Kata Füge

Cross-sectional survey on self-reported health of ambulance personnel

BackgroundThe high job stress among ambulance personnel is a widely known phenomenon. Purpose: to asses the self reported health status of ambulance workers.MethodsAn anonym self-fill-in questionnaire applying SF-36 was used among workers from the northern and western regions of Hungarian National Ambulance Service.ResultsBased on the dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire the respondents considered their “Physical Functioning” the best, while “Vitality” was regarded the worst. The more time an employee have been worked at the HNAS the worse his health was in the first four dimensions like, “Physical Functioning”, “Role-Physical”, “Bodily Pain”, “General Health”: p < 0.001. Those working in secondary part-time jobs considered their health in all dimensions worse. The respondents who did some kind of sports hold their health in all dimensions better (p < 0.001). The workers with higher BMI regarded their health status worse, in four dimensions: “Physical Functioning”: p = 0.001; “Role-Physical”: p = 0.013; “General Health”: p < 0.001; “Role-Emotional”: p = 0.05.ConclusionsThe workers health status proved to be insufficient according to the subjective perception and measurable parameters. According to the subjective perception of health and measurable parameters of health status of workers proved to be insufficient. Poor physical health can lead indirectly to psychological problems, which may lower the quality of the work and can lead to high turn-over.

Social Participation and Health among Ageing People in East-Central Europe

Abstract In this study we examined the health of the ageing population of East-Central Europe. Data derived from the 6th round of the European Social Survey. The aim of our research was to examine the most important factors that determine ageing people’s health status. We paid particular attention to the social ties of our target group.

Consumption of different types of fluids in Hungarian adults

Introduction: Water is involved in practically all functions of the human body and plays an important role in life and health. The type of fluid intake has an impact on daily calorie intake. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of consumption of different types of fluids in adults. Method: A total of 1,058 adults (496 men and 562 women) aged 18-85 were recruited from South Hungary. The information on the quality of fluid intake was collected using food and fluid frequency questionnaire. Results: The main part of daily fluid consumption was water in 76.9% of the study population. A total of almost 50% never drink milk or any other fluid dairy products. Consumption of sweet regular beverages and alcoholic drinks (beer, wine and hard liquor) was significantly higher in men than in women (p<0.05). 63% of women choose yogurt several times a week or more often than men (p<0.05). 74% of subjects consumed coffee. Conclusions: The biggest part of total fluid intake is water. Differences in the pattern of fluid consumption were observed between genders. Men were at a greater risk than women of unnecessary energy intake from sugar and alcohol.