Relationship between the components of disability definition and the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures as a process.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The number of disabled persons is most often only estimated. The disabled require multidirectional, effective support in almost every field of functioning. There is no arbitrarily accepted definition of disability, and those currently available outline the ranges of support for which rehabilitation measures are necessary. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the review is to present the problem areas that contribute to the definition of disability and their interdependence and effectiveness in relation to rehabilitation interventions, as well as identification of the most frequent medical and social problems interdependent on the quality and feasibility of rehabilitation interventions. REVIEW METHODS: Scientific literature in Polish and English for 1993-2023 and legal acts concerning the definition of disability, definition of rehabilitation and the problem of employment were reviewed. The following key words were used to search the NIZP-PZH, MZ, JAHEE and ISAP databases: disabled persons, definitions of disability, rehabilitation as a process, synchronization of thematic groups of disability definitions with the rehabilitation process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Disability is a public health problem. The actual determination of the extent, medical and social needs of people with disabilities involves methods and measures for classifying people as disabled. The effects of treatment and rehabilitation are assessed by the level of functioning of the disabled in society. SUMMARY: The multiplicity of characteristics included in the definitions of disability account for all problems in health and social terms. In view of the social, environmental and cultural changes, the scope of needs of people with disabilities is also changing, which can be seen in newly-developed definitions, including rehabilitation.

Importance of most frequent needs of the disabled in shaping areas of support in public health. Part. III. Scopes of locomotor capabilities of the disabled from the aspect of demographic and social conditioning and problems hindering daily functioning.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Disability has an individualized character, both in terms of causes and effects, including limitation of locomotor skills. This is the problem to a great extent determining the level of daily functioning and the quality of life. The aim of the study was assessment of locomotor capabilities according to the demographic, social and health characteristics, and the frequency of problems of daily life according to the scope of locomotor capabilities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 676 disabled aged 19-98; mean age 64. The survey was carried out using a standardized Disability Questionnaire. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in categories of locomotor capabilities were observed according to age, education, material standard, housing conditions, legal disability status, and degrees of disability. Ten problems varying in intensity occurred according to the scope of independent moving around: material difficulties, difficulties in settling office matters, loneliness (P<0.0001), too infrequent contacts with the family, negative attitude of surroundings towards disability, material dependence on others, lack of care by relatives and friends, difficult access to environmental nurse, difficult access to services from social worker, necessity of caring for a disabled person. CONCLUSIONS: Locomotor capabilities of the disabled decrease over 64. Low level of education, material standard and poor housing conditions are associated with decreased capabilities for independent moving around without limitations. The types and number of problems with which the disabled struggle depends on the scope of their capabilities for independent moving around. In every dimension of functioning disability belongs to the scope of issues of public health.

Research priorities in the domain of disability - correlation between health and social characteristics. A Polish example.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In each society there functions a group of the disabled who need assistance. The number and character of dysfunctional consequences determine the types of support, characteristics of health, medical and social problems, where a part of them are interdependent. The interdependence of these needs determine the consistency of rehabilitation actions, which result in the improvement of quality of life of disabled persons in their living environment, especially among rural inhabitants. REVIEW METHODS: The scientific medical, and sociological literature, as well as binding legal Acts from 1978-2021 were reviewed. Materials from Polish and English databases were analysed. Key words related to disability, its definition, models of disability, disability discrimination, inequalities in medical and social care, health and social needs, maps of needs, satisfaction with medical and social care, and quality of life were used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Despite the fact that disability is a medical-social phenomenon, many reports concern only the treatment of the consequences of diseases, injuries, genetic/congenital or environmental defects. Disability is frequently identified with disease, which is inappropriate. Many researchers dealing with disability focus - quite rightly - on studies concerning social consequences, because they decide about the level of functioning of these persons in society and level of participation. SUMMARY: Disability is not only a medical and social problem. Treatment does not end the essence of disability. Only interdisciplinary studies can change the life of these persons regarding great possibilities for their participation.

