Health education of blood donors on HIV viral infections

The phenomenon of HIV today is not only a medical problem but also a social one. Due to the pathways of infection, everyone can get infected for us. Currently, there is a steady increase in HIV infection in the world. Convincing people about the lack of danger and the non-characteristic symptoms of infection or their lack, causes that many people do not realize that they are infected. Knowledge about the situations in which we can be infected and the possibility of transmission routes of these viruses can contribute to reducing the number of new infections. The aim of the work was to get to know the state of knowledge about the society about HIV / AIDS and to indicate the role of health education in the fight against infectious diseases. The study included 100 people. The quantitative method was used for research, while the sociological questionnaire was used as a research technique. The analysis of the empirical material shows that the state of knowledge about HIV infection requires education among the population. What's more, the public will be happy to take part in professional training on HIV / AIDS threats. The research shows that trainings should take place periodically, cover various social groups with the cooperation of many non-medical environments. It should be remembered that multisectoral cooperation is a prerequisite for the success of any health improvement program

Fournier gangrene - diagnostic and treatment

Fournier gangrene is a rare, progressively necrotizing perineum inflammation, often leading to death of the patient. The infection is caused by a mixed oxygen-anaerobic bacterial flora. Treatment is based on immediate and radical surgical intervention supported by antibiotic therapy and intensive general treatment. Adequate, quick adoption of curative and caring activities is one of the factors affecting the success of treatment. Depending on the dynamically progressing disease process, it is necessary to efficiently identify problems and modify treatment and nursing care plans from the stages of treatment

Intercultural Competences in Health Care - Jehovah's Witnesses

After Poland's accession to the European Union, borders were opened and migrations from many culturally different countries intensified, which led to an increase in immigrants and refugees assimilating in Poland. Numerous ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural groups existed and exist in Poland. All of these groups benefit from health services. The above situation requires medical personnel to perceive the patient through the prism of his biological, psychological, social and health problems, as well as in terms of spiritual needs of religions, as well as beliefs and socio-cultural origin. Therefore, knowledge about the cultural differences of healthcare service recipients and shaping intercultural sensitivity among healthcare workers is essential. This work examines multiculturalism in health care based on the example of the confession of Jehovah's Witnesses. Its aim was to get to know the health service opinions regarding cultural competences in specific work with patients

Nutrition of patients during radio and chemotherapy

The most common method of cancer treatment still includes surgical treatment, which is also the oldest way to fight cancer. Radiotherapy is currently one of the basic method of treating malignant tumors [1]. This method uses the action of ionizing radiation. However, the radiation does not work selectively and also damages healthy tissues. Chemotherapy - the youngest method of cancer treatment - consists in administering to patients cytostatics that block the basic life functions of the cell, mainly by disrupting the ability to divide and multiply cancer cells. Each of the mentioned therapeutic methods may cause side effects in addition to the therapeutic effect. Anorexia, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea or constipation are most often observed. During radiotherapy and chemotherapy, patients observe changes in taste, dry mouth and the possibility of oral irritation [2]. Through the occurrence of side effects of radio and chemotherapy, patients are exposed to the development of malnutrition and even cachexia. For this reason, intensive counseling and individual diet modification should be used in all patients undergoing radio and chemotherapy

Malnutrition of the oncological patient - diagnosis and prevention

Introduction: Malnutrition is an important medical problem which affects more than half of patients at the time of diagnosis of cancer, before any treatment begins. Deficits of nutrients in this group of patients have enormous impact on the course of the disease, tolerance of anti-cancer treatment, quality of life and mortality. Weight loss is observed in 30% to over 80% of patients and depends on the type of cancer, location and its severity. Abnormal nutritional status is also one of the causes of a weaker response to the applied anti-cancer treatment (both local and systemic) and, consequently, probably worse prognosis and shorter survival time, and more frequent occurrence of adverse effects and severe complications of anti-cancer therapy that force premature its completion. Patients with malnutrition occurs increased incidence of infectious complications, which worsens their prognosis. Worse healing of wounds after surgical procedures is observed, patient stays longer in the hospital, and the date of commencement of adjuvant treatment goes away. Cancer cachexia may result in feelings of weakness, fatigue, and increase the risk of depression and aggravate the general condition. The aim of the work is to present the essence of the problem which is malnutrition, especially in oncological patients. Summary: Proper nutrition, adapted to the current clinical situation and covering demand, is still an underestimated element of treatment of patients. Properly conducted nutritional therapy in oncological patients is an important element of treatment, because it creates optimal conditions for recovery and reduces the risk of relapse

