The role and preparedness of physiotherapists according to the results of students of two universities in the prevention of chronic diseases using stress urinary incontinence in women as an example

Background: The health and financial burden imposed by chronic non-communicable diseases is expected to increase in parallel with the rapid rate of global population aging. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is an important health problem. Medical professionals should thus provide their patients with knowledge about the appropriate prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, including SUI. Aim of the study: This study compared the level of knowledge concerning the risk factors, prevention, and treatment of SUI in women between physiotherapy graduates at two different Universities with a focus on medicine (Med) and physical education (PE). Material and Methods: This study included final-year physiotherapy students (n=401). Respondents provided answers to open-ended questions used to measure their knowledge about SUI in women. Results: The complete and correct definition of SUI was provided by 64.4% of the students at University Med, and 56.3% of the students at University PE. Students at University Med, in comparison with the students at University PE, had a significantly higher awareness of the risk factors (86.4% vs. 69.4%), prevention methods (85.6% vs. 68.7%), and conservative (92.4% vs. 77.8%) as well as surgical treatment (28.0% vs 6.7%) of SUI in women (p<0.001). Conclusions: There is a need for greater emphasis on education about SUI in order to better prepare physiotherapy graduate students to provide optimal care to their female patients. The disciplinary focus of Universities that provide graduate programs in physiotherapy plays a significant role in gaining knowledge about SUI.

Assessment of nursing and midwifery students’ knowledge of treatment of diabetic foot syndrome using Lucilia servicata larvae

Background. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases, and in recent years its prevalence has been systematically increasing. Untreated or ineffectively treated diabetes leads to the development of many complications. Among these that can significantly affect the quality of life is diabetic foot syndrome (DFS). Larvotherapy is a therapeutic method of treating wounds arising during the course of DFS. Aim of the study. The main objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of nursing and midwifery students on the treatment of DFS using Lucilia sericata larvae. Material and Methods. This study is a cross-sectional, observational study in which 202 nursing and midwifery students of Opole University were surveyed. The study was conducted online between June and November 2020, using a questionnaire developed by the authors. Results. The analysis showed considerable variation in the level of students' knowledge of treatment techniques for DFS. Those with the highest level of knowledge represented 39.15% (n=79), the average level of knowledge was represented by 28.2% (n=57), and the lowest level of knowledge was represented by 32.7% (n=66) of students. Regarding biosurgery in general, the highest level of knowledge about biosurgery was represented by 48.0% (n=97) of students. Nursing students had a higher level of knowledge than midwifery students regarding DFS treatment methods (p=0.001). There was no difference in the level of knowledge about biosurgery between nursing and midwifery students (p=0.503). Conclusions. The research presented in this study indicates that nursing and midwifery students have insufficient knowledge of DFS treatment methods and biosurgery. Nursing students are more likely than midwifery students to derive knowledge of DFS treatment methods from their studies and the literature. Education on treatment methods and techniques for DFS should be increased among students. Students' knowledge can be increased by classes in the course of their education and meetings with professionals.

Assessment of nutrition knowledge during lactation among postpartum women

Background: Breastfeeding is the most appropriate form of nutrition for newborns and infants. During lactation, milk production is an important function of a new mother’s body. The lack of a healthy, balanced diet carries a high risk of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies in postpartum women. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to explore the nutrition knowledge of postpartum mothers during lactation, based on current guidelines. Material and methods: The study involved 103 postpartum mothers who stayed in the maternity and neonatal ward in a secondary care hospital from April 2019 to January 2020. The diagnostic survey method was used as the research tool, which included an original questionnaire. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. Results were analyzed using Microsoft Excel descriptive statistics. The analysis of Spearman’s R correlation between the variables was performed in the Statistica 13.1 program. Statistical significance was taken at p < 0.05. Results: The average score among respondents was 4.82/10 points. Most study participants (77%, n = 79) considered breastfeeding women to have greater energy and nutritional requirements. More than half of the study participants (59%, n = 61) declared that some food products should be eliminated from the diet, namely strawberries, citrus fruit and chocolate. Conclusions: Women’s knowledge about nutrition during lactation is insufficient. There is a need to intensify education in this area by medical professionals including midwives.

