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The study examined the use of maladaptive coping strategies such as conflict, avoidance and self-blame in predicting anxiety and depression in couples undergoing IVF procedure. The target group consisted of 80 couples who started the IVF treatment at the Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ljubljana's University Medical Centre in Slovenia. The participants completed three scales: S/T Anxiety Inventory, CES Depression Scale, and Marital Coping Inventory. The results showed increased rates of depression compared to the normative population; 18% of women and 14% of men reported mild to moderate depression or the possibility of major depression. Women showed higher anxiety scores than men. Coping strategies predicted both depression and anxiety, with self-blame being the most toxic one. The study showed that self-blame is a coping strategy that should be properly addressed in the couples at the very outset of IVF treatment, to decrease emotional disorders and increase the likability of a succesful IVF medical procedures.

Background: With the successful development and introduction of vaccines to protect against COVID-19 disease, the pandemic is expected to end. The success of a vaccination programme depends on the uptake rates in the Slovenian population and especially among healthcare workers (HCWs), who are at higher risk of infection. Recently, several studies have examined the readiness of different population groups worldwide to be vaccinated. This study compares COVID-19 vaccination intentions between lay people and HCWs, and relationships between socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 vaccination, and vaccination intentions reported in the early stages of epidemics. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an online survey was performed in Slovenia between 13 and 14 March 2020, when the epidemic was officially announced in the country. Data from 2,494 eligible respondents were analysed. Results: The study has shown that 33.2% of all respondents expressed the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 disease. This intention was expressed slightly more frequently among HCWs (38.9%) than among lay respondents (30.3%). Men compared to women, older and younger HCWs compared to middle-aged adults, and university graduates compared to HCWs with lower levels of education were more likely to get vaccinated against the disease. More HCWs than lay respondents believed that the COVID-19 vaccine would be safe and effective, and they were also more in favour to support vaccination of high-risk groups than mandatory vaccination of the general population. Conclusion: It is critical to communicate the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 appropriately and on a sound scientific basis through various health education programmes and the media, as only one-third of respondents and less than a half of HCWs indicated that they would be willing to get vaccinated once a vaccine is available.

Aim To analyze SARS-CoV-2 vaccination intention and acceptance in relation to the knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Poland. Methods In spring 2020, an online survey was distributed among HCWs by using snowball sampling. The questionnaire was fully completed by 623 respondents: 304 from Croatia, 86 from Slovenia, 90 from Serbia, and 143 from Poland. The survey collected data on demographic characteristics (age, gender, education), vaccination acceptance, and knowledge about COVID-19. Results A total of 31% of respondents declared their intention to be vaccinated when a vaccine against COVID-19 is available, and 45% were undecided. Vaccination intention was associated with age, educational level, and knowledge about the pandemic, and differed significantly among the countries. Younger HCWs (18-25 years) and those with higher education more frequently expressed vaccination acceptance. Vaccination acceptance score was not associated with gender. Conclusions HCWs with higher knowledge were more likely to express vaccination intention. Improving the knowledge about COVID-19 and increasing HCWs’ education might also increase vaccination acceptance among HCWs, and consequently in the general population.

