Central Serbia Research Articles

The epidemiology of road traffic injuries in the republic of Serbia: a study based on hospital data, 2015-2019

IntroductionRoad traffic injuries (RTI) are the leading cause of death and severe disability among individuals under the age of 40, posing a significant public health challenge globally. This manuscript highlights key aspects of the epidemiology of injuries in road traffic crashes (RTC) in Serbia, based on hospitalization report data.ObjectivesThe main aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of road traffic injuries (RTI) based on hospital data over a five-year period in Serbia.MethodsThe data for this study were obtained from the Hospitalization Report, which is part of the hospitalization database maintained by the Institute for Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut,” covering the period from January 2015 to December 2019. The research included data from the Hospitalization Reports of 66 healthcare institutions across Serbia.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 15,028 patients with road traffic injuries were admitted to healthcare institutions in Serbia. During the five-year period, the crude RTI incidence rate increased every year, from 39.0/100, 000 in 2015 to 43.7/100,000 in 2019. Older adult people aged 65 and over were particularly vulnerable as bicyclists and pedestrians (31.3, 27.7%, respectively). The Vojvodina region experienced a higher incidence of injuries among bicyclists compared and car accidents were most frequent in Central Serbia than in the other regions of Serbia. Craniocerebral injuries were the most common type of road traffic injury, accounting for 37.8% of cases. Significant differences in the types of injuries were observed based on age (χ2 = 649.859; p < 0.001) and gender (χ2 = 31.442; p < 0.001).ConclusionUnderstanding the epidemiological profile of road users involved in accidents is essential for monitoring and controlling specific risk factors. Our results highlight the need for enhanced traffic safety measures at the local level.

Unveiling the paleosalinity constraints on southern peri-Pannonian Lower Miocene lacustrine systems in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina: Lopare (Dinaride Lake System) versus Toplica basin (Serbian Lake System)

Early Neogene saline lakes were widely developed across Central Paratethys, particularly across its „Dinaride-Anatolide“ landbridge (area of Dinarides, Balkans). The constraints on Lopare (western part of Jadar block; eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Toplica (Jastrebac Mt., central Serbia) Neogene paleolakes provide a better understanding of deep-time climate evolution. The study focused on early Neogene paleolacustrine configuration, paleogeography, and the factors affecting a considerable paleosalinity increase. The study integrated available records on the predominantly Lower Miocene sedimentary sequence by analyzing and interpreting several paleosalinity markers (inorganic geochemical proxies, mineralogical data). The constraints on paleosalinity markers are afterward coupled with rather complex tectonic inferences. The two wellbores drilled in the Lopare and Toplica basins expose Neogene sections from which the critical paleosalinity markers are extracted (drillhole depths up to 350 and 1000 m, respectively). The mineral searlesite (NaBSi2O5(OH)2), and high B/Ga, markers of alkaline and arid paleoenvironmental lacustrine conditions, suggested intense evaporation (frequent drought periods). The evaporation was associated with paleoclimatic conditions during the Miocene Climatic Optimum. The Early Neogene arid climate and frequent evaporation episodes resulted in significant salinization of the Lower Miocene Lopare lacustrine sequence. The salinity in the Lopare sequence changed its character between brackish and saline, as evidenced by S/TOC and Ca/(Ca + Fe) ratios (TOC—Total Organic Carbon). At the same time, the salinity in the early Toplica basin was significantly lower and characterized by freshwater and brackish environments. The salinity variations between Toplica and Lopare were further exposed by Fe/(Ca + Mg), (Al + Fe)/(Ca + Mg), and C-value, yielding the change in the (paleo)water column. These markers further indicated the influence of warm climate conditions, consistent with the Miocene paleoclimatic record. Regarding paleogeography and Early Neogene tectonics, the results showed that before the Middle Miocene Badenian transgression, the Paratethyan Sea had no interference with the investigated intramontane lacustrine basins.

