Introduction: High incidence rates in the population of the Russian Federation are among the key public health challenges and an important aspect of national security. The role of alcohol abuse in the development of physical diseases has not been fully determined yet.

Objective: To establish correlations between the volumes of retail sales of alcoholic beverages with more than 9 % alcohol by volume and incidence rates in the population of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the year 2020.

Materials and methods: We have analyzed the relationships between statistics on retail alcohol sales and incidence rates in the population of 84 constituent entities of the Russian Federation by the main disease categories in 2020 using a one-factor regression model, the Mann Whitney U test, calculations of odds ratios and a 95 % confidence interval. The differences were regarded as statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Study limitations: A statistically significant correlation between retail alcohol sales and incidence rates in the population is not convincing evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship.

Results: We established positive correlations between retail sales of alcohol beverages per capita and the incidence rates of all diseases (p < 0.001); malignant neoplasms (p < 0.001); respiratory diseases (p < 0.001); infectious diseases (p < 0.001); diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (p = 0.025); diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (p = 0.007); injury, poisoning and other consequences of external causes (p < 0.001); alcohol-induced mental disorders (p < 0.001), and cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.05 for the differences between the first and second quartiles).

Conclusions: Retail alcohol sales correlate statistically with the incidence rates in the population of the Russian Federation, thus necessitating better promotion of a healthy lifestyle as a way to reduce the burden of disease.

Introduction: Staffing of units and formations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation with healthy and physically strong conscripts is one of the important tasks of health authorities.

Objective: To establish health, lifestyle and quality of life indicators in citizens of draft age living in the Orenburg Region.

Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive quantitative study of data for 2010-2021 extracted from the records and reporting documents of military commissariats of municipalities of the Orenburg Region to determine the levels of neuropsychic stability and cognitive abilities of conscripts. We also carried out a survey of the quality of life indicators using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Questionnaire (MOS SF-36) and a special questionnaire-based survey of a random representative sample of men of draft age living in the Orenburg Region. Statistical and sociological methods of research were applied.

Results: In 2010-2021, the number of citizens of draft age decreased by 29.3 % while the proportion of those healthy and fit for military service increased by 14.4 %. Most of the conscripts were aged 18 to 20 years (80.3 %) and had secondary or vocational secondary education (71.8 %). The physical and mental components of their quality of life scored 91.9 and 87.9, respectively. The moral and business qualities were mainly characterized by good neuropsychic stability in 82.5 % and good cognitive abilities in 82.4 % of the conscripts.

Conclusions: The regional number of men fit for military service rose from 63.3 % in 2010 to 77.7 % in 2021, i.e. by 14.4 %. High quality of life indicators were observed in those subject to military conscription in the year 2021.

Introduction: Refractive errors are common visual impairments that can significantly affect academic performance and daily activities if left uncorrected. Understanding students’ perceptions and awareness of these conditions is crucial for promoting eye health and ensuring appropriate vision correction.

Objective: To determine perceptions and awareness of refractive errors amongst undergraduate students in Jordan.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted anonymously on 358 students. A structured closeended questionnaire was distributed to those studying in undergraduate courses in January March 2023.

Results: The questionnaire was administered to 358 participants of whom 188 (52 %) were male. We found that 173 respondents (48.3 %) were aware of surgery as a method of correcting refractive errors while 119 (33.3 %) were aware of contact lenses. Fifteen (20.2 %) said they did not use glasses because of having headaches, while 19 (25.7 %) believed it made no difference. On the other hand, 72 people (56.3 %) reported wearing glasses all the time, while 112 respondents (or 87.5 %) would like to try another method of eyesight correction. The participants’ attitudes were slightly negative towards the use of glasses.

Conclusions: Awareness of refractive errors was high as well as the awareness of various available methods of their treatment. The attitudes towards spectacle wear were found to be varying, thus showing the need of alternative treatment options for students.

