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Over the past 30 years, the incidence of cancer in Poland has more than doubled. Advances in technology, early diagnosis and improved treatment make more and more malignancies curable. An increase in the survival of cancer patients has also been observed. An increased rate of survival leads to the development of subsequent malignancies. Their cause is yet unclear however, chemotherapy as well as genetic and environmental factors may be involved in the process. The key prognostic factors for patients who were once diagnosed with cancer are: type of cancer, its stage and available treatment options. The aim of this work is to introduce the issue of multiple primary malignancies, with particular emphasis on their epidemiology. From the perspective of the whole population, the occurrence of multiple malignancies is quite rare. Triple or quadruple malignancies are even less common. Multiple malignancies may develop at any age, although, as it is shown in this paper, the type of cancer, its stage and location vary depending on the age at which the first and later subsequent cancers have presented. The most frequently found subsequent cancers are: colon cancer, lung cancer, cancers of the genital system and breast cancer. Based on statistical analysis and current literature, we discuss the risk of developing a second malignancy depending on the type of cancer that was diagnosed first. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The issue of physical activity of pregnant women, including determining proper recommendations, has been a broadly discussed topic in international circles. Objectives. The aim of this paper is to present the suitability of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) for measuring the physical activity of pregnant women in Poland. Material and methods. The study included 162 questionnaires, which were filled in correctly by pregnant women (third trimester) who took part in childbirth classes organized by a childbirth school. As a research method, the PPAQ was chosen. The PPAQ allows pregnant women to self-assess their physical activity in the current trimester. The questions investigated time devoted to various types of activity related to household/caregiving, transportation, sports/exercise in their free time, occupational activity and inactivity. Based on the average weekly energy expenditure, each of these activities is classified by intensity: sedentary activity, light-intensity activity, moderate-intensity activity, vigorous-intensity activity. Results. While using the PPAQ in Poland, it is recommended to reduce the number of questions from 36 to 35, by removing question 18 (time of mowing lawn while on a riding mower). It is also advisable to convert American units of measurement into metric units, which are used in Poland. Conclusions. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire in Poland may fill the gap in studies devoted to the physical activity of pregnant Polish women. With this questionnaire, it is possible to determine energy expenditure in terms of intensity and type of physical activity. It also serves as a reliable tool that can be used for international comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. HPV is responsible for 95% of cases of cervical cancer. Vaccination is a proven method of prevention. Free vaccination for children aged 12–13 years was introduced in Poland lately. Knowledge among society and awareness among physicians seem essential for success. Objectives. The aim is to assess public knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccination and to identify the factors that encourage or discourage the vaccination. Material and methods. An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 348 primary care patients aged 13–54 (31.61% men; 68.39% women) in March–April 2023 in Poland. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica ver 13.3 (Statsoft, Poland). Results. 73% of the respondents were not vaccinated against HPV. Women know more about HPV infection as a risk factor of cervical cancer (62.6% women vs 45.45% men) and are more aware about the need for the vaccination than men (78.15% women vs 62.7% men). Knowledge about the HPV vaccine is greater among people with higher education and students of medical faculties (91.6%) than other people (63.6%). Citizens of big cities (58.2%) and holders of higher medical education (77%) are more likely to vaccinate their children in the future. The place of residence does not correlate with knowledge about the availability of the vaccine and its reimbursement. Conclusions. Insufficient knowledge among patients about HPV vaccination and HPV infection is the main reason for not vaccinating. Health promotion is crucial for the success of the HPV vaccination program in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Family Medicine & Primary Care Review is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. Insulin resistance is one of the major metabolic disorders. The composition of one’s diet has a crucial effect on the risk of developing this disorder and is a key component of treatment. Following a vegetarian diet seems to be promising for health benefits. Objectives. The aim of the study is to assess the eating habits of women suffering from insulin resistance following vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. Material and methods. The survey was conducted among 248 women between the age of 18 to 64 in Poland from January to March 2022. The research tool was a website survey questionnaire. The analysis was performed using the Statistica 10 program. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-square test. Results were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. Results. Women on a vegetarian diet had the correct body weight more often (47.4%) compared to those following a traditional diet (40.5%) or not following any diet (38.5%). 69.3% of vegetarians assessed their nutritional knowledge as better than good. Women on a plant-based diet included legumes in their diet and consumed vegetables much more often than others. Attitudes towards plantbased meat substitutes and plant-based dairy substitutes were significantly more positive among vegetarians than others. Conclusions. Women with insulin resistance on a vegetarian diet often have better nutritional choices compared to women on a traditional diet or those not following any diet. These promising findings may be helpful in preventing and treating this disorder. However, the amount of research and results is insufficient and requires further analyses on a larger group of subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The problem of the ageing population has resulted in attitudes towards aging in different age groups becoming a subject of increased academic interest. Objectives. To provide comparative characteristics of the prevalence of manifestations of gerontological ageism among university students in five European countries. Material and methods. The sample consisted of university students (n = 2493) aged 18–25 from Belarus (n = 827), Russia (n = 528), Poland (n = 798), Lithuania (n = 223) and Ukraine (n = 117). The prevalence of gerontological ageism among respondents was evaluated according to the Fraboni Ageism Scale. Results. The prevalence and manifestations of gerontological ageism vary depending on the country. The maximum total indicator, displaying the highest overall level of ageism, was noted among Belarusian students, the minimum – in Lithuania (p < 0.05). The final indicators of gerontological ageism were found to be the following: the level of age discrimination and negative emotional attitude towards the elderly was increased in one fifth of the respondents in all five groups. The observation found the level of ageism averaging at 60%, evenly distributed in all groups. The predominant attitudes towards older people were found to be neutral or positive (84.6%). Conclusions. The manifestations of ageism are international in nature and can explain 20% of the total variety of answers characterising the differences in ranked attributes and degree of ageism. The total indicator showed the highest degree of gerontological ageism among students in Belarus, the lowest – among those in Lithuania, with levels of gerontological ageism among students in Russia, Poland and Ukraine distributed in between. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Based on available literature and the practices of primary care physicians, it has been observed that young adults have increasing levels of stress and mental health disorders, which worsens their quality of life. Medical students are a special group due to their stressful studies. Objectives. An assessment of the well-being of students at selected medical universities in Poland. Determining the role of a family physician in this respect. Increasing awareness of mental health among both students as well as family physicians. Material and methods. Students of medical faculties (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, emergency medicine) at selected universities in Poland. Form of the survey – an anonymous online questionnaire. The data collected was statistically analysed using STATISTICA v. 13 (StatSoft Inc, USA). Results. 20% of the respondents described their mental condition as good. Anxiety disorders were reported by 52%, sleep disorders by 75%, eating disorders by 46%, and 15% of the participants have been diagnosed with depression. 86% of the students consumed alcohol, and 73% did not use medical help. Conclusions. Students at selected Polish medical universities report high levels of stress. Many of them have developed anxiety disorders, sleep disorders and depression during the course of their studies. Measures should be taken to raise awareness of the prevalence of mental disorders among students by both students and family physicians. Family physicians should pay particular attention to the mental health of medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Despite a long period of observing the consequences of annual time changes, the opinion about their impact on health is not univocal. The correctness of the decision made in March 2019 by the European Parliament concerning abolishing daylight saving time, taking into account scientific literature, remains indecisive. Objectives. The aim of the study is to determine the impact and subjective opinion of daylight saving time (DST) on the population of people between 18 and 32 years of age in Poland. Material and methods. The survey was conducted among students of Polish universities. 696 people took part in the survey. In order to compare qualitative variables, the Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used, and quantitative variables were compared with the student’s t-test for two groups or by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for more than two groups. As a Post Hoc test, Turkey’s test for unequal n was applied. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. The analysis was performed using Statistica software. Results. Females made up 85.1% of the study. As a result of experiencing negative symptoms, 2.9% needed medical help and 10.5% took medicines. Most of the respondents are convinced about the negative impact of DST on their health. People who expressed a negative opinion about time changes have significantly more complications. Conclusions. Even a short-term disturbance of chronobiological rhythm homeostasis can have dangerous consequences, such as traffic accidents, cardiovascular system disorders or sleeping disorders. Even if only a small percentage of the society is negatively affected, the abolition of daylight saving time may be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Eating disorders (EDs) seem to be a serious health problem in contemporary Polish society. Family Physicians (FPs) have a vital and pivotal role to play in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of EDs. Objectives. To determine the prevalence of EDs among students in Lodz – one of the biggest university centers in Poland; the main causes and triggers of EDs and the role of an FP. Material and methods. A voluntary anonymous questionnaire concerning ED prevalence, attitude to ED treatment and potential risk factors, including family relations, was distributed on facebook.com via private groups dedicated only to students from leading universities in Lodz (Poland). 651 answers from students 18–46 year of age were collected. The data was analyzed mainly using the chi-square test with Yates correction. Results. The research revealed: overall ED prevalence 7.4%; EDs in females 9.5% and 2.5% in males (p = 0.003). ED students more often indicated an unhealthy parent-child relationship as a risk factor (p < 0.001). 49% of students thought that an FP could help with EDs. Conclusions. Family dysfunction, peer opinions and the influence of social media are major factors and triggers leading to EDs. FPs could play an important role, as they are well situated among other health professionals, are highly approachable by the local population and may have a unique insight into a patient’s condition. Further education and training of FPs and the revision of appropriate guidelines for the management of patients with EDs are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Efficient functioning at work depends on social/emotional competence, understood as a set of complex skills that determine the effectiveness of behaviors in various professional and social situations. Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the social competence of physicians, nurses, and paramedics with regard to sociodemographic contributors and social training. Material and methods. The study involved 303 medical workers, including 90 physicians (29.7%), 112 nurses (36.96%), and 101 paramedics (33.3%). The Social Competence Questionnaire (SC Q) and a questionnaire developed by the researchers were completed. The diagnostic questions included three types of situations: intimate situations (I), situations involving social exposure (SE ), and situations demanding assertiveness (A). Results. The majority of healthcare workers had average general social competence, over one-fifth had high competence, and one- -sixth had low competence. Low competence in social exposure situations (SE ) was observed in nearly one-fourth of the participants. One in six respondents had low competence in situations demanding close interpersonal contact (I) and assertiveness (A). Medical workers aged 45 years and up had lower general competence as well as lower I and SE competence. Social training associated with scientific and social activity develops SE competence in physicians and A competence in paramedics. Conclusions. The low and average scores for social competence achieved by physicians, nurses, and paramedics demonstrate the need for more social training, especially involving professionals in scientific activity and the education of medical staff and various social groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Health is commonly regarded to be a social and individual value. It is perceived from the angle of multiple factors that determine health status. Objectives. Evaluation of the relationship between the value of health and the health behaviors declared by primary healthcare patients over 65 years of age. Material and methods. The study encompassed 505 patients of primary healthcare who were over 65 years of age. Those surveyed were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and Health Criteria List (HCL ) by Z. Juczyński. Results. The findings of the study demonstrate that in the evaluation of the health behaviors of the surveyed patients above 65 years of age, the average value of the HBI was 76.49 points. Having analyzed the separate categories of health behaviors, it has been reported that preventive behaviors and health practices were rated highest. These seniors paid the greatest attention to health in terms of property and condition. Health in terms of being a goal is treated as least important. Patients with a higher general level of health behaviors less frequently perceive health in the category of an outcome (p = 0.001). Conclusions. Seniors attach great significance to health understood as property or condition, which may explain their reluctant approach to this issue. The perception of health as an expected outcome is associated with a lower general rate of health behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Ultrasonography is an inexpensive, safe, noninvasive tool for obtaining diagnoses without performing further imaging tests, and for the timely referral of patients to further diagnosis or specialist care. Objectives. To determine which ultrasound tests are most often performed by family physicians, and what factors contribute to their use of ultrasound imaging. Material and methods. This survey-based study using the authors' questionnaire was conducted in March 2016 among 81 primary care physicians who had completed weekend courses on ultrasound abdominal cavity imaging. Results. Family physicians most often took ultrasounds of the abdominal cavity (35/50; 70%) and thyroid gland (35/50, 12%). The odds of an ultrasound being performed at primary care centers with