease in Slovenia conform to similar reports with the exception of the higher prevalence of the disease in Slovenia. UV radiation seems to be an important triggering factor and therefore it is reasonable to advise DD patients to avoid sun exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The Ixodes ricinus tick as a vector of Borrelia burgdorferi in Slovenia.

In many parts of Slovenia, the vegetation, climate and animals form an ideal natural environment for the persistence of different tick species. In this study, Ixodes ricinus ticks, the prevalent tick species in our country, are identified as the vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi in Slovenia. Ticks were collected by flagging between May and October 1990. All the ticks collected from different parts of Slovenia were I. ricinus and each one was examined individually. The ticks were tested to determine the presence of B. burgdorferi by indirect immunofluorescent assay. Among the 496 ticks examined for borreliae there were 85 adults and 411 nymphs. Twenty (23.5%) adults and 18 (4.4%) nymphs were found positive for Borreliae. This study discusses the importance of I. ricinus ticks in the role of Lyme borreliosis in Slovenia.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Incidence of childhood-onset Type I diabetes in Slovenia and the Tuzia region (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the period 1990-1998.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The incidence rate of childhood-onset Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in Slovenian children during the period 1990-1998 was studied and compared to that of children from the Tuzla region (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The secular trend for a 25-year period in Slovenia was also investigated. METHODS: The incidence data were obtained from the national Slovenian Type I diabetes register and from the local Type I diabetes register held in Tuzla. The ascertainment was based on the capture-recapture method and was estimated to be 100%. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence of Type I diabetes mellitus for the age group 0-14 years for Slovenia was 8.54 per 100,000 (95 %-C.I. 7.5-9.5) person-years for both sexes. The incidence for boys was 8.03 per 100,000 (95 %-C.I. 6.7-9.4) and 9.12 per 100,000 (95% -C.I. 7.6-10.6) for girls. The age-standardized incidence in the Tuzla region was much lower: 3.03 per 100,000 (95 %-C.I. 2.0-4.1) for the whole group, 3.44 per 100 000 (95 %-C.I. 1.8-5.0) for boys and 3.21 per 100,000 (95 %-C.I. 1.6-4.7) for girls. A very low incidence of 0.8 per 100,000 in the youngest age group (0-4 years) was observed in the Tuzla region. The linear trend of the Type I diabetes incidence rate in Slovenia has been steadily increasing by 3.6% per year for the last 25 years. The incidence rate in the period 1974-1985 was significantly lower than that in the period 1986-1998 (p < 0.00026). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Although the incidence rate in Slovenia slightly increased during the period 1990-1998, the incidence rate in the Tuzla region remained at the pre-war level.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

The development of radiotherapy in Slovenia.

The historical data on the development of radiotherapy in Slovenia are presented from its first use in this county in 1902 until the present. The Institute of Oncology in Ljubljana was established in 1938 with the intention of providing a sound development of radium and roentgen cancer treatment. After World War II, the development of radiotherapy was dynamic, which is evident from the data on new radiation sources in external beam therapy (accelerators, telecobalt units), in brachytherapy (various sealed radioisotopes) as well as in the introduction of therapy with unsealed radioisotopes. In 1947, a Chair of Oncology and Radiotherapy was instituted at the Medical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana (with the seat at the Institute of Oncology). In 1955, radiotherapy and oncology were officially recognized as a separate branches of medicine requiring special obligatory postgraduate residency training. Within the Medical Society of Slovenia, the Section for Radiotherapy was established in 1987. The following year, the Section for Radiotherapy of Slovenia became a member of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. Considering the size of population of Slovenia (nearly 2 million), it was reasonable that by this time radiotherapy became almost completely concentrated in one central institution, the Institute of Oncology, whose core and cohesive activity were represented in the multidisciplinary cancer treatment approach.

History, 20th Century↗
PubMed1999

Lyme borreliosis in Slovenia.

Basic epidemiological findings on Lyme borreliosis in Slovenia are presented. Data on vertebrate reservoir hosts are relatively modest. The presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was demonstrated in about 20% of deer and 15-41% of examined small mammals. The presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato was found by polymerase chain reaction in one half of 34 examined small mammals. Ixodes ricinus ticks have been found infected in all geographical regions of Slovenia examined till now. The highest infection rate was detected in the central part of Slovenia where almost 50% of adult ticks and one third of nymphs were positive by culture. The first isolation of B. burgdorferi sensu lato from material of Slovene patients succeeded in 1988 while the first isolates from ticks were obtained as late as 1993. The source material of human isolates has been skin, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, as well as synovial tissue and fluid. Thus far four Borrelia species were found by isolation to cause disease in humans: B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, and B. bissettii. The majority of typed isolates belong to B. afzelii, but B. garinii slightly predominates among strains cultured from cerebrospinal fluid. Lyme borreliosis has been mandatory reportable in Slovenia for the last 11 years. It is the most common tick-borne disease and is present all over the country. The incidence has been increasing. In 1997 155/100,000 cases were recorded; in some regions the incidence was even substantially higher. The disease affects both sexes (as a rule more often women than men) and all age groups. The incidence is the highest in persons 30-50 years of age, followed by children aged 6-15 years. Erythema migrans is by far the most common recorded manifestation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Evidence-based prevention strategies of suicide behavior in the world: implications for Slovenia.

In this review we consider how Slovenia could consider tackling its high rate of suicide (overall 29 per 100,000, 46 in males, 13 in females). First, we consider the evidence for risk factors that may contribute to Slovenia's high rate of suicide. Second, we describe the interventions to try to reduce the impact of these factors and the evidence for such interventions. We categorize interventions in terms of their operation at either the population level or that of high-risk groups. However, it should be borne in mind that settings often assumed to provide access to population groups, such as general practice and schools, do not reach some people who are likely to be at high risk; for example those who have dropped out of school or who have been excluded from a GP's list. We focus particularly on those for high-risk groups, as a number of East-European countries with high suicide rates such as Slovenia, Hungary, and the Baltic republics are currently considering a shift toward more community-based mental health services. The provision of community mental health services in Slovenia would provide an opportunity to study their impact on the suicide rate. However, we conclude that their development should be accompanied by other initiatives operating at population levels. This multilevel approach acknowledges the complexity of the etiology of suicide, the impossibility of reaching all those at risk through services and the lack of strong evidence for any one intervention.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