Assessment of Borač-Kotlenik magmatic massif rock mass technical properties as potential source for optimal development of regional road infrastructure based on local stone materials

The Borač-Kotlenik magmatic massif in central Serbia is mainly made up of effusive and pyroclastic rocks, formed in three main phases of volcanic activity: 1. dacite and andesite, 2. quartz-latite and dacite, and 3. basaltoid rocks. Rock mass samples from this magmatic massif have been examined and mined in numerous localities during the XX century for purposes of building and reconstruction works of local and regional road networks. The examination process continues today for purposes of ‘Morava corridor’ highway building and its demand for the local stone material of the specified quality. The results of rock mass technical properties' tests have shown that its quality for road building purposes depends significantly on petrologic type, soundness, and hydrothermal alteration type. Oxidation alteration types can cause a significant decrease in compressive strength, an increase in porosity and water absorption, especially as oxidation chemical processes cause increased susceptibility to weathering, thus making the rock mass unusable in road construction profile layers above the embankment. Testing results demonstrate that effusive volcanic rocks of the Borač-Kotlenik magmatic massif generally can be used in the road building process. For this purpose, it is necessary to select the conformable rock mass zones at each locality, where hydrothermal alteration and weathering products are absent in order to obtain the best available stone material of volcanic origin.

The resurgence of pertussis in Central Serbia in the period from June to December 2023

Abstract Background There was a registered increase in the number of confirmed pertussis cases in Central Serbia between June and December 2023. Among the possible causes of pertussis resurgence are increased awareness of pertussis among healthcare workers, availability of the sensitive RT PCR method in diagnostic, the limited duration of vaccine-induced immunity as well as decline of immunization coverage influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The nasopharyngeal samples from clinics and primary care departments were transferred to Institute of Public Health of Serbia. DNA was extracted from each sample using the MagMAX Viral/Pathogen kit. The presence of B. pertussis was determined using two PCR assays, VIASURE Bordetella Real Time PCR Detection Kit and Bosphore B. pertussis/parapertussis Genotyping Kit, Anatolia Geneworks. Results RT-PCR confirmed a total of 338 pertussis cases in Institute of Public Health of Serbia during the observed period. Most of confirmed cases were among children 9-14 years old (49,7%) followed by infants younger than 12 months (21,9%). The more severe cases were among the unvaccinated and uncomplete vaccinated infants, 78,4% of which required hospitalization with two deaths in this age group. Conclusions Based on the analysis of the obtained results, we can highlight the importance of using sensitive methods in pathogen detection. Rapid diagnosis, laboratory confirmation and notification ensure early public health intervention to minimize the spread of disease. Despite long tradition of mandatory immunization against pertussis in the Republic of Serbia, wanning of vaccine induced immunity poses potential risk for the resurgence of pertussis. For pertussis control, in the future, it will be essential to achieve high immunization coverage as well as to introduce a booster dose of pertussis containing vaccine for children aged 14 and to implement vaccination of pregnant women. Key messages • For the better pertussis control vaccination of adolescents and adults, as well as vaccination of pregnant women should be considered in the future vaccination policies. • Clinicians should consider pertussis in the differential diagnosis of persistent cough illness in people of all ages, even those previously immunized.

Settings Trace elements and garnet formation in a distal skarn zone: a case study of the Rudnik deposit, Central Serbia

The Rudnik Pb-Zn deposit is hosted in skarns and hornfels formed in the late Oligocene by contact metamorphism of limestones, sandstones and shales. Garnets, together with epidote, represent the main non-metallic minerals in the Rudnik skarn. In the distal skarn zone, the garnets are rare and their occurrence is related to the flow path of hydrothermal fluids. To constrain the hydrothermal and physicochemical conditions, in situ elemental SEM-WDS and LA-ICP-MS analyses, and fluid inclusion microthermometric measurements, were made. The Rudnik garnets from the distal skarn zone are predominantly of andradite-grossular composition (Adr39.3–88.9Grs2.9–53.9Alm0.5–10.0), with a small amount of spessartine. Generally, the Fe-rich garnets show a positive Eu anomaly with LREE enrichment and a HREE flat pattern, with homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions ranging from 373 to 392°C and from 14.25 to 15.27% NaCl equivalent, respectively. The trace elements and microthermometric properties indicate that the garnets formed at moderately high temperatures, mildly acidic pH levels and increased oxygen fugacity

Exhumation history of the Juhor Mts. in central Serbia, the Northern Serbo–Macedonian Subunit

Exhumation history of the Juhor Mts. in central Serbia, the Northern Serbo–Macedonian Subunit

Integrated effects of crop rotation and different herbicide rates in maize (Zea mays L.) production in central Serbia