Importance of most frequent needs of the disabled in shaping areas of support in public health. Part. II. Disability as a consequence of dysfunction in the state of health disrupting daily functioning based on selected health and socio-demographic characteristics - interdisciplinary problems in the domain of public health.

INTRODUCTION: The disabled are a group with heterogeneous structure of causes and needs. Assessment of these causes and needs requires prospective studies in order to use the results within public health actions, indispensable for pursuing the challenges of sustained development. The aim of the study was determination of the problems and needs of the disabled in various areas of their functioning, according to such characteristics as: gender, age, causes of disability, place of residence, level of education, formal status of disability, and socio-economic standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examined population were 676 disabled aged from 19-98, including 56.4% of females, and 43,6% of males; rural inhabitants constituted 38.0%. The study was conducted by the method of purposive sampling, using the following research tools: the Disability Questionnaire, and the Scientific-Research Protocol. Statistical analyses were performed by means of the statistical package IBM SPSS Statistics v. 27; the p values p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The most frequently occurring problems were material difficulties, lack of rehabilitation in the place of residence, hindered access to a physician, difficulties with settling official matters, loneliness, too infrequent contacts with the family, negative attitudes of the local community towards disability, and family disagreements. Some of these problems were significantly more frequent among rural inhabitants. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the problems hindering daily life of the disabled fell within social rather than medical categories. Age, level of education, degree of disability, legal status, and material standard were most frequent determinants of the occurrence of health and social problems according to the place of residence.

Importance of most frequent needs of the disabled in shaping areas of support in public health. Part 1. Analysis of selected demographic and social characteristics of the disabled with consideration of the causes of body dysfunction, legal disability status, and selected characteristics of the state of health.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The disabled are a group with a heterogeneous structure of causes and needs. The occurring physical, health, and social barriers constitute areas of public health. Assessment of these barriers requires systematic studies in order to use results supporting the tasks of public health, indispensable for pursuing the challenges of sustainable development. The aim of the study was to discuss the selected demographic, social, living and housing, as well as economic characteristics of the disabled rural and urban inhabitants, which are important for shaping the tasks of public health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 676 disabled aged 19 - 98 years, including 56.4% of females and 43.6% of males, 38.0% of whom lived in rural areas. The disabled were qualified into a study group by the method of targeted sampling. The research instruments were an author-constructed Disability Questionnaire, and the Research Protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using the software IBM SPSS Statistics v. 27. The p values p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The level of risk of the phenomenon of disability was similar among both males and females. Higher risk was observed among widows and widowers, females with a low level of education, the disabled in older age groups, as well as those living in rural areas, maintaining themselves on non-earned sources of income, and running a single person household. The main causes of disability were diseases. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The majority of the population in the study were disabled with a legal grade of disability. 2. The analyzed characteristics fell within two groups: demographic and social, and health characteristics with difficult to separate health and social problems. 3. The most important problems in the area of public health were specified. 4. It is necessary to conduct studies considering demographic and social variables in order to level-up health inequalities between the disabled and those able-bodied. Effective solving of barriers and risks embedded in the social, family, and occupational situation prevents secondary disability, and also provides an opportunity for sustainable development in this population group.

Anti-vaccine movements - a form of social activity for health care, ignorance or diversion aimed at destabilizing the health situation? Part 1. Epidemiological safety. Vaccinations - pros and cons.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccinations are a way accepted by science of preventing infectious diseases. Because of their epidemiological significance, vaccinations are considered compulsory in many countries and their evasion is penalized. Anti-vaccine movements may pose a threat to the epidemiological situation in many countries. The study presents the arguments formulated by opponents of vaccination and provides counter-arguments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is based on the analysis of data stored in scientific databases, information obtained from Google, Bing and Yahoo on the Internet, as well as newspapers, magazines and opinion-forming websites. RESULTS: The slogans propagated by anti-vaccination movements are usually based on easily proven erroneous theories and lies, although there are also arguments expressing belief in the conspiracy of governments, politicians and vaccine manufacturers, or incompetence of scientists and practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: In recent years in Poland, the activity of movements against vaccination has increased significantly, and their propaganda, through its negative impact on social attitudes, threatens to destabilize the epidemiological situation. Analysis of arguments used by the opponents of vaccination suggests a lack of reliable knowledge, religious overtones (addressed to people with fundamentalist personalities), or the ill-will attitudes of anti-vaccine individuals/groups used for their own purposes. Familiarization with the arguments of anti-vaccine propaganda is necessary in order to implement effective methods of fighting such attitudes and beliefs.

