Physical activity in perimenopausal women

Introduction. The menopausal age of women is characterized by a high probability of health problems related with oestrogen deficiency and reduced ovarian hormonal activity. The most significant element in the therapy of the menopausal problems is to take part in physical activity on at least a moderate level, which is sufficient to maintain health. Objective. To investigate the effect of physical activity on the severity of the symptoms of menopause and body mass index BMI, which can decisively influence menopause. Material and methods. A group of respondents consisting of 210 women aged between 45–65 who were not using hormone replacement therapy, and staying at a rehabilitation centre. The study was conducted in 2013–2014 in the provinces of Silesia, Podlasie and Malopolska. Research tools consisted of a self-designed survey questionnaire and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Results. Mean BMI indicated overweight of the women and their infrequency and low level participation in physical activity. The intensity of menopausal symptoms increased with BMI, and low physical activity of the respondents decreased with age. Increase in the intensity of physical activity decreased the severity of symptoms characteristic for menopausal age. Conclusions. Physical activity can play an important role in reducing menopausal symptoms and preventing the most frequently occurring diseases of menopausal age

The influence of selected socio-demographic variables on symptoms occurring during the menopause

Introduction: It is considered that the lifestyle conditioned by socio-demographic or socio-economic factors determines the health condition of people to the greatest extent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of selected socio-demographic factors on the kinds of symptoms occurring during menopause. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 210 women aged 45 to 65, not using hormone replacement therapy, staying at healthcare centers for rehabilitation treatment. The study was carried out in 2013-2014 in the Silesian, Podlaskie and Lesser Poland voivodeships. The set of tools consisted of the authors’ own survey questionnaire and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Results: The most commonly occurring symptom in the group of studied women was a depressive mood, from the group of psychological symptoms, followed by physical and mental fatigue, and discomfort connected with muscle and joint pain. The greatest intensity of symptoms was observed in the group of women with the lowest level of education, reporting an average or bad material situation, and unemployed women. Conclusions: An alarmingly high number of reported psychological symptoms in the group of menopausal women was observed, and in particular among the group of low socio-economic status. Career seems to be a factor reducing the risk of occurrence of psychological symptoms. There is an urgent need for health promotion and prophylaxis in the group of menopausal women, and in many cases for implementation of specialist psychological assistance

Self-perception of body by women of child-bearing age

Introduction. In psychology, the way in which we perceive our body is what is called “body image”, a concept which is associated with our social and psychical functioning. A positive image of one’s own body is connected with being attractive, having high self-esteem, high self-confidence and general satisfaction with life [1]. Therefore, contentment, or lack thereof, of one’s body comprises an emotional element of body image [2]. The feelings we have towards our body are changing all the time, as well as other behaviours and are conditioned by individual circumstances and mood. Nevertheless, our relationship with the body and its main components are a relatively stable construction [3]. Aim of the study. Recognition of the emotional component of body image of the polled women, and observation of behaviours concomitant with dissatisfaction, lead to improvement of body appearance. Methods and materials. The study was conducted in 2014, in which 200 women of child-bearing age – students of Medical University in Lublin, Poland, participated. The applied measurement tools were a questionnaire and a scale for assessing one’s body, both designed by the authors of the study. Results. The average age of respondents – 22; BMI – 21.1840. In the general “one’s body assessment” scale, the highest mean values were achieved in the subscale of “Aspirations for attaining an ideal figure”. There is a statistically significant correlation between the status of relationship, diet, and aspiration for an ideal figure. Conclusions. Most of the surveyed women were satisfied with their appearance and had a high self-esteem. No statistically significant relations were observed between BMI and the subscales of “General body assessment.” The “Cult of Thin” created by the mass media did not influence the subjective perception of one’s body

Analysis of the phenomenon of attempted suicides in 1978-2010 in Poland, with particular emphasis on rural areas of Lublin Province

The increasing quality of life of modern man should go hand-in-hand with reducing the scale of the problem of attempted suicides. During the last 55 years, the World Health Organization has recorded an increase in the number of suicides by about 60% in the developed and developing countries. In Poland, the highest rate of suicides have been committed by males, and the circumstances depended on gender, age and socio-economic factors. The aim of the presented study is to present the scale of the problem and present results of the analysis of the phenomenon of attempted suicides in 1978-2010, with particular emphasis on a Polish agricultural region - the Lublin Province in eastern Poland. 167,557 attempted suicides were analyzed across the country, included suicide attempts that resulted in death. Brief description of the state of knowledge and summary: Between 1978-2010 in Poland, the number of attempted suicides was higher in urban than in rural areas, especially among men aged between 31-50 years, while the tendency to commit suicide increased in rural areas in comparison to urban areas. Women usually represented a quarter of the people who attempted or committed suicide, with the majority cases reported in 2002. Most attempted suicides were carried out in the cities, but since 1990, the number of attempted suicides in the country is growing by an average of 8 per annum. In the Lublin Province, far more people are attempting to commit suicide in the rural areas. Despite the trend of increasing numbers of attempted suicides (about 4.36 suicides per year), the number of fatal suicides is decreasing, and the number of suicides committed by teenagers under 14 years of age is decreasing more dynamically

