Ocena kompetencji kulturowych wśród pracowników ochrony zdrowia

Polska, jako kraj znajdujący się w centrum Europy, zachęca obcokrajowców do przyjazdu. Odwiedzający i zamieszkujący na terenie naszego kraju cudzoziemcy, zazwyczaj oczekują lepszego i godnego życia. Nasi rodacy zamiast okazać troskę i życzliwości, najczęściej są nieufni i wrogo nastawieni. Nieznajomość różnic kulturowych może spowodować wiele niepotrzebnych konfliktów. Kompetentny pracownik zobowiązany jest do zrozumienia potrzeb każdego pacjenta, również tego z innych kręgów kulturowych. Odpowiednie przygotowanie pielęgniarek, lekarzy i innych pracowników szpitala pozwala na uniknięcie nieporozumień i problemów związanych między innymi z nieznajomością różnic kulturowych. Kompetencje kulturowe, rozumiane jako umiejętność przyjęcia postawy relatywizmu kulturowego, stanowią zbiór postaw, wiedzy i motywacji, wśród których ważną rolę odgrywają empatia etnokulturowa oraz poczucie własnej skuteczności jak również elastyczność poznawcza oraz otwartość na nowe doświadczenia

Personality traits and risk of eating disorders among Polish women: the moderating role of self-esteem

ObjectivesPersonality traits should be taken into account when diagnosing individuals with disordered eating behaviors in the hope of better understanding their etiology and symptom progression and when planning treatment. The objective of this study was to attempt to determine the moderating role of self-esteem in the relationships between personality traits included in the Big Five model among Polish women and estimated risk of eating disorders.MethodsThe study was conducted among 556 Polish women from Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. The average age of the women under study was 34 years. A diagnostic survey was used as the research method, and the empirical data were collected using the following research tools: The NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), ORTO – 15 Questionnaire, The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-13), and the authors’ original questionnaire. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of selected independent variables. The assumptions for the linear regression model were satisfied, as indicated by the Ramsey Regression Equation Specification Error Test, White’s test, and the Jarque-Bera test.ResultsOnly the personality trait of neuroticism exhibits a statistically significant effect on the “Cognitive Restraint of Eating,” “Uncontrolled Eating,” and “Emotional Eating” scores (p < 0.001). The moderation effect was demonstrated between self-esteem and the personality trait of conscientiousness on the “Cognitive Restraint of Eating” scale score. There is a moderation effect between self-esteem and the personality trait of extraversion on the “Uncontrolled Eating” subscale score. There is a moderation effect between self-esteem and the personality trait of conscientiousness on the “Uncontrolled Eating” scale score.ConclusionSelf-esteem was not a predictor of the occurrence of risk of eating disorders while playing a moderating role in the relationship between certain personality traits and estimated risk of eating disorders. A higher level of neuroticism was identified as an important predictor of higher results for orthorexia, Cognitive Restraint of Eating, Uncontrolled Eating, and Emotional Eating. It was also demonstrated that the orthorexia risk index decreased with increased extraversion and openness to experience. The results of this study suggest that eating behaviors and psychological factors should be included in psychological interventions in the treatment of eating disorders. The clinical goal can be considered to be an improvement in non-normative eating behaviors, such as a reduction in overeating episodes or eating less frequently in the absence of a hunger feeling. In order to assist these individuals in their attempts to achieve healthy behaviors, variables related to mental functioning can be then identified as important goals to support individuals in their efforts to change health behaviors by achieving better mental well-being

Health Behaviours and the Sense of Optimism in Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

(1) The COVID-19 outbreak brought about several socio-economic changes and has had a negative impact on the mental health of people around the world. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between health behaviours and dispositional optimism among nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) The study was carried out in spring 2021 on a group of 756 nursing students in Poland (n = 390), Spain (n = 196) and Slovakia (n = 170). The diagnostic survey method was applied with the questionnaire technique, and the following standardised research tools were used: Life Orientation Test—Revised (LOT-R) and the Health Behaviour Inventory (IZZ). The survey was conducted in a mixed arrangement: in direct contact with the respondents in Poland and in Spain and online in Slovakia. (3) Significant differences were demonstrated in health behaviour preferences in students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia (F = 6.22; p < 0.002). The highest IZZ index was found in Spanish students (82.60 ± 13.65), while lower values were observed in Slovak (80.38 ± 13.74) and Polish (78.44 ± 13.47) students. The correlation between dispositional optimism and a positive attitude was the strongest in the Polish sample (r = 0.56; p < 0.001), at a high level in the Spanish sample (r = 0.53; p < 0.001) and at an average level in the Slovak sample (r = 0.48; p < 0.001). (4) 1. The study showed a moderating effect of the country of origin on the students’ health behaviours. 2. Dispositional optimism is an important predictor of the students’ health behaviours, regardless of the country of origin

