Sexuality attitudes and beliefs survey (SABS): validation of the instrument for the polish nursing and midwifery students.

The aim of the study is to create a Polish version of the sexuality attitudes and beliefs survey (SABS), to assess its cultural adaptation and psychometric properties and to utilize it to enable a cross-sectional study of the sexual attitudes and beliefs among Poland's nursing and midwifery students. Non-random network sampling and the adapted SABS v. PL scale were employed for the latter purpose. A total of 570 nursing and midwifery students from two Polish universities completed the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was utilized to measure the internal consistency of the SABS scale, while exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to determine its construct validity. The factors that most affect respondents' sexual attitudes and beliefs were identified through a stepwise multiple regression method and through an econometric model. An exploratory factor analysis of the SABS v. PL scale revealed an adequate fit and confirmed the 4-factor model. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for SABS v. PL amounted to: α = 0.66. The study's student population had a mean SABS score of 41.65 ± 5.63, while the mean SABS item score varied between 2.55 ± 1.27 and 4.35 ± 1.07. The study's results show that the SABS v. PL questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument. The work revealed that Polish nursing and midwifery students have attitudes and beliefs which negatively impact their ability to evaluate a person's sexual health concerns and provide relevant health counselling.

Nursing and midwifery students' attitudes towards addressing patient sexual health in their future profession: Polish adaptation and validation of the students' attitudes towards addressing sexual health extended questionnaire (SA-SH-Ext).

The aim of the study was to assess the success of an adaption of the Students' Attitudes Towards Addressing Sexual Health Extended Questionnaire (SA-SH-Ext) in meeting Polish linguistic and cultural norms, as well as to ascertain the nursing and midwifery students' attitudes towards addressing sexual health using the SA-SH-Ext questionnaire. The sample size of the cross-sectional validation study consisted of 570 Polish nursing and midwifery students. The collected data was used to examine the internal consistency reliability and construct validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Internal consistency reliability showed a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.91, and construct validity measured by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) demonstrated good results. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy (KMO) was high and amounted to 0.923, and the Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant (p = 0.000). The analysis of construct validity demonstrated five major factors: "Present feelings of comfortableness" (Factor 1), "Future working environment" (Factor 2), "Fear of negative influence on future patient relation" (Factor 3), "Educational needs-Awareness of knowledge gap" (Factor 4), "Educational needs-Awareness of the needs for competences" (Factor 5). The SA-SH-Ext v.PL questionnaire is a reliable and valuable instrument for assessing the level of perceived preparedness among nursing and midwifery students in addressing patient sexual health, a field often neglected in health and holistic care.

Comparison of anthropometric indicators related to overweight and obesity by place of residence in a local community with a high social deprivation rate - a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Obesity is considered a major public health concern. The aim of the study is to compare anthropometric indicators related to overweight and obesity by place of residence in a local community with a high social deprivation rate, based on the example of residents of the Janów District in eastern Poland, taking into account gender strata differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in a study group of 3,752 individuals. The following anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed to identify the anthropometric indicators related to overweight and obesity: body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body adiposity index (BAI). RESULTS: Mean age of the study group was 51.92 ± 8.15. Overweight and obesity-related indicators were more prevalent in rural than urban areas among women, and were as follows: BMI (28.77 ± 5.37 vs. 27.62 ± 5.09; p < 0.001), WHR (0.87 ± 0.07 vs. 0.85 ± 0.07; p < 0.001), WHtR (0.57 ± 0.09 vs. 0.57 ± 0.08; p < 0.001) and BAI (33.58 ± 5.48 vs. 32.82 ± 5.4; p = 0.002). Men's mean WHR was higher in rural than in urban areas (0.96 ± 0.07 vs. 0.95 ± 0.62; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that women living in rural areas had a mean BMI that was 1.1 higher than that of women living in urban areas, as well as 0.02 higher WHR and WHtR and 0.8 higher BAI. In contrast, men living in rural areas had a 0.001 higher WHtR and WHR than men living in urban areas. In the multivariable models, after having considered potential confounding variables, women living in rural areas had approximately a 60% higher probability of being obese, while men had approximately a 30% higher probability of being obese.

Understanding the experiences of PHC nurses in caring for older patients in the post-fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory qualitative study.

