Background: The perception of the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a well-researched phenomenon, but not in relation to cyberchondria and health literacy. Therefore, our aim was to examine the association between the assessment of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, cyberchondria, and health literacy. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in 2020–2021 in Croatia. The experimental group consisted of patients from the Centre for Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV (N = 134). The control group consisted of other patients recruited from daily epidemiological practices (N = 171). The instruments that were used were questionnaires that measure the perception of risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, health literacy, and cyberchondria. Results: Out of 305 respondents, 134 (43.9%) were in the STI counselling group, and 171 (56.1%) were in the control group. Generally, the participants in the former perceived the risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV to be higher (but still low) than those in the latter. There was no difference in health literacy between the STI and control group; the health literacy score was average in both groups. There were differences in almost all the cyberchondria factors, except for Mistrust. Health literacy, belonging to the STI counselling group, and risk behaviours were positively associated with CH in the logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: People with a risk for STIs tend to minimize this risk, have higher cyberchondria levels, and have average health literacy. Cyberchondria is positively associated with health literacy, and more education about excessive health-related internet research is needed.

Background: Fatigue can be a useful tool to understand the effects of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior on musculoskeletal health in university students. Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine gender differences in the relationships between fatigue and specific types and levels of PA, posture, sleep quality (SQ), and non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP) in young adult university students aged 18–25 years. A total of 180 students completed all required tests. Results: Female students had higher total fatigue as they generally engaged in more PA in contrast to male students, who had higher total fatigue when they engaged in less moderate and less vigorous PA. With increasing sedentary behavior, overall fatigue was pronounced in both sexes, although female students spent significantly more time sitting. Poorer SQ correlated with NS-LBP and higher levels of sleep-related fatigue in female students. Males with pronounced hypekyphosis and females with pronounced lordosis were more fatigued. In addition, fatigue was more pronounced in female students with a higher extensor/flexor ratio, suggesting that trunk extensors are more fatigued due to the need to maintain lumbar spine stability. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the choice of PA should be gender-specific to prevent chronic musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue in young adult university students.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate differences in functional recovery eight years after total hip arthroplasty in patients who underwent hip joint surgery using two different approaches: the classic lateral approach and the anterolateral minimally invasive surgical approach. Methods: Eight years after the hip replacement, 68 subjects, 32 in the classic and 36 in the minimally invasive group, underwent follow-up measurements involving the Harris Hip Score (HHS), range of motion, strength of the abductor muscles, 50-m walk time, body mass index (BMI), physical activity questionnaire, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain during general activities. Results: Higher HHS (p < 0.001), hip abduction (p < 0.001), and hip flexion (p = 0.018) range of motion values were obtained in the minimally invasive approach group. A correlation between physical activity (PA) and the hip abduction muscle strength in the classic group (r = 0.43; p = 0.011) and a correlation between PA and the HHS in the minimally invasive group (r = 0.34, p = 0.041) was found. BMI was correlated with the 50-m walk time in both groups (classical: r = 0.39; p = 0.027; minimally invasive r = 0.35; p = 0.030); meanwhile, in the minimally invasive group, BMI was negatively correlated with hip flexion (r = −0.37; p = 0.020). Conclusions: Eight years after total hip arthroplasty, performed using either an anterolateral minimally invasive or lateral approach, there was no difference in the patients’ functional outcome in relation to BMI. The minimally invasive approach benefits patients by granting them better functional abilities. A clinical difference was found in the HHS, in favour of the minimally invasive group.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common tumours and one of the leading causes of death among women in all parts of the world. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Nordic walking on the functional capacity of women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer. Methods: The study involved a cohort of women who exercised through Nordic walking for 10 weeks (from March to May 2022). The subjects trained with a licenced instructor (INWA method), with two training sessions per week of 70–80 min each. We collected information on pain, arm mobility, hand grip strength, shoulder joint range of motion bilaterally, circumference of both arms, body mass index, physical activity, aerobic capacity, and endurance. Results: There were 14 women, median age 63. BMI was significantly lower (28.9/28.1; p = 0.013) after training and a difference in shoulder range of motion was better (anteflexion right (142.5/170, p = 0.002), retroflexion right (40/60, p = 0.005), abduction right (135/180, p = 0.005), abduction left (135/180, p = 0.005)). There was no difference in right hand strength, while there was a significant difference in left hand strength (19/20, p = 0.007). A correlation was found between BMI and the six-minute walk test (r = −0.70; p = 0.005). Conclusions: Considering the multidimensionality of the disease itself and the results of this study, we believe that Nordic walking is a favourable and good choice of physical activity for breast cancer patients.

Background/Objectives: Distal radius fractures are common upper extremity injuries requiring reliable outcome measures for accurate clinical assessment. This study aimed to validate the Croatian versions of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and Mayo Wrist Score (MWS) in patients with distal radius fractures. Methods: DASH, PRWE, and MWS Croatian versions were evaluated in 128 patients using standardized translation, cultural adaptation, factor analysis, and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α). Results: PRWE-Cro and DASH-Cro demonstrated excellent validity and internal consistency (α > 0.95). QuickDASH-Cro showed high reliability and is recommended as a practical alternative. MWS was validated for the first time, showing good validity and acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.71). Conclusions: PRWE-Cro and DASH-Cro are validated, reliable instruments suitable for both clinical practice and research in Croatian-speaking populations while MWS can be used as a quick screening tool.