The first large outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in Europe occurred in Northern Italy in February 2020. The relatively fast spread of the infection to Slovenia was expected, and preventive measures for its suppression were widely discussed.An online questionnaire was designed to evaluate adherence to preventive measures and the extent to which the taking of preventive measures was associated with people's anxiety level, psychological burden, their perceived vulnerability to disease, germ aversion and a number of demographic characteristics in the early stage of Covid-19 spread. The survey was active for 24 hours (13-14 March 2020). There were 12,307 responses and 7,764 questionnaires were completed in full.Higher preventive behaviour was found in individuals who experienced greater psychological distress, were more anxious, and expressed greater perceived infectability and germ aversion. Greater compliance with preventive behaviour was found among women, those sharing a household with people aged over 65, the elderly and those who knew somebody who had been infected. These groups also showed higher anxiety levels, which appeared to be significantly increased in general as a result of the specific situation. Quarantine was evaluated as the most efficient preventive measure, and was respected relatively strictly even before it became an officially announced protective measure.This research reveals a strong association between preventive behaviour and anxiety. Anxiety, together with social distancing, may affect physical and psychological health in the population in the long term. Other aspects of public health might therefore be influenced by the measures currently being enforced to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.Prvi večji izbruh koronavirusa SARS-CoV-2 v Evropi se je zgodil februarja 2020 na severu Italije. Ker sta Slovenija in Italija sosednji državi z relativno visoko stopnjo prehajanja meje, ki je še izrazitejše v času zimske turistične sezone, je bilo pričakovati razmeroma hitro širjenje okužbe v Slovenijo. V strokovni in laični javnosti se je razvila široka razprava o preventivnih ukrepih za omejevanje širjenja okužbe. Namen raziskave je bil v splošni javnosti oceniti izvajanje preventivnih ukrepov ter povezanost upoštevanja preventivnih ukrepov z doživljanjem situacije in nekaterimi demografskimi značilnostmi v zgodnji fazi širjenja covida-19 v Sloveniji.Anketni vprašalnik je vseboval sklope vprašanj o upoštevanju preventivnih ukrepov, mnenju o učinkovitosti preventivnih ukrepov, vprašalnik za oceno anksioznosti, samooceno psihološke obremenitve, vprašalnik za oceno dojemanja dovzetnosti za okužbo in averzije do potencialno kužnih predmetov ter demografske značilnosti respodentov. Spletni vprašalnik je bil razširjen preko elektronskih medijev z metodo snežene kepe. Raziskava je bila aktivna 24 ur (13. in 14. marca 2020). Odzvalo se je 12.307 respondentov, v celoti je bilo izpolnjenih 7.764 vprašalnikov.Posamezniki, ki doživljajo večjo psihično stisko, so bolj zaskrbljeni, se počutijo bolj dovzetne za okužbe in izražajo večjo averzijo do potencialno kužnih predmetov, v večji meri izvajajo preventivne ukrepe za preprečevanje širjenja okužb. O večjem upoštevanju preventivnih ukrepov so poročale ženske, osebe, ki živijo v skupnem gospodinjstvu s starejšimi od 65 let, starejši in tisti, ki poznajo koga, ki je okužen s SARS-CoV-2. Te skupine ljudi kažejo tudi višje stopnje anksioznosti, ki je bila v dani situaciji tudi na splošno znatno povečana. Karantena je bila ocenjena kot najučinkovitejši preventivni ukrep in respondenti so jo izvajali v velikem deležu, še preden je bila socialna izolacija uradno določena kot preventivni ukrep.Raziskava je pokazala statistično pomembno povezavo med preventivnim vedenjem in anksioznostjo ter drugimi vidiki doživljanja ob širjenju okužbe SARS-CoV-2. Anksioznost lahko skupaj s socialno izolacijo in pomanjkanjem socialnih interakcij dolgoročno vpliva na fizično in psihično zdravje, zato bo treba ukrepe za preprečevanje širjenja SARS-CoV-2, ki so bili uveljavljeni med epidemijo, obravnavati tudi v širšem kontekstu učinkov na javno zdravje.

Several preventive measures have been applied to limit the COVID-19 pandemic, including successful the development and introduction of vaccines. The aim of this study was to investigate adherence to preventive measures and vaccination intentions among nursing students in three European countries and the factors associated with vaccination intention and advising vaccination. A cross-sectional study using convenience/snow-ball sampling strategy was performed in Slovenia, Poland, and Serbia between 12 February and 5 March 2021. Data from 872 eligible respondents were analyzed (mean age 23.5 ± 6.5 years, 89% female). Higher adherence to preventive behavior was declared by those working in healthcare (p &lt, 0.001), engaged in COVID-19 departments (p &lt, 0.001), had not had the disease yet (p &lt, 0.001), and had children (p = 0.01). Those groups also expressed higher vaccination intention and advised vaccination to others. Higher vaccination intention and advising vaccination were mostly associated with belief in benefits of vaccine, trust in institutions, perceived effectiveness of vaccine, influence of social environment, protection of patients and perceived health care professionals’ duty. Fear of side effects and general refusal of vaccines are the main reasons for vaccination hesitancy. The results of the study indicate how higher education institutions can support the development of appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors among nursing students.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of abuse in healthcare system during pregnancy and its impact on pregnancy outcomes.Materials and methods: A validated sc...