Anti-vaccine movements - health care, ignorance or a diversion aimed at destabilizing the health situation? Part 2. Contemporary conditions for the functioning and development of anti-vaccination movements.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccinations are a way accepted by science of the struggle against infectious diseases. Because of their epidemiological significance, vaccinations are considered compulsory in many countries and their evasion is penalized. The WHO experts list anti-vaccine attitudes and movements among the top 10 threats to human health. Most people's refusals are mainly due to fears of anti-vaccine propaganda. Understanding this phenomenon will be the basis for improving the epidemiological situation in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is based on the analysis of data stored in scientific databases, as well as information obtained from Google, Bing and Yahoo and newspapers, magazines and opinion-forming websites. RESULTS: The anti-vaccine movements occur due different motivations, such as ignorance, fear and religious beliefs. Sometimes they can be supported by foreign services aimed at destabilization in selected areas of the globe. CONCLUSIONS: Increased activity and effective propaganda carried out by anti-vaccination movements is possible, among others, thanks to the development of the so-called 2nd generation of the Internet (Web2), enabling the free and difficult to control flow of information. Increasing data indicate that the activity of anti-vaccine movements may be a form of organized action (diversion in cyberspace) aimed at social, epidemiological, and economic destabilization of selected countries and regions. Among the various forms of combating anti-vaccination movements currently used are awareness-raising activities and restrictions on freedom on the Internet by monitoring information flow, blocking materials containing selected phrases or keywords associated with anti-vaccine propaganda, and sanctions imposed on people avoiding vaccination.

Surgical method of treatment and level of satisfaction with life among women diagnosed with breast cancer, according to time elapsed since performance of surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In women diagnosed with breast cancer one of the methods most commonly applied in therapy is surgical treatment, which consists in a breast conserving surgery or total removal of the breast. The applied type of surgical treatment may exert an effect on the satisfaction with life of the women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was evaluation of the satisfaction with life among women surgically treated for breast cancer, according to the type of surgery on the breast, and the time elapsed since its performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 121 patients of the Sub-Carpathian Oncology Centre in Brzozów, south-east Poland, who had undergone surgical treatment due to breast cancer. The women expressed their informed consent to participate in the study. The method of a diagnostic survey was applied. RESULTS: The women obtained a mediocre result in satisfaction with life - 5.64 sten scores. Patients who had undergone mastectomy had a considerably lower level of satisfaction with life, compared to those after breast-conserving surgery (4.73 sten scores vs. 6.30 sten scores). Evaluations of the satisfaction with life in the examined group significantly differed according to the time elapsed since performance of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for undertaking actions directed to women who have undergone surgical treatment for breast cancer within the period from 2-5 years, aimed at improving the satisfaction with life in this group of patients. In addition, special support should be provided for women who have undergone mastectomy, especially during the period of more than 1 and up to 2 years.

Satisfaction with life among women with breast cancer - selected demographic and social factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was evaluation of satisfaction with life among women ill with breast cancer, with consideration of selected demographic and social factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study participated 121 patients from the Sub-Carpathian Oncology Centre in Brzozów, Poland, who had undergone surgical treatment due to breast cancer. The method of a diagnostic survey was used. The research instruments were an author-constructed questionnaire and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. RESULTS: Women who received surgical treatment due to breast cancer evaluated their satisfaction with life on a mediocre level. Younger patients had a lower satisfaction with life than those who were older. Women living in urban areas evaluated their satisfaction with life in more positive terms than rural women. In turn, education level, marital status and material standard had no effect on the level of satisfaction with life among the women in the study. CONCLUSIONS: According to the SWLS, women with the diagnosis of breast cancer obtained a mean result of 5.64 sten scores Younger women evaluated their satisfaction with life in more positive terms than those who were older. Women who lived in urban areas obtained a considerably higher result according to the SWLS, compared to rural inhabitants. Marital status, education level, material standard and occupational activity of the women were insignificant in the respondents' evaluation of satisfaction with life.

