Adherence to therapy among liver transplant patients as related to depression, anxiety, acceptance of the disease, and social support.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the patients' adherence to therapeutic regimens after liver transplantation, taking into account the levels of depression and anxiety, acceptance of the disease, and social support. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group included N = 112 patients selected from 669 patients after liver transplantation. The Delphi method was used to develop a tool to assess the level of adherence to treatment regimens. The sources of data for this study were recommendations and the work of an expert panel. The next method used in the study was a diagnostic survey based on the following standardized research instruments: Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviors (ISSB), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: The study group showed a medium level of adherence to therapeutic recommendations (6.8 ± 1.85). We observed a statistically significant positive correlation between acceptance of the disease and adherence to therapeutic recommendations (r = -0.20, t = -2.040, p = 0.044). Among the factors analyzed, six predictors were identified that significantly affect the level of adherence to therapeutic recommendations in a group of liver transplant patients. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Patients who accept their disease are a group of people who significantly worse adhere to therapeutic recommendations. 2. The main positive predictors of treatment adherence in the group of transplant patients are the search for various sources of information and declarative adherence to treatment recommendations. Negative predictors include the duration of the disease, side effects of the applied treatment, and comorbidities. 3. The patients who were informed that results depend on regular medication intake significantly more often followed therapeutic recommendations.

Diagnostic markers of insulin resistance to discriminate between prediabetes and diabetes in menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Menopause is an important transition period in a woman's reproductive life during which hormonal changes occur, resulting in an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we assessed the possibility of using surrogate measures of insulin resistance (IR) to predict the risk of insulin resistance in perimenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 252 perimenopausal women living in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The methods employed in this study were diagnostic survey based on the original questionnaire, anthropometric measurement, and laboratory tests performed to determine the levels of selected biochemical parameters. RESULTS: In the entire study population, the highest area under the curve was found for the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) showed a higher diagnostic value as a distinction tool between prediabetes and diabetes in perimenopausal women than the other markers. HOMA-IR significantly positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.72; p = 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C, r = 0.74; p = 0.001), triglycerides (TG, r = 0.18; p < 0.005), and systolic blood pressure (SBP, r = 0.15; p= 0.021), and negatively with high-density lipoprotein (HDL, r = -0.28; p = 0.001). QUICKI negatively correlated with fasting blood (r = -0.051; p = 0.001), HbA1C (r = -0.51; p = 0.001), TG (r = -0.25; p = 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL, r = -0.13; p= 0.045), and SBP (r = -0.16; p = 0.011), and positively with HDL (r = 0.39; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters were found to significantly correlate with IR markers. HOMA-beta, the McAuley index (McA), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and lipid accumulation product (LAP) may be useful as predictors of pre-diabetes and diabetes in postmenopausal women.

Analysis of the laboratory results of the patients enrolled in the Nutritional Therapy Program.

OBJECTIVE: Nutritional treatment is an integral part of patient management, as meeting nutritional needs significantly contributes to improving treatment outcomes and reducing complications and length of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to analyze the laboratory results of the patients enrolled in the Nutritional Therapy Program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 103 subjects, aged 18-88. It was based on analysis of medical documentation of patients under the care of the Enteral Nutrition Clinic. Nutritional status was assessed by biochemical tests (urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, CRP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, INR, Na, K, Cl, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, total protein, albumin, and fasting glucose). RESULTS: After six and twelve months, the groups with malnutrition and neurological diseases had higher levels of erythrocytes and albumin, and significantly lower CRP. The mean glucose level after six months was significantly lower compared to the first measurement, and a downward trend was observed. Calcium showed an upward trend. In cancer patients, a decline in erythrocytes was observed after six months compared to the initial measurement. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in the results of laboratory tests between patients with cancer and those with malnutrition and neurological diseases. These were mainly lower levels of lymphocytes and glucose, and higher levels of platelets and CRP. Furthermore, the greatest effect of nutritional treatment was observed in patients with malnutrition and neurological diseases.

