Background: Increased workload and of the health workforce (HW) strained the capacity to maintain essential health services (EHS) during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, while putting them at increased risk of COVID-19 and other consequences to their health. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the health, wellbeing, and working conditions of nurses in Slovakia and to identify gaps in policies to be addressed to increase preparedness of the HW for future emergencies. Methods: A nation-wide cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses during November–December 2021, referring to the period of January 2021 to November 2021. To assess the differences between impact on HW on various levels of care, respondents were grouped by type of facility: hospital-COVID-19 wards; Hospital–non-covid ward; Outpatient or ER; Other care facilities. Results: 1170 nurses participated, about 1/3 of them tested positive for COVID-19 by November 2021, mostly developing mild disease. Almost 2/3 reported long-covid symptoms and about 13% reported that they do not plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The median of the score of the impact of workload on health was 2.8 (56% of the maximum 5), the median score of mental health-wellbeing was 1.9 (63% of a maximum of 3). The studied impacts in all domains were highest in nurses working in COVID-19 hospital wards. Significant disruptions of health care were reported, with relatively high use of telemedicine to mitigate them. Overall, about 70% of the respondents thought of leaving their job, mostly due to working stress or inadequate pay. Conclusions: Our study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic poses a substantial burden on the health, wellbeing and working conditions of nurses in Slovakia and that a large proportion of nurses considered leaving their jobs because of work overload or low salaries. Human resource strategies should be adopted to attract, retain and continuously invest in HW development including in emergency preparedness and response. Such an approach may improve the resilience and preparedness of the health system in Slovakia for future emergencies.

Background: Despite the available diagnostics and treatment, tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease currently occurring. Even some high-income countries in the world do not fully control it at this time. The reason for this situation is the lack of elimination programs to address the situation. The aim of the update of the prediction data was to create a presumption of TB development in Slovakia by 2040. Methods: We used the time series prediction method with exponential equalization. The basis for the calculation were historical data on the incidence of TB from 1960 to 2018 in Slovakia (data for the last 58 yr). This time series has a clearly declining level. In view of this trend, we have set a threshold, whether and when the incidence in the future will fall below 5.0 patients per 100,000 inhabitants. Results: In case of a favorable development, the limit of our incidence drop below 5.0 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in 2022, when the incidence will be 4.91 per 100 000 inhabitants. In 2040, the predicted incidence of TB should be 1.78 per 100 000 inhabitants. A gradual decline may also be related to a decrease in the population of the Slovak Republic. Conclusion: Slovakia belongs to those countries of the world where TB is under control. Increased surveillance of high-risk communities through community interventions and countries' readiness for global migration can help to influence factors that may aggravate the epidemiological situation of TB.

Introduction: The article deals with the psychological workload of nurses working at the workplace of long-term patients. Goal: The goal of the work is to determine the level of psychological burden of nurses and its management at the workplace of long-term sick ward.patients. Methodology: In the study, a quantitative form of survey was chosen through a standardized questionnaire, which was supplemented with its own anonymous questions. The survey sample consisted of 216 respondents who worked in the position of a nurse in long-term care, while the condition was at least 1 year of experience at the given workplace. Results: It was found that 56% of the respondents decided on the given job because it was their dream job goal. The incidence of feeling stressed less than every week due to work was reported by 43% of respondents. Up to 58% of respondents felt mental and physical stress to the same degree. Psychological stress was caused by cooperation and communication with nurses in up to 49%. For 21% of respondents, the stressful situations were urgent, and in 16% the nurses‘ behavior played a role. Conclusion: From the results, it is possible to clearly recommend a higher level of education, preventive programs, an increase in the frequency of education and an expansion of educational resources related to burnout syndrome and psychological stress.

Introduction. Malnutrition is a condition in which, due to a lack of absorption or supply of appropriate nutrients, changes occur in body composition and impairment of physical and mental functioning, which can adversely affect the treatment of diseases. Aim. The study aimed to assess the condition of patients with organic damage to the central nervous system (CNS) who underwent nutritional therapy during hospitalization. Material and Methods. The retrospective analysis included 42 patients hospitalized due to traumatic brain injuries or vascular CNS disorders who received enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at admission and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge. Biochemical parameters, including total protein, albumin, leukocytes and C-reactive protein (CRP), were analyzed before and after nutritional intervention. Results. The results showed no significant relationship between the initial neurological status (GCS) and the final clinical outcome (GOS). A statistically significant association was found between older age and lower functional independence at discharge. Longer duration of nutritional therapy was strongly correlated with prolonged hospitalization. Nutritional treatment did not significantly affect total protein or albumin levels; however, it led to statistically significant reductions in inflammatory markers, including CRP and leukocyte counts. Conclusions. Nutritional therapy proved beneficial primarily in reducing inflammation, which may support recovery in patients with organic CNS damage. The findings emphasize the importance of early nutritional assessment, individualized nutritional strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration in the care of neurological patients. (JNNN 2025;14(4):151–157)

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that contributes to the occurrence of limitations in the patient's life. In order to assess the quality of life of patients with diabetes, the following aspects should be taken into account: age, gender, education, presence of complications, Material and methods: The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method. The research tools were: a survey questionnaire consisting of metrics and clinical parameters, the ADDQoL questionnaire, The study was conducted on a group of 104 patients (including 58 women and 46 men) in the Diabetes Clinic at the Provincial Hospital in Bielsko-Biała in the period from April 20, 2018 to September 1, 2018. Results: Diabetes has been shown to have a negative impact on all 19 ADDQoL domains. The most negative feelings concern the future, freedom in eating, and enjoying leisure activities. Conclusions: Patients with type 2 diabetes have a negative impact on their quality of life. Patients with diabetes require greater focus on educational activities aimed at adhering to a rational diet and psychological support.