Journal of Health Sciences
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The role of Kinesio taping in enhancing functional performance among patients with musculoskeletal impairments
Get PDFIntroduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, often resulting in pain, loss of function, and reduced quality of life. Kinesio Taping (KT) has been proposed as a supportive, noninvasive technique to enhance rehabilitation outcomes by improving neuromuscular activation, proprioception, and circulation. This research aims to evaluate the effect of KT on upper-limb functional improvement in patients with MSDs undergoing standard physiotherapy.
Methods: This prospective interventional study included 57 participants divided into a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy and an experimental group receiving additional KT. Functional status was assessed using the Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) at 3 time points: before therapy, mid-treatment, and after therapy. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and multiple linear regression.
Results: At baseline, the KT group had significantly lower functional scores (median 24.0, Interquartile Range [IQR] 19.0–27.0) than controls (median 35.0, IQR 25.0–47.0; p = 0.02). During treatment, both groups improved, but the KT group demonstrated faster functional recovery (p = 0.033). At completion, both groups achieved similar UEFI scores; however, the total functional gain was nearly twice as high in the KT group (21.5 vs. 12.5 points). Relative improvement reached 90% in the KT group compared with 36% in controls. Regression analysis confirmed that KT application was a significant predictor of upper-limb functional improvement (β = 0.552, p = 0.002).
Conclusion: KT significantly accelerates upper-limb functional recovery and enhances rehabilitation outcomes when used as an adjunct to physiotherapy. Its simplicity, safety, and cost-effectiveness make it a valuable addition to standard musculoskeletal rehabilitation
Development and validation of a work quality questionnaire in medical biochemistry labs
Get PDFIntroduction: Medical biochemical laboratory professionals play a critical role in diagnostics, research, and patient care, performing complex tasks that require extensive knowledge, professional attitudes, and adherence to best practices. Understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is essential for improving laboratory performance, ensuring quality, and enhancing patient outcomes. Despite the importance of quality control systems and international standards, the existing literature reveals a lack of validated instruments to assess KAP among laboratory professionals. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive questionnaire targeting key domains of laboratory practice, with the goal of identifying operational gaps and guiding future interventions.
Methods: The questionnaire was developed through a four-phase process: Literature review, item construction, questionnaire distribution, and validation. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency testing and factor analysis to ensure reliability and validity.
Results: The final instrument, titled KAP of Laboratory Professionals on Standards and Work Quality Systems, comprised 73 items across six domains. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.673, indicating moderate but acceptable internal consistency. The questionnaire effectively identifies gaps in KAP related to quality control in medical-biochemical laboratories. Its results can support laboratory managers in recognizing areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing service quality and patient outcomes.
Conclusion: This descriptive and analytical study presents a validated and reliable tool for assessing KAP regarding standards and quality control systems in medical-biochemical laboratories. Its application can guide targeted interventions to address deficiencies and strengthen practices in laboratory medicine
Job satisfaction among nurses in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Get PDFIntroduction: Job satisfaction of nurses is an important indicator of the safety and quality of healthcare and professional efficiency. Its level directly affects employee motivation and patient satisfaction. It is determined by financial and organizational factors, job content, and interpersonal relationships. The aim of this research is to assess the level of job satisfaction among nurses in public health institutions in Canton Sarajevo and to identify the factors that shape job satisfaction in this professional group to the greatest extent.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2025 on a sample of 504 nurses. The job satisfaction survey questionnaire was used to collect data. The overall score was classified into dissatisfaction, ambivalence, and satisfaction, and the associations with sociodemographic and work characteristics were assessed with the Chi-square test (p < 0.05).
Results: Almost half of the respondents were dissatisfied with their job (47.6%), whereas 38.5% reported ambivalent attitudes and 13.9% were satisfied. Job satisfaction was significantly associated with length of service, compatibility of work with education, management function, working hours, type of institution, psychological job demands, and income level (p < 0.05). No statistically significant associations were found with gender, age, marital status, number of children, level of education, or job changes (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Job satisfaction among nurses stems from job content and relationships, and dissatisfaction from financial and organizational factors. Priority measures include fair valuation of work, clear reward systems, and development support to improve healthcare outcomes
Anatomical localization and histological gradation of colorectal cancer in General Hospital Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2013-2022 period
Get PDFIntroduction: Carcinomas of the right and left sides of the colon are considered different types of cancer due to their different carcinogenesis, epidemiology, pathology and prognosis. Although several studies have described the prevalence and incidence of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in the different colonic segments, more epidemiologic data are still needed to better understand the implications and relationship to sociodemographic and clinical variables. The aim of this study is to determine the anatomic location and histologic grade of CRC, to investigate the differences in patient gender and age, and to determine the correlation of gender and age with the anatomic location and histologic grading of CRC.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted covering the period from January 2013 to December 2022. Demographic data (gender and age), histological type and anatomical location of the tumor were observed. The study included all patients in the observed period with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) at different anatomical locations and with different grades of histological staging. All patients had adenocarcinoma. Patients were divided into four age groups based on their gender (20-40 years, 41-55 years, 56-65 years and over 65 years old). Tumors of the colon ascending to the splenic flexure are defined as tumors of the right side, and distal to the splenic flexure as tumors of the left side of the colon.
