OJS (University St. Kliment Ohridski)
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PATIENT SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG HEALTH-RELATED STUDENTS: AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Full text linkIntroduction: Patient safety is an important component of the healthcare system, aiming to prevent and reduce some risks, errors and harms that occur to patients during the provision of healthcare services. As future healthcare workers, students in health-related fields play very important role in ensuring patient safety. Their awareness and understanding of patient safety principles are important in creating a culture of safety that extends from education into clinical practice. Methods: This research used a cross-sectional survey designed to assess patient safety awareness among students in the healthcare fields. The methodology was designed to collect quantitative data on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the students related to patient safety and to identify factors that influenced their understanding and reporting of errors. For this research, it was developed a structured questionnaire for evaluating various aspects of patient safety awareness. Results: Spearman\u27s rank correlation was used between the perception of the students about their education and their comfort in reporting errors is as follows: SK: 0.488, p-value: 0.0046. The correlation coefficient (0.488) shows a moderate positive correlation between the perceptions of the students for being adequately prepared by their education and their comfort in reporting errors. The p-value of 0.0046 defines the statistically significant correlation. Training is positively correlated with teamwork, communication, and involving patients in their care, suggesting that students with training recognize the importance of these factors in reducing errors. Conclusion: This research gives information about the role of education, training and practical experience for patient safety awareness among students in the health-related fields. The results showed that while most students possess basic understanding of patient safety principles, some gaps remain in their comfort with reporting errors as well as their perceptions of teamwork and communication as important components of error preventio
THE WEDDING OF GALICNIK - MACEDONIAN TRADITION WITH WORLDWIDE PRESENTATION ON YOUTUBE
Full text linkGalicnik is a mountain village located in the Municipality of Mavrovo and Rostuše and one of the oldest ones in this region “Lower Reka” (“Mijačija”). It is distinguished by its beautiful natural landscapes, authentic architecture and rich cultural heritage. A recognizable mark of the folklore in Galicnik is the wedding ceremony, which took place in the summer, usually during the village\u27s celebration of St. Peter\u27s Day in July. At this central annual event, the people welcomed their migrant workers and newlyweds got married. At one time, there were up to 50 weddings in one day, which contained several unique customs specific to this ethnographic region. Since 1963, due to the emigration of the village, the wedding ceremony has grown into a cultural and touristic manifestation, in order to maintain the tradition and attract thousands of domestic and foreign guests to this event. The wedding is supported by the president of the country and several sponsors, but this fusion of tradition and tourism is also sustainable through its media representation. This paper will focus on the Internet, which is a modern and most used medium that offers unlimited and massive promotion of materials to millions of worldwide users. The Galicnik wedding on the Internet is represented through many published articles, but the video recordings will be the subject of interest in this research. On the most popular Internet platform YouTube were registered more than 200 videos from this tradition, with various content and different time periods and all of them will be presented through a detailed analysis. On this way will be pointed out the function of YouTube as a promoter and educator of the Macedonian cultural heritage, which is of great importance in today\u27s society when people massively rely on digital technologies
ESG IN LIVING LABS: CORPORATE CO-CREATION FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
Full text linkDespite the increased interest in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks, companies face challenges in translating these commitments into impactful, community-centered, and scalable initiatives. This study explores the transformative potential of Living Labs—collaborative spaces for testing and refining innovations—to serve as an effective platform for incorporating ESG principles into corporate practices, resulting to meaningful sustainability outcomes. With the aim to investigate how living labs enable companies to co-create sustainable ESG projects with diverse stakeholders, fostering measurable environmental and social impact. The study takes a qualitative approach, examining ESG-focused Living Labs in Europe and Southeast Asia. Thematic analysis of ESG as a concept in Living Labs and reviews of project outcomes are used to understand how co-creation within Living Labs advances corporate ESG goals. Findings reveal that ESG initiatives developed through co-creation in Living Labs yield stronger stakeholder engagement, transparency, and scalability. Involving local communities, NGOs, and government entities in the design and implementation phases, companies achieve not only verifiable sustainability outcomes but also build trust and accountability in their ESG practices. Living Labs also provide companies with an environment to test and improve initiatives before wider implementation, effectively mitigating risks. The study concludes that Living Labs offers a dynamic and replicable model for companies aiming to advance ESG goals in diverse contexts. By embedding co-creation into their sustainability strategies, companies can make valuable contributions to sustainable development, offering a pathway for systemic change through responsible and inclusive innovation
