Medical University of Varna

About: Medical University of Varna is a education organization based out in Varna, Varna, Bulgaria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 1199 authors who have published 1273 publications receiving 32940 citations. The organization is also known as: MU-Varna & Higher Medical Institute of Varna.

Becoming a therapist in Bulgaria: A grounded developmental model

Abstract: Introduction: The relative novelty of psychotherapy as practice and profession in Bulgaria allows for a therapist-centered study of the beginnings of psychotherapist careers The existing models of psychotherapist career development focus on career factors or personal professional transformation The current study builds upon developmental career models by examining closely the early stages of becoming a psychotherapist through the perspectives of therapists themselves Aim: This qualitative study explored how psychotherapists and counselors in Bulgaria choose their career path and how their experiences and interaction with context shape their professionalization Materials and Methods: Ten therapists were purposefully sampled to represent a diverse gamut of experiences and therapy modality Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed via a phenomenological and a grounded theory approach Results: A developmental model with seven elements was produced: Early Influences, The Passage to Therapy/Encounter with Therapy, Creating One’s Own Concept of Therapy, Choice of Therapy, Training, The Responsibility of the Tutor, and The Self-Awareness as a Therapist Conclusion : The grounded model is compared to a factor model and a personal-professional development model for psychotherapy career choice Compared to their Western colleagues, Bulgarian psychotherapists follow similar pathways into the profession, but are more likely to engage in life-long learning

Ethnobotanical study of the impact of certain demographic indicators on the attitudes towards the use of medicinal plants among local population of the north Black Sea coast

Abstract: This study aims to explore the attitude of the local population of the North Black Sea coast area towards the use of medicinal plants and to evaluate the impact of demographic indicators such as gender, age, education and residence. The survey was conducted in the period April - June 2015 in various towns and villages, using face-to-face interview technique with random demographic selection of respondents. Pearson`s coefficient (r) was used for assessment of the impact of demographic indicators on respondents` answers. Survey results show that 96.85% have a positive attitude, and only 4.32% exhibit indifference. From the de­mographic characteristics, only gender and age have a moderate impact. Cross-link analysis reveals that with the increase of the age of males their positive attitude towards the use of medicinal plants also increas­es, while female ratio is not significantly changed. The share of indifferent respondents and those who are positive but do not use medicinal plants, for both genders, is greatest among respondents aged between 20 and 30 years. The local population of the North Black Sea coast area demonstrates a steady positive attitude towards the use of medicinal plants without outlining regional and local differences. A tendency of decreasing interest in medicinal plants among the younger generation is observed, which on its behalf is weakening the tradi­tional knowledge on medicinal plants and its continuity.

Types of caregivers

Abstract: Поради голямото многообразие от извършвани дейности, място на работа и квалификация, болногледачите са известни с различни наименования по света. Общото, което ги свързва, е полагането на подкрепящи грижи за болен или недееспособен човек. Те подпомагат работата на медицинския персонал и освен това са източник на подкрепа както за нуждаещите се лица, така и за техните семейства. Болногледачите изпълняват своите задължения с непрестанна всеотдайност и съпричастие към физическото и емоционално състояние на пациента. Работата им в домашни условия често е гаранция за поддържане на добрите взаимоотношения в семействата. Изпълнителите на подкрепящи грижи придобиват все по-голяма актуалност поради нарастващата необходимост от надежден човек, който да полага грижи за болен роднина, инвалид или дете в семейството. Настоящата статия разглежда разновидностите на тези здравни професионалисти и техните специфични задължения.

The Role of Cytomegalovirus in Congenital and Early Postnatal Infections in Northeastern Bulgaria.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Human cytomegalovirus is a ubiquitous, large enveloped DNA β-herpesvirus that, like other herpesviruses, establishes lifelong latency following primary infection. It is the most frequent cause of congenital, neonatal and early postnatal infections with long lasting sequelae. AIM The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of cytomegalovirus among a cohort of newborns and 1-3-month-old children with neurological symptoms, physical retardation, prolonged jaundice, thrombocytopenic purpura and other disabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of serological screening data for detection of specific anti-cytomegalovirus IgM and IgG in children from Northeastern Bulgaria. RESULTS Between 2003 and 2015, average prevalences of 18.8% (95% CI: 15.4 to 22.2) for anti-CMV IgM antibodies (suggesting acute infection) and 84.7% (95% CI: 81.6 to 87.8) for anti-CMV IgG antibodies were measured in a total number of 517 samples. The prevalence rate of anti-CMV IgM in 1-3-month-old children was 4-fold higher than that in newborns [25.8% (95% CI: 21.1 to 30.5) and 6.4% (95% CI: 2.9 to 9.9, respectively]. In contrast, no significant difference was found for anti- CMV IgG positivity between newborns and 1-3-month-old infants (84% and 85%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The data obtained strongly encourage screening of pregnant women for anti-CMV IgG and IgM to avoid transmission of the infection and severe complications of congenital infection.