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The purpose of this study was the recognition of Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia, its strategic importance, its history and division of residents by ethnic and religious terms. Also this study, by using the inductive and analytical method was intended to highlight the familiar personalities named 'El Iskubijune'- citizens of Skopje. The study resulted that there are at least eleven familiar personalities named 'El Iskubijune'- citizens of Skopje, who have given a significant contribution to the spreading of Islamic and Arabic culture in different countries of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: Diarrhoeal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among under-fives especially in developing countries. Important fact about diarrhoea is the care about children for easier course. Very often child-care is not adequate because of low knowledge and attitude and wrong practice. METHOD: The study was conducted to present maternal practice on management of acute diarrhoea among children under five years old, in Kosovo. In this cross- sectional study, the study sample included 106 mothers of children less than 5 years old from all parts of Kosovo. They were interviewed using a pre designed and pre tested questionnaire. RESULTS: In case of children diarrhoea, 60.7% declared that they provide less or even not at all fluids, while 19.6% as usually and only 17.8% more than usually. More than one third of mothers did breastfeed their babies less than usually, and 75% cases more than usually during diarrhoea. Based on living place and mothers age feeding of children with diarrhoea did not differ significantly, but there was a significant difference based on mother's education. One third of the mothers do not give anything to their children in term to stop the diarrhoea, 19.6% uses rice juice, 15.9% banana, and only 9.3% oral dehydration solution. CONCLUSION: There is an immediate need for campaigns in order to try to change the maternal practice on management of acute diarrhoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report an abortion outbreak in a ruminant herd consisting of goats, sheep, and cows, with scenarios in two consecutive years. In early 2017, abortions occurred in ∼70% of goats and 66% tested positive for Coxiella burnetii ( C. burnetii ) and 40% of goats were positive for Chlamydophila abortus ( C. abortus ). In February 2018, the same herd reported an abortion rate of 75%, with 55% positive for C. burnetii , 36% for C. abortus , and 22% for Toxoplasma gondii . Six goat milk samples were positive for C. burnetii by molecular analysis. Three family members were positive for C. burnetii . C. burnetii could be considered as the main cause of abortions in the first and second year. Animals that undergo an infection and abortion are prone to secondary infections. Vaccination or other rapid interventions should be initiated to protect animals and humans.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the health needs and priorities of older people in Kosovo, the newest state in Europe striving for a functional democracy after the breakdown of former Yugoslavia and the following war in the region., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kosovo in 2011 including a nationwide representative sample of 1890 individuals aged ≥65 years (949 men, mean age: 73 ± 6 years; 941 women, mean age: 74 ± 7 years; overall response rate: 84%). All individuals were administered the full version of EASY-Care Standard 2010 instrument, inquiring about the need for support in activities of daily living ('independence'), the 'risk of breakdown in care' (leading to emergency admission to hospital) and the 'risk of falls'., Results: The degree of 'independence' was lower, whereas the 'risk of breakdown in care' and the 'risk of falls' were significantly higher in: older women; the oldest individuals (≥85 years); rural residents; participants living alone; those perceiving themselves as poor; participants who could not access medical care; those who perceived their general health status as poor; and older people who reported at least one chronic condition., Conclusions: This is one of the very few reports from Southeast European region informing about the health needs and priorities of older people in a large and representative population-based sample of older men and women. The poor health status of older people, especially evident in the socio-demographic disadvantaged categories, should raise the awareness of policymakers and decision-makers for appropriate health and social care of elderly in Kosovo and in other European countries., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Lead toxicity is a serious health threat, especially in developing countries due to environmental pollution. It was thus aimed to investigate correlation between blood lead level and concentration level of hemoglobin in the blood of children involved in research., Material and Methods: The research included 250 children of which 31(12.4%) kindergarten children, 166 (66.4%) of primary school pupils in Mitrovica and 53(21.2%) of primary school pupils in Shtime as control group. From the 250 children included in the survey 129 or 51.6% were female children and 48.4% male children. Children were selected randomly, while tests for concentration of Pb and blood hemoglobin were done at the National Institute of Public Health., Results: The average value of blood lead level of Mitrovica pupils was 2.4 µg/dL (SD±1.9µg/dL), range 0.5 to 16.3µg/dL. The average value of blood lead level of Shtime pupils was 2.3µg/dL (SD±0.7µg/dL), range 1.2 to 5.2 µg/dL with no statistical difference (P = 0.191). The average value of blood lead level in kindergarten children of Mitrovica was 3.8µg/dL (SD±1.3µg/dL), range 2.2 to 7.7µg/dL with significant difference between the average values of blood lead levels of pupils and kindergarten children of Mitrovica (P <0.0001). The average value of hemoglobin in the pupils of Mitrovica was 14.0g/dL(SD± 3.7g/dL), range 9.4 to 25.6 g/dL. The average value of hemoglobin to pupils of Shtime was 11.4g/dl(SD±0.8 g/dl), range 9.2 to 13.0 g/dl with significant difference between mean values of hemoglobin pupils of Mitrovica and Shtime (U '= 6440.0, P <0.0001). With Spearman correlation is found significant correlation of a medium scale (r = -0.305, df = 248, p <0.0001) between blood lead levels and hemoglobin level in the blood.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has long been a disease of concern in Kosova; however, little is known about the enzootic cycles of the virus in this country. Since the first documented case in 1954, sporadic cases and occasional outbreaks have been recorded with cases more consistently reported following the conflict in 1999. CCHF virus exists in enzootic cycles between wild animal species and ticks. The infection rates within ticks and hence the exposure to humans is determined by both the biology and seasonal dynamics of ticks, and the population dynamics and structure of the wild animals. These, in turn, are affected by complex interactions between climatic variables, changes in agricultural practices, land management, and wild animal density. If we are to understand the spatial and temporal occurrence of human disease, we must understand the ecology of the virus in nature. This article discusses the possible ecological, societal, political, and economic drivers that may impact the enzootic cycle of the virus and contribute to an increase in virus amplification and/or human exposure to infected ticks in Kosova.