THE ROLE OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDITS IN STRENGTHENING FOOD SAFETY: A CASE STUDY IN A SLAUGHTERHOUSE
Full text linkGiven that meat is a highly susceptible medium for microbiological contamination, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system has been mandated as a legal requirement in our country’s food safety regulations since 2008. However, the effectiveness of HACCP implementation hinges on consistent validation and verification, which are critical for maintaining high standards of food safety. This study aims to assess the impact of verification tools—specifically, successive internal and external audits (first- and second-party audits)—on the effectiveness and continuous improvement of the HACCP system in a slaughterhouse setting. Over a three-year period, data were collected from a slaughterhouse in the Pelagonia region, where both lambs (sheep) and cattle were processed, producing chilled meat (carcasses/halves) and chilled or frozen offal. The internal audit identified only one nonconformity related to pest control protocol compliance, which was subsequently addressed by implementing corrective actions, including pest removal, area disinfection, and changes in baiting materials to prevent future infestations. In contrast, the external audit found no instances of nonconformity. The findings of this study, supported by current literature, underscore that auditing serves as a critical tool for enhancing HACCP system performance and achieving the highest levels of food safety in meat production
EVOLUTION IN THE CONSTRUCT OF GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS IN BHUTAN’S FIVE-YEAR PLANS
Full text linkThe Thirteenth Five Year Plan of Bhutan (2023-2028) emphasised rebalancing of Gross National Happiness (GNH) which prioritised economic growth, prompting this paper to study the evolution of GNH in Bhutan’s Five Year Plans. In this context, the paper looked into how GNH has evolved since the implementation of the First Year Plan in 1961. The Five-Year Plan documents were analyzed and the findings revealed that in the earlier Five Year-Plans from 1961-1971, there was an emphasis on economic growth. However, from 1971-2008 the Plans witnessed great emphasis on ecological conservation efforts. The Five-Year Plan from 2008-2023 associated GNH with economic growth and accommodated political manifestos of the democratically elected governments while focusing on ecological conservation. The most recent Five Year Plan (2023-2028) sought to rebalance GNH prioritizing economic growth. Thus, the study of Five Year Plans revealed that GNH has evolved over the years indicating the dynamic nature of GNH as it adapts to Bhutan’s changing needs
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN IN PERSONS WITH CERVICAL SYNDROME: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Full text linkCervical syndrome, characterized by chronic neck pain and functional impairments affects quality of life. This review aimed to assess the determinants of quality of life and the effects of physical treatments in managing chronic neck pain. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE and Elsevier databases, selecting studies published between 2010 and 2023 based on the PICOS criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated with Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Twenty-nine studies analyzing interventions such as stabilization exercises, McKenzie techniques, Pilates and Feldenkrais methods were reviewed in this study. The results indicated that physical treatments reduced pain intensity and improved quality of life, with combined physical and psychological therapies seeking superior outcomes. However, considerable heterogeneity was observed in pain reduction (I² = 65%) and quality-of-life improvement (I² = 72%), and methodological limitations were noted, especially regarding blinding and comparability. This review focus on the effects of physical treatments for chronic neck pain while accenting the need for standardized protocols and integrated therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes
SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING STATIONS, BIRD WATCHING AND ECOTOURISM IN NORTH MACEDONIA
Full text linkEcotourism has the potential to positively develop the tourism sector in the Republic of North Macedonia. It emphasizes the protection of the environment, nature, and related resources. In addition to traditional tourism, ecotourism can serve as an additional source of income for the country. This type of tourism promotes the preservation of all ecosystems, including water, soil, air, and the cultural heritage of specific regions. Globally, various activities promote ecotourism, one of which is birdwatching. Birdwatching can be directly linked to the creation of supplementary feeding stations, which serve as a wildlife conservation measure and an ecotourism activity. The research problem addressed in this paper focuses on the protection of wildlife, particularly vultures, which are protected species of great importance to biodiversity. The research objectives include analyzing the current situation of wild bird feeding stations in the country and proposing measures to improve the situation while developing ecotourism in this domain. The methodology employed in the study involves content analysis, including an evaluation of legal regulations, domestic and international experiences, and best practices in wild bird conservation. Additionally, the authors conduct field visits to assess the potential for ecotourism development and feeding station implementation on-site
