Dorota Kaleta

Epidemiology of physical inactivity in Poland: prevalence and determinants in a former communist country in socioeconomic transition.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify physical activity patterns and determinants of physical inactivity in a representative sample of Polish adults. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional analysis of 14 769 randomly selected individuals (52.7% women and 47.3% men) aged 20-74 years participating in the National Polish Health Survey, WOBASZ (2002-2005). METHODS Sociodemographic and lifestyle details were collected. Assessment of physical activity was based on selected questions from the CINDI Health Monitor Questionnaire. RESULTS Approximately 35% of Polish adults are not physically active in leisure time, whilst 39.5% declare sufficient level of leisure-time physical activity. Leisure-time inactivity is significantly less likely in persons aged <35 years, those with university education and those living in rural areas. Almost 48% of men and 28.4% of women employed full- or part-time report highly active work, whilst sedentary work is reported by 42.7% of women and 30.2% of men. Low occupational activity is more prevalent in young adults, persons with university education and those living in large urban areas. Nearly 67% of the entire working population report no active commuting. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to promote various forms of physical activity, with special attention on active commuting and leisure-time activities across both genders and all age groups. Public health policies and programmes should focus on substantial differences between various sociodemographic groups.

Employment Status and Self Rated Health

OBJECTIVES In many countries, reducing inequalities in health and mortality has become a significant problem. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between employment status and self rated health in study population. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was performed in the randomly selected population of individuals aged 25-64 years. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals as well as to control the effects of employment status and self rated health. RESULTS The multifactorial logistic regression analysis indicates that, in men and women, self rated health was associated with employment status. Among unemployed men, the risk of low self health assessment was over 3 times higher than in the employed ones (adjusted OR = 3.34; 95% Cl: 1.96-11.58). Among unemployed women, the risk of low self health assessment was nearly 1.5 times higher than among the employed (adjusted OR = 1.35; 95% Cl: 1.06-3.02). CONCLUSIONS Self health assessment is related to a number of factors, including unemployment, low education or income, that increase the risk of poor health. These results emphasise the potential health consequences of unemployment and material circumstances in Poland.

Predictors of long-term smoking cessation: results from the global adult tobacco survey in Poland (2009–2010)

BackgroundExpanding the information on determinants of smoking cessation is crucial for developing and implementing more effective tobacco control measures at the national as well as European levels. Data on smoking cessation and its social correlates among adults from middle-income countries of Central and Eastern Europe are still poorly reported in the literature. The aim of the study was to analyze the association of socio-demographic indicators with long term tobacco smoking cessation (quit smoking for at least one year prior to interview) among adults. Moreover, we evaluated motives for giving up smoking from former smokers.MethodsData on former as well as current smokers’ socio-demographic and smoking-related characteristics were derived from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). GATS is a cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey implemented in Poland between 2009 and 2010. GATS collected data on a representative sample of 7,840 individuals including 1,206 individuals who met the criteria of long-term smoking cessation and 2,233 current smokers. Smoking cessation rate was calculated as the number of former smokers divided by the number of ever smokers. Logistic regression analyses were used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the broad number of variables on successful cessation of smoking.ResultsAmong females the quit rate was 30.4% compared to 37.9% in males (p < 0.01). Former smokers declared concerns about the health hazard of smoking (60.8%) and the high price of cigarettes (11.6%) as primary reasons for smoking cessation. Older age, high education attainment, awareness of smoking health consequences was associated with long-term quitting among both genders. Also employed males had over twice the probability of giving up smoking compared with unemployed, and being religious did not contribute to successful smoking cessation.ConclusionResults indicated that smoking cessation policies focused on younger age groups are vital for curbing tobacco epidemic in Poland and should become a public health main concern. There is also the need for interventions to raise awareness on smoking health risks and quitting benefits are crucial to increase cessation potential among adult smokers. Nevertheless further effort needs to be done to prevent smoking uptake.

Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of daily cigarette smoking in Poland: Results from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2009–2010)

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of daily cigarette smoking among adults in Poland.Materials and MethodsA nationally representative household study was implemented between 2009 and 2010 to explore smoking pattern among the population aged 15 years and older. The smoking status and socio-demographic data were determined based on the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) questionnaire. Out of the 14000 households selected for the survey, 7840 sampled persons completed the interviews, including 2162 respondents who declared daily smoking of cigarettes. Logistic regression models were applied to assess factors related to daily cigarette smoking.ResultsOver 33% of men and 21% of women (p < 0.01) reported tobacco smoking on a daily basis. The significantly higher risk of smoking on a daily basis was observed among the male and female 20–59 years of age compared to the 60 or older population (p < 0.05). For men and women with the lower educational (primary/vocational/secondary) level, the risk of smoking was significantly higher than for the subjects with university degree (p < 0.05). The unemployed men smoked daily significantly more frequently than the employed ones (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4–2.4). This association was not observed among women (p > 0.05). The residents of urban areas smoked significantly more frequently than people living in rural settings (p < 0.05).ConclusionsActions to tackle socio-economic inequalities in smoking need to be intensified. The antismoking efforts should be focused on the population of Poles at large and people with lower educational levels, unemployed men, and residents of large urban settings in particular. The tobacco control interventions should also address the population of women at reproductive age.

Determinants of heavy smoking: Results from the global adult tobacco survey in Poland (2009–2010)

ObjectiveThe aim of current analysis was to identify socio-demographic correlates of heavy smoking.Materials and MethodsGlobal Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), a nationally representative household study was implemented in Poland between 2009 and 2010. We used data on representative sample of 1915 adults, age 25 years and older. The Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for heavy smoking to the broad number of variables including age, age at smoking onset, education, occupational classification, living conditions, place of residence, place of residence at age about 14 years, awareness of smoking health consequences were tested in logistic regression model.ResultsAmong daily smokers the rate of heavy smokers was 63% in males and 45% in females (p < 0.001). The present study indicated that three characteristics: age, early age at smoking onset and lack of awareness of smoking health consequences were significantly associated with heavy smoking among both genders. Significantly higher risk of heavy smoking was observed among the 50–59 years of age population compared to the youngest group. The heavy smoking rate was highest among males who started smoking under age 14 years (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4–6.7; p < 0.001) and females that started smoking at age 14–17 years (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5–3.5; p < 0.0001) compared to those who started smoking at age 21 years or older. Heavy smoking was significantly correlated to lack of awareness of adverse health consequences of smoking (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–2.03; p < 0.01 and OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.2; p < 0.01 for men and women, respectively) compared to aware respondents.ConclusionsThese outcomes should be taken into account while developing tobacco control measures. Among other things, educational interventions to increase knowledge of adverse tobacco health effects should be widely implemented.

Correlates of Cessation Success among Romanian Adults

Background. Tobacco smoking and its consequences are a serious public health problem in Romania. Evidence-based data on factors associated with successful smoking cessation are crucial to optimize tobacco control. The aim of the study was to determine the sociodemographic and other factors associated with smoking cessation success among adults. Materials and Methods. Data was from a sample of 4,517 individuals derived from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). GATS is a cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey implemented in Romania in 2011. Data was analyzed with logistic regression. Results. Among females, the quit rate was 26.3% compared with 33.1% in males (P < 0.02). We found disparities in cessation success among the analyzed groups of respondents. Being economically active, being aged 40 and above, and having an awareness of smoking health consequences were associated with long-term quitting smoking among men, while initiating smoking at a later age increased the odds of quitting smoking among women. However, cohabitation with nonsmokers was the strongest predictor of successful cessation among both genders. Conclusion. Programs increasing quit rates and encourage cessation among groups less likely to quit, adopting voluntary smoke-free homes, and increasing the awareness of smoking and tobacco pollution risks are needed.

