Search

This paper introduces the utilization of the International Atomic Energy Agency's toolkit for reactor technology assessment (RTA) application to deploy small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Czech Republic, Egypt, and Poland. The increasing demand for clean energy has led to the prominence of small modular reactors (SMRs) in addressing global energy challenges. The successful integration of SMRs into national energy systems necessitates comprehensive evaluations that take into account each country's specific characteristics and energy requirements. RTA application represents significant progress towards innovative nuclear solutions, advancing a cleaner and more resilient energy future plan. The aim of this study is assessing the feasibility and advantages of SMR implementation in these countries, focusing on energy security, emission reduction, and long-term sustainability. Various SMR technologies, including NuScale, SMART, HTR-PM, BWRX-300, SMR-160, and RITM-200, are comparatively analyzed based on safety, scalability, efficiency, and economic viability. The findings reveal that BWRX-300 suits the needs of the Czech Republic and Poland, while RITM-200 is the optimal choice for Egypt. Moreover, NuScale also stands as a strong alternative for all three countries. This article emphasizes the importance of informed discussions and evidence-based decisions, promoting sustainable energy development and global advancements in nuclear technology. By utilizing SMRs, the Czech Republic, Egypt, and Poland can enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and meet rising energy needs sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to establish strategies of coping with COVID-19 pandemic adopted by the clients of social assistance from the perspective of social workers. The qualitative research among Polish social workers and family assistants was conducted from September to November 2021. Based on 30 in-depth interviews with social work professionals, groups of social assistance clients' behaviours were identified and classified into the theoretical models of reactions to social change by Merton and Giddens. The following types of behaviour have been selected and categorized into four groups of reactions when dealing with social workers in a pandemic situation: coolheaded calculation, defiance, confusion, and adaptation. At the same time, reactions to the situation of social change were categorized into one of the strategies of active or passive behaviour: innovation, contestation, retreat, and acceptance. In addition, we discussed the impact of clients' coping strategies on social workers and established three attitudes of the surveyed social workers: adapting to the pandemic situation and customer behaviour, assuming the role of an emotional buffer and informant, and expecting support from superiors and coworkers. Knowing the behaviour of social assistance clients in a challenging situation makes it possible to adopt tailor-made measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The phenomenon of burnout among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is a widespread problem with several negative consequences for the healthcare system. The many stressors of the pandemic have led to an increased development of anxiety and depressive disorders in many healthcare workers. In addition, some manifested symptoms of the so-called postpandemic stress syndrome and the emergence of occupational burnout syndrome, commonly referred to as "COVID-19 burnout." The aim of this study was to assess the burnout and life satisfaction of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in 2020-2022 among medical staff working in hospitals in Silesia, Poland. The instruments used to assess life satisfaction and burnout were the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which assesses three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DEP), and sense of reduced professional accomplishment (SRPA). Results. The study group included 900 participants. There were 300 physicians (mean age 38 ± 7 years), 300 nurses (mean age 35 ± 6 years), and 300 paramedics (mean age 31 ± 5 years). Life satisfaction as measured by the SWLS was lowest among nurses and paramedics in 2021 and among doctors in 2022. Male respondents and those with fewer years of work had higher levels of life satisfaction. People with more years of work had higher scores in EE and DEP and lower scores in SRPA (p = 0.001). We found a negative correlation between life satisfaction and EE (p = 0.001), DEP (p = 0.001), and SRPA (p = 0.002). Conclusions. The results highlight the need for further research into the causes of burnout among medical professionals and the need for effective interventions to promote well-being and prevent burnout in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, significant changes have been observed in the distribution and abundance of local Dermacentor reticulatus populations. However, changes in D. reticulatus dynamics have not been studied in southeastern Poland. Our objective was to enhance our understanding of the environmental factors influencing the occurrence and density of D. reticulatus in this area. Additionally, we sought to investigate the genetic diversity of the tick population and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). To this end, we established 45 study sites in the Subcarpathian province. Ticks were collected during their peak activity in both spring and autumn. A subset of randomly selected specimens underwent molecular analysis for TBPs screening, using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR. Positive amplicons were then sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted. Our findings confirmed the presence of D. reticulatus ticks in 24 surveyed sites, primarily concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the region. The mean density of D. reticulatus ticks in their compact range was 5.8 ± 6.4 specimens/100 m2. Notably, air temperature and altitude emerged as significant factors influencing the species' activity. We also identified a high prevalence of Rickettsia raoultii