Grzegorz Nowicki

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.

Wybrane psychospołeczne problemy opieki pacjentów z POChP

Wstep. Przewlekla obturacyjna choroba pluc ( POChP) charakteryzuje sie niecalkowicie odwracalnym ograniczeniem przeplywu powietrza przez drogi oddechowe, związanym z procesem zapalnym wywolującym skutki lokalne w tkance plucnej. Prowadzi rowniez do szeregu zmian pozaplucnych. Przewlekla obturacyjna choroba pluc obniza jakośc zycia chorych, jest przyczyną niepelnosprawności i inwalidztwa oraz staje sie problemem spolecznym. Cel pracy. Określenie trudności psychospolecznych, wydolności funkcjonalnej oraz samooceny stanu zdrowia wśrod chorych na POChP. Material i metody. Do badania wlączono 100 pacjentow z potwierdzoną spirometrycznie POChP leczonych na oddziale szpitalnym. Przeprowadzono: badanie ankietowe, analize dokumentacji medycznej, ocene stanu depresji (skala Becka) oraz ocene zlozonych czynności zycia codziennego (skala Lawtona IADL). Wyniki i wnioski. Średnia wieku w grupie wynosila 61,2 lat (SD ± 9,18). Mezczyźni stanowili 73,0% chorych. Wśrod badanych 66,0% bylo palaczami tytoniu z ponad 10-letnią historią nalogu. W ocenie duszności skalą mMRC najcześciej wystepowal stopien II u 28%, stopien III u 26%, a IV u 17%. W opinii 52% badanych najwiekszym problemem związanym z chorobą jest bezradnośc w zyciu codziennym. U 54% osob z POChP stwierdzono depresje umiarkowaną, a u 14,0% depresje ciezką. Czas leczenia pacjentow ma wplyw na wystepowanie i nasilenie depresji (p < 0,001, r c = 0,436 ). W ocenie wydolności funkcjonalnej w skali IADL 20% badanych radzi siebie w czynnościach z niewielką pomocą osob drugich, pozostali są samodzielni. U chorych z POChP zidentyfikowano obnizenie nastroju, lek, niepokoj, depresje oraz poczucie stanu bezradności, a ich spoleczne funkcjonowanie jest znacznie ograniczone.

Women’s health behaviors and selected determinants in breast cancer prevention / Zachowania zdrowotne kobiet i wybrane ich determinanty w profilaktyce raka piersi

Abstract Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer in women in Poland. Health behaviors concerning lifestyle and breast self-examination (BSE) constitute a significant element of early prevention. Aim. To determine the level of the women’s health behaviors and selected determinants in breast cancer prevention. Material and methods. The study was carried out among 144 female residents of Radom County from March to April, 2014. The diagnostic survey method was applied with an author’s questionnaire compiled for this purpose. Results. The average level of health behavior was presented by 64.6 % of the women while the low level by 32.6 %. The evaluation of awareness of risk factors and breast cancer prevention revealed that 54.9% of the respondents obtained the maximum score. The lowest result equals 19.3 % whereas the highest one is 88.6%. The total of 53.5 % of the females declared embarrassment on clinical breast examination (CBE). Conclusions. A higher level of health behaviors is found in the women with higher education and greater knowledge of breast cancer risk factors. The respondents who experience greater embarrassment during clinical breast examination present a lower level of health behaviors

Fall as a cause of hospitalization in the Emergency Department in a population of people over 65 years of age

Introduction. Falls are included among the geriatric giants, as their consequences in older people are major in terms of nursing, medical, social and economic problems. In the case of elders they can lead to fractures and, consequently, even to death. Materials and method. The study retrospectively analysed the medical records of 455 cases of injuries resulting from falls among patients over 65 years of age. Data was gathered in the Emergency Department (ER) of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, Poland. The analysis included patients who visited the ER during the period 01.05.2009–30.04.2010. Results. Elderly patients hospitalized in the ER within the given period accounted for 8.10% of all patients. Most of patients over 65 years of age were admitted in December due to falls; slightly fewer cases were recorded in March and April. Mondays and Saturdays were the days of the week with the highest number of reports of elderly patients. Analysis of the collected data incorporating further treatment showed that the great majority of injured patients did not require hospitalization and were discharged home. In the analyzed population of older people, damage to upper and lower limbs dominated, followed by injuries to the head, chest and abdomen. Conclusion. Falls are a major cause of reduced quality of life, disability and death in older people. There are important factors in limb fractures (90%-100%). Preventing falls is a difficult and underestimated problem. There is a need of implementing preventative measures in the case of falls in elderly patients.

Determinanty zakresu praktyki pielęgniarskiej w opiece nad pacjentami nieprzytomnymi = Determinants of the scope of nursing practice in the care of unconscious patients

Ślusarska Barbara, Slabczynski Marian, Zarzycka Danuta, Nowicki Grzegorz Jozef, Deluga Alina, Zboina Bozena. Determinanty zakresu praktyki pielegniarskiej w opiece nad pacjentami nieprzytomnymi = Determinants of the scope of nursing practice in the care of unconscious patients. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(11):130-141. ISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.33604 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%2811%29%3A130-141 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/668101 Formerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011–2014 http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja. Specyfika i zawartośc merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie. Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., ze w roku 2014 nie bedzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktow co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r. The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014).

Anxiety and depression levels, self-efficacy and work-related stress among employees of the National Medical Rescue System

Introduction: Professional life is connected not only to positive experiences like self-fulfillment, personal development, improvement of the socio-economical status, although it is associated with negative situations. Furthermore, there could be the mentioned experience correlated with occupational stress among the last group. Objectives: The researchers aim is to assess the level of emotional control, especially negative ones among theNationalMedical Rescue System’s employees as well as the level of anxiety and depression depending on the variables like gender, place of residence, marital status, level of stress, susceptibility to stress, working conditions and an attempt to determinewhether the level of self-efficacy is influenced by the above mentioned emotions. Materials and methods: The study involved 100 employees of the National Medical Rescue System. For the purpose of the work two questionnaires were used:

First Aid education in the opinion of secondary school students

BackgroundThe European Resuscitation Council guidelines recommend First Aid education at all levels of schooling. Schools should prepare students for the challenges of the contemporary world, including First Aid assistance in cases of casualties and crisis response, to ensure their own safety as well as that of victims and witnesses. The present study aims to evaluate First Aid classes for secondary schools students and the correlation with acquired knowledge regarding conduct under conditions of an imminent threat to health or life.MethodsThe study included 500 people: secondary school students of second forms, second and third classes of technical colleges and university students of various faculties in the Lublin province. This paper uses a diagnostic survey and employs a specially developed questionnaire. Questions in the survey were constructed on the basis of the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines of 2010.ResultsMore than half its respondents (55.8%) assessed First Aid lessons as quite interesting. Statistical analysis showed that people who have assessed classes as having better quality were statistically more likely to know that everyone has the obligation to provide First Aid (p = 0.00001) and more likely to have given such assistance (p <0.00001). The study indicates that respondents assessing conducted classes in First Aid as interesting more often gave correct answers to questions about First Aid (p <0.05).ConclusionAfter analyzing the results of the study, it was shown that most students are satisfied with the First Aid classes at their school. Furthermore, the classes used phantoms and had a practical nature. Among students assessing First Aid classes as “well and very well” led, a greater level of knowledge regarding the recognition of cardiac arrest and performing resuscitation was ascertained. This suggests that such young people turn more often to rescue operations, taking into account both their own safety and that of the victim. It is desirable to continue further investigation into diversification of teaching methods, to increase both the number of hours devoted to teaching First Aid and to involve medical professionals in teaching these lessons.