Problems of multiculturalism in the polish health care system

Introduction: Medical staff in Poland increasingly take care of a person representing a different culture. Aim: To know nurses' knowledge about the customs of people presenting different religions and cultural issues in modern health care. Method: The authoring three-part questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of multiculturalism. Nonparametric tests were used for the comparison of variables: Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Wilcoxon pair order. Results: The overall level of knowledge of different cultures /religions was 8.00 for the whole study group. The highest level of knowledge among nurses was knowledge about Buddhism (1.00) and the lowest level about Hinduism (0.40). Conclusions: Most people did not have any lecture on multiculturalism in medicine during their education. The basic concepts of Judaism, Islam and Christianity are very well known. The knowledge of customs in different religions is small. Adaptation of multicultural education curricula in medical schools is an essential factor to ensure patients and their families appropriate conditions in the Polish health service. There was no conflict of interest

Alcoholic fetal syndrome - a problem of the 21st century?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a disease entity that occurs in children who have been exposed to teratogenic alcohol durning fetal life. It includes neurobehavioral abnormalities and changes in the body structure and internal organs. The only reason for the occurrence of this type of disorder is the consumption of alcohol by a pregnant woman (even in small amounts). It is estimated that in Poland about 30% of women consume alcohol in this period (also in small amounts), while in the US every year is born about 40,000 children who are diagnosed with FAS or related disorders

Perioperative nutrition according to the ERAS protocol

Protocol ERAS - "Enhanced Recovery after Surgery" - is a modern multidisciplinary formula of perioperative care to improve treatment outcomes. Over the past few years, many attempts have been made to implement recommendations for the management of patients in the perioperative period. They were primarily aimed at improving the results of treatment of patients undergoing surgery, and thus shorteninglength of stay in hospital, and - as a consequence - reducing the risk of developing complications and even the number of deaths. One of the first author who noticed effectiveness of multimodal treatment for a faster recovery and a shorter stay in the hospital was Professor Henrik Kehlet from the University of Copenhagen. He emphasized that in order to understand the nature of complications occurring in patients undergoing surgery, the basis of the factors responsible for the response to the surgical trauma should be known. In the late 1990s, Kehlet postulated that steps should be taken to introduce a comprehensive program including, among others: effective anesthesia, early rehabilitation of the patient, reduction of surgical stress, or quick restoration of nutrition via the gastrointestinal tract. The comprehensive perioperative care protocol for improving the treatment results requires the need for cooperation of specialists and all medical staff related to perioperative care - not only a surgeon or anesthetist, but also a physiotherapist or dietitian

Patient treatment using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in nursing practice

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which is nowadays increasingly used in the treatment of patients, remains an advanced and invasive method, at risk of many complications and adverse events, at the same time increases the chance to save their health and life. On the other hand, indications for the use of extracorporeal methods of supporting vital functions are characterized by multiplicity and their constant widening. Nevertheless, the application of these procedures requires extensive knowledge and high qualifications not only among doctors and perfusionists, but also among nurses. Continuous improvement of qualifications by nurses is necessary to ensure patient’s safety as well as the highest quality of treatment and care for the patient.                                                                                                        For many years, a lot of attention has been paid to the use of personalized treatment, which is the most beneficial for the patient, even if it requires transporting the patient to a more qualified center, where it will be available. Places are created throughout Poland, centers where the use of ECMO is possible. The importance of a mobile ECMO is also growing, which allows the described therapy to be used while the patient is being transported to the appropriate center