Introduction: Combined with latent infection and elevated blood levels of low molecular weight chemical compounds, high academic workload can disrupt the balance of immune regulation in secondary school children.

Objective: To evaluate markers of immune regulation in secondary school children having excessive levels of academic pressure.

Materials and methods: The observation group consisted of 43 children attending a comprehensive school with in-depth study of subjects while the reference group comprised 93 children attending a typical comprehensive school. Blood concentrations of formaldehyde were measured using gas chromatography. CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD16⁺56⁺, CD19⁺, and CD8⁺ lymphocytes were determined using flow cytometry. Total IgE and IgG to the Epstein-Barr virus were tested using enzyme immunoassay, IgA, IgM, and IgG concentrations using the Manchini technique of radial immunodiffusion, and specific IgE antibodies to formaldehyde were detected using the allergosorbent test.

Results: Blood formaldehyde concentrations in the observation group were 11 and 3.1 times higher than the normal values and those measured in the reference group, respectively (p < 0.05). We found that the levels of CD3⁺ and CD19⁺ lymphocytes were increased in 20 %, and those of immunoglobulins A and G in 30 % of the adolescents from the observation group with a deficiency of up to 40 % in the number of NKT cells (p < 0.05). The production of IgG antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus in this group was significantly increased by 50 % compared to the reference group. We established the relationship between heavy academic workload and the intensity of immune response to the viral burden (OR = 6.17; 95 % CI: 1.64-11.10) against the background of simultaneously developing reaginic tissue damage (total IgE, х² = 4.48; p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A distinctive feature of neurohormonal changes in puberty in the context of a highly intensive educational process is not only the excessive stress, but also insufficient protection, high susceptibility of the body to infection, which increases the risk of developing conditions associated with imbalanced induction and regulation of the immune response.

Background: The southwest of Iran is among the most polluted regions worldwide. The health risks associated with air pollution are a global concern, specifically for the older population. Evidence on the impact of air pollution on older adults’ falling incidents has been rather overlooked. The present study thus seeks to examine how air pollutants affect the count of falling incidents, fear of falling, and imbalance in older adults.

Materials and methods: The present cross-sectional analysis examined all the older adults in the southwest of Iran (140,215 people) and their experience of falling, fear of falling, and imbalance and how these variables were associated with standard air pollutants. Statistical analyses were performed through linear regression, ANOVA, and the Post Hoc Tukey test in IBM-SPSS v.28 and JAMOVI v.2.4.5.

Results: The cities differed in terms of fear of falling; however, this difference was not statistically significant and did not impact the incidence of falls or imbalance among the elderly (p > 0.05). Shoushtar and Abadan were similar in terms of fear of falling, while Ahwaz was distinct from them. Among the studied pollutants, only SO₂, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ affected the fear of falling. Significant differences were observed throughout the seasons in SO₂, NO₂, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ in Ahwaz and Shoushtar and in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particulates in Abadan (p < 0.05).

Discussion and conclusion: Results showed that implementing health policies and taking environmental measures in favor of the vulnerable older adults residing in polluted regions such as the southwest of Iran would be necessary.

Background: In addition to carcinogenic and toxic properties, some metals can act as endocrine disruptors in small doses, when taken both separately and in combination.

Objective: To conduct a hygienic assessment of the relationship between the levels of endocrine-disrupting metals in drinking water and human hair and the incidence and prevalence of endocrine diseases.

Materials and methods: We did a cluster analysis of 41 municipalities of the Orenburg Region with the allocation of observation and reference areas based on disease rates and measured levels of disrupting metals. The contents of ten endocrine-disrupting metals (aluminum, iron, manganese, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, nickel, mercury, cadmium) in drinking water and eight trace elements in hair samples were assessed. We examined 41 and 46 people living in the observation and reference areas, respectively.

