Female sexuality at reproductive age as an indicator of satisfaction with life - descriptive cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: Life satisfaction is the result of valuing one's own life, and it is higher when the individual situation is closer to the general norm. It is characterized by dynamic and subjectivity and the way it is perceived is regulated by internal and external factors. Life satisfaction can be described in subjective and objective categories, by various indicators. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the determinants of satisfaction with life in selected aspects among women of reproductive age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 280 women, selected according to the following criteria: age range 18-45, at least one sexual intercourse per month, lack of chronic diseases or cancer, and consent to participate in the research. The research instruments used were: Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: Life satisfaction increased with age (p<0.0001), higher life satisfaction was reported by women with higher education (p<0.001), married, (p<0.01), talked with their partner about their sexual expectations (p=0.03) and did not want to change anything in their sexual life (p<0.001). Analysis revealed a positive correlation between life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher level of sexual satisfaction and sexual health is related to better satisfaction with life. Factors affecting sexual satisfaction include residence, having children, discussing one's sexual expectations with their partner, feeling no need to change one's sex life, and frequency of sexual activity.

Assessment of midwifery student preparation for performing the role of breast cancer educator.

PURPOSE: Our research project aimed at presenting midwifery student self-assessment of performing the role of breast cancer prevention educator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Investigations were carried out in 2011 at the Medical University of Lublin in Poland, and Katolieke Hogeschool of Kortrijk in Belgium, after obtaining approval of the ethical committee of Polish Midwives Association (III/EC/2011/PMA). The project involved a total of 155 midwifery students, made up of 95 from Poland, and 60 from Belgium. Relations between opposing characteristics were tested with Chi-square (x2) test for independent traits. To assess the dependence relation between the examined variables Pearson's corrected coefficient was used. Data base and statistics were carried out with computer software STATISTICA 9.0 (StatSoftPoland). CONCLUSIONS: Student knowledge on prevention against breast cancer was unsatisfactory.The students place of residence determined their self-estimation of personal knowledge of breast cancer prevention and diagnosing methods to assess the incidence of the disease, this knowledge being better with the students of Lublin. Better self-estimation in the students of Lublin of their personal knowledge on factors rising the risk of breast cancer, such as alimentation method, application of oral contraceptives and breast feeding was found than in Belgian students.