The prevalence and determinants of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in Ukrainian civilian physicians and paramedics in wartime-An observational cross-sectional study six months after outbreak.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is the largest European land offensive since World War II. Individuals affected by conflicts such as war are at an increased risk of mental disorders, which result from frequent exposure to traumatic events and the breakdown of supportive social networks. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in Ukrainian civilian physicians and paramedics six months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A cross-sectional study was conducted using validated questionnaires: The Life Events Checklist, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, The International Trauma Questionnaire (ICD-11), The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. The study showed that 61.1 % of participants indicated combat or exposure to a war zone as the most bothersome event in their experience. Physicians and paramedics did not differ in the prevalence of PTSD according to the DSM-5 diagnostic rule and of depression (criteria met by 14.5 % and 9 % of participants, respectively). However, more physicians than paramedics met the criteria of PTSD according to the ICD-11 diagnostic rule (5.1 % vs. 1.2 %) and of anxiety (16.5 % vs. 10.0 %). The risk factors for the mental health problems included personal combat experience, total trauma exposure, parenthood, and economic situation. Despite the differences found in the prevalence of PTSD depending on the criteria used, the severity of mental problems and disability in this group is significant. It is advisable to monitor the mental state and need for help among Ukrainian civilian medical personnel.

Factors Influencing the Control of Diabetes Measured via Glycated Hemoglobin Concentrations in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Numerous complications of type 1 diabetes (T1D) may be prevented through suitable glycemic control. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) may be one of the markers for the early detection of the metabolic imbalance characteristic of the disease. However, optimal control of diabetes is not achieved in a large group of patients. It was demonstrated that numerous factors (sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical) contributed to this condition. The aim of the study was to identify factors influencing the control of diabetes measured via glycated hemoglobin concentrations in people with T1D. Independent factors influencing better diabetes control measured via HbA1c in the study group included higher disease acceptance, higher nutritional adherence, lower BMI, and a lower risk of eating disorders. Describing the determinants will allow for the improvement of the system of care provided to people with T1D and for it to comprise important psychological variables related to self-care and acceptance of the disease.

Association between Parity and Preterm Birth-Retrospective Analysis from a Single Center in Poland.

Preterm births and parity are two medical areas that seem to be entirely different from each other. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between parity and maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with preterm birth. This study involved a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records from St. Sophia Hospital in Warsaw (Poland). This study was conducted among women who gave birth to preterm infants between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021. A total of 2043 cases of preterm births were included in the final analysis. A higher odds ratio of preterm birth in primiparas was found in women living in a city/town (OR = 1.56) and having secondary (OR = 1.46) and higher education (OR = 1.82). Multiparas who gave birth to preterm infants were more frequently diagnosed with gestational diabetes (19.69%) than primiparas. Multiparas were more likely to give birth to preterm infants who received an Apgar score of ≤7 both at 1 and 5 min after birth (25.80% and 15.34%). The results of our study emphasize the differences between primiparas and multiparas who give birth to preterm infants. Knowledge of these differences is essential to improve the perinatal care provided to mothers and their infants.

Factors Determining the Quality of Life of Polish Women during Menopause Based on the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to present the process of cultural adaptation to Polish conditions and the validation of a scale assessing the quality of life of Polish women during the menopause and to identify the factors determining this quality of life. METHODS: The research tools were the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire and a standardized interview questionnaire comprising questions on the participants' characteristics. The study involved 516 women using health care services who had symptoms caused by the menopause. RESULTS: The value of the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.923. The discriminative power coefficients of all the questionnaire items were higher than 0.3. The study confirmed the validity and internal consistency of the Polish version of the MENQOL questionnaire for measuring the quality of life of postmenopausal women, suggesting that the tool can be used for screening menopausal symptoms in women. There was a relationship between general quality of life and age (p = 0.002), marital status (p < 0.001), education (p = 0.021), the impact of professional work (p < 0.001), the impact of physical activity (p < 0.001) and the impact of social life (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the group of women who took part in the study, the authors observed a lower quality of life during menopause reported by older women who were married/in a stable relationship, with no formal education (no formal education) and who, according to their subjective assessment, negatively evaluated the impact of the accompanying menopause-related symptoms on their work, physical activity and social life.

Acceptance of Pregnancy-Induced Disease and Intrapersonal Resistance Resources of Pregnant Women-Preliminary Report.

