QUALITY OF LIFE (BANJA LUKA) - APEIRON

Public Knowledge of Infectious Mononucleosis: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Republic of Srpska (B&H)

Drago Nedić — 2026-07-30

Infectious mononucleosis is a common viral disease, most frequently caused by the Epstein–Barr virus, predominantly affecting adolescents and young adults. Despite its high prevalence, misconceptions regarding disease etiology, transmission routes, and clinical manifestations remain widespread and may influence health-related behavior. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of infectious mononucleosis in the general population of the Republic of Srpska, with particular emphasis on disease etiology, transmission, symptom recognition, and prevention, from a health literacy perspective. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October 2025 using an anonymous online questionnaire. The study included 225 participants aged 17–60 years. Descriptive statistical methods were applied, and differences in knowledge were analyzed according to basic sociodemographic characteristics. Although most respondents (82.7%) had heard of infectious mononucleosis, only 59.6% correctly identified the disease as viral in origin. Contact with saliva was recognized as the primary route of transmission by 65.3% of participants, while a substantial proportion reported incorrect transmission routes. Common symptoms such as fatigue and fever were widely recognized; however, specific clinically relevant manifestations, including splenomegaly and rash, were poorly identified. Women and younger respondents demonstrated higher levels of knowledge. The findings reveal important gaps in public knowledge of infectious mononucleosis, reflecting broader challenges related to health literacy. Targeted public health education focusing on accurate disease information and prevention may contribute to improved awareness, earlier recognition, and more appropriate health-related behavior.

Management Practices and Professional Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dženana Hrustemović — 2026-07-30

Professional burnout represents a significant occupational risk among healthcare professionals due to high work demands, emotional strain, and the continuous responsibility associated with patient care. Organizational factors, including management practices and work organization, play an important role in maintaining employees’ well-being and preventing burnout. The aim of this study was to examine the role of management practices in the prevention and management of professional burnout among healthcare professionals. A cross-sectional study design was applied. The sample consisted of 30 healthcare professionals employed in secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions. Data were collected using the standardized Job Demands–Resources Questionnaire (Schaufeli, 2015). Descriptive statistical, correlation, and reliability analyses were used to evaluate the collected data. The majority of participants were female (83.2%), with a mean age of 30.83 years. Nurses constituted the largest professional group (56.7%), with an average work experience of 12.2 years. Overall satisfaction with work organization and human resource management was moderate. The mean burnout score was 2.24 ± 0.23, indicating a relatively low level of professional burnout among the respondents. The findings suggest that organizational factors and management practices play an important role in maintaining employee well-being. In particular, supportive interpersonal relations within healthcare teams appear to be associated with lower levels of professional burnout. Strengthening leadership practices, improving work organization, and providing adequate institutional support for healthcare professionals may contribute to the prevention of professional burnout and improvement of healthcare service quality.

Internal Communication and Communication Climate in a Tertiary Healthcare Institution: Implications for Quality of Work Life

Ranko Palačković — 2026-07-30

Background: Internal communication constitutes a fundamental organisational element in healthcare institutions, influencing employee satisfaction, teamwork, and the broader communication climate. Given the complexity and hierarchical structure of tertiary healthcare centres, robust communication mechanisms are vital for coordination, patient safety, and organisational stability. This study evaluated employee satisfaction with internal communication at the University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, with particular attention to vertical and horizontal communication, electronic communication usage, information availability, and the communication climate. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was implemented using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The sample comprised 300 employees representing diverse departments and hierarchical levels. Composite mean scores were computed for each communication dimension. The Agreement Index, employing the top-two box method, was used to determine the proportion of respondents with positive evaluations. Results: The overall composite score for internal communication was M = 3.88, indicating generally positive perceptions among employees. Satisfaction was highest for communication with immediate supervisors (M = 4.12; 82% agreement) and horizontal communication (M = 4.06; 75% agreement). Moderate levels of agreement were observed for information availability (M = 3.81; 55% agreement) and electronic communication usage (M = 3.42; 52% agreement). Communication satisfaction varied between immediate supervisors and higher-level management, demonstrating differences across hierarchical levels. Conclusion: Internal communication within the institution is generally perceived positively; however, variation across specific dimensions suggests opportunities for improvement, particularly regarding information flow and electronic communication management. Targeted organisational interventions may further strengthen the communication climate and institutional cohesion.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Multidimensional Advisory Intervention on Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Amra Nuhanović — 2026-07-30