Objective: To ensure the best possible care, the perspective of PHC nurse work experience during the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered when developing nursing care protocols for older patients who receive PHC services. Method: This exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 18 nurses working continuously in PHC between the first and fifth waves of the pandemic. Semi-structured thematic interviews were undertaken. Qualitative thematic content analysis was conducted to identify and group the themes that emerged from the discourse. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The first topic describes the nurses' experiences of physical and mental suffering in caring for older patients in response to the pandemic. The second topic covers the experience of reorganizing PHC work. The third topic focuses on the difficulties of caring for older patients. The final topic includes issues of support needs for nurses in PHC work. Conclusion: The experience and understanding of PHC nurses in caring for older people during the COVID pandemic should lead to significant changes in the system of nursing care for geriatric patients and in the cooperative role within geriatric care specialist teams. Drawing on the experience of COVID-19, it is necessary to work on the weak points of PHC exposed by the pandemic in order to improve the quality of care and life for geriatric patients.

Association between cyberchondria and the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) - a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Cyberchondria has been described relatively recently as a behaviour characterized by excessive Internet searching for medical information related to increasing levels of health anxiety. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country's traditional or conventional medicine, and are not fully integrated into the dominant health care system The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between cyberchondria and the use of complementary and alternative medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 25 April - 25 December 2022. A computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) survey technique was used. The study population consisted of 626 respondents who took part in the study. RESULTS: The severity of cyberchondria is associated with 'a greater number of CAM products used' (beta = 0.101; p = 0.043), 'a greater number of self-help techniques used' (beta = 0.210; p<0.001), searching for knowledge about CAM on the Internet (beta-0.199; p<0.001), using sources other than books (beta = -0.114; p = 0.025), younger age (beta = -0.170; p<0.001) and worse education (beta = -0.101; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: The research results indicate that there is a link between cyberchondria and the use of CAM. However, since some components of the CSS-PL scale and self-rated health were not associated with more frequent use of CAM, it is likely that these results may not be fully reliable. The association between cyberchondria and CAM use should be investigated in further studies using comprehensive medical interviews.

The Relationship between Depressiveness and Eating Behaviors among Women.

(1) The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between depressiveness and the occurrence of eating disorders, i.e., emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraint of eating, and the risk of orthorexia. (2) The study was conducted among 556 women from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland). The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique: The Beck Depression Inventory, the ORTO-15 Questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. (3) Higher depressiveness severity is associated with a higher score on the "Cognitive Restraint of Eating" scale. The authors' original study demonstrated a statistically significant relationship only between depressiveness and the "Uncontrolled Eating" subscale (p = 0.001). (4) The results of this study suggest that depressiveness is an important factor that contributes to a better understanding of eating behaviors. In addition, the results of this study suggest that eating behaviors and psychological factors should be taken into account in psychological interventions in the treatment of eating disorders. The clinical goal can be considered to be an improvement in non-normative eating behaviors, such as a reduction in overeating episodes or eating less frequently in the absence of a feeling of hunger.

Polymer-Based Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Systems for Purines of Established Importance in Medicine.

Many purine derivatives are active pharmaceutical ingredients of significant importance in the therapy of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and viral infections. In many cases, their medical use is limited due to unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. These problems can be overcome by the preparation of the prodrugs of purines or by combining these compounds with nanoparticles. Herein, we aim to review the scientific progress and perspectives for polymer-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for purines. Polymeric nanoparticles turned out to have the potential to augment antiviral and antiproliferative effects of purine derivatives by specific binding to receptors (ASGR1-liver, macrophage mannose receptor), increase in drug retention (in eye, intestines, and vagina), and permeation (intranasal to brain delivery, PEPT1 transport of acyclovir). The most significant achievements of polymer-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for purines were found for tenofovir disoproxil in protection against HIV, for acyclovir against HSV, for 6-mercaptopurine in prolongation of mice ALL model life, as well as for 6-thioguanine for increased efficacy of adoptively transferred T cells. Moreover, nanocarriers were able to diminish the toxic effects of acyclovir, didanosine, cladribine, tenofovir, 6-mercaptopurine, and 6-thioguanine.

