Andrea Madarasova Geckova
Biographic Data
| ID | 1734329 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Andrea Madarasova Geckova |
| GIVEN NAMES | Andrea Madarasova |
| FAMILY NAME | Geckova |
| SIGNATURE | GECKOVA A M |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2993-3798 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 76 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 22 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 76 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2005 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
‘Twenty percent of my brain is dedicated to fighting sleep’
BACKGROUND Narcolepsy can be understood as disabling not only due to excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, but through their interaction with social barriers. Misinterpretation and stigma exacerbate restrictions in education and employment, contributing to reduced work capacity and increased financial burden. This qualitative study explores how patients perceive the impact of narcolepsy on their education and work participation. METHODS A q…
Psychometric properties of the adapted school-related stress scale
Associations between adolescents’ oral health and health literacy, gender and family affluence
Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the association between oral health and health literacy, gender, age, family affluence and country of origin amongst adolescents from Slovakia and Poland, using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Methods: We analysed data from the cross-sectional Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study conducted in 2022 on a representative sample of 6,289 Slovak and Polish 13- and …
‘All eyes were on me.’ A narrative study of patients' and the Public's reactions to narcolepsy symptoms and disease
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy and nocturnal sleep disruptions with parasomnia. General knowledge about the disease is usually lacking in the population, which can cause preconceived notions and disparagement based on the disease symptomatology. A qualitative study using narrative semi-structured interviews with 25 narcolepsy patients was conducted. Expert-validated interview guid…
Family-related adversity and positive youth development
The family is a very important institution that provides relationships and contexts for adolescents and can activate a trajectory of their positive development. Family-related adversity can endanger this development via associated negative emotions, such as feelings of hopelessness, hostility, and psychological distress. Therefore, we aimed first to explore the association of family-related adversity with positive youth development (PYD), and sec…
Biological and contextual determinants of early development in marginalized Roma communities
The RomaREACH project is a multicomponent study of social determinants of health and development in early childhood that can provide new evidence on the relationship of risk and protective factors with early development. Such young children from difficult-to-reach marginalized Roma communities are rarely included in research, and information about the scope and the extent of inequities in health and development in the period of early childhood is…
Subjective perception of life stress events affects long-term pain
The subjective meaning of stress events on one's life has an impact on the trajectory between childhood trauma and health and acts as a moderator. Resilience may buffer the negative effect of trauma on later long-term pain
Do Neighbors Have More Peaceful Students? Youth Violence Profiles among Adolescents in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia
(1) Background: Co-occurrence or overlaps of different forms or involvement in peer violence among adolescents have been broadly studied. The study aimed to assess adolescents' violence profiles related to bullying, cyberbullying, and fighting in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The study was to investigate the pattern of bullying, cyberbullying, and fighting involvement among adolescents in these four countries to test the stab…
Low Health Literacy Is Associated with Poorer Physical and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life in Dialysed Patients
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important health indicator in chronic diseases like kidney diseases. Health literacy (HL) may strongly affect HRQoL, but evidence is scarce. Therefore, we assessed the associations of HL with HRQoL in dialysed patients. We performed a cross-sectional study in 20 dialysis clinics across Slovakia (n = 542 patients, mean age = 63.6 years, males = 60.7%). We assessed the association of categorised HL (low,…
Health Literacy and Change in Health-Related Quality of Life in Dialysed Patients
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is likely to deteriorate with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This change may be worsened by low health literacy (HL). We performed a longitudinal study at over 20 dialysis clinics in Slovakia (n = 413; mean age = 64.8 years; males = 58.4%). We assessed the association of three HL groups with a change in HRQoL over two years using binary logistic regression adjusted for type of vascular acce…
School Satisfaction and Its Associations with Health and Behavioural Outcomes among 15-Years Old Adolescents
Background: Health and behavioural outcomes of adolescents have been shown to be related to school pressure, demands or unfavourable relationships with classmates or teachers. These associations may relate to school satisfaction, but evidence on this is lacking. Therefore, our aim is to explore the associations of school satisfaction with hopelessness, health complaints, fighting and truancy. Methods: Data come from the cross-sectional Health Beh…
How to make healthy early childhood development more likely in marginalized Roma communities
Our results reflect the public and political discourse and indicate significant barriers to implementation. Reducing inequalities in early childhood needs to be addressed through coordinated efforts