infections in adult D. reticulatus, reaching up to 84.21%. Additionally, 9.52% of ticks were found to be infected with R. helvetica and 4.76% with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Furthermore, our genetic analyses confirmed the identity of D. reticulatus in the Subcarpathian region, aligning with haplotypes found in other regions of Poland, Czechia, Croatia, and Portugal. In conclusion, our study suggests that the surveyed region represents the current boundary of the compact range of D. reticulatus in Poland in which this tick species exhibits low genetic diversity and a narrow spectrum of detected TBPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2020, a significant increase in the severity of H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemics in poultry and wild birds has been observed in Poland. To further investigate the genetic diversity of HPAI H5Nx viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, HPAIV-positive samples collected from dead wild birds in 2020–2022 were phylogenetically characterized. In addition, zoonotic potential and possible reassortment between HPAIVs and LPAIVs circulating in the wild avifauna in Poland have been examined. The genome-wide phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of three different avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes (H5N8, H5N5, and H5N1) during the HPAI 2020/2021 season, while in the next HPAI 2021/2022 epidemic only one H5N1 subtype encompassing seven various genotypes (G1–G7) was confirmed. No reassortment events between LPAIVs (detected in the framework of active surveillance) and HPAIVs circulating in Poland have been captured, but instead, epidemiological links between wild birds and poultry due to bidirectional, i.e., wild bird-to-poultry and poultry-to-wild bird HPAIV transmission were evident. Furthermore, at least five independent H5N8 HPAIV introductions into the Baltic Sea region related to unprecedented mass mortality among swans in February–March 2021 in Poland, as well as a general tendency of current H5Nx viruses to accumulate specific mutations associated with the ability to break the interspecies barrier were identified. These results highlight the importance of continuous active and passive surveillance for AI to allow a rapid response to emerging viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Nursing is considered one of the most stressful occupational groups. Work-related stress is a major health risk for workers worldwide. Therefore, it is critical to continually monitor nurses' stress levels based on important aspects of nurses' work identified as stressors. Methods. A total of 331 nurses participated. The cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument was carried out based on six of the seven steps proposed: forward translation of ENSS, comparison of the two translated versions, blind back translation, comparison of the two back-translated versions of ENSS, pilot testing of the prefinal version of ENSS, and full-psychometric testing of the prefinal version of the translated instrument. The reliability of the scales was estimated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega internal consistency coefficients. Results. The results indicate that each of the distinguished subscales is unique, but at the same time, they are all related to each other as different dimensions of stress. Conclusions. The Polish version of the ENSS tool is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the level of stress experienced by nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 pandemic raised many problems for patients with acne‐prone skin: a limited access to health care services, the necessity of developing telemedical consultations also in dermatology, and the usage of face masks. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of respiratory protective measures (type of masks, wearing time during the day) on declared skin condition in patients already diagnosed with acne or reporting acne for the first time. The study was conducted in Poland among 1420 responders using the original authors' questionnaire, of which 1274 responders were included in the final sample. Acne exacerbations were reported as being more frequent and more severe in women than in men. Changing cosmetic products, facial skin decontamination before or after applying masks, the number of days per week that a mask was worn were related to acne exacerbation. The type of mask had no significant impact on the occurrence of acne lesions. Respondents noted that masks contribute significantly to skin condition worsening by exacerbating existing and causing new acne lesions. This phenomenon was particularly observable in women, in whom, according to the research results, new lesions appeared much more frequently. Therefore, there is a need to develop new ways of limiting acne exacerbation during COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Postpandemic stress disorder (PPSD) is an unofficial term that refers to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental disorder resulting from increased stress, anxiety, and trauma associated with unpleasant life experiences. Many scientific studies indicate that symptoms of increased stress, job burnout, anxiety, and depressive disorders are associated with medical personnel performing their professional duties around COVID-19 patients. Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms that may indicate the presence of PPSD symptoms—depression, anxiety, and stress—in medical personnel. Material and Methods. The survey included 300 people, representatives of medical personnel. The group was divided into two sections. The first section numbered 150 and consisted of personnel in direct contact with COVID-19 patients (FR); the second group also consisted of 150 medical professionals, who but no longer directly involved in helping with COVID-19 cases (SR). The survey was conducted by indirect survey method using CAWI (computer-assisted web interview). The survey used a questionnaire technique. A proprietary tool enriched with standardized psychometric scales: BDI, GAD-7, FCV-19S, and PSS-10 was used. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney U statistical tests were used in the statistical processing of the data. The probability level was 0.05. Results. Statistical inference made it clear that mental health problems that may indicate trauma are mainly present in the FR group. These symptoms decreased slightly in comparison between periods 2020 and 2021 (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among first responders. To ensure the psychological well-being of first responders, early assessment and care of mild depression, anxiety, and stress should be promoted to prevent the development of moderate and severe forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are several observations that the onset of coronavirus 19 (COVID‐19) pandemic was associated with an increase in the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, due to heterogeneity in study designs and country‐specific healthcare policies, more national‐level evidence is needed to provide generalizable conclusions. Objective: To compare the rate of DKA in Polish children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) between the first year of COVID‐19 pandemic (15 March 2020 to 15 March 2021) and the preceding year (15 March 2019 to 15 March 2020). Methods: Reference centers in 13 regions (covering ~88% of Polish children) retrospectively reported all new‐onset T1D cases in children from assessed periods, including DKA status at admission, administered procedures and outcomes. Secondly, we collected regions' demographic characteristics and the daily‐reported number of COVID‐19‐related deaths in each region. Results: We recorded 3062 cases of new‐onset T1D (53.3% boys, mean age 9.5 ± 4.3 years old) of which 1347 (44%) had DKA. Comparing pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 period, we observed a significant increase in the rate of DKA (37.5%–49.4%, p <.0001). The fraction of moderate (+5.4%) and severe (+3.4%) DKA cases increased significantly (p =.0089), and more episodes required assisted ventilation (+2.1%, p =.0337). Two episodes of DKA during 2020/2021 period were fatal. By region, change in DKA frequency correlated with initial COVID‐19 death toll (March/April 2020) (R =.6, p =.0287) and change in T1D incidence (R =.7, p =.0080). Conclusions: The clinical picture of new‐onset children T1D in Poland deteriorated over a 2‐year period. The observed increase in the frequency of DKA and its severity were significantly associated with the overlapping timing of the COVID‐19 epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of our study was to assess the level of social competencies among primary health care nurses, and to identify the work‐related determinants. Background: Developing social skills of nurses are necessary to establish better relations with patients. Improving these skills allows for higher quality of patient care, as well as patient and nurse satisfaction. Methods: For the study, 253 primary health care centres were randomly chosen in the Eastern Poland; 600 questionnaires were sent to the nurses employed in these facilities. After checking whether the data met the requirements, 446 nurses took part in the survey. The data were collected using the Social Competencies Profile, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, and the catalogue of primary health care nurse activities. Results: Older nurses possess lower level of social skills (r = −0.10, p = 0.04). Postgraduate education in the last 2 years differentiated the results of social competencies (p = 0.03) as well as place of residence in the subscale community awareness (p = 0.04). The predictors of social skills among psychosocial work conditions were as follows: Influence at Work (p = 0.02), Possibilities for Development (p < 0.001), Meaning of Work (p < 0.001), Social Support (p = 0.001), Quality of Leadership (p = 0.03), Job Satisfaction (p < 0.001), and General Health (p = 0.001). On the other hand, tasks like Activities in the treatment room (p = 0.003) and Promotion and prevention (p < 0.001) carried out by a nurse anticipated higher level of social skills. Conclusions: The results of the research proved that work‐related factors such as influence at work, professional development, sense of social support, understanding of the meaning of work, perception of the quality of leadership, and higher job satisfaction influence the development of social competencies of nurses; therefore, shaping an appropriate work environment is an important task, especially for leaders and managers of nursing. Implications for Nursing Management: We recommend that nursing leaders and health policy makers adopt new strategies and educational programs, which include social skills training as part of the curriculum for the development of the social competencies of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change will expose the food‐producing sector to a range of challenges. Inland aquaculture farms are particularly vulnerable, due to the difficulty in changing their location, and therefore require specific tools to predict the influence of direct and indirect effects on production, environment and economic feasibility. The objective of our study was to apply a simple set of models to produce a set of growth, risk and suitability maps for stakeholders within the common carp sector in Poland, to assist decision‐making under two different scenarios of climate change: a moderate situation (RCP 4.5) and an extreme situation (RCP 8.5). We used present (2000–2019) and future projections (2080–2099) for water surface temperature based on land surface temperature data from regionally downscaled climate models to draw maps to: (i) show optimal temperature conditions for carp growth, (ii) assess risk of disease outbreak caused by three important common carp pathogens: Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3), carp oedema virus (CEV) and spring viremia of carp (SVCV) and (iii) predict potential suitability changes of carp farming in Poland. The study identified areas with the most and least favourable temperature conditions for carp growth, as well as those