Assessment of the Health Behaviours and Value-Based Health Analysis of People Aged 50+ Who Were Hospitalized Due to Cardiovascular Disease.

INTRODUCTION: The basic determinant of healthy behaviour-among other human behaviours-is the fact that it consistently affects health. Nowadays, health behaviour studies are considered to be an important method of measuring the health of a population. OBJECTIVE: To assess the health behaviours and value-based health analysis of people aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease, depending on the selected descriptive variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2018 among 411 subjects aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease at the Independent Public Health Care Unit in Sanok (Podkarpackie voivodship in Poland). The method used in the study was a diagnostic survey. The study used the authors' survey questionnaire and two standardized tests: Inventory of Health-Related Behaviour (IHB) and List of Health Criteria (LHC). A statistical analysis was carried out in the R program, version 3.5.1. The obtained results were subjected to thorough statistical analysis using the following tests: Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD), Pearson, and Spearman. RESULTS: The strongest correlation between health status and health behaviours (according to the IHB questionnaire) was in the area of 'health practices', while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of 'correct eating habits' and 'preventive behaviours'. Based on the LHC questionnaire, the most important health criteria according to the subjects were 'not feeling any physical ailments'; 'having all body parts functional'; 'feeling well'; 'eating properly'; and 'infrequent need of going to the doctor'. A positive correlation was found in the group of respondents where the 'preventive health behaviours' were more intense; herein, the more important criterion for the respondents was 'eating properly'. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents aged 50+ and hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases indicated (based on the IHB questionnaire) that health behaviours in the area of 'health practices' had the strongest correlation with their health, while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of 'correct eating habits' and 'preventive behaviours'. According to the respondents, the most important criteria determining health (according to the LHC questionnaire) included 'not feeling any physical ailments'; 'having all body parts functional'; 'feeling well'; 'eating properly'; and 'infrequent need of going to the doctor'. Based on the information collected from the respondents, it was found that the most important criteria determining health depended on selected descriptive variables, such as age, gender, place of residence, education, and marital status.

Using affinity analysis in diagnosing the needs of patients as regards e-Health.

INTRODUCTION: E-Health tools allow a medical facility to set a given patient's data in order using ICT techniques, and the patient to use those techniques when contacting a given organisation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Secondary statistical data was used in the research. The study was carried out among primary health care patients. Mining for affinity rules was done in the R programme. The apriori and inspect functions from the arules package were used. Moreover, any redundant rules were removed from thoseobtained using the afero-mentioned method. Applying the general description of the affinity analysis method onto the survey described herein, it should be stressed that the aim of using affinity analysis was to discover the rules which contain the sub-transaction B={V_6=1} as a consequent. This was determined by the intention to discover associations regarding the knowledge about a uniform information system that the patients under study might have. RESULTS: In the discovered rules, the antecedent most often contained an indication of the need for introducing a uniform solution as regards telemedicine. Moreover, according to the opinions of 'conscious'patients, a uniform IT system should improve the work at primary health care institutions, introducing an on-line booking system for visits should improve the productivity and comfort of doctors, and an IT system should provide unambiguous identification of a patient. CONCLUSIONS: There is potential in using affinity analysis within e-Health. The example of affinity analysis described in his study led to the discovery of interesting and important (from the point of view of a medical facility) regularities regarding the knowledge and expectations of patients as regards e-Health.

