Search

Introduction: European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) commenced in 2004 a global health project named "NutritionDay" aiming to promote awareness of proper nutritional status of hospitalized patients and to draw attention to the need for early detection of malnutrition among patients. Under the Polish law--pursunat to the regulation of the Minister of Health dated September 15, 2011 (amendment as of 27.12.2013)--a nutritional status of each patient should be assessed at the time of a hospital admission., The Aim: of this study was to analyze the fulfilment of the mandatory questionnaire assessment of nutritional status at selected wards of one of Warsaw's clinical hospitals., Material and Methods: The study included an analysis of medical records of patients hospitalized within 6 months (n = 26375). The correct fulfilment of screening questionnaire assessing nutritional status (NRS 2002 survey) and the information about patients' body weight as well as the results assessment of nutritional status were subject to the analysis., Results: NRS 2002 questionnaire was present in only 67,14% medical records of patients, however 49.24% of them were unfilled., Conclusions: The obtained results confirming low degree of NRS 2002 questionnaires' fulfilment in one of the Warsaw clinical hospitals draws attention to the need for education of hospital personnel in the field of significance of screening of nutritional assessment and its regulations. The "NutritionDay" project is an interesting form to attract attention of the aforementioned problem and its global extent additionally encourage medical units to participate in the project.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate of the health awareness of primigravidas during pregnancy preparation. The research tool was anonymous author's questionnaire consisting of 25 questions. The group tested was diverse in respect of age. The average age was 27. The women planned their pregnancy in appropriate age. They took care of their health before pregnancy, they followed a proper diet, were physically active and underwent diagnostic examination and tests.

In this paper the author analyses how far in Poland the idea of workplace health promotion (WHP) does exist in the area of public health understood in its broadest sense. The analysis encapsulates the following issues: (a) the national legislative policy, (b) strategies, programs and projects concerning health issues launched or coordinated by the state or local administration, (c) grassroots initiatives for health promotion supported by local and regional administration, (d) civic projects or business strategies for health. In addition, the author emphasizes the marginalization of workplace health promotion and lack of cohesive policy in this field as well as, the fact that health problems of the working population arising from current demographic, technological, economic and social changes that could be dealt with through developing and implementing WHP projects are not yet fully perceived by public health policy makers.

This paper presents the results of an attempt to assess the quality of voluntary activities aimed at improving the workers' health in Polish large and medium-sized enterprises in view of the health promotion requirements. Based on the data collected via a questionnaire mailed to enterprises selected at random in 1998 (147 enterprises), 2000 (755 enterprises) and 2001 (215 enterprises) the determinants of the health promotion quality are discussed. A long standing tradition to protect the workers' health was reported by 50% of enterprises as the major reason for undertaking health promotion activities. Only 25% of enterprises described their activities as health promotion understood as a tool for supporting their market strategy through well coordinated voluntary actions aimed at improving health and well-being of their employees, however, 85% of respondents reported the implementation of various health conducive programs. The most frequent failures of health-oriented activities to be of a required standard are: (a) regarding these activities as those of little importance compared with the enterprise priorities; (b) lack of a special section responsible for health promotion issues in an enterprise; (c) ignoring the employees' right to participate in planning and evaluating health promotion programs, which means that they are perceived as passive service recipients or passive performers of tasks assigned to them; (d) lack of cohesive approach towards health problems and strong belief that all the goals can be achieved through restrictions or education without any support; and (e) reluctance of enterprises to evaluate the organization, implementation and outcomes of health conductive activities. The major obstacle to health promotion is lack of money (reported by 60% of enterprises) and lack of statutory obligations (reported by more than 50% of enterprises). The former is usually reported by enterprises that are not active in this field, and the latter is an obstacle to enterprises that have invested in workplace promotion programs.

This article presents the views of occupational medicine (OM) physicians concerning the following: (a) whether OM physicians should be involved in workplace health promotion: (b) whether they can benefit (if so in what way) from involvement in this activity; (c) whether they find the existing conditions favorable for launching health promotion projects; (d) what are the major obstacles? This paper is based on a survey carried out in the fall of 2002 in a group of 325 OM specialists who attend large groups of patients. Over 90% of the respondents believe that OM physicians should be involved in health promotion, however, one third of them do not plan any action in this field in the following year. Among the key benefits from health promotion, health gain is indicated by 80% of OM physicians. Only a few respondents perceive their involvement in health promotion as an opportunity to be more competitive in health service market, thereby to increase their income. None of those interviewed thought that involvement in health promotion win them greater respect among peers. Almost 80% of the respondents complained about unfavorable conditions for carrying out workplace health promotion. As the most significant obstacles they reported the lack of interest in health promotion among employers (86% of respondents), unsatisfactory gratification (76%), limited skill to raise funds for health promotion (64%), limited opportunities to advance education in this field (59%), and the lack of interest in health promotion among employees (57%). In general, OM physicians express their willingness to advance their knowledge of health promotion, although 64% of respondents are convinced that they are well trained in this area. According to the respondents, a proper way to promote health is not only to become very active, but to commit employers to assure the development of health promotion at workplace and to allocate more funds for health promotion projects.