The effect of vitamin D levels on lipid, glucose profiles and depression in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency is a significant problem that affects the population living in most countries. This issue is independent by place of residence, sex, age or skin color. It is mainly influenced by the environment we live in and by an unhealthy lifestyle, including bad eating habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate lipid profile, glucose levels, and vitamin D levels, considering sociodemographic variables, smoking and alcohol consumption in perimenopausal women. Depressive mood was also assessed considering sociodemographic variables and vitamin D levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 191 women and performed in two stages. The first of them was carried out using a diagnostic survey with the use of a technique questionnaire. The applied research instruments were the author's questionnaire (concerning sociodemographic and selected medical data), and the Beck Depression Inventory. The second stage of the study involved the collection of peripheral blood from each respondent, in order to determine lipid profile, glycemia and serum vitamin D levels. RESULTS: The age of the female respondents ranged from 45 to 65 years, mean age was 53.1 ± 5.37 years, median 53 years. Vitamin D levels were below normal in 78%; 77% had elevated total cholesterol levels; 91.6% of the respondents had high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels within the normal range; 64.4% was characterized by too high (low-density lipoprotein) LDL cholesterol, and 84.8% of the women showed normal triglyceride levels. Among the respondents, 91.1% had normal glycemic levels. Analysis of the collected data showed a weak negative correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the levels of total cholesterol (rho=-0.14; p=0.05), LDL cholesterol (rho=-0.16; p=0.026), and triglycerides (rho=-0.22; p=0.002). Only in the case of HDL cholesterol (p=0.067), there was no statistically significant correlation. There were also no statistically significant correlations between serum vitamin D levels and glycemia or severity of depression. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The majority of the women did not manifest depressive disorders. Of all factors analyzed, only education was associated with the severity of depressiveness. 2. Smoking adversely affected serum vitamin D levels in the studied women. 3. The cessation of menstruation affected carbohydrate metabolism and vitamin D levels. Blood glucose levels increased with the age of the studied women. 4. Relationships were found between the levels of vitamin D and the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Therefore, it is important to maintain normal vitamin D levels.

Self-efficacy and fatigue perceived by nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The two-year long epidemic situation around the world has resulted in an increasing number of people experiencing "pandemic fatigue". The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between a sense of self-efficacy and fatigue experienced in everyday life by nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted by the diagnostic survey method on a group of 756 nursing students of the first-cycle degree program, from 20 March to 15 May 2021, in the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin (Poland), as well as in Murcia University (Spain) and in the Catholic University in Ruzomberok (Slovakia). RESULTS: The sense of self-efficacy was significantly lower among the students in Poland than in those in Spain (p < 0.0001) and in Slovakia (p < 0.0001). Students in Slovakia showed symptoms of general, physical, cognitive and psychosocial fatigue much less frequently than those in Poland (p < 0.001) and Spain (p < 0.001). Especially students in Spain acutely felt physical health issues as a result of COVID-19 pandemic-imposed restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of a generalized sense of self-efficacy among the nursing students participating in the study was identified. However, it was significantly differentiated with respect to the country of residence. The fatigue severity experienced by the students during the COVID-19 pandemic was determined by a sense of self-efficacy.

The relationship between women's personality traits and addiction to social networking sites on the example of Facebook.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to generally assess the degree of women's dependence on social networking sites on the example of Facebook, taking into account personality traits according to the five-factor model of personality, the so-called Big Five. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 556 women. This survey-based study was carried out using the questionnaire technique. The following research tools were used to analyze behavioral addictions in adult women: the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS), the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO FFI) and the author's questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the surveyed women, 69.6% were average Facebook users, of whom 16.4% had scores indicating possible Facebook addiction, and 14.0% had scores indicating addiction. The higher the neuroticism, the more serious the Facebook addiction. A weak negative correlation was obtained for the agreeableness subscale. A weak negative correlation was also obtained for the subscale of conscientiousness. There was no statistically significant correlation between the log10 score obtained on the BFAS and the score on the NEO-FFI subscales of extraversion and openness to experience. CONCLUSIONS: The personality types of the studied women indicated relationships in terms of behavioral addictions. Women characterized by neuroticism showed stronger addiction to Facebook. Women characterized by high conscientiousness were at lower risk of behavioral addictions, while agreeableness as a personality trait significantly protected the surveyed women against Facebook addiction.

Seeking relationships between Internet addiction and depressiveness, daytime sleepiness, as well as perceived social support in young adults.

OBJECTIVE: An assessment of the scale of Internet addiction among young adults and seeking relationships between Internet addiction and chosen sociodemographic variables, perceived social support, prevalence of depressiveness, and excessive daytime sleepiness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out using a diagnostic poll method with author's own questionnaire as well as standardized diagnostic tools: The Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), as well as The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS: The study was conducted on 567 individuals. Pathological Internet use was identified in 1.41% of the surveyed. Perceived social support was significantly lower in the group of respondents who pathologically used Internet in comparison with ones who used Internet in the proper way. Severity of depressiveness symptoms and daytime sleepiness was significantly higher in respondents who were addicted to Internet in comparison with not addicted individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The scale of pathological Internet use among surveyed was low. Problematic Internet use refers to women and men to the same degree, as well as to single people and individuals in relationships. Persons who work and do not study as well as residents of large and medium cities more frequently use Internet in a more pathological way than individuals who study and live-in small cities and in the countryside. Internet addiction creates a significant relationship with the prevalence of more severe symptoms of depressiveness and excessive daytime sleepiness, whereas pathological pattern of Internet use more often concerns individuals whose perception of social support is low.

