Knowledge and attitudes towards performing resuscitation among seniors - a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest constitutes a critical medical emergency necessitating swift intervention to reinstate normal heart rhythm and prevent harm to vital organs. The pivotal role of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in influencing survival rates is well recognized. With older adults being the most common group to witness such events, it's curcial to understand their attitudes and knowledge about performing CPR. Additionally, understanding if health status has an influence can help in tailoring education for specific seniors needs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was sent to University of the Third Age (UTA) students. The survey comprised sections focusing on demographic data, CPR knowledge, automated external defibrillator (AED) knowledge, first aid training, and readiness to perform CPR and use AEDs. Participants' health conditions were also assessed through multiple-choice options. RESULTS: We received 456 responses. Significant awareness of emergency numbers and cardiac arrest recognition was revealed. However, knowledge gaps persisted, particularly in compression rates. Most participants comprehended AED usage, yet training primarily relied on theoretical approaches. Health conditions notably affected CPR readiness, with associations between specific chronic diseases and willingness to perform CPR. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing knowledge gaps and tailoring education for elderly needs are crucial for improving survival rates. Future research should explore barriers to bystander CPR during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests to further enhance survival prospects.

Dynamics of suicidal frequency changes within the Poland rail system - an attempt of epidemiological analyzes. / Dynamika zmian czestotliwosci samobójstw na kolei w Polsce ­ próba analizy epidemiologicznej.

OBJECTIVES: The analysis presented in the article is the first study of suicide on railway tracks in Poland. METHODS: An epidemiological assessment was conducted, study type: case series, population-based with use of the data from the National Police Headquarters. The rates of railway suicides in Poland in the years 2007-2018 were compared to the overall number of suicides in Poland and in the Europe. RESULTS: In 2007-2018, the average share of deaths by railway suicide in the overall number of suicides committed in Poland amounted to 2.06%. Between the years: 1999 -2018 there is a growing number of railway suicide attempts and railway suicide attempts without deaths. Since 2012, an increase of suicide attempts on railway tracks, along with a constant number of suicide deaths, has been observed. In 2017 - 2018, throwing oneself under a train to end one's lifewas the third most commonly chosen method in Poland. Although it accounted for only a small percentage of all methods of suicide, it was chosen relatively more often than in other European countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poland belongs to a small group of European countries where the number of deaths by suicide has displayed an upward tendency in the course of 20 years. There is a growing number of unsuccessful railway suicide attempts. The index of deaths on railway tracks in Poland, was considerably higher than the average index for the EU.

Suicide and Attempted Suicide in Poland before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic between 2019 and 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic is related to changes in rates of suicide and suicide attempts in many countries, and some differences have been observed regarding the prevalence of suicidal behaviours in different age and gender groups. The aim of this study is to analyse the number of suicides and suicide attempts per 100,000 people between 2019 and 2021 in Poland. Using police and government data on suicide and suicide attempts in Poland, three age categories were investigated: 13-24 years old, 25-65 years old, and above 65 years old, and the analysis encompassed the whole population and the populations of men and women separately. Study results indicated an increase in suicide attempts in the two younger age categories (aged 7-24 years and 25-65 years) between 2021 and 2019-2020. There was an increase in suicide among women in all age categories during the study period, whilst no increase was observed in suicide in men in any age group. The differences in the prevalence of suicide and attempted suicide in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic in different age and gender groups indicate the need for tailored suicide prevention activities.

Work-Related Suicide Exposure, Occupational Burnout, and Coping in Emergency Medical Services Personnel in Poland.