The Relationship between Diet and the Occurrence of Depressive Symptoms in a Community Example with High Rates of Social Deprivation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Research suggests that various biological and psychosocial mechanisms are involved in the heterogeneous and complex relationship between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms. The occurrence of depressive symptoms is thought to be related to socioeconomic status (SES), with those with lower SES being more likely to experience persistent depression. The aim of the undertaken study was to investigate whether socioeconomic and health variables are associated with dietary assessment in a population with high rates of social deprivation and whether a relationship exists between dietary assessment and depressive symptoms (DS). The respondents' nutrition was evaluated through a qualitative method, using the Perinumeric Periodic Table questionnaire by Starzynska. At the same time, the prevalence of DS was assessed employing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). In the DS screening (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), in the entire study population, the risk of DS was 16.1% (n = 605). In our entire study population, up to 61.2% (n = 2297) of the respondents exhibited poor dietary patterns. In the multivariate model, women with almost adequate or poor dietary assessment were 1.62 and 2.18 times more likely to score at least 10 on the PHQ-9 questionnaire, as compared to women whose dietary assessment was good or adequate. In conclusion, it was determined that sociodemographic variables affect nutritional habits. Women who lived in rural areas limited to a vocational education had significantly poorer diets. Moreover, men, younger men, smokers, and those without chronic diseases were characterized by a poorer dietary assessment. Additionally, women who had a better dietary assessment were significantly more likely to have lower scores on the questionnaire assessing the occurrence of DS (PHQ-9 10).

Links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease-What Do We Already Know?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a life-changing condition whose etiology is explained by several hypotheses. Recently, a new virus contributed to the evidence of viral involvement in AD: the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. AD was found to be one of the most common COVID-19 comorbidities, and it was found to increase mortality from this disease as well. Moreover, AD patients were observed to present with the distinct clinical features of COVID-19, with delirium being prevalent in this group. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters host cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. ACE2 is overexpressed in brains with AD, which thus increases the viral invasion. Furthermore, the inhibition of the ACE2 receptor by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may also decrease the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), contributing to neurodegeneration. The ApoE ε4 allele, which increases the risk of AD, was found to facilitate the SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Furthermore, the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress existing in AD patients enhance the inflammatory response associated with COVID-19. Moreover, pandemic and associated social distancing measures negatively affected the mental health, cognitive function, and neuro-psychiatric symptoms of AD patients. This review comprehensively covers the links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, including clinical presentation, molecular mechanisms, and the effects of social distancing.

Cultural competencies in Polish and Lithuanian nurses: A cross-sectional comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Cultural competencies are known as a multidimensionalconstruct; however, they usually refer to an individual's sensitivity orcultural attitudes, cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the cultural competences of nurses in Poland and Lithuania based on an adaptation of the Nurse Cultural Competence Scale (NCCS). DESIGN: The design was a comparative cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 383 Polish nurses and 184 Lithuanian nurses took part in the study. The questionnaires of the NCCS-Polish version (NCCS-v.PL) and the NCCS-Lithuanian version (NCCS-v.L) were used after linguistic adaptation and an evaluation of psychometric properties. RESULTS: As a result of the comparative analysis, a higher general level of cultural competences (based on the NCCS) was found in the Lithuanian group M-148.09 (SD = 22.85). The results show statistically significant differences among the respondents in the subscale of Nurse Cultural Competence Scale-Cultural Knowledge (NCCS-CK; p Ë‚ 0.001); higher competences of the nurses were found in the Group LT (M = 31.05; SD = 6.75) than in the Group PL (M = 28.82; SD = 7.82). In the group of Polish nurses (Group PL), the intensity of cultural competences was found to increase along with age (NCCS-v.P r = 0.157, p < 0.05); this, however, was not observed in the Group LT (NCCS-v.LT, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both the nurses in Poland and in Lithuania are characterised by an average level of cultural competences. Diversity in the level of cultural competences was found in both groups depending on age, education and work experience.

