[Polish version of the questionnaire for measuring post-traumatic stress disorders PTSD-8 in studies of four groups of medical professions]. / Polska wersja kwestionariusza do mierzenia stresu pourazowego PTSD-8 w badaniach czterech grup zawodów medycznych.

BACKGROUND: There are several techniques to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms that correspond to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classification of mental disorders. This study aimed at testing the reliability and construct validity of the Polish version of the PTSD-8. The results obtained in four professional groups of healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, paramedics, other occupations) were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PTSD-8 questionnaire includes questions on stress reactions manifested by intrusion (4 items), avoidance (2 items), or hypervigilance (2 items). Respondents were asked about their reactions to the traumatic work-related experiences occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nationwide survey conducted in 2022 included 2303 employees, among whom 746 had such an experience and completed the PTSD-8 questionnaire. RESULTS: Based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results, it was shown that a single-factor model is acceptable, but under the condition of modification by correlation of random errors at selected observable variables. The reliability of this scale is very good (McDonald's Ω = 0.890), and the goodness-of-fit of the overall CFA model is confirmed by: CMIN/DF = 3.969, NFI = 0.982, RFI = 0.964, IFI = 0.986, TLI = 0.983, RMSEA = 0.063. The model estimated for female nurses has the best psychometric properties. In the study group of 2303 respondents, 16.76% met the criteria for PTSD, accounting for 52.74% of those who were traumatized by a work-related event. The PTSD-8 index is M±SD 20.01±5.55 pts (range: 8-32 pts). The PTSD-8 index is significantly higher in women than in men, and higher in nurses compared to other professions. However, the differences between professional groups are significant only for women, and the largest when comparing female physicians and nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The analyses confirmed the rationale of further implementation of the PTSD-8 questionnaire in Poland, both as a tool for identifying PTSD and for studying the severity of the syndrome, its determinants and health effects. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(1):45-56.

Quality of life in 13-year-olds depending on health status, residential neighbourhood deprivation and social capital - results from the Polish HBSC Study 2010-2018.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) should be used more extensively in monitoring the health of school-aged children. The presented study aimed to evaluate trends in KIDSCREEN-10 indices, considering mean scores and the level of social inequalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 3,937 children aged 13 participated in three Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) cross-sectional surveys conducted in Poland between 2010-2018. Subgroups were distinguished according to gender, health status, and three social factors (family affluence, neighbourhood social capital, and local deprivation). RESULTS: The average KIDSCREEN-10 index value was equal to: 22.36±4.54; 25.41±6.75; and 24.74±6.53 in 2010, 2014, and 2018,respectively. However, in 2018 no deterioration was recorded in boys, in poorer families or in regions with high social capital. The improvement in HRQL in 2014 was accompanied by an increase in disparities in health status and family wealth, as well as a decrease in disparities in local deprivation. An especially high increase in Glass index values was recorded for neighbourhood social capital (increasing from 0.542 in 2010 to 0.938 in 2018). The multivariate general linear model revealed the main effect of the year of the study, gender, chronic disease status, and the three social factors, as well as six significant 2-way interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the well-being of adolescents should be tracked over time using HRQL indices with proven psychometric properties. The level of social inequalities faced by young people should be included in policies and when designing interventions. The relevant initiatives should be targeted at different populations in order to properly address the needs of different groups of children and adolescents.

Who Is Able to Resist What Is Forbidden?-The Relationship between Health Literacy and Risk Behaviours in Secondary School Students in the Broader Social and Educational Context.

In the last Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey conducted in Poland in 2018, a group of 17-year-old adolescents (n = 1663; mean age 17.63 ± 0.36 years) was included outside the international protocol. This allowed an assessment to be made of their level of health literacy (HL) using the 10-point HBSC research tool. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between HL and risk behaviours (RB). A standardised index of RB in the last 30 days was considered as an outcome measure. This index was significantly higher in the group with low HL (0.318 ± 1.269) in comparison with the group with high HL (-0.083 ± 0.962). In a multivariate linear regression model, the strongest predictors of RB were gender, academic performance and level of regional deprivation, but the association with HL remained significant. This significant association persisted in general schools and in girls but disappeared in vocational schools and in boys. It was also shown that in rural areas, good academic performance has a less significant impact on RB if the HL level is low. The analyses led to the conclusion that when examining the relationship between HL and RB in older adolescents, it is advisable to take into account gender, the educational track and neighbourhood characteristics.