Comparison of the quality of night paediatric urgent care in rural and urban areas of Lublin Province, eastern Poland - Appraisals by parents of children requiring medical attention.

 Introduction. The quality of primary medical care for children in Poland is unsatisfactory. In the ranking known as 'the European Health Consumer Index', Poland (taking the patient point of view on healthcare quality) is classified on the 27th position out of the 33 possible. The unsolved problems concern inter alia the quality and availability of night paediatric urgent care. OBJECTIVE: The aim was assessing the quality as well as the level of satisfaction with the night paediatric urgent care in the Lublin Province of eastern Poland. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The materials for this study consisted of 540 parents of children aged 6-16 years benefiting from night paediatric urgent medical assistance in Lublin Province. The survey was conducted using the Original Survey Questionnaire. RESULTS: Inhabitants of the Lublin Province (regardless of place of residence) generally assessed the quality and accessibility of night paediatric urgent care facilities as only satisfactory. Inhabitants living in rural areas have worse access to night paediatric urgent care facilities because of having to travel greater distances, and receive less comprehensive medical assistance than inhabitants living in more urbanized areas, and they are more often referred to hospital emergency departments. During the past five years, both the availability and quality of night paediatric urgent care did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Inhabitants of the Lublin Province (regardless of place of residence) generally assessed the quality as well as accessibility of night paediatric urgent care facilities as only satisfactory. Rural residents have more reasons for dissatisfaction than urban dwellers. Both the quality and availability of such medical care needs to be improved.

Meeting needs for rehabilitation equipment and home adjustments among the disabled in their life environment.

INTRODUCTION: The elimination of functional barriers resulting from disability through the provision of adequate orthopaedic and rehabilitation equipment, and homes adjusted for disability is the precondition for an efficient and independent functioning, and high quality of life of the disabled. The objective of the study was recognition of the needs of the disabled declared by them, and the degree of satisfaction with these needs. METHODS: The study covered 478 disabled from the Lublin Region. The research instrument was the 'Questionnaire for the Disabled' designed by the authors. RESULTS: Considering the needs expressed by the respondents concerning the provision of orthopaedic and rehabilitation equipment and meeting these needs, four groups were distinguished: No Needs - 30.1%, Needs Partially Met - 22.4%, Needs Fully Met - 37.7%, Needs Not Met - 9.8%. The group Needs Not Met was characterized by younger age, in the group Needs Partially Met worse indicators of the state of health were noted, more frequent independent living, loneliness and low material standard. Considering the expressed needs for home adjustments adequate to disability and meeting these needs, three groups were distinguished: No Needs - 59.6%, Needs Not Met - 15.9%, and Needs Met - 24.7%. The group Needs Not Met more rarely covered respondents living in residential homes, compared to those living independently in rural or urban areas. The group Needs Met more rarely included rural inhabitants, while more frequently including the disabled who had a high material standard. CONCLUSIONS: Both the provision of orthopaedic equipment and adjustment of the home to disability are insufficient with respect to the needs. The meeting of these needs is significantly conditioned by high or very high material standard. The lack or incomplete satisfaction with the needs for rehabilitation equipment is associated with a relatively younger age, independent, single residence and low material standard. Living in an residential home means better adjustment of the living environment, and better provision with orthopaedic and rehabilitation equipment.

Realities of ambulatory multi-drug treatment of chronic diseases in rural areas of Lublin Province, eastern Poland - comparison of situations in 2010 and 2013.

