Browsing by Author "Villerusa, Anita"

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    Association between frailty and fear of falling among the elderly in Latvia
    (2024-10-28) Bukova-Žideļūna, Aija; Villerusa, Anita; Spriņģe, Lauma; Baltmane, Diāna; Institute of Public Health; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology; Statistics Unit
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    Association between road safety habits and risky health behaviours in Latvian adult population
    (EDP Sciences, 2022) Bukova-Zideluna, Aija; Villerusa, Anita; Pudule, Iveta; Vilka, L.; Vike, J.; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
    The study examined the road safety habits of the adult population of Latvia in relation to risky health behaviours (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, no regular health check-ups at the family doctor). Data of Health Behaviour among the Latvian Adult Population for five consecutive surveys for the years 2010–2018 were analysed. Results: The use of seat belts has increased slightly – from 93.5% to 95.6% in the front seat of the vehicle, from 52.4% to 56.3% in the rear seat of the vehicle (p < 0,001). Of the 10,731 respondents, 30.8% (N = 3309; 95% CI 30.0–31.7) were daily smokers, 14.8% (N = 1593; 95% CI 14.2–15.5) had excessive alcohol consumption habits, 25.9% (N = 2779; 95% CI 25.1–26.7) had not visited their family doctor during the last year. Higher odds for seat belt use were observed among respondents without excessive alcohol consumption (OR = 2.1), non-smokers (OR = 1.5–1.8), and those, who had visited their family doctor last year (OR = 1.2–1.3). Multivariate regression analysis showed risky behaviour is an independent factor associated with road safety habits.
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    Augsta riska uzvedības psihoemocionālās determinantes 15 gadu veciem pusaudžiem Latvijā.
    (2018) Bezborodovs, Ņikita; Pudule, Iveta; Villerusa, Anita; Department of Psychiatry and Narcology; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
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    Clinical Utility of the Parent-Report Version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in Latvian Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Practice
    (2022-11-04) Bezborodovs, Ņikita; Kočāne, Arta; Rancāns, Elmārs; Villerusa, Anita; Department of Psychiatry and Narcology; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
    Abstract: Background and Objectives: Screening instruments can be crucial in child and adolescent mental healthcare practice by allowing professionals to triage the patient flow in a limited resource setting and help in clinical decision making. Our study aimed to examine whether the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), with the application of the original UK-based scoring algorithm, can reliably detect children and adolescents with different mental disorders in a clinical population sample. Materials and Methods: a total of 363 outpatients aged 2 to 17 years from two outpatient child psychiatry centres in Latvia were screened with the parent-report version of the SDQ and assigned clinical psychiatric diagnoses. The ability of the SDQ to predict the clinical diagnosis in major diagnostic groups (emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, and developmental disorders) was assessed. Results: The subscales of the parent-report SDQ showed a significant correlation with the corresponding clinical diagnoses. The sensitivity of the SDQ ranged 65–78%, and the specificity was 57–78%. The discriminative ability of the SDQ, as measured by the diagnostic odds ratio, did not quite reach the level of clinical utility in specialised psychiatric settings. Conclusions: We suggest the SDQ be used in primary healthcare settings, where it can be an essential tool to help family physicians recognise children needing further specialised psychiatric evaluation. There is a need to assess the psychometric properties and validate the SDQ in a larger populational sample in Latvia, determine the population-specific cut-off scores, and reassess the performance of the scale in primary healthcare practice.
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    Converging or diverging trajectories of mortality under one year of age in the Baltic States : a comparison with the European Union
    (2021-05-13) Genowska, Agnieszka; Strukcinskiene, Birute; Villerusa, Anita; Konstantynowicz, Jerzy; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology; Institute of Public Health
    Background: Information about trends in perinatal and child health inequalities is scarce, especially in the Eastern Europe. We analyzed how mortality under 1 year of age has been changing in the Baltic States and the European Union (EU) over 25 years, and what associations occurred between changes in macroeconomic factors and mortality. Methods: Data on fetal, neonatal, infant mortality, and macroeconomic factors were extracted from WHO database. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to analyze time trajectories of mortality over 1990–2014. We also investigated how the changes in health expenditures and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributed to the changes in mortality. Results: The reduction of fetal, neonatal and infant mortality in the Baltic countries led to convergence with the EU. In Estonia this process was the fastest, and then the rates tended to diverge. The strongest effect in reduction of neonatal mortality was related to the annual increase in health expenditure and GDP which had occurred in the same year, and a decrease in fetal mortality associated with an increase in health expenditure and GDP in the 4th and 5th year, respectively, following the initial change. Conclusions: These findings outlined convergences and divergences in mortality under 1 year of age in the Baltic States compared with the patterns of the EU. Our data highlighted a need to define health policy directions aimed at the implementation of effective intervention modalities addressing reduction of risks in prenatal and early life.