The relationship between the strength of religious faith and spirituality in relation to post-traumatic growth among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in eastern Poland: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had forced intensive care unit (ICU) nurses to adapt to extreme conditions in a short period of time. This resulted in them experiencing extremely stressful situations. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between post-traumatic growth (PTG) and religiosity and spirituality (R/S) among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in intensive care during the pandemic. Materials and methods: 120 nurses working in Lublin, eastern Poland, participated in the cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was made up of three standardised tools: The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, The Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List. Results: In terms of spirituality, the study group of nurses achieved the highest score in the Connectedness with Nature subscale (4.37 ± 1.07), while the strength of religious beliefs had a positive correlation with post-traumatic growth only in the Spiritual changes subscale (r = 0.422, p < 0.001). The following dimensions of spirituality were significantly correlated with post-traumatic growth in the multi-factor model that included religiosity and spirituality: Transcendent experiences, Spiritual activities, Meaningfulness, Acceptance, and Trust. We saw that increase in the assessment of the Transcendent experiences, Meaningfulness and Trust subscales significantly mirrors increase in post-traumatic growth, while increase in the assessment of the Spiritual activities and Acceptance subscales significantly mirrors decrease in post-traumatic growth. The above variables explained up to 44% of the dependent variable. Conclusion: Both religiosity and spirituality were significantly associated with post-traumatic growth in the group of ICU nurses, but spirituality appears to have played a larger role. Our findings support the value and significance of the development of spiritual and religious identity as a means of enhancing positive psychological changes in the face of traumatic events.

The Prevalence of Depression Symptoms and Their Socioeconomic and Health Predictors in a Local Community with a High Deprivation: A Cross-Sectional Studies.

Depression is a heterogeneous and etiologically complex psychiatric syndrome thatshows a strong sexual dimorphism and often impacts people with a low socioeconomic status (SES). The aim of the study was to estimate the occurrence of depression symptoms in a local community with a high deprivation rate, the example being the inhabitants of the JanówLubelski County in eastern Poland. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 3752 people aged between 35 and 64. The prevalence of depression symptoms was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale. In the screening for depression symptoms in the entire population we studied, the risk of depression symptoms was 16.1% (n = 605), with women having a significantly higher mean score than men (p < 0.001). Significant predictors associated with the achievement of 10 points and more in the PHQ-9 assessment in the case of women and men were: living alone, education and having comorbidities. Moreover, female participants living in rural areas were significantly more likely to exhibit depression symptoms, whereas smoking was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms in men. It was observed that in the case of obese women, the chance of being in the higher category of the PHQ-9 assessment was 1.41 times higher than in women with normal body weight. However, in the case of men, an increase in age by one year increased the chance of being in a higher category by 1.02 times. Moreover, the odds of falling into a higher category, as assessed by the PHQ-9 questionnaire, among men who drink alcohol more than once a week was 1.7 times higher than in men who do not drink or consume alcohol occasionally. Summarising the results of studies conducted in a local community characterised by a high deprivation rate, socioeconomic and health variables related to SES significantly impacted the incidence of depression, but they differ in terms of gender.

Level of social competencies of nurses in primary health care and their selected work-related determinants-A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the level of social competencies among primary health care nurses, and to identify the work-related determinants. BACKGROUND: Developing social skills of nurses are necessary to establish better relations with patients. Improving these skills allows for higher quality of patient care, as well as patient and nurse satisfaction. METHODS: For the study, 253 primary health care centres were randomly chosen in the Eastern Poland; 600 questionnaires were sent to the nurses employed in these facilities. After checking whether the data met the requirements, 446 nurses took part in the survey. The data were collected using the Social Competencies Profile, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, and the catalogue of primary health care nurse activities. RESULTS: Older nurses possess lower level of social skills (r = -0.10, p = 0.04). Postgraduate education in the last 2 years differentiated the results of social competencies (p = 0.03) as well as place of residence in the subscale community awareness (p = 0.04). The predictors of social skills among psychosocial work conditions were as follows: Influence at Work (p = 0.02), Possibilities for Development (p < 0.001), Meaning of Work (p < 0.001), Social Support (p = 0.001), Quality of Leadership (p = 0.03), Job Satisfaction (p < 0.001), and General Health (p = 0.001). On the other hand, tasks like Activities in the treatment room (p = 0.003) and Promotion and prevention (p < 0.001) carried out by a nurse anticipated higher level of social skills. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the research proved that work-related factors such as influence at work, professional development, sense of social support, understanding of the meaning of work, perception of the quality of leadership, and higher job satisfaction influence the development of social competencies of nurses; therefore, shaping an appropriate work environment is an important task, especially for leaders and managers of nursing. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: We recommend that nursing leaders and health policy makers adopt new strategies and educational programs, which include social skills training as part of the curriculum for the development of the social competencies of nurses.

Factors Predicting Post-Traumatic Positive and Negative Psychological Changes Experienced by Nurses during a Pandemic COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study.

