Hygiena, 2026 (vol. 71), issue 3

One hundred years of Czech public health: renewal, resilience, and reform for the century ahead

Zsófia Pusztai, Katarzyna Czabanowska, Emilia Aragón de León, Eliška Selinger, Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):95-97 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1931  

Hepatitis C and screening results in marginalised communities of the Banská Bystrica region

Zuzana Jányová, Lucia Červená, Mária Belovičová

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):98-102 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1914

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyse awareness, attitudes, and risk behaviours related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in marginalised communities of the Banská Bystrica Region and to evaluate the results of anti-HCV screening. Methods: The study was conducted as an observational cross-sectional study in 2024–2025. A total of 400 respondents were included who conformed to prior criteria. The research included voluntary screening for antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) which comprised 278 participants by use of validated rapid diagnostic tests. The level of respondents' awareness of HCV was evaluated by a standardised questionnaire,...

Kombucha: history, composition, and health effects

Martina Nanjašová, Eva Králíková

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):103-107 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1920  

In recent years, interest in fermented products has been growing in the context of healthy eating, and kombucha is one of the most frequently discussed products. It is a fermented beverage made from sweetened tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast known as SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). Thanks to its high carbon dioxide content, it is lightly carbonated and has a mildly sour taste. The composition and taste may vary slightly depending on the preparation methods, both for homemade or commercially sold kombucha. We present an overview of the history, preparation, composition, and health effects of kombucha including possible...

Measurement of volatile organic compounds in the indoor environment of a school building

Anna Fűleová, Miroslava Mikešová, Věra Vrbíková

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):111-115 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1919

The article addresses the issue of the presence of organic compounds in the indoor environment of a school building, which may be responsible for nuisance odours and health problems experienced by students and teachers. The paper presents the results of measurements of volatile organic compounds in the indoor air of a renovated section of a primary school in Prague. The measurements, conducted in 2023, were carried out in response to complaints about a persistent odour following the renovation of one of the school pavilions. The results revealed elevated concentrations of higher aliphatic alcohols in the indoor air, particularly the total concentration...

Body care services. Part 3: Safe provision of body care services associated with tanning salon operation and breaching human skin integrity

Ivana Schwallerová, Eva Čehovská, Jana Derková, Jarmila Petříčková

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):116-118 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1930

The third part of this overview focuses on services that, from a health protection perspective, require a particularly thorough assessment of the client's health status - the operation of tanning salons and activities involving the breach of skin integrity, such as tattooing, piercing, or permanent makeup. The article highlights the health risks associated with UV radiation, describes both absolute and relative contraindications to tanning salon use, and emphasizes the importance of protection against potential long-term consequences, including skin cancer. At the same time, it summarizes the conditions for the safe performance of procedures that disrupt...

Preventive programmes in schools as a tool for health protection and promotion

Jitka Reissmannová

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):119-124 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1927  

This article presents selected prevention programs used in school settings and provides an overview of the activities of organizations that offer schools methodological and educational support in the area of health promotion and protection. It does not aim to provide a comprehensive overview, but rather focuses on examples of best practices that illustrate current opportunities for health promotion and primary prevention among children, adolescents, and young adults. It highlights a wide range of preventive programs, projects, instructional materials, and other educational activities that address the current health needs of target groups and provide...

Disinfection of contact surfaces in hospitals – why simply "wiping" a surface is not enough

Eva Drugová

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):108-109 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1928

Contact surfaces in hospitals represent a significant source of microorganism transmission; therefore, their regular and thorough disinfection is crucial in preventing healthcare-associated infections. However, studies show that often only a fraction of surfaces are disinfected correctly, whereas staff training, regular monitoring, and feedback can significantly improve compliance with procedures. The quality of disinfection can be verified using microbiological sampling, ATP tests, fluorescent markers, or direct observation, with adherence to the product's required contact time being equally important. Simple and effective solutions, such as disinfectant...

Legal news in the period 25. 6. 2026 – 10. 9. 2026

Eva Nekvindová

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):110  

45th Lukáš Day of industrial neurology and neurotoxicology

Redakce

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):109  

How to minimize the risk of introducing bed bugs while traveling

Redakce

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):110  

Public health reform in the Czech Republic

Redakce

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):125  

Increased incidence of hepatitis A since 2024

Redakce

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):125-126  

Movement is joy: BINGO! returns this year in a new format

Redakce

Hygiena 2026, 71(3):126