Search results

1

The influence of socio-demographic characteristics on attitudes towards prophylactic vaccination in Poland

100%

Włodarska A., Gujski M., Pinkas J., Raciborski F.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|

2021

|

vol. 34

|

issue 1

121-132

EN

ObjectivesA legally regulated program of mandatory vaccinations is in place in Poland. The number of vaccination refusals increased from 3437 to 48 609 in 2010–2019. The aim of the study was to determine the association of various socio-demographic factors with the attitudes of the residents of Poland to prophylactic vaccination.Material and MethodsThe study was based on a secondary statistical analysis of a representative sample of 977 adult residents of Poland (a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study). Data was purchased from the Public Opinion Research Center.ResultsThe study group was characterized by a high level of acceptance of vaccinations. At the same time, nearly a third (31%) of the subjects agreed with the statement that vaccination is promoted mainly because this is in the interests of pharmaceutical companies, and more than a fifth (22%) of the respondents believed that vaccines for children can cause serious developmental disorders, including autism. A detailed multivariate analysis based on logistic regression revealed that being deeply religious (compared to being a non-believer) and living in a town with a population of 20 000–499 999 (compared to living in a rural area) were strongly associated with a very high acceptance of the anti-vaccination content. The opposite attitude was associated with having an average or good financial situation (compared to a poor financial situation), having completed vocational education (compared to primary education) and being ≥65 years old (as opposed to being <30 years old).ConclusionsMost socio-economic factors analyzed did not influence the respondents’ attitudes to prophylactic vaccination or showed little influence. Strong anti-vaccination beliefs were associated with being deeply religious and living in a town with a medium-size or small population.

2

Nieprawdziwe informacje w zakresie szczepień ochronnych jako wyzwanie dla zdrowia publicznego

88%

Lusawa A., Pinkas J., Zgliczyński W. S., Mazurek M., Wierzba W.

Zdrowie Publiczne i Zarządzanie

|

2019

|

vol. 17

|

issue 1

40-45

EN

The analysis of the characteristics of refusals to carry out preventive vaccinations, both in historical and contemporary perspective, showed that the dissemination of false information by vaccination movements, had and has a significant impact on the level of vaccination in the scope of individual preventive vaccinations, e.g. against polio, tetanus and diphtheria and it is real public health challenge. It is necessary to analyze the nature of the message in terms of the sender’s intentions, i.e. to distinguish between misinformation and disinformation. Preparation of an appropriate communication strategy in public health in this regard, seems necessary and crucial in terms of maintaining a high level of confidence in preventive vaccinations, and thus population resistance in the case of infectious diseases. Type of research methodology/research approach used: literature analysis.

3

Smoke-free homes in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic – a nationwide cross-sectional survey

76%

Ostrowska A., Pinkas J., Giermaziak W., Wierzba W., Gujski M., Jankowski M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|

2022

|

vol. 36

|

issue 1

84-95

EN

Objectives Secondhand smoke exposure causes serious health problems. Banning smoking in public venues decreases exposure to secondhand smoke. However, the implementation of smoke-free rules in a private setting (including homes) is largely voluntary. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of voluntary smoke-free home rules in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to identify factors associated with the voluntary implementation of smoking bans at home. Material and Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2022 with a nationally representative sample of 1090 individuals aged ≥18 years in Poland. Data were collected using a computerassisted web interviewing (CAWI) technique. The research tool was an original questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. Results Nationally, 60.6% of individuals had total ban on smoking in home (100% smoke-free home rules), 34.0% had implemented a partial smokefree home rule and 5.4% had not implemented any smoke-free home rules. Over three-quarters of non-smokers (76.8%) and only one-fifth of smokers (20.7%) had adopted a full smoke-free home rule. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, males (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.22–2.22, p < 0.01), non-smokers (OR = 13.78, 95% CI: 9.80–19.38, p < 0.001), respondents who had higher education (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.15–2.14, p < 0.01) as well as those who lived alone (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.52–3.90, p < 0.001) had higher odds of having a 100% smoke-free home rule. Conclusions This study demonstrated the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of smoke-free home rules in Poland. Less than two-thirds of the Polish population has adopted a total smoke-free home rule, with significant gaps between smokers and nonsmokers. Information on current voluntary smoke-free rules will be useful for further implementation of the smoke-free law in Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(1):84–95

4

Stress at the place of work and cognitive functions among women performing intellectual work during peri- and post-menopausal period

76%

Gujski M., Pinkas J., Juńczyk T., Pawełczak-Barszczowska A., Raczkiewicz D., Owoc A., Bojar I.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|