Successful maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation is largely reliable by weed interference. Among weeds, annual species are usually dominant, whereas less prevalent perennials can be challenging to control, too. Driven by profitability, maize is often cultivated continuously using the same management practices over time, resulting in increased weed infestations, particularly perennials. However, crop rotation might reduce the abundance of weed species, lower herbicide impact on the environment, delaying herbicide resistance occurrence in weeds and thus contribute to sustainable maize production,. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of continuous maize cropping (Maize-CC) and a three-crop rotation, maize–winter wheat–soybean (Maize-WW-S), in combination with three weed management treatments: 1) application of a pre-emergence herbicide mixture of acetochlor/S-metolachlor + isoxaflutole at the full label rate, 2) at ½ of full label rate, and 3) an the untreated control, over a 12-year period. The trial was initiated in 2009, and maize was grown in both cropping systems, Maize-CC and Maize-WW-S, in 2012, 2015, 2018, and in 2021. Total weed density, fresh biomass of all annual and perennial weed species and total dry biomass of all weed species was measured four weeks after herbicide application. Maize leaf area index (LAI) was measured at the anthesis, whereas grain yield was measured at the end of the growing cycle. Weed species diversity, number of individuals, weed fresh and dry biomass, were significantly lower with the combination of Maize-WW-S and the herbicide treatments. Grain yield was significantly and negatively correlated with the fresh weight of annual weeds in Maize-CC and was higher in both herbicide treatments, especially in Maize-WW-S. There was no significant difference between pre-emergence herbicide full labelled rate and ½ of the labelled rate in reducing the total fresh weed biomass in Maize-CC (66.3% and 65.9%, respectively) and Maize-WW-S (92.1% and 85.8%, respectively). Thus, the importance of the combined employment of rotation and chemical measures in maize production was confirmed and could be adopted for long-term weed management without compromising yields.

Heavy Metals in the Cultivated Soils of Central and Western Serbia

Concern over the harmful impacts of heavy metal pollution in soil has increased dramatically on a global scale. For the sake of environmental preservation, accurate estimates of the heavy metal concentrations in soil are essential. This study provides valuable data regarding heavy metal concentrations in soil collected from field crops production area in Central and Western Serbia. Five wider localities in the zones of Central and Western Serbia were selected for the collection of soil samples. Based on our research, focused on determining the total contents of heavy metals in the soil and the degree of pollution in the environment caused by their behavior, distribution, and origin, it can be concluded that there is pronounced variability in relation to localities. Heavy metal contents were mostly within the same ranges as those in similar soils from Europe and around the world. Any pollution control system must include heavy metal monitoring, including the methodical collection of data on the concentrations of heavy metals in a particular environment. Before environmental degradation occurs, it is crucial to set pollution limits and implement efficient monitoring procedures.

Long-term impact of basin-wide wastewater management on faecal pollution levels along the entire Danube River

The Danube River is, at 2857 km, the second longest river in Europe and the most international river in the world with 19 countries in its catchment. Along the entire river, faecal pollution levels are mainly influenced by point-source emissions from treated and untreated sewage of municipal origin under base-flow conditions. In the past 2 decades, large investments in wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure were made in the European Union (EU) Member States located in the Danube River Basin (DRB). Overall, the share of population equivalents with appropriately biologically treated wastewater (without disinfection) has increased from 69% to more than 85%. The proportion of tertiary treatment has risen from 46 to 73%. In contrast, no comparable improvements of wastewater infrastructure took place in non-EU Member States in the middle and lower DRB, where a substantial amount of untreated wastewater is still directly discharged into the Danube River. Faecal pollution levels along the whole Danube River and the confluence sites of the most important tributaries were monitored during four Danube River expeditions, the Joint Danube Surveys (JDS). During all four surveys, the longitudinal patterns of faecal pollution were highly consistent, with generally lower levels in the upper section and elevated levels and major hotspots in the middle and lower sections of the Danube River. From 2001 to 2019, a significant decrease in faecal pollution levels could be observed in all three sections with average reduction rates between 72 and 86%. Despite this general improvement in microbiological water quality, no such decreases were observed for the highly polluted stretch in Central Serbia. Further improvements in microbiological water quality can be expected for the next decades on the basis of further investments in wastewater infrastructure in the EU Member States, in the middle and lower DRB. In the upper DRB, and due to the high compliance level as regards collection and treatment, improvements can further be achieved by upgrading sewage treatment plants with quaternary treatment steps as well as by preventing combined sewer overflows. The accession of the Western Balkan countries to the EU would also significantly boost investments in wastewater infrastructure and water quality improvements in the middle section of the Danube. Continuing whole-river expeditions such as the Joint Danube Surveys is highly recommended to monitor the developments in water quality in the future.

