[Analysis of relationships between perimenopausal symptoms and professional functioning and life satisfaction--Subjective perception of the dependence in women aged 40+]. / Analiza zwiazku objawów okolomenopauzalnych z funkcjonowaniem zawodowym i poczuciem satysfakcji z zycia--subiektywne postrzeganie zaleznosci przez kobiety w wieku 40+.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyse and present the opinions of women in perimenopause on subjectively perceived symptoms characteristic of the climacteric period, and connected with their professional functioning, as well as to evaluate the effects of selected variables on the incidence and severity of these symptoms and the women's life satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 250 professionally active women in perimenopausal age (40-57 years). The study used the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) to evaluate life satisfaction of women and the Kupperman Index (KI) as quantitative and qualitative self-assessment of climacteric symptoms. The authors also used a questionnaire of their own design that contains an index of defined symptoms of perimenopause, which warrants the use of Pareto-Lorenz analysis. RESULTS: The obtained results prove the presence of statistically significant correlations between the occurrence and severity of menopausal symptoms and the place of enployment (p=0.04912), gynecological care (p=0.00325), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (p=0.01523) and assessment of life satisfaction (p=0.0325). Among the symptoms particularly influencing effective professional functioning, women pointed out hot flashes, irritability, reduced concentration and coordination, sleep disturbances, and increased sweating. CONCLUSIONS: There is a statistically significant correlation between the woman's place of employment, gynecological care, HRT, the evaluation of life satisfaction and the severity of perimenopausal symptoms. A set of symptoms whose presence and severity influence the sense of life satisfaction and evaluation of professional functioning was observed. Among the most frequently reported symptoms that exert an adverse effect on professional functioning of women are: hot flushes, irritability, reduced concentration and coordination, sleep disturbances, and increased sweating.

[Determinants of personality and risky road behaviors at work in drivers of medical transport vehicles in the Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) voivodeship]. / Determinanty osobowosciowe a drogowe zachowania ryzykowne w pracy kierowców pojazdów uprzywilejowanych transportu medycznego w województwie wielkopolskim.

BACKGROUND: Personality determinants are an important predicator of road behaviors in drivers. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between personality determinants (neuroticism, extraversion, level of anxiety - features) and distinguishable risky behaviors of drivers of medical transport vehicles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study covered 106 male drivers from the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, working in health care, having a license to drive emergency vehicles. To achieve the research objectives a questionnaire was developed and applied. It concerned risky road behaviors among drivers of medical transport. The personality suitability was determined using the questionnaire methods on self-assessment: Polish versions of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire - Revised (EPQ-R) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. RESULTS: It was shown that drivers with introverted characteristics declare driving vehicles of reduced technical efficiency more often than extroverts. The level of the anxiety as a trait A-characteristic affects the display of distracting behaviors, making decisions about driving a vehicle that is inefficient, driving in a bad psychophysical condition, as well as maintaining too small distance from the preceding vehicle. The higher the intensity of anxiety characteristics, the higher the intensity of given behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the study results, it can be assumed that there is a relationship between determinants of personality and the display of risky behaviors of drivers of medical transport vehicles. Thus it can be concluded that the level of extraversion and anxiety as a trait are the differentiating characteristics of respondents.

[The level of anxiety and depression in the early puerperium - preliminary communication]. / Poziom leku jako stanu i jako cechy oraz depresji we wczesnym pologu - doniesienie wstepne.

