Background: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy may result in a wide range of morphological and neurodevelopmental abnormalities, most notably fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Aim of the study: To evaluate: (1) Opolskie Voivodeship high school students’ level of knowledge on the subject of FAS (2) the factors contributing to this level of knowledge (3) sources of information about FAS which are accessible and preferred by secondary school students. Material and methods: The study was conducted in 2018 among 228 adult students of Opole secondary schools. The authors used a diagnostic survey based on original questions they developed for the study. The students’ knowledge was assessed using a four-level scale (very good, good, sufficient, and insufficient). Results: Only 37.28% (85) of students surveyed had ever heard of FAS. A total of 135 people (59.21%) had sufficient knowledge, 57 respondents (25.00%) had a good level of knowledge, 28 respondents (12.28%) had insufficient knowledge, and 8 respondents (3.51%) had very good knowledge. The level of women’s knowledge was higher than that of men (p=0.001). The majority claimed that there was a need to raise awareness of FAS (77.19%; 176). Respondents indicated they believe teachers (51.75%; 118) and family members (50.88%; 116), followed by health care workers (42.11%; 96) should be primarily responsible for this education. Conclusions: A definitive minority of those surveyed had a good or very good level of knowledge about FAS, which indicates the necessity of increasing the education level of this group on this specific topic. Taking into account students’ expectations that teachers aid in such education, FAS educational programs should be implemented at schools.
Background: Due to multiple morbidities, patients experience various symptoms that may be of psychogenic or somatic origin. Anxiety and depression can induce somatization and the feeling that ailments require urgent medical intervention. Aim of the study: This study aimed to: (1) identify which symptoms self-referral patients most commonly report at the emergency department (ED) and which medical diagnoses they are discharged with; and (2) determine whether the type and severity of symptoms, as well as, sociodemographic variables are related to anxiety and depression levels. Material and methods: The study included 110 patients who self-referred to the ED at the University Clinical Hospital in Opole. Diagnostic surveys and questionnaires were used, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and an original questionnaire developed by the authors. Results: Among those suffering from chronic diseases (n = 53; 48.62%), 12 patients (22.64%) did not complete a single visit to the PHCF (Primary Health Care Facility), and 30 patients (56.60%) did not complete a visit to OSC (Outpatient Specialist Care) during the previous 12 months. The most common cause of reporting to the ED were pain and a burning sensation in the chest (n = 29; 27.10%). During discharge, the most common diagnosis was “other chest pains” (n = 22; 20.00%). 82.73% (n = 91) of patients had clear anxiety disorders, and 68.18% (n = 75) had clear depressive disorders. Conclusions: In case of somatic symptoms without a discernible cause in patients, it is necessary to implement comprehensive measures within PHCF, such as periodic measurements of anxiety and depression severity, psychological consultation, and an in-depth medical interview. These data also suggest that proper clinical monitoring should be implemented, including clinical parameters relevant for chronic diseases and the number of visits to the PHCF and OSC.
Background: Along with an increasing number of cancer patients, the need for cytostatic drugs is also increasing. Nursing staff are the largest professional group exposed to the potential dangers of these substances. Aim of the study: Assess the awareness of nursing staff who have direct contact with cytostatic drugs in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Material and methods: The research group consisted of 101 nurses routinely exposed to cytostatic drugs. A diagnostic survey and questionnaire technique were used along with the author’s original questionnaire. Results: Of the respondents, 58.42% (n=59) never used protective shoes while dealing with cytostatics, while 53.4% (n=54) never used long-sleeved, waterproof uniforms; 49.50% (n=50) did not apply half masks, and 34.65% (n=35) failed to protect their eyes with protective glasses. The most common cause of not using the protective equipment was identified as lack of time (72; 71.29%). Deficiency of training on protective measures while working with hazardous cytostatics was cited by 37.62% (n=38) as the reason for their behavior, while almost 22% of them claimed that their employer did not provide them with a sufficient amount of protective equipment for individual use. The older, more experienced and higher-educated the staff, the higher awareness among them about the need for using PPE. Conclusions: Higher-educated and more experienced nursing staff should constitute the source of ‘good practices’ and educate younger undergraduate colleagues theoretically and practically. Employers and management staff should provide employees with more training on the correct application of protective measures and increase the intensity of control of the use of personal protective equipment.
Background: Vaccinations are the most effective method for preventing infectious diseases. Massive implementation of long-term vaccinations strategies has resulted in elimination or a reduced incidence of many infectious diseases. Aim of the study: To evaluate the intensity of the phenomenon of refusal to subject children to preventive vaccinations by attempting to characterize the parental group who refuse to vaccinate their children, determining the type and number of unrealized vaccinations, and identifying the reasons for being unvaccinated. Material and methods: The research material was medical records from the Non-Public Heath Care Unit in Opole. It concerned implementation of the Protective Vaccine Program over the years 2002-2016. A method of retrospective analysis of medical records using modern technology was applied. Results: The phenomenon of refusal to subject children to preventive vaccinations is increasing. In the years 2002-2016, our retrospective analysis identified that 81 vaccinations (0.8% of the 10,057 vaccinations) were not carried out. The largest percentage of unrealized vaccinations involved hepatitis B (23.4%). Parents refusing to vaccinate their children were adults (Median = 31 years old, range: 27-36 years) and predominantly living in cities (87.88%). The reasons for abandoning mandatory vaccinations were not reporting with a child for vaccination (48.1%), deliberate refusal to subject a child to the vaccination (28.4%) and postponement of vaccination due to contraindications (23.5%). Conclusions: The vaccination coverage level in the study area was assessed as satisfactory and is comparable to the results obtained on the national scale. The scale of the refusal for preventive vaccinations is not an epidemiological threat currently. However, it requires constant monitoring, and educational and information actions directed at parents/guardians.