In recent years, the widespread of microplastics in the food chain and environment became a topic of much research. This article focused on the knowledge and awareness of people with higher education levels—mostly young ones. The aim of this study is to analyze to what extent consumers know about and are aware of the source of microplastics, the level of exposure, and potential health hazards connected to the contamination of food and water with microplastics. The test group, consisting of 410 people, is mostly able to correctly characterize what microplastics mean and knows its sources. A majority of the group is aware of potential presence of microplastics in water; however, the knowledge about contamination of other elements of the environment seems to be gradually lowering. The majority of the people taking part in the research know that microplastic might be present in foods, and they are aware that after entering the human body, it might accumulate in internal organs. Moreover, when asked about potential health hazards, the group chose mostly tumors and gastrointestinal disorders, while disorders of the reproductive system were chosen less frequently. Consumers’ knowledge regarding the sources and health hazards of microplastics seems to be more common among women, in groups living in cities and among people who studied physics-related subjects and medicine.

Background: Epidemiological data concerning the level of asthma morbidity indicate that in Poland, asthma is diagnosed in 5–10% of the pediatric population. Aim The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and allergies in a group of children with and without asthma and to evaluate the association between exposure to environmental factors and the prevalence of bronchial asthma in a pediatric population. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of 995 children attending primary schools in the province of Silesia in 2018–2019. The research tool was an anonymous questionnaire developed based on the form used in The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Children’s health status, the prevalence of bronchial asthma, and the performance of allergic skin tests were assessed based on parents’ indications in a questionnaire. Environmental exposures such as mold and dampness in apartments or ETS were similarly assessed. Analyses were performed using Statistica 13.0; p < 0.05. Results: A total of 88 subjects (8.8%) suffered from bronchial asthma. Parents of children with asthma, compared to parents of children without the disease, were more likely to rate their children’s health as rather good (43.2% vs. 38.0%) or average (21.6% vs. 3.1%). All analyzed respiratory symptoms, as well as allergies, were statistically more frequent in children with bronchial asthma. Conclusions: The parent’s subjective assessment of the child’s health varied significantly according to the asthma diagnosis. Asthma is also associated with other diseases: allergic reactions to pollen, house dust, hay fever, and AD (atopic dermatitis) were statistically significantly more frequent among children diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

Physical and mental well-being are important determinants of medical doctors’ lives, including their professional activity, which has a direct impact on the health and lives of patients. The aim of the study was to assess the health condition of medical doctors from the Silesian Voivodeship. The physical health condition, including the prevalence of chronic diseases, drug therapy, and pro-health activities, was assessed. Data on mental health according to the HADS scale (hospital anxiety and depression scale) referred to the selected socio-economic and professional aspects of life, as well as life and job satisfaction. The doctors most often reported diseases of the circulatory system and diseases of endocrine system, nutritional status and metabolic changes, allergies, and degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Chronic diseases and anxiety or depressive disorders affected doctors aged 50–80 years more frequently, and those doctors undertook preventive pro-health activities more often. The higher risks of anxiety and depression were related to their social and professional roles, lower economic status, overweight or obesity, chronic diseases, pharmacotherapy, diets, and chronic fatigue. On the other hand, frequent physical activity, a longer sleep duration, smaller weekly workload, type of rest, a higher sense of job satisfaction, and a higher level of life satisfaction reduced the risk of disorders. The health condition of medical doctors in the Silesian Voivodeship requires decisive remedial actions in the professional and non-professional spheres.

Introduction Several studies indicate that delivery by caesarean section may be one of the risk factors for the development of childhood asthma. Aim A meta-analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between delivery by caesarean section and asthma in children. Material and...

Background: Social inequalities (e.g., poverty and low level of education) generate inequalities in health. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between indicators of social inequalities and the frequency of respiratory symptoms, asthma, and bronchitis in children. Material and Methods: In 2019, an epidemiological cross-sectional study on 3237 students from elementary schools in Silesia Voivodships (South Poland) was conducted. The students’ parents completed a questionnaire based on the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Social inequalities in the children’s families were determined according to parents’ education and professional status (working vs. unemployed), self-assessment of economic status, and housing conditions. To determine the influence of social factors on the occurrence of asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results: Children living in apartments with traces of mold had a higher risk of developing asthma (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.17–1.96; p = 0.002) or bronchitis (OR = 1.4, 95%CI: 1.13–1.72; p = 0.002), wheezing attacks at nights (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.01–1.93), wheezy in the last 12 months (OR = 1.6; 95%CI:1.24–2.08; p < 0.001), and chronic cough (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.49–2.46; p < 0.001). Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was associated with higher risk of cough (OR = 1.5 95%CI: 1.22–1.96; p < 0.001) and dyspnea in the last 12 months (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.04–2.00; p = 0.02). Low socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with increased risk of chronic cough (OR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.09–2.03; p = 0.009) and increased risk of wheezy in the last 12 months (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.06–1.97; p = 0.008). Asthma and bronchitis were not dependent on parents’ education or professional status. Conclusions: Social inequalities have significant impacts on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, bronchitis, and asthma in children. Interventions aimed at preventing bronchitis and childhood asthma should also focus on social health determinants.