The health problems complicating pregnancy are a source of anxiety and concern about the developing fetus' health and life. The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance of illness and selected intrapersonal resistance resources for women whose pregnancies are complicated by gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced hypertension and their determinants. The study was conducted from April 2019 to January 2021 in 688 pregnant women who were patients of the pregnancy pathology department and gynecology-obstetrics outpatient clinics in Lublin (Poland), using a diagnostic survey method with the use of the following research tools: Acceptance Illness Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the standardized interview questionnaire. The study group included 337 women with gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension. The control group included 351 women with an uncomplicated course of pregnancy. The level of acceptance of illness in pregnant women with pregnancy-induced diseases is on the border between medium and high acceptance (29.36 ± 7.82). The respondents in the control group had lower levels of self-efficacy (28.47 vs. 29.62) and health locus of control in the internal dimension (24.61 vs. 26.25) (p < 0.05). Respondents with pregnancy-induced diseases are characterized by the internal dimension of locus of health control.

What Differentiates Rural and Urban Patients with Type 1 Diabetes-A Pilot Study.

The effective management of diabetes is a complex issue and may be determined according to numerous patient-dependent and patient-independent factors. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the place of residence and selected sociodemographic, psychological and diabetes-related parameters in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study was conducted on 419 adults with T1D using nonprobability sampling. The following questionnaires were used: the Diabetes Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index, the Acceptance of Illness Scale, the Sense of Responsibility for Health Scale, the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised scale, the Eating Attitudes Test and questions on sociodemographic and diabetes-related parameters. People living in rural areas were characterized by a significantly lower age and level of education, a higher incidence of being overweight, a higher glycated hemoglobin concentration, a lower number of glucose measurements during the day and a higher level of acceptance of the disease compared to urban residents. The degree of adherence to dietary recommendations and the sense of responsibility for one's own health were significantly higher among urban residents. It is necessary to assess barriers to a proper diet and to increase the effectiveness in managing the disease in rural communities. Targeted actions promoting the health of type 1 diabetics need to be developed with particular emphasis on patients from rural areas.

Place of residence and time of day as factors affecting the course of vaginal delivery.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Childbirth is one of the most important events in a woman's life and is influenced by many factors. The aim of the research was to analyze the impact of the place of residence of women giving birth and the time of day on the course of natural birth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted using the method of analysis of retrospective electronic documentation of patients who gave natural vaginal birth in the St. Zofia hospital in Warsaw, Poland. The analysis covered the period from 1 January 2015-31 December 2020; from 40,007 cases, 20,980 were qualified for final analysis. Analysis of the documentation allowed to obtain the following data: socio-demographic, lifestyle, obstetrics, course of delivery and the condition of the newborn. Analysis of the relationship between qualitative variables was performed using the Chi-square test, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare two quantitative variables. RESULTS: Women giving vaginal delivery from rural areas were younger (30.9 vs. 31.3), had primary education (2.4% vs. 1.7%) and secondary education (16.2% vs. 10.1%), were in a relationship (86.1% vs. 81.6%) and more often had a higher BMI at birth (27.8 vs. 27.0), compared to the patients living in cities (p<0.05). In addition, between 07:00-18:59., induction of labour (20.7% vs. 19.1%), epidural anesthesia (35.4% vs. 34.0%) and episiotomy were performed more often (29.1% vs. 27.8%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Differences were shown in the course of vaginal delivery in relation to the place of residence of the women, and the time of day of the delivery. These factors should be considered in the planning of perinatal care. At the same time, it is necessary to conduct further research on the analyzed aspect in order to ensure the highest quality care.

Retrospective Study to Identify Risk Factors for Severe Disease and Mortality Using the Modified Early Warning Score in 5127 Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to an Emergency Department in Poland Between March 2020 and April 2021.

BACKGROUND COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has posed a threat to global public health. This retrospective study of 5127 patients with COVID-19 admitted to an Emergency Department in Poland between March 2020 and April 2021 aimed to identify risk factors for severe disease and mortality using the modified early warning score (MEWS). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was based on a retrospective analysis of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the Emergency Department between March 2020 and April 2021. A total of 5127 cases were included in the final analysis. Identifying the group of high-risk patients with COVID-19 was determined based on the MEWS score. RESULTS Most of the patients studied were male (53.38%). The in-hospital mortality rate among the patients was 21.53%. The factors associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 were age (>60 years, hazard ratio [HR]=2.27, P<0.001), comorbidities (cancer, HR=1.39, P=0.005; heart failure, HR=1.31, P=0.009; renal failure, HR=1.37, P=0.004), higher MEWS score (MEWS ≥5, HR=1.43, P<0.001), higher percentage of lung parenchyma affected (>50%, HR=2.10, P=0.001), and higher respiratory rate (>24 breaths per min, HR=2.10, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study produced real-world data of risk factors for mortality from COVID-19 and the use of the MEWS for a faster identification of patients with COVID-19 requiring more intensive medical care.

Retrospective Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Induction of Childbirth in 4350 Women from a Single Center in Warsaw, Poland.

Labor induction is one of the most common procedures performed during childbirth, on average in 20−30% of all pregnant women. The aim of this paper was to perform a retrospective analysis of the factors influencing the induction of childbirth. The data provide population-based evidence for Poland (Masovian Voivodeship). The electronic patient records of a hospital in Warsaw were used to create an anonymous retrospective database of all deliveries from 2015 to 2020. The study included an analysis of two groups of patients. The study group consisted of patients with labor induction­4350 cases, and the control group of patients with spontaneous contractions­20,345. The factors influencing the lower frequency of labor induction in the study group were previous cesarean section (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.64−0.84, p < 0.05) and a higher number of deliveries (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.68−0.80, p < 0.05). It is necessary to conduct further research about obstetric procedures used during childbirth, such as induction of childbirth, to reduce the risk of complications and improve the perinatal care of the mother and the neonate.

Spontaneous Perineal Trauma during Non-Operative Childbirth-Retrospective Analysis of Perineal Laceration Risk Factors.

Childbirth-related perineal trauma (CRPT) is defined as damage to the skin, muscles of the perineum, as well as to the anal sphincter complex and anal epithelium. The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors for spontaneous injuries to the soft tissues of the birth canal during non-operative delivery. This was a single-center retrospective case-control study. The study included the analysis of two groups, the study group featured 7238 patients with spontaneous perineal laceration (any degree of perineal laceration) and the control group featured patients without perineal laceration with 7879 cases. The analysis of single-factor logistic regression showed that the factors related to perineal laceration during childbirth are the age of the patients giving birth (p = 0.000), the BMI before delivery (p = 0.000), the number of pregnancies (p = 0.000) and deliveries (p = 0.000), diagnosed gestational diabetes (p = 0.046), home birth (p = 0.000), vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) (p = 0.001), the use of oxytocin in the second stage of childbirth (p = 0.041), the duration of the second stage of childbirth (p = 0.000), body weight (p = 0.000), and the circumference of the newborn head (p = 0.000). Independent factors that increase the risk of perineal laceration during childbirth are an older age of the woman giving birth, a history of cesarean section, a higher birth weight of the newborn, and factors that reduce the risk of spontaneous perineal trauma are a higher number of deliveries and home birth.

The Mediating Role of Dispositional Optimism in the Relationship between Health Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy in Pregnant Women at Risk of Preterm Delivery.

Difficult situations during pregnancy, such as threatened preterm labor, trigger negative experiences in women. The levels of stress experienced and the way individuals cope with it depend on their personal resources, such as optimism, internal health locus of control, and self-efficacy, among other factors. The purpose of this paper was to determine the role of dispositional optimism in the relationship between health locus of control and self-efficacy in pregnant women with threatened preterm labor. Dispositional optimism plays the role of mediator in relationships between: (1) internal health control and self-efficacy; and (2) impact of random events on one's health and self-efficacy. Dispositional optimism does not mediate the relationship between the perceived impact of others on one's health and self-efficacy. For women with a high-risk pregnancy, dispositional optimism is a significant resource for coping with the problems they encounter. It changes the direction (from negative to positive) of the association between experiencing the impact of external factors (random events) on one's health and perceived self-efficacy. It prevents the cycle of loss caused by the interpretation of random events as having an impact on one's health, and acts as a mediator to initiate a cycle of gains that leads to greater perceived self-efficacy. Optimistic pregnant women maintain a positive outlook, even when confronted with difficult, negative experiences such as threatened preterm labor.

Bleeding during pregnancy as a reason for interventions by emergency medical services teams in Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is associated with risks to the health and life of the woman and/or the foetus. Moreover, it is usually unanticipated, which requires on-site care to be provided to the woman. Such care is handled by emergency medical services (EMS) teams until specialist obstetric care can be provided. The purpose of study was to analyze the characteristics of EMS team responses to calls regarding pregnant women with vaginal bleeding, considering the location of call: urban vs. rural area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was based on a retrospective analysis of 5,487 EMS team interventions due to vaginal bleeding in pregnant women in Poland. The data analyzed included the period January 2018-December 2019, obtained from the National Monitoring Centre of Emergency Medical Services. RESULTS: The teams were more commonly dispatched to pregnant women in rural areas, who were more likely to be older and in the course of a second (27.52% vs. 26.88%) or subsequent pregnancy (34.00% vs. 27.49%), to have had one (28.22% vs. 26.75%) or more previous births (28.87% vs. 22.87%), and to have antepartum bleeding (23.91% vs. 20.36%) than those from urban areas. The mean time between receipt of the call and patient hand-over at the hospital by the EMS team was longer in rural areas (50.00 vs. 37.23 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: EMS teams responding to calls from rural areas regarding pregnant women with vaginal bleeding were most commonly dispatched in the summer, and the mean time between the receipt of the call and patient hand-over at the hospital was longer than in the calls from urban areas. Compared to patients calling from urban areas, those from rural areas were also more likely to be pregnant for the second or subsequent time, to have antepartum bleeding, and to have given birth before.

Experience of the Polish Medical Air Rescue Service During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Measures Taken to Protect Patients, Medical Staff, and Air Crew from SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

BACKGROUND The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and the sudden inflow of patients with severe COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) symptoms increased demand for hospital and pre-hospital care, the latter being provided by emergency medical teams. The Polish Medical Air Rescue Services include the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and the airplane-based Emergency Medical Service (EMS). This study aimed to present the experience of the Polish Medical Air Rescue Service during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken to protect patients, medical staff, and air crew from SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of missions completed by the Polish Medical Air Rescue crews with respect to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases. We analyzed data from the medical records of the Polish Medical Air Rescue Service, which included flights to accidents and emergencies, and air patient transport missions, where medical assistance was provided to patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first year of the pandemic in Poland. RESULTS Among the COVID-19 patients, the most common comorbidity was acute respiratory failure (41.58%). Emergency missions more often concerned older patients with sudden cardiac arrest, dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes. CONCLUSIONS During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, the Polish Medical Air Rescue Service implemented procedures to protect patients, medical staff, and air crew from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study highlights the importance of using single-patient isolation units for patient transport between hospitals and for emergency hospital admissions when the SARS-CoV-2 status of the patients were unknown.

A Questionnaire-Based Study to Evaluate Health-Related Behaviors in 602 Women of Reproductive Age in Poland.

BACKGROUND Women's health and undertaking health behaviors during the reproductive period by women, especially during pregnancy, are an important indicator that is reflected both in their own health and in health of their children. This study aimed to use a questionnaire to evaluate the health-related behaviors in women of reproductive age in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS The studies were conducted among 602 women of reproductive age by diagnostic poll method with the use of questionnaire technique. The applied tool was an original on-line questionnaire. A link to the questionnaire was sent to women aged 18-49 years using the snowball sampling technique and was posted on thematic pro-health website forums. RESULTS The majority of women participating in the study exhibited health behaviors on the average level (65.3%; M=7.6). Pro-health behaviors were exhibited mainly by women with higher education (M=7.7; SD=2.6), married women (M=8.0; SD=2.6), and women who were pregnant at the time (M=8.8; SD=2.6). However, single women participating in the study consumed alcohol more often (80.6%). The observed relationships were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This survey showed that younger women with no children were significantly less likely to be aware of positive health-associated behaviors and lifestyle when compared with older women with children. This small study supports the importance of health education in young women before they have children.

Suspected Miscarriage in the Experience of Emergency Medical Services Teams-Preliminary Study.

Vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain are symptoms indicative of a threat to pregnancy that prompt women to seek assistance from health care professionals. The purpose of the study was to present the characteristics of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team interventions in cases of suspected miscarriage. The study involved a retrospective analysis of EMS team interventions in cases of suspected miscarriage carried out between January 2018 and December 2019 in Poland. Data obtained from Poland's National Monitoring Center of Emergency Medical Services included emergency medical procedure records and EMS team dispatch records in electronic format. The mean patient age was 30.53 years. Most were primiparous (48.90%) and up to the 13th gestational week (76.65%). The most commonly reported symptom was vaginal bleeding (80.71%). EMS teams were most commonly dispatched in the winter (27.03%), between 7 A.M. and 6:59 P.M. (51.87%), in urban areas (69.23%), with urgency code 2 (55.60%), and in most cases, they transferred the patient to a hospital (97.53%). The present study addresses very important issues concerning the characteristics of Polish suspected miscarriage cases handled by different EMS team types, in different locations (urban vs. rural areas), and concerning patients in a different obstetric situation (gestational week, gravidity, parity). Our findings suggest a need for further studies in this field and for gestational health promotion activities to be implemented, specifically including actions to reduce the risk of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

Polish Medical Air Rescue Interventions Concerning Pregnant Women in Poland: A 10-year Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND Even in the normal course of pregnancy, alarming symptoms and obstetric complications can occur, necessitating appropriate care. Medical rescue and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) teams are responsible for responding to emergencies and performing medical emergency procedures on scene and during patient transport to hospital. The purpose of our study was to present the characteristics of HEMS and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) interventions concerning pregnant women in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved a retrospective analysis of missions by HEMS and EMS crews of the Polish Medical Air Rescue concerning pregnant women in Poland. The analysis included all HEMS and EMS flights to cases of accidents and other emergencies and air transport missions where medical assistance had been provided to pregnant women between January 2011 and December 2020. RESULTS Polish Medical Air Rescue teams were most commonly dispatched to urban areas (79.46%) and for inter-hospital transport (75.85%). The mean patient age was 29.72 years, and the most common diagnosis, in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), was premature labor (24.38%). CONCLUSIONS Pregnant patients aged 30 and older and those receiving HEMS and EMS assistance in urban areas were found to have a higher odds ratio for premature labor. A correlation was identified between the diagnosis associated with the Polish Medical Air Rescue intervention and the pregnant woman's age and location of call.

Determinants of Psychosocial Resilience Resources in Obese Pregnant Women with Threatened Preterm Labor-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of such psychosocial resilience resources as self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and health locus of control in pregnant women with obesity with threatened premature labor. Methods: The study was performed in the years 2017-2020 in a group of 328 pregnant women hospitalized due to threatened preterm labor and diagnosed with obesity before the pregnancy. The following instruments were applied: the Life Orientation Test, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results: Obese pregnant women with threatened premature labor have a moderate level of generalized self-efficacy (28.02) and a moderate level of dispositional optimism (16.20). Out of the three health locus of control dimensions, the highest scores were recorded in the "internal control" subscale (26.08). Statistically significant predictors for the self-efficacy variable model included: satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.156; p = 0.004), being nulliparous (ß = -0.191; p = 0.002), and the absence of comorbidities (ß = -0.145; p = 0.008). Higher levels of dispositional optimism were found in women who were married (ß = 0.381; p = 0.000), reported a satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.137; p = 0.005), were between 23 and 27 weeks pregnant (ß = -0.231; p = 0.000), and had no comorbidities (ß = -0.129; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Generalized self-efficacy in obese women with threatened preterm labor is associated with satisfactory socio-economic standing, being nulliparous, and the absence of chronic disease. Dispositional optimism in obese pregnant women with threatened preterm labor is determined by their marital status, socio-economic standing, gestational age, and the absence of comorbidities.

Polish Medical Air Rescue Crew Interventions Concerning Neonatal Patients.

The purpose of the study was to present the characteristics of Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) interventions concerning newborns in Poland. The study involved a retrospective analysis of missions by Polish Medical Air Rescue crews concerning newborns, carried out in Poland between January 2011 and December 2020. Polish Medical Air Rescue crews were most commonly dispatched to urban areas (86.83%), for patient transfer (59.67%), using an airplane (65.43%), between 7 AM and 6:59 PM (93.14%), and in the summer (28.67%). Further management involved handing over the neonatal patient to a ground neonatal ambulance team. Most of the patients studied were male (58.02%), and the most common diagnosis requiring the HEMS or EMS intervention was a congenital heart defect (31.41%). The most common medical emergency procedure performed by Polish Medical Air Rescue crew members for the neonatal patients was intravenous cannulation (43.07%). The odds ratio for congenital malformations was higher in male newborns. The type of Polish Medical Air Rescue mission was associated with the location of the call, time of the call, ICD-10 diagnosis associated with the dispatch, selected clinical findings, most commonly performed medical emergency procedures, and mission duration and distance covered.

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.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Endometriosis as Reasons for Women's Admission to Outpatient Specialist Care in Poland-A Retrospective Analysis.

This study aimed at presenting selected aspects of outpatient specialist care for women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis. The study was carried out using a retrospective analysis of the services provided under Outpatient Specialist Care (AOS) for women, based on data from the National Health Fund (NFZ). The study included data on women with PCOS or endometriosis based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) in Poland from 2016 to 2018. The average age of women in the study group with PCOS was 25.31 (±7.02) years and, for those with endometriosis, 38.21 (±10.79). AOS patients with diagnosed PCOS most often made 2-3 visits (34.60%) to a specialist doctor, and those with diagnosed endometriosis most often made one visit (39.95%). Significant differences between patients with PCOS and endometriosis using AOS were found concerning the women's age, the year, season, place of treatment, type of clinic, mode of admission, number of visits, and their place of residence or macroregion. With increasing age, women with PCOS made more visits to AOS, and women with endometriosis made fewer visits to the AOS specialist.