Background:Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a major public health challenge worldwide, caused primarily by the misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic use is closely related to the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of a population.Objective:The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices about antibiotic use among the general public in Kosovo.Methods:A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was carried out with a sample of 811 randomly selected Kosovo residents. The methodology used for this survey was based on the European Commission Eurobarometer survey on antimicrobial resistance.Results:More than half of respondents (58.7%) have used antibiotics during the past year. A quarter of respondents consumed antibiotics without a medical prescription. The most common reasons for usage were flu (23.8%), followed by sore throat (20.2%), cold (13%) and common cold (7.6%). 42.5% of respondents think that antibiotics are effective against viral infections. Almost half of respondents (46.7%) received information about the unnecessary use of antibiotics and 32.5% of them report having changed their views and behaviours after receiving this information. Health care workers were identified as the most trustworthy source of information on antibiotic use (67.2%).Conclusion:These results provide quantitative baseline data on Kosovar knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding the use of antibiotic. These findings have potential to empower educational campaigns to promote the prudent use of antibiotics in both community and health care settings.

Aim:This cross sectional study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding complementary feeding among mothers with children between 6-24 months at the national level.Methods:The sample of 492 mothers with children between 6-24 months, with a confidence level of 95%, the acceptable margin of 5%, the expected prevalence of 50% knowledge and effect of 1.3, were interviewed from all regions, in all Kosovo. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi-square with significance level set at 5%.Results:Overall, 88.4% of respondents had good knowledge of complementary feeding, while only 38.4% of mothers had good practices regarding time for starting complementary feeding. We found association between maternal knowledge and level of education for complementary feeding.Conclusion:There is a need to further explore the factors responsible to improving practices for complementary feeding.

AIM:To determine the characteristics of the Socio-medical profile of road traffic accidents in Kosovo, between 2010 and 2015 year.STUDY DESIGN:Retrospective study.METHODS:A descriptive method based on the database of road traffic accidents from the National Police of Kosovo.RESULTS:In Kosovo for the period 2010-2015, on average, the yearly number of road traffic accidents is 18437 with mortality rate 7.4 per 100000 and lethality of 1.5%. The highest number of fatal cases are drivers and above 19 years old with more than 80%. Among injured significantly highest percentage is among passengers for all years and above 19 years old. Road traffic accident with a vehicle occurs most frequently, with approximately over 70%, mostly on dry road 72.9% and clear weather 71.1%. The driver is the contributing factors of road traffic accidents on average 99.3% whereas climatic conditions only 0.5%, with over 50% of crashes occurring in urban road 56.2%, mostly during Monday 16.0% and in the afternoon rush hours between 14.00-18.00 with 31.0%.CONCLUSIONS:There is a slight decrease in the mortality rate of 0.1‰ and lethality rate of 0.1% each year, whereas there is an increase of 21.5‰ for traumatism rate for each year.

Purpose:To evaluate the outcome of the external dacryocystorhinostomy with and without suturing the posterior mucosal flaps.Methods:This study included 106 patients with lacrimal drainage system disorders who underwent the external dacryocystorhinostomy. Fifty four patients (Group A) underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy with suturing anterior and posterior flaps of the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa, and the results obtained were compared with those of another series of 52 patients (Group B) where dacryocystorhinostomy was performed with suturing only the anterior flaps, whereas posterior mucosal flaps were excised.Results:The success rate was evaluated by lacrimal patency to irrigation and relief of epiphora. Patency achieved in groups A and B was 94.4% and 96.2%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in success rate between the groups.Conclusion:Our study suggests that external dacryocystorhinostomy with suturing anterior and posterior flaps have no advantage over dacryocystorhinostomy with suturing only anterior flaps. Anastomosis by suturing only anterior flaps and excision of the posterior flaps is easier to perform and may improve the success rate of external dacryocystorhinostomy.

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