INTRODUCTION: Childbirth is both joyful and stressful life event. This stressful life event results in different emotions occurring with different strength among new mothers, one of them is postpartum depression. However, postnatal depression received the predominance of research attention in recent years, and several authors have pointed attention to the importance of distinguishing between postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. AIM: The primary purpose of the presented research was to assess the level of anxiety and depression among women who were hospitalised after delivery. The second purpose was to determine if some additional factors influence the level of anxiety and depression. MATERIAL: The study was conducted on the sample of 46 women who had delivered infants in the Gynecology - Obstetrics Clinical Hospital UM in Poznan, Poland in 2010. Method. Polish adaptations of standard questionnaires were used to measure variables such as anxiety (STAI), depression (BDI), styles of coping (CISS) and temperament (PTS). Additional data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the authors. RESULTS: Statistical analysis assessed the level and frequency of anxiety (as a state and as a trait) and depression and associations between these factors as well as associations with additional variables (including: mode of delivery, styles of coping with stress and temperament). CONCLUSIONS: The score in BDI in mothers after delivery was associated positively with emotion - oriented style of coping and anxiety as a state and as a trait and negatively with strength of inhibition processes. Anxiety as a trait was positively related to c-section.

[Permission for providing health care service. Do the doctors knows their obligation and patients their right?]. / Zgoda na udzielenie swiadczenia zdrowotnego. Czy lekarze znaja swój obowiazek a pacjenci swoje prawo?

The basis of the medicine doctor actions legality is the receipt of permission from patient upon providing him with health care service. A goal of this article was to learn more about knowledge and practical implementation of this requirement among doctors as well as their patients. Based on poll research conducted on group of 40 doctors of various specialties and 56 patients the conclusion was drawn that knowledge of both groups is fragmented and ambiguous. Only some representatives of both groups know in what form such permission should be granted. Actions are still needed to improve doctors and patients motivations to know and obey patients law. The most attention from specialists needs the right for medical information as it is the most often breaking law in both doctors and patients opinion.

Subclinical hyperthyroid patients' knowledge about radioiodine therapy--the key role of medical information.

OBJECTIVES: Many patients with a chronic disease are dissatisfied with the information they are given. A brief questionnaire completed by patients would assist health professionals to identify areas of information needed to be provided, tailored to the patient's mental condition. AIM: The aim of our study was to assess how often thyroid patients report being adequately informed about iodine treatment in connection with their real need thereof, emotional state and acceptance of the disease. METHODS: One hundred outpatients who had presented subclinical hyperthyroidism "[19 men (19%), 81 women (81%); mean (SD±) age 53±14,range 18-77 yr ] treated with radioiodine (RAI) responded to an Experimental Questionnaire, 54 of them answered to AIS, HADS-M and Beck Inventory measuring their acceptance of the illness and depressive symptoms, 37 of them answered the Patient Request Form (PRF). RESULTS: The obtained results indicated that about 50% of patients treated with 131I therapy did not receive suitable information about their treatment. Neither written information prepared by the specialist, nor verbal information given by physicians were adequate for specific problems of study group. The examined patients presented with a comparable intensity of three distinct types of requests: for explanation and reassurance, for emotional support, and for investigation and treatment. The acceptance of their disease was mediocre for most of the study group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the reported lack of satisfaction with medical information in study group was associated with depressive symptoms influencing cognitive efficiency, patients' great need of emotional and cognitive support, influencing the acceptance of their disease, and social prejudice to radioiodine (as a method of treatment), worrying them additionally. All thyroid patients even these with subclinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism should be treated with specific attention by physicians, especially during information process.

[The reasons of smoking cigarettes among students in Poznan universities--a comparative study]. / Motywy palenia wsród studentów poznanskich wyzszych uczelni. Analiza porównawcza.

UNLABELLED: Smoking cigarettes is one of the most common factor disturbing health and a part of negative life style. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequencies of smoking cigarettes and their conditions among students of two Poznan universities: Poznan University of Medical Sciences and Poznan University and three lines: physiotherapy, midwifery, psychology. 84 persons participated in the study. 22.6% of them were smoking and almost 80% were not smoking. 51% persons smoked in the past. Author's questionnaire of own concept used in the study. The research was conducted according to law of care about personal data. RESULTS: 9.5% smoking responders did it after breakfast, 16.6 % at working place during breaks. The data show that stress is a main reason of smoking. Almost 9.5% smoke during brakes at work and in social circumstances. According to opinion of examined group, the joy, relax are the effects of smoking. There were no significant differences and correlations between fear as a state and character and smoking. However the frequency of smoking in the group was lower in comparison to medium values in population of central part of Europe in a group of women. There was no correlation between sex and the frequency of smoking. The frequency of smoking in a group was lower in comparison to data from Central Europe region.

