Health-Related Behaviours of Foreign Students Studying in Poland and Their Determinants: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Educational migration benefits students and receiving countries, but universities are challenged to meet a variety of needs, such as cultural adaptation and changes in health behaviours such as dietary habits. This study aimed to assess the health-related behaviours, encompassing dietary/eating habits, among international students in Poland, while also elucidating the factors influencing these behaviours. The study consisted of two phases: (phase 1) cross-sectional research among 231 foreign students using the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire (FLQ); and (phase 2) focus group interviews with 15 international students. The study was conducted in accordance with STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) and COREQ (COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research) Checklists. It was shown that the respondents highly value health. Students' health-related behaviours are related to their financial situation, health condition, self-assessment of their lifestyle, the importance attached to being healthy, and their country of origin. The qualitative analysis allowed us to identify (1) the barriers related to the exhibiting of health-related behaviours, (2) expectations of foreign students regarding the exhibiting of health-related behaviours, (3) changes in the health-related behaviours, and (4) factors facilitating the exhibiting of health-related behaviours. There is a need for inter-university cooperation on a strategy to promote health-promoting behaviours of foreign students studying in Poland.

Caring Ability and Professional Values of Polish Nursing Students-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Caring ability and professional values developed and shaped during nursing university studies are often recognised as fundamental components of education and professional nursing attitudes. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between caring ability and professional values among nursing students and their correlation with selected sociodemographic variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 379 nursing students. During the research, the Polish versions of the Caring Ability Inventory and the Professional Values Scale were used. The overall result in the Professional Values Scale was 108.78 (SD = 16.17)-which is considered average, and in the Caring Ability Inventory 189.55 (SD = 18.77)-which is considered low. Age correlated negatively with the professional values of students in total and in the subscale "care"; in contrast, "gender", "place of residence" and "financial situation" did not show any correlation with the level of students' professional values and caring ability. The professional values and caring abilities of nursing students depended on the year and mode of study and the type of university. The results of the study revealed that the caring ability and professional values of nursing students undergo changes during their education.

Clinical Training during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences of Nursing Students and Implications for Education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused difficulties in the organization of clinical classes for nursing students. It is therefore important to explore students' experiences related to participation in clinical classes during the pandemic and to draw conclusions that will allow for the introduction of innovations enabling the development of the required professional competencies as part of training during current and future pandemic restrictions. In this study, we aimed to explore the experiences of nursing students related to clinical education during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify practical implications for this education in the future. A qualitative study was performed based on individual interviews among Polish nursing students (n = 20). The study is reported using the COREQ checklist. Content analysis was applied, and five main categories were identified, including 'the key role of clinical mentor', 'theory-practice gap', 'ambivalent emotions and ethical challenges', 'to be part of the team', and 'strengthened professional identity'. The results of our research indicate that higher education institutions should implement clear strategies to support students, both in terms of psychological support and compensation of professional skills, the development of which might be limited during the pandemic. Modern technologies, including medical simulations, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine should be used in the practical teaching of nursing students to educate them on how to cope with difficult, new situations, build decision-making skills, and solve problems.

Lifestyle Practices, Satisfaction with Life and the Level of Perceived Stress of Polish and Foreign Medical Students Studying in Poland.

The adaptation of foreign students to a new country can be complicated due to different cultural values, language barriers and the way university courses are structured. The aim of the study was to analyze the lifestyle practices, satisfaction with life and the level of perceived stress of Polish and foreign students studying various medical disciplines in Poland with regard to chosen sociodemographic characteristics. The study included 231 foreign and 213 Polish students (n = 444) taking different medical disciplines at the medical university in eastern Poland. Three research tools were used: Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire (FLQ), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Additionally, students' sociodemographic data was collected. Two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and correlations between variables were also examined. Our research indicated that Polish students obtained higher results in FLQ than foreign students. It also demonstrated a significantly higher level of stress among Polish students in comparison to foreign students. The self-assessment of their health condition, lifestyle, and rank associated to being healthy correlated with FLQ, SWLS and PSS-10. The present research can aid the development of support programs for foreign students so that the cultural adaptation processes would more positively influence their lifestyle and an education environment.

[Age and duration of employment of health care workers with occupational viral hepatitis B and C]. / Wiek i staz zawodowy pracowników ochrony zdrowia z zawodowym wirusowym zapaleniem watroby typu B i C.

BACKGROUND: In this paper we present the study of the incidence of hepatitis B and C among health care workers in the Pomorskie voivodeship in the years 1999-2009. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the certified occupational HCV and HBV infections and the age and duration of employment of infected health care workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To analyze the epidemiological situation of occupational hepatitis among health care workers in the Pomorskie voivodeship, the data 338 occupational disease certificates were obtained. RESULTS: Of the 338 certified cases of occupational viral hepatitis during this period 222 (65.7%) cases were diagnosed with hepatitis B, and 116 (34.3%) with hepatitis C. The total number of health care workers included 301 (89%) women, and 37 (11%) men. The majority of occupational hepatitis cases occurred in the following age groups 45-49, 40-44, 50-54 and 35-39 years. The mean age for the whole population was 46.20 years. The average duration of employment was 18.34 years, and it was lower for women than for men by 1.71 years (18.15 vs. 19.86). The cases of hepatitis mostly occurred during the periods of 15-19, 20-24 and 25-29 years of employment (50% of cases). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the employees used to postpone the procedure of occupational disease certification. Short work experience confirms a higher risk of infection among employees of analytical laboratories and dental offices. The relationship between a higher risk of infection in workers and a shorter duration of employment (little work experience) was evidenced.

[Occupational HBV and HCV infections among health care workers]. / Zawodowe zakazenia wirusami HBV i HCV wsród pracowników ochrony zdrowia.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of the number of reported occupational hepatitis cases in the years 1971-2009 reveals a clear upward trend in the late 1980's, followed by a downward trend that has continued to the present. The aim of this study was to determine the number of recorded occupational hepatitis B and C in the Pomorskie voivodeship in the years 1999-2009 by the type and location of health care institutions and workpost category. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To analyze the epidemiological situation of occupational hepatitis among health care workers in the Pomorskie voivodeship, the data from 338 occupational disease certificates were obtained. RESULTS: In the period under study 341 cases of occupational hepatitis B and C (hepatitis B, 229; hepatitis C 112) were recorded in the province of Pomerania. The number of occupational hepatitis B decreased by 96.6% in the years 1999-2009, and hepatitis C by 90.5% in the years 2000-2009. The majority of infections occurred in large cities (Gdansk, Gdynia and Slupsk). The total number of cases included 301 (89%) women and 37 (11%) men. The largest number of infections was observed among nurses and midwives (155 and 10 cases, respectively). Definitely the highest incidence was observed in hospitals (230 cases), analytical laboratories (42 cases), medical and dental clinics (20 cases). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data show a significant decrease in the incidence of occupational hepatitis during the discussed period. The highest number of infections was found among employees of hospitals and laboratories. A high number of cases in a small occupational group, employees of analytical laboratories, attracted our attention.