This study presents the initial results of a collaborative project aimed at the evaluation of Toxoplasma seroprevalence in a population of Kosovar pregnant women. The serum samples of 334 pregnant women were tested to detect IgG, IgM, IgG avidity for toxoplasmosis. Data regarding age, occupation, area of origin and education were also obtained for the pregnant women examined; 97/334 (29.4%) resulted positive for IgG antibodies, four of whom (4.1%) were also positive for IgM, (1.2% of the total population examined). All four IgM-positive pregnant women also demonstrated low avidity tests. The rate of IgG seroprevalence found in our study was lower than that observed in various European countries, especially those of western Europe. Conversely, the percentage of recent infections was higher than expected. The higher rate of infections could be the result of a recent toxoplasmosis epidemic in Kosovo, most likely due to the altered hygienic conditions caused by the forced transfer of the ethnic-Albanian population from an area of low (Serbia) to high (Kosovo) toxoplasmosis prevalence.

Unlabelled: Kosovo as a newer state, characterized with political, economical and cultural transition is touched by suicide phenomenon. Aim of this survey is to analyze prevalence of suicide in Kosova for period 2000-2008 and in particular for 2007-2008., Methodology: Survey is retrospective one and data were taken from Statistical Office of Kosova and Kosovar Police Service report. Cases are analysed due to demographic characteristics as sex, age group, years, dwelling place, months, week days and methods of suicides., Results: After the war there is an increase of suicides as it is presented with basic index. For year 2000, there is an increase of 122% compared with cases on 1983, then the highest increase is for 2001 with 711.1%. After 2005 there is a slight decrease of suicides with trend of y = 58-8X. Due to sex, suicides are significantly higher at males than females for both years, with 78.9% for 2007 and 74.5% for 2008. The highest number of suicides is found at age groups 21-30 and 31-40 years with 21.1% for 2007 and 21-30 and 41-50 years with 25.5% for 2008. Average age for suicide victims is 42 years for 2007 and 44 years for 2008. Suicides are more frequent at rural places but not significantly. Greatest percentage of suicides was on July with 21.1% for 2007 and June and October with 15.7% for 2008. On 2007 the highest percentage of suicides was on Wednesdays with 21.1% and on 2008 was on Tuesdays with 19.6%. Due to the time of day, the most frequent time for suicides was 16-18.00 for 2007 and for 2008 the greatest percentage of suicide is on unknown time with 27.5%. The most frequent method of suicide was hanging for both years, with 64.9% for 2007, and 52.9% for 2008, fire arm with 14% for 2007 and 21.6% for 2008 and poisoning with 5.3% for 2007 and 11.8% for 2008. Suicides are most frequent at rural places but not significantly., Conclusion: Suicides due to sex are significantly higher in males than females in all age groups. Average age of suicide victims is rising from 42 years for 2007 to 44 years for 2008. Suicides are more frequent at rural places and the greatest percentage of suicides due to months was on July for 2007 and June and October for 2008, on Wednesdays for 2007 and Tuesdays for 2008. PROPOSED MEASURES: Suicides are consequence of socioeconomic, psychological and political problems as unemployment and poverty. For challenging suicide phenomenon there is a need for multi-sectoral approach involving health and non health sector as politics, labor, education and media.