LOOP-MEDIATED ISOTHERMAL AMPLIFICATION METHOD - PERSPECTIVE TOOL IN VETERINARY MEDICINE
Full text linkIn veterinary medicine, rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial for early therapy application, disease dissemination and animal and public health prevention. On the other hand, developing countries are challenged with implementing modern diagnosis methods and expensive equipment. This review should provide consensus in formation about the Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method and its application possibilities in veterinary science. Different assays and variations of LAMP have evolved through the years in distinct sectors such as: animal husbandry, food safety and sustainable food systems, and primarily as a diagnostic tool for the rapid detection and identification of several etiological agents significant to veterinary medicine. The method relies on nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) amplification followed by specific sequence detection. For this purpose, both clinical and environmental samples are considered. In particular, animal blood, urine, feces, tissue, and swabs are processed adequately. The main advantage of LAMP over conventional molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is its simplicity of performance. As an isothermal method, LAMP is carried out in a constantin cubation temperature (around 60 oC), which excludes the usage of complex and expensive equipment. In addition, due to high amplification efficiency, the end point results are provided in a shorter time (30-60 minutes). This gives a possibility to be easily employed in low-budget laboratories. Furthermore, the LAMP method and its variations are preferred because of the high sensitivity of the assay and there liability of the results. Also, LAMP assays have shown acceptable specificity which underlines the importance of the method to be introduced as a routinely used one
REVIEW: ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL INDICATORS FOR HEAT STRESS ASSESSMENT IN DAIRY CATTLE
Full text linkClimate change, the increase in global surface temperature and extreme changes in weather patterns, presents substantial difficulties for farm animals. A main issue is heat stress, which happens when environmental conditions go beyond the thermoneutral zone, hindering animals\u27 ability to release extra body heat. Dairy cattle are seen as highly vulnerable to heat stress because of their elevated metabolic heat production. Under heat stress, dairy cattle encounter alterations in their welfare and health that affect their reproductive and reproductive performances. Hence, climate change has enormous impact on dairy cattle farming as a major source of global food production. To maintain the isothermal condition, animals employ several physiological and behavioral mechanisms in order to dissipate heat. The pathophysiology of heat stress and its impact on various organs and organic systems has been studied extensively in dairy cattle in recent years. Understanding the effects of heat stress on animals, including environmental factors, physiological and behavioral responses, and pathophysiology, is crucial for creating successful strategies to safeguard them. The goal of this paper was to provide an overview of the most recent information on the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) as a commonly used indicator of environmental heat stress, and on physiological and behavioral responses as indicators of heat stress in animals. The complexity of these two indicators was an incentive to compile and summarize the most recent papers comprehensively, and provide them as a resource for future research in various fields
INTEGRATING RESTORATIVE JUSTICE WITH SUSTAINABILITY
Full text linkThis research paper investigates how restorative justice can promote sustainability and prevent recidivism while prioritizing victim reparation and inclusion, focusing on its potential impact on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, which pertains to peace, justice, and inclusive institutions. The study employs secondary data collection to analyse existing literature, case studies, and relevant data sources to evaluate the efficacy of restorative justice methods. The findings indicated that restorative justice prioritizes victim-centred processes, offender accountability, and community engagement, which improved victim well-being and a reduction in recidivism rates. The methods of Encounter, Repair and Transform were identified as essential components for setting up meaningful communication between victims and offenders, addressing the inflicted harm, and promoting community reintegration. The research highlighted that justice aids equitable access to justice for all, including marginalised populations, while cultivating accountable and inclusive institutions. By addressing the root causes of crime and promoting social inclusion, Restorative justice contributes to sustainable peace and development. The study concluded that empirical evidence supports the notion that restorative justice practices can effectively meet the objectives of SDG 16, reinforcing the interconnectedness of justice, peace, and inclusion