Objective:To identify the prevalence of and to determine the risk factors for developing a fear of childbirth (tokophobia).Methods:We evaluated 191 pregnant women during Parenting and Childbirth Classes. Participants were approached when attending Parenting and Childbirth Classes between June 2014 and September 2014 and were asked to complete several questionnaires related to depression (CES-D), anxiety (STAI X1 and X2), satisfaction with life (SWLS), delivery expectation/experience (W-DEQ), and specific fears.Results:Most (90%) of the responders were nulliparous. As many as 75% of the participants reported low to moderate tokophobia, whereas 25% exhibited high or very high fear of childbirth. Pathological fear occurred in 1.6% of the participants. The most significant was the fear of having an episiotomy followed by fear of having no control on the situation and fear of pain. An association exists between a preferred elective cesarean birth and tokophobia.Conclusions:The results draw attention to the need for early detection and treatment of fear of childbirth. The data may help identifying women at risk that require prenatal psychological intervention.

Objective: To investigate the relationships among different forms of violence before and during pregnancy. Material and methods: An anonymous questionnaire (adapted NorAQ) was given to 1269 women after childbirth. Results: The response rate was 80% (n=1018). Different forms of violence were experienced by 46.9% of the women; 9.2% reported violence in pregnancy. Suffering from the consequences of violence was reported by 43.8% of the women; sexual (76.6%) and psychological (54.1%) ranked the highest. Past experience of any form of violence increased the risk of violence in pregnancy, violences experienced in adulthood even more than that in childhood [odds ratio (OR) 4.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7–6.5 vs. OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–2.9]. The onset of violence during pregnancy is rare. Violence was most frequently exerted by the intimate partner. Conclusion: Healthcare systems have access to most women of reproductive age, thus they have the unique opportunity to identify and adequately manage violence against women and its consequences.