[Health behaviors of workers in context of act of smoking permission in 2006-2007 yrs]. / Zachowania zdrowotne pracowników w swietle przestrzegania ustawy o zakazie palenia w latach 2006-2007.

Smoking defines as a gate open for development other addictions in a group of adolescents and educational institutions have significant influence on development of health behaviors. The aim of the study was the estimation the phenomena of respecting of law in area of smoking permission in Poland in 2006-2007 yrs. Schools and other educational institutions were considered especially. Over 209 000 work place participated in the observation and 46 000 of educational institutions were in that group. Permission of smoking cigarettes was respected in 99.3% of educational institutions. 15.1% of bars and restaurants respected the law in that area. The biggest problems in respecting the law were observed in Gorzów Wielkopolski and Bialystok. The results show there is the necessity of leading more efficient educational actions connected to health behaviors at schools and other institutions and finding new solutions for respecting the law.

[Life competencies and smoking among teachers]. / Kompetencje zyciowe a palenie tytoniu u nauczycieli.

UNLABELLED: Smoking cigarettes is one of the most common factor disturbing health and a part of negative life style. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequencies of smoking cigarettes and their conditions among teachers of all types of schools--primary as well as secondary. 94 persons participated in the study. 20.2% of them were smoking and almost 80% were not smoking. 27% persons smoked in the past. Psychologicale test standarised and normalised and author's questionnaire of own concept used in the study. RESULTS: 74% smoking women did it after breakfast, 53% at working place. 52.6% women stated that stress is a main reason of smoking and 36.8% used cigarettes after an eating. Almost 63% smoke during brakes at work and in social circumstances. Nie przerywajac pracy pali 10.5% of respondents smoked during work activities and 42% during resting time. According to opinion of examined group, the joy, relax are the effects of smoking. There were no significant differences and correlations between fear as a state and character and smoking. However the frequency of smoking in the group was lower in comparison to medium values in population of central part of Europe in a group of women.

Knowledge of parents from urban and rural areas vs. prevention methods of hearing loss threats seen as challenges for public health.

[b]Introduction.[/b] Parents as day-to-day caregivers looking after their children's health and upbringing are crucial in the process of hearing loss prevention among the young. The aim of the study was to assess the parents' knowledge and awareness of hazards bringing about hearing loss, possibilities to prevent this, as well as their reaction in the case of problems of their children with hearing. [b]Material and methods. [/b]The research group comprised respondents (402 persons), medical or paramedical professionals. None of the surveyed was a doctor. 56% of the surveyed were inhabitants of large cities, 24% of small towns, and 20% of village, mostly located in the area of Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) (97%). To perform the research a survey was devised. GSES scale was applied as an accessory tool. [b]Results. [/b]The subjects surveyed posses a great deal of knowledge concerning basic conditions that could adversely affect the hearing of children. Village inhabitants are half as afraid of hearing loss hazards as the inhabitants of large cities. More than 40% of the respondents claimed they do nothing to counteract their children's overexposure to noise. In 48.5% of cases, GPs had not drawn parents' attention to possible complications resulting from upper respiratory tract infections in children. Parents know where they should go to in case their children develop hearing problems or sudden hearing loss. [b]Conclusions.[/b] Knowledge and awareness of factors that may trigger hearing loss is not synonymous with avoidance of the problem. Main components of hearing loss prevention among children and youths should be administrative actions, extensive education, and proper childcare at home.