Results: A total of 183 patients were included in the study. Patients were between 38 and 82 years old, with a mean age of 64.3 ± 8.9 years. No statistically significant difference was found in the proportion of anatomical localization of CRC (p > 0.05). The most common anatomical location of CRC over the 10-year period was found to be the rectum 42.1% and the ascending colon 14.2% and transverse colon 13.1%, with no statistically significant difference in cancer incidence between the right and left sides of the colon. Histologic grade II was predominant in 57.4% of patients. A moderate negative correlation was found between age and histologic grade of CRC (r = −0.067), with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was found in the anatomical localization of CRC between the right and left side of the colon. Histologic grade II CRC was the most prevalent. A moderate negative correlation was found between age and histologic grade of CRC
Effectiveness of intradialytic muscle stretching exercise onmuscle cramps among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Oman - A randomized controlled trial
Get PDFIntroduction: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) typically exhibit symptoms of the “uremic” syndrome and lower quality of life. Intradialytic muscle stretching exercise has been proposed as a method to improve activity levels by reducing uremic symptoms. In Oman, hypertension and diabetes increase the risk of ESRD, the sixth leading cause of death. ESRD patients in Oman require more dialysis, straining healthcare financial burden.
Methods: A pre- and post-test randomized controlled trial was conducted at the tertiary hospital in Oman, involving 78 individuals (n1 = 39 and n2 = 39). The study included demographic data and a muscle cramp questionnaire chart.
Results: In the third observation, the intervention group experienced less pain in hour III (p = 0.012) and hour IV muscle cramps (p = 0.004). Heart disease was associated with 2nd-h muscle cramps (p = 0.032). Prior cramp episodes were significant, whereas 2nd-h cramp patterns were not (p = 0.079). The timing of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-h muscle cramps was associated (p = 0.006, p = 0.02, p = 0.01). Coping evaluations in the 3rd and 4th h were associated (p = 0.003, p = 0.313).
Conclusion: Intradialytic stretching exercise may serve as a non-pharmacological treatment for maintenance hemodialysis patients. This low-risk, cost-effective method has the potential to improve patient care, reduce symptoms, hospitalization rates, and enhance physical and mental performance
The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-15: Validity, reliability, and factor structure of Croatian version
Get PDFIntroduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system that results in a wide range of clinical manifestations including sexual dysfunction (SD) and impaired sexual health. The aim of this study was to assess the validity, reliability, and factor structure of the MS Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-15 (MSISQ-15) in Croatian-speaking patients.
Methods: Participants were 90 patients with MS participated in the study, including 50 women and 40 men (44 ± 13 years). The MSISQ-15 was utilized as the instrument, with its Croatian version developed using the forward-backward translation. Descriptive analysis was performed on the data. Reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s α and test–retest analysis. Pearson’s correlation was examining the relationship between the total scale and the SD subscales. Construct validity was evaluated with exploratory factor analysis.
Results: The mean for the total scale and its primary, secondary, and tertiary SD subscales were 33.39 ± 12.06, 12.05 ± 5.36, 11.22 ± 4.51, and 10.12 ± 5.39, respectively. The total scale demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.94). Each SD subscale exhibited high internal consistency (α = 0.84-0.92). The intra-class correlation for the SD subscales and the total scale was between 0.95 and 0.97. There was a strong relationship between the total scale and the SD subscales (r = 0.76-0.93). Bartlett’s test of sphericity indicated a high and significant correlation (χ2 = 939.94, p < 0.001). The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure is 0.87. The factors extracted accounted for 65.90% of the total variance, with factor loadings ranging from 0.61 to 0.84.
Conclusion: The Croatian MSISQ-15 version has demonstrated validity, reliability, and factor structure in assessing health-related quality of life in Croatian-speaking patients
Return to sports activity following combined reconstructionof anterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral ligament
Get PDFIntroduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasingly common among young people, especially active athletes. This study aims to retrospectively assess long-term results following ACL and anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction, with a focus on rehabilitation, return to sports activities, patient satisfaction, and the impact of ALL and ACL injury on the s’ daily life and sports activities.
