Physical Activity, Life Satisfaction, Stress Perception and Coping Strategies of University Students in Belarus during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 restrictions in Belarus turned out to be less stringent than those of its neighboring countries. Objective: We aimed to evaluate physical activity, life satisfaction, perception of stress, choice of coping strategies and their correlations among Belarusian students. An anonymous Internet survey was conducted among 1769 students studying at the faculties of physical culture (415), pedagogical (737), and medical (617) universities. International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), and Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (mini-COPE) questionnaires were used. The respondents declared sufficient and high levels of physical activity. The level of physical activity was correlated with life satisfaction (typically for student-athletes). The least satisfaction with life and highest level of perceived stress were among future doctors. The minimum indicator of stress was noted in athletes. The most common coping strategy was active coping. Strategies of problem avoidance and seeking support from outside were not used by student-athletes. These strategies were used by pedagogical and medical students. Student-athletes have the most favorable opportunities, followed by representatives of pedagogical and medical students. The proposed classification of the levels of behavior (optimal, acceptable, satisfactory and risky) makes it possible to adjust lifestyles

Essential Medicines at the National Level : The Global Asthma Network's Essential Asthma Medicines Survey 2014

Patients with asthma need uninterrupted supplies of affordable, quality-assured essential medicines. However, access in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. The World Health Organization (WHO) Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Global Action Plan 2013-2020 sets an 80% target for essential NCD medicines' availability. Poor access is partly due to medicines not being included on the national Essential Medicines Lists (EML) and/or National Reimbursement Lists (NRL) which guide the provision of free/subsidised medicines. We aimed to determine how many countries have essential asthma medicines on their EML and NRL, which essential asthma medicines, and whether surveys might monitor progress. A cross-sectional survey in 2013-2015 of Global Asthma Network principal investigators generated 111/120 (93%) responses41 high-income countries and territories (HICs); 70 LMICs. Patients in HICs with NRL are best served (91% HICs included ICS (inhaled corticosteroids) and salbutamol). Patients in the 24 (34%) LMICs with no NRL and the 14 (30%) LMICs with an NRL, however no ICS are likely to have very poor access to affordable, quality-assured ICS. Many LMICs do not have essential asthma medicines on their EML or NRL. Technical guidance and advocacy for policy change is required. Improving access to these medicines will improve the health system's capacity to address NCDs.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of the possibility of using Anderson and Dedrick’s Trust in Physician Scale in Belarusian conditions

Introduction: A patient that trusts a doctor feels safer and more easily adapts to a doctor's recommendations. Aim of the study: To assess the possibility of using the patient's trust scale by Anderson and Dedrick in Belarusian conditions. Materials and Methods: The study used the Trust in Physician Scale (TPS) by Anderson and Dedrick. Validation was performed on a group of 251 randomly selected individuals. The validation process consisted of two parts: translation and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the newly translated instrument, and its purpose was to compare the results obtained at the intercultural (international) level and apply the test in Belarus. Results: Internal consistency of the Russian TPS was high (Cronbach’s alpha = .891). The highest mean scores were for items “My doctor is a real expert in taking care of medical problems like mine” - 3.95±0.77; “I trust my doctor to put my medical needs above all other considerations when treating my medical problems” - 3.83±0.80; “I trust my doctor’s judgments about my medical care” - 3.66±0.88; and “I trust my doctor so much, I always try to follow his/her advice” - 3.64±0.99. Conclusions: The Russian language scale fulfills all the criteria of psychometric equivalence with the original version of The Trust in Physician Scale

Organizational forms and methods of early diagnosis of hereditary tumors

Background: With the development of genetic research in oncology, it has become possible to track and identify early and preclinical forms of hereditary oncological diseases, which allows timely and effective preventive and therapeutic measures in relation to relatives at risk. Aim of the study: Assessment of genetically determined neoplasms in the region and the development of organizational forms and methods for early diagnosis. Material and methods: 10,727 residents of the Belarus-Poland border region were examined. Clinical and medical history data of 2,054 patients with tumors of the breast (1406), ovaries (239), and colon (409) were analyzed. As a result of the questionnaire, three main observation groups were formed: “high risk of hereditary cancer”, “hereditary cancer suspected”, and “no risk of hereditary cancer”. Results: Register and hospital screenings were the most informative types of screening. Of the 149 HBC patients who underwent molecular genetic testing, BRCA1 gene mutations were found in 5.37%, 5382insC in all cases. Seven mutations were detected in 77 individuals with a diagnosis of HOC and in 6 cases 5382insC and in 2 – 4145delA. Signs of hereditary ovarian cancer and suspicion of it were found in 1.12%, including people who were found to have a high risk of hereditary ovarian cancer. By their effectiveness, register and hospital screenings significantly exceeded the population, p<0.01. 1.67% of women suffering from this disease met the high clinical risk criteria for hereditary ovarian cancer. A high clinical risk of hereditary tumor genesis was established in 0.73% of cases among patients with a diagnosis of colon cancer. Conclusions: The results of assessing the clinical risk of hereditary cancer according to population screening indicates that approximately 1.2% of the population has an increased clinical risk of developing hereditary breast, ovarian, and colon cancer

The problem of aging of the population as one of the most important challenges for social policy and public health