The influence of factors of work environment and burnout syndrome on self-efficacy of medical staff.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Conditions of a healthy, friendly and safe work environment and proper work organisation increase self-efficacy and decrease or eliminate the factors causing the occurrence of burnout symptoms, all of which have a decisive impact on increasing the quality of work. The aim of the study was to analyse and assess the influence of factors of work environment and burnout syndrome on the self-efficacy of medical staff. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised randomly selected professionally-active nurses working on hospital wards (N=405) on the area of two provinces in Poland. The study used the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and a questionnaire concerning the factors that influence the process of work organisation at nursing positions in hospitals. RESULTS: Lower scores for self-efficacy resulted in a worse assessment of development opportunities and promotion prospects (r=-0.11), participation in the decision-making process (r=-0.11) and teamwork (r=-0.10). Lower self-efficacy contributed to the occurrence of burnout symptoms r∈[-0.19 - -0.17]. CONCLUSIONS: Properly shaped and used organisational factors are stimulating for professional efficiency and effectiveness, and consequently, for the quality of nursing work. Negative assessment of the factors in the work environment contributes to the occurrence of burnout symptoms and decrease in self-efficacy. Nurses with lower self-efficacy more often experienced symptoms of burnout.

Hypothyroidism Affects Olfactory Evoked Potentials.

Background. Objective electrophysiological methods for investigations of the organ of smell consist in recordings of olfactory cortex responses to specific, time restricted odor stimuli. In hypothyroidism have impaired sense of smell. Material and Methods. Two groups: control of 31 healthy subjects and study group of 21 with hypothyroidism. The inclusion criterion for the study group was the TSH range from 3.54 to 110 µIU/mL. Aim. Assessment of the latency time of evoked responses from the olfactory nerve N1 and the trigeminal nerve N5 using two smells of mint and anise in hypothyroidism. Results. The smell perception in subjective olfactory tests was normal in 85% of the hypothyroid group. Differences were noticed in the objective tests. The detailed intergroup analysis of latency times of recorded cortical responses PN5 and PN1 performed by means between the groups of patients with overt clinical hypothyroidism versus subclinical hypothyroidism demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.05) whereas no such differences were found between the control group versus subclinical hypothyroidism group (p > 0.05). Conclusion. We can conclude that registration of cortex potentials at irritation of olfactory and trigeminal nerves offers possibilities for using this method as an objective indicator of hypothyroidism severity and prognostic process factor.

Emotional functions in transsexuals after the first step in physical transformation.

Transsexuals have to face multiple medical, social and bureaucratic problems. These problems are not only encountered before the transformation, but also during and after medical procedures. In the search for improvement of transsexual individuals' quality of life during therapy, it seems desirable to supplement hormonal treatments with psychological explorations. This study was conducted with the aim of defining emotional conditions and included 28 transsexual female-to-male (F/M) patients and two gender-divided control groups (males and females) of similar age. The following psychometric scales were used: CECS (Courtauld Emotional Control Scale constructed by M. Watson and S. Greer in the Polish Adaptation by Z. Juczynski), ISCL (the Polish Adaptation of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults by T. Sosnowski), and GSES (the Polish Adaptation of the R. Schwarzer, M. Jerusalem Generalized Self-Efficacy Scaleby Z. Juczynski and K. Wrzesniewski). Transsexual F/M patients appeared very similar to males in the male control group in terms of their subjective selfefficacy and state-trait anxiety, while their subjective belief of anxiety and fear control was more comparable to that of the female controls. It was also found to be statistically significantly lower than in the male controls.

Morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer in Poland after introduction of the Act--National Programme for Control of Cancerous Diseases.