A comparison of psychosocial functioning as well as the quality of life between young adult patients after orthognathic surgeries and healthy youth.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare psychosocial functioning as well as the quality of life of young adults after orthognathic procedures and healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 124 respondents aged between 16 and 25 years, 65 of whom had undergone orthognathic surgeries, and 59 healthy individuals. The study was carried out using a diagnostic poll method with both standardized tools and the author's own questionnaires: Authors own questionnaire, 'How do you cope?' Questionnaire, Emotional Intelligence INTE Questionnaire, The List of Personal Values (LOPV), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36 v2). RESULTS: Patients after orthognathic procedures more frequently actively dealt with problems and sought social support rather than concentrating on emotions in terms of dispositional ways of coping with difficult situations. A statistically significant difference was established in the concentration on emotions subscale (CoE) for which lower average value was observed in the study group. Study and control groups differed in terms of the ability to recognise, understand, and control their own and other's emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents from both groups similarly perceived personal values pointing to love and friendship, health, intelligence as well as happiness as the most important ones. Both patients after orthognathic procedures and healthy ones assessed their life satisfaction on an average level. A link between the choice of the strategy of coping with difficult situations and the fact of having undergone an orthognathic procedure exists. Patients after surgical procedures, in comparison with healthy individuals, less frequently opted for the concentration on emotions (CoE) strategy.

Elevated serum fluoride levels in perimenopausal women are related to the components of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Increased fluoride levels can lead to numerous complications, including skeletal effects, cardiotoxicity, endocrine dysfunction, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between serum fluoride levels and MetS or its individual components, and to assess the diagnostic usefulness of fluoride as a factor contributing to MetS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a group of 475 women (mean age of 52.9 years), living in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. The study involved data collection and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of the relationship between the levels of fluoride and the presence of MetS or its components showed that the mean fluoride level was statistically significantly higher in patients with hypertriglyceridemia (dCohen = 0.39; 95% CI; confidence limits: 0.13, 0.63) and hypertension (dCohen = 0.25; 95% CI; confidence limits: 0.07, 0.44). Moreover, the mean fluoride level was significantly higher in women who met the diagnostic criteria for MetS than in the remaining subjects (dCohen = 0.40; 95% CI; confidence limits: 0.17, 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum fluoride levels may be associated with an increased incidence of MetS among perimenopasal women, although its diagnostic value as a marker of MetS is limited.

The effect of tryptophan and serotonin levels on the severity of depressive and climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The dysfunctional serotonergic system is a factor contributing to the development of depression. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of serotonin and tryptophan on the severity of climacteric and depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved data collection and biochemical analysis. The research instruments were: the Blatt-Kuppermann index, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the proprietary questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no significant effect of tryptophan (r=0.05; p=0.219) and serotonin (r= -0.03; p=0.537) on the severity of depressive symptoms, or tryptophan on the severity of climacteric symptoms (r=0.019; p=0.657). However, a weak negative correlation was found between the level of serotonin and the severity of climacteric symptoms (r=-0.09; p=0.022). Additionally, it was found that severe depressive symptoms were associated with a significant exacerbation of climacteric symptoms (ß=0.379; p<0.001), while higher serotonin levels alleviated them (ß=-0.604; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Higher severity of depressive symptoms may exacerbate climacteric symptoms. Serotonin levels may influence the severity of climacteric symptoms. Moreover, the higher the serotonin level, the lower the odds of depressive disorders, irrespective of the severity of climacteric symptoms. Tryptophan levels had no effect on the severity of depressive and climacteric symptoms in the perimenopausal women.

Analysis of the relationship between personality traits and Internet addiction.