The aim was to determine whether pregnant women conceiving through in vitro fertilization (IVF) differ from those conceiving spontaneously in terms of psychological well-being and the quality of life.In a prospective study we included 75 women conceived after IVF and 78 who conceived spontaneously in the same time period (control group). All the women were sent a self-report questionnaire about demographic and reproductive history, health, pregnancy concerns, containing Subjective Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Zung Self-Assessment Anxiety Scale (SAS); obstetric and newborn's data were obtained from medical records. Response rate was 66.6% in the IVF and 83.3% in control group.The mean women's age was 33.8 years in the IVF, and 32.5 years in the control group (NS). There were no significant differences between groups on the most of the outcome measures assessing psychological status. IVF mothers were just less satisfied in "friend/acquaintances" (P=0.03), a higher percentage had sexual problems prior to conception (P=0.03); the length of hospitalization during pregnancy was longer (P=0.02), and the preterm delivery rate was higher (P=0.01). Withingroup changes over gestation time indicated that IVF women, not controls, showed an increase in positive affect (P=0.04) and purpose in life (P=0.05).IVF women are inclined to social isolation. Despite more medical problems during pregnancy, they reported improved positive emotions and purpose in life as the pregnancy progressed.Namen študije je bil ugotoviti, ali se počutje in stopnja kvalitete življenja žensk, ki zanosijo s pomočjo postopkov oploditve z biomedicinsko pomočjo (in vitro fertilization - IVF), razlikuje od počutja in stopnje kvalitete življenja žensk, ki zanosijo spontano.V prospektivno študijo smo vključili 153 nosečnic; 75 žensk je zanosilo po IVF-metodi (IVF-skupina), 78 pa spontano v istem časovnem obdobju (kontrolna skupina). Odzvalo seje 66,6% žensk v IVF-skupini in 83,3% žensk v kontrolni skupini. Vsem je bil poslan anamnestični vprašalnik o biografskih in reproduktivnih podatkih, zdravstveni zgodovini in doživljanju nosečnosti, ki je vseboval tudi lestvico subjektivne kvalitete življenja (QLS), lestvico pozitivnih in negativnih čustev (PANAS), lestvico dobrega počutja (PWB), Beckov vprašalnik depresije (BDI) in Zinged vprašalnik anksioznosti (SAS). Podatke o porodu in novorojencu smo dobili iz porodnega zapisnika.Povprečna starost žensk v IVF-skupini je bila 33,8 leta in v kontrolni skupini 32,5 leta. Skupini se po psihičnem statusu žensk nista razlikovali v večini merjenih spremenljivk. Ženske v IVF-skupini so izražale le manjše zadovoljstvo s svojim socialnim življenjem (P=0,03), imele so več težav v spolnosti pred zanositvijo (P=0,03), odstotek hospitalizacij pri njih je bil višji (P=0,02) in tudi delež prezgodnjih porodov je bil višji (P=0,01). Testiranje sprememb znotraj skupin je pokazalo naraščanje pozitivnih čustev (P=0,04) in občutenja smisla življenja (P=0,05) z napredovanjem nosečnosti v IVF-skupini.Ženske v IVF-skupini težijo k socialni izolaciji. Kljub večjemu številu zdravstvenih težav pa se z napredovanjem nosečnosti krepijo njihova pozitivna čustva in občutenje smisla življenja.

Objective To investigate the quantitative and qualitative measures of the complex relationship between sexuality and the pregnant state. Methods An anonymous questionnaire [comprising the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire, the Evaluation and Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness (ENRICH) Marital Satisfaction Scale, scale of attitudes toward sexuality, the World Health Organization (WHO) Well-Being Index and the scale of body image] was given to 243 women during antenatal classes. Results We evaluated 200 primiparous women, with an average age of 30.5 years (range 21–44), at an average gestational age of 31.6 weeks (range 19–38). We found that sexual intercourse during pregnancy is less frequent and less satisfying compared to the pre-pregnancy period. Sexuality or certain aspects of sexuality (arousal and satisfaction with sexuality) are associated with the fear of hurting the fetus, satisfaction with intimate partner relationship, general attitude toward sexuality, physical self-image and general well-being. Women who are more satisfied with their intimate partner relationship are also more satisfied with their sexuality. Conclusion Sexuality and sexual well-being during pregnancy are associated with the fear of hurting the fetus, satisfaction with intimate partner relationship, attitude toward sexuality, physical self-image and general well-being.