An evaluation of the genetic conditioning of evoking pain.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Pain is an integral element of the pathogenic process and sometimes determines its course. Disorders in pain sensation, as well as its lack, the pain threshold, and variability in sensation of the same pain stimuli as more or less intensive by different persons, may be genetically conditioned. The aim of the study is to examine genes in pathogenesis of chronic pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a specially selected group of 31 persons: study group - 20 patients with chronic pain, and control group - 11 healthy individuals who did not experience pain. The control group of 11 healthy persons, compared with the study group, was the catalyst for determining the relative quantification (RQ) of gene expression. Biological material in the form of venous blood was collected from the study participants into the tubes containing anticoagulant EDTA KE/2.7 ml (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), preventing extracorporeal blood clotting. RESULTS: Analysis of expression of the examined genes showed over-expression of the DRD1 gene in patients experiencing chronic pain, which means that in these patients an increased number of dopamine D1 receptors encoded by this gene should be expected. The dopamine D1 receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor which regulates (stimulates or inhibits) adenyl cyclase - the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cyclic AMP (cAMP). An increase in the concentration of cAMP in neurons enhances the sensation of pain. CONCLUSIONS: The genes (DRD1, COMT, OPRK1, HCN2) have a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain in various diseases; they can also influence the perception of pain. Knowledge of these genes can contribute to the development of effective methods of combating pain.

Attitudes of women after the age of 50 towards preventive screening.

INTRODUCTION: Prevention is one of the major branches of the health sector. The National Health Programme encompasses main risk factors, elimination of which may lead to a reduced incidence of illnesses in the society. At the same time, the criteria of selecting people eligible for preventive screening are established according to risk groups determined by sex, as well as age in the population of women. The perimenopausal and menopausal period contributes to occurrence of numerous systemic diseases and to an increased risk of illnesses, especially cancers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the research was to evaluate the performance of preventive screening tests of women after 50 aimed at early detection of cervical and breast cancer. Furthermore, the research estimated frequency of pathological lesions detected and regularity of their monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research covered 150 women after 50 years of age. The database was statistically examined with STATISTICA software. RESULTS: A low percentage of the respondents, in comparison to the risk increasing with age, had a Pap test (61.3%) and mammography (51.3%) in the last two years. In the case of women whose latest Pap test or mammography showed abnormalities and was the basis for diagnosing pathological lesions, 69.2% of them were under regular medical supervision if abnormalities were identified by a Pap test and 68.7% if lesions were detected in breast structure. CONCLUSIONS: In the examined group we observed a small percentage of women undergo Pap tests and mammography. Furthermore, medical recommendations regarding early detection of cancers are frequently ignored and disregarded by patients.

Quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome before and after education.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact of education of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on their quality of life. METHODS: The study was carried out at the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin and Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski Regional Specialist Hospital in Lublin in the years 2010-2011. The quality of life was analysed using the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL-Q R. Schalock, K. Keith). The group of 83 patients with the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, who gave their consent for inclusion in the study, was provided with information about the essence of the disease, disease-related diet and lifestyle, course of the disease, medications, and check-ups. RESULTS: Our patients educated by the physician, nurse and those provided with written information had substantially higher scores in multi-dimensional aspects of the quality of life after education. Six months after education patients with IBS showed a significantly higher quality of life in all aspects, i.e. Satisfaction, Competence/productivity, Empowerment/independence and Social inclusion/community integration. The understanding of the essence of their disease contributed to a decrease in anxiety associated with the neoplastic disease and worrying symptoms, which significantly reduced the incidence of complaints. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome is substantially reduced in all the examined spheres. 2. Education of patients with IBS resulted in enhanced quality of life and reduced disease-related complaints. 3. Education of patients with IBS plays a significant role in the entire therapeutic process.

Analysis of the doctor-patient communication if breast cancer is diagnosed / Análisis de la comunicación médico-paciente en el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama / Análise da comunicação médico-paciente em caso de diagnóstico de câncer de mama

The aim of the paper is the recognition and evaluation of demand for medical information among patients suffering from breast cancer. The research was conducted among 120 women with diagnosed breast cancer in the Oncological Surgery Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 in Lublin, the Oncological Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 in Lublin and the Rehabilitation Centre with the Rehabilitation Clinic at the Lublin Oncology Centre. The research included women from the Club of Women after Mastectomy “Amazons”, the Club “Amazons” at the Complex of Specialist Clinics in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski and the Club “Amazons” in Radom. Research showed that the demand for medical information among women with diagnosed breast cancer is very high. Respondents want to know all the information concerning the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis (93 percent). They also expect that the doctor will give them medical information concerning further consequences of cancer and its influence on future health and life (78 percent). Most of the respondents expect to receive information concerning medicaments which should be taken (77 percent) and the essence of the conducted treatment (93 percent). The research analysis showed that women with diagnosed breast cancer expect that the doctor will give them reliable and real medical information. Patients want the doctor to present them the probable course of the cancer (85 percent) and all the possible side effects connected with it (89 percent).

