Search

Background: Cervical cancer is a major global health problem, and one of the most common causes of cancer in women. This descriptive epidemiological study aimed to provide an overview of the cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Vojvodina. Methods: The data from the Serbian Cancer Registry regarding the cervical cancer incidence and mortality for the period 2016-2021 were analyzed. Results: During the observed 6-year period, the average age-standardized incidence rates of cervical cancer in Vojvodina and Serbia were 20.4 and 19.1 per 100,000 women, respectively. The average age-standardized incidence rates by the district of Vojvodina ranged from 16.8 to 30.2/100,000. The average age-standardized cervical cancer mortality rate in Vojvodina and Serbia was 7.0 and 6.6/100,000, respectively. The average mortality rates by the district of Vojvodina ranged between 5.6/100,000 and 9.9/100,000. Conclusion: The cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Vojvodina exhibited significant variation across different districts and observed years, with their average values surpassing the national average. To improve the epidemiological situation of cervical cancer in Vojvodina, it is imperative to enhance the implementation of organized screening at the district level, coupled with intensified efforts to promote HPV vaccination throughout Vojvodina. Additionally, more research on screening coverage and vaccination rates and improved reporting cervical cancer cases and deaths are needed.

Background/Aim. Q fever occurs worldwide and can be found in humans as well as in domestic mammals. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of Q fever and evaluate correlation between the Q fever occurrence and weather conditions. Methods. We conducted a descriptive epidemiological study using data of the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad, and the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, from 2006 to 2015. Results. Out of 272 human Q fever cases, 114 (41.9%) patients were aged between 20 and 39 years. Between January and May, a total of 193 (71.0%) cases of disease were registered. In the Central Banat and South Banat, a strong positive correlation between an increase in Q fever detection and an increase of average wind speed (ρ= 0.69719 and ρ=0.62303, respectively) was observed, while a strong negative correlation was determined between the average rainfall with the number of Q fever cases in the Central Banat, the South Banat and Srem district (ρ = -0.78033, ρ = -0.70675 and ρ = -0.70431, respectively). During a 10-year period, a strong positive correlation was found between the human Q fever cases compared to the number of cattle and sheep Q cases in the Srem district (r = 0.7989 and r = 0.7966, respectively). Direct contact with domestic animals was the most frequent route of Q fever transmission in Vojvodina. Conclusion. The timely sharing of information between the animal and human health sectors as well as between neighbouring countries is crucial for an appropriate and an early outbreak response, especially during windy and dry months of the year. Additionally, it is essential that people who are exposed to a risk of infection must be permanently educated about reducing the risk of transmission of infection.

Background/Aim. After pandemic 2009/10 influenza season, influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B viruses have continued to circulate in the population. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and virological characteristics of influenza and evaluate values of proposed case definitions of influenza like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) for detecting laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in Vojvodina. Methods. We conducted a descriptive epidemiological study using surveillance reports and laboratory data from October 2010 to May 2015 (five surveillance seasons). Results. Out of 1,466 samples collected, 720 (49.1%) were laboratory confirmed as influenza. Influenza A infection was more frequently detected than influenza B infection. Using the case definition of ILI was a good predictor for influenza confirmation (p < 0.05) during 5 influenza seasons. The predominant age-range of patients with confirmed influenza A (42.2%) and B (43.0%) infections was 30 to 64, but the patients aged from 15 to 29 years were more likely to have influenza A (p = 0.0168). In the period from December to January, influenza A (17.8%) was more frequently registered than influenza B (7.6%). The highest number of deaths (19/38) and hospitalized patients (128/402) was registered during the last influenza season (2014/15). The immunosuppressed patients with confirmed influenza infection were more likely to have influenza B than influenza A (p = 0.0110). Conclusion. Our results indicate that influenza surveillance should be continued and expanded in order to fully assess the burden of the disease in given population.

Background/Aim. Despite the fact that brucellosis occurs sporadically in the epidemic form, this disease is still one of the world's most widespread zoonoses. Methods. Data from the register of infectious diseases of the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina and Scientific Veterinary Institute in Novi Sad were used in this study. Using descriptive statistics, data were analyzed for the period 2000 to 2014. Results. In the observed period in Vojvodina 102 cases of brucellosis were registered with different frequency of notification cases by districts of province. Most frequent modes of transmission of brucellosis were consumption of contaminated food (especially sheep cheese) or direct contact with domestic animals. In 70.2% of the patients, occupational exposures to the agent or direct daily contact with animals were noted. The dominant source of infection in the urban area was food, whereas a direct contact with sick animals was dominant mode of transmission in the rural area. Overall, 14 epidemic outbreaks of brucella were registered with direct contact as dominant mode of transmission. The predominant age-range of patients with brucella confirmed infections was 30–59 years (50.0 male %), and 2.5 times more males than females were affected. Seasonal distribution was highest during spring, with 50.0% of all confirmed cases. During the period 2004–2005, prevalence of serum positive patients in the South Bačka District coincided with the highest number of laboratory confirmed serum samples among animals. Conclusion. Although the incidence of brucellosis shows a declining trend, education and improving of surveillance of disease of all relevant institutions seems as necessary for better recognition and notification of the disease.