Life satisfaction and risk of burnout among men and women working as physiotherapists

Objectives: Recently in Poland as a result of the high rate of aging population and high rates of morbidity, a growing demand for the physiotherapist profession is observed. The results of this study can be used to formulate principles for better organization of physiotherapist's workplace in order to prevent occurrence of burnout. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of gender on satisfaction with life and burnout among active physiotherapists. Material and Methods: The survey was anonymous and voluntary, and involved a group of 200 active physiotherapists working in health care units and educational centers in Poland. The study group was selected randomly and incidentally. Each respondent received a demographic data sheet and a set of self-rating questionnaires (Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Burnout Scale Inventory). Results: Burnout among men decreased along with increasing satisfaction with one's work and occupation, friends, relatives and acquaintances, sexuality, and increased due to greater satisfaction with one's housing status. Burnout among women decreased along with increasing satisfaction with one's health, free time and friends, relatives and acquaintances, and increased due to work at a setting other than a health care unit or educational center. Statistical analysis failed to reveal any significant differences with regard to the BSI domains and with regard to the overall burnout index as well as with regard to the assessment of satisfaction with life between female and male physiotherapists. Conclusions: Satisfaction with children, marriage and partnership, with one's work and occupation, interactions with friends, relatives and acquaintances and sexuality may contribute to reduction of burnout among men. Women who are satisfied with their children, family, health, free time and contacts with friends, relatives and acquaintances are less prone to burnout. Weak financial situation among women and deficiency of free time among men can induce burnout. Improving staff happiness may contribute to decreasing burnout

Burnout among physiotherapists and length of service

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify factors that contribute to the development of burnout among physiotherapists with different length of service in physiotherapy. Material and Methods: The following research tools were used to study burnout: the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ), based on FLZ (Fragebogen zur Lebenszufriedenheit) by Frahrenberg, Myrtek, Schumacher, and Brähler; the Burnout Scale Inventory (BSI) by Steuden and Okła; and an ad hoc questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data. The survey was anonymous and voluntary and involved a group of 200 active physiotherapists working in Poland. Results: A statistical analysis revealed significant differences in overall life satisfaction between length-of-service groups (p = 0.03). Physiotherapists with more than 15 years of service reported greater satisfaction than those with less than 5 years and between 5 and 15 years of service. The results suggest that burnout in those with 5-15 years of service is higher in physiotherapists working in health care centers and increases with age and greater financial satisfaction, while it decreases with greater satisfaction with friend and family relations and greater satisfaction with one’s work and profession. In those with more than 15 years of service, burnout increases in the case of working in a setting other than a health care or educational center and decreases with greater satisfaction with one’s work and profession. Conclusions: Job satisfaction and a satisfying family life prevent burnout among physiotherapists with 5-15 years of service in the profession. Financial satisfaction, age and being employed in health care may cause burnout among physiotherapists with 5-15 years of service. Physiotherapists with more than 15 years of service experience more burnout if they work in a setting other than a health care or educational center and less burnout if they are satisfied with their profession

Epidemiology of the symptoms of menopause – an intercontinental review

Introduction : The age of menopause is a time of many changes in the psychophysical-social functioning of women, with reduced ovarian hormonal activity and estrogen levels. The most common, troublesome symptoms of menopause age include depressive disorders, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, discomfort associated with muscle pain, joint aches, osteoporosis and characteristic hot flashes. Aim of the study is to determine and compare the rate of menopausal symptoms among women living in continents of both Americas, Africa, Australia and Eurasia. Material and methods : The results of this work were obtained in 2014 on the basis of the data from a review of the 64 most important studies using the PubMed database. Research published in the period 2000-2014, from Africa, both Americas, Australia and Eurasia, were taken into account. Results : The prevalence of menopausal symptoms in African women is disconcertingly high. Women from South America complain about occurrence of depressive, sexual dysfunctions and discomfort associated with muscle pain and joint aches. Symptoms most reported by women in the United States are pains associated with muscles and joints. Women in Australia suffer mainly due to vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction, while in the group of women surveyed in Asia there is observed an alarming increase in the proportion of women reporting depressive disorders. In Europe there was a much greater incidence of sleep disorders and depressive disorders. Conclusions : Women around the world suffer from ailments characteristic for the menopausal period regardless of ethnic origin, skin color or socio-demographic factors