Introduction: Alcoholism is the third most common psychiatric disorder among the elderly, yet it often goes undiagnosed in primary care setting. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among elderly primary care patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to determine the presence of different health problems related to alcohol consumption. Method: The study was conducted in 10 family medicine practices. Family physicians randomly selected a group of 40 patients over 60 years of age registered with their practice. As a part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, patients were asked to complete Alcohol Consumption Screening Questionnaire, Functional Status Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini mental screening examination (MMSE), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Screening results were followed by additional clinical evaluation. To estimate the feasibility of Alcohol Consumption Screening Questionnaire, one family member or a caregiver of each patient was questioned about patient's habits and health problems. Results: Eighty-nine (22%) patients were current drinkers. Of those, 59% were harmful drinkers, 26% hazardous and 15% nonhazardous drinkers. Women accounted for 27% of current drinkers. MMSE revealed dementia symptoms in 37%, and symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 25% of current drinkers. Depression symptoms were found in 38% and anxiety symptoms in 6% of current drinkers. Functional status was decreased in hazardous and harmful drinkers. Conclusion: High percentage of older adults in Bosnia and Herzegovina is regular users of alcohol. Hazardous and harmful drinking is associated with significant morbidity. These findings demonstrate the usefulness and importance of the excess alcohol use screening in all primary care settings serving adults over age 60.

<p><strong>Introduction. </strong>Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. WHO estimates that more than 2 billion persons have been infected with HBV (including 350 million chronically infected). The aim of this study was to investigate the students&rsquo; knowledge and attitudes about HBV infection at the Medical Faculty Foca. <strong>Methods.</strong> The study was conducted among 37 students of the third year, 22 of the fifth year and 18 of sixth year at the Medical Faculty in Foca from November to December 2007. The students were interviewed by the anonymous survey. <strong>Results.</strong> Most of the examined students (96.1%) know that hepatitis B virus can be passed through sexual contact. Only 17% of the students have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The main reason for not getting vaccinated for 75.4% medical students was the unavailability of the vaccine. Almost all participants (92.2%) believe that all medical students should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> Our results suggest that the students&rsquo; knowledge about HBV infection is on average level. Only 17% of students have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The main reason for that is the unavailability of the hepatitis B vaccine.</p>