Sella turcica anomalies on lateral cephalometric radiographs of Polish children.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of sella turcica anomalies on lateral cephalograms of children with malocclusion. To describe the craniofacial morphology in patients with sella turcica anomalies. METHODS: Lateral cephalograms obtained at ages 8-16 years (n = 431) were assessed for good visibility of cephalometric structures, including the sella turcica, and the absence of craniofacial congenital deformities; finally, 322 cephalograms were included and analysed. Subsequently, anomalies of sella turcica have been identified. Hypertrophic posterior clinoid process, hypotrophic posterior clinoid process and oblique contour of the floor were the abnormalities found that could not be classified based on literature. The study group consisted of 151 cephalograms with abnormal sella turcica, while the control group consisted of 171 cephalograms without any sellar pathology. Data normality has been tested using Shapiro-Wilk test. Correlations with age were made using Spearman correlation coefficient and those with sex were made using independence test with Yate's correction for continuity. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare between groups and subgroups. The level of significance has been established as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Sellar anomalies were found in 151 individuals (46.9%). Statistically significant differences between patients with normal and abnormal sellar morphology were found concerning: Pg:NB (p = 0.0009), 1+:NA (p = 0.0004) and 1-:NB (p = 0.012), indicating a more distal position of jaw structures in subjects with abnormal sella. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that almost 50% of children with malocclusion have sellar abnormalities confirms a general aetiology of malocclusion. Sella turcica assessment should be carried out during cephalometric analysis.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among surgical nurses, their patients and blood donation candidates in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) in surgical nurses and midwives, to compare the rate with other female groups (their patients from the same hospitals and blood donation candidates) in a cross-sectional serosurvey, and to evaluate the alleged risk factors for acquiring an occupational infection. METHODS: Between February 2008 and June 2009, participants from 16 hospitals selected at random in West Pomerania, Poland completed a written questionnaire detailing potential risk factors for HCV infection. Serum samples were assayed for anti-HCV using third-generation testing methods. RESULTS: Of 414 staff members, six were found to be anti-HCV positive [1.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-3.1%]. The seropositive status of staff was discovered during this one-off screening. A logistic regression model indicated that for anti-HCV seropositivity, only the length of employment was associated with increased odds of being infected [odds ratio (OR) 2.8; P < 0.006]. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.1% (12/1118, 95% CI 0.6-1.9%) in 1118 female patients, and 0% (0/801, 95% CI 0-1.1%) in 801 female blood donation candidates. A significant staff/patient difference in anti-HCV prevalence was observed among those aged >50 years (6.9% vs 1.0%; P < 0.007). For this age group, being a nurse was associated with higher odds (OR 8.8; P < 0.005) of being infected with HCV. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of HCV prevalence rates pointed to a decreasing trend in the order: surgical nurses/midwives, patients and blood donation candidates; this may indicate occupational risk. The greatest risk factor for contracting HCV infection was length of employment, suggesting a possible effect of accumulated exposure to contaminated blood and other body fluids. There is a need for better recognition of HCV infection as a consequence of prolonged blood exposure among surgical and gynaecological staff.

A complete HBV vaccination coverage among Polish surgical nurses in the light of anti-HBc prevalence: A cross-sectional sero-prevalence study.

To determine the vaccination coverage for HBV and the prevalence of anti-HBc, an anonymous sero-survey of surgical/gynecologic nurses from 16 randomly selected hospitals in West Pomerania, Poland, was conducted. Among the 403 participants of whom HBV vaccination had been indicated, the vaccination coverage was 100%. The anti-HBc prevalence was 16.4%; with length of employment being associated with increased odds of being infected. The data obtained underscore the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for HCWs. This study documents the ability to obtain 100% vaccination coverage in nursing staff, an important goal in reducing the risk of HBV infection in this and other health care worker populations.

Surgical nurses and compliance with personal protective equipment.

The study objectives were to evaluate self-reported compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) use among surgical nurses and factors associated with both compliance and non-compliance. A total of 601 surgical nurses, from 18 randomly selected hospitals (seven urban and 11 rural) in the Pomeranian region of Poland, were surveyed using a confidential questionnaire. The survey indicated that compliance with PPE varied considerably. Compliance was high for glove use (83%), but much lower for protective eyewear (9%). Only 5% of respondents routinely used gloves, masks, protective eyewear and gowns when in contact with potentially infective material. Adherence to PPE use was highest in the municipal hospitals and in the operating rooms. Nurses who had a high or moderate level of fear of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at work were more likely (P<0.005 and P<0.04, respectively) than staff with no fear to be compliant. Significantly higher compliance was found among nurses with previous training in infection control or experience of caring for an HIV patient; the combined effect of training and experience exceeded that for either alone. The most commonly stated reasons for non-compliance were non-availability of PPE (37%), the conviction that the source patient was not infected (33%) and staff concern that following locally recommended practices actually interfered with providing good patient care (32%). We recommend wider implementation, evaluation and improvement of training in infection control, preferably combined with practical experience with HIV patients and easier access and improved comfort of PPE.

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.

Surgical nurses and their concerns of acquiring HIV infection at the workplace.

A study was conducted to identify pertaining to the care of HIV infected patients among nurses in the County of West Pomerania. Most of the respondents (43.2%) were working in municipal hospitals, 38.7% in hospitals located in the country and 18% in academic hospitals. The responding nurses ranged in age from 20 to 58 (median 38 years). Median of work experience was 16 (1-28) years. The respondents were divided into 3 groups: A--the nurses who expressed serious concern about HIV infection, 62.9%; B--some degree of concern, 31.3%; C--not concerned, 4.3%. An HIV/AIDS workshop was attended by 74.6% of respondents from group A and 76.6% from group B (p > 0.85). The occupational exposure reported 49.5% nurses from group A, 39.9% from group B and 42.4% from group C (p > 0.3). The gloves were "always" used by 82.5% respondents from group A, 87.8% from group B and 76.9% from group C (p > 0.07). 79.9% of nurses from group A, 53.2% from group B and 42.3% (p < 0.0001) favored HIV antibodies testing of all patients.

[Hepatitis B virus vaccination among Polish surgeons from the county of Western Pomerania]. / Lekarze specjalnosci zabiegowych województwa zachodniopomorskiego, a szczepienia przeciw wzw typu B.

UNLABELLED: Orthopaedic surgeons are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus, so preventive measures, including the vaccination, are important. OBJECTIVE: To determine surgeons" prevention through vaccination against hepatitis B and to access the frequency of "sharps" injuries during surgery. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire prepared by A. Lowenfels from New York Medical College, USA was distributed between May and July 2001 to 182 members of surgical staff. Twelve hospitals located in the city of Szczecin (4 academic, 4 municipal) as well as located within a 45-mile radius in the county of Western Pomerania, Poland took part. RESULTS: 9.3% of the surgeons who responded had been infected with hepatitis B virus (group I), 79.7% had been immunised against hepatitis B (group II). The rest 11%, mainly of the age > 47 years, had never been vaccinated nor infected (group III). The median number of puncture injuries was 10 per year and the number of hours spent in the operating room--59 per month. There was no statistically significant difference in the variables such as: sex, surgical status, sub-specialty or type of hospital between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The coverage with the vaccine should be improved. A lot of surgeons who replied take high risk of percutaneous blood exposure and thus possibility of infection with HBV, but every tenth has never been vaccinated nor infected. The complete information on the risk of hepatitis B and on the safety and efficiency of active immunisation should be supplied not only among medical students, but surgical experienced staff as well.