Health and sanitary habits of the Roma population in the municipality of Knjazevac

The Roma are a marginal group, insufficiently included in various segments of the social life. The life of the Roma after arriving to Europe was accompanied by various difficulties. Because of physical and cultural differences, the entire nation was subjected to stigmatization and discrimination. The aim of this study was to show health and sanitary habits of the Roma population in the municipality of Knjaževac. Materials and methods: the survey was carried out during March 2016 and it was anonymous. The research was conducted by Dr Dragan Mitrovic and Mrs. Ljubinka Simic (coordinator for the Roma population). The survey, consisting of 11 questions, was created by Dr Dragana Mitrovic, a resident at the Pediatrics. It covered 95 Romas from the Roma settlement in Knjazevac, aging 15-65. Random sampling was used. Results and Discussion: 95 Romas were surveyed, 49 (51.6%) were female and 46 (48.4%) were male. The respondents mostly had primary education, 49 of them (51.6%), followed by the illiterate, 34 (35.8%). 7 respondents (7.4%) had finished secondary school and 4 (4.2%) had finished vocational school, while one respondent finished faculty. 62 of the respondents (65.3%) were cigarette smokers while 70 (73.7%) responded that in their family there was at least one smoker. From bronchitis and/or asthma suffered 39 respondents (41.1%) and/or their family members. 66 respondents (69.5%) had indoor plumbing in their homes. 31 respondents (32.6%) answered that they have a shower once a week and other 31 (32.6%) answered that they have a shower once in two days, 28 of them (29.5%) took a bath every day, and 5 respondents (5.3%) answered that they take a bath 2-3 times per month. 56 (58.9%) of the surveyed Roma wash their hands after using the toilet, while 47 (49.5%) clean their teeth regularly using a toothpaste and a brush twice a day. Bad or extracted teeth had 76 Romas (80%). 53 of them (55.8%) were able to explain the meaning of the term 'contraception. A respondent with finished faculty education answered that he bathes every day, washes hands after using the toilet, brushes teeth regulary and has healthy teeth. Of all respondents with vocational education, 5 (71.4%) responded that they bathe every day, wash the hands after using the toilet and 2 of them (28.6%) responded that they bathe once a week. They all wash the teeth regularly, but 4 (57.1%) have bad or extracted teeth. The term 'contraception' was known to 5 respondents (71.4%). In population with primary education, 14 (28.6%) responded that they bathe every day, 15 (30.6%) every other day, 17 (34.7%) once a week, and 3 (6.1 %) 2-3 times a month. 27 of them (55.1%) wash hands regularly after using the toilet, 27 (55.1%) regularly and properly clean teeth, and 42 (85.7%) have bad or extracted teeth. The term ,,contraception' properly explained 31 respondent (36.7%) with primary education. 5 of the respondents with no education, illiterates (14.7%), responded that they bathe every day, 14 (41.2%) bathe every other day, 13 (38.2%) bathe once a week, while 2 (5.9%) bathe 2-3 times a month. 21 of them (61.8%) regularly wash hands after using the toilet, 8 respondents (23.5%) brush teeth regularly and properly, 29 (85.3%) have bad and extracted teeth, while 13 (28.2%) were able to explain the term 'contraception'.The largest number of respondents had elementary and the smallest number had higher education. From the obtained results we can see that the level of education influences the implementation of health and hygiene habits. With the increase of the levels of education, the frequency of implementation of the hygiene increases as well. Determining the health status of the Roma population, improving the realization of the their health care rights by monitoring the implementation of the health care laws, improving access to health care establishments for the Roma population, improvement of living conditions in Roma communities, involvement of Roma health mediators in health centers, improvement of sanitary and epidemiological conditions in Roma settlements, increasing mandatory immunization coverage, improving reproductive health and preventing chronic non-communicable diseases, as well as the sensitization and training of health workers to work with the Roma population, eradication of illiteracy, education encouragement, training and employment, the inclusion of Roma in all spheres of social life as equal members of communities should be the task of health care providers, educational and social institutions, local governments and state bodies.