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Introduction: Considering the geopolitical changes in the six Western Balkan countries-Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia-over the last three decades, particularly as it concerns the progress and changes in the healthcare systems, we argue that there is a need for a detailed analysis of people's trust in those healthcare systems and healthcare providers.Methods: In this cross-sectional, intercountry study, we examine the trust trends of Western Balkans citizens in medical doctors and public and private healthcare institutions from 25 July 2021 to 30 October 2021, with 3789 participants using a self-reported questionnaire, and Google Forms. Snowball sampling is used to collect data from six Western Balkans countries: Albania,

Introduction: In this study, we investigated the sources of information that have had the highest impact on Kosovans’ compliance with preventive measures against COVID-19. Methods: We recruited 744 participants, aged 18-35, to participate in this cross-sectional survey between 27th April and 5th May 2020, utilising an online questionnaire. Results: Our findings show that public health experts had the greatest influence in persuading citizens to obey the recommendations, with 63.2% (470) compliance, followed by family members, with 18% (134), and health workers, with 10.2% (76). Conclusion: Our study has shown that public health experts have had the greatest impact on Kosovo citizens, persuading them to follow recommendations designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Background: This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence of and the association between receiving medical care abroad and the level of trust that citizens from the Western Balkans—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro—have in their healthcare systems. Methods: The study is cross-sectional and was carried out during three months (July 25-October 30, 2021) through a self-reported questionnaire administered through the Google Forms platform. The study included approximately two-thousand citizens (N=2,356) aged eighteen (18) to seventy (70). Results: More than one-third (37.2%) of respondents stated that they or a relative had received healthcare services abroad during the last twelve (12) months. Citizens of Montenegro had the highest prevalence of receiving healthcare services abroad at 43.8%, followed by those from Bosnia and Herzegovina at 39%. No statistically significant difference was found in the level of trust in the healthcare system in the country between those who received healthcare services abroad (4.41±2.88) (out of 10) and those who did not (4.48±2.81) (t= -0.587, p=0.557). Conclusion: We ultimately conclude that more than one-third of the participants in our study have traveled abroad for healthcare purposes, with females, those living in urban areas, and those who have previously had a negative healthcare experience in their home country all being more likely to rely on health tourism.

Objectives: To investigate drug adherence and lifestyle behaviors affecting the blood pressure (BP) control among hypertensive patients that have uncontrolled and controlled BP. Methods: Seventy-eight uncontrolled BP and 98 controlled BP hypertensive patients matched on age, gender, time since hypertension diagnosis and the number of antihypertensive drugs used were investigated using a standardized questionnaire to evaluate lifestyle behaviors, drug adherence, the use of complementary and alternative medicine, and health related quality of life. Drug-drug interactions were evaluated with an electronic drug reference software. Results: Not taking therapy when feeling better was observed significantly more frequently in the uncontrolled hypertensive group (OR: 0.297, %95 CI: 0.115-0.770). Uncontrolled BP hypertensive patients live more frequently in extended family settings (p = 0.043), they sleep less controlled BP hypertensive patients (OR: 0.749, %95 CI: 0.605-0.929). The groups did not differ statistically in terms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use (p = 0.795) and informing doctors about the use of CAMs (p = 0.910). The EuroQol five-dimensional 3 level (EQ5D3L) questionnaire Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.011). In both groups over 70% of patients should be monitored for therapy due to drug interactions evaluation. Conclusions: Our study shows that increasing the drug adherence and sleeping hours and living in the nuclear family is associated with improvement in blood pressure control and health related quality of life. A comprehensive approach and good patient-physician communication and trust are essential for well-managed hypertension.