El objetivo de este trabajo es el reconocimiento y la evaluación de la demanda de información médica en pacientes con cáncer de mama. Se realizó la investigación con 120 mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama en la Clínica de Cirugía Oncológica y la Clínica Oncológica del Hospital de Investigación Público Independiente Nº 1 en Lublin, y el Centro de Rehabilitación con la Clínica de Rehabilitación del Centro Oncológico de Lublin. La investigación incluyó mujeres del Club “Amazons” de Mujeres que han sufrido Mastectomía, el Club “Amazons” del Complejo de Clínicas Especializadas en Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski y el Club “Amazons” en Radom. La investigación mostró que la demanda de información médica de mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama es muy alta. Aquellas que respondieron quieren saber todo acerca del diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico (93 por ciento). También esperan que el médico les dé información médica respecto de posteriores consecuencias del cáncer y su influencia en su salud futura y su vida (78 por ciento). La mayoría de las que respondieron esperan recibir información sobre medicamentos que deberían tomar (77 por ciento) y lo esencial sobre el tratamiento realizado (93 por ciento). El análisis de la investigación muestra que las mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama esperan que el médico les dé información médica confiable y verdadera, les presente el curso probable del cáncer (85 por ciento) y todos los posibles efectos secundarios conectados (89 por ciento).

O objetivo deste artigo é o reconhecimento e a avaliação da demanda por informação médica entre pacientes que sofrem de câncer de mama. A investigação foi conduzida entre 120 mulheres diagnosticadas com câncer de mama na Oncological Surgery Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 de Lublin, a Oncological Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 de Lublin e a Rehabilitation Centre with the Rehabilitation Clinic do Lublin Oncology Centre. A pesquisa incluiu mulheres do Club of Women after Mastectomy “Amazons”, o Club “Amazons” do Complex of Specialist Clinic sem Ostrowiec Swietokrzyskie o Club “Amazons”em Radom. Pesquisa revelou que a demanda por informação médica entre mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer mamário é muito alta. As respondentes queriam saber todas as informações concernentes ao diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico (93 por cento). Elas também esperavam que o médico pudesse dar-lhes informação sobre consequências tardias do câncer e a influência sobre a sua saúde e vida futuras (78 por cento). A maioria dos respondentes tinham a expectativa de receber informação sobre medicamentos que deveriam tomar(77 por cento) e a essência do tratamento realizado(93 por cento). A análise da pesquisa demonstrou que as mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama esperavam que o médico pudesse fornecer-lhes informação confiável e honesta. Pacientes queriam que o médico lhes apresentasse o provável curso do câncer (85 por cento) e todos os possíveis efeitos relacionados a ele (89 por cento).

Psychosocial aspect of quality of life of Polish women with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is one of the most frequently occurring malignant tumours among women in Poland. The highest incidence of the disease is registered among women aged 50 and more. Cancer imposes a considerable psychological strain on a woman. It causes a sense of uncertainty about one's health and further life, as well as frequent problems with accepting the image of one's own body. It often results in low self-esteem and a feeling of embarrassment, accompanied by symptoms of apathy and detachment. The aim of the study was to determine mental and social life quality of Polish women treated for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research encompassed 107 women aged between 45 and 65 (SD=6.11) undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The WHOQOL-Bref scale was applied in the research. RESULTS: The social field was better evaluated in comparison with the mental sphere. There was a statistical correlation between place of residence and social sphere of quality of life (p=,036), with higher ratings assigned by respondents residing in rural areas (M=15.36) compared with residents of towns (M=14.15). CONCLUSIONS: Given the fact that respondents were coping with cancer or its consequences, paradoxically, perception of the overall quality of life and examined areas was generally good, especially among women with higher education, those who were single and those living in rural areas. Along with age, there decreases at the respondents the experienced quality of life, however a rise of evaluations of the mental sphere is accompanying the rise in the education level.