Associations of childhood trauma with long-term diseases and alcohol and nicotine use disorders in Czech and Slovak representative samples
The extent of reporting childhood trauma and associations with long-term diseases in the Czech and Slovak population is a challenge for the strengthening of preventive and therapeutic programmes in psychosocial and psychiatric care for children and adolescents to prevent later negative consequences on health
The Impact of Pandemic Management on the Quality of Life of Slovak Dentists
Pandemic management increases the burden on healthcare workers to provide care and also affects their personal lives, with dentists being at particular risk. Therefore, we aim to describe the quality of life (QoL) and limitations experienced due to pandemic management-related measures (PanMan), as well as to assess the association of PanMan with QoL during the first lockdown after the coronavirus outbreak. We obtained data from 500 dentists (33.2…
Does Schoolmate and Teacher Support Buffer against the Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Emotional and Behavioural Problems
This study aims to explore the associations of schoolmate and teacher support with emotional and behavioural problems (EBP) and whether schoolmate and teacher support affects the associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and of EBP in adolescence. We obtained data from 5220 students aged from 11 to 15 (48.7% boys), who participated in the Health Behaviour in a School-aged Children study (2018, Slovakia). Using logistic regression adjust…
Physical Activity Recommendations for Segments of School Days in Adolescents
School physical activity (PA) is an indispensable part of daily PA, the foundation for developing lifelong PA and fitness, and an easy way to gain physical and health literacy. School PA is equally important for understanding the continuity of physical and mental health, even in broader psychosocial aspects. Regarding long-term outcomes, significant attention has been paid to the determination of daily and weekly recommendations for adolescent PA…
Health Literacy Associations with Periodontal Disease among Slovak Adults
Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums and without good oral hygiene, it can progress to periodontitis. Oral hygiene might be related to a patient's health literacy (HL), defined as ability to gain access, understand, and use information to promote and maintain good health. The aim of our study is to examine the associations of HL with indicators of periodontal disease. A cross-sectional study on 1117 adults (36.2% males; mean age = 36.4…
Is BMI a Valid Indicator of Overweight and Obesity for Adolescents
Background : Overweight and obesity are mostly monitored via the Body Mass Index (BMI), based on self-reported or measured height and weight. Previous studies have shown that BMI as a measure of obesity can introduce important misclassification problems. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of overweight and obesity classification based on self-reported and on measured height and weight versus the proportion of body fat as the criteri…
When a Head Is about to Burst
This study highlights the mediation effect of attachment in the link between childhood trauma and migraine. Attachment-based therapeutic interventions can be useful in the treatment of patients with migraine
Appropriate Employment for Segregated Roma
Our earlier article showed that increased employability of segregated Roma may improve their well-being and health. To achieve that, appropriate employment based on a public-private partnership could be the key. For optimal design of such a partnership, we need insight into its potential mechanisms. Evidence on this is lacking, however. This paper builds on the previously published article by focusing on mechanisms for achieving better health. Th…
The Roma Population Living in Segregated Settlements in Eastern Slovakia Has a Higher Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome, Kidney Disease, Viral Hepatitis B and E, and Some Parasitic Diseases Compared to…
Background : The Roma population is one of the largest marginalized population groups in Europe. The aim of our work was to summarize the morbidity of lifestyle-related diseases and infectious diseases in the Roma population living in segregated settlements. Methods : We used data from the cross-sectional study HepaMeta, in which we examined 452 Roma subjects with an average age of 34.7 ± 9.1 years, 35.2% of which were men, and 403 non-Roma subje…
The Unholy Trinity
This study highlights the relevance of childhood trauma as a possible factor contributing to anxiety with concurrent pain conditions in adulthood in both the general and clinical populations
Roma Ethnicity and Sex-Specific Associations of Serum Uric Acid with Cardiometabolic and Hepatorenal Health Factors in Eastern Slovakian Population
Background: Health characteristics associated with uric acid (UA) in the Roma minority remain less well known. The study sought to determine the ethnicity- and sex-specific associations of serum UA with health factors in Eastern Slovakian Roma and non-Roma populations. Methods: Data from the comparative cross-sectional HepaMeta study conducted in Slovakia in 2011 were used. The study enrolled 452 Roma subjects (35.2% men) and 403 non-Roma individ…
Adolescent Enrollment in Psychosocial Care
Care for adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) is frequently unequally distributed. Parents may play a role in the access to this care. Therefore, the aim was to explore the association between parental characteristics and their adolescent's enrollment in psychosocial care. We used data from the Care4Youth cohort study. Our sample consisted of 446 adolescents (mean age 13.22 years, 48% boys) and 382 parents (mean age 42.95 year…
What is the Role of the Horizontal Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Young Adult and Middle-Aged Roma Population Living in the Settlements in East Slovakia