Methods: The study included 140 patients treated at the Day Surgery Unit of the “Sveti Duh” Clinical Hospital. All participants underwent ACL and ALL reconstruction.
Results: The median Lysholm score for respondents with combined ALL and ACL injuries was 72 (range 8-100), compared to 79 (range 36-100) for those with isolated ACL injuries. A total of 63.6% of respondents resumed their sport after surgery and rehabilitation, while 5% completely ceased participation. The ACL-return to sport after injury scores, which measure the psychological response after injury, indicated no significant differences in psychological readiness to return to sports depending on the type of injury. Overall, 62.9% percent of respondents were fully satisfied with their rehabilitation outcomes, while 3.6% expressed limited satisfaction.
Conclusion: Although knee function was significantly impaired in patients with combined ACL and ALL injuries, 62.9% of all respondents reported being satisfied with their rehabilitation outcomes. Among those with combined injuries, 36.4% expressed confidence in returning to their pre-injury level of athletic activity.
Dietary differences in health sciences students
Get PDFIntroduction: The impact of nutrition on human health has become a central topic in modern research. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and olive oil, has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of non-Mediterranean diets, particularly among students, remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine differences in the dietary habits of health sciences students in two cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar and Sarajevo) and Split, Croatia.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between February and November 2024, including 473 students (Mostar: 125, Sarajevo: 230, Split: 118). Dietary habits were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s chi-square test, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Students from Split showed significantly higher adherence to Mediterranean dietary habits, including greater consumption of vegetables (p = 0.009), fish (p = 0.035), legumes (p = 0.036), and tomato sauce (p = 0.022). Students in Sarajevo reported the highest intake of sugary drinks (p < 0.01), while those in Split consumed the least margarine and cream-based fats (p = 0.003). No significant differences were found in fruit consumption.
Conclusion: Given the importance of diet in preventing chronic diseases, targeted nutrition education programs are needed to promote healthier eating habits among students. Future research should explore the underlying causes of these dietary differences and their long-term health implications
Breast self-examination for prevention and early detection of breast cancer: Insights into knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Sarajevo University female students
Get PDFIntroduction: Breast cancer represents a global public health challenge, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to a lack of awareness and insufficient practice of breast self-examination (BSE). This study aims to assess and compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of female students regarding BSE in the context of breast cancer prevention and early detection.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2023 and included 151 female students from the Faculty of Health Studies and the Faculty of Economics and Business University of Sarajevo. The research instrument was a modified questionnaire based on an existing questionnaire from previous research and adapted to the objectives of this study.
Results: The results showed that almost all participants were familiar with BSE, with no significant differences between faculties. Students from the Faculty of Health Studies were more likely to report knowing the right time for BSE (45.1%), while students from the Faculty of Economics and Business were more uncertain and relied more on information from the internet. The main reason for not performing the BSE was a lack of knowledge about the correct technique, which was most frequently stated by economics students. Nevertheless, the majority of participants (91.4%) recognized BSE as an important method for early detection of breast tumors, highlighting the need for further education to strengthen practical skills.
Conclusion: The study found that although most students are aware of the importance of BSE, regular practice is low, mainly due to uncertainty about the correct technique. The results of this study show that there is a need to integrate targeted educational programs into university curricula and health promotion campaigns to reinforce preventive behaviors
Ventricular fibrillation leading to sudden cardiac arrest in an asymptomatic child with left axis deviation and anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery
Get PDFAnomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare heart defect present at birth. In this condition, the left coronary artery, which normally comes from the aorta, instead starts from the pulmonary artery. This abnormal connection can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, causing damage like heart attacks and increasing the risk of serious heart rhythm problems or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Diagnosis is made through imaging studies, and treatment often involves surgical correction to restore normal coronary circulation. The prognosis of ALCAPA largely depends on the age at which it is diagnosed and the timing of treatment. Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes. This case report presents a 11-year-old girl, who is an athlete, with late presentation of ALCAPA syndrome in the form of ventricular fibrillation leading to SCA. She had no previous symptoms, the electrocardiogram showed no abnormalities except for left axis deviation and the several echocardiograms showed no enlargement of the left ventricle, with possible big right coronary artery. ALCAPA has been confirmed by computed tomography coronary angiographyscan. Child was surgically treated by coronary artery transfer for ALCAPA with satisfactory outcome. The implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator is still under consideration