QUALITY OF LIFE (BANJA LUKA) - APEIRON

Patient Satisfaction in the Primary Health Care

2025-08-18T11:55:41+02:00

Countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina have significant challenges in their health systems. Evaluation of the quality of family medicine services is the basis for the development of quality in primary health care. Patient satisfaction assessments, using the EUROPEP questionnaire, reflect patients’ expectations and experiences. Objective: Using the EUROPEP questionnaire to assess satisfaction with primary health care services and identify key areas for improvement. Methods: The research was conducted using the EUROPEP questionnaire in Zenica during 2024. Patients were selected using a random sample method during a visit to the primary health care. In total, thirteen primary health care clinics of the Zenica Health Centre participated in the study. Results: In a representative sample from 2024, 44.45% of respondents were male, while 52.77% were female. In the research, the results show that the respondents are satisfied, the highest score is 4.64, and the lowest score is 4.04. The lowest-rated aspects were the ability to contact doctors by phone and patient wait times for appointments. Healthcare personnel exhibited the highest level of willingness to provide assistance. The analysis identified a high ceiling effect, suggesting that patient satisfaction is high but leaves little room for further improvement. Conclusion: Healthcare providers should focus on improving lower-rated aspects, particularly doctor accessibility via phone and appointment waiting times, to enhance the overall patient experience. Due to the high ceiling effect, it is recommended that the study be repeated with a larger sample. It is necessary to validate the questionnaire with an extended rating scale.

Comparison of DNA Yield and Quality From Two Blood Extraction Kits

2025-08-18T12:16:48+02:00

A high-quality isolated sample of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is essential for the success and reliability of various molecular genetic analyses. This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the concentration and quality of extracted DNA from 200 samples of human blood using two different commercial kits: Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit and High Pure PCR Template Preparation Kit – Roche Diagnostics. Concentration and quality of isolated DNA were measured by spectrophotometric (NanoDrop One) and fluorometric methods (Qubit 2.0). The average concentration of extracted DNA by the Qiagen kit was 45.06ng/µl±17.75, while with the Roche kit it was 20.97ng/µl±8.8. The quality of DNA was presented as the ratio of absorbance at 260nm and 280nm. The obtained mean value of A260/280 for the Qiagen kit was 1.8, and for the Roche kit, A260/280 was 1,66. The concentration obtained by the Qiagen kit was 2.15 times higher than the concentration obtained by the Roche kit. Concentration measured by NanoDrop was 2,33 times higher than values obtained by Qubit for the same samples. Both kits showed good quality and concentration of isolated DNA, but the Qiagen kit has superior performance in both analyzed categories. Measurement with Qubit was more specific than measurement with NanoDrop.

Genetically Predisposed Physical Characteristics and Performance Factors in Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

2025-08-18T12:26:36+02:00

Genetic predispositions, along with a supportive social environment, personal motivation, perseverance, dedication, and susceptibility to injuries, all play a role in shaping sports performance and success. In this study, physical characteristics (height, weight, body mass index - BMI) were compared between active males and females in three sports disciplines (field and track athletics, football, and basketball) and inactive control goup. Research on the correlation between genetically predisposed physical characteristics and success in sports activities was conducted through a survey at sports clubs in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 118 respondents (63 female and 55 male) answered the 16-question questionnaire. The highest were male basketball players, with an average height 13 cm higher than the average male height in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Average BMI was 23.16±3.14, 23.99±1.82, and 23.61±1.14 for male athletes, football players, and basketball players, respectively. In the female group, the BMIs were 20.8±2.07, 20.76±2.36, and 22.175±2.25 for athletics, football, and basketball, respectively. The control group had a BMI of 25.59±3.81 for males and 21.74±2.4 for females. Endurance is the main quality declared by athletes who practice long-term sports, while strength is the main quality in athletes who are active in short-term disciplines. The highest rate of injuries was noted among female football players at 92%. The most frequent injury was injury to the meniscus, tendons, and hamstrings. A positive family history of sports activity showed a significant influence on sports success. Every sport brings numerous health benefits in the form of better immune resistance, maintenance of body mass index (BMI), mental and psychological stability, self-confidence, better social contacts, and more.

Adolescents’ Perceptions and Experiences of Psychological Violence

2025-08-18T13:13:21+02:00

Psychological violence among adolescents and young adults represents a significant challenge for both public health and the educational system, with long-term consequences for mental well-being. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and forms of psychological violence among individuals aged 12 to 24, as well as their awareness and personal experiences related to this issue. The research was conducted on a sample of 75 participants aged between 12 and 24 years, using a structured questionnaire that included demographic data, experiences with psychological violence, and familiarity with protective responses. The results revealed that a considerable number of participants had been exposed to various forms of psychological violence, including verbal abuse, social exclusion, and rejection. The study provides insight into the extent of psychological violence in this age group and indicates the need for further support measures. The discussion emphasizes the importance of involving students, parents, and teaching staff in efforts aimed at fostering emotional literacy and non-violent communication. Further research and programmatic development are recommended to enhance supportive strategies in school environments.

Impact of the Technological Purification Process on the Drinking Water Quality in the Water Supply System of Banja Luka

2025-08-18T13:22:48+02:00

This paper analyzes the impact of the technological purification process on the drinking water quality in the water supply system of the City of Banja Luka. Microbiological and physico-chemical parameters of raw water samples from the River Vrbas and purified water samples from reservoirs collected during three time periods: 1977, 2006 and 2025 were used. The research has showed a significant microbiological load of raw water, especially the presence of coliform bacteria and enterococci, which indicates fecal contamination of the source. Despite this, the analysis of the results has determined that the water conditioning process, which includes ozonation, filtration and chlorine disinfection, successfully eliminates contaminants and ensures the microbiological and physicochemical safety of drinking water. The results confirm that the purified water meets the requirements of the Regulation on the health safety of drinking water across analyzed years. Based on these findings, the need for continuous monitoring of raw water quality and technical improvement of treatment plants is emphasized in order to ensure the long-term safety of the water supply.