Quality of life in peri- and post-menopausal Polish women living in Lublin Province--differences between urban and rural dwellers.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The quality of life in peri- and post-menopausal women constitutes a serious public health problem. The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to reveal the influence of the permanent domicile on the quality of life of women in peri- and post-menopausal period, and to establish the influence of employment as a full-time agricultural worker on the quality of life in these women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was carried out by means of a survey using the postal questionnaire technique. Three standardized questionnaires: WHOQOL-BREF, Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ) and SF-36 were used as research tools. An original questionnaire was also used. The study comprised a representative sample of the female population aged 45-65 living in Lublin Province. The sample size was 2,143 women. RESULTS: The quality of the women's life was significantly affected by the place of permanent residence. The worst quality of life was found in permanent country dwellers. City and town inhabitants revealed a considerably higher level of quality of life. Permanent place of residence in the country was an independent predictor of a poorer quality of life. Employment as a full-time agricultural worker was an independent predictor of a worse quality of life in the SOM domain of WHQ, as well as RP, RF and RE domains of SF-36. On the other hand, employment as a full-time agricultural worker was an independent predictor of a better quality of life in the SLE domain of WHQ, and psychological domain of WHOQFL-BREF. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the dependence is necessary in order to effectively plan health education and physical and social health promotion campaigns. Country dwellers need special attention in the process of undertaking any preventive or curative steps.

[Social and healthy circumstances of women's decision about applying hormonal replacement therapy]. / Spoleczno-zdrowotne uwarunkowania decyzji kobiet o stosowaniu hormonalnej terapii zastepczej.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) application among Polish women aged 40-65, patients of five selected health care institutions located in south-eastern Poland and to determine the most significant factors that influence women's decision to initiate HRT. The next purpose was to establish how the women learned about the possibility of receiving HRT. Women, who never decided to take sex hormones, were asked about the reasons of such decision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised a group of 1033 women aged 40-65 years living in south-eastern Poland, the patients of various hospital wards and outpatient clinics. The study was conducted from January 2003 to December 2004 using categorized interview technique. The interview questionnaire was constructed by the authors. The statistical analysis was performed on the basis of the chi2 test of independence; log-linear analysis and Pareto's analysis were also used. RESULTS: Research result analysis proves that 30.5% of the examined women have used HRT currently or in the past. The sociodemographic and healthy variables that showed positive correlation with receiving hormonal treatment by midlife women were: age 51-65 years, the presence of climacteric ailments, the absence of monthly bleedings, possessing of permanent life partner and good self-estimation of one's financial status. It was not revealed that better educated women more frequently decide to take HRT. The main sources of women's knowledge about HRT were the mass media and health service employees. Among the reasons for not taking up hormonal treatment the most significant were: lack or small intensification of menopausal ailments as well as the fear of side effects of hormonal replacement therapy.

Intensification of the phenomenon of violence in the family environment of teenagers.

Childhood and adolescence are the periods of life when the experience of violence accumulates. As socially weaker individuals, children and teenagers are exposed to violence. The factors that increase the risk of child maltreatment include, above all, social and cultural factors and the stress that family suffer from. The literature on this subject distinguishes four categories of child maltreatment, namely: emotional, physical, negligence and sexual abuse. The survey involved 250 representatives of high school teenagers aged 15-20, including 145 girls and 105 boys. The research method was the survey estimating the Scale of Battered Child Syndrome (for teenagers and adults). The results show that a big group of teenagers admitted to having experienced at least one of four kinds of domestic violence. The group is not uniform, however, and the socio-cultural factors that affect the kind and intensification of the phenomenon of violence have been revealed. The most frequent reasons for using violence are: low level of education, unemployment of parents and material status connected with this fact, low frequency of attendance to religious services, alcohol abuse, and place of living. On account of the intensification of the phenomenon of violence in the domestic environment and both direct and distant consequences of the phenomenon in the form of mental and physical disorders of individuals as well as the dangers for the proper development of the society that result from it, there is a need to continue doing research on this phenomenon.