INTRODUCTION: The economic stratification observed for many years among the population in Poland, increasing poverty rates, especially those being effects of the current economic crisis in the country, and the rising prices of medicines, are potential risk factors for medication non-adherence among patients in the poorest class of the Polish population. Materials an method. The subjects were 2 groups of inhabitants of rural areas of Lublin Province in eastern Poland. The first consisted of 209 people aged 52-80 years who were surveyed in 2010, the second - 210 people aged 51-88 years, surveyed in 2013. All patients were outpatients who attended the Endocrine Clinic in Poniatowa. The studies were conducted with the use of the standardized survey questionnaire. RESULTS: The problem of medication non-adherence among the surveyed was evident and has risen from 43.1% in 2010 to 54.8% in 2013. Both in 2010 and in 2013, the main reasons for this state of affairs were the financial problems of the surveyed people. During the period 2010-2013, both expenditure on medicine as well as the ratio "patients' expenditure on medicine/expenditure on food" had increased. In 2010, 25 respondents per 209 (12%) expressed the opinion that they had always had sufficient means to buy necessary medications, in 2013 - only 3 per 210 (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In 2013, most of surveyed patients (54.8%) did not follow prescribed treatment plans (in 2010-43.1%). In most cases, medication non-adherence were the result of financial problems. Current regulations governing refunding of the costs of medicines may make effective ambulatory treatment of chronic diseases impossible.

Lifestyle as an important factor in control of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren from the rural environment.

INTRODUCTION: Lifestyle of an individual is responsible for sixty percent of his/her state of health. Many studies of this problem indicate that in the style of life of schoolchildren, anti-health behaviours dominate over health promoting behaviours. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the presented study was recognition of the lifestyle of the rural adolescents with overweight and obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study covered adolescents aged 15-19, living in the rural environments of the West Pomeranian Region. Finally, the analysis covered 2,165 schoolchildren, and was performed with the use of a self-designed questionnaire form and the BMI was applied. RESULTS: The study showed that overweight occurred more often in the group of examined girls than boys, while obesity was twice as frequent among boys than among girls. Overweight schoolchildren (35.1%) had an adequate diet, while those obese--inadequate (78.3%). In the group of schoolchildren with overweight, passive leisure prevailed over active forms of leisure, 83.8% and 16.2%, respectively. Passive leisure was also dominant among obese respondents. Among as many as 81.8% of schoolchildren with overweight, physical activity was mediocre, while only 8.1% of them were active. The highest percentage of respondents with obesity were totally inactive physically. Obese schoolchildren relatively often experienced stressful situations. It is an alarming fact that both overweight and obese schoolchildren relatively often used psychoactive substances. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of respondents with overweight and obesity applied an adequate diet, preferred passive forms of leisure, experienced stressful situations, were characterized by low physical activity, and systematically used psychoactive substances.

Risk factors for the spread of parasitic zoonoses among dog owners and their families in rural areas.

INTRODUCTION: Close animal-human contacts are risky for people, especially in cases of any negligence towards proper veterinary care, deworming procedures, as well as human and dog hygiene. Among possible risks there are parasite zoonoses threats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 176 dog owners from rural regions in Lublin province. The original Parasitic Zoonoses Transmission Risk Score (PZTRS) method was used to determine the risk for humans, a method based on the analysis of such criteria as animal-human coexistence conditions and dog hygiene, as well as dewormings negligence. The resulting score ranges from 0-8, where. '0' is a perfect score, '8' is the lowest and means high health risks for humans. RESULTS: Obtained PZTRS values were in the 1-6 range. Median as well as modal values were equal to 4, which means the presence of significant risk of parasitic zoonoses transmission to dog owners and members of their families. CONCLUSIONS: In Polish rural areas, negligence of dog owners' duties, including improper hygiene and dewormings, as well as risky conditions of human-dog coexistence, increase the potential risk of zoonotic parasite diseases spreading. Nowadays, veterinary practices and media have the important responsibility of educating dog owners about the potential risk of zoonotic parasites.

