Barbara Ślusarska

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice in Poland

This authors of this column explore the use of nursing theory in Poland. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted to explore what, if any nursing theories were used by nurses in Poland, and if an education program on nursing theory increased the use of nursing theory. The study found that while there were discrepancies between the nurses’ theoretical knowledge base and their use of these theories in practice, there is evidence of the use of the ideas and theory of Nightingale, Orem, and Henderson in nursing practice in Poland.

Assessment of differences in psychosocial resources and state of health of rural and urban residents – based on studies carried out on students during examination stress

INTRODUCTION Civilization changes of the environment shaping the psychosocial resources from rural to urban influence human health. AIM The study aimed to identify the differences due to the place of residence (rural, urban) as far as health resources are concerned (social support, sense of coherence, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration in plasma) and health in examination stress situations. The study also determined the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (health resource) and cortisol (stress indicator). MATERIAL AND METHODS The psychosocial variables were assessed using the scales: ISEL-48v. Coll., SOC-29, SF-36v.2™ o and analogue scale (perception of examination stress). The study included, based on a stratified sampling (year of study) and purposive sampling (written examination, major), 731 students representing the six universities in Lublin, south-east Poland. Among the respondents, 130 students were rural residents. RESULTS Health resources of students living in rural and urban areas generally differ statistically significantly in social support and the subscales of availability of tangible support, availability of appreciative support, the availability of cognitive-evaluative support and a sense of resourcefulness. The study recorded a sstatistically significantly larger network of family ties among students living in rural areas. The demonstrated diversity of resources did not substantially affect the perceived health, with the exception of pain sensation. Examination stress assessed by subjective opinion of the respondents and plasma cortisol levels vary relative to the place of residence. Students residing in rural areas showed significantly lower cortisol levels values, but subjectively perceived the situation of examation as more stressful. CONCLUSIONS Differences in health resources and their mechanism of impact on health, to a limited extent, were conditioned by the place of residence, but they are so important in the light of human choices that they require further analysis.

Patient education in nursing—Polish literature condition

The aim of the review is to present the results of an analysis and evaluation of the state of research on patient education based on the Polish nursing literature. A review and analysis of 139 research works was carried out, which during the years of 1990-2001 appeared in Polish nursing journals as well as in post-conference and convention proceedings and reports. The collected material was evaluated according to the following criteria: defining the research problem, defining and operationalising the variables studied, the research tool applied, the research method used, the size and selection of the research sample, the results achieved. The analysis of research works carried out in the area of patient education became the basis of the objective knowledge of the current state of research and its relation to the nursing practice in this area.

Age discrimination in healthcare institutions perceived by seniors and students

Background: Old age–based discrimination is observed as the most tolerated prejudice in society and has also been witnessed in healthcare institutions. Aims: The aim of this study is to explore age-based discrimination in healthcare institutions as perceived by seniors and students of Medicine and Nursing. Research design: A multi-method study design, by involving a triangulation design. Participants and research context: A purposeful sample of individuals aged 65+ (n = 80) and medical and nursing students (n = 100) in the eastern region of Poland. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval of the research protocol was received from the Ethics Committee at the Medical University of Lublin. Findings: ‘Old age’ was perceived by groups of participants based on three themes: (a) positive, (b) negative and (c) neutral connotations. The negative connotations predominated. The beginning of old age was defined by the metric of age and described by showing the complexity of the ageing process involving subjective, objective and societal aspects. Experience of age discrimination in healthcare institutions was reported by 24 (30%) seniors and witnessed by 47 (47%) students surveyed and for both groups occurred mainly at the hospital level and by physicians. Only 48 students (48%) declared a willingness to work with the older people in the future, and barriers were reported at the personal and professional levels, and also in some visions of older people. Conclusion: The conceptualization of old age as reported by seniors and students mainly carried negative connotations, reflecting the profoundly based stereotypes within society regarding the older people. Seniors have reported being exposed to ageism and have witnessed ageism episodes in HCIs; also, students have faced ageism episodes during their clinical education. There is a need for ethical education within medical and nursing courses to shape positive attitudes towards the older people. A positive vision of ageing should be promoted not only among young people but also among adults and older people to avoid self-stereotyping of older people and seeing old age from negative perspective.

The Degree of an Internet Addiction Among School Youth

Abstract Introduction. The development of mass media, including an Internet has a significant impact on the lifestyle of young people. Despite of universal access and countless opportunities offered via Internet, an increasingly common phenomenon observed for several years is the excessive use of networks by young people, which can lead to Internet addiction. Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of the Internet addiction in a group of junior high school students and high school students and selected conditions of this state. Material and methods. The applied research method was a diagnostic survey, and the following tools: the Kimberly Young’s Internet Addiction Test and the authors’ self-designed survey. The study covered 263 junior high school and high school students. The research was carried out from April to June 2018. Results. The Internet addiction was observed in 11% of the surveyed students. The use of social networking sites was the most common reason for using the Internet among surveyed (95%). The health problems associated with the long time of using the network of addicted students were general fatigue (61%) and lack of sleep (61%). Students addicted to the Internet much more often felt lonely (61%), depressed, upset or sad (n = 22, 78.6%) in contrast to other respondents. Conclusions. Demographic variables (such as: sex, type of school, place of residence) have no significant impact on the development of Internet addiction. Psychosocial functioning has an impact on the development of the Internet addiction.