Expectations for engagement in community issues as perceived by young people.

BACKGROUND: Involvement in constructive activities is an important but rarely empirically studied developmental asset. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the intentions of Polish youth to undertake prosocial activities after graduating from high school, and the selected determinants of these intentions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anonymous surveys were conducted in 213 schools within the last round of the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) survey in 2018. The nationwide representative sample included 4,972 students aged 11.1-18.5 (mean age 15.4 ± 1.73). The main dependent variable was the Expectations for Engagement in Community Issues Index (EECII), built on the basis of 3 questions and ranged 0-12 points. Its relationship with 10 demographic and socio-economic variables was studied. RESULTS: The mean EECII score was 5.59 (SD = 2.65). Seven factors and three significant two-way interactions were indicated in the general linear model. The strongest correlation was found to be between the EECII level and recognised personal values, current participation in youth groups, and the level of social ties in the neighbourhood. Girls achieve higher EECII levels than boys. However, factors such as family social position and attitudes towards school modify the gender differences. Higher family social position measured on subjective scale increases the tendency to plan prosocial activities in the group coming from low affluence families. CONCLUSIONS: Polish youth have an average inclination towards prosocial activities. When planning activities aimed at strengthening the involvement of young people, it is worth considering the specificity of various demographic and social groups.

Trends in multiple health complaints in Polish adolescents in light of data from 30 European countries and Canada (2002-2018).

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a sensitive period accompanied by rapid developmental changes that can result in health complaints. The aim of the study was to describe the trend of subjective health complaints (HBSC-SCL) of Polish adolescents compared to their peers from 30 other countries and to rank all countries based on a proposed standardised measure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study collected from 2002 to 2018 were used. The overall number of respondents from 30 countries in the combined sample from five quadrennial rounds was 773,356, including 49.2% boys and 50.8% girls. The HBSC-SCL is a non-clinical measure consisting of eight health complaints, usually analysed in two dimensions of psychological and somatic symptoms. Linear regression analysis was applied to assess the significance of trends of the total index and two subindices in the combined sample and individual countries. RESULTS: A significant increasing trend for the eight-item index appeared in Poland only in 13- and 15-year-olds, while only among 15-year-olds in the combined sample from 30 countries. Standardised country rank varied between -1.85 and 2.48 (worst). The countries that achieved extreme negative values (>=1) are France, Hungary, Italy, and Sweden, and the rank for Italy is considerably higher than for other countries. In Poland, the standardised rank for psychological symptoms exceeded the threshold of +1 in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The HBSC-SCL index could be useful for monitoring change in adolescent mental health. The proposed method of ranking may allow a broader view of the differences and similarities between countries and help to identify those performing unfavourably against cross-country patterns.

Adolescent Health Literacy and Neighbourhood Features: HBSC Findings from Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia.

The role of supportive environments on health, wellbeing, and longevity has been widely recognized. However, there is no strong empirical evidence on the association between health literacy (HL) as a particular health-related competence and neighbourhoods. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the association between the features of neighbourhoods and the level of HL competencies of young people from three countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia). Self-reported data from an international sample of 11,521 students aged 13-15 years participating in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study (HBSC) in the year 2018 were included in the analyses. The level of HL shows a strong positive relationship with family wealth, and a significant relationship is maintained in all studied countries. Both social and structural features of neighbourhoods turned out to have an impact on students' HL. However, HL is most clearly explained by the school environment. This study confirms the school effect on higher levels of HL competences in adolescents. This indicates the need to invest in schools located in less affluent areas to generally improve the level of education, implement modern health education combined with HL, and strengthen the social and health competencies of students.