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    Correlation between driving-related skill and alcohol use in young-adults from six European countries : The TEN-D by Night Project
    (2011) Siliquini, Roberta; Bert, Fabrizio; Alonso, Francisco; Berchialla, Paola; Colombo, Alessandra; Druart, Axel; Kedzia, Marcin; Siliquini, Valeria; Vankov, Daniel; Villerusa, Anita; Manzoli, Lamberto; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
    Background: Only few studies with small experimental samples investigated the impact of psychoactive substances on driving performance. We conducted a multicenter international cross-sectional study to evaluate the correlation between alcohol use and driving-related skill as measured by brake reaction time (RT). Methods. Before and after the entrance into randomly selected recreational sites from six European countries, all subjects aged 16-35 years, owning a driver license, were asked to compile a structured socio-demographic questionnaire and measure RT (SimuNomad3 driving simulator), breath alcohol concentration (BAC; Drager Alcoltest), and drug use (Oratect III saliva test, only at the exit). Mixed regression modeling was used to evaluate the independent association between RT and alcohol concentration or drug use. Results: Before the entrance into the recreational site, 4534 subjects completed all assessments and composed the final sample. Their mean age was 23.1 4.2y; 68.3% were males; 54.7% had BAC > 0 g/L (assumed alcoholics); 7.5% declared illegal drug assumption (mostly cannabis). After the exit, 3019 also completed the second assessment: 71.7% showed BAC > 0 g/L. Controlling for age, gender, educational level, occupation, driver license years, and drug use, BAC was positively associated with RT, achieving significance, however, only when BAC was higher than 0.49 g/L. Significant interaction terms were found between BAC and female gender or drug use, with highest RTs (> 1 sec.) recorded among drug users with BAC > = 1 g/L. Conclusions: This field study confirms previous experimental data on the negative impact of alcohol use on driving-related skill, supporting regulations and educational campaigns aimed at discouraging driving after consumption of psychoactive substances.
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    Developing the model for cross-sectoral cooperation for promoting health and wellbeing
    (EDP Sciences, 2022-01-11) Vroblevska, Elīna; Gobina, Inese; Springe, Lauma; Bukova-Zideluna, Aija; Liniņa, Indra; Villerusa, Anita; Vilka, L.; Vike, J.; Politikas zinātnes katedra; Institute of Public Health
    In the rapidly progressing world where different sectors become more interconnected, cross-sectoral cooperation in health promotion lacks a specific set of instruments, navigating partners through the cooperation process in project implementation. Cross-sectoral cooperation is an everyday practice in business and has become an integral part of promoting health and wellbeing comprehensively and sustainably. In this paper, we propose a developed Model for cross-sectoral cooperation, which has been designed within the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project “Urban Labs for Better Health for All in the Baltic Sea Region” (Healthy Boost), aiming to boost cross-sectoral cooperation for health and wellbeing in cities and municipalities. The Model is developed based on literature research and self-assessment of cross-sectoral cooperation for health promotion in Healthy Boost partner cities and municipalities in Latvia, Poland, Russia, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Sweden. Composed of five major domains (risk identification, leadership, coordination, communication, and motivation) and four stages of cooperation (mapping, planning, implementation, and assessment), it provides a checklist of helpful questions for identifying solutions effectively and systematically. The Model can be used both as a navigational tool and as an “emergency” tool to manage cross-sectoral cooperation challenges successfully.