The health locus of control and health behaviours declared by students of health sciences

Abstract Introduction. Health locus of control is an essential factor affecting lifestyle which plays a major role in choosing health behaviours by individuals including young ones. Aim. The aim of the study was the determination of selected conditions of health control and health behaviours in students of health sciences. Material and methods. The study encompassed 175 students of health sciences at the Medical University of Lublin. The multidimensional health locus of control scale (MHLC), version B, by Z. Juczyński was applied as it measures expectations in three dimensions of health control: internal, external (influence of others) and chance. A special authors’ questionnaire compiled for the purpose was used to assess health behaviours. Results. The results of the study show that the internal dimension of health control (25.86 points) has the greatest impact on health in the group studied. The oldest study participants dwelling in the countryside gave this dimension a higher ranking than other study participants. For the students health behaviours included fastening seat belts, healthy nutrition and doing sports. Conclusions. The internal dimension of health control constitutes an essential factor determining health behaviours of the study participants. The students who are not able to assess whether they are healthy individuals, significantly more frequently perceive the greatest influence of others on their health.

Determinants of Health Behaviors in Individuals of Medical and Non-Medical Professions

Abstract Aim. Determination of health behaviors in the group of people performing medical and non-medical professions. Material and methods. The research covered 598 individuals divided into two groups: those performing medical professions (group M, n = 305) and non-medical (group P; n = 293). Standardized tools were used: Health Behavior Inventory, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - version B, General Self-Efficacy Scale on risk factors and prevention of civilization diseases (own authorship). The controls were subjected to measurement of blood pressure as well as their height and body mass tests. Results. In group M, the level of self-efficacy, the location of health control in terms of the influence of the others and the chance, age, incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the father, smoking and the level of mean systolic blood pressure explain 17.5% of the variability of health behavior. In group P, the level of self-efficacy, location of health control in terms of the influence of the others and the chance, monthly net income per a family member, the occurrence of neoplasms in siblings, smoking, average blood pressure and the level of knowledge about risk factors and prevention of civilization diseases explain 27.9% of the variance of the health behavior variable. Conclusions. There is a diversification of selected determinants of health behaviors in the group of individuals performing medical and non-medical professions, with their stronger impact on non-medical professionals (17.5% vs. 27.9% of their variability).

Moderation and Mediation Analysis of the Relationship between Total Protein Concentration and the Risk of Depressive Disorders in Older Adults with Function Dependence in Home Care

Due to its devastating consequences, late-life depression is an important public health problem. The aim of the study was an analysis of variables which may potentially influence the risk of depression (GDS-SF). Furthermore, the aim was to study possible mediating effects of given variables on the relationship between the total protein concentration and the risk of depression in older adults with chronic diseases, and physical function impairment. The research sample included 132 older adults with chronic conditions and physical function impairments, residing in a long-term care in residential environment. In the studied group of sensory organs, diseases proved to be a significant moderator of the relationship between GDS-SF and total serum protein concentration. A stronger relationship was observed in subjects suffering from diseases of sensory organs (b = −6.42, 95% CI= −11.27; −1.58). The Barthel index and 25(OH)D vitamin were the most significant mediators of the examined relationship. Cohort research is suggested to confirm the hypothesis.

Analysis of Health Behaviors and Personal Values of Childless Women, Pregnant Women and Women Who Recently Delivered

Preconception lifestyle modifications and reduction of several known risk factors may have an influence on future pregnancy outcomes. The aim of the study was to analyze health behaviors and personal values as well as to assess the relationship between these factors in women without children, in pregnant women and in women who had already delivered babies. The questionnaire survey included the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), the Personal Value List (PVL) and sociodemographic data and was conducted in 538 women. These women were divided into three groups: women who had recently delivered (n = 235), pregnant women (n = 121) and childless women (n = 182). Pregnant women demonstrated a significantly higher level of declared health behaviors, and also, they rated higher on the subscales values “positive mental attitude” and “health practices”, in comparison to women who had recently delivered and to childless women. In all tested groups, the highest rated personal value was “a successful family life”, while the most appreciated symbol of happiness was “love and friendship”. Our results suggest that the system of values and the perception of happiness symbols may influence women’s health behaviors. Positioning “health” in the hierarchy of personal values as the most important one may facilitate the introduction of healthy behaviors. This, in turn, could reduce several adverse pregnancy outcomes that are potentially modifiable with changing preconception health attitudes. Our results also identify several unanswered questions and highlight areas where new research is needed.

Sleep disorders as a common social problem - selected determinants and health consequences

Abstract Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze determinants of the sleep disorders in adults and their health consequences based on the literature review. Material and methods. The method of systematic analysis of literature was applied for the study. The literature review by keywords was based on the data from the Google Scholar web search databases, EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) search engines, Arianta scientific and industry journals, and information from the years 2010-2017 available on the website. Results. Poor quality of sleep and too few sleep hours can be both a consequence and a cause of overweight and obesity. Such phenomena cause adverse changes in the endocrine system - in the form of hormonal imbalance affecting appetite, blood glucose level and the development of insulin resistance, what in turn, leads to disease development. It is, therefore, necessary to educate patients about proper sleep hygiene, reducing excessive body weight and developing healthy eating habits. Conclusions. There is a relationship between sleep disorders together with eating disorders and somatic diseases. Sleep disorders can predispose to obesity, adversely affect the carbohydrate balance, causing increased insulin resistance and increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as numerous cardiovascular diseases.