Work-related suicide exposure may significantly contribute to the risk of burnout in first responders. This study assessed the exposure to suicide, burnout, and coping mechanisms in emergency medical services in Poland, including psychosocial determinants, such as age, gender, and access to psychological support. The level of burnout was assessed using the Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ), and coping was measured using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Data were analysed using a series of variance analyses and a partial least squares structural equation modelling. The study showed that 98% of emergency medical services personnel reported work-related suicide exposure. The LBQ score indicated symptoms of burnout, in particular relational deterioration, and the CISS showed low levels of emotion-oriented coping. Physicians reported higher levels of psycho-physical exhaustion than paramedics and nurses. Access to psychological support in the workplace was related to lower levels of burnout. Emergency medical services personnel are frequently exposed to suicide, which may be related to the risk of occupational burnout, and coping strategies used in this occupational group are often not optimal. Preventive measures, such as training emergency medical services personnel in regard to effective coping strategies, are needed, and personnel should be encouraged to access mental health services and supports.

Increase in Search Interest for "Suicide" and "Depression" for Particular Days of the Week and Times of Day: Analysis Based on Google Trends.

Depression is the most common disorder in people who attempt suicide or die by suicide. Research review indicate that therapy of depression (including psychoeducation) is one of the main factors in the prevention of suicidal behavior. In this paper we examine the intensification of search interest for the terms "depression" and "suicide" in Google search engine with regard to the time of day and day of the week in Poland, Germany, Great Britain and Italy. The goal of the study was to determine if there are any days of the week or hours when search for "suicide" and "depression" particularly increases. Numerous studies focusing not only on the seasonality of suicidal behavior, but also on the days of the week and hours, indicate that it is most often undertaken on Mondays in the night and early morning hours. The results of the research being the basis of this paper show a certain time coincidence: first, the increase in search interest for "suicide" and "depression" and then undertaking suicidal behavior (suicide and suicide attempts). Searching for terms "suicide" and "depression" usually took place (except in Italy) at weekends and most often in the late evening hours and at night. The conclusions from the research can be used in suicide prevention activities, for example in determining the hours of operation of individual helpline numbers.

Statistical Review of the Suicide Attempts Rates Committed on Polish Railway Tracks between the years 2013-2016.

Suicides on railway tracks are one of the most drastic ones. No research concerning this phenomenon has been done to this date in Poland. This article focuses on the connection between suicidal behaviors on Polish railway tracks and sociodemographic traits and presents risk factors. BACKGROUND: The suicide behavior is largely spread among many European countries. Of these, Poland ranks 22nd in terms of suicide attempts. This study aims to highlight the suicide attempts rates on Polish railways lines and their main risk factors. LIMITATIONS: Limited number of available statistical data before 2013. METHOD: Statistical review of the available Central Police headquarters database and analyses of the influence of the risk factors on people's awareness during the suicide attempts and their geographical distribution in Poland during the years 2013 - 2016. The prevalence of railway suicides in individual voivodeships (provinces) in Poland have been indicated in a 3D map. RESULTS: There were 834 cases of railway suicide fatalities across the entire country. Of the total suicide statistics by any means, 3.75% are railway related. The average known age of those committing railway suicides were: 37.9 years for men (n = 627) and 34.6 for women (n = 155). In most cases, suicides were committed by bachelors (54.3%). The largest group of people who committed suicide had a primary level of education (42.0%). Among the suicides, a significant group are unemployed (45.2%). Alcohol intoxication have been established as responsible for a person's lower awareness of his actions in 70.9% of cases. Almost 63.3% of people had a higher propensity for suicidal ideation and behavior, resulting in their being treated for mental health issues. CONCLUSION: Alcohol intoxication, illegal narcotics and psychotropic medication are responsible for a person's lower awareness during his ore her actions, in most of the cases of suicide on Polish railway lines.

Suicide among Polish officers during World War II in Oflag II-C Woldenberg.

Although scholars have examined the occurrence of suicide in the concentration camps during World War Two, little has appeared on suicide in prisoner-of-war camps. The present note presents an attempt to document the occurrence of suicide in the Oflag II-C Woldenberg camp in what is now Western Poland, and estimates a suicide rate of between 22.4 to 38.4 per 100,000 per year in the roughly 6,600 prisoners.