Eating habits of children and adolescents from rural regions depending on gender, education, and economic status of parents.

The proper lifestyle of a child, including proper eating habits, should be monitored to ensure proper physical and psychological development. This applies particularly to rural areas which are economically, socially and educationally backward. The study included 1,341 rural schoolchildren and adolescents aged 9-13 years (734 females, 607 males). The representative survey research was conducted in 2008, making use of an original survey questionnaire. The results showed that the majority of respondents eat improperly. 83.2% of them have regular breakfast, and 62.6% have regular light lunch. Most respondents do not eat more than 4 meals a day (usually 3-4). It is worrying that the consumption of sweets is high (34.9% of the surveyed group eat them regularly), whereas fruit and vegetable consumption is low. In this study, relationships between types of diet and such descriptive variables as gender, parents' educational status, and economic situation of the households are described. In families where the parents have a higher education and the household situation is good, the eating habits are much better. The list of poor dietary habits of pupils from rural schools includes skipping breakfast and/or light lunch, high consumption of sweets and low consumption of fruit and vegetables. There are correlations between improper dietary habits and gender of the children and adolescents, educational status of parents, economic situation of households, and housing conditions.

Selected social and health problems in functioning of disabled rural and urban inhabitants in the Lublin Region--similarities and differences.

The objective of the study was determination of the frequency of occurrence of selected difficulties associated with disability and social problems which disturb the functioning of the disabled in rural and urban areas in the Lublin Region. The study was conducted by trained surveyors with the use of a standardized questionnaire which covered: 1) Demographic data: age, gender, education level and marital status; 2) Information concerning biological and legal disability, degree of disability, its causes, functional limitations due to disability; 3) Information pertaining to difficulties and barriers in daily living of the disabled population. The study covered 403 disabled selected by the method of targeted sampling--147 rural and 256 urban inhabitants. Log-linear model was applied for data analysis. Unfavourable demographic characteristics of the population of the disabled in the study: mean age 63; high percentage of never-married males and females; respondents possessing elementary education level; dominant number of those occupationally inactive. The most frequent limitations associated with disability: limitations in performing household jobs (70.9%), walking difficulties (68.1%). High intensity of material difficulties, in association with low education level and high percentage of those occupationally inactive, are the evidence of socio-economic deprivation of the population examined. Differences between rural and urban inhabitants was found: in the rural environment, compared to urban areas, the following were more frequently reported: lack of possibilities of rehabilitation in the place of residence, difficulties with access to medical specialist; alcohol abuse in the family, and family disagreements. Urban population more often than rural inhabitants perceived loneliness and isolation from the closest family.

Causes and consequences of head injuries among rural population hospitalized in the Ward for Multi-Organ Injuries. I. Demographic and social structure.

The main objective of the study was the analysis of types, causes and consequences of head injuries among patients treated in the Ward for Multi-Organ Injuries during the period 1999-2002. The study aimed at the recognition of the health situation and selected demographic traits of people who had sustained head injuries. The authors' research tool - a Scientific-Research Protocol - was applied in the study. The survey covered 265 people, including 204 males (77.0%) and 61 females (23.0%) hospitalized due to head injuries; 90 people, i.e. 34% of the total population examined, were rural inhabitants 82.2% were males and 17.8% females. Thus, among the population examined the percentage of males was considerably higher than that of females, both in the sub-populations of urban and rural inhabitants. The percentage of people aged 65 and over was higher among the rural population, compared to urban inhabitants (21.1% and 8.0%, respectively), while the percentage of patients aged under 35 was lower (30.0% and 48.0%, respectively). A significantly higher percentage of patients living in rural areas, compared to urban inhabitants, had an elementary school or elementary vocational education level (77.8% and 46.3%, respectively). The number of patients who were never married was smaller among the rural than urban population (22.2% and 35.4%, respectively), whereas the percentage of those widowed was higher (13.3% and 2.9%, respectively). In the group of patients living in rural areas the percentages of people maintaining themselves on nonagricultural and agricultural work were similar (27.7% and 25.6%, respectively).