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health challenge, particularly in settings where pharmacists remain primarily dispensing-oriented. This study evaluated the impact of a pharmacist-led multidimensional advisory intervention on cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with T2DM. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study with control and intervention groups was conducted in a community pharmacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Forty adult patients were allocated to usual care (n=20) or a four-month pharmacist-led programme including nutrition education, lifestyle counselling, physical activity, and continuous support (n=20). Body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and blood pressure were measured at baseline and follow-up, while HbA1c was assessed in the intervention group, limiting between-group comparisons. Results: Significant reductions in BMI (p=0.002), FBG (p=0.026), and HbA1c (p=0.001) were observed in the intervention group, whereas no significant improvements were detected in the control group. Conclusion: These findings provide preliminary evidence that pharmacist-led advisory interventions may improve metabolic control in patients with T2DM.

Reducing Market Marginalization of People With Disabilities: Challenges and the Need For Inclusive Marketing

Vanja Sredojević — 2026-07-30

The paper explores the role of an inclusive approach in reducing the market marginalization of people with disabilities, with the aim of examining how specific characteristics of the population affect their market inclusion. The research is based on the analysis of secondary data from the 2013 Census of Population in the Republic of Srpska. Year. The data were used to identify the dominant segments of the population and their specific needs, which is the basis for considering an inclusive approach to the market. Using descriptive statistics, absolute and relative proportions of individual types of disability were determined, while the χ² independence test was used to examine statistically significant differences in the distribution of disability by sex and age groups. The results show that men are more often represented in the categories of difficulties in moving and climbing stairs, while women are relatively more represented in the categories of difficulties in independent care and communication. An analysis of age groups and visual impairments shows that younger groups have a high relative incidence of vision problems, suggesting congenital or early forms, while older groups record a higher absolute number of people with visual difficulties, reflecting age-related degenerative changes. These findings confirm the heterogeneity of the population of persons with disabilities and highlight the existence of segments with different needs that require a differentiated approach in planning the accessibility of products, services and information. A mismatch between identified needs and the general availability of market resources can limit the market involvement of these individuals, while the implementation of an inclusive approach allows for better designed policies and strategies. The paper contributes to the theory of market segmentation by integrating demographic data and the principles of inclusion, while providing practical guidelines for improving physical and digital accessibility, creating targeted communication and developing socially responsible initiatives.

Sanitation and Hand Hygiene Facilities in Primary Schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina Assessed by Pupils Using Who Indicators

Vesna Rudić Grujić — 2026-07-30

Numerous studies have demonstrated that students attending schools with adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions achieve better academic performance, experience lower rates of illness, and consequently have reduced absenteeism. This study aimed to assess students’ perceptions of sanitation and hand hygiene facilities in schools using World Health Organization (WHO) indicators. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional epidemiological study from September 2019 to March 2020 in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 2,508 students, aged 11 to 15 years, participated in the study.The survey results indicated that 48.6% of students were dissatisfied with school toilets, while 30.1% reported dissatisfaction with handwashing facilities. Additionally, 83.2% of students expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of toilet paper, and 72.4% were dissatisfied with the supply of soap. Consequently, 66.8% of students reported avoiding school toilets on a daily basis. Furthermore, approximately half of the students reported receiving education on proper hygiene practices. Ensuring access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and comprehensive hygiene education is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality related to unsafe water and poor sanitation. Such improvements contribute to better overall health, reduced poverty, and enhanced socio-economic development.