Data Evaluation of a Low-Cost Sensor Network for Atmospheric Particulate Matter Monitoring in 15 Municipalities in Serbia.

Conventional air quality monitoring networks typically tend to be sparse over areas of interest. Because of the high cost of establishing such monitoring systems, some areas are often completely left out of regulatory monitoring networks. Recently, a new paradigm in monitoring has emerged that utilizes low-cost air pollution sensors, thus making it possible to reduce the knowledge gap in air pollution levels for areas not covered by regulatory monitoring networks and increase the spatial resolution of monitoring in others. The benefits of such networks for the community are almost self-evident since information about the level of air pollution can be transmitted in real time and the data can be analysed immediately over the wider area. However, the accuracy and reliability of newly produced data must also be taken into account in order to be able to correctly interpret the results. In this study, we analyse particulate matter pollution data from a large network of low-cost particulate matter monitors that was deployed and placed in outdoor spaces in schools in central and western Serbia under the Schools for Better Air Quality UNICEF pilot initiative in the period from April 2022 to June 2023. The network consisted of 129 devices in 15 municipalities, with 11 of the municipalities having such extensive real-time measurements of particulate matter concentration for the first time. The analysis showed that the maximum concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were in the winter months (heating season), while during the summer months (non-heating season), the concentrations were several times lower. Also, in some municipalities, the maximum values and number of daily exceedances of PM10 (50 μg/m3) were much higher than in the others because of diversity and differences in the low-cost sensor sampling sites. The particulate matter mass daily concentrations obtained by low-cost sensors were analysed and also classified according to the European AQI (air quality index) applied to low-cost sensor data. This study confirmed that the large network of low-cost air pollution sensors can be useful in providing real-time information and warnings about higher pollution days and episodes, particularly in situations where there is a lack of local or national regulatory monitoring stations in the area.

ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE USE OF FORESTRY PRODUCTS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Forestry together with the industry based on wood and non-wood forest products (NWFPs) represents an important activity and branch of the national economy. In accordance with that, the work is divided into two chapters, one of which analyzes wood, and the other of NWFPs. Therefore, the aim of the research is to examine the market trends and potential of forestry in the part of central Serbia (Central forest area). The purpose of the research is to identify trends in the categories of felling, production and sale of wood assortments of beech, oak and poplar and to analyses the commercial aspect and the way of organizing the marketing mix in companies that deal with the purchase, processing and placement of NWFPs. The Mann-Kendall test was used for the analysis of trends in wood products, while a survey was created for the analysis of companies in the field of NWFPs, which included 29 open and closed questions, with conceptual units related to the marketing mix. For the purposes of the research, primary and secondary data were used and the time period 2008-2017 was covered.

The influence of geographical area on morphometric parameters of the honey bee in Serbia

In this study, morphological characteristics were measured on worker honey bee samples collected from seven different locations covering the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Three samples were taken from the territory of AP Vojvodina, namely from the Southern Banat District (Vršac; I), the South Bačka District (Bač; II), and the West Bačka District (Crvenka; III). The worker bees from the central Serbia originated from different sites namely, the Rasina District (Aleksandrovac; IV), the Zlatibor District (Lučani; V), Pešter (Sjenica; VI), and the Bor District (Negotin; VII). From each sample, 15 bees were randomly selected, and their front right wings were dissected and mounted on slides in two rows. After wing preparation, they were scanned using an Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner with a resolution of 4800 dpi. The measurement included a total of 14 parameters, 11 of which were the angles on the forewing, while the other parameters analyzed were the forewing length and width and the cubital index. The results have shown that there is a high statistically significant difference between the localities in the characteristics examined in this study. From a total of 11 angles analyzed, statistical significance (p0.01) of average values between the localities was determined for the following angles: A4, J16, K19, L13, N23, G18, and O26. The analysis of the results of the front wings length and the cubital index has shown a significant difference between the groups of honey bees. The average forewing length across all locations in the study was 9.17mm, while the average forewing width was 3.43. The difference in terms of the average forewing width was not statistically significant between the locations. The values of the cubital index ranged from 2.28 to 2.79, with an average of 2.49 across all locations.

