Is job seniority a protective factor against anxiety among midwives during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic?

INTRODUCTION: Introduction. The pandemic SARS-Cov-2 outbreak necessitated the implementation of changes in everyday obstetric attendance, which demands continuity of care. Employment of sudden changes in obstetric attendance could have increased anxiety among medical personnel. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the Communication was to analyse the influence of professional experience on the level of anxiety in a group of midwives during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis included 100 midwives: average professional experience: 11.51 years (max. 36; median 7,5; SD: 10.37; p<0.0001). The largest group of respondents was employed in a tertiary referral hospital (n = 40), the smallest in a medical clinic (n = 7). A preliminary study using an online questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7), posted on Internet fora, Facebook fan pages of The Childbirth with Dignity Foundation, and the Foundation for Midwives, using the Snowball sampling method. The Ethics Committee for Research Projects at the Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, approved the research project (Approval No. 35/2020). RESULTS: The average score was 9.390 (max. 21, median 8.5; SD; 5.228). The length of professional experience did not correspond to the level of anxiety (r = -0.0097; p = 0.9237). In 20 respondents, no anxiety was traced, while the smallest group indicated severe anxiety (n = 15). Professional experience did not influence the level of anxiety in either group with different level of anxiety (ANOVA test; p = 0.465). . CONCLUSIONS: Professional experience did not influence the level of anxiety. In order to prevent exacerbation of anxiety symptoms, different factors which may playa vital role in enhancing the level of anxiety must be analysed.

Generalized Self-Efficacy, Dispositional Optimism, and Illness Acceptance in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common chronic endocrinopathies affecting between 5 and 10% of reproductive age women. A diagnosis of PCOS very often causes a deterioration in the woman's self-esteem and self-image, and consequently her quality of life (QoL). The purpose of the study was to investigate generalized self-efficacy, dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness in women with PCOS and to explore factors that affect these variables. The study was performed between January and November 2016 among women with PCOS using health care services. The study used a diagnostic survey with questionnaires. The research instruments included the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and a standardized interview questionnaire. Among the PCOS patients studied, the mean score for generalized self-efficacy was 28.74 (±5.16), dispositional optimism-13.56 (±4.28), and acceptance of illness-27.90 (±7.74). The respondents' generalized self-efficacy was determined by their residence, education, socio-economic standing, BMI, and time from diagnosis (p < 0.05), while socio-economic standing was a determinant of dispositional optimism (p < 0.05). Determinants of illness acceptance in women with PCOS included their residence, socio-economic standing, and time from diagnosis (p < 0.05). Increased generalized self-efficacy and dispositional optimism contributed to more illness acceptance in PCOS patients. The present study, compared with others on the subject, will enable specialists providing care to women with PCOS to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the situation and condition of their patients. It will also allow for a better response to the needs of PCOS patients, and provide them with individualized, holistic specialist care, diagnostics, and treatment.

Self-reported preparation of Polish midwives for independent performance of prophylactic activities within the scope of women's diseases and obstetric pathologies.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is an attempt to recognize self-reported preparation of midwives for an independent performance of prophylactic activities within the scope of women's diseases and obstetric pathologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a representative all-Polish population sample of 3,569 midwives, by the method of a diagnostic survey using a questionnaire technique. The research instrument was a questionnaire form designed by the author containing items concerning the characteristics of respondents and the object of the study, constructed based on the 5-point Liker scale. The relationships between the variables were verified using chi-square test (χ(2)) of independence. The p values p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Analysis of results allows the presumption that in the opinions of midwives the majority of them are prepared for the independent performance of prophylactic activities in the area of women's diseases (84.28%) and obstetric pathologies (77.95%). However, nearly every tenth midwife, irrespective of the region of Poland where she lives, age, and participation in post-graduate training, is not prepared for an independent performance of the prevention of women's diseases. In turn, the lack of preparation for carrying out prevention of women's diseases was admitted mainly by midwives from the northern and central regions of Poland, aged 31-40, possessing post-secondary school education, who did not participate in any form of post-graduate training. CONCLUSIONS: The results of studies and analysis of the relevant literature indicate that it is necessary for midwives to improve their qualifications in the area of prophylaxis of women's diseases and obstetric pathologies through participation in various forms of post-graduate education.

High evaluation of medical staff by women after miscarriage during hospitalization.

The loss of a baby is a traumatic event, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy. In the present study, we attempted to recognize the opinions of women after miscarriage that needed assistance and support from the medical staff during hospitalization. The study was conducted during the period from January to June 2012 and included 303 women who miscarried and used medical care in the Lublin Region (Poland). The method of a diagnostic survey was applied using a questionnaire technique. The majority of the respondents reported that information obtained from physicians after the diagnosis of miscarriage were rather understandable (44.22%) and sufficient (41.91%). According to more than a half of respondents, after miscarriage, midwives demonstrated adequate skills (57.43%) and provided necessary informative support (52.81%). The study showed that during hospital stay the women who had experienced miscarriage evaluated in relatively high terms the physicians and midwives providing them with care. The evaluations of the attitudes of doctors and midwives increased with the women's growing needs during hospitalization. The results of the study allow the presumption that the medical staff providing care of women after miscarriage possess a relatively high level of knowledge and skills in the area of diagnostics and treatment of pregnancy terminated with miscarriage. However, it should be remembered that the constant training of doctors and midwives in the provision of emotional and psychological support is necessary.