It is common knowledge that COVID-19 affects physiopathological changes in all systems of the human body. On the other hand, events related to the COVID-19 pandemic also have a significant impact on the social and mental sphere of human functioning. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between selected sociodemographic variables and selected subjective cognitive resources, and the positive and negative perception of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of nurses working in Poland. The computer-assisted web interviewing method was conducted between 1 and 15 May 2020. Participants were requested to complete the following questionnaires: The Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CIOQ), The Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), The Safety Experience Questionnaire (SEQ), and The Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Three-hundred and twenty fivenurses working all over Poland participated in the study. Their mean age was 39.18 ± 11.16 years. A higher average level was noted among the surveyed nurses in the Positive Change subscale (18.56 ± 4.04). In a multivariate model, taking into account both sociodemographic and cognitive variables, the level of perceived traumatic stress, the level of social support, a sense of security, reflection on safety and a sense of meaning and meaning in life were independent predictors of a positive perception of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those variables explained as much as 37% of the dependent variable, and the nature of the relationship was positive. While we are still a long way from understanding the full range of the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and psychosocial well-being, it is possible that in this challenging context there are many individual resources available to perceive the effects of the current pandemic positively. Therefore, they should be strengthened through the development and implementation of intervention programs to improve the mental state of nurses.

Factors Influencing the Concentration of Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) in School Children Aged 8-9-Years-Old in Krakow, with High FeNO Values ≥ 20 ppb.

Background and Objectives: Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) concentration is currently used as a non-invasive biomarker to assess airway inflammation. Many factors can influence the FeNO level. However, there have been no reports concerning factors attributed to FeNO levels in different age groups of children, especially those with high FeNO values. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of selected factors on nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air in children aged 8-9 attending class 3 of public primary schools in Krakow with high FeNO values ≥ 20 ppb. Materials and Methods: The population-based study covered all third-grade pupils attending primary schools in the city of Krakow. Five thousand, four hundred and sixty children participated in the first screening stage, conducted from October 2017 to January 2018. Then, 792 participants with an FeNO level ≥ 20 ppb were selected. Finally, those selected pupils were invited to participate in the second stage, diagnostic, in April 2018. Four hundred and fifty-four children completed the diagnostic stage of the study, and their data was included in the presented analysis. Results and Conclusions: Significantly higher FeNO levels were observed in children diagnosed with the following diseases: asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and allergy (p < 0.05). In addition, it was observed that a higher FeNO concentration characterised children taking antihistamines compared to children not taking those medications (p = 0.008). In multivariate models, we observed that regardless of sex, age, BMI value, home smoking, and whether they were taking medications, children who had allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis, or allergies had significantly higher FeNO levels. The strongest relationship was noted with allergic diseases. The results of our study may be of importance to clinicians when interpreting FeNO results, for example, when making a therapeutic decision.

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Nurses during the First Eleven Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The high risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection can increase the physical and psychological strain on nurses in professional practice, which can lead to mental health problems. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to establish and estimate the combined incidence of depression and anxiety among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic using standard measurement tools. A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS was carried out to identify cross-sectional studies in the period from 3 March 2020 to 18 February 2021. Two reviewers independently and critically evaluated the studies which have been included, using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality checklist. We have identified twenty-three studies (n = 44,165) from nine countries. The combined incidence of depression among nurses was 22% (95% CI 0.15-0.30, I2 = 99.71%), and anxiety symptoms 29% (95%CI 0.18-0.40, I2 = 99.92%). No significant difference was observed in the percentage of depression and anxiety between the study subjects working on the frontlines vs. those in a mixed group (those working on the frontlines and behind the lines). This meta-analysis shows that over one-fifth of nurses in professional practice during the COVID-19 epidemic suffer from depression disorders, and almost one-third experience anxiety symptoms. This underscores the importance of providing comprehensive psychological support strategies for nurses working in pandemic conditions. Further longitudinal research is necessary to assess the severity of mental health symptoms related to the COVID-19 epidemic factor.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the International Questionnaire to Measure the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) for the Polish and Cross-Sectional Study.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country's traditional or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the prevailing health care system. The aim of this study is the linguistic and cross-cultural adaptation of the Polish version of the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) and the assessment of the occurrence and factors related to CAM among patients in Poland. A methodological model of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of research tools according to Beaton et al. with a Delphi-Technique was used for the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Polish version of I-CAM-Q. The Delphi consensus was achieved in the scale assessment between the experts in two rounds (with a score of above 80% of expert agreement). Data was collected using an online survey within 38 thematically different groups on Facebook, among 524 participants. Over half (59.7%, n = 313) of the respondents used the services of at least one CAM practitioner. On the other hand, 50.8% (n = 266) of the respondents declared using physician's advice. The use of herbs and plant products was reported by 84.7% (n = 444), and vitamins and minerals by 88.4% (n = 463) of respondents. The most commonly used self-help practices among the respondents were relaxation techniques (49.6%), praying for one's health (43.3%) and meditation (41.2%). The consensual methodology of validating the Polish version of the I-CAM-Q scale allowed for creation of a conceptually and linguistically equivalent tool with the original international instrument. A high frequency of CAM use was found among the respondents. Therefore, strategies should be implemented to improve patient-physician communication on the use of CAM in Poland.