at least two physicians with the necessary skills were about 29.29 times higher than at centers with less than two skilled physicians (OR 29.29, 95% CI 3.77, 1347.92). Family physicians (46/81; 56.79%) referred 274 patients for further specialist diagnosis. The diagnosis of neoplastic disease was confirmed in 168 cases (168/274; 61.31%). The anomalies that were most often detected by family physicians using ultrasound imaging included: cholelithiasis (24/50; 48%), renal cysts (16/50; 32%), nephrolithiasis (5/50; 10%), aortic aneurysms (2/50; 4%). Conclusions. Family physicians' ability to perform ultrasound scans increases the probability of other doctors acquiring this skill. Weekend courses for family physicians significantly shorten patients' waiting time for such examinations. A network of professional and upto- date workshops improving the practical skills of family physicians in ultrasound diagnostics, as well as peer review groups focused on ultrasound diagnostics performed by family physicians, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Implementation of the “Blue Cards” procedure has resulted in an increase in reported acts of violence, including those concerning the elderly, not because violence has become more widespread, but because the principles of the fight against domestic violence have been established and competencies of the relevant services have been distributed. Objectives. The aim of the study is to review the “Blue Cards” questionnaires of people over the age of 60 involved in domestic violence. Material and methods. The study involved 1,299 “Blue Cards” questionnaires, which were obtained in the years 2012-2013 by the Interdisciplinary Team dealing with domestic violence prevention in Szczecin. From this sample, 312 forms obtained from individuals above the age of 60 were analyzed. Results. Elderly people are involved in violence in three ways: as individuals experiencing violence, as those who use violence or as individuals who witnesses violence. Without a doubt, the majority of people who are affected by violence are women who are harmed by their husbands. Domestic violence amongst elderly people is usually disclosed after 1-3 years of its duration; however, it occasionally happens after more than 7 years. The dominant emotion in victims of domestic violence is fear, and in perpetrators - aggression. Conclusions. There are still many cases of domestic violence amongst people over 60 years of age that remain undisclosed, hence co-operation amongst services is extremely important, as well as continuously raising the competence of police officers, education, social assistance and health care specialists. The aim is to counteract violence amongst the elderly and to restore balance to their daily functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The number and qualifications of medical professionals are a significant element of quality of health care and may be used in its evaluation. Objectives. The aim of the present work was to determine factors contributing to job satisfaction among master's-prepared nurses in Central and East Poland. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study included 272 masters of nursing graduates employed at hospitals in Central and East Poland. The data were collected in 2013 using the Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale. Results. Masters prepared nurses reported high levels of satisfaction concerning interactions with immediate superiors, interactions with other nurses, peer recognition, and social contacts with colleagues both during and after work. They reported a sense of accomplishment and feeling appreciated for their work. Nurses with a specialized role and a managerial position reported greater satisfaction. Low satisfaction ratings were attributed to limited opportunities for professional development, such as support for continuing education and involvement in nurse–patient research. Lowest satisfaction ratings were attributed to: retirement benefits; compensation for services performed outside of normal duties; monetary bonuses; and reward distribution. Conclusions. Work-related interpersonal relationships and professional accomplishment contributed most to job satisfaction among advanced degree nurses. Compensation and limited professional development opportunities were primary sources of dissatisfaction. Nurses' high dissatisfaction was associated with career longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Currently, significant changes have occurred in the character of sound exposure, along with the properties of the group affected by it. Thus, primary care physicians have to keep in mind that a sizable group of young adults comprises groups in which the prevalence of hearing loss is increasing. Objectives. The goal of the following study was to determine the auditory ability of the students attending the Medical University in Bialystok and to analyze their risky and protective behaviors relating to music consumption. Material and methods. In total, 230 students (age: 18-26 years) completed a questionnaire about general personal information and their music-listening habits. Thereafter, pure tone audiometry at standard frequencies (0.25 kHz-8 kHz) was performed. Results. Hearing loss was more frequent in subjects who listened to music at higher volumes (‘very loud' - 22.2%, ‘loud' - 3.9%, ‘not very loud' - 2.1%, ‘quiet' - 9.1%, p = 0.046). Hearing loss was more prevalent among those students who were living in a city with more than 50,000 inhabitants before starting higher education compared to the remaining subjects (7.95% vs. 0.97%, p = 0.025). Conclusions. The study demonstrated that surprisingly few medical students suffer from hearing loss or a noise induced threshold shift. There is no