In 2005 in Poland, referring to the recommendations by the National Health Programme and recommendations by the European Union, the National Programme for Control of Cancerous Diseases was implemented by virtue of the Act, one of its basic assumptions being an improvement of oncologic awareness among the Polish population. It is expected that the result of actions in this respect will be an increase in reporting rates for prophylactic examinations and a decrease in the number of deaths due to cancerous diseases. The objective of the study was presentation of the analysis of morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer in Poland and in individual regions, after the implementation of the National Programme for Control of Cancerous Diseases. The data was obtained from the Oncology Centre and from the computer Information System for Prophylaxis Monitoring (SIMP). In the analysis of obtained results, qualitative variables distribution was defined by means of the following values: number of instances (n) and frequency (%) with which they occur in a given category. The frequencies with which these categories of variables occur were compared by means of the chi-squared test with Yates' correction. The permissible error probability of the first type (p-value) is assumed to equal 0.05. The statistical assessment of results was performed by means of STATISTICA PL statistical software, version 9.0. In Poland in 2010, as many as 3,078 female patients suffered from with cervical cancer, compared with 3,263 in 2005, i.e. prior to implementation of The National Cancer Prevention Programme Act. Therefore, it can be concluded that there was a decline in cervical cancer incidence of 5.7%. As regards the mortality rate, there was a decline of 3.4%. A comparison of the cervical cancer morbidity and mortality rate for Poland and its provinces between 2005-2010 showed statistically significant differences only for morbidity rate - a decline in frequency in the entire Polish territory and in the following provinces: Lublin, Lódz, Lesser Poland, and Greater Poland, as well as an increase in the morbidity rate in Kuyavian-Pomeranian province.

Are students prone to depression and suicidal thoughts? Assessment of the risk of depression in university students from rural and urban areas.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Depressive disorders in adolescents and young adults may have serious developmental and functional consequences, such as academic failure or persistent psychosocial problems. University students are affected by specific agents which may play a role in the onset of depression. The problem of student depression is particularly important in Poland because of a recent increase in student numbers, therefore, the aim of the presented study was to evaluate the prevalence of the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts among university students in Poznan, Poland, and to analyze the role of gender, current living arrangements, background (rural/small town or urban permanent place of residence), and reported financial status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1,065 respondent students, mean age 21.1 years, 72% of whom were females, anonymously answered a questionnaire on the risk of depression (Kutcher's KADS) and a demographics survey. The obtained data were then analyzed statistically with the SPSS programme. RESULTS: 6.1 subjects were at risk of depression while 1.6 % of them had suicidal thoughts. Among analyzed determinants, perceived financial status and student's background (permanent place of residence) were found to have a statistically significant influence on the risk of depression. CONCLUSION: Students with rural/small town background and/or lower rather than good reported financial status are more likely to become depressed.

Medical errors - not only patients' problem.

INTRODUCTION: Medical error is often a traumatic experience not only for patients but also for doctors. However, patients as victims get much more publicity than those responsible for actual errors. The authors of the study conducted research to learn about Polish doctors' opinions on and reactions to medical errors and how they affect their further professional activity and psychological status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of involvement in medical errors of doctors of different specialties and different age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was conducted in a group of 100 doctors of different specialties. Respondents anonymously completed an experimental survey comprising 6 groups of multiple choice questions concerning such issues as awareness of the nature of medical error, legal liability of the perpetrator, consequences of medical error for further professional activity, the function of the Patients' Rights Representative and consequences of publishing the problem. RESULTS: The results indicate many negative effects of medical errors on physicians, such as common fear of making an error (82%), increased caution (52%), disadvantageous security measures while performing one's duties (57%), worsening of doctor-patient relations (67%), loss of social trust (62%) and increased treatment costs (40%). Forty five percent of the surveyed doctors declared that patients need the Patients' Rights Representative and 39% claimed it does not affect their work. CONCLUSIONS: Given the significant burden on physicians' health, well-being and performance associated with medical errors, health care institutions should take this into account and provide physicians with formal systems of support.

[A model of healthcare for children with hearing disorders]. / Projekt modelu opieki zdrowotnej nad dzieckiem niedoslyszacym.

