IntroductionGlobally, awareness and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV vary widely. This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to PrEP use among sexually active men in Vojvodina, Serbia.MethodsStudy was conducted from July to December 2024. Data were collected by seven district public health institutes in Vojvodina and two NGO community checkpoints. Participants were adult men with perceived high-risk sexual behaviour, infection symptoms, or seeking sexual health advice, regardless of their sexual orientation. Participation was anonymous and involved a structured self-administered questionnaire.ResultsAmong 597 participants (28.3% of clients counselled and/or tested across nine centres), 71.0% were aware of PrEP and 17.2% had previously used it. About 55% of participants had correct basic PrEP knowledge, 28.8% incomplete, and 18.8% insufficient. Overall, 80.2% expressed a positive attitude toward PrEP, 11.7% were undecided, and 8.1% have negative attitude. Age categories (31–40 years: OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.01–2.73, p = 0.047), consistent use of online apps to meet partners (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.09–3.62, p = 0.026), and prior PrEP use (OR = 2.12, 95% CI:1.33–3.40, p = 0.002) were associated with higher odds of correct PrEP knowledge. Correct knowledge was the strongest predictor of a positive attitude toward PrEP (OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.68–6.12, p < 0.001).DiscussionDespite high awareness, use of PrEP was limited, and accurate knowledge strongly predicted positive attitudes, underscoring the importance of education and counselling. Enhancing public health capacity, reducing stigma, and improving information flow are essential for effective, equitable HIV prevention in Serbia and the wider Central and Eastern Europe region.
IntroductionWearing a seat belt is a crucial safety measure to prevent road traffic injuries, but adherence varies among different groups. Local data on driver behavior in Serbia, especially in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (APV), is limited.ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to examine the prevalence of seat belt use and the sociodemographic factors influencing seat belt use among drivers in APV.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023–2024 among 6,726 healthcare users aged ≥18 years. Participants were recruited from 44 primary healthcare centers across 45 municipalities using stratified sampling by age, sex, and settlement type. The questionnaire was adapted from the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and data were collected via Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI), using selected modules on demographics and seat belt use. The outcome was self-reported seat belt use (consistent/inconsistent). Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics and BMI. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of inconsistent seat belt use.ResultsOverall, 83.1% of drivers reported always wearing a seat belt. Inconsistent use was significantly associated with male gender (AOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.47–0.63; p < 0.001), urban residence (AOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.16–1.55; p < 0.001), lower education (AOR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.21–0.91; p < 0.027), self-employment (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.34–2.14, p < 0.001) or unemployment (AOR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.11–2.13; p = 0.009), and certain districts, like Srem district (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.45–2.61; p < 0.001). Age, marital status, BMI, and self-assessed financial status were less consistent predictors.ConclusionSeat belt use among APV drivers is high but varies by sociodemographic factors and region. Implementing targeted public health measures and local enforcement strategies is essential to improve compliance, especially among men, younger drivers, and high-risk occupational groups.
Although Serbia is recognized as an haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome endemic country, long-term epidemiological data from subnational regions remain limited. This study aimed to describe temporal, spatial, seasonal and demographic patterns of this disease in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, northern Serbia, over a 32-year period (1992-2023), and to assess potential associations between disease occurrence and selected climatic parameters. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study based on routine surveillance data. Annual crude and age- and gender-specific incidence rates were calculated. Geographic clustering was assessed at the district and municipality levels. Correlations between disease incidence and temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and number of rainy days were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Over the study period, a total of 82 cases were reported (average annual incidence: 0.13/100,000; 95%CI: 0.10-0.16), characterized by sporadic occurrence and substantial interannual variability, with two deaths recorded. The highest annual incidences were recorded in 2012 (0.41/100,000) and 2014 (0.52/100,000). Incidence exhibited marked spatial heterogeneity, with highest long-term rates in South Bačka and Srem districts, and municipal hotspots (Beočin, Irig, Sremski Karlovci). Males aged 20–39 years experienced the highest incidence rate, whereas cases were rare among children. A pronounced seasonal peak was observed in June, accounting for 24.4% of all reported cases. No statistically significant associations were found between annual incidence and climatic parameters. Monthly analysis revealed a positive correlation between number of cases and temperature (ρ=0.606, p=0.037) and a negative correlation with relative humidity (ρ=–0.621, p=0.031). Our findings indicate that haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome remains a low-incidence but endemic zoonosis in AP Vojvodina, characterised by distinct geographic hotspots, well-defined demographic patterns, and stable early-summer seasonality. Enhanced integrated surveillance, improved diagnostic coverage and integration of ecological and environmental data are needed to better understand localized risk and support timely public health interventions.