Impact of the Empathic Understanding of People and Type D Personality as the Correlates of Social Skills of Primary Health Care Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Efficient functioning at work depends on social skills. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among empathy, type D personality traits, and the level of social skills among Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 446 PHC nurses. In the multidimensional model, after taking into account disruptive variables (age, place of residence, postgraduate education and self-assessment of health), as in one-dimensional models, respondents with a higher level of empathic understanding of other people were found to have a higher level of social skills (b = 0.76; SE = 0.11; p < 0.001), while a lower level of social skills was observed among respondents with traits which are characteristic of type D personality (b = −11.86; SE = 2.28; p < 0.001). The results of the study show that personal predispositions, such as empathy or type D personality, may support or hinder the shaping of social skills of nurses. Therefore, it is essential to create an individualised approach when nurses are undergoing social skills training.

Relationship between Serum Kallistatin and Afamin and Anthropometric Factors Associated with Obesity and of Being Overweight in Patients after Myocardial Infarction and without Myocardial Infarction.

Extensive clinical and epidemiological evidence has linked obesity to a broad spectrum of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary disease, heart failure, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. In addition, increasing knowledge of regulatory peptides has allowed an assessment of their role in various non-communicable diseases, including CVD. The study assessed the concentration of kallistatin and afamin in the blood serum of patients after a myocardial infarction and without a cardiovascular event, and determined the relationship between the concentration of kallistatin and afamin and the anthropometric indicators of being overweight and of obesity in these groups. Serum kallistatin and afamin were quantified by ELISA tests in a cross-sectional study of 160 patients who were divided into two groups: study group (SG) (n = 80) and another with no cardiovascular event (CG) (n = 80). Serum kallistatin concentration was significantly higher in the SG (p < 0.001), while the level of afamin was significantly lower in this group (p < 0.001). In addition, a positive correlation was observed in the SG between the afamin concentration and the waist to hip ratio (WHR), lipid accumulation product (LAP) and the triglyceride glucose index (TyG index). In the CG, the concentration of kallistatin positively correlated with the LAP and TyG index, while the concentration of afamin positively correlated with all the examined parameters: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist to hip ratio (WHtR), visceral adiposity index (VAI), LAP and TyG index. Serum kallistatin and afamin concentrations are associated with the anthropometric parameters related to being overweight and to obesity, especially to those describing the visceral distribution of adipose tissue and metabolic disorders related to excessive fatness.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with cancer and their relationship with health behaviours - Cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common with Polish cancer patients, little is known about cancer patients' methods of using CAM and how it correlates with their health behaviour. The aim of the study was to determine the scope of application of complementary and alternative medicine methods among patients treated by oncology and to compare the health behaviours of patients who use alternative medicine with those who do not use these methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studies were conducted from August 2019 - January 2020 in an Oncology Centre in south-eastern Poland. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of 208 oncological patients. The authors' own questionnaire and the standardized Health Behaviour Inventory were used. RESULTS: Most of the patients (85.09%) declared that they used complementary and alternative medicine methods. 45.19% of the respondents had a high rate of health behaviours. It was observed that there was no communication related to the use of CAM among the patients and healthcare staff. Patients using CAM demonstrated more positive health behaviours than those who were not using these methods (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the surveyed patients suffering from cancer used complementary and alternative medicine and declared that it was very or slightly effective in strengthening the immune system and helpful in fighting cancer. The patients who used CAM exhibited a higher level of health behaviours than those who did not use these methods.