areas with the highest/lowest number of days with suitable temperatures for virus infection. These suitability maps showed the combined effect of direct and indirect effects of climate change projections under RCP 8.5 and RCP 4.5 scenarios. The approach applied herein will be of use worldwide for analysing the risks of temperature increase to land‐based aquaculture, and the results presented are important for carp farmers in Poland and elsewhere, industry in general, and government stakeholders, to understand the direct and indirect effects of climate change on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the quality of care, patients' needs and expectations must be understood, and this can be achieved through learning their attitudes and expectations connected with using health services. The main aim of this study was to describe and analyse Białystok residents' expectations of family nurses. This cohort study was carried out in association with the ongoing project "Bialystok PLUS" in Poland. The respondents (n = 412) were administered a multiple‐choice questionnaire concerning family nurses and the responses were analysed in association with the respondents' socio‐demographic data and health self‐evaluation results. Data were collected between September 2017 and September 2019. Our research found that the respondents' socioeconomic status was associated with their expectations concerning the use of prevention services offered by family nurses. A statistically significant association was found between marital status and knowledge of their family nurses. The demand for medical counselling from family nurses (concerning diet, coping with stress, physical activity) was significantly negatively correlated with age, with younger persons expecting that service more often than older persons. A significant association was also observed between respondents' age group and their opinions concerning the need for home visits by family nurses. The respondents who expected home visits by family nurses declared lower self‐evaluated health compared to the other respondents. Findings suggest that services by family nurses should include an assessment of each patient's situation, including their health self‐evaluation and socioeconomic status. The fact that younger persons expect family nurses to provide counselling on health matters obliges nurses to learn how to provide health information tailored to patient needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the costs and cost‐effectiveness of the Meeting Centre Support Programme (MCSP) implemented and piloted in the UK, Poland and Italy, replicating the Dutch Meeting Centre model. Dutch Meeting Centres combine day services for people with dementia with carer support. Data were collected over 2015–2016 from MCSP and usual care (UC) participants (people with dementia‐carer dyads) at baseline and 6 months. We examined participants' health and social care (HSC), and societal costs, including Meeting Centre (MC) attendances. Costs and outcomes in MCSP and UC groups were compared. Primary outcomes: Persons with dementia: quality‐adjusted life years (EQ‐5D‐5L‐derived); QOL‐AD. DQoL was examined as a secondary outcome. Carers: Short Sense of Competence Questionnaire (SSCQ). Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER) and cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves were obtained by bootstrapping outcome and cost regression estimates. Eighty‐three MCSP and 69 UC dyads were analysed. The 6‐month cost of providing MCSP was €4,703; participants with dementia attended MC a mean of 45 times and carers 15 times. Including intervention costs, adjusted 6‐month HSC costs were €5,941higher in MCSP than in UC. From the HSC perspective: in terms of QALY, the probability of cost‐effectiveness was zero over willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) ranging from €0 to €350,000. On QOL‐AD, the probability of cost‐effectiveness of MCSP was 50% at WTP of €5,000 for a one‐point increase. A one‐point gain in the DQoL positive affect subscale had a probability of cost‐effectiveness of 99% at WTP over €8,000. On SSCQ, no significant difference was found between MCSP and UC. Evidence for cost‐effectiveness of MCSP was mixed but suggests that it may be cost‐effective in relation to gains in dementia‐specific quality of life measures. MCs offer effective tailored post‐diagnostic support services to both people with dementia and carers in a context where few evidence‐based alternatives to formal home‐based social services may be available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical practice has evolved significantly from the provision of drugs to a more patient‐centred model. However, the ownership structure of pharmacies may impact the level of cognitive services provided by them. The discrepancy may be observed between pharmacists' opinions on how involved they should get and their actual involvement in health promotion and disease prevention. Given the growing market share of pharmacy chains in Europe, this study aimed to investigate the attitudes of pharmacists employed in them towards their role as health educators. It applies Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour to examine pharmacists' perspectives with the use of semi‐structured in‐depth interviews. A total of 10 semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted in May 2017 among Polish pharmacists employed in chains. Obtained results showed that respondents welcomed the possibility of providing health education, but simultaneously they seek physicians' and patients' acceptance for undertaking this task. Competency gaps and unfavourable working conditions may also decrease pharmacists' intention to serve as health educators. Including the role of a health educator to the scope of the pharmacists' practice requires a precise definition of their competencies and responsibilities together with additional training aimed to fill potential gaps in their qualifications. The pharmacists' image as a health educator should also be widely communicated to patients and other healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]