Background: Silesia is one of the regions in Poland most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. The high number of infections among the inhabitants of the region increases the already high risk of infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus of medical workers who, due to their work, are more likely to be exposed...

(1) Background: The incidence proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Poland is not exactly known. This study aims to present secondary epidemiological data identifying the scale of the spread of novel coronavirus infection and the estimation of vaccination coverage in selected professional groups of HCWs in Poland. (2) Methods: The secondary epidemiological data included both the number of infections and infection fatality rate (IFR) in individual occupational groups, which occurred throughout the observation period (January 2021–July 2022), both in the country and in individual voivodeship (administrative area). (3) Results: The incidence proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs was 16.48%. The highest percentage of infected workers concerned laboratory scientists (21.62%) and paramedics (18%). The highest frequency of infections among HCWs occurred in the province of Zachodnio-Pomorskie (18.9%). Due to COVID-19, 558 healthcare workers died during the analysed period, mostly nurses (n = 236) and doctors (n = 200). The results regarding the vaccination coverage of HCWs against COVID-19 indicate the highest percentage of vaccinated were among doctors (83.63%) and the lowest among physiotherapists (38.2%). (4) Conclusions: In general, the percentage of infections was high in Poland during the pandemic (16.48%). Significant territorial differences were observed in the frequency of infections, deaths, and percentage of vaccinated workers in individual voivodeships.

The birth of a child brings many changes. Self-efficacy is a protective factor in finding and using own potential to cope with a new situation and even reduce the level of stress. The aim of the study was to identify factors influencing the level of self-efficacy and perceived stress...

Wstęp. Pielęgniarki pracujące w oddziałach intensywnej terapii często spotykają się ze śmiercią swoich pacjentów, która to wpływa na ich stan emocjonalny, który wpływa nie tylko na ich pracę ale też życie osobiste. Cel. Celem pracy jest przedstawienie najczęściej występujących emocji wobec śmierci u pielęgniarek opiekujących się pacjentami w zagrożeniu życia. Materiał i metody. Badanie przekrojowe przeprowadzono na grupie 108 pielęgniarek pracujących w oddziale intensywnej terapii Szpitala Uniwersyteckiego w Krakowie. Respondenci wypełniali autorski kwestionariusz oparty o standardowe narzędzie Skala Uczuć, w którym zaznaczali natężenie poszczególnych emocji przeżywanych w związku ze śmiercią. Dane opracowano w oparciu o instrukcję autorów narzędzia i korzystając z możliwości pakietu Statistica 12 przedstawiono występujące zależności. Wyniki. Najczęściej występującą emocją w związku ze śmiercią, w zakresie emocji podstawowych, jakie towarzyszyły badanym był strach (x̅=4,45) oraz smutek (x̅=4,08). W podkategoriach emocji podstawowych, najczęściej deklarowanymi uczuciami były: smutek (x̅=5,69), żal (x̅=5,43) oraz niepokój (x̅=4,71). Nie ujawniono korelacji występujących emocji zarówno z wiekiem badanych jak też ich deklarowanym doświadczeniem zawodowym (p>0,05). Jedynie poziom gniewu występował istotnie częściej w grupie badanych, którzy rzadziej doświadczali śmierci w swojej pracy tj. mniej niż 10 zgonów (p=0,03). Wnioski. Trudne doświadczenie śmierci dla pielęgniarek pracujących w oddziale intensywnej terapii najczęściej wyzwalało u nich strach i smutek. Konieczne jest więc dalsze prowadzenie badań, aby określić dokładne postawy wobec śmierci wśród personelu medycznego stykającego się ze śmiercią by zmniejszyć negatywny ich wpływ na pracę oraz życie osobiste opiekunów osób umierających. (PNN 2023;12(1):17–23)

Introduction: To reduce the incidence of influenza, healthcare workers and medical students are recommended to receive annual seasonal vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the behavior of students regarding their willingness to be vaccinated against influenza and the attitudes influencing their approval or disapproval of influenza vaccination. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed as an online survey among students of the Medical University of Silesia (MUS) of all years and specialties, as MUS is the largest medical college in Poland. A total of 302 students participated in the study and completed an online questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. The significance of the differences was tested using the chi-square test. Results: The percentage of students who received influenza vaccinations in the past was 42.1%, and in the current influenza season (Autumn 2022) was 33.4%. The level of vaccination differed significantly depending on the study program (p < 0.001). An important variable affecting the decision to vaccinate was participation in clinical classes. Among the students taking practical classes, 59.4% were vaccinated. Most respondents had a positive opinion about influenza vaccination (98%). Belief in the effectiveness of vaccination (35.6%) was the main reason for vaccination against influenza, as indicated by the respondents. The main reason for not being vaccinated was a lack of fear of influenza infection (22.9%). Conclusions: The results obtained in this study indicate the need to introduce changes in the field of broader education regarding the effectiveness of vaccinations in reducing the number of influenza virus infections among medical students.

(1) Background: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Poland is not exactly known. This study aims to present secondary epidemiological data identifying the scale of the spread of novel coronavirus infection in selected professional groups of HCWs in Poland. (2) Methods: The secondary epidemiological data included both the number of infections and the number and percentages of deaths in individual occupational groups, which occurred throughout the observation period, both in the country and in individual voivodeships. (3) Results: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs was 16.48%. The highest percentage of infected concerned laboratory scientists (21.62%) and paramedics (18%). The highest frequency of infections among HCWs occurred in the province of Zachodnio-Pomorskie (18.9%). Due to COVID-19, 558 healthcare workers died during the analysed period, mostly nurses (n=236) and doctors (n=200). The results regarding the vaccination coverage of HCWs against COVID-19 indicate the highest percentage of vaccinated were among doctors (83.63%) and the smallest among physiotherapists (38.2%). (4) Conclusions: In general, the percentage of infections was high in Poland during the pandemic (16.48%). Significant territorial differences were observed in the frequency of infections, deaths, and percentage of vaccinated workers in individual voivodeships.