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    Estimation of body weight and stature in Latvian hospitalized seniors
    (2015-10-21) Balode, Aija; Stolarova, Anda; Villerusa, Anita; Zepa, Daina; Kalnins, Imants; Vētra, Janis; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology; Department of Physics; Department of Morphology
    Introduction. Weight and height are important measurements for many medical procedures. They are difficult to measure in bedridden patients. They can be estimated through equations based on anthropometric measurements generated in other countries, however their adequacy in different ethnical groups has been poorly studied. Objective. To confirm the adequacy of formulae suggested in literature and to develop weight and height predicting equations for Latvian hospitalized seniors which use a tapeline as only tool and include no more than one measurement require turning bedridden patient. Methods. Anthropometric measurements were taken from hospitalized seniors (≥65 years) admitted to the Gerontology Centre, Riga East University Hospital. Actual body height and weight were compared with their estimates calculated from Chumlea, Rabito, Bernal, Lorenz, Crandell equations. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to create weight and height predictive models. The estimated and actual values were compared through a paired sample t-test. Results. 223 hospitalized seniors, 169 women and 54 men, were assessed. There was no significant difference between actual and estimated mean weight by Rabito in females. The Chumlea formula estimated height in both genders. The Chumlea, Bernal underestimated, but Lorenz and Crandell formula overestimated the mean weight. The best weight predictive models which included only circumference measurements and no more than one measurement requiring to turn bedridden patients were 0.709*abdominal circumference +1.425* arm circumference (AC)+1.083*calf circumference (CC)-68.968, R2=0.962 for males and 0.853* hip circumference+ 1.405*AC+0.499*CC–79.355, R2=0.870 for females. The adjusted height formula was 76.146–4.961* gender-0.151* age+1.245* hemispan, R2=0.732. Conclusions. The suitable equations for the studied population body weight estimation were Rabito and Chumlea equations but for females only. The height was predicted by the Chumlea formula in both genders and by the Rabito equation in males. The best predictive body weight model which uses circumference measurements from which only one requires to turn bedridden patients were created and differed in females and males in the use of hip or abdominal circumference respectively. The height estimating equation which uses a tapeline as the only tool was adjusted for the study population. Validation of created equations is needed in a larger Latvian senior population.
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    A European study on alcohol and drug use among young drivers : The TEND by night study design and methodology
    (2010) Siliquini, Roberta; Piat, Simone Chiad; Alonso, Francisco; Druart, Axel; Kedzia, Marcin; Mollica, Antonio; Siliquini, Valeria; Vankov, Daniel; Villerusa, Anita; Manzoli, Lamberto; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
    Background. Young individuals are the age group with the highest risk of car accidents. One of main explanations relies on the use of psychoactive substances (alcohol, illegal and medicinal drugs), which are known to be major risk factors of road accidents, and whose consumption is almost universally more common among younger drivers. Although the correlation between psychoactive substances use and decrease in driving performance has been established in controlled experimental or laboratory settings, few studies were conducted in naturalistic circumstances. The TEND by Night project has been designed to evaluate the relationship between driving performance and psychoactive substances assumption in young drivers enrolled at typical places of consumption. Methods/Design. The TEND by Night project, endorsed by the European Commission, is a multidisciplinary, multi-centric, cross-sectional study conducted in six European countries (Italy, Belgium/Netherlands, Bulgaria, Spain, Poland and Latvia). The study population consists of 5000 young drivers aged 16-34 years, attending recreational sites during weekend nights. The intervention is based on the portal survey technique and includes several steps at the entrance and exit of selected sites, including the administration of semi-structured questionnaires, breath alcohol test, several drug assumption test, and measurement of the reaction time using a driving simulator. The main outcome is the difference in reaction time between the entrance and exit of the recreation site, and its correlation with psychoactive substances use. As a secondary outcome it will be explored the relationship between reaction time difference and the amount of consumption of each substance. All analyses will be multivariate. Discussion. The project methodology should provide some relevant advantages over traditional survey systems. The main strengths of the study include the large and multicentric sample, the objective measurement of substance assumption (which is typically self-reported), the application of a portal survey technique and the simultaneous evaluation of several psychoactive substances.
