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Psycho-socio-demographic determinants of anxiety among the young population in the Republic of Moldova

2026-06-09T14:39:33Z

Title: Psycho-socio-demographic determinants of anxiety among the young population in the Republic of Moldova Authors: Cărăruș, Margarita; Ferdohleb, Alina; Daniliuc, Natalia; Para, Marina Abstract: Objectives. Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders globally, with a significant impact on health and quality of life. The rising incidence, exacerbated by socio-economic factors and the pandemic context, underscores the need for adaptive prevention and intervention strategies tailored to current societal needs. Material and methods. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, involving a sample of 424 respondents, calculated using Cochran’s formula. Data were collected both online and offline using a questionnaire developed based on a narrative synthesis of the scientific literature. The instrument was validated using the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (ranging between 0.6 and 0.9). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS and MS Excel, employing appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests. Results. The sample consisted predominantly of young individuals (mean age = 22.25 years), mostly female (60.4%), and from urban areas (56.6%). The majority of participants were unmarried (70.8%) and lived with their parents (40.6%). Gender- and residence-related age distribution differences were observed. Higher anxiety-related quality of life impact scores was reported by females, individuals residing in urban areas, and participants over the age of 25. Conclusions. The findings indicate an increased vulnerability to anxiety based on sociodemographic characteristics, highlighting the need for targeted interventions aimed at high-risk groups. Description: This study was supported by the European multinational project “Phage treatment and wetland technology as an intervention strategy to prevent dissemination of antibiotic resistance in surface waters (PhageLand)” (project no. 22.80013.8007.1M). The authors are independent and take full responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the data analysis.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical students from middle-income countries regarding climate change: the case of Republic of Moldova

2026-06-09T13:58:54Z

Title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical students from middle-income countries regarding climate change: the case of Republic of Moldova Authors: Croitoru, Cătălina; Ciobanu, Elena; Balan, Greta; Ferdohleb, Alina Abstract: Objectives. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding climate change, its causes and consequences, and its impact on health among medical students in the Republic of Moldova. Material and methods. A quantitative study was conducted from September to March 2022. The study sample consisted of 606 medical students with an average age of 22.5 years, of whom 59.1% were women, in their 5th to 6th year of studies at Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy. A KAP (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) questionnaire with 30 questions was developed to assess the medical student’s perspective on the mechanism, consequences, causes, and awareness of climate change. Results. The research revealed that most respondents are aware of the causes of climate change. Medical students are less informed about the effects of climate change on health and the need to consult a doctor to adjust therapeutic plans in response to heat waves. Their attitude towards the need for mitigation measures to reduce the impact of climate change triggers and the need for behavioral changes is positive. They have more trust in information received from experts in the scientific field, and a smaller portion of respondents trust environmental organizations and media sources. Although many students know about the phenomenon and its impact, their practices do not align with the needs and guidelines. Conclusions. Training programs for medical students are necessary to increase their awareness of climate change, which can enhance their knowledge and shift their attitudes and practices. Description: This study was conducted with the financial support of the European multinational project “Phage treatment and wetland technology as an intervention strategy to prevent dissemination of antibiotic resistance in surface waters (PhageLand)” with project number 22.80013.8007.1M. The authors are independent and take full responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the data analysis.

The occurrence and removal of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes in the largest European constructed wetland at Orhei (Moldova)

2026-06-09T13:58:38Z

Title: The occurrence and removal of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes in the largest European constructed wetland at Orhei (Moldova) Authors: Wołącewicz, Mikolaj; Decewicz, Przemyslaw; Valdes, Maria Eugenia; Iaconi, Oana-Simina; Ferdohleb, Alina; Rodriguez-Mozaz, Sara; Borrego, Carles M.; Dziewit, Lukasz Abstract: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are increasingly promoted as low-cost, nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet their performance in removing pharmaceutical compounds, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and bacterial pathogens remains insufficiently characterized under real-field-scale conditions. Here, we investigated the fate of pharmaceutical compounds (including antibiotic residues), wastewater bacterial communities, and the associated ARGs in the largest European passive treatment system, the vertical-flow CW of Orhei (Moldova), serving nearly 26,000 inhabitants. Metagenomic profiling revealed 783 bacterial families, with a reduction from 33 families in raw sewage to 25 in the final effluent and clear enrichment of autochthonous wetland taxa. A total of 150 ARG types conferring resistance to 16 antibiotic classes were detected. The cumulative ARG load decreased by approximately 78% from influent to effluent. ARGs conferring resistance to fosfomycin, nitroimidazoles, rifamycins, streptothricin, oxazolidinones, and pleuromutilins were not detected in the final effluent, suggesting effective removal to below the detection limit of the applied metagenomic method, while sulfonamide resistance genes (sul1, sul2) persisted across all stages. Out of 29 antibiotic residues analyzed, 13 (including two sulfamethoxazole metabolites) were detected, together with 14 non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals (out of 30 residues analyzed). The removal of individual antibiotics ranged between 85 and 100%, and for other pharmaceuticals between 34 and 100%, although some compounds (e.g., carbamazepine, 10,11-epoxycarbamazepine, alprazolam) showed negative removals. Environmental risk assessment (risk quotients, RQ) indicated no significant risk to freshwater biota (RQ < 0.1) for all detected compounds in the treated effluent. Results demonstrated that a large-scale CW in the LMIC context can substantially reduce antibiotic residues and ARGs, supporting its role as an effective, nature-based component of One Health-oriented wastewater management. Description: The study was conducted within the framework of the JPIAMR project “Phage treatment and wetland technology as intervention strategy to prevent dissemination of antibiotic resistance in surface waters' (PhageLand) (JPIAMR2021-063).