OBJECTIVE: The issue of 'new media' addictions has been described in literature for many years. For almost a decade now researchers have been emphasizing that addiction does not have to be caused only by various substances but also by contact with digital technologies. Behavioral addictions are a growing problem in the society. Digital technologies are used by people of different ages, and their number is increasing every year. Precise reasons for the development of addictions remain unknown. In the case of behavioral addictions, especially Internet addiction, the significance of personality traits and behaviors predisposing an individual to addiction, such as depressiveness, anxiety, hostile attitude, aggression, impulsiveness, psychotic behaviors, shyness and self-esteem disorders, are emphasized. The aim of this study was a general assessment of the level of Internet addiction with regard to personality traits according to the Big Five model by Costa and McCrae. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study involved 556 women, whose average age was 34 years and who met the inclusion criteria: female sex, age of 18 years or above, place of residence in West Pomeranian Voivodship, an informed consent for participation in the study, and completion of the questionnaire forms set. The study was conducted using a diagnostic poll method with a questionnaire technique. To carry out the analysis both author's own and standardized tools were used: the author's questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory which assesses the levels of personality traits, and the Internet Addiction Test used to measure behaviors and characteristics related to compulsive use of the Internet. RESULTS: Most (70.9%) of the studied women were average users of the Internet, 25% of respondents were at risk of addiction, and the least numerous group of women (4.1%) was addicted to the Internet. Conscientiousness negatively correlated with Internet addiction. Openness to experience was conducive to Internet addiction. A positive link between neuroticism and Internet addictions was established. No significant relationships between Internet addiction and extraversion as well as agreeableness were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The type of personality of the studied women implicated relationships to Internet addiction. Neuroticism might be a personality trait that particularly predisposes to an increased risk of Internet addiction. Openness to experience was conducive to Internet addiction. Conscientiousness negatively correlated with Internet addiction.

The relationship between loneliness, depression, internet and social media addiction among young Polish women.

OBJECTIVE: When speaking of behavioral addictions (especially to the Internet and social media), it is emphasized that it is not the environment that is the main contributor to addiction, but rather certain behaviors and personality traits. The aim of this study was to assess the level of Internet and social media addiction on the example of Facebook with regard to psychological and social factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This survey-based study involved a group of women representing the female population in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland (N = 556). Research instruments were a self-developed questionnaire concerning sociodemographic data, the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Internet Addiction Test, and the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale. RESULTS: Age, depressive symptoms, loneliness were the variable contributing to Internet and Facebook addiction among the studied. Available studies confirm the results of their own research. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms and dependence on the Internet and Facebook were more common among single women. In the employed women, we only observed higher levels of Internet and Facebook addiction. The level of dependence on the Internet and Facebook was higher among younger women. Loneliness correlated with Internet and Facebook addiction, and more severe depressive symptoms entailed higher levels of Internet and Facebook addiction.

Quality of life of young adult patients after orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Craniofacial defects are functional imbalances of their structures. Impaired speech and facial deformities hinder adolescents' ability to fulfill social roles. The optimal age for a patient to be qualified for orthognathic surgery is between 16 and 30 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 65 patients after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery performed in the Head and Neck Surgery Department with Craniofacial Surgery Subdivision in Provincial Specialist Children's Hospital in Olsztyn. The research tools used in the study were: the author's questionnaire concerning sociodemographic data, and the following standardized questionnaires: the 'How Do You Cope?' questionnaire, the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (INTE), the List of Personal Values (LOPV), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: The study demonstrated a positive correlation between the levels of QoL and general life satisfaction according to the SWLS. A negative relationship was observed between QoL and dispositional coping according to the 'How do you cope?' questionnaire. The emotion-focused coping strategy in the category of dispositional coping negatively correlated with eight of the SF-36 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults after bimaxillary orthognathic procedures show a high level of QoL. The level of QoL depends, among others, on the level of emotional intelligence. Better ability to recognize emotions is associated with higher QoL in the domain of general health.

Can personality traits affect the quality of life of women with the BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations before and after prophylactic adnexectomy?

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinomas are the most common hereditary gynecological cancers associated with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. It is recommended to radicalize management, using RRSO. Personality traits are regarded as significant contributors to human QoL and adaptability to the changed conditions of functioning. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of personality on the QoL of women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations before and after RRSO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 62 patients with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations referred to hospital for RRSO. The research instruments were the WHQ, NEO-FFI, and self-developed sociodemographic data collection tool. RESULTS: Highly neurotic patients with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations had lower QoL, especially in the domains of depressed mood, anxiety/fears, and sleep problems. At the same time, higher levels of conscientiousness, openness to experience, extroversion, and agreeableness were associated with better QoL outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Personality traits can contribute to the QoL of women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations before and after RRSO. (2) Identification of personality traits may be an important prognostic factor indicating potential changes in the QoL of patients after RRSO.

