The master‘s thesis deals with the issue of weak points of the distribution network in a municipality with high numbers of photovoltaic sources. Photovoltaic power plants are gradually being added to the current state of the electric power distribution network of a specific municipality, while changes in the network are being monitored. Due to the output of the highest possible power from the sources into the distribution system in compliance with the established rules, the thesis also describes network modifications. These established rules of connection and operation of resources in the distribution network and effects of injecting disturbances in the low voltage network are discussed in the theoretical part of the thesis.

Drug injection is an increasingly important risk factor in the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, including the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of social network factors on HCV and HIV. The study was grounded in social network theory and sought to determine whether social network characteristics affect high-risk sexual and drug injection behavior as well as self-reported HIV and HCV status. The study design was a quantitative cross-sectional survey. A total of 181 participants in a needle exchange program completed a survey in Spanish assessing individual drug and sex risk practices as well as gathering information to describe the characteristics of participants' personal networks from an egocentric perspective. General estimating equation techniques were used to analyze the data. Results showed that only social network size was related to risky sexual behavior. Injecting risk behaviors were only impacted by personal network exposures, measured by the average number of years network members had injected. HIV self-reported serum status was correlated with trust, closeness, and number of family members named among the closest 5 network members. Last, HCV self-reported serum status was only related to the years that network members had been injecting drugs. This study has implications for positive social change in that public health practitioners may gain a better understanding of the social network characteristics associated with high-risk behaviors of those infected with HCV and HIV in order to develop health promotion programs to lower infections and mortality.

Univerzita Karlova v Praze 1. léka ská fakulta Studijní program: Specializace ve zdravotnictví Studijní obor: Adiktologie Bc. Ond ej Sklená Závislost na jehle u injek ních uživatel drog v R Needle Fixation among injecting drug users in Czech Republic Diplomová práce Vedoucí práce: PhDr. Josef Radimecký, Ph.D., MSc. Praha, 2014 Abstract of the thesis Background: The importance of injecting drug use and its frequency among Czech problem users of illegal drugs appears to be high. At the same time the risks associated with this method of application and the risk of transmission of infectious diseases and other health complications are described in numerous publications and it is a compelling reason why we should give more attention to the theme of needle fixation. Finally, complications during substitution therapy associated with the transition from injecting drugs to another method of substitution substances administration are also common. Author of the thesis therefore asked the question whether in relation to injecting drug use could play a role in creating a strong addiction and other facts besides therefore widely known arguments as the quickest and most effective method of administration of drugs to the human body thanks to the injection. The aim of this work is to get better understanding of "needle...

There is increasing concern about hepatitis C virus (HCV) and potential HIV transmission among ethnic Vietnamese injecting drug users (IDUs) in Australia. To date ethnic and cultural differences in vulnerability to blood-borne viruses (BBV) have received little attention and few studies have attempted to explore the role of cultural beliefs and values in influencing injection risk behaviour. This study aimed to systematically explore the cultural beliefs and behavioural practices that appear to place ethnic Vietnamese IDUs at increased risk of BBV infection, identify barriers to this group accessing health and preventive programs, and document antibody HIV and HCV prevalence and associated risk behaviours. The first component of the research consisted of an ethnographic study designed to explore underlying explanatory models of health and illness employed by Vietnamese IDUs and identify cultural influences on risk behaviours and vulnerability to BBVs. These data were subsequently used to inform the development of the instrument used in the second component ??? a cross-sectional survey and collection of capillary blood samples designed to assess risk behaviours and antibody HIV and antibody HCV prevalence. Analysis of data from both components indicates that cultural beliefs and practices influence risk-taking and health-seeking behaviours and suggests pathways through which this influence occurs. Relevant cultural characteristics include those pertaining to spiritual and religious beliefs, the role of the family and traditional Vietnamese family values, cultural scripts of self-control and stoicism, the importance of ???face??? and non-confrontational relationships, trust and obligation, and a reluctance to discuss problems with outsiders. Vulnerability to BBVs is influenced by these cultural characteristics, together with Vietnamese IDUs??? perceptions of risk, knowledge about HIV and HCV, and situational and environmental factors. Main factors contributing to the under-utilisation of health services include the use of self-managed care practices, ambivalence surrounding Western medicine, long waiting times, concerns in relation to confidentiality, stigmatisation of drug use, and limited knowledge of BBVs. The data indicate a need for interventions based on understanding of culturally specific meanings and contexts of health, illness and risk in order to better meet the needs of this vulnerable group.

Safer injection facilities (SIFs) provide a clean and supervised environment, thereby reducing health risks to drug users. Potential benefits include fewer overdoses, decreased rates of HIV, Hepatitis, and other blood-borne viruses, a reduction in open drug use, increased opportunities for health services and treatments, and cost savings to society. A pilot safer injection site is expected to open in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside in September 2003. This study assesses community attitudes and concerns with respect to SIFs. Focus groups with police officers, street nurses, and injection drug users in February and March 2003 revealed that they are supportive of the sites. Concerns related to the community impacts, external supports, administration, process, safety, and special populations (e.g. women, youth) were indicated. Special attention should be paid to the involvement of injection drug users in planning and programming, the inclusion of peer workers, the relationships between injection drug users, the wider population, and the police, and safety for marginalized populations. Recommendations to address concerns and ensure inclusive processes are provided.