Elevational Earth-Sheltered Buildings with Horizontal Overhang Photovoltaic-Integrated Panels—New Energy-Plus Building Concept in the Territory of Serbia

The global scientific community is intensively promoting energy-plus buildings. Following the leading world trends, this paper presents a new energy-plus building concept—elevational earth-sheltered buildings with three different types of horizontal overhang photovoltaic-integrated panels: wooden support columns covered with clay tiles, steel pipes as support columns covered with sheet steel, and concrete support columns with concrete coverage. In this instance, the specific multi-numerical case study building model for the city of Kragujevac (located in central Serbia with favorable climatic conditions) was performed over 7 months (from 1 October to 30 April), taking into account the soil temperature, the effects of solar shading, the performance of the heating system—a ground source heat pump—and the characteristics of the artificial and automatic lighting control system. The simulation results show that the optimal depth of a horizontal overhang (energy-plus status) depends on the occupant’s habits, in addition to meteorological conditions. The presented methodology can be used for any other location, both in Europe and the world.

Correction: Diversity and ecology of freshwater Ostracoda (Crustacea) in Central Serbia

Correction: Diversity and ecology of freshwater Ostracoda (Crustacea) in Central Serbia

Diversity and ecology of freshwater Ostracoda (Crustacea) in Central Serbia

Diversity and ecology of freshwater Ostracoda (Crustacea) in Central Serbia

Prognostic Value of Prostata Specific Antigen and Digital Rectal Examination at Prostate Biopsy

Abstract Prostate cancer is a worldwide health concern with an increasing global incidence. In the Republic of Serbia, it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. The research aims to determine the influence of PSA value and digital rectal examination on the pathohistological findings of prostate biopsy in men in Central Serbia. The study was designed as a retrospective, cross-sectional analytical study conducted in the period from December 2021 to December 2022 after receiving the confirmation of the Ethics Committee of the University of Applied Sciences Kragujevac. Among 151 respondents aged 49 to 88 who underwent consecutive biopsies during the study period, prostate cancer was detected in 65 (42%). Out of 65 positive biopsies, 33 subjects had a Gleason score of up to 7, while 32 subjects had a Gleason score over 7. Prostate biopsies significantly correlated with PSA levels (p=0.02), while DRE and prostate volume did not show statistical significance on the prostate biopsy result. PSA level testing leads to early detection of prostate disease in the elderly. PSA value was the only clinical variable associated with an increased rate of prostate cancer in men ≥ 70 and older (p=0.02). DRE, PSA, and prostate volume are important parameters associated with an increase in prostate cancer detection rate in men over 70 years of age.

P527 Factors associated with choice of treatment regimen after the induction period in patients with Ulcerative Colitis treated with vedolizumab

Abstract Background Vedolizumab (VDZ) is a selective, alpha4-beta7 anti-integrin antibody used for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate factors that influence the decision making and determine further therapeutic regimen after the induction period in patients with ulcerative colitis treated with VDZ and to identify predictors for early response to VDZ. Methods A retrospective study conducted at the Clinic for gastroenterohepatology, University Clinical Center Serbia included 89 patients with ulcerative colitis (mean age 47±15; 45 males) treated with VDZ (69 bio-naïve and 20 previously exposed to anti-TNF). Localization of disease, endoscopic score at the beginning of therapy, together with CRP and fecal calprotectin levels before the initiation of therapy and at week 14, and prior exposure to anti-TNF in relation to the treatment regimen at the end of the induction period were analyzed. Results After induction therapy total of 55 patients (61.8%) continued with standard dosing regimen, while in 34 patients (38.2%) shortening the interval to 4 weeks as optimization of VDZ treatment was prescribed. Patients whose treatment regimen was optimized at week 14 had had statistically significantly higher baseline CRP levels (p=0.025), as well as CRP levels at week 14 (p=0.002) and fecal calprotectin at week 14 (p=0.000), while there was no difference in the baseline fecal calprotectin between patients in standard and optimized regimen (p=1.000). There was no statistical difference in localization of disease and prior anti-TNF exposure between these two groups of patients (p=0.732 and p=0.449, respectively). Conclusion Higher CRP and fecal calprotectin levels at week 14 were determining factors for optimization of VDZ treatment. Higher levels of CRP before biologic therapy was started was associated with the increased need for optimized regiment at week 14. Extensive disease and prior anti-TNF exposure did not correlate with need for optimization of treatment after the induction period.

