Analysis of fungal air pollution using different samplers

The aim of this study was the analysis of fungal air pollution in different rooms using different the air samplers. Air for mycological studies was collected from various hospital rooms. To monitor fungal air pollution were used samplers: SAS SUPER 100 (pbi-international), MAS 100 (Merck) and AIR IDEAL (BioMerieux). We found differences in CFU/L values in depending on hospital room and the air sampler type. The CFU/L values of air samples taken by the AIR IDEAL ranged from 350 to 850 and (724.2 ± 159.9), and the CFU/L values of air samples taken by the sampler SAS SUPER 100 ranged from 160 to 800 (455.3 ± 250.73). The CFU/L values of air samples taken by the MAS 100 sampler varied from 50 to 1340 (302.5±56.6) From the air samples of both samplers was incubated 6 genera/species of fungi. Candia albicans fungi species and genus Penicillium species were most frequently isolated from SAS Super 100 sampler, and Penicillium species from the AIR IDEAL sampler. From the air samples of MAS 100 was isolated 11 types/species of fungi and in air samples of SAS Super 100 was isolated 7 types/species. Significant differences of CFU/L values in the tested rooms were found in depending on the used sampler. Mycological analysis of the obtained cultures from air samples suggests that there is not same isolation of fungi using the different samplers

Most common health problems of elderly in the opinion of health sciences students in Poland, Belarus and Greece

Introduction: Health is one of the most important and cherished values in the elderly. It has been estimated that among people over 65 years old 80% of people suffer from at least one physical illness. Purpose: To identify the opinions of the respondents on the most common health problems of elderly over 60. Materials and methods: The study was conducted between January 2013 and November 2014 in three study groups: Polish, Belarusian and Greek students. A total of 600 (200 for each group) respondents were tested with the questionnaire created by authors. Results: Respondents indicated that the most characteristic physical features of elderly people are wrinkles (68.7%, n = 412), gray hair (54.3%, n = 326) while cardiovascular diseases are the most common health problem (76.3%, n = 458). The most significant factor in delaying the aging process was active lifestyle (85.3%, n = 512). Conclusions: There is a need for increased education in geriatrics and care of the elderly among students of health sciences, who in the future will be entered in the geriatric therapeutic teams. The perception of health problems of the elderly were different depending on the country of origin of the respondents. This may indicate that the students don’t know the basic diseases and ailments in this age group (for example geriatric giants)

Most common mental problems in the elderly as viewed by Medical school students in Poland, Belarus and Greece

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of respondents on the most common mental and psychological problems of the elderly over 60 years of age. Material and methods: The study was conducted between January 2013 and November 2014 in three study groups: Polish, Belarusian and Greek students. A total of 600 (200 for each group) respondents were tested with a questionnaire developed by the authors. Women dominated in study groups. Three quarters of the study population consisted of people between the ages of 21 and 25 years. An analysis of the education level of respondents showed that almost 60% of respondents studied nursing, 30% - physiotherapy and 10% - other courses of studies. Results: More than half of all respondents (50.8%) were afraid of old age. The vast majority of students in each group (a total of 88.3%) stated that it is better for the elderly not to be alone and to have a family. Loneliness (61.5%), the sense of helplessness (52.7%) and depression (50.8%) were mental problems of the elderly that were most often indicated by the respondents. Conclusions: There is a need to educate the younger generations on problems associated with aging and old age, including mental health problems. The study showed significant differences in the perception of mental health problems of elderly people, depending on respondents' country. There is a need for a change in the functioning of the care systems for the elderly, which would involve perceiving a family as an institution able to provide care services for old people. © Medical Communications Sp. z o.o