Prophylaxis of breast cancer among women over 35.

In recent years, the increase in incidence of malignant tumours of breast has been observed in Poland. Every year approximately 10 thousands of new cases of breast cancer are registered. 19 per cent of all women afflicted with malignant neoplasms suffer from breast cancer. According to considerable experience of the western countries, prophylaxis combined with screening examinations is the most effective and, also, the cheapest method of fighting against neoplasm. In the face of steadily growing danger, which affects more and more women, an attempt to assess the knowledge and behaviour towards prophylaxis of breast cancer among women over 35 was made. The researches, carried out between April and November 2002, were conducted with the use of our own questionnaire basing upon literature on the subject. The poll was intended for women aged between 35 and 60. The group of 300 women, who live in the south-east part of Poland, was surveyed. A detailed analysis of the data revealed that almost 50 per cent of women know the rules of preventive actions in the spheres of breast self-control and mammography. The level of knowledge of primary prophylaxis correlates with the level of education of women. The higher is education, the greater is knowledge about the risk factors of breast cancer. The highly educated women more often and more systematic take preventive actions leading to early detection of breast cancer. The women in the 35-45 age group more regularly and more often perform monthly breast self-control. Also the fact of the prevalence of breast cancer in the members of the polled women's families raises the discipline of performed examination.

[Satisfaction of need for health services among pensioners with reformed health care]. / Zaspokajanie potrzeb zdrowotnych emerytów i rencistów w zreformowanej opiece zdrowotnej.

The objective of this study was to determine the demand for health services and to assess the level of satisfaction of these needs in the new, reformed health care system with reference to pensioners and old age pensioners. The survey was carried out over the period of 4 months among patients undergoing a cure in the Municipal Sanatorium in Naleczów. The group consisted of people with chronic diseases, among which cardiovascular system diseases were the leading ones. All the respondents were pension services users. The study results show that patients at older age, chronically ill or disabled, limited the realization of their health needs and did not begin proper treatment, due to difficult access to health services and bad financial situation. The changes introduced in the functioning of health system during the reform period did not trigger the improvement of medical care in the population of pensioners.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors in the population of secondary school students in Ciechanów.

The aim of this paper was to determine the frequency of occurrence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among the secondary school students in Ciechanów. The study comprised 150 students attending high school, mechanical technical secondary school and a vocational school complex in Ciechanów (province of Mazovia). All the examined students were 17-18 years of age. The study was in the form of an auditory questionnaire. It was conducted in February 2002. To evaluate the state of students' nourishment we used the so-called body mass index (BMI). For the needs of this paper, to examine the amounts of alcohol consumed, the following conversion factor was used: standard portion = 10g pure ethanol. The results were analyzed in accordance with the sex of the examined persons. Among the examined students no cases of obesity or diabetes were found. One third of the polled persons had inherited susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. 27.3% of the polled secondary school students smoke cigarettes every day (usually 5-10 a day). This fact increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The problem of alcohol abuse concerned 6% students, but only every tenth of them declared being a teetotaler. Three fourths of the polled persons regarded the level of their physical activity as moderate. About one third of the examined students accomplish their physical activity exclusively within Physical Education classes. The form of exercise done on their own most frequently was slow and brisk walking. The students usually nourish regularly, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. They eat fruit, cutting down on animal fats and salt. Most of the examined students are exposed to stressful situations, both in their home environment (56.6%) and at school (84.7%). Long-lasting and overlapping stress intensifies the risk of cardiovascular diseases. More than a half of the polled persons ascribe to themselves type A personality features, which makes them more susceptible to coronary heart disease, than type B personality.