Background: Cardiac disease is the most common cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease. It is assumed that the high rate of cardiovascular mortality is related to accelerated atherosclerosis. Patients with chronic renal insufficiency have an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease, silent myocardial ischaemia, complex ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, annular mitral and aortic valve calcification, and enlargement of the left atrium, than patients with normal renal function. It is also well known that haemodialysis is associated with cardiovascular structural changes and rapid fluctuations in electrolyte levels. In this study, we sought to estimate left atrial size by means of echocardiography and to determine any correlations between different echocardiographic measurements in patients with end-stage renal disease., Methods: We analysed data from 123 patients who were on regular haemodialysis, by means of traditional transthoracic echocardiographic examination. The usual statistical parameters, correlations and the Student's t-test were performed, with levels of significance of p < 0.01 and p < 0.05., Results: The most presented age group was 60 to 69 years old, with a predomination of females (56.1%). We found dilated left atrium in 26.02% of the study patients and a high statistical correlation between different methods of measurement and calculated volumes of the left atrium., Conclusion: Evaluation of left atrial size should be determined by several different measurements, and left atrial enlargement should be seen as a risk factor for advancing disease.

Currently the drug abuse has become one of the most serious problems in many countries. The drugs abuse is also widespread in less developed societies. This problem is present in Kosova too with the tendency of rising. The of this research was to show the number of drug abusers in Prishtina region, the type of drugs used, the way of drug administration, then survey of the age, sex, marital status, residence of the drug abusers including their social status (employment, profession and economical status). During the surveyed period the number of hospitalized drug abusers in Neuropsychiatry clinic was 39. 25.5% of them were hospitalized more than ones, with 367 stay days with average treatment period of 7.5 days. Average age of those hospitalized for the first time was 27.9 years of age. 64.1% of them were 25-34 years old. 97.4% of the hospitalized were male. 32 (82.1%) patient were from Prishtina, 5 from Ferizaj and 1 from F. Kosova and Kacanik. During the surveyed period there was no patient hospitalized from other cities of Prishtina Region (Besiana, Drenas, Kastriot, Lipjan, Shtime and Shterpc).

One out of ten deaths worldwide among adults is attributable to tobacco use. Most people begin using tobacco before the age of 18. The European Region of WHO faces nearly one third of the worldwide burden of tobacco-related diseases. We aimed to study the prevalence of tobacco use among Kosovar schoolchildren, knowledge and behaviors related to tobacco use and its health impact. A cross-sectional study was performed, using anonymous self-administered questionnaire carried out among 7088 students in 110 schools. The target population group were students aged between 13 and 15 years were enrolled in all the targeted grade levels. The questionnaire consists of two main parts developed especially for the European region. Statistical analysis and the complex sampling design were done by EPI Info 2000 statistical software package. Around one-third (2622=37%) of all students, reported to have smoked cigarettes. One-fifth (20.9%) of ever smokers initiated smoking before the age often. Significantly more boys than girls ever smoked cigarettes (43.5% and 30.4% respectively). Over one-third (37.0%) had ever smoked cigarettes, as compared to over one-half (53.9%) of secondary students. There is a high probability of an increased burden of disease from tobacco in the future decades in Kosova. Special attention should be paid to the cessation needs of current smokers, school-based programs on environmental tobacco smoke, and the health risk of exposure due to smoking by siblings and friends.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), also known as mice fever is an acute viral zoonosis and it appears in the natural focus after the human contact with Hantaan virus infected mice. The objective (purpose) of this study was to investigate the prevalence of specific antibodies in HFRS, in convalescent persons (collective immunity in endemic hearths). In this project we applied the epidemiological method of studying with retrospective-perspective, the serological method for determination and detecting antibodies from the persons of epidemical focus and statistical methods. The disease diagnosis is based on the epidemiological, clinical and serological records. The collected samples have been sent to referral laboratory in Medical Faculty-Institute of Microbiology Ljubljana for laboratory confirmation. From the results we came to conclusion that in the territory of Republic of Kosovo, the HFRS is still a serious health, economic and biological problem. The lethality rate from HFRS in 1986 was 15.4%, 1986-89 10.8%, from 1995-2006 8.70%. The lowest rates of morbidity, mortality and lethality of HFRS compared with the previous periods of time, prove collective immunity growth in Dukagjini valley. For collective immunity research and to conduct the persistence of antibodies for viral corresponding (relative) antigen, after the disease, the samples were collected in the time period of May-June 2008, with 203 persons that were tested with serological method IIF (Indirect immune fluorescence) from which 187 cases (92.1%) resulted sero-negative and 16 cases (7.9%) resulted sero-positive with HFRS. This proves the collective immunity increase for HFRS. From 13 recovered patients previously diagnosed with HFRS (1986-1989-1995), levels of antibodies were screened in 2008 with IIF. Out of 13 persons, positive antibodies were found in 10 cases, while 3 cases were negative for antibodies (HTN, PUU, and DOB). After 13, 19 and 22 years HTN, PUU and DOB antibodies persisted in level (1:16-1:512). Based on the gathered results, we came to conclusion that it is necessary to compile the National Strategy of Surveillance for the Kosovo Health System for a 5 year period, for avoiding this high risk disease.