2017

|

vol. 30

|

issue 6

943-961

EN

Objectives The analysis of the relationship between stress at work and results of cognitive functions amongst women, at peri- and post-menopausal age, performing intellectual work. Material and Methods The study group included women, aged 45–66 years old, employed as intellectual workers. Research instruments were: the Montreal Cognitive Assessment; computer tests of the CNS Vital Signs; the Subjective Work Characteristics Questionnaire, and a questionnaire designed by the author. The results were statistically analyzed. Results Nearly a half of respondents experienced high stress at the place of work; 1/3 – on the average level, on a low level – every fifth. The largest number of respondents experienced stress caused by social contacts. Among a half of the women, stress was caused by the lack of awards at work, followed by the lack of support. Slightly fewer of them experienced stress caused by the feeling of psychological load related to the complexity of work or the feeling of uncertainty caused by the organization of work. Every third woman experienced stress due to the sense of responsibility or the lack of control. The smallest number experienced stress caused by physical arduousness, the sense of threat and unpleasant working conditions. The examined women obtained the best results with respect to simple attention, the worst results – with respect to the reaction time. The results concerning the remaining 9 cognitive functions were ranked in the middle of the aforementioned results. The intensity of stress at work and factors which caused this stress, negatively correlated with simple attention of women in the early peri-menopausal period, while positively correlating with the psychomotor and processing speed of women in the late peri-menopausal period. Among the post-menopausal women, negative correlations were observed between the majority of cognitive functions and the intensity of stress at work, and the majority of factors which caused this stress. Conclusions Cognitive functions of the examined women remained within the range of average evaluations, and were correlated with stress-inducing factors at the place of work. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):943–961

5

Social costs of loss in productivity-related absenteeism in Poland

76%

Genowska A., Fryc J., Pinkas J., Jamiołkowski J., Szafraniec K., Szpak A., Bojar I.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|

2016

|

vol. 30

|

issue 6

917-932

EN

Objectives The aim of this study was to estimate indirect costs associated with losses in productivity due to sickness absence among registered workers in Poland. Material and Methods Data on sick leave durations in 2013 was obtained from the Social Insurance Institution (SII) (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych – ZUS). Based on the number of assumptions, this data was used for calculating absence durations. The costs of lost productivity were estimated on the basis of the measure of gross value added. Results Estimated losses in productivity due to absenteeism in 2013 together accounted for 4.33% of gross domestic product (GDP) (17.09 billion euro). In the female population, the total value of losses amounted to 9.66 billion euro, but excluding the costs of pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium (2.96 billion euro), it was 6.7 billion euro. In the male population, the loss amounted to 7.43 billion euro. The highest overall costs of sickness absence based on age were found in the age group of 30–39 years (5.14 billion euro, including pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium – 1.474 billion euro; respiratory diseases – 0.632 billion euro, injuries and poisonings – 0.62 billion euro). In the group of people aged > 40 years, the highest cost was generated by bone-muscular diseases (1.553 billion euro) and injuries and poisoning (1.251 billion euro). Higher losses in the productivity of women in addition to pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium were due to mental and behavioral disorders (0.71 billion euro), diseases of the genitourinary system (0.38 billion euro), and neoplasms (0.35 billion euro). At the same time, in men, compared to women, we observed higher losses due to injuries and poisoning (1.65 billion euro), and diseases of musculoskeletal (1.26 billion euro), nervous (0.79 billion euro), circulatory (0.65 billion euro), and digestive (0.41 billion euro) systems. Conclusions Improvement and further development of effective strategies for prevention of complications of pregnancy and chronic diseases in the workplace are necessary. Policies aimed at reduction of sickness absence could potentially increase prosperity and the socioeconomic situation in Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):917–932

6

Public and private health care services in the opinion of physicians in Poland

76%

Zgliczyński W. S., Jankowski M., Rostkowska O., Sytnik-Czetwertyński J., Śliż D., Karczemna A., Pinkas J.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|

2020

|

vol. 33

|

issue 2

195-214

EN

ObjectivesHealth care services in Poland are delivered by public and private providers. The aims of this study were to assess the attitudes towards private and public health care services in Poland and to identify differences between them, in the opinion of physicians.Material and MethodsA questionnaire-based survey was carried out among physicians attending mandatory courses delivered at the School of Public Health, the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education in Warsaw, Poland. The questionnaire included 29 questions concerning private and public health care services.ResultsCompleted questionnaires were obtained from 502 physicians (67.7% females), aged 42.1±10.8 years, with a response rate of 77.2%. In the opinion of the surveyed doctors, the major advantages of private health care units, in comparison with public ones, are short waiting times for an appointment (88.2%), an efficient on-site service (78.6%) and convenient appointment times (75.7%). The respondents gave high scores to items such as relations with patients (p < 0.001), superiors (p < 0.001) and colleagues (p = 0.03) when working in private, rather than public, institutions. In the opinion of physicians, public health care institutions guarantee better employment conditions (44.4% vs. 13%; p < 0.001) and security (29.1% vs. 11.1%; p < 0.001) than private ones. The respondents did not observe any differences (p > 0.05) between public and private facilities in terms of the involvement of medical staff and infrastructure. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in the perception of working conditions in public and private health care institutions depending on the medical education level and the place of primary employment. Conclusions: Among physicians in Poland, private medical institutions are perceived as better organized and granting faster as well as more comprehensive access to health care services when compared to public ones. Closing the gaps between working conditions in public and private units could encourage physicians to practice in the public health care sector.

