Adolescence and young adulthood are critical periods for sexual initiation with implications for lifelong sexual and reproductive health. This study assessed the prevalence of sexual activity and risky sexual behavior among individuals aged 15–24 years in Serbia and examined their sociodemographic, health-related, and behavioral correlates. A nationwide cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 Serbian National Health Survey (EHIS-wave 3). The final analytical sample included 777 participants aged 15–24 years. Sexual intercourse experience was analyzed as the primary outcome, while risky sexual behavior, defined as the presence of at least one prespecified high-risk sexual practice, was assessed as a composite outcome among sexually active respondents. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Overall, 51.6% of participants reported sexual intercourse experience, and 20.9% were classified as having risky sexual behavior. Sexual activity was significantly associated with age, marital status, employment, smoking, and alcohol consumption (p < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, age group and marital status remained significant independent correlates of risky sexual behavior. Among sexually active participants, risky sexual behavior was significantly associated with age group and marital status in the adjusted model, whereas sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, education level, and employment status were not statistically significant predictors. HIV-related knowledge was high (84.2%) but was not associated with risky sexual behavior. Conclusions: Sexual activity and risky sexual behavior are common among young people in Serbia and are significantly associated with sociodemographic characteristics, particularly age and marital status. The findings highlight the need for targeted, age-appropriate, and behaviorally oriented sexual and reproductive health interventions that address broader sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants of sexual risk.

Background/Objectives: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and represents a major public health challenge in Serbia. Continuous monitoring of mortality trends is essential for evaluating progress in cancer control and identifying population groups requiring targeted interventions. This study aimed to analyze temporal trends in mortality from all malignant neoplasms in the Republic of Serbia during the period 2000–2021 using Joinpoint regression analysis. Methods: A population-based descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using mortality data for all malignant neoplasms (ICD-10: C00–C97) obtained from the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut”. Mortality trends were analyzed according to sex and age groups. Crude mortality rates, age-specific mortality rates, and age-standardized mortality rates (ASR) based on the Segi world standard population were calculated. Temporal changes were assessed using Joinpoint regression analysis, including annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). Results: Between 2000 and 2021, a total of 448,391 deaths from malignant neoplasms were recorded in Serbia, including 254,988 deaths among men (56.9%) and 193,403 among women (43.1%). The mean age-standardized mortality rate was 135.2 per 100,000 population, with substantially higher rates among men than women (196.9 vs. 105.3 per 100,000). The highest number of deaths occurred among individuals aged 70–74 years, whereas the highest age-specific mortality rates were observed among those aged 80–84 years. Joinpoint regression demonstrated an overall significant decline in age-standardized mortality (AAPC −0.31%; p<0.001). Among men, mortality increased from 2000 to 2008 (APC +1.17%) followed by a significant decline until 2021 (AAPC −0.48%; p<0.001). Among women, mortality increased between 2000 and 2008 and subsequently declined; however, the overall trend remained stable (AAPC +0.03%; p=0.698). Conclusions: Although age-standardized cancer mortality in Serbia showed a gradual decline between 2000 and 2021, malignant neoplasms remain a substantial public health burden, particularly among older adults and men. Persistent sex differences and slower improvement among women indicate the need for targeted prevention strategies, strengthened screening programs, earlier diagnosis, and equitable access to cancer care.

Background and Objectives: This study examined changes in hearing handicap and quality of life following hearing amplification in older adults and associations of hearing aid outcomes and healthcare communication satisfaction with post-amplification quality of life. Materials and Methods: This prospective, multicenter study included 117 adults aged over 60 years with bilateral severe sensorineural hearing loss and no previous hearing aid use. Hearing handicap, quality of life, hearing aid outcomes, and healthcare communication satisfaction were assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), WHOQOL-BREF, International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), and a 12-item communication satisfaction measure, respectively. Results: Hearing amplification was associated with significantly reduced hearing handicap and improved quality of life across all WHOQOL-BREF domains (p < 0.01). Healthcare communication satisfaction also improved significantly (p < 0.001). Better hearing aid outcomes were associated with higher post-amplification quality of life across all domains, remaining independently associated after adjustment for baseline quality of life and participant characteristics. Greater healthcare communication satisfaction was positively associated with all quality-of-life domains but remained independently associated only with social relationships after adjustment. Conclusions: Hearing amplification was associated with reduced hearing handicap, improved quality of life, and greater healthcare communication satisfaction. Better hearing aid outcomes were independently associated with higher quality of life across all domains, whereas communication satisfaction was independently associated only with social relationships. This finding warrants caution given the lower internal consistency of that domain.