Health behaviors of cardiovascular patients

Wstęp. Istotnymi czynnikami powstawania chorób układu krążenia są komponenty stylu życia: nieprawidłowe nawyki żywieniowe, brak aktywności fizycznej i stres. Zachowania zdrowotne są najważniejszym składnikiem stylu życia. Cel pracy. Ocena zachowań zdrowotnych pacjentów z chorobami układu krążenia. Materiał i metody. Badania prowadzono w grupie 200 pacjentów oddziału internistyczno-kardiologicznego w Samodzielnym Publicznym Wojewódzkim Szpitalu Zespolonym w Szczecinie. Wykorzystano standaryzowane narzędzie, to jest Inwentarz Zachowań Zdrowotnych (IZZ). Kobiety stanowiły 60% badanych, a mężczyźni 40%. Średni wiek badanych wynosił 60,6 lat, 84% stanowili mieszkańcy miast, ze średnim wykształceniem (46,50%). Aktywnych zawodowo było 33,50% badanych. Wyniki. W badaniu dokonano ogólnej oceny zachowań zdrowotnych, średnio badani uzyskali 87,34 punktów. Wykazano istotne statystycznie różnice między kategoriami zachowań zdrowotnych a płcią i aktywnością zawodową badanych. Stwierdzono także różnice istotne statystycznie między wszystkimi kategoriami zachowań zdrowotnych, poza praktykami zdrowotnymi a wykształceniem. Mieszkańcy miast częściej stosowali prawidłowe nawyki żywieniowe niż mieszkańcy wsi. Wnioski: 1. Wyższy poziom troski o zdrowie cechujący się stosowaniem prawidłowych zachowań zdrowotnych charakteryzował kobiety, osoby nieaktywne zawodowo, mieszkające w mieście.Introduction. Important determinants of cardiovascular disease are the lifestyle components: bad diet, the lack of physical activity, and stress. Health behaviors are the most important element of the lifestyle. Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to assess health behaviors of cardiovascular patients. Material and methods. The study included 200 patients of the cardiology and internal medicine ward of the Independent Public Regional Integrated Hospital in Szczecin. A research instrument was the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI). Women constituted 60% and men 40% of respondents. The mean age was 60.6 years; 84% were citizens of urban areas, 46.50% had secondary education; 33.50% were professionally active. Results. In the study, the general assessment of health behaviors was per formed using the HBI; the surveyed obtained an average score of 87.34 points. Statistically significant differences between the health behavior categories and gender and professional activity were observed. There were also statistically significant differences between all health behavior categories, except for health practices and education. Citizens of urban areas more often had proper eating habits than citizens of rural areas. Conclusions: 1. Women, the unemployed, and citizens of urban areas showed a higher concern for health manifested by proper health behaviors

Analysis of Changes in the Selected Nutritional Parameters of Patients within a Year from the Admission to the Enteral Nutrition Clinic

(1) The following research question was formulated: What are the relationships between enteral nutrition and selected anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters? The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the nutritional status of patients within one year from their admission to the Enteral Nutrition Clinic. (2) The study group included 103 participants. For the purpose of analysing their nutritional status, the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Nutritional Risk Score (NRS) scales were used, anthropometric measurements were taken, and blood laboratory tests were performed. The assessment of changes in the indicated parameters was conducted at three time intervals: upon admission (T0) and 6 and 12 months after admission (T6 and T12, respectively). (3) The study group showed a significant improvement in the circumference of their upper and lower limbs. Nutrition therapy had an effect on the levels of erythrocytes, iron concentration, the activity of liver enzymes, and C-reactive protein levels. (4) The enrolment of patients into the Nutritional Therapy Programme had a positive effect on the selected results. 1. Twelve months after the introduction of nutritional intervention, an increase in erythrocyte count was particularly marked, and there was a decrease in the CRP (C Reactive Protein) level as well as the activity of liver enzymes. There was no significant effect of enteral nutrition on albumin and protein values. 2. To ensure the greatest efficiency of enteral nutritional therapy, it is to be continued for more than six months. 3. Nutritional interventions resulted in a significant increase in upper and lower limb circumferences among the study group. 4. For the purpose of identifying patients at risk of malnutrition, medical personnel should systematically raise their qualifications, and educational measures on this issue should be implemented at the stage of medical training at medical universities

The Impact of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Functioning of Liver Transplant Patients

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of socio-demographic factors and the time elapsed since liver transplantation on the functioning of patients after liver transplantation; (2) Methods: This is a survey-based prospective cohort study of 112 patients, performed using: The Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviors (ISSB), The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic data prepared using the Delphi method; (3) Results: Subjects under 40 years of age reported the highest social support. The longer the time since surgery, the lower the levels of adherence and support; (4) Conclusions: 1. In the study group, most support was received by women, people under 40 years of age, and those with secondary education. However, the level of social support decreased over time after the liver transplant operation. Patients who had undergone previous transplantation showed lower levels of adherence to therapeutic recommendations. 2. Patients who were in a relationship showed higher levels of illness acceptance than single ones. Women were more likely to experience depressive symptoms than men. 3. The time since liver transplantation is an important factor that affects patients’ functioning. This is a time when patients need more care, social support, and assistance in maintaining adherence to therapeutic recommendations

Impact of the Empathic Understanding of People and Type D Personality as the Correlates of Social Skills of Primary Health Care Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Efficient functioning at work depends on social skills. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among empathy, type D personality traits, and the level of social skills among Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 446 PHC nurses. In the multidimensional model, after taking into account disruptive variables (age, place of residence, postgraduate education and self-assessment of health), as in one-dimensional models, respondents with a higher level of empathic understanding of other people were found to have a higher level of social skills (b = 0.76; SE = 0.11; p < 0.001), while a lower level of social skills was observed among respondents with traits which are characteristic of type D personality (b = −11.86; SE = 2.28; p < 0.001). The results of the study show that personal predispositions, such as empathy or type D personality, may support or hinder the shaping of social skills of nurses. Therefore, it is essential to create an individualised approach when nurses are undergoing social skills training