Prophylaxis of breast cancer among nurses in health care settings in the city of Lublin.

The goal of this project was to assess the kind, extent and knowledge about the actions undertaken by nurses in the field of primary and derivative prophylaxis of breast cancer. The research was conducted with the use of an anonymous poll. We surveyed 180 nurses from medical centres in Lublin. The data included in 150 questionnaires which were qualified for the research were statistically analyzed. Despite medical education and theoretically easier access to medical services the research showed inadequate knowledge about the disease and lack of individual preventive actions of women employed in this sector. Insufficient knowledge about the ways of primary prophylaxis of the methods of early detection of breast cancer may be the reason why health-oriented habits are not given proper attention. Only 24 per cent of the polled women perform regular monthly breast self-control. The surveyed group of nurses display a rather passive attitude towards screening tests. Out of 51 per cent of the respondents who were given a chance to have screening tests just a little more than one third took advantage of this opportunity. The reason, according to the surveyed, was too low awareness, lack of time and fear of the disease.

The influence of unemployment on functioning of the family.

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of unemployment on family welfare. It was conducted between April and June 2002 among 200 unemployed registered at the Regional Employment Bureau in Lublin. The method of choice was a questionnaire. The study results demonstrated that the most direct consequence of unemployment is financial impoverishment. Most participants claimed their income did not allow them to cover the basic needs. Managing a very limited budget, they had to give up buying new clothes, more expensive food and toilet items as well as spending money on cultural and leisure pursuits. They were unable to use paid medical services and to meet household payments deadlines. These consequences were borne not only by the unemployed themselves but also by their families. Those with school children had to cut their expenditures on education and in extreme cases the children were unable to attend junior or senior high school. The results indicate that unemployment had a negative impact on many different spheres of family life and in the long run it has a negative impact on the life of the whole society.

[Health problems of the unemployed--possibilities and forms of solving them]. / Problemy zdrowotne bezrobotnych--mozliwoci i formy ich zaspokajania.

The most painful price to pay for social and economic transformations in our country is high level of unemployment, triggering all kinds of negative consequences. Health consequences that the unemployed as well as their families and the whole society suffer from play an important role in social consequences of unemployment. The aim of the study was to recognize the health problems of jobless people as well as the possibilities and forms of solving these problems. The research was carried out in April 2002 among 200 unemployed people registered in the Regional and District Labour Office in Lublin. The instrument of the research was a survey questionnaire. The results of the research showed that the lack of job and worsening standard of living had a negative influence on the general state of health of the unemployed. Long-lasting unemployment also influenced the deterioration of physical health among the respondents. The most frequent psychosomatic ailments were: headaches, stomachaches, nausea and vomiting, pains in the chest, lack of appetite, sleep disorders. Unemployment also contributed to the occurrence of mental diseases, diseases of the circulatory and digestive systems.

[The image of tobacco products in the columns of "Gazeta Wyborcza" in the year 2001]. / Wizerunek wyrobów tytoniowych na lamach "Gazety Wyborczej" w 2001 roku.

The aim of this paper was to find out how the tobacco issues were presented in the columns of "Gazeta Wyborcza" in the year 2001. Another purpose was to analyze the amount (number) and type of advertisements of tobacco products and agents helping people quit smoking. The method of our work was the analysis of 341 press articles, where at least one fragment concerned the issues of tobacco smoking, the analysis of 388 advertisements of tobacco products and 21 advertisements of agents helping people quit smoking. We analyzed both the contents of the article or advertisement and the way of its exposure. In the year 2001 "Gazeta Wyborcza" dealt with various aspects of tobacco issues. It presented them both from the perspective of the interests of health promoters, and of the representatives of tobacco industry and tobacco planters. The widest category included the articles describing cigarette smuggling. 12.0% of the 341 analyzed articles enlarged upon the effects of tobacco smoking on health, although they were mentioned in 22.3% of the examined sample of articles. The advertisements of tobacco products were targeted mainly at young people. They associate tobacco smoking with adventure, traveling, playing, relaxation, America.