Backgroud: Population aging is one of the most important social policy and public health challenges for the state. Increased proportions of older people is accompanied with increased negative attitudes manifested toward them, as represented by ageism, the discrimination against the elderly, contributing to their exclusion from public life. Aim of the study: To study the prevalence and characteristics of ageism manifestations in healthcare institutions in the city of Grodno (Belarus) and to consider measures to minimize it. Material and methods: 250 random urban respondents from Grodno age 60 or more not undergoing treated in healthcare institutions were anonymously questioned. Data analysis was performed using different statistical methods. Results: The majority of respondents rated geriatric, social and medical care in the country as functioning at a high level. The share of elderly people who felt age discrimination was 70 (28.0%) and was independent from the gender and age of the respondents. Clinical departments were mentioned by 24 (34.3%) of respondents as places where manifestations of ageism were seen, particularly in emergency rooms – 14 (20.0%) and family doctor offices– 17 (24.3%). In 35 (50%) of cases, the family doctor explained the symptoms of the disease by the onset of old age, which can be regarded as a manifestation of ageism. Conclusions: Training in the field of geriatrics is very important for medical professionals. Failure to take measures to ensure a holistic (integrated) approach in the treatment and care of elderly must be considered discriminatory. Particular measures should be taken to develop all types of care for the elderly, increasing the level of patient satisfaction with medical services and reducing the frequency of gerontological ageism manifestations

The benefits of interdisciplinary team work: my research experience on lifestyle choices

Background: A common international research area is being created as a result of linked activities of research centres. Aim of the study: To implement an interdisciplinary approach based on the example of a pilot study of lifestyle and identify connections between physical activity levels (PA), health-related behaviours, and the locus of health control among students. Material and methods: The research was carried out using 294 students of human sciences (235 females and 59 males) aged 18-24. A diagnostic survey method was chosen using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Health-Related Behaviour Inventory (HBI) and Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC). Results: Total PA was assessed at 3829.3 MET-min/week. The dominant types of activities were walking (1245 MET-min/week) and moderate PA (1254 MET-min/week). Higher values in intensive and moderate efforts were reported among the male students, while women reported higher values in walking. The general severity index HBI is 72-93 points. There were no significant gender-related differences regarding the general indicator (except for the increased frequency of low health-related behaviours among females). Respondents mostly presented with internal locus of control with influence of others being reported less frequently, and accident locus of control least frequently. The analysis revealed a correlation between the internal placement of MHLC and PA among men (r=0.226, p<0.01) and individual HBI indices among women. Conclusions: Most young people present a sufficient level of PA, desirable HBI, and, to a large extent, the internal locus of MHLC. The participants had a greater sense of responsibility for their own health. Females, when deciding on a lifestyle, are more easily influenced by other people. It is necessary to conduct interdisciplinary group work for comparative research in order to create educational and preventive programs addressing identified lifestyle abnormalities

Quality of life of osteoarthritis patients in the aspect of analgesic treatment

Introduction: Osteoarthritis an inflammatory process in the synovial membrane. These changes cause pain and joint deformities. Pharmacists can assess patients’ quality of life, which can be a good criterion for assessing analgesics treatment effectiveness and prevent the growing phenomenon of polypharmacy and self-treatment. Purpose: To answer these questions: 1) Is there a relationship between the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis taking analgesics and those with osteoarthritis taking analgesics and implemented rehabilitation? 2) Do patients using analgesics practice polypharmacy? 3) Are patients with osteoarthritis the main consumers of painkillers? and 4) Does the use of analgesics affect the health-related quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis? Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 240 people who were divided into three groups: osteoarthritis, reference (generally healthy, occasionally taking analgesics), and control (generally healthy, no intake of analgesics). To assess the rise in analgesics consumption by patients with osteoarthritis and the phenomenon of polypharmacy, an original questionnaire was used. Results: There is a relationship between the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis taking analgesics. Statistical analysis showed that in the years 2013-2015 the purchase of prescription analgesics and without a prescription systematically, significantly increased. Conclusions: Patients using analgesics unknowingly practice polypharmacy. In Ars Medica Pharmacies, analgesics purchases by patients with osteoarthritis grew significantly in the analyzed period, but they are not the main analgesics consumers. Use of analgesics by patients with osteoarthritis improves their health-related quality of life

Evaluation of the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis

Purpose: The tools for measuring objective quality of life include research regarding the conditions of a successful life and life satisfaction. Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive degradation and loss of articular cartilage as well as abnormal bone growth and remodeling, located directly under the cartilage. The aim of this study is to answer the question on which level OA patients perceive their quality of life dependent on health. Material and methods: The Polish version of the HAQ questionnaire, assessing the quality of life over the past week, was used for overall assessment of quality of life. The Polish version of the AIMS-2 questionnaire was used as a specific questionnaire for assessing the health status of patients with osteoarthritis. Surveys were conducted in a group of 240 people. Results: The quality of life dependent on health is significantly reduced in the group of healthy people who take painkillers sporadically because of other reasons and in the OA pateints group compared to the control group, the same as in the OA pateints group compared to the group of healthy people who take painkillers sporadically for other reasons. Conclusions: According to the answers from the questionnaire, patients with OA seek different forms of improving their quality of life. It is important to change their lifestyle (weight reduction, using a bench-mounted bike, walking stick or walking frame), reducing the surface area of the joints, reducing the defective position of the limb axis. Exercises that increase muscle mass and exercises to improve joint mobility should be introduced. It is advisable to refer the OA patient for physical therapy and/or balneotherapy