Causes and consequences of head injuries among rural inhabitants hospitalised in a Multi-organ Injury Ward. II. Circumstances, types and consequences of head injuries.

The scope of problems concerning head injuries was investigated among rural patients, compared to urban population, from the aspect of their incidence in both populations, as well as an attempt to perform a multi-variable analysis of socio-demographic and geographical risk factors for each of the analysed traits concerning the injury. The study group were patients treated in the Multi-Organ Injury Ward, at Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski Regional Hospital in Lublin during the period 1999-2002. The study covered 265 patients. The group of rural inhabitants covered 34% of the total population in the study. The most frequent circumstances of the injury sustained, both among rural and urban patients, was a road accident with the patient either as a passenger or a pedestrian, observed in 30.6% of the total number of people in the study. Female gender was an injury risk factor. The second position among circumstances of injuries was occupied in both sub-populations by road accident with the patient as the driver - this concerned 23% of the total number of patients in the study, and the risk factors were: male gender, place of residence in rural area and better educational status. The majority of patients sustained an injury in the street, with similar frequency among rural and urban inhabitants. Rural patients, significantly more often than urban inhabitants, sustained injuries at home and in the courtyard. The most frequent type of an injury sustained was cerebral concussion, which was noted twice as frequently among urban (59.9%) than rural inhabitants (31.1%). The risk factors of cerebral concussion were: urban place of residence, female gender, and younger age of a patient. Injuries of mesencephalon were placed in the second position with respect to the frequency of occurrence, and more often concerned rural (46.7%) than urban (24.6%) patients. The risk factors for this injury were: living in a rural area, and older age in males. Concomitant injuries were observed in 50% of rural patients and in 57.1% of urban inhabitants. The consequences of injuries in various forms were observed in 87.8% of rural inhabitants, and in a similar percentage of urban patients. Age turned out to be the risk factor for the appearance of the negative consequences of the injury. This was also the risk factor of death during treatment, and in balance disorders.

[Knowledge of methods of prophylaxis and treatment of influenza and its complications among first year students]. / Wiedza na temat metod zapobiegania i leczenia grypy oraz powiklan pogrypowych wsród studentów pierwszego roku.

Influenza has been known since antiquity and still large numbers of people are affected with it, which results in numerous deaths around the world. Prophylactic vaccinations are a cost-effective comparing to costs of treatment of influenza and its complications. The aim of the study was determination of knowledge of first year students on methods of prophylaxis and treatment of influenza and its complications. It was found that the knowledge on influenza prophylaxis was widespread among students and the main sources of information were general practitioners as well as family and friends. The decision on declining vaccination was based mainly on the confidence of good state of health. Students who have been vaccinated against influenza know benefits of this form of prophylaxis but not always are familiar with contraindications. The majority of vaccinated group would recommend this form of prophylaxis to others.

[Obesity as a cause and result of disability]. / Otylosc jako przyczyna lub skutek niepelnosprawnosci.

The aim of the review is to determine complex relations between obesity and disability. Obesity is defined as an abnormal, pathologic increase in body fat. This disease results from environmental factors, like: low level of physical activity, excessive intake of high energy food and genetic predisposition to storage of fat. The health consequences of obesity are chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, certain types of cancers and also psychosocial problems, which together have an adverse effect on quality of life. The consequences of this comorbidities and conditions are also higher rates of disability in this group of people. Limitations in everyday functioning of the overweight and obese people are the consequence of comorbidities, for example: diseases of the circulatory system and late diabetic complications. The leading cause of disability (especially in functional area) is impairement of the musculoskeletal system, caused by excessive weight, for ex. chronic back pain. In this case the mechanism of "vicious cycle" is observed where sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity and obesity exacerbates disability. The role of physical inactivity in the development of weight gain emphasises the fact that among people with disabling conditions rates of obesity are significantly higher.