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    Internal communication within the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia
    (2021-10) Kursīte, Mirdza; Stars, Inese; Gobiņa, Inese; Spriņģe, Lauma; Villerusa, Anita; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology; Institute of Public Health
    Background Effective communication among health care providers is a key for responding to the rapidly changing health care needs, improving work efficiency, and ensuring patient safety, particularly during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores the communication-related experiences of healthcare professionals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia. Methods Semi-structured interviews with 7 chairman of healthcare facilities, 19 general practitioners, and 15 specialists were conducted from September to December 2020. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis revealed five themes related to internal communication among health care providers. The study was a component of the National research programme VPP-COVID-2020/1-0011. Results The 1st theme, ‘Initial chaos paralyzing the system', illustrated the disorderly format of delivering the information that created confusion and anxiety. The 2nd theme, ‘Overwhelming amount of information', revealed the challenge to process new information received daily and from various sources. The 3rd theme, ‘Decentralized decision-making' highlighted the lack of clearly communicated algorithms for specific patients' groups, leaving the decision-making to the health care providers. The 4th theme, ‘Collegial support of the peers”, emerged as a crucial coping mechanism and information channel, substituting for the lack of official information. The 5th theme, ‘Opportunity for growth', consolidated suggestions from health care professionals for improving internal communication in future. Conclusions Internal communication as experienced among healthcare professionals was overwhelming and insufficient at the same time. It created an environment promoting closer collaboration among different specialists and suggestions for necessary improvements. Key messages Understanding and perception of communication among health care providers in different healthcare system levels were central that affected the health care actions tackling the COVID-19 emergency. Effective communication within the healthcare system is critical during the pandemic. Messages should be clear, evidence-informed, and transparent for targeted action of the health care workforce.
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    Latvian health care competitiveness in relation to its infrastructure and available resources
    (EDP Sciences, 2018-12-31) Kokarevica, Anita; Villerusa, Anita; Behmane, Daiga; Berkis, Uldis; Cauce, Vinita; Berkis, U.; Vilka, L.; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Resources are one of the essential indicators for the functioning of the health care system. Better health care provision is an essential prerequisite for the export of services. Traditionally a competitive health care system is linked to a number of factors (price, quality, reliability, products and services) largely determined by the new technologies, innovations and implementation the new methods. The authors of this article analyzed and collected data from the European Commission Eurostat and OECD data. Current situation in health care in Latvia is characterized by populations’ restricted access to health care services, high out-of-pocket payments and poor health outcomes of the population. More than 10% of Latvian population can’t afford medical care. The ratio of public funding for healthcare in Latvia is among the lowest in EU countries. Latvia spends 5.3% (USD PPP 1217) of GDP on health, lower than the OCED country average of 8.9% (USD PPP 3453). Latvia is facing a dramatic gap between the availability of hospital beds and long term care beds and the lowest prevalence of general medical practitioners among all Baltic States 321.6 per 100 000. These mentioned factors may hinder the development of health care in Latvia and reduce the ability to participate in international health service market.
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    Well-being and functional abilities in nursing home and home living seniors in Latvia
    (EDP Sciences, 2018) Balode, Aija; Stolarova, Anda; Villerusa, Anita; Vetra, Janis; Berķis, Uldis; Vilka, Lolita; Rīga Stradiņš University
    The society in developed countries is aging. 1.5% of seniors live in nursing homes in Latvia. Aim: to compare functional abilities and wellbeing between nursing home and home living Latvian seniors. Methods: 280 home living seniors and 285 from nursing homes, age ≥ 65 years able to respond to questions and stand up were included in the study based on availability. They were asked to describe their well-being from very bad to very good. The functional abilities were assessed by hand grip strength, the ability to stand up without assistance, the dependence on caregivers (1 – independent, 2 – partly dependent, 3 – fully dependent), the use of walking device assistance devices. Results: The home living seniors could stand up without assistance of hands more often than nursing home residents (60.4% vs. 38.2%, p < 0.001). The handgrip strength was higher in the elderly community-dwelling women (0.3 (0.2–0.3) vs. 0.2 (0.15–0.2) Ba), p < 0.001. The nursing home residents were less often independent (62.8% vs. 83.9%, p < 0.001), more often partly dependent (30.2% vs. 14.6%, p < 0.001) and independent (7.0% vs. 1.4%, p = 0, 001) while performing activities of daily living. The nursing home residents had higher walking device assistance needs (mean rank 345.7 vs. 219.2, p < 0.001) and described their well-being as “good” more often (28.4% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.001) and less often as “bad” or “very bad” (18.9% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.048). Conclusion. The subjective well-being of elderly nurse home residents is better than of home living seniors despite having less functional abilities.