Geographical Locations - Bosnia-Herzegovina

• (Statistical) Number of Inhabitants per Doctor:
• CIA World Factbook : Bosnia and Herzegovina

Organisations and Networks

UN and Multinational

• European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
• UNDP - Bosnia and Herzegovina
• UNHCR Representation in Bosnia & Herzegovina
• UNICEF Bosnia-Herzegovina
• WHO
  - WHO Country Profile - Bosnia and Herzegovina
  - WHO - Tobacco control: Country Profile - Bosnia and Herzegovina
  - WHO - Environmental Burden of Disease: Country Profile – Bosnia and Herzegovina
• WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO) in Copenhagen (Denmark)

Government

• Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Ministry of Health

Non-Government

• CARE USA Country Profile - Care USA's Bosnia and Herzegovina / Croatia profile provides a brief country description and information on CARE projects in the areas
• Partners for Development Where we work - Bosnia and Herzegovina - PDF's Mission is to work with vulnerable and underserved populations in developing countries to improve their quality of life. PDF's programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina is addressing local needs in the areas of health, agriculture, water and sanitation, veterinary health and credit.
• ReliefWeb - Countries -Bosnia and Herzegovina - ReliefWeb is the world’s leading on-line gateway to information (documents and maps) on humanitarian emergencies and disasters. An independent vehicle of information, designed specifically to assist the international humanitarian community in effective delivery of emergency assistance.
• Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina - BHSMI - The primary aims of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina include: the promotion and improvement of informatics within the health-care system, health insurance and bio-medical research; the engagement of experts in the field of medical informatics in B&H on development and establishment of health care information systems; assistance in research, development and professional work in the field of medical informatics in B&H and the distribution and development of technical information in the field of medical informatics in B&H.
• Survivor Corps in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Created by and for survivors, Survivor Corps empowers individuals and communities affected by landmines to recover from trauma, reclaim their lives and fulfil their rights.
• Swiss Development and Cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Swiss Development Cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to support the ongoing transition process by seeking to achieve: Self-determined reform of political institutions; Sustainable development of the economy; An equitable and participatory society.