The effects ofcombined diamond microdermabrasion and a mixture of cosmetic acids on the condition of acne prone skin: a case report

Background: Exfoliating treatments are widely used in cosmetology and dermatology forthe treatment of skin lesions and, above all, toreduce the number of skin eruptions that occur with acne vulgaris. An effective treatment that can be offered to people suffering from this disease is diamond microdermabrasion. The addition of acid peeling to this treatment may lead to even better results than in the case of monotherapy. Aim of the study: To assess the effectiveness of a combination of microdermabrasion and acid peeling on a 21-year-old woman suffering from acne vulgaris. Case report: The patient suffered from acne vulgaris, too high a level of sebum on the entire surface of the face, and, over the course of the disease, developed open and closed blackheads and inflammatory pustules. The sebum level was measured with a DermaUnitSCC3 device and the number of skin eruptions was determined using the global acne severity scale (GAGS). Conclusion: The series of cosmetological treatments led to a reduction in the sebum on the surface of the epidermis and the number of skin eruptions.

Identification of Escherichia coli strains in the vaginal cultures of healthy women and their patterns of antibiotic resistance.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginitis in women of childbearing age, and it predominantly affects young sexually active women. Escherichia coli is one of the most common bacteria found in the genital tract of non-pregnant (9–28%) and pregnant women (24–31%). E. coli strains can colonize the vaginal and endocervical regions in pregnant women, and may lead to the development of urinary tract, intra-amniotic or puerperal infections. Aim of the study: Isolation and identification of the antibiotic resistance patterns of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and non-producing E. coli in the vaginal cultures of healthy women. Material and methods: Vaginal samples were taken from 55 healthy women. For the bacterial identification and resistance patterns, automated equipment from Beckman Coulter was used. Phenotypic techniques were used to confirm the presence or absence of ESBL. Results: Fifty-five cultures developed E. coli, with the rest of the strains corresponding to different bacteria. Of the 55 E. coli cultures, 35 (63.63%) were ESBL-producing and 20 (36.36%) did not produce ESBL. There was an 80% resistance to penicillin, and a 76.4% and 65.5% resistance to the first and fourth generation cephalosporins, respectively. A 45.5% resistance was observed for the fluoroquinolones, 52.7% for trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, and 100% sensitivity to carbapenemics and amikacin. Conclusions: A large presence of vaginal ESBL-producing E. coli was observed in healthy women, which increases the risk of therapeutic failure due to high levels of antibiotic resistance.

Paramedics’ knowledge of medical guidelines and procedures for protection against coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study

Background: Paramedics are the frontline workers of the healthcare profession. Thus, they need to be equipped with the relevant knowledge, skills, and protective gear against different forms of infection, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aim of the study: To determine the level of paramedics’ knowledge about implementing medical guidelines and procedures to avoid coronavirus infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: This study involved 101 paramedics employed in Emergency Medical Services in Legnica between November 2020 and January 2021. A diagnostic survey method and opinion polling technique were applied. A survey developed by the study authors was used. Results: Overall, 38 (37.62%) paramedics had sufficient knowledge of medical guidelines and procedures preventing coronavirus infection, 28 (27.72%) had good knowledge, 23 (22.77%) had very good knowledge, and 12 (11.88%) had insufficient knowledge of the topic. Variables such as education (p=0.305), participation in any course on COVID-19 (p=0.650), frequency of emergency services for patients suspected to have COVID-19 infection or with confirmed COVID-19 infection (p=0.116), and job seniority (p=0.984) did not have a significant influence on interviewees’ knowledge of this topic. Conclusions: There is a need for organizing courses, workshops, or training events for paramedics concerning the code of conduct and good practice while working with patients who suffer from highly infectious diseases in order to improve safety in the work environment. It is particularly important as paramedics themselves opted to organize such courses. It is recommended that before organizing the course, one should obtain information from potential participants about the preferred format of the course.

Assessment of virtual healthcare: predictors of access and utilization before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Societal needs highlighted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in rapid telehealth development and implementation. The broadening of guidelines for practice by regulatory bodies have allowed providers to employ video-capable devices in the virtual delivery of services to physical- and mentalhealth clients located across a broad range of settings. Aim of the study: This study examined use of synchronous, video-based, virtual healthcare before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included a comparison of: access for physical and mental health needs; differential assessment of service provision by professionals; consumer satisfaction; and, anticipated future use of virtual healthcare. Material and Methods: An online survey link was sent to three participant groups: college-aged students, adults, and retirement-aged persons. A total of 685 participants, varying in age, gender, ethnicity, and experience using tele-healthcare provided usable data for this study. Results: Half of participants (49.2%; n=337) used virtual healthcare; more people used it during the pandemic (87.2%; n=294) than before (26.4%; n=89). Physical services (86.8%; n=291; primarily physicians) were more common than mental health services (25.6%; n=86; primarily counselors). Access was most common through laptop computers (60.7%; n=204). Participants were satisfied with virtual healthcare experiences (Mdn=5). Almost all participants (94.2%; n=645) believed that virtual healthcare would continue after the pandemic, but only two-thirds (61.3%; n=420) reported they would use virtual healthcare if available in the future. Both previous experience with (p<0.001) and satisfaction with (p<0.001) virtual healthcare positively predicted anticipated future use. Conclusions: Tele-healthcare has experienced significant growth in the COVID-19 era. Emergency policy changes have resulted in services being developed and offered in the medical and mental health realms in conjunction with ongoing empirical evaluations of what does and does not work.