correlation between risky behavior such as a lengthy daily duration of listening to music or the type of headphone used and hearing loss. Hearing screening tests connected with education are indicated in the group of young adults due to the accumulative character of hearing damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Arterial hypertension is an essential, often underestimated medical problem among school youth. Maintaining a low blood pressure (BP) in children should be an important point of pediatric preventive healthcare. Objectives. In our study, we considered the influence of physiotherapy on the blood pressure level in a group of 233 children aged from 8 to 15 years taking part in a rehabilitation camp for children in the Szklarska Poreba mountain resort (95 children in 2014 and 138 children in 2015). Material and methods. The children selected for the study suffered from asthma or recurrent respiratory infections. Measurements were made before and after physiotherapy. During the camp, the children were examined two times in 2014 and three times in 2015. The database created contained 1,208 scores of systolic and diastolic BP. The control group consisted of 50 children whose BP was measured in the same hours, but during the weekend, which was free of physiotherapy. Moreover, the values of heart rate (HR ) during the first measurement were recorded, both in 2014 and 2015. Results. Systolic BP after physiotherapy was significantly lower than before. This result was achieved in every five measuring sessions. In the control group, BP measured in the afternoon was higher than in the morning. The values of HR were not significantly different. The values of BP before and after physiotherapy between children treated with inhaled glucocorticoids and treated without glucocorticoid were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Our studies showed that morning exercise can significantly reduce blood pressure in children throughout the day, even in those who were treated with inhaled glucocorticoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Old age is a particular time in which people experience plenty of changes - both progressive and regressive. Their social and economic position is changing, and human beings are confronted with a lot of difficult situations, such as the death of a spouse, illness, retirement - which particularly require them to apply a proper strategy of coping with stress. Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the demographic factors and strategies of coping with stress used by elderly people. Material and methods. The study was carried out on a group of 296 residents of Szczecin who are over 60 years old. It was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey with the use of the Inventory to Measure Coping Strategies with Stress - Mini-COPE, as well as an original questionnaire form. The statistical analysis was conducted by means of SPSS Statistics 21.0 (p ≤ 0.05). Results. The results have proven the existence of a relationship between the strategies of coping with stress used by individuals over 60 and factors such as gender, level of education, economic status and financial situation. Conclusions. When coping with stress, men and women apply different strategies. In case of individuals over 60, the higher level of education and financial status they declare, the more eager they are to use active strategies of coping with stress. Seniors with a lower level of education and lower economic status have more trouble adapting to difficult situations. They have problems with taking the initiative and actively dealing with stressful events. They also more often use psychoactive substances as part of their coping mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Family Medicine & Primary Care Review is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Family Medicine & Primary Care Review is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Family Medicine & Primary Care Review is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Family Medicine & Primary Care Review is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Family Medicine & Primary Care Review is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Family Medicine & Primary Care Review is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. A child's illness is a major stress-inducing factor for parents. It alters interpersonal relationships in and outside the family unit and weakens the sense of safety. In stressful situations, everyone adopts certain behaviors that are defined as a stress-coping style. Objectives. The aim of the study was to analyze factors which contribute to the choice of a stress-coping style by parents of hospitalized children. Material and methods. This survey-based study was conducted among 292 parents of children hospitalized in the General and Neurological Pediatric Ward of the Voivodeship Independent Public Hospital in Gorzow Wielkopolski. The research instruments were: the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CI SS) - a standard questionnaire for measuring one’s ability to cope with difficult situations, developed by N. S. Endler & J. D. A. Parker, and a questionnaire of the authors' own design. Results. The parents of hospitalized children employed all types of stress-coping strategies, but task-oriented coping was the most common (41.10%). Education was the only sociodemographic factor that had a statistically significant influence on the parents' choices of stress-coping styles (p < 0.01). Conclusions. 1. Most frequently, parents of ill and hospitalized children adopt a task-oriented coping style. 2. Parents' education significantly contributes to their choice of a stress-coping style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]