Academic Institutions

• University of Sarajevo

National Policy and Related Documents

Reports, Guidelines, and Projects

• Bosnia and Herzegovina Health Profile 2003
  This profile has been produced by the DFID Health Systems Resource Centre as one element of a project undertaken in 2003 by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the OpenSociety Institute (OSI), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the United Nations Children’s Fund Regional Office for the CEE/CIS Baltic States.
• Community-acquired urinary tract infections by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-producing strains in the community-acquired urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which is necessary for antimicrobial therapy selection. From January 2003 to September 2004, 4,112 consecutive, non-duplicate coliform isolates from CAUTIs were analyzed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to fifteen antimicrobials was performed by disc-diffusion method. Double-disk synergy test (DDST) with amoxicillin-clavulanat, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and aztreonam, and Etest strips with PM/PML (AB Biodisk) was performed according to CLSI recommendation in order to detect the ESBL producers. The overall incidence of ESBL producing strains was 2.6% (108/4112), it was significantly higher in males, 8.4% (79/936) than in females, 0.9% (29/3176). The highest prevalence of ESBL producers was noted in the oldest and youngest age group: 4.8% (52/106) and 2.6% (27/1045), respectively. An increase from 2.2% (52/2402) to 3.3% (56/1710), and a shift of ESBL producers toward the age group 0-6 years (1.6% and 3.8%, respectively) in this period was observed. The incidence of ESBL producing strains among isolated Klebsiella spp. were 7.8% (83/1060), E. coli 0.7% (18/2561), Citrobacter spp. 0.6% (1/156), Enterobacter spp. 7.7% (3/39) and Proteus spp. 1.0% ( 3/297). Among ESBL producing isolates Klebsiella spp. predominated, 76.9% (83/108), followed by E. coli 16.7% (18/108). ESBL producing strains showed significantly higher resistance rates to all tested antibiotics as compared to to non-ESBL-producers. The increase and shift toward the youngest age group of the ESBL producer incidences is of our concern. Further studies are required to detect ESBL types in terms of highly different geographical dissemination of these isolates. [author abstract] [Medicinski glasnik, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp.46-52, August 2006]
• External Evaluation of the National Immunisation Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  "This draft paper outlines the terms of reference for the planned external evaluation of the National Immunisation Programme including Expanded Programme Immunisation (EPI) project. It has been drafted with contributions from all of the partners involved and will be further modified in consultation with the selected consultant and partners in the evaluation. The evaluation will take place in September/October 2000." [UNICEF, November 2000]
• Health Care Systems in Transition: Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002
• Health Sector Advancement Project for Bosnia Herzegovina
  "The Health Sector Enhancement Project for Bosnia and Herzegovina aims at improving overall results for non-communicable diseases as measured by proxy indicators and: (i) enhance health system efficiency through restructuring and strengthening of primary health care along the family medicine model; and (ii) strengthen the policy making process through the development and implementation of a system for monitoring and evaluating health sector performance..."
• Health Status of Population in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 15 Years of Transitional Period
  War in Bosnia and Herzegovina lasted from 1991 to 1995 and resulted in profound consequences marked by the large number of victims, increase in the diseases and disorders prevalence, that were not common before it occurred. The effects it had on health status of the entire population was reflected through many negative demographic trends, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the spread of a number of unhealthy behavioral patterns and a lot of migrations. All this presents a problem for institutions of health system which are attempting to control these negative influences especially during the transition period, marked by the direct adverse consequences of the 1991–1995 war. The present paper presents a summation of various sources which are attempting to provide a synthetic overview and provide basic information in relation to the health status of the population, and also to provide a baseline evaluation for deployment of public health interventions. [author abstract] [Coll. Antropol. 34 (2010) Suppl. 1: 325–333]
• Mobbing, Stress, and Work Ability Index among Physicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Survey Study
  Aim: To assess the frequency of reported mobbing and the association among mobbing, working environment factors, stress, health outcome, personality type, and work ability index in a sample of physicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Method: We conducted a questionnaire survey using a validated self-reported questionnaire among 511 physicians in national health sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The questions covered five major categories of mobbing behavior. Characteristics of the work, perceived work environment and its effects, stress, health, and satisfaction with work and life were assessed by the standardized abridged form of Occupational Stress Questionnaire (OSQ). A standardized questionnaire Work Ability Index (WAI) was used to determine the relation between mobbing and work ability. Results: Of 511 surveyed physicians, 387 (76%) physicians self-reported mobbing behavior in the working environment and 136 (26%) was exposed to persistent mobbing. More than a half of the physicians experienced threats to their professional status and almost a half felt isolated. Logistic regression analysis showed that lack of motivation, loss of self-esteem, loss of confidence, fatigue, and depressiveness were significantly associated with lack of support from colleagues. Intention to leave work was associated with lack of support from colleagues (OR 2.3, 95% CI, 1.065-3.535; t = 4.296, P = 0.003) and lack of support from superiors (OR 1.526, 95% CI, 0.976-2.076; t = 5.753; P = 0.001). Isolation or exclusion and threats to professional status were predictors for mental health symptoms. Persistent mobbing experience was a significant predictor for sick leave. Conclusion: Exposure to persistent threat to professional status and isolation or exclusion as forms of mobbing are associated with mental health disturbances and lack of self-esteem and confidence. Setting up a system of support for physicians exposed to mobbing may have important benefits. [author abstract] [Croat Med J. 2006; 47: 750-758]
• Outpatient antihypertensive drug utilization in Canton Sarajevo during five years period (2004-2008) and adherence to treatment guidelines assessment
  Hypertension is chronic disease with high prevalence, which can successfully be treated with antihypertensive drugs. Previous researches have shown that existing hypertension treatment guidelines are not fully implemented in practice. We have analysed antihypertensive drug utilization in Canton Sarajevo during five-year period (2004-2008). Research findings are discussed in relation to expected drug utilization according to Canton Sarajevo treatment guidelines. Objective of this research is to examine prescription patterns of antihypertensive drugs in primary health care in Canton Sarajevo during five-year period. Based on study findings we did an estimation of adherence to local treatment guidelines, which are similar to those published globally. Drug utilization data were collected from the largest pharmacy (retail) chain, representing more than 80% of pharmacies in Canton Sarajevo. Following drug groups have been analyzed: diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel-blockers, ACE-Inhibitors (plain and combinations), Angiotensin-II-antagonists and alpha-blockers. Drug utilization is expressed in number of defined daily dose (DDDs), defined daily dose per thousand inhabitants per day (DDD/TID), drug utilization 90% (DU90%) and value in euros. ACE-Inhibitors are most prescribed drug class; combination of ACE-Inhibitors and diuretics account 46% of total antihypertensive budget spending. ACEIs are followed by calcium-channel-blockers. Diuretics utilization is decreasing from 2006 and being replaced with beta-blockers. Diuretics, recommended as first line therapy, are ranked as third in total antihypertensive drug utilization. It is necessary to introduce follow-up and enforce adherence to developed treatment guideline. Drug utilization studies can be used as tool for assessment of treatment guidelines adherence in primary health care. [author abstract] [Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 2011; 11 (2): 97-102]
• Reconstruction planning in post-conflict zones: Bosnia-Herzegovina and the international community
  This doctoral thesis by Tigran Hasic... "attempts to catalogue and discuss the tasks involved in the process of reconstruction planning by establishing a conceptual framework of the main issues in the reconstruction process. The case of Bosnia and Herzegovina is examined in detail..."
• Stategy [sic] for prevention and combat against domestic violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina for period of 2009 – 2011 – Working translation
  "[This] Strategic Plan has 6 basic goals: encompassing legislation, to network professional services, educate and sensitize professionals and public, develop a common multidisciplinary mode of work in preventing and protecting from domestic violence, create a common data base and a common SOS hotline used for reporting on cases of domestic violence." [Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, and the Gender Equality Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina]

Educational Resources

• CDC - Travel Information : Eastern Europe and the NIS