Effective protection from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in Poland: The World Health Organization perspective

Tobacco is the single greatest preventable cause of death in the world today, killing approximately half of the people who use it. Several strategies have been proved to reduce tobacco use. However, more than 50 years after the health effects of smoking were scientifically proven, and more than 20 years after evidence confirmed the hazards from exposure to second-hand smoke, few countries have implemented effective and recognized strategies to control the tobacco epidemic. This paper summarizes the World Health Organization recommendations for effective protection from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke along with the existing tobacco control programs and legislation in force in Poland.

Implementation of smoke-free homes in Poland.

OBJECTIVES Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) constitutes a threat to the health of many people. In order to diminish ETS exposure, countries (including Poland) implemented legal restrictions of smoking in public places and worksites. Currently more attention is also paid to reduce overall and residential ETS exposure by voluntary smoke-free home policy adoption. The aim of current analysis was to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of implementing smoking bans at place of residence among economically active males and females in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from cross-sectional, household study - Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2009-2010) were analyzed. The logistic regression model was applied for appropriate calculations. RESULTS Out of 3696 studied subjects only 37.1% adopted total smoking ban within the home. Decreased likelihood of adopting total smoking bans was associated with current smoker status, low education attainment, lack of awareness on adverse health consequences of ETS, low level of support for tobacco control policies, and cohabitation with a smoker in both genders. Having smoke-free homes was also linked with age in women, place of residence and work smoking policy in indoor areas in men. CONCLUSIONS Targeted activities to encourage adopting voluntary smoke-free rules among groups least likely to implement 100% smoking bans in the home and activities to decrease social acceptance of smoking in the presence of nonsmokers, children, pregnant woman are urgently needed.

Smoking Patterns and Smoking Cessation Willingness—A Study among Beneficiaries of Government Welfare Assistance in Poland

This study examines the prevalence and tobacco use patterns among adult social assistance beneficiaries and their interest in quitting. The results are based on data collected in a cross-sectional survey conducted among adults in the Piotrkowski district. A sample of 3636 social assistance beneficiaries produced a total of 1817 respondents who completed face-to-face questionnaires. Overall, 37.1% of the respondents, including 52.8% men and 29.6% women, were current smokers. Over one third of the smokers reported their willingness to quit. In the study population, several characteristics were significantly associated with the current daily smoking: male gender, low educational attainment, unemployment or temporary employment, lack of awareness of smoking-associated health risks, use of e-cigarettes, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The intention to quit smoking among the daily smokers was positively correlated with their awareness of smoking-associated health risks, lack of previous quit attempts, and low exposure to ETS. Smoking prevalence among social assistance recipients tends to be higher than in the general population, but more than half of the smokers are willing to quit. There is an urgency to develop policies tailored to the needs of these disadvantaged population groups.

Perceived Relative Harm of Selected Cigarettes and Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products—A Study of Young People from a Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Rural Area in Poland

The perceived health risk of recently introduced nicotine and tobacco products may influence both their uptake and continued use. The aim of the study was to assess how adolescents rate relative harmfulness of slim and menthol cigarettes, water pipes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco compared to regular cigarettes. Cross-sectional survey data from students aged 13–19 years from Piotrkowski district, Poland were analyzed. Among the sample of 4050 students, 3552 respondents completed anonymous, confidential, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). The study results indicate that the students perceived slim cigarettes and menthol cigarettes as less harmful, which is in line with the message created by tobacco companies. On the other hand, less popular products such as water pipes and smokeless tobacco were considered as more harmful. The current study indicates insufficient and misleading perception of harmfulness of different tobacco/nicotine products available on the Polish market. Simultaneously, there is insufficient countrywide public health education in this matter. Preventive measures are necessary to discourage young people from smoking uptake and to ensure that potential consumers can, based on objective data, make informed decisions about cigarettes and non-cigarette tobacco products.