Magdalena Sulima

Alcohol consumption and quality of embryos obtained in programmes of in vitro fertilization

INTRODUCTION Infertility is defined as a state when a couple fails to conceive a pregnancy after one year of regular intercourse without the use of contraception. Alcohol consumption is one of the main stimulants which negatively affect the female and male reproductive system. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was analysis of the effect of alcohol consumption by the examined women on the quality of embryos obtained during in vitro fertilization programmes. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study covered 54 women who received treatment due to infertility. The database and statistical analyses were performed using computer software STATISTICA 7.1 (StatSoft, Poland). RESULTS The study showed that 42.59% from among 100% of the women in the study consumed alcohol. In the group of women who consumed alcohol, class A embryos constituted 4.35%, class B embryos - 86.96%, while embryos of class C - 8.69%. A statistically significant difference was observed between the classes of embryos and alcohol consumption by the women examined (p=0.001). In addition, a statistically significant relationship was found between the amount of alcohol consumed and the classes of embryos (p=0.005). A significantly larger number of class B embryos came from women who consumed more than 25 grams of ethyl alcohol daily (72.72%), compared to those who consumed alcohol sporadically (44.44%), or those who abstained entirely from alcohol (30.00%). CONCLUSIONS Alcohol consumption causes the development of poorer quality embryos. Significantly more embryos of class B came from oocytes of women who consumed alcohol, compared to class A. An active campaign against alcohol consumption should be carried out among women at reproductive age to safeguard their fertility and future motherhood.

Predictors of the quality of life of women in peri-menopausal period

INTRODUCTION The peri-menopausal period is the time of many biological, psychological and social changes. The quality of life of women in this period may be conditioned by many factors, and analysis of these factors may indicate the optimum directions of prophylactic and educational actions. OBJECTIVE Analysis of selected predictive factors of the quality of life of women in the peri-menopausal period. MATERIALS AND METHOD The study covered 268 peri-menopausal women. The qualification criteria were: age 45-55, lack of mental disorders and diseases requiring hospitalization during the period of study. The study was conducted using standardized instruments: Womens Health Questionnaire - WHQ, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and an author-constructed questionnaire. RESULTS The presented study of the quality of life showed that the women examined felt physically unattractive, lacking the full joy of life, and frequently experienced somatic complaints. Nevertheless, the respondents enjoyed life, had no constant feeling of anxiety and concern. Multi-factor analysis showed that the quality of life in the group of women in the study was affected by the following factors: level of depression, self-reported state of health, occurrence of menopausal symptoms, education level, and marital status. CONCLUSIONS The quality of life of the peri-menopausal women examined was the highest with respect to depressive mood (DEP) and anxiety/depressed mood (ANX), while it was the lowest with respect to the sense of attractiveness (ATT), and somatic symptoms (SOM). In addition, in the group of women in peri-menopausal period the quality of life was conditioned: level of depression, self-reported state of health, occurrence of menopausal symptoms, education level, and marital status.

Birthing school – patient’s assessment on the influence of classes on parturition

Abstract Pregnancy is a woman’s physiological state, covering the period from conception to birth. It is an important time in the life of every woman and the child’s father. Often, the parents-to-be find the new situation difficult. Childbirth classes may prove helpful during pregnancy and childbirth for mothers and fathers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of antenatal classes on parturition, according to the assessment of patients. The study was conducted at the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski Provincial Specialist University Hospital in Lublin at the maternity ward on a group of 155 patients by means of diagnostic survey. The survey, by which the research material was collected, has been developed with the author’s own method. It has been shown that education and age of the participants influence the decision to use the services of childbirth education classes. Furthermore, the knowledge of breathing techniques, the use of birthing facilities, development of a plan for parturition and knowledge of methods of pain relief of childbirth have no impact on its duration. It was also shown that it is important to use relevant childbirth positions.

Sexual education from the view of high school students

Abstract Introduction. Sexual education is still a non-defined area concerning the sex life of man. It is perceived differently depending on the country and its culture. In Poland, it should be implemented as part of ‘Family Life Education’. Objective. The aim of the research is to present the opinion of male and female high school students concerning sex education. Materials and methods. The research was conducted in 2014 on 450 male and female high school students in two provinces of Poland: 225 students from the Stanislaw Konarski High School in Mielec, Podkarpackie Province, and 225 from the Zbigniew Herbert High School in Lublin, Lubelskie province. Results. Close to half of the surveyed participated in a class ‘Family Life Education’ (48%); however, 32% and 22.9% were not satisfied with the class. Poor aspects of the subject were observed by the great majority of students (70%). Most of the youths (68.9%) desire a more complex approach to the subject, to be led by a medical specialist (68%). Conclusions. The students stated that sex education as part of ‘Family Life Education’ class is not satisfactory. They demand a specialist, medical knowledge of human sexuality. Parents, who should constitute a major source of information, had considerable influence in the sex education of their children.