Nurses’ strategies for dealing with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: In view of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, it is important to study the activities undertaken by nurses to cope with stress. Aim of the study: The study’s main objective was to analyze strategies of coping with stress among nurses working in public and non-public medical institutions in Opolskie and Lubelskie provinces, Poland, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: The study group included a total of 155 nurses. The Mini-COPE questionnaire and the author’s original questionnaire were used in the study. Results: With increasing age, nurses coped with stress by using their sense of humor less often, seeking instrumental support, discharge of emotions, using psychoactive substances, and blaming themselves. Respondents with a master’s degree were more likely to cope with stress by positive reevaluation, turning to religion, and seeking emotional and instrumental support. Examining the effect of job tenure on the level of coping strategies revealed significant variation for active coping (p=0.0355), sense of humor (p=0.0024), seeking emotional support (p=0.0209), seeking instrumental support (p=0.0062), preoccupation with something else (p=0.0383), discharge (p=0.0075), psychoactive substance use (p=0.0097), and blaming oneself (p=0.0155). There was no significant variation in the effect of place of employment on stress coping strategies. Conclusions: During the pandemic, respondents managed stress mainly through active coping, planning, acceptance, positive reevaluation, and seeking instrumental support. As nurses age, they are more likely to use the strategy of turning to religion. Due to the growing problem of stress, it is necessary to identify and share information about ways to effectively cope with stress.

Obesity and low levels of physical activity are associated with a decreased health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women: a Wroclaw pilot study

Background: Menopause is associated with numerous somatic dysfunctions, an increased risk of chronic diseases, and complications in the mental and social components of health that lower the quality of life (QoL). Obesity and related comorbidities affect over 60% of postmenopausal women in Poland. A significant role for systematic physical activity (PA) in the prevention of dysfunctions and chronic diseases, including obesity and mental disorders, has been observed previously. A low level of PA is observed across the Polish population, especially in postmenopausal women. Aim of the study: To examine QoL in postmenopausal women participating in a community health promotion program as it relates to obesity and levels of PA. Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 76 postmenopausal women (aged 65.75±5.14 years) participating in the Active Wrocław 55+ program. Before starting the program, anthropometric measurements were taken, and QoL and PA were assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), respectively. Results: Most women had a PA level above 600 MET -min/week (78.95%), and were overweight or obese (86.84%). A waist circumference over 80 cm, indicating an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, was observed in 85.89% of the participants. BMI and waist circumference negatively correlated with the level of PA (p=0.001 and p=0.017, respectively). Women exhibiting low levels of PA and higher BMIs showed a significantly lower QoL compared to those with higher PA and lower BMIs, particularly with regard to the physical domains of QoL. Conclusions: Obesity and a low level of PA are associated with a significant decline in the health-related QoL (especially in the PF and PCS domains) of postmenopausal women an urban setting.

A medical doctor as a legal expert during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: In Poland, the total number of SARS-CoV-2 infections since March 4, 2020 is 2,880,596, with 2,652,372 recoveries and 75,135 deaths. It may be assumed that such an unexpected event, apart from the health-related and economic consequences, will in the near future result in a wave of demands from those who have suffered as a result of COVID-19. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to assess the current legal status in the context of opinions issued by medical doctors with regard to COVID-19, with a particular emphasis on responsibility towards the employee and the employer. Material and methods: A review was conducted using the database of legal acts (SIP LEX; accessed on 01.06.2021) based on the following words: labor code, civil procedures code, decisions of the Supreme Court, claims, employee health, health protection, COVID-19, and labor law. Results and conclusions: By searching the SIP LEX database and comparing the results with the legal standards of international law, the role and importance of the doctor as an expert on COVID-19 was established. The presented findings are based on judgments of the Supreme Court, the regulations of the Minister of Justice, announcements of the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, and the provisions of the Act on the Profession. It is certain that doctors will face another important task connected with COVID-19. It must be assumed that, in the near future, they will be forced to issue opinions on numerous and complicated cases regarding employer responsibility for damages incurred by employees due to COVID-19. Medical experts will use knowledge and experience acquired during the struggle with the disease to evaluate whether it was highly probable that an employee illness was the result of an infection with the pathogen in the workplace, and then, furthermore, to specify the after-effects of this illness.