7

The multidimensional nature of attitudes towards preventive vaccinations – a cross-sectional survey among Poles aged 15–39 years

64%

Raciborski F., Tomaszewska A., Rakocy K., Samel-Kowalik P., Samoliński B., Gujski M., Pinkas J., Jankowski M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|

2023

|

vol. 36

|

issue 2

214-228

EN

Objectives Vaccination skepticism and vaccination refusal both constitute global public health concerns. Systematic monitoring of public attitudes towards vaccination is crucial for maintaining a high vaccination coverage rate. The study aimed to identify and characterize homogenous social groups distinguished by attitudes toward preventive vaccinations. Material and Methods Between October and November of 2021, a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of 1560 inhabitants of Poland aged 15–39 years. The study questionnaire included 60 questions on public attitudes towards vaccines, vaccination, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Factor analysis was applied to identify the main dimensions of vaccination attitudes. Results Factor analysis included 22 variables and yielded 3 factors or dimensions that accounted for 48.5% of the model’s variability. Young adults were assigned into 6 homogeneous groups based on these factors: 1) general trust in vaccination, 2) vaccine safety concerns, 3) trust in fake medical news regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and denying the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups I–IV differed by sociodemographic factors and vaccination coverage rates. Nearly 60% of the respondents expressed concern regarding various aspects of vaccination. Conclusions Most of Poland’s young adults lack clearly defined attitudes towards vaccination. Attitudes towards vaccination can be divided into 6 heterogeneous groups.

8

The prevalence of cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use and heated tobacco use among police employees in Poland: a 2020 cross-sectional survey

64%

Jankowski M., Gujski M., Pinkas J., Opoczyńska-Świeżewska D., Krzych-Fałta E., Lusawa A., Wierzba W., Raciborski F.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|

2021

|

vol. 34

|

issue 5

629-645

EN

ObjectivesUniformed services such as police employees are exposed to acute and chronic stressful events at work that may lead to tobacco use. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use and heated tobacco use among police employees in Poland, and to investigate personal characteristics associated with tobacco or e-cigarette use.Material and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in June–July 2020 on a randomly selected sample of 8789 police employees from the Mazowieckie Province, Poland.ResultsCompleted questionnaires were obtained from 5082 police employees (79.2% being police officers) with an overall response rate of 57.8%. Smoking ≥100 cigarettes or similar amounts of other tobacco products was declared by 54.6% of the respondents, with significant differences (p < 0.001) between males (56.8%) and females (50.3%). Daily cigarette smoking was declared by 19.5% of the respondents, and 13.4% were occasional cigarette smokers. Daily e-cigarette use was declared by 3.1% of the respondents, and 3.2% were occasional e-cigarette users. Daily heated tobacco use was declared by 2.6% of the respondents, and 2.9% were occasional heated tobacco users. Higher odds of occasional cigarette smoking were observed among men compared to women (OR = 1.254, 95% CI: 1.009–1.558), and among the participants aged 20–29 years (OR = 7.982, 95% CI: 3.066–20.775) or 30–44 years (OR = 3.730, 95% CI: 1.44–9.599) vs. those aged ≥60 years. Higher odds of occasional e-cigarette use were observed among the participants aged 20–29 years (OR = 4.554, 95% CI: 1.213–17.101) vs. those aged 60 years. Police employees with office-based work had lower odds of daily cigarette smoking vs. those with fieldwork (OR = 0.726, 95% CI: 0.55–0.946). Police officers had higher odds of daily heated tobacco use compared to civil workers (OR = 3.362, 95% CI: 1.325–8.534). Conclusions The authors observed a marked proportion of police employees who declared occasional tobacco or e-cigarette use, which may indicate the common social smoking phenomenon in this occupational group.

Refine search results

The influence of socio-demographic characteristics on attitudes towards prophylactic vaccination in Poland

Nieprawdziwe informacje w zakresie szczepień ochronnych jako wyzwanie dla zdrowia publicznego

Smoke-free homes in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic – a nationwide cross-sectional survey

Stress at the place of work and cognitive functions among women performing intellectual work during peri- and post-menopausal period

Social costs of loss in productivity-related absenteeism in Poland

Public and private health care services in the opinion of physicians in Poland

The multidimensional nature of attitudes towards preventive vaccinations – a cross-sectional survey among Poles aged 15–39 years

The prevalence of cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use and heated tobacco use among police employees in Poland: a 2020 cross-sectional survey