Syphilis remains a growing public health concern, with increasing reported incidence globally. Future healthcare professionals play a key role in prevention, early detection, and education. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological trends of syphilis in the Autonomous Province (AP) Vojvodina and to assess the level of factual knowledge about syphilis and prevention measures, as well as attitudes toward education, stigma, and preventive strategies, among students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad. Epidemiological data on syphilis in the AP Vojvodina from 1997 to 2024 were analyzed using annual case numbers, crude incidence rates, age-specific and sex-specific incidence rates, and age-standardized incidence rates calculated by direct standardization to the European standard population. Second, a structured survey was administered to 356 students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad from December 1 to 30, 2024 to assess their knowledge and attitudes toward syphilis and its prevention. From 1997 to 2024, 1,034 syphilis cases were reported in AP Vojvodina, mostly among individuals aged 25–34. The age-standardized rate of incidence showed a rising trend, peaking in 2023 at 9.33 per 100,000. Among 356 surveyed students (mean age 22.2; 74.4
Background/Objectives: Meningococcal disease (MD) remains a significant public health concern worldwide. In Serbia, mandatory immunization against MD with the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MenAC) for high-risk groups and international travelers was introduced in 2006. Since 2017, the polysaccharide vaccine has been replaced with the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The aim of this study was to analyze long-term trends in incidence, age-specific patterns, seasonality, and lethality of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (AP Vojvodina), Serbia, over a 28-year period. Methods: A descriptive study analyzed all reported cases of IMD in AP Vojvodina, from 1997 to 2024. Data were obtained from the regional communicable disease surveillance system, based on mandatory hospital reporting and case classification according to national and WHO guidelines. Temporal, demographic, and clinical characteristics, along with disease outcomes, were analyzed. Results: From 1997 to 2024, 175 IMD cases were reported in AP Vojvodina. The annual incidence peaked in 1997 (1.24/100,000), with smaller surges in 2003 and 2005. Since 2006, coinciding with the introduction of immunization against MD, a sustained decline has been observed, with incidence rarely exceeding 0.30/100,000. A slight resurgence occurred in 2023–2024, with 13 cases reported. From 1997 to 2024, IMD in AP Vojvodina exhibited a clear seasonal pattern, with most cases occurring in winter and early spring, peaking in January (17%), March (12%), and February (11%), and the fewest cases occuring in the summer months. Throughout the study period, the highest IMD incidence rates were consistently observed among infants <1 year of age and children aged 1–4 years, with peaks of up to 22.9/100,000 and 16.0/100,000, respectively. Incidence was much lower in older age groups, especially adults. After a 2006 peak, rates declined across all ages, with a slight resurgence in 2023–2024 among children and adolescents. Children aged 1–4 years made up the largest share of IMD cases, peaking in January–March (45.1%). Half of the infant cases were recorded in October–November, while cases in older children, adolescents, and adults were fewer and showed varied monthly patterns, with small peaks in winter and early spring. During the 28-year study period, the highest IMD mortality rate was observed among infants <1 year of age (0.59 per 100,000 population), followed by children aged 1–4 years (0.32 per 100,000). Mortality rates declined progressively with increasing age, with the lowest rate recorded among individuals aged ≥40 years (0.01 per 100,000). Of the 175 IMD cases reported in AP Vojvodina (1997–2024), 21 were fatal (case fatality rate [CFR] = 12.0%). The CFR of IMD varied across age groups. The highest CFR was observed among individuals aged ≥40 years (21.4%), followed by the 5–9 years (17.4%) and <1 year (16.7%) age groups. None of the patients had been vaccinated against MD. Fatal outcomes were more common in children aged 1–4 years and among rural residents, though differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Most deaths (57.1%) occurred in the first quarter of the year. A strong association was found between clinical form and outcome, with meningococcal sepsis being significantly more frequently associated with fatality than meningitis (p = 0.0002). Deaths were sporadic over time, with most occurring within 1–2 days of notification. All confirmed fatal cases were due to serogroup B. Conclusions: MD remains a rare yet serious public health threat in AP Vojvodina. Mortality rates indicate that the public health impact of this disease is greatest among the youngest age groups; however, the risk of death, i.e., disease severity, does not appear to be age dependent. The recent rise in cases, high fatality among sepsis patients, and absence of prior vaccination among all IMD cases highlight the need for enhanced surveillance, physician education, and consideration of introducing both MenACWY and MenB vaccines for high-risk groups.