The aim of the survey was to assess the differences in disclosure by the type of violence to better plan the role of health services in identifying and disclosing violence.A validated, anonymous screening questionnaire (NorAQ) for the identification of female victims of violence was offered to all postpartum women at a single maternity unit over a three-month period in 2014. Response rate was 80% (1018 respondents). Chi square test was used for statistical analysis (p0.05 significant).There are differences in disclosure by type of violence. Nearly half (41.5%) of violence by health care services was not reported, compared to 33.7% physical, 23.4% psychological, and 32.5% sexual that was reported. The percentage of violence in intimate partnership reported to health care staff is low (9.3% to 20.8%), but almost half of the violence experienced by heath care services (44%) is reported. Intimate partnership violence is more often reported to the physician than to the psychologist or social worker. Violence in health care service is reported also to nurses.Disclosure enables various institutions to start with the procedures aimed at protecting victims against violence. Health workers should continuously encourage women to speak about violence rather than asking about it only once. It is also important that such inquiries are made on different levels of health care system and by different health care professions, since there are differences to whom women are willing to disclose violence.Namen raziskave je ugotoviti razlike v razkritju nasilja glede na različne vrste nasilja, da bi lahko ustrezneje načrtovali vlogo zdravstvenih institucij v identificiranju in razkrivanju nasilja.Na Ginekološki kliniki v Ljubljani smo leta 2014 opravili raziskavo z naslovom Nasilje med nosečnostjo – NANOS. Prevod in priredbo vprašalnika The NorVold Abuse Questionnaire – NorAQ smo na poporodnem oddelku tri mesece v anonimizirani obliki ponujali v izpolnjevanje vsem ženskam po porodu. Vprašalnik je razdeljen v 9 poglavij, ima 101 vprašanje in obsega 11 strani. Odzivnost je bila 80-odstotna (1018 respondentk) Rezultati so bili obdelani s statističnim paketom SPSS (SPSS for Windows version 21, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, ZDA). Razlike med skupinami so bile testirane, upoštevajoč 95-odstotni interval zaupanja in statistično pomembnost pri p0,05.Rezultati kažejo na razlike v razkritju med različnimi vrstami nasilja. Podatki so pokazali, da približno tretjina žensk nikoli ne razkrije nasilja, ki ga doživljajo, in manj kot polovica tistih, ki o tem spregovorijo, razkrije celotno dogajanje. Manj kot polovico nasilja (41,5%) zdravstvenih delavcev respondentke niso prijavile, kar je višji odstotek kot pri drugih vrstah nasilja, kjer niso prijavile 33,7% fizičnega, 23,4% psihičnega in 32,5% spolnega nasilja. Zdravstvenemu osebju razkrije psihično, fizično ali spolno nasilje v intimnih razmerjih od 9,3 do 20,8% anketirank in 44% jih razkrije nasilje zdravstvenega osebja. Najpogosteje nasilje v intimnih razmerjih razkrijejo zdravnikom, psihologom in socialnim delavcem, nasilje zdravstvenih delavcev pa razkrijejo zdravnikom in medicinskim sestram. Najmanj posledic doživljajo zaradi nasilja zdravstvenih delavcev (posledice trpi 16,2%) in največ, če doživijo spolno nasilje (posledice trpi 55,3%). Pri spolnem nasilju tudi največ žensk ne razkrije nasilja, vendar zelo trpijo zaradi posledic (30,3%). Pomoč poišče manj žensk, kot jih trpi posledice nasilje. Pri fizičnem nasilju jih pomoč poišče le 10,9%, pri psihičnem 20,4% in pri spolnem 25%.Razkritje je ključno dejanje, ki omogoča, da različne institucije lahko sprožijo postopke zaščite žrtve pred nasiljem. Zdravstveni delavci bi morali kontinuirano (in ne le enkrat) spodbujati ženske, da spregovorijo o nasilju. Pomembno je, da o tem sprašujejo in k razkritju spodbujajo različni zdravstveni delavci na različnih ravneh zdravstvenega sistema. čeprav razkritje v zdravstvu ni pogosto, se ravno zdravstvo srečuje z vsemi ženskami, zato lahko pomembno vpliva na razkritje.

Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of elevated depression and anxiety among pregnant women and to examine its correlation with medical complications and socio-demographic characteristics. Methods. The study is based on a cross-sectional design of a sample of 348 women in three trimesters of pregnancy who received routine obstetrical care at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The responding women filled out a questionnaire on socio-demographic variables, the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale CES-D and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI. Results. 21.7% of pregnant women were identified as suffering from elevated depression symptomatology, 15.7% reported high state anxiety and 12.5% had high trait anxiety. No significant differences in depression and anxiety across pregnancy trimesters were found. The women who have suffered from health complications during previous pregnancies showed higher state anxiety; those experiencing complications during their current pregnancy reported more intense symptoms of depression and of state and trait anxiety than women free of complications. Less educated, lower income and mothers of many children in the third pregnancy trimester reported more intensive symptoms of depression and trait anxiety. Conclusions. Elevated depression and anxiety are frequent among pregnant women. The results draw attention to the need for early detection and treatment of depression and anxiety during pregnancy