Hearing disorders have risen today to the status of a civilization disease. Hearing loss during development or the prelingual age is an enormous problem for the child. Undiagnosed in time, hearing loss may lead to serious limitations in intellectual, cognitive, and emotional development of the child, and to difficulties in speaking, writing, reading, and memorising. This paper presents current structural solutions regarding healthcare for children with hearing disorders. The system of early detection of hearing disorders (mainly inborn) is coherent for neonates and small children but lacks a well-coordinated healthcare model for older hearing-impaired children, especially in the context of disclosing acquired hearing defects. A model of healthcare for children with hearing disorders covering every stage of development (age) is presented, aiming at improvements in the system of early detection of inborn and acquired hearing defects. The model provides for systematic monitoring of patients with hearing defects and offers the opportunity of early intervention. Furthermore, the model serves to follow the developmental dynamics of the communication process.

Identification of patients at high risk of psychological distress after BRCA1 genetic testing.

To predict which women might suffer from abnormally high levels of anxiety and depression after receiving a positive genetic BRCA1 test result, series of pregenetic testing and postgenetic testing psychological measurements were performed. Of 3524 women who returned the psychological test sheets before receiving their genetic test result, 111 women were found to carry a BRCA1 mutation. We found that overall, anxiety does not increase in women who receive a positive BRCA1 genetic test result; however, women who experience high levels of anxiety before genetic testing continue to experience high levels of anxiety up to 1 year posttesting. There were differences in cancer-related distress in affected and unaffected women. BRCA1 carriers with a previous diagnosis of cancer had significantly higher levels of cancer-related distress at 1 month posttest than those without cancer. Our findings suggest that healthcare providers should consider including a brief pretest psychological assessment before initiating genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2.

[Motor and speech functions and their connections in children during the first stage of the development of the central nervous system]. / Funkcja ruchu i mowy oraz ich wzajemne powiazania we wczesnych stadiach rozwoju osrodkowego ukladu nerwowego.

Developmental task is the most common diagnostic tool used in children with developmental disturbances. It follows according to physiology of the development of the child. Transition through the "mile stones" describes the development of the child in four areas-motor, speech, social and visuo-motor coordination. Systematic diagnostic researches allowed preparation of detailed developmental schemas - motor and psychomotor intelligence. The aim of the work was to present some normal rules of development in motor and speech areas and its biological bases in first years of life. The work presents connections between motor and speech development on a sample of assimilation and accommodation processes described by Piaget.

[The prevalence of cognitive and emotional disturbances in epilepsy and its consequences for therapy]. / Wystepowanie zaburzen poznawczych i emocji w padaczce i ich implikacje dla terapii.

In the course of epilepsy psychic disturbances appear. They concern cognitive as well as emotional dysfunctions. Cognitive and emotional dysfunctions are defined as poliaetiological - "organic" connected with brain pathology and "environmental". Cognitive dysfunctions concern global intelligence and chosen cognitive dysfunctions as well. There are about 30% people with cognitive dysfunctions connected to epilepsy. Primary and secondary emotional dysfunctions are distinguished in traditional approach. Primary emotional and cognitive dysfunctions might be caused by the same factor which cause epilepsy or develop due to the damage of the central nervous system in the course of epilepsy or are related to the pharmacological treatment. Secondary emotional deficits are connected with negative social actions and negative social attitudes toward ill persons with epilepsy. It concerns overprotective attitudes or social isolation. The prevalence of emotional disturbances is estimated at 5-50% in population of patients with epilepsy. The study shows the necessity of conducting psychotherapy and neuropsychological rehabilitation in the course of epilepsy as a part of schema of treatment. The aim of these activities is the improvement of the quality of life and the avoidance of progressive intellectual impairment as well.

[Neuropsychopharmacological effects of HIV infections treatment]. / Neuropsychofarmakologiczne efekty leczenia zakazen wirusem HIV.

The HIV infection is considered a difficult situation not only for a patient, because of the psychological and wholesome reasons, but also for an attending physician. The knowledge about the infection may disturb the emotional functioning of a patient. When adaptive disorders appear psychological, treatment is required. However, the infection itself and its aetiology and future complications may be the primary reason of disorders of cognitive and emotional functions, examined as far as clinical neuropsychology is concerned.