Oral Health Behaviours, Knowledge, and Literacy of Expectant Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study among Maternity Ward Patients.

Maternal knowledge, literacy, and behaviours in the area of oral health may greatly influence the risk of caries and the oral health status of children from the youngest age. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate paediatric oral health knowledge and literacy as well as maternal oral health behaviours and outcomes among expectant mothers. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 400 pregnant inpatients aged 17-48 years (mean age 29.5 ± 5.3 years) in 31 public maternity wards in the Wielkopolska region, Poland. An anonymous, self-designed questionnaire was prepared on the basis of current oral health recommendations. Pregnancy complications were reported by 195 (48.8%), and permanent tooth extractions by 158 (39.5%) women. Knowledge and literacy scores were associated with, among other things, maternal education, selected oral hygiene practices, and reported extractions of permanent teeth. Although participants had some correct information regarding oral health, they had insufficient awareness of caries as an infectious disease and of the appropriate timing for the child's first dental visit. Their self-assessment of oral health status and belief that they were under dental care tended to be overly optimistic, given their self-reported outcomes. These aspects should be considered in future health education efforts among expectant women.

Preventing congenital toxoplasmosis - implementation of clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate obstetric care of pregnant women with regard to prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. Additionally, we attempted to determine the frequency of markers for past infection with Toxoplasma gondii in order to characterize the current significance of preventive measures in the Polish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis of the medical records - pregnancy charts of women who presented for delivery - was performed. Patient age, place of residence, and toxoplasmosis test (or lack of it) were evaluated. Also, further diagnostic management, depending on the serologic result, was investigated. RESULTS: Out of 670 pregnant women, 628 (93.73%) underwent at least one toxoplasmosis diagnostic test. Out of those, 502 (73%) had a negative result (IgG -, IgM -), and 2 (0.32%) had a positive result (IgG +, IgM +), while history of infection with Toxoplasma gondii was confirmed (IgG +, IgM -) in 124 (19.75%) cases. Repeat testing was required in 183 (29.14%) out of the 628 women. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of women in whom IgG antibodies were not detected in the first test and a low rate of women who required repeat testing later in pregnancy are noteworthy. Regardless of the healthcare policy, parents should receive reliable information about the nature of the disease and possibilities of prevention, while medical professionals ought to have easy access to research data about the epidemiologic status and recommendations.

Varicella - a potential threat to maternal and fetal health.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the following: i) number of midwives and nurses at risk for contracting varicella; ii) effectiveness of infectious disease prevention among healthcare personnel; iii) attitude of healthcare person-nel towards immunization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 524 midwives and nurses from obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric wards were investigated. Quantitative data analysis was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 14.7% potentially seronegative respondents were identified. Out of those with a positive history of varicella, 6.56% contracted the disease after starting work, and > 70% had contact with the varicella-zoster virus. Overall, 9.54% of the respondents had a history of varicella, 3.12% were informed about the possibility of immunization, and 1.56% of those with a negative history of the disease were offered a state-funded vaccine. In the same group, the number of vaccinated people amounted to 13.28%, and 26.13% would accept a state-funded vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Varicella may constitute a significant threat to maternal and fetal health at obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric wards, which must be considered when providing care to women in the reproductive age. Occupational health physicians should confirm the immunity status of the patients and suggest immunization to seronegative subjects. Regular workshops are necessary to update the knowledge of medical professionals and patients in order to shape their attitudes and beliefs about immunization.

Patient satisfaction with primary health care rendered by community midwives in the area of Poznan.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to examine the level of patient satisfaction with the care rendered by community midwives in the area of Poznan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A patient survey was distributed using face-to-face recruitment and with mail collection. Eight hundred new mothers were asked to participate in the study by filling out the questionnaire after eight weeks of the postpartum period. One hundred seventy seven (22.12%) returned completed questionnaires which were then analyzed. RESULTS: This paper provides information on the high level of patient satisfaction with the services provided by community midwives and the important role community midwives play in caring for and supporting women in the post partum period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that women in the area of Poznan, are satisfied with the care they receive from midwives. They also indicate a lack of association of patient satisfaction scores between groups of patients based on demographic data and reason for using community midwife services. It was also found that the overall patient satisfaction score depends most heavily on the time frame of receiving community midwife services.