Tectonically induced travertine deposition in the Middle Miocene Levač intramountain basin (Central Serbia)

ABSTRACTTravertines are terrestrial carbonates that are commonly associated with fault activity in extensional and transtensional basins. The faults serve as conduits for the rising and mixing of carbonate‐enriched fluids with thermal and meteoric CO2 inputs promoting travertine precipitation at the surface. Therefore, travertine successions provide key constraint on the faulting, depositional environments, fluid flow and climate. This work focuses on the travertine succession in the Miocene Levač Basin, the marginal basin of the Morava Corridor situated at the junction of the Dinarides and the southernmost Carpathians. Detailed sedimentological, geochronological (U–Pb age, laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry) and structural analyses of the travertines are used to reconstruct the evolution of the feeding geoothermal system. Furthermore, these data were used to understand the controlling factors governing alternation of fluid flows enriched in thermally generated and meteoric CO2, and precipitation of travertines in Levač Basin, and finally to elucidate the late stage of basin evolution. Four facies associations are distinguished within the succession, i.e. travertine slope, ridge, flat, and travertine flat under the fluvial influence. The results demonstrated that travertine deposition was controlled by north‐west/south‐west and north‐east/south‐east normal fault arrays. Stable isotope data show positive δ13C values (with δ18O being negative) shifting to negative in the distal and stratigraphically younger deposits implying dilution of deep hydrothermal fluids by mixing with meteoric waters. Finally, travertine deposits yielded a new U–Pb age of ca 14 Ma indicating that the Middle Miocene extensional phase known from other intermountain basins in the Dinarides reached as far east as the Levač Basin and Morava Corridor.

Assessment of Sexual Health and Use of Cervical Cancer Screening among the Female Working Population.

Cervical cancer occupies a significant place in the overall structure of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We focused on the sexual health and use of cervical cancer screening among the female working population of reproductive age in Central Serbia. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study, according to the methodology Stepwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance WHO. The study population consisted of 1182 female working population aged 18-49 years, living on the territory of Central Serbia. The method of simple random sampling was utilized in the research itself. An anonymous standardized questionnaire was used as a research tool. During the first sexual intercourse, 38.9% of the participants reported not having used any of the contraceptives, whereas 74.5% of the participants reported not having used them during their last sexual intercourse and 26.1% of the respondents reported not having had a single Pap smear in their lifetime. The multivariate logistic regression analysis singled out the following factors in women who reported not having done a Pap smear in their lifetime as the most significant ones: age - the youngest age group (OR = 3.30, CI = 1.80-6.04), unemployment (OR = 2.87, CI = 0.07-3.40), women who had never been married or had never been in a common-law marriage (OR = 2.55, CI = 1.40-4.66) and individuals with a medium education level (OR = 2.63, CI = 1.67-4.14). In Serbia, all the activities should be directed towards increasing the levels of awareness and knowledge on sexual health and cervical cancer screening services.

Beyond the virus: Examining the impact of COVID-19 on violent fatalities

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various aspects of society, including crime rates. In Serbia, it is important to examine the changes in violent deaths before and during the pandemic to inform public health and safety policies. Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective, epidemiological, cross-sectional analytical study of medico-legal autopsies in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the University Clinical Center of Kragujevac. Our study sample comprises all forensic autopsy cases examined from January 2017 to December 2019 (151 cases), labeled as “Before,” and from January 2020 to December 2022 (192 cases), labeled as “During” the pandemic period. Natural deaths, skeletal remains, and undetermined cases were excluded from our sample. ResultsThe data show an increase in the total number of incidents reported from 152 in the “Before” period to 191 in the “During” period. The proportion of incidents involving males remained relatively stable at around 70%, while the proportion of incidents involving females increased. There was no statistically significant change in the proportion of incidents classified as accidental, while the proportion of incidents classified as homicide and suicide increased. The results show a statistically significant association between gender and incident type for both the “Before” and “During” periods. Deaths due to domestic violence have increased by 22.2% during the pandemic, which is cause for concern. In terms of demographic characteristics, males and younger individuals were more likely to be victims of violent deaths both before and during the pandemic. ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on violent deaths in the Šumadija region (Central Serbia), with an overall increase in the number of violent deaths and a major impact on deaths due to domestic violence. Policies to address domestic violence should be prioritized during the pandemic and beyond, and strategies should be developed to mitigate the effects of future pandemics or lockdowns.