Occurrence of climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women after prophylactic bilateral ovariectomy.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To analyse the quality of life in postmenopausal women after prophylactic bilateral ovariectomy depending on the time from menopause. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 252 postmenopausal women grouped according to the time from last menstruation: one to five years (group A), five to ten years (group B), and > ten years (group C). All women were ovariectomized during laparotomy performed for benign diseases of the uterus. Climacteric symptoms were measured with the Kupperman Index one day before and three months after surgery. RESULTS: Highly significant age differences and no substantial BMI differences were demonstrated among the study groups. Before and after surgery climacteric symptoms were reported by 17.06% and 57.8% of women, respectively. After surgery, group A women significantly more often had hot flushes, sweating, nervousness, and sleep disorders, the women in group B significantly more often reported sleep disorders, nervousness, and sweating, and the women in group C significantly more often complained of nervousness. CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women, ovaries play the most important role during the first ten years from the last menstruation.

The severity of depressive symptoms vs. serum Mg and Zn levels in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women, depending on serum Mg and Zn levels. The study involved 171 postmenopausal women from Poland, who were not using menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The intensity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using a standard research technique, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The plasma Mg and Zn concentrations were measured. Depressive symptoms of different severity levels were diagnosed in 36.8 % of the women. The mean serum Mg level was 1.53 ± 0.28 mg/dL, and Zn level was 72 ±14 µg/dL. The women with higher serum Mg and Zn levels had less depressive symptoms, and this observation is a precious information which can be used when planning depressive disorder prevention programmes.

[Replacement therapy as a method to promote social and professional re-adaptation]. / Die Substitutionsbehandlung als Methode zur Begünstigung der sozialen und beruflichen Wiedereingliederung.

AIM: The aim of this work is to assess the impact of replacement therapy on social and professional re-adaptation of people addicted to opioids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study covered 82 patients (52 male, 30 female; mean age of 39.9 years) addicted to opioids and treated with methadone. An analysis of medical records served as a research method. RESULTS: Participation in the methadone programme influenced taking up a job by 47.5% of addicted; improving the legal situation, i. e., reduction of the number of criminal cases for 42.7% of addicted; and the feeling of positive impact on social re-adaptation by 96.3% of addicted. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement therapy with methadone fosters professional activation, reduces criminality and gives a feeling of social re-adaptation for people addicted to opioids.

Clinical forms of infections in neonates hospitalized in clinic of obstetrics and perinatology within the space of one year.

Because of their specificity, infections in neonatal units form one of the main clinical problems. Our research involved all neonates (1019) hospitalized in Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology within the space of one year. Clinically manifested infections were diagnosed in the total number of 47 (4.6%) newborns, including 23 (2.4%) neonates from the neonatal unit (NU) and 24 (46.2%)--from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In both units, the most commonly observed were general infections (59.6%) and pneumonias (21.3%); cerebrospinal meningitis and necrotic enteritis were diagnosed in a few cases. Urinary system infections were only found in neonates hospitalized in the NU (30.5%). The course of infection was mild in most cases.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of hospital infections in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Neonates hospitalized in intensive care units, are exposed to a higher risk of infectious complications. The research involved 52 neonates hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Chair and Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology over a span of one year. The incidence of hospital infections as well as etiological factors were analyzed. Clinically manifested hospital infections were diagnosed in 38.5% of babies with very low or extremely low birth weight, in boys twice as often as in girls. Generalised invasive infections prevailed; in most cases they were caused by Gram-negative rods, mainly Klebsiella spp.

Comparative analysis of informative support in lactation in lying-in women hospitalized in rooming-in system.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the expected and received informative support in lactation in hospitalized lying-in women. Such variables as the number of deliveries and participation in antenatal classes were taken into consideration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was conducted from May to September 2005, and involved 202 lying-in women staying in maternity wards in Chair and Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Pomeranian Medical University (PAM) in Szczecin, and Obstetrics and Gyneacology Unit in Independent Public Specialistic Health Care Centre Zdroje Szczecin. The diagnostic survey was carried out; it was based on the questionnaire of author's design. RESULTS: The obtained results suggest that primiparas significantly more frequently than multiparas show demand for all elements of informative support in lactation (p < 0.001), while women who did not attend antenatal classes considerably more often need information on the half of elements of informative support connected with lactation. Informative support that lying-in women receive does not satisfy the demand for it. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Professional support provided by midwives/nurses should be particularly directed on primiparas and women who did not attend antenatal classes. 2. Participation of future parents in antenatal classes causes them to be better prepared to breastfeeding, and be less needing the mentioned information while their stay in a mother-baby ward. 3. It is necessary that midwives/nurses constantly perfect their professional skills in order to improve the quality of obstetrical care.