Results: In the observation area, the prevalence in the adult population was 1.4 times higher, the incidence was 1.7 times higher, and the pollution coefficients due to disrupting metals were 1.5-2 times higher than in the reference area. The priority endocrine-disrupting metals were lead, iron, cadmium, nickel, and aluminum. Hair levels of iron, manganese, lead, chromium, and cadmium in those living in the observation area exceeded the reference ones. Incidence rates of diseases of the endocrine system demonstrated a weak statistically significant correlation with the contents of cadmium, lead, iron, and aluminum. Hair levels of iron, copper, lead, cadmium, and chromium in the examined subjects correlated with the prevalence in children and adults.

Conclusion: The subjects living in the areas with a high incidence of endocrine diseases had higher hair levels of iron, copper, lead, chromium, and nickel compared to those living in the reference area. The positive correlations found in the “health status environmental factor marker of exposure” system require further research to identify patterns and cause-and-effect relationships.

Introduction: The issue of iron deficiency anemia remains relevant and a priority. Currently, it is diagnosed in 30 % of the world population. The analysis of its causes often disregards a whole number of factors affecting iron bioavailability.

Objective: To review publications on the iron intake with drinking water, its bioavailability, kinetics, and metabolism in humans.

Materials and methods: The search for Russian and foreign papers published in 1973-2024, with a preference given to those issued over the past 10 years, was performed in the Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, Springer, PubMed, Wiley, eLIBRARY, CyberLeninka, and StudMed databases using the following keywords: iron content and forms in water, chemical reactions, iron bioavailability and metabolism, synergism and antagonism of elements. Of 250 publications originally found, we selected 46 papers having excluded review articles and those noncompliant with the purpose of the review.

Results: We established that up to 44 % of dietary iron comes with drinking water. Low iron levels in drinking water and food products are among the factors contributing to iron deficiency anemia. Iron bioavailability depends on its form, valence, combined exposure to chelating compounds and other trace elements. Iron levels in humans are regulated by intestinal absorption, transport, storage, mobilization, and excretion. Some trace elements can compete for pathways of iron absorption. In the presence of their multitude, molecular mechanisms responsible for the absorption, transport and incorporation of iron into the heme structure can be disrupted.

Conclusions: The findings helped identify a number of factors contributing to iron deficiency in humans. We revealed a lack of epidemiological data on the causes of iron deficiency disorders in certain population groups related to drinking water of varied composition. Besides, the biochemical and kinetic mechanisms of absorption of organoiron compounds and the combined effect of trace metals on the metabolism of this element have not been fully established.

Introduction: Professional activities of preschool teachers are associated with a high degree of responsibility, neuroemotional stress, and a high probability of conflict situations. Within the concept of active longevity, current realities raise issues of health of the population in general and of this occupational group in particular in a new way. In this regard, the study of factors contributing to career longevity of preschool teachers is timely and relevant.

Objective: To identify health-promoting factors affecting the working life expectancy of preschool teachers.

Materials and methods: The data collected in 2022-2024 within the quantitative sociological survey (n = 190), the assessment of work ability index using the results of the periodic medical examination (n = 132), and the qualitative sociological survey (n = 28) served as the empirical basis of this article.

Results: Self-rated health of preschool teachers was satisfactory, good, and excellent in 60 %, 38.9 %, and 4.2 % of them, respectively. More than a third of the teachers (36.1 %) noted a negative impact of the specifics of work on their own health, while 27.8 % considered it neutral and 4.2 % found it to be positive. We identified the key health maintaining factors, which degree of influence on the well-being of preschool employees and their career longevity, including after the retirement age, was significant (on a 5-point scale): 1. Intensive (> 4.3 points) with low dispersion of opinions, that is, greater typicality in answers (lifestyle and physical activity, environmental conditions, and stress management); 2. High (4-4.2 points) with a low range of opinions (working conditions); and 3. Moderate (< 3.9 points) with a high range of opinions (health care availability).

Conclusions: Physical activity, good environmental and working conditions, psychological diversity, emotional release, and mandatory medical supervision were found to be the factors having a positive effect on the well-being of preschool teachers and their career longevity, including working in retirement.