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Abstract: We aimed to determine the psychosocial and obstetric correlates of depressive symptomatology during pregnancy in South-Eastern Hungary. A total of 1719 women were screened for depression in four counties in 2006 and 2007, based on a Leverton Questionnaire (LQ) score of ≥12 at 14–24 weeks of gestation. The LQ scores indicated a probable depressive illness (PDI) in 17.2% of the study group. The best predictors in a multiple regression analysis were history of major depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.23), and major life events (AOR=2.43). A perceived lack of social support from partner (AOR=1.79) and lack of support by family (AOR=1.23) were also significant determinants. Lack of planning of pregnancy (AOR=1.12) and a history of unfavourable obstetric outcome (AOR=1.42) also seem to predispose to PDI. Overall, psychosocial factors appeared important in the prediction of PDI, whereas economic features did not. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Psychosocial and psychological interventions are generally effective in reducing depressive symptomatology in the postpartum period. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief preventive group intervention for postpartum depression (PPD) in a naturalistic setting, and study the effect of this on social and psychological risk factors. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial (n = 1,719) in south-eastern Hungary in 62 antepartum centers. Pregnant women (n = 710) underwent a 4-session preventive group intervention whereas a control group (n = 1,009) attended 4 sessions providing the same information given in usual care. Results: Our intervention appeared to significantly reduce the risk of PPD, as defined by Leverton Questionnaire total scores (OR = 0.69). It resulted in an absolute risk reduction of about 18% in those with antepartum depression and 0.5% in those with no depression at recruitment. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a much reduced risk in those with a perceived lack of partner support (OR = 0.4) in the treatment group. Unplanned pregnancy, an irreversible risk factor affecting every fifth woman, also seemed to have a reduced effect on PPD after our group intervention (OR = 0.81). Conclusions: A brief preventive antepartum group intervention focusing on psychoeducation, stress management, improving coping mechanisms, and the development of social support can be effective in reducing postpartum depressive symptomatology. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine contributing psychosocial factors to postnatal depression (PND) in Hungary in 1996 and in 2006. Methods: In 1996 and 2006, a total of 2,333 and 1,619 women, respectively, were screened for PND in South-Eastern Hungary, based on a Leverton questionnaire (LQ) score of ≥12 at 6-10 weeks after delivery. Results: The LQ scores indicated an increase in PND from 15.0% in 1996 to 17.4% in 2006. The best predictors for PND in a multiple regression analysis were living in an urban environment [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 11.26], unstable relationship (AOR = 3.1) and a perceived lack of social support from partner (AOR = 3.65) in 1996, and recent major life events (AOR = 3.38), unstable relationship (AOR = 3.84), self-reported low income (AOR = 1.82), and intention to return to work soon after delivery (AOR = 0.47) in 2006. Conclusions: A self-defined low socioeconomic status and an intention to return to work have become significant factors in the development of PND. Besides the family factors recognized as salient variables in 1996, economic features came into prominence as newly identified main predictive factors for PND in 2006. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantification of losses in the food industry would cause difficulties in Hungary. • Generation of losses is considered a phenomenon related to technological processes. • Larger companies and some subsectors consider food loss a more serious problem. • Respondents' motivations for handling the problem are mainly financial. The food industry is estimated to be the second biggest generator of food losses after households. The novelty of this paper is that it focuses on this less analysed sector, conducting exploratory research based on a detailed primary survey among Hungarian food processors with a uniquely large sample of 175 respondents. A SPSS program was used to analyse the data, generating descriptive statistics, statistical tests for exploring relationships between variables and cluster analysis for classifying respondents based on their attitudes towards the problem. In-depth interviews (19) and a workshop were also applied, refining the results. Only half of the respondents maintain exact records of food loss. The leaders of the companies usually do not consider the generation of losses as a serious problem, but instead tend to see it as a natural phenomenon related to technological processes. Based on the cluster analysis carried out, the companies could be classified into two distinguishable groups. Larger companies perceived the loss to be a significantly more serious problem, they recorded it more accurately than the other group and they had more important motivations such as the desire to achieve cost reduction and better allocation of resources. Food processors face several barriers during food loss management: regulatory issues, the lack of a developed market for by-products, insufficient stakeholder collaboration along the food chain and currently, insufficient incentive to reduce losses. Reduction and better utilisation of food loss can only be achieved if there is a fundamental change in food loss regulation: incentives should be provided to drive companies to avoid losses and to make the best use of the by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]