Publications

twenty years of human immunodeficiency virus infection in croatia--an epidemic that is still in an early stage.	croatia has a low-level hiv epidemic; 553 persons were diagnosed with hiv infection in the period 1985-2005. the principal mode of transmission was sex between men (40% of cases) and heterosexual contact (40%). only about 10% of cases were injecting drug users. testing data also suggest a low prevalence of hiv infection in croatia, even in vulnerable groups. behavioral data indicate risky sexual behaviors, with the clear need for interventions. national policy towards hiviaids is operated throug ...	2006	17508469
prevalence of moderate and severe depression among croatian patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.	the aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of depression among croatian patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) and to make a comparison with patients with other acute and chronic infectious diseases. we assessed the depressive disorder using the beck depression inventory questionnaire (bdi), without clinical confirmation. the bdi scores were examined in 80 hiv-infected persons and compared to 80 persons with chronic viral hepatitis and 78 with acute infectious diarrhea. ...	2006	17508480
characteristics of clients tested for human immunodeficiency virus infection at the voluntary counselling and testing center in zagreb, croatia.	the objective of this study was to present some epidemiological characteristics of persons tested for hiv/aids at the voluntary counselling and testing centre (vct) zagreb that was founded in november 2004. the majority of clients tested were between 25 and 29 years old and had a secondary level education. 78% of the clients tested reported one risky behaviour in the past, the majority of which was attributed to risky heterosexual behaviour (having unprotected sexual intercourse). 35% of the cli ...	2006	17508484
prevalence of chlamydial genital infection and associated risk factors in adolescent females at an urban reproductive health care center in croatia.	the study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of chlamydial genital infection in sexually active, urban adolescent females 15-19 years; to identify behavioral, demographic, and clinical factors associated with chlamydial infections; and to develop criteria for potential screening strategies. 500 adolescent women, median age 17.7 years, who visited gynecological outpatient clinic in children's hospital zagreb for different reasons were enrolled in this study. gynecological exam, colposcopy ...	2006	17508486
prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in zagreb, croatia.	we used respondent-driven sampling among men who have sex with men (msm) in zagreb, croatia in 2006 to investigate the prevalence of hiv, other sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviours. we recruited 360 msm. hiv infection was diagnosed in 4.5%. the seroprevalence of antibodies to viral pathogens was: herpes simplex virus type-2, 9.4%; hepatitis a, 14.2%; hepatitis c, 3.0%. eighty percent of participants were susceptible to hbv infection (hbs antigen negative, and no antibodies to hb ...	2009	18690533
phylogenetic analysis of hiv sequences obtained in a respondent-driven sampling study of men who have sex with men.	the presence of transmission clusters and their relationship to the recruitment chain were investigated in an hiv prevalence assessment survey using respondent-driven sampling among men who had sex with men (msm) in zagreb, croatia. hiv infection was found in 18 of 360 participants. five individuals belong to a transmission cluster of msm infected with phylogenetically related hiv. all were recruited in later waves (fourth to ninth), suggesting that the population is sexually networked.	2009	20001315
seroprevalence of blood-borne infections and population sizes estimates in a population of injecting drug users in croatia.	similar to some other central european countries, croatia has low hiv prevalence among injecting drug users (idus) but high hepatitis c (hcv) prevalence. this may indicate different patterns of risk behaviour in this region than in other parts of europe. the main objectives of this study were to assess the seroprevalence of hiv and hepatitis b and c and related risk factors among idus in the three largest croatian cities (zagreb, split, rijeka) and within the national prison system, as well as t ...	2010	20939261
treating patients with hiv and hepatitis b and c infections: croatian dental students' knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions.	dentists and dental students can be exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (hiv), hepatitis b virus (hbv), and hepatitis c virus (hcv) during routine work. the aims of this study were to assess a group of dental students' knowledge about hiv, hbv, and hcv infections; assess their attitudes and risk perceptions about the treatment of patients with hiv, hbv, and hcv; and identify factors associated with their knowledge and willingness to treat these patients. an anonymous survey was administe ...	2011	21828306