Background : The aim of our work is to objectify the manner of transmission of HBV infection in young adult and middle-aged Roma people who live in the settlements. Methods : We used data from the cross-sectional study HepaMeta. We analyzed Roma people living in the settlements in East Slovakia, who have had HBsAg and anti HBc IgG antibodies examined. Results : We analyzed a cohort of 452 Roma participants with a mean of age 34.67 ± 9.14 years-15…
To what extent does socioeconomic status explain differences in health between Roma and non-Roma adolescents in Slovakia
Why don't health care frontline professionals do more for segregated Roma? Exploring mechanisms supporting unequal care practices
Gender differences in the relationship between religiosity and health-related behaviour among adolescents
BACKGROUND: An inverse relationship between religiosity and adolescent health-related behaviour has been repeatedly documented, but evidence regarding gender is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the association between a wide range of adolescent health-related behaviours and religiosity as well as gender differences in these associations. METHODS: Data were collected in 2010 in Slovakia on 3674 adolescents, with mean age of 14.9 years (…
Fighting, Truancy and Low Academic Achievement in Youth Subcultures
Lifestyle, music preference, shared values and behaviours of young people can be understood to be components of youth subcultures. Little is known about the association between affiliation with non-mainstream subcultures and problem behaviour. The aim of this study was to assess the association between subculture affiliation and fighting, truancy and low academic achievement, and to determine whether lack of parental knowledge and parental bondin…
Socioeconomic factors, ethnicity and alcohol-related mortality in regions in Slovakia. What might a tree analysis add to our understanding
Prevalence and characteristics of noncompliant behaviour and its risk factors in kidney transplant recipients
Noncompliance with therapy is one possible explanation for the observation that long-term graft survival is not sufficiently improved by the development in immunosuppression. The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of noncompliance with immunosuppression. A total of 161 adult kidney transplant recipients were interviewed about their self-rated health, social support, education, stress from adverse effe…
Health status among young people in Slovakia
Influence of parental employment status on Dutch and Slovak adolescents' health
To conclude briefly our results, father's unemployment seems to be a better predictor of health for Slovak adolescents, father's disablement of health for Dutch ones. Mother's employment status seemed to be important for the self-esteem of Slovak adolescents and mother as a housewife for the health of Dutch ones. This suggests that the link between parental employment status and the health of their children may vary between countries, and therefo…
Social inequalities in changes in health-related behaviour among Slovak adolescents aged between 15 and 19
We confirmed an increase in unhealthy health-related behaviour during adolescence. This increase was related to socioeconomic position, and was more apparent in females
Psychological and behavioural factors associated with sexual risk behaviour among Slovak students
Results suggest that behavioural factors are more closely related to SRB than psychological factors. Associations differ by type of SRB and gender but offer few clues to target risk groups for inconsistent condom use. Results show a high need for health-promotion programmes in early adolescence that target SRB in conjunction with other health risk behaviours such as alcohol abuse
To what extent does socioeconomic status explain differences in health between Roma and non-Roma adolescents in Slovakia
Factors associated with educational aspirations among adolescents
Characteristics of the school environment, the family and the individual adolescent are all associated with the level of educational aspiration, but in a different way for different educational tracks. Interventions aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequalities in health via the educational system should, therefore, take this variation and the rather pivotal role of the father into account
Predictors of health-endangering behaviour among Roma and non-Roma adolescents in Slovakia by gender
BACKGROUND: Roma people are commonly described as having an unhealthy lifestyle-for example, an unhealthy diet, intensive smoking, frequent alcohol consumption and a lack of physical activity. However, data about such health-endangering behaviours among Roma adolescents are scarce and of poor quality. The aim of our study is to assess the occurrence of health-endangering behaviours among Slovak Roma adolescents in comparison to non-Roma adolescen…
Socioeconomic factors, ethnicity and alcohol-related mortality in regions in Slovakia. What might a tree analysis add to our understanding
Does the influence of peers and parents on adolescents' drunkenness differ between Roma and non-Roma adolescents in Slovakia
While both boys and girls seem to be sensitive to peer influence, only girls appear to be sensitive to parental monitoring in regard to drunkenness. Stronger parental monitoring and weaker peer influence partially explain the lower prevalence of drunkenness among Roma adolescents, whereas the effects of these factors per level do not vary between Roma and non-Roma adolescents
Gender differences in the relationship between religiosity and health-related behaviour among adolescents
BACKGROUND: An inverse relationship between religiosity and adolescent health-related behaviour has been repeatedly documented, but evidence regarding gender is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the association between a wide range of adolescent health-related behaviours and religiosity as well as gender differences in these associations. METHODS: Data were collected in 2010 in Slovakia on 3674 adolescents, with mean age of 14.9 years (…