Attitudes of young people towards problems connected with human procreation.

The aim of the paper was to get acquainted with opinions and attitudes of secondary school students concerning the issues of human procreation. The survey was carried out in secondary comprehensive and technical schools in Lublin during the years 1999 and 2000 among 300 students aged 16-19. The survey shows that mass media play the leading role in conveying knowledge and shaping attitudes and behaviours of teenagers in the sphere of sexuality. The function of family and school in this field is realized to an insignificant extent. Media make use of issues and interests of teenagers that are natural at certain age and succeed in promoting acceptance of early sexual relationships, not showing the risk connected with them at the same time. Among the group under the survey 37% of the respondents have already had sexual initiation. Girls accounted for 41.5% of the total and boys--for 58.5%. The average age of sexual initiation among the respondents was 15.87. The declaration of love, according to the majority, gave the right to take up sexual activity. They accepted the rule that you can make sex whenever you wish and a stable partner is not necessary, which is a sign of psychological immaturity and willingness to grow up fast. The use of contraception was approved of by nearly all the respondents. The most frequent preventive methods they used were: condoms (44.8%), withdrawal method (15.3%), both characterized by easy accessibility but at the same time low efficiency. 7.6% of sexually active students do not use any method of contraception. Such behaviours create a serious risk of premature pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

General practitioners' opinions on the intake of painkillers among patients.

The goal of this paper is to evaluate the consumption of painkillers among patients on the basis of the opinions of general practitioners. The most frequent ailments including pain symptoms were the cases of long-continued pain (64.3%); less frequent were acute pain syndromes in the course of a disease (35.7%). The phenomenon of the excessive use of painkillers among patients with long-continued pain syndromes is observed by the GPs. Uncontrolled self-treatment is possible owing to an easy access to this type of medicaments. The excessive use of analgesic medicines in therapy frequently results from the lack of simultaneous application of other methods of pain treatment e.g., in physiotherapy, psychotherapy. Long lasting use of various types of painkillers can lead to drug addiction. This problem is observed by over a half of the GPs (67.1%).

The demand for health education among patients with diabetes.

Education of the sick with diabetes has been a stable element of treatment for plenty of years. However, the system of trainings related to this disease is still not perfect and the knowledge of patients about this subject is insufficient. The objective of the study was to determine the demand for health education among patients with diabetes by means of evaluating the level of their knowledge. The study included 130 people suffering from diabetes at the age from 18 to 96 with the disease duration ranging from one year to above 20 years. The level of patients' knowledge about this disease was examined with the use of the survey questionnaire, especially designed for these reasons. The applied survey consisted of 54 questions of which a substantial part was concerned with general information about people suffering from diabetes. Further sections of the survey explored the knowledge about the nature of the disease, its complications, self-control, lifestyle and contained the questions concerning the sources of the acquired knowledge on this subject, participation in educational meetings and trainings concerning the issue of coping with diabetes as well as self-evaluation of the level of knowledge. The survey shows that 54.6% of the respondents cannot explain the mechanisms of type 1 diabetes, while 39.2% of the patients do not know the nature of type 2 diabetes. None of the patients was able to enumerate all the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia or the organs and systems most frequently affected by complications. More than 1/3 of the subjects did not know the proper nutrition rules in diabetes. None of the respondents was able to specify correctly all the control examinations and tests that should be taken at least once a year or once every six months. Only 6.1% of the patients evaluated their knowledge about diabetes at a very good degree, while 53.1% of them defined it as good. They were mostly insulin dependent patients under the care of diabetology clinics. However, as many as 40.8% of the respondents considered their level of knowledge unsatisfactory. The research results showed that the leading source of knowledge about the nature of the disease and ways of coping with it were diabetologists (61.5%), followed by nurses (33.8%) and general practitioners (26.1%). The survey results indicate the need for the increased accessibility and intensity of the educational activities in diabetological health care.