About 35 years ago the WHO advocated that countries with injecting drug users should introduce the so-called needle exchange programs (NEP) to curb the spread of infection by blood-borne diseases. In Sweden the first NEP started 1985 in Lund, but the program was extremely controversial in a country with such a restrictive drug policy like Sweden. The study you are about to read shall process this controversy, when a NEP opened in Stockholm, by analyzing the articles published in the newspapers Dagens Nyheter and Svenska Dagbladet. By using discourse analysis as a processing tool we’ll try to see the difference between the two chosen newspapers. We will identify and analyze the different participant’s, such as doctors, politicians, user associations and media, arguments in the needle exchange issue.   Our results show that the liberal DN articles were supportive of the NEP and that they considered it to be an infectious disease control issue. The liberal conservative newspaper SvD had a different view of the issue and considered NEP to be a question about drug policy. Even after the decision was made the city had problems to find suitable premises for the NEP to operate from.

There is increasing concern about hepatitis C virus (HCV) and potential HIV transmission among ethnic Vietnamese injecting drug users (IDUs) in Australia. To date ethnic and cultural differences in vulnerability to blood-borne viruses (BBV) have received little attention and few studies have attempted to explore the role of cultural beliefs and values in influencing injection risk behaviour. This study aimed to systematically explore the cultural beliefs and behavioural practices that appear to place ethnic Vietnamese IDUs at increased risk of BBV infection, identify barriers to this group accessing health and preventive programs, and document antibody HIV and HCV prevalence and associated risk behaviours. The first component of the research consisted of an ethnographic study designed to explore underlying explanatory models of health and illness employed by Vietnamese IDUs and identify cultural influences on risk behaviours and vulnerability to BBVs. These data were subsequently used to inform the development of the instrument used in the second component ??? a cross-sectional survey and collection of capillary blood samples designed to assess risk behaviours and antibody HIV and antibody HCV prevalence. Analysis of data from both components indicates that cultural beliefs and practices influence risk-taking and health-seeking behaviours and suggests pathways through which this influence occurs. Relevant cultural characteristics include those pertaining to spiritual and religious beliefs, the role of the family and traditional Vietnamese family values, cultural scripts of self-control and stoicism, the importance of ???face??? and non-confrontational relationships, trust and obligation, and a reluctance to discuss problems with outsiders. Vulnerability to BBVs is influenced by these cultural characteristics, together with Vietnamese IDUs??? perceptions of risk, knowledge about HIV and HCV, and situational and environmental factors. Main factors contributing to the under-utilisation of health services include the use of self-managed care practices, ambivalence surrounding Western medicine, long waiting times, concerns in relation to confidentiality, stigmatisation of drug use, and limited knowledge of BBVs. The data indicate a need for interventions based on understanding of culturally specific meanings and contexts of health, illness and risk in order to better meet the needs of this vulnerable group.

Background: Injecting drug users (IDUs) represent considerable group of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV treatment is an effective tool for reduction of HCV transmissions among IDUs. Nevertheless treatment rate among IDUs is rather insufficient. Treatment uptake, provision and adherence as well as its efficacy in IDUs are determined by number of specific factors. Aims: Mapping an extent of the provision of HCV treatment to IDUs in the Czech Republic, rules and practices for the admission of IDUs into HCV treatment and its provision, describing relevant factors related to drug use. Material and methods: From January to March 2011, a questionnaire survey among centres for treatment of viral hepatitis in the Czech Republic was conducted. 76 identified centres were addressed, of which 45 (59%) responded, and 40 (53%) filled in an online questionnaire. Results: Estimated number of centres treated HCV with combination of pegylated interferon α and ribavirin in the Czech Republic in 2010 was 61, 39 of them treated IDUs. Estimated 780 persons were treated, of whom 370 were (mostly ex-) IDUs. Reported treatment uptake in IDUs was 60% on average (range 0-90%). Treatment is completed by 80% of IDUs on average (0-100%) according to clinicians. Most clinicians reported no difference in the treatment...

The project developed in terms of engineering study of field N2307-00 Engineering Technology submits a design of components from plastic production technology – centre ring of labels on CD. In literary study there are summarized the basics of technology issues in elaboration of plastics injection into the metal form. The work includes production of component technology assessment and design of component production technology. Furthermore, the work includes the design of constructional solutions injection form, the option of suitable material of injection and the injection machine as well as the economic classification of production. As part of this diploma work is also considerations process of injection through the use of simulation program Moldex3D. This work is supported by appropriate drawing and appended documentation.

Background: At the point, when injecting still seems to be the most common use among problem drug users and there has been no change in the long term, despite the long tradition of harm reduction services in the Czech Republic, it is important to examine the context of this issue and try to understand it more closely, and therefore understanding the phenomenon of needle fixation. Aims: The paper seeks to address whether the risky behaviour level of the needle-fixated drug users differs from those who are not needle-fixated. The second aim is to examine a possible connection between the injecting users psychopathological characteristics and the phenomenon of needle fixation. The third intention of the work is to find out whether and pošibly how the level of risky behaviour differs among needle-fixated drug users in the context of their psychopathological characteristics. Methods: The chosen method of data collection was a battery of questionnaires: IN-COME questionnaire, BBV-TRAQ, SCL-90 and NEFPRO. The battery of the questionnaire was administered with the participation of the researcher. In addition to descriptive statistical methods, the Mann-Whitney test (4 tests), the Chi-square test (11 tests) and the Spearman correlation coefficient were chosen as methods for testing based on research...