Does Participation in Physical Education Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in School and throughout the Day among Normal-Weight and Overweight-to-Obese Czech Children Aged 9–11 Years
Participation of 9 to 11-year-old children in physical education lessons (PEL) contributes to a significantly higher duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the school day and, in overweight/obese girls and normal-weight boys, to an increase in overall daily MVPA as shown by previous research. However, it is not known whether this increase in MVPA is at the expense of light physical activity (LPA) or sedentary behaviour (…
Is Being a Boy and Feeling Fat a Barrier for Physical Activity? The Association between Body Image, Gender and Physical Activity among Adolescents
Regular physical activity leads to physical and mental health benefits. Previous studies have shown physical activity to be associated with body image and gender. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the associations of body image with physical activity of adolescents and whether gender modifies this association. We obtained data on body image and physical activity as part of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study in 2…
How parents can affect excessive spending of time on screen-based activities
Reducing time spent watching TV by applying parental rules or a parental role model might help prevent excessive time spent on screen-based activities
Do Motives to Undertake Physical Activity Relate to Physical Activity in Adolescent Boys and Girls
Low levels of physical activity (PA) during adolescence contribute to obesity and poor health outcomes in adolescence, and these associations endure into adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between motives for PA and the level of PA among adolescent boys and girls. We obtained data regarding motives for PA and frequency of PA in 2010 via the Health Behavior in School-aged Children cross-sectional study in the Czech and…
Inequalities in mortality by socioeconomic factors and Roma ethnicity in the two biggest cities in Slovakia
The proportion of Roma is associated with early mortality in the two biggest cities in the Slovak Republic
Differences between Roma and non-Roma in how social support from family and friends helps to overcome health care accessibility problems
The worse access to health care of Roma living in so-called settlements seems to be partially mediated by social support. Interventions should focus on Roma health mediators and community workers who can identify influential individuals who are able to change a community's fear and distrust and persuade and teach Roma to seek and appropriately use health care services
The mediating effect of discrimination, social support and hopelessness on self-rated health of Roma adolescents in Slovakia
Perceived discrimination, social support and hopelessness mediate a part of the association between Roma ethnicity and poor SRH, with discrimination and hopelessness being risk factors and social support a protective factor
Screen-based behaviour in school-aged children with long-term illness
Adolescents with a long-term illness or with a chronic condition or a learning disability do not differ from their peers in screen-based activities. Exceptions are children with asthma and children with learning disabilities, who reported more risky screen-based behaviour
When children play, they feel better
Participation in OLTA is associated with better physical and mental health in adolescents. The association varies by pattern of activity participation and is partly gender- and age-specific
Fighting, Truancy and Low Academic Achievement in Youth Subcultures
Lifestyle, music preference, shared values and behaviours of young people can be understood to be components of youth subcultures. Little is known about the association between affiliation with non-mainstream subcultures and problem behaviour. The aim of this study was to assess the association between subculture affiliation and fighting, truancy and low academic achievement, and to determine whether lack of parental knowledge and parental bondin…
Regional mortality by socioeconomic factors in Slovakia
Despite the fact that economic growth combined with investments of European structural funds contributed to the improvement of the socioeconomic situation in many districts of Slovakia, there are still districts which remain "poor" and which maintain regional mortality differences
Time trends
The steps/day of preschoolers was higher in 2015 than in 2005; this higher level of PA was the result of increased PA in kindergartens over the last ten years, particularly among girls. Thus, the current PA program in kindergartens effectively compensates for the decline in PA in leisure-time of weekdays of non-obese and obese preschoolers compared to 2005 and 2015. Prevalence of obesity among Czech preschool children remains relatively stable be…
Lack of parental rule-setting on eating is associated with a wide range of adolescent unhealthy eating behaviour both for boys and girls
Parental rule-setting on eating is associated with eating behaviours of adolescents. Further research is needed to disentangle causality in this relationship. If causal, parents may be targeted to modify the eating habits of adolescents
Validation of a 16-Item Short Form of the Czech Version of the Experiences in Close Relationships Revised Questionnaire in a Representative Sample
The aim of this study was to create a shorter Czech version (ECR-R-16) of the Revised Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-R) questionnaire and to assess its psychometric properties. Data from a representative sample of the Czech population from 15 to 90 years old (N = 1000, M age = 46.0 years, SD = 17.3) were collected using a face-to-face structured interview in 2014. The developed short form of the Czech version of the ECR-R showed good int…
Medicine (63 works) · Psychology (41 works) · Demography (35 works) · Environmental health (35 works) · Demography (33 works) · Population (25 works) · Internal Medicine (21 works) · Clinical Psychology (20 works) · Romani and Gypsy Studies (20 works) · Logistic regression (19 works)