Pandemic changes in work, rest, physical activity and diet versus nutritional status of respondents

The aim of the study was to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the nutritional status of the respondents through changes in work mode, physical activity and diet among residents of the Tarnów region. Material and methods. The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method, and the tool was the author's questionnaire. The study was conducted in January-February 2022, using the Google Forms platform. In total, data were collected from 414 people. The questionnaires were filled out mostly by women (67.9% vs. 32.1%). The average age of respondents was 31.9 years (±13.52). Results. Those who worked remotely and in hybrid mode had the highest percentages declaring an increase in food intake during the COVID-19 pandemic (65.0% and 59.7%, respectively). The highest percentages of those who indicated a deterioration in the quality of their food intake were those who worked remotely (60.0%) and hybrid job (45.5%), while those who did not work were the group that most often among the others indicated an improvement in the quality of their food (23.4%). Respondents with remote and hybrid jobs were the most likely to report a reduction in their activity level (72.5% and 58.4%, respectively). Considering the BMI of those surveyed before the COVID-19 pandemic and now, there is an apparent decrease in the percentage of those with a normal BMI in favor of overweight and obesity. Conclusions. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the percentages of overweight and obese people increased. People working remotely and in hybrid mode not only increased the amount of food they consumed, but also began to consume lower-quality products, as well as more often reporting reduced levels of physical activity

Blood donation during the coronavirus pandemic

Introduction: Despite years of research and scientific work, it has not yet been possible to produce such a valuable medication as blood. The pandemic does not reduce the need for blood, quite the opposite. However, due to the pandemic, the number of blood donors has dropped dramatically across the country. The aim of the study was to find out the opinions and attitudes of the respondents towards blood donation during the pandemic period and to assess their knowledge of the principles related to safe blood donation during this period.Material and methods: The study was conducted using a diagnostic survey method and the tool was our own research questionnaire. The study was conducted in February 2021, using Google Forms platform. In total, data were collected from 150 individuals (females: 60.6%, males 39.4%) aged between 16 and 73 years (mean 31.4 ± 12.4 years). Statistical analyses used a significance level of p = 0.05.Results: Nearly 39.7% of the respondents were regular blood donors, 12% of the respondents donated blood several times (12.3%). Blood was donated more often by men, people aged over 30 years, urban residents, and people with higher education (p < 0.001). Most people continued to donate blood despite the COVID-19 pandemic (49.7%). Respondents who have donated blood so far still mostly want to donate blood after the pandemic (90%), among those who have not done so 38% want to do so after the pandemic (p < 0.001). The vast majority of respondents believed it was safe to donate blood during the pandemic (93%), and most were aware that symptoms of infection disqualify a blood donor (83.2%). Only 43.2% knew that “Convalescents who donate plasma are entitled to a blood donation deduction”.Conclusions: The current pandemic situation is not an obstacle to donating blood. Blood donations should not be withheld unless there are health contraindications. Due to additional procedures, it is still safe to donate blood. Efforts to promote blood donation during the COVID-19 pandemic should be continued