[Risk factors for smoking in persons over 45]. / Czynniki warunkujace palenie tytoniu w grupie osób po 45 roku zycia.

Tobacco smoking has long been one of the most important risk factors contributing to the development of many health problems e.g. cardiovascular diseases respiratory diseases and cancers. Smoking is a modifiable factor, which means that every smoker who quit smoking has a great chance to lower the risk of developing these diseases. The aim of the study was to identify the factors influencing smoking among people over 45 and to estimate the extent of the phenomenon of smoking in 2 Polish provinces: Wielkopolskie and Dolnoslaskie. The sample was 867 persons over 45. The number of study subjects was proportional to the sex and age structure of Polish population. The sampling was random and the research tool was a self-made survey questionnaire. In order to identify factors contributing to smoking a logistic regression analysis was applied. Tobacco was smoked by 16.7% of the research subjects (15.1% of women and 19.1% of men). In Wielkopolskie province smokers constituted 19% of the sample (17.7% of women and 22% of men), in Dolnoslaskie province 14.1% of the respondents were smokers (12.5% of women and 16.2% of men). Smoking is more prevalent among men aged 55-65 years (OR=4.34; 95% CI: 2.0-9.41). The lowest prevalence of smoking without statistical significance was in rural areas (OR=0.63; 95% CI: 3.6-1.10) and among persons with low educational levels (OR=0.74; 95% Cl: 0.36-1.56). Significantly higher prevalence of smoking was found among the unemployed (OR=2.90; 95% CI: 1.07-7.84) and people performing partly physical work (OR=2.82; 95% Cl: 1.37-5.79). The prevalence of smoking was higher among people being in a relationship (OR=1.63; 95% Cl: 1.0-2.66) and declaring income below PLN 1,000 per month (OR=2.82; 95% CI: 0.81-3.55). Statistically significantly lower risk of smoking was among obese subjects (OR-0.42; 95% CI: 0.24-0.74). It was found that the number of years of smoking significantly correlated with high systolic blood pressure and the number of smoked cigarettes was associated with hinh level of LDL cholesterol. The smokers aged over 45 can be generally characterized as strongly addicted and have been smoking for many years. Anti-tobacco activities targeted at this group should be intensified in order to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked daily. These interventions should take into account group characteristics and its needs.

[Tobacco smoking among students]. / Palenie tytoniu wsród studentów.

Tobacco smoking is accompanying people for many years. Last century it accompanied inseparable not only adult part of our society--3 of young people smoked. They attempted one or many times to smoke, and this way they often started regular smoking. The aim of this study was analysis of spread of tobacco smoking among 90 first year midwifery students. The study was conducted in the University of Medical Sciences in Poznan. The questionnaire included 13 questions, The Fagerstom- and the Schneider-Tests. The results show that only 3 (3.33%) persons regularly smoke cigarettes. Most of the students are conscious (aware) of threat of nicotine dependence.

[Students of midwifery and nicotine dependence]. / Studenci poloznictwa a nikotynizm.

Tobacco smoking is one of the principal public health problems. Therefore, at present, many new methods of prevention are being introduced. That is why education programs in Universities of Medical Sciences are very important. The aim of the study was to evaluate tobacco smoking among students of Midwifery. The study was performed among 73 students. They answered 16 questions concerning smoking and knowledge about nicotine dependence.

[Students of nursing and nicotine dependence]. / Studenci pielegniarstwa a nikotynizm.

Tobacco smoking is a significant part of life stile and the factor, which determinates state of health in a high rate. It is a very important social problem in Poland, because in spite of relative extensive knowledge about tobacco influence on bio-, psycho-, socio-well being, percentage of smokers is still high. These remarks should lead to creation "the fashion of no smoking" among future health care workers. According to organized activity cycle in the first stage this research we decided to diagnose the environment of the students and then to plane and implement health promotion and disease prevention activities, and finally evaluate them. The aim of the study was to analyze tobacco smoking among students of Nursing. The problems concerned level of dependence, readiness to stop smoking and knowledge about harmfulness of nicotine.

[Analysis of smoking among women with breast tumours]. / Analiza palenia tytoniu wsród kobiet z rozpoznanymi zmianami chorobowymi w obrebie gruczolu piersiowego.

Smoking is a very serious problem and it is wide spread among young and middle aged people. It is one of the social factors which act disadvantageous for the health of women. The aim of the study was to asses smoking among women with benign and malignant tumours. There were 280 28-59 year's old women hospitalised in surgical wards in Wielkopolska Oncology Centre in Poznan. In survey questionnaire the women were asked about the count of cigarettes smoked every day. The collected data let to define statistical dependence between the count of smoked cigarettes and place of living, age, education and time between diagnosis and qualification for operation. Results showed that the count of daily smoked cigarettes significant grows in 28-38 years old women that were waiting for the operation no longer than 3 weeks. Similar results were found in analysis of dependence between education and place of living and presumptive diagnosis and kind of operation. Women with benign tumours (no radical operation) and high and middle education, living in big cities smoked significantly more cigarettes then women with basic or professional education living in small cities and villages. Maybe it is connected with their anxiety of result of operation and mistrust of presumptive diagnosis. Comparable results were found in young women with diagnosed malignant tumours who were prepared to radical mastectomy.

[Influence of age, gender, distance between place of realisation of the program and place of living, and results of examinations on participation of patients in chest physicians's examination and individual and group behavioural therapy]. / Wplyw wieku, plci, odleglosci pomiedzy miejscem wykonywania programu a miejscem zamieszkania oraz nieprawidlowosci stwierdzonej w badaniach na udzial pacjentów w konsultacji pulmonologicznej, psychoterapii indywidualnej i grupowej.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most frequent chronic diseases and the sixth leading cause of death in the world. The cigarette smoking is the most important cause of the disease and therefore, that COPD is preventable. Programmes detecting COPD in its preclinical phase using spirometry with successful smoking cessation prevent disease progression. The aim of the study was to assess the implementation and accomplishment of the program of early detection and prevention of COPD. The program was held in 2002 and carried out by eleven health care institutions. Active smokers over 40 insured in the Fund were offered free spirometry, chest x ray, individual and group behavioural therapy to stop smoking, and chest physician's examination for patients with diagnosed pathology. The results of this part of the study partly confirm influence of age, gender, distance between place of realisation of the program and place of living, and results of examinations performed in the program on participation in chest physician's examination and individual and group behavioural therapy.

[Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other pulmonary diseases among participants of the program of early detection and prevention of COPD]. / Rozpowszechnienie przewleklej obturacyjnej choroby pluc (POChP) i innych chorób ukladu oddechowego wsród uczestników programu wczesnego wykrywania i zapobiegania POChP.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most frequent chronic diseases and the sixth leading cause of death in the world. The cigarette smoking is the most important cause of the disease and therefore, that COPD is preventable. Programmes detecting COPD in its preclinical phase using spirometry with successful smoking cessation prevent disease progression. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of COPD and other pulmonary diseases among participants of the program of early detection and prevention of COPD. The program was held in 2002 and carried out by eleven health care institutions. Active smokers over 40 insured in the Fund were offered free spirometry, chest x ray, individual and group behavioural therapy to stop smoking, and chest physician's examination for patients with diagnosed pathology. The results confirm high detection